'How did her loyalty increase?'
He tilted his head, confused about the notification as a pained groan escaping his lips.
"My lord! Are you alright?"
While Garduck bent on the side, breath ragged and chest heaving, Shihan and Bart lunged before him, lowering their heads in shame.
They still couldn't believe he would forsake his benefits for their well-being, something that would have never happened in their dog-eat-dog, or more accurately, demon-eat-demon realm.
However, anger overcame Shihan's guilt as she gripped his shoulder.
"You can't do that again! Never endanger yourself to help mere subjects! We are a bunch of unwanted lesser demons. We won't matter in the future when you improve and summon greater ones."
Despite his aching side, his hand rose to meet hers, and his eyes narrowed into two fiery, determined slits.
"I don't care about your tier, level, or species. My territory will welcome everyone and move onwards as one."
He sighed, knowing she was right. But it wasn't who he was.
He lingered for a moment, his lips curling into a bright smile.
"If you are a lesser demon now, we'll become greater and even noble demons by supporting each other. I'll leave no one behind!"
As his words echoed, Shihan stepped back, eyes trembling and tremors jolting her body.
Meanwhile, Bart's teeth sank. Even the recovering Garduck's fists clenched.
They had never heard such an extravagant promise in their life. Why would a lord help his subjects improve? They'll only risk potential rebellions. So, what gave him this idea?
They remembered their lives in the demon realm and how they were offered two options to progress. They could either hunt demonic beasts in the wild, risking their lives with each step taken or... deceive other demons and devour their essence.
Of course, they had a third way, but no one took it seriously because it was tedious and excruciatingly slow. Like other species, they could gather essence diligently in demonic energy-rich places.
The djinn behind massaged his forehead. Unconvinced by the speech, his fiery voice resounded next.
"Your path is doomed to fail. We've seen sons and daughters eviscerate their parents. Some demons you'll summon would have done it. Do you believe you can change higher demons' worldviews with a few words?"
They all fell into deep thoughts, the wind blowing the now charred hobgoblin's scent into their noses.
Yet, Adam didn't step back.
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"I'll try. If they can't accept my views, they can return to the demon realm and continue to indulge like savages for all I care."
He straightened his back despite the pain and raised his head high.
"I'll build a place where everyone can sleep without fear. A haven in which demons can turn a new leaf and forget about their past or history."
He smiled brightly at his four trembling subjects.
"You are the first individuals I summoned. I'll let none of you die before you see this city become a reality."
[Shihan's loyalty reached the maximum.]
[Bart's loyalty reached the maximum.]
[Garduck's loyalty increased by twenty points.]
[Unnamed djinn's loyalty increased by fifteen points.]
His smile reached his eyes as he read the notifications and observed the determination sparking in his four subjects' eyes.
"I know your hearts are heavy after this battle, but gather the camp's resources. We'll bring them back and pay Luna for her help. Then, we'll brainstorm around a well-deserved meal."
His subjects moved around the camp's rough houses with determined steps, heeding his command with renewed vigor and without complaining.
Meanwhile, he allowed himself to plop to the ground, an agonising grimace distorting his face as his back and mysteriously wounded ribs struck at his nerves.
Even if he shared his vision with them, facts didn't change. He had messed up on this expedition by underestimating the goblin's leader.
'The level gap is no joke. It overwhelmed everyone with swiftness and raw strength, not to mention the mana.'
He still reaped a few benefits, though. His subjects' loyalty and his growing army's camaraderie increased. But as Shihan said, he had to ensure his safety.
'We'll cross raids for a few days. We should focus on gathering food, wood and levelling up.'
Thinking about level, he had a few stat points to distribute.
LVL: 4
Exp: 67/160
HP: 30/70
Vitality: 5->7
Strength: 5->7
Agility: 5->7
Demonic essence: 2
Free attribute points: 6->0
Note: Hestia is pleased by your actions. She is boasting about an abnormal imp to Demeter and Asclepius. The ancient Mesopotamian god Inana is gazing at you.
A deep frown creased his brows after he read the note. Why did Hestia boast? And Inana... Who?
Worry gnawed at his heart. He still didn't understand those gods' influence or implications in this world. But he knew some lords could sign a contract with them like that Pharaoh he had seen in the chat.
He shivered. Being watched by ancient deities didn't please him the least.
Still, he found some humour in the bizarre situation as the noise of his subjects gathering goods echoed, and the breeze ruffled his fiery hair, making him relax a little.
'At least they can't be worse than Baal.'
A moment later, they gathered, and Shihan's voice brought him back from his contemplation.
"We found enough meat to feed ourselves for a week, but without means of conservation, it'll last two days at most. We also dismantled the houses the djinn didn't burn."
Her eyes narrowed at the djinn before she continued.
"We can build a few houses with it, but transportation will require several trips."
As her words lingered, Bart stepped forward. He dropped a small engraved chest before him, showing his loyalty as he noticed it hadn't been opened yet.
"I found it in the Hobgoblin's hut."
Adam's eyes lit up, and a smile broadened as he opened it without delay.
Ignoring the wood's smooth texture, he saw a few pieces of paper and a short dark robe exuding a sense of mysticism that tugged at his heart.
Upon focusing on it, a notification window appeared, sending his mind to a world of bliss.