The interface had appeared, showing the geographical map with the various layers of land that made up the kingdoms. The screen appeared blurred, almost faded, because they had not yet been unlocked.
The kingdom of the man-beasts, named "Feralium," had appeared clearer than the others, and around it, the Clouk system evoked its voice:
New conquest made: the Kingdom of Feralium was under the control of the demon king.
There were still numerous kingdoms to occupy and conquer. The task of a demon king was demanding and required time. His empire needed to expand and covered entire lands.
As for Artoris, his rise to the rank of "DIABLE" did not go unnoticed. Normally, demons are born with a single characteristic element, whose discovery occurs during adolescence. Among the possible elements are air, earth, fire and water. Artoris, however, had managed to access a mode that few other demons could reach: the second rank. He had become a "diable," thanks both to the leveling obtained during the clashes and to the experience points acquired during the journey.
He had already abandoned his old identity, that of Arturo, to immerse himself completely in the role of the demon king, embodying a dark and malevolent power. He had not chosen to be the villain; he had ended up playing that role by chance. As long as that role guaranteed him survival, it was enough for him.
Meanwhile, the humans were also busy, surely galloping with their horses, which certainly would have tired them a lot, since Artoris moved in flight thanks to Purply. Despite the time lost due to the clash with Daltonious, Artoris tried to get back on track and not waste any more time. Once they reached the valley of the Dwarves, there would be cause for celebration, since the kingdom of demons would have obtained very powerful weapons.
In addition to already possessing phenomenal genetic affinities by nature, the weapons would have represented a great evolution even for Abyssilum. Artoris couldn't wait for this intrepid moment. The idea that everything would come under his control was irresistible, so much so that he let out an innocent smile. Maybe he was fantasizing too much.
Artoris waved his palm closing the interface, it was a great success and he would have certainly wanted to celebrate the great success of the previous day. But now they had to set off again, because there was an even more important task, that of reaching the valley of the dwarves.
Purply lowered his head, allowing Artoris and Kira to jump on his back. Expanding his wings and retracting his legs, he quickly rose in flight until he reached the immensity of the sky.
"From up here, you can see the river." Kira said, spotting a valley. An intrepid green meadow that extended next to a winding river.
Artoris gave a pat on Purply's back, signaling to descend to that point. "Purply, cross the river and fly at low altitude." "At your orders, my lord." Purply glided over the river like an arrow, then, like an airplane, descended while spreading his wings, generating a gust of wind capable of making the trees tremble.
Around the lush green that covered the entire territory, some structures stood out for their low height. They were piled up with simple stones, and with a gabled roof sloping upwards. The dwarves were represented as he had always imagined them since he was a child. The sound of the waterfalls and the chirping of the birds, mixed with the daily tasks performed by the dwarves.
Around those houses, Artoris widened his eyes and managed to see them, they were the dwarves, chubby little beings with a mane of beard, busy with their daily tasks. Some were pulling carts full of fruit, others were still working in wood.
"I don't see any trace of humans, my lord," Purply commented. Purply landed with a muffled thud, and suddenly, the beating of his wings unleashed a violent gust of wind that swept the dwarves away instantly. The peaceful harmony that had reigned until that moment was broken, and the dwarves gathered promptly, those wearing shining armor brandished long pointed spears. Artoris was shocked at the sight. "Those must be the famous weapons of the dwarves!"
The first dwarf advanced, always with the tip of the spear pointed at the intruders. "Who are you?!" Artoris raised his hands in a sign of peace and advanced with slow and cautious steps, placing one foot after the other, always maintaining an innocent and reassuring expression.
"Lower your weapons, we don't want to hurt you," Artoris said in a calm tone. The dwarf raised an eyebrow, gripping the spear tightly. "You came here for..." the dwarf began. "For your weapons," Artoris interrupted. The dwarves jumped.
"I know you make the most powerful weapons in the world, is that true?" Artoris asked firmly. The dwarf hesitated, then said hesitantly, "Well!" "Answer," Artoris urged. The dwarf tilted his head, closing his eyes as he reflected. After a moment, he raised his gaze and stared at Artoris with determination.
"But what are you saying?" asked the incredulous dwarf. Artoris emanated a dark aura that enveloped the entire territory. "You... how dare you mock me!" protested Artoris while the dwarf and his companions were enveloped by the dark aura. "W-wait! Okay, we'll give you our weapons, okay?" stammered the dwarf, visibly intimidated.
The dark aura dissipated and Artoris smiled satisfied. "Good, I like you like this. Now, let's get to the point." The dwarf signaled Artoris to follow him along the path. As they walked, Artoris heard the constant and powerful sound of the waterfalls. They were in a spectacular valley, and Artoris almost envied the dwarves for the privilege of living in such a place blessed by nature. The dwarf led Artoris towards a cellar, a rather imposing wooden structure. Entering, Artoris saw a series of dwarves at work, busy hammering the wood to carve swords. There were bows, swords and weapons of all kinds. Artoris admired them one by one, admiring the craftsmanship of the dwarves.
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Here are produced the most powerful weapons in the world…
The dwarf led Artoris towards an old dwarf with a long mane and a gaze marked by the years. "He is the best craftsman in the valley of the dwarves, it is thanks to him that these weapons are produced," The old dwarf turned and his tired eyes fell on Artoris. His hand trembled slightly. "The demon king? W... What is a demon king doing here!" he shivered.
