Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Despite the terrifying material requirements, a spark of determination sparkled in his eyes.

'I must build it for my future human subjects. Maybe even dwarves and elves flock here because of my city's high mana density!'

His fist trembled as he gripped the obelisk blueprint.

Even if he couldn't construct it now and Pharaoh didn't lose anything by trading it since he could ask Setna to draw them in batches, his lips still curled into a delighted smile.

In an excellent mood, he dismissed it in a rain of sparks and retrieved the blueprints he had traded with War Machine.

Oika

Introduction:

A typical house from Greek antiquity. Perfect for raising families and relaxing in the large rooms after a hard day's work.

Effects: increase in loyalty and satisfaction.

Materials required: 50 units of bricks, and 100 units of wood.

His lips curled into a satisfied grin at the design, finding it to his liking.

Even if some would call him stupid to trade several military blueprints for a single housing one, he shrugged in indifference for two reasons.

First, the equipment level was low. The other lords would get their own in less than a week, which would cause their worth to plummet. Second, he cared for his citizens. They had worked hard since he summoned them. Seeing them live in shaky huts around the demonic altar pained his heart.

'It'll also increase their loyalty and satisfaction, so it's worth it.'

He grinned, dismissing the blueprint and gazing at his material list.

[5974 iron/12 132 stones/4850 wood/ food 6 528.]

He sighed this time.

When he sold meat on the third day, many lords bought one or two units, making the price bearable for them. But pay for an entire equipment blueprint alone? They didn't have enough. Therefore, he had engaged in a fierce negotiation with an alliance, selling them the two helmets and greaves for stone and wood units.

'I also have 581 beast cores to sell. But what can I ask for?'

He once again faced the problem he hated the most when he played MMORPGs.

He had valuable items, but others couldn't afford them. So, he could only swallow an enormous loss while arming competitors or let the cores' value depreciate...

'You know what? I'll send them to Mimi. She'll have a powerful Amazon army to protect herself.'

Without wasting time, he told her to list a unit of food for 581 beast cores despite her reluctance and proceeded with the transaction.

The loots taken care of, he dusted his hands in satisfaction and closed his eyes to absorb demonic essence with the others.

DING

[Demonic essence increased by one.]

Two hours later, the gleeful notification resounded in his ears, sending a wave of eagerness through his trembling arms.

'I can hasten the process even more. I'm only lacking proficiency to do so.'

A broad grin stretched his lips as an orange hue filled the sky and the pride sun dipped on the horizon.

However, he still had one last thing to do before sharing a hearty dinner with his subjects and calling it a night.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw Muramasa and Dimitris speaking with Garduck and his non-combatant citizens. Heart drumming in his chest, he also noticed the dozen glistening axes and chisels they carried.

He joined them in the blink of an eye and patted Muramasa's rock-hard arm in delight.

"Oh! Are you done refining essence, my lord? I hope we didn't disturb you."

Dimitris' smile reached his ears as he caught the old carpenter's renewed vigor after sleeping on a fluffy bed. Yet, his focus was elsewhere.

Eyes sparkling in anticipation, he snatched the tools without answering before passing a finger on the razor-sharp blade. Its icy surface pierced through his hard skin and drew warm blood without effort.

'Incredible!"

He whistled, eager to begin the wall's construction now and already moving to guide everyone.

However, Garduck seized his hoodie. Eyes narrowing into slits, he scrutinised this bizarre lord as his voice echoed his confusion.

"What are you doing with the tools?"

"What do you want me to do with them? Start the wall's construction, of course!"

He heard Garduck's palm slap his forehead as hints of frustration laced his answer.

"You can't do menial work before your subjects. Do you think it'll inspire us to see our lord sweating and cutting wood?"

His brows creased into a frown at the unreasonable explanation.

"You see me sweat every day when we raid camps. What's the difference?"

"If I may interject, my lord, please listen to this old man for a second."

Dimitris stepped in, his white hair glistening under the setting sun.

"A lord has to inspire his subjects, meaning guiding them in wars and showing you're willing to fight for them fills the description. However, other jobs will degrade the image they have of you. Think about it. Why would you remain their leader if you share their jobs all day instead of managing the territory?"

Muramasa nodded and added.

"The Ashikaga Shogunate never helped with menial tasks, either. They promoted art and culture throughout the territory despite their military regime. You can take inspiration from them and guide your subjects to do what you want while you ensure their protection and good living conditions."

"Mhh."

With a pensive groan, he tucked his fingers around his chin.

As a gamer, he had experience clicking and constructing the correct buildings for his citizens' satisfaction to increase. In turn, they'd spend more money, rebel less and get him higher tax returns.

However, he wasn't clicking here. True, he had shown a strong facade to keep their morale high before battles. But for the territory's management? He just followed his feelings and did what he wanted thus far.

'I can't do that anymore. Luna, Garduck, Dimitris and Muramasa are right. I must become a true lord who inspires his subjects by guiding them.'

His frown deepened. Strategies would rapidly become a problem, too. Even if he had a clear vision of what he wanted, he couldn't tire himself by supervising everything by himself.

'I'll need councillors and specialists versed in management to support me.'

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