Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Adam's brows raised, and he clapped his hands as he observed Durgrim's dexterity increase.

With each passing second, the dwarf's fingers moved in an increasingly complicated dance before they whistled and blurred to bend at unnatural angles.

Eyes widening at the prosthesis's incredible mobility, Adam's face lit up, and an idea rumbled in his mind.

Instantly, he tucked his fingers around his chin as the other's delighted claps and congratulations rained on Durgrim.

'Farm products will help sustain my territory's economy in the early stages. But I don't want to live as Middle Ages humans did.' His sparkling eyes darted between Durgrim's arm and Gork. 'I'll promote technology using the prosthesis. No, I can do much more with it!'

He shook his head, the item's true value sinking into his mind.

Then, his voice cut through the warm atmosphere with a question—one critical enough to ease the other species' hatred of demons.

"How hard is it to produce a prosthesis? Can you work on several simultaneously?"

Gork's brows raised at the sudden question. He crossed his arms over his chest, seriousness replacing his delighted smile.

"It depends on several factors, my lord." He raised three fingers. "Muramasa can't forge the shoulder plates without cursing the metal. We used his two disciples instead, even if they were inexperienced."

Adam raised his palm to cut him off. "Two more apprentice smiths joined us this morning. You can improve their working speed by making them forge different parts."

Gork's eyes brightened at the mention of new smiths as he lowered a finger.

"The next problem is harder to fix. Dimitris is a skilled and efficient woodcarver, but he's alone and... old." He massaged his temples and clicked his tongue. "To make things worse, he works on the biggest part but needs many breaks due to his aching back. We need fresh artisans to support him, or we won't craft more than one prosthesis per week."

"Mhh." Adam's lips twisted under his tapping fingers. "We'll solve that issue in the following days. What about the third?"

This time, Gork slammed his fist on the table and vented his frustration. "I don't like those pulsing engravings. We need to hide them, or I won't produce anything!"

Adam rolled his eyes. "Why? They add a mystical feel with the strange symbols."

"Because with just a glance, any random Thom, Dick, and Harry can copy my research result!"

BAM

Gork's nails pierced his palms as his fist collided with the table again. His ragged breath echoed against the stunned silence his outburst left. Eyes red, he scrutinised his creation before realising his mistake.

Like a deflated balloon, he exhaled and bowed towards Adam.

"I'm sorry, my lord. My emotions spoke for me. But I won't compromise or share my work with strangers. Not after I finally improved those ugly, oversized hands to something extraordinary."

Unlike the harsh reprimand he expected, Adam's lips curled into a threatening smirk, and his fists trembled.

"They'll steal our technology over my dead body." The air whistled as he swung his palm commandingly. "Focus on hiding them and increase production." His eyes narrowed into determined slits. "We'll make them our territory's first speciality!"

Then, his voice echoed his burning passion as his heart rumbled in his ears.

"Wars and injustice claim many people's limbs, dreams, and ambitions. Forced into retirement and with despair as their new partner, they struggle every day in a vain hope to see their lives improve." His face turned somber, and his voice as deep as an abyss. "But who cares for cripples? Who offers them a genuine smile or a meal?"

Durgrim's eyes narrowed into fiery slits, and his lips curled above his clenched teeth.

"No one." His voice, a low groan charged with a decade of betrayal and rotting, echoed to answer Adam's question. "Those who sought my friendship all vanished the day I lost my arm. My closest friends smeared my name and humiliated me in public while my competitors laughed at my fate."

Yet, amidst the negative emotions billowing like dark gases in his heart, a bright ray still shone valiantly.

"I don't think I would have held so long without Marc, Litia and her sisters' care. But even then, I gave up before meeting you." He inhaled sharply and continued. "Most are like me. We all end up waiting for death to deliver us from our misery."

Adam's lips curled downwards, and his nose scrunched now that Durgrim painted how grim reality truly was for them. After all, he had only imagined their hardships without witnessing them.

Determination igniting in his eyes and arm trembling, his fist cut through the air as he thundered.

"I won't let such a shame-filled life crush more innocents. We'll offer them prostheses for free!"

His fists tightened as he revealed his plan to advertise his territory's technology and virtue despite its demonic nature.

"Tell everyone that the goblin Gork designed it, that demons forged its plates, and that humans engraved the wood. Promote our unity, diversity, and quest for knowledge to shatter their prejudice about us."

Luna's pupils constricted at his words before an uncontrollable shudder rocked her back. It travelled up to her heart and watering eyes when she heard Adam's method of improving their reputations...

She shook her head, a soft mutter escaping her lips.

"It's not just a method. You really want to help them, right?"

She clasped her hands over her chest, feeling her heart's fierce pounding. It hastened each time she looked at his swollen face as a bright blush burned her cheeks.

However, her lips quivered, and she turned to hide her emotions.

"They'll believe you're scheming to enslave or sacrifice them. In the end, you'll draw unwanted attention to the territory when we're not ready yet."

Karna patted Adam's shoulder and nodded. "You shouldn't interact with humans and elves yet." He pointed east, a knowing smile creeping over his lips. "What a coincidence! We planned for you to apply our teaching in the east, where magical creatures dwell."

Upon hearing his words, Adam raised his face and grinned at the excellent suggestion.

"I'll follow your advice. Let's recruit more magical creatures like the goblins and kobolds before we march on Foliaris and declare war on Oikos!"