"Show me what the weapons you produce can do!" The old dwarf seemed surprised. "You too?" he asked uncertainly. "You too in what sense?" Artoris asked. "Earlier, some humans came to us, but they left shortly after." "They've already arrived? And you let them go?" Artoris asked, with a shiver of anticipated victory. "Yes, they didn't seem interested in allying with us."
Good, this works in my favor. So Heden won't have the weapons of the dwarves.
The old dwarf took a medieval sword and beckoned Artoris to follow him. They left the wooden structure and ventured towards a green meadow. The dwarf brandished the sword and pointed it at the demon king. "Come on, show me what a weapon made by a dwarf craftsman can do!"
I must admit that I am a bit worried. If that sword were to really hurt me, it would be a problem. This dwarf could easily kill me. Fortunately, I have Purply behind me, who is watching over me.
The dwarf tightly gripped the sword and his small feet quickly sprang, running towards Artoris with a daring air. The beard mane waved as he approached, holding the sword pointed towards Artoris' heart. Artoris heard the dwarf's grunt getting closer and closer, highlighting his exceptional warrior past.
As soon as the sword touched Artoris' garment, the blade broke and fell to the ground. "No, no, no, this is the umpteenth weapon that I break!" exclaimed the dwarf, as he began to whimper. "Damn! I'll never be able to forge a worthy weapon. We dwarves... we really suck at making weapons!"
"Eh?" Artoris said, lowering his gaze. He saw the dwarf crouching in an attempt to recover the shattered piece of the sword. With wide eyes, he saw the dwarf trying to put the blade back together.
Artoris fell backwards. What did it mean? Was it a joke? Yet the dwarves had a widespread reputation precisely for their weapons forged by the best craftsmen. Or maybe it was Artoris, who had become very powerful?
In his mind, he had the image of the village chief with the appearance of a turtle, staggering but with the innocent smile firm on his face, while he leaned on the stick and repeated the following phrase: "The reason why the dwarves no longer make weapons for the beastmen is... is that their weapons are crap!"
'It's useless to repeat that the journey was useless, they had lost a companion, they had lost a slave, and moreover they had risked their lives clashing with a beastman with great destructive power. Artoris put a hand to his face in a sign of resignation. As soon as he opened his eyes, he looked malevolently at the dwarf. He wanted to eradicate their race, he considered them useless for having made him waste so much time. Perhaps the humans had had the same reaction and, if so, he understood. Never had he embarked on such a useless and counterproductive expedition, not even in games. Usually a journey always served a purpose. Well, at least he had conquered a kingdom, which could be enough.
Artoris pounded the ground and clenched his teeth. Those weapons... he felt the need to possess them.
"WHAT A JOKE IS THIS!!!!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. Then, he ordered Purply to massacre the dwarves. They had no right to live, dirty beings who stained the territory with their poor weapons. They were in no way satisfying. Purply, with the stinger in his mouth, advanced moving with fury, the drool that dripped from his mouth as he threw himself forward and created an unprecedented massacre.
The dwarves panicked. The army intervened, trying to aim at the target with their bows, but the bows broke after firing the first arrow. "Shit!" exclaimed a dwarf, picking up another bow that broke again after the first attempt to insert an arrow.
In the end, they threw the weapons to the ground and tried to run away, but it was too late. They were taken prisoner and dragged back by Purply, who dragged them until he stuffed them one by one.
Goodbye to the valley of the dwarves, the houses were razed to the ground and on the ground there was the spill of blood of those beings who until a minute ago were carrying a basket of fruit "Shit! Maybe I overdid it!" Artoris repeated. "I let myself get carried away too much by frustration."
He saw that a dwarf was still alive. He raised his gaze and widened his eyes. The dwarf tried to escape among the dense trees, but Artoris immediately shifted his gaze and noticed that it was a child. Purply was ready to chase him. "Damn! It's just a child!" exclaimed Artoris. "No, wait," he said, holding back Purply., "if that child grows up with the resentment of revenge. It's better to keep him prisoner, we'll educate him, we'll make him become one of us, we'll make him believe that he is a demon."
The child had already distanced himself. "I'm losing sight!" Artoris continued, trying to keep up. He stretched out his arms and grabbed a stone.
"I just have to prevent him from escaping!"
Artoris' goal was to hinder him, at most injure him in the leg, but he did not want to go further, since he was very young. However, he failed to regulate the power and the stone went to decapitate the poor victim.
The Cloak system appeared and echoed with its mechanical tone: "Genocide completed, the dwarf race has been completely annihilated." Artoris scratched his horns. "That's how it went!"
Kira was sulking, refusing to believe that the scenario was true. She ardently desired to go back home without wasting any more time. Even the territory of the dwarves had been conquered by Artoris, who entrusted demons to build an additional fortress. Subsequently, they climbed onto Purply, who resumed flying, soaring in the blue sky.
Kira yearned to strike Artoris with unbridled power, unable to accept that they had risked so much for such poor weapons. It was not in her plans, but she felt that it was the only way to counterattack Artoris. During the return, they had numerous quarrels, but when the sunset tinged the sky, Kira rested her head on Purply's soft fur and ended up falling asleep. Artoris noticed that the strands of her hair blended with the lights of the sun, they were the same color. A smile painted on his face as he collapsed to sleep as well.