Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

After his speech, he watched as his trusted generals landed amid the citizens and smiled at their proactiveness.

Without his command, he heard them share specific examples about their lives in Harmony.

Then, he chuckled when Bart appeased them by recounting the human sisters' story and their last week's trip to Foliaris.

Garduck didn't forget to mention Muramasa. Using his legendary name, he even sold their village as a haven to anyone dreaming of hammering scalding metals to create masterpieces.

Noticing the humans' trembling eyes sparkle, he nodded and let them handle their settlement.

Meanwhile, he commanded the army to clean the streets. He also appointed the aged man back as the salt factory logistic manager. Of course, he made him swear not to falsify the accounts again. But truthfully? He saw the regrets gnawing at his old bones and didn't believe he would do it again—especially without taxes burdening him.

Eyes taking crescent shapes, he turned to the lady next.

"I'm not into harems, but what about an honest job?"

Her head moved back slightly, and her eyes widened at the sudden offer. Her voice cracked, melding hopes and curiosity.

"What kind of job do you have in mind, my lord? I'm a decent cook and can clean and sew a little. I can even..."

However, he raised his palm to cut her off and shook his head.

"Become this town's human official. You'll work under my appointed mayors. These two demons accompanied me since the beginning of my journey and have all my trust." His voice sharpened to make her understand the weight of the post. "You'll be the bridge that connects our two species in this town."

His eyes softened, and he pointed at her heart as he saw the shudder rocking across her shoulders.

"But I believe you have the passion and heart to make things right for everyone."

Even if his decision seemed surreal, it wasn't to him for two reasons.

First, he couldn't help but imagine the difficulties lone women faced in a town where everything had to be developed. Be it in construction, farming, woodcutting, or fishing, they had no place in a society needing more brawn than brains.

Yet, they still had to pay their former lord for their lodging, leaving them only a few options. He shook his head. Even the best one sounded unrealistic to him.

'She could marry an honest man, who would care for her. But we only appeared three weeks ago. How could she take a life oath in such a short time?' He clicked his tongue. 'Oppressed, they turned to the only possible solution they could find in this corrupted town: to sell their most valuable asset.'

His fists tightened behind his back as he cursed the clown who forgot about all the social progress made on Earth. But he couldn't scare the lady. So, he sighed and forced a smile out.

"Women are as important as men. We are the two faces of the same coin and without one, the other can't advance." He noticed she almost jumped in surprise at his words but continued. "Establish a school and select wise individuals to teach moral values, mathematics, and reading.

It will be open to children, women, demons, and intelligent species, making it the first place where everyone can interact as equals and without prejudices."

When he finished talking, he couldn't help but scratch his head at the woman's stupor before noticing the deafening silence enveloping the walls.

A second later, approving roars reverberated everywhere.

Men and women alike chanted his name in unison and apologises.

"We're ashamed of our actions!"

"The oppression was just too much. But in our despair, we didn't realise we did the same to our kind ladies!"

"Even where I come from, they used to tend to the fields with us! I'm sorry!"

Meanwhile, the lady covered her lips, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks as she lowered her head.

"I won't disappoint you, my lord. Thank you for trusting someone like me." Her voice wavered, a fire dancing in her eyes. "I'll build the best school that has ever existed for you!"

He offered her a nod and scratched his head before noticing Garduck's and Bart's smug smiles.

'They made everyone listen to me on purpose! Bad kids!'

Yet, a smile crept onto his face, and his chest warmed. He raised his thumb at their situational thinking.

Finally, he caught Luna's narrowed eyes, mixed emotions swirling in them.

However, memories of her flames engulfing John's pride superimposed themselves with her figure.

An icy shiver ran down his spine.

'Nop! I'm definitely not talking to her today.'

He approached Achilles and Karna without hesitation and simulated an important strategic discussion.

Then, he escaped through the streets with them, creating distance with her until he forgot about that terrifying memory.

He passed by his demonic army, busy cleaning the bodies littering the ground, and nodded at them. He also noticed the civilians, who refused to join his territory.

Only few in number, they carried their possessions and walked towards the northern wall to avoid him.

With a headshake, he ignored them. They were too few and unremarkable to create trouble even if they exposed his presence, not to mention that they were the ones losing by leaving.

And five minutes later, he finally sat on a comfortable blue sofa in the manor. A soft groan escaped his lips as his wounded back sank into its soft embrace.

He lingered for a few minutes, relaxing after the physically and mentally taxing day.

'I'm finally free to check the experience notifications and my resources in peace.'

Without wasting a second, his finger danced in the air as his interface's fiery window opened before him.

[You and your subjects have defeated 2700 human soldiers of various tiers. You have gained 1.180.000 experience points.]

His eyes sparkled, and his fist tightened at the numbers.

'I'm curious to see if I'll level up at least five times!'