Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

After greeting Garduck, Morwen, and Zephyr, he sat at the war table's helm. A hand supporting his chin and his fingers drumming a rhythmical RPG beat on the exquisite wood, he scanned the kingdom's map.

"We're spread and don't have the numbers to hold other cities."

He squinted at the three white pieces on Foliaris, Asterionis, and Thalassara, then the three red ones at the center and at the western border.

As he pondered, Garduck nodded and placed Shadow's written report beside the map.

"Aside from the teams the king sent to hunt Zane, Victoria, Sarah, and Silas, the situation is eerie calm. I don't know if he's foolish or wise, but he's conscripting civilians en masse." He pointed at the estimated numbers, a deep furrow creasing his brows. "The capital has around twenty thousand soldiers alone. Counting the other cities, I'd lean more towards the triple, so I totally agree. If only we hadn't lost so many elite demons during the second event."

He discerned the regret in Garduck's tone, shared it, and let a one-minute silence settle in their honor. But as cruel as it might sound, if manpower was the only problem, he could just summon and train more fighters after getting enough cores.

With a smirk, he pointed at the door, then at the bored Zephyr and Morwen.

"Convene the new city lord and tell him to bring me the badge. Send someone to Asterionis and Thalassara to get those, too." He winked mischievously. "Take your time to explore the city and bring me their local specialities once you're done."

As the two teenagers bolted out, their thankful yells enlivening the room, he placed his abyssal Wayfinder on the table.

"The kingdom's roads are safe, but not the wilderness. We can't disappoint the king's patience." His eyes narrowed into fiery slits. "I'll summon twenty thousand soldiers by the end of the week."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

As his words hung heavy in the air, the hasty drumming of footsteps reverberated by the entrance.

"Already here?"

He chuckled as he saw a blond man draped in an elegant white and red toga burst into the room. The man's wide blue eyes, sweat-covered forehead, and labored breath added to his amusement.

"You must be Kyriakos." He gestured at the seat opposite him. "I heard you wanted to meet me, but I'll need the city badge first."

However, Kyriakos stood frozen by the door, his fists trembling. He had expected a demon like Garduck or Bart, not a handsome humanoid dragon! Still, he had awaited this meeting for two weeks, so he forced his shaky legs to bring him forward as an awed smile twisted his lips.

He bowed and introduced himself as per the kingdom's custom by adding a lot of flattery. Yet, he shortened his speech upon seeing Adam roll his eyes. The city badge clinked with the table the next second as he spoke respectfully.

"I'm at your service, my king."

"I'm no king yet. But I appreciate your support and enthusiasm."

As Kyriakos smiled, he gripped the large silver badge, feeling the cold metal's engravings. And with its possession came the usual notifications.

[Congratulations on capturing a city. Your territory will expand to encompass its surroundings.]

Territory status

Rank: Bronze III

Area: 1.354->3.500km²

With a satisfied grin, he returned the badge, his eyes already on his warehouse's interface. The sheer number of different materials made him cheer in his mind and clench his fists before he exhaled.

'I'll only check the basic ones and elemental gems. The others will manage the rest.'

[Basic: stones x15.400.000/ wood x6.555.000/ iron x1.350.740 / food x2.000.000/ Gold 6.000.000.]

[Elemental gems: earth gems x850/ water gems x850/ wind gems x850/ fire gems x920/darkness gems x380/ light gems x280.]

'I'll have enough fire gems to build the heretic's guild with the other two cities' gems!' Enjoy new stories from empire

His eyes sparkled as he leapt to his feet, his heart drumming in his ears. Training would become so much easier that he wanted to rush back, increase his neglected lord mansion's level to build it and lock himself inside for a month. How powerful would he become if he did?

The question rumbled in his mind, but he shook his head and sat back despite his eagerness. Oikos' conquest came first, then the raid on the griffin's lair.

So, why did he request the badges? To splurge on the lord's market, of course!

Fingers twitching, he opened the chat box and posted his offer without checking the answers.

[Adam: I'm buying cores of any tier in bulk. Get some nice resources by listing yours.]

Despite the flood of new entries, he swept the market clean, even if some prices bordered on scamming.

Once done, he gazed at his inventory of 2500 tier-one cores, 1000 tier-two, and five hundred tier-three.

'Sad I couldn't find tier-four ones, but that's already four thousand additional soldiers. As for their species.' He tapped on his lips pensively. 'Tier-one for humans, tier-two for elves, and tier-three for demons.'

Convinced about his plan, he turned to the waiting Garduck and Kyriakos.

"Invest the gold to improve the cities' facilities. Get me the blueprints and put the chests' materials in the warehouses. Finally, instruct your lieutenants to teach the newcomers our formations while they raid the weaker beast camps."

With everything said, he rose to his feet and cracked his neck.

"Gather the general. We'll visit the highest levelled ones after I summon them."

Garduck and Kyriakos nodded and took determined steps on their way to carry out their tasks.

Meanwhile, he unfurled his wings and took to the sky. Like a dark spear, he cleaved the wind, reaching Harmony's warehouse a few minutes later.

After emptying the cores into bulging bags, he dragged everything under the citizens' confused gazes and curious whispers to the demon den.

With his usual pitcher stance, he hurled the bags into the pool of liquid fire and selected the summons' species.

Human knights, fighters, monks, and novice mages appeared in a burning spectacle of dancing flames. Elves followed, their pointed ears and long hair catching the fire's light as they held slender blades or bows.

Finally, the scent of sulfur thickened as his djinns, Asuras, and succubus stepped out and kneeled before him.

After commanding them to follow, he guided the four thousand troops to the demonic altar and entered Bart's house.

"New mission, big guy. Accompany our new recruits to Foliaris and join us in raiding camps—just the original team."

Bart's eyes brightened as he leapt to his feet and gripped his blade.

"I'm in! Give me a minute to invite Shihan."

He stepped out, chuckling. They still lived by the altar, so he really saw Shihan emerge and smile at him a minute later.

Yet, she puffed her cheeks in a mischievous pout the next second.

"I know you all wanted me to rest and take my marks, but two weeks? I miss the thrill of our adventures and the satisfaction of contributing to the territory!"

"Hahaha. Bart stayed in the town most of the time, too. We can't leave it undefended, but you're right. I wanted you to enjoy the peace you helped to build before things became hectic."

A warm smile spread across his face as he saw her wink and guide the soldiers with Bart.

As the noise of their departing footsteps reverberated, he flew back to Foliaris and enjoyed the local food with the teenagers, Garduck, Luna, and Kyriakos.