In the extreme realm, hot liquid flowed, forming a river path in the split of the volcano. The hot aura was palpable, but Elvar didn't feel it much due to the pain-dampening effect of his mask, making his body possess the same strength as the original Demon King's.
On the long suspension bridge crossing that split, which connected to the castle, stood two Pillars and one esteemed being: Elvar the Demon King.
Every explanation Elvar gave to Terrax was not understood by Terrax at all. Elvar felt he had to show the correct way and the correct technique in shaping a building so that it would proceed according to the plan.
Now, what should I do so he can understand easily?
Should I show him in the form of a drawing?
Or show him directly at the site so he can immediately know how and what he needs to do later?... Okay, let's just do this, we'll go straight to the location.
For the first time, Elvar went down himself to the settlement in those caves. Elvar asked for directions to get to the cave settlement.
Led by Terrax in front, Elvar in the middle, and followed by Valeria from behind. They went down a narrow staircase carved into the cliffside, forming a repeating Z shape down the jet-black rock wall. The lower they went, the more the heat from the lava river was felt.
There were four cave mouths visible to Elvar. Each cave was interconnected, and the depth of the caves reached 10 meters with a height of about 3 to 4 meters. There was activity from the demon citizens; the majority of scaled demons lived in those caves.
Several types of demons were visible, such as dragon-race demons, crocodiles, snakes, and other scaled races. All lived in the same place and crowded together like a refuge, without boundaries, without barriers.
I feel this is so pathetic. This is like a demon farm, not a demon settlement.
Yes, maybe in my world, or the real world where I'm from... demons are also like this, having no homes and living in any random place. But this is different, this is a fantasy world and the demons form a real, visible, and formed kingdom.
If its citizens are like this, then this doesn't look like a kingdom at all. As I've already said, this is not worthy of being called a kingdom.
I don't know when, and I don't know why, I've started to really think about this kingdom. Not just because I don't want to die, but because of the decency of a kingdom and my concern for the kingdom. This is strange.
One of the residents noticed Elvar visiting the cave. For the first time in history, a Demon King was willing to visit his people directly in their nests or dwellings.
One of the residents shouted.
"The King is visiting! The King is visiting!!" The shout seemed to inform the other residents in the cave who hadn't realized Elvar was visiting.
The citizens truly gave Elvar a warm welcome, and in unison, they bowed to honor Elvar.
Soft whispers were heard from the cave residents.
"I can't believe the Demon King is visiting a slum like this directly!"
"He really cares about his people."
"We weren't wrong in choosing to keep him as our Demon King."
"But what is he going to do here?"
"Is he here to ask for a reward?"
"Even so, I'm still happy the king could visit here."
"This is truly amazing."
"A generous Demon King."
Those whispers echoed in Elvar's ears, who had misinterpreted Elvar's purpose. Visiting the settlement wasn't to meet its citizens, but to show Terrax what tasks needed to be done.
Is it going to be a problem that I visited here? Ah, whatever, I don't care.
What's certain is, I have to finish my plan as soon as possible. To make a kingdom worthy of being called a kingdom!
The citizens just watched Elvar's every movement as he looked at the walls, from the cave mouths, and the other surroundings. The citizens truly didn't know what Elvar was going to do.
"Terrax, can you pay close attention to me now? I will explain simply so I don't confuse you," I asked Terrax.
"I am ready, Lord. Please give the explanation as clearly as possible, one by one," replied Terrax.
"Valeria, please pay attention as well. I want you to understand and let me know if Terrax makes a mistake," I said to Valeria.
"Yes, Lord," she replied.
Now I will show you this settlement's environment. First, to my left, there are four cave mouths that face the lava river. To my right, there is a glowing lava river, the river's width is about 4 to 5 meters.
And across the river, there are 6 cave mouths. The distance from the river to the cave mouths over there is also about 5 meters, same as here.
Let's calculate the total empty land area here. 5 meters to the left of the river, and 5 meters to the right of the river. Plus the 5-meter width of the river.
We have a 15-meter-wide area between the lava river and the residents' cave entrances.
Each cave mouth has a width of, let's say, 5 meters. So the four cave mouths to my left indicate a 20-meter distance from where I'm standing to the end of the fourth cave.
So the total empty land area including the river is 300 square meters. But to my right, across the river, there are 6 cave mouths, which means this can be expanded even more.
If we assume, the total area could be 3 to 5 times larger than a badminton court lengthwise, if the area is expanded from the end of the 4th cave.
Can you picture what the place where I'm standing looks like? Hopefully, you can.
I picked up a dry twig lying on the ground, then drew a large 'Y' in the volcanic dust as a supporting wall pillar. Then I showed it to Terrax.
"The supporting wall pillar I mean looks like this," I said, pointing to the 'Y' I drew. "And the distance..." I pointed to the distance from the left side of the cave mouth to the right side of the cave mouth.
"The distance is the same as this. You just need to make the same pillar at every interval I mean, the same as the distance of that cave mouth. Do you understand?" I explained. Hopefully, he understands.
...
...
...
Silence...
...
...
...
Still silent...
...
...
"Aaa... I understand now, Lord!" Terrax replied, showing a wide smile.
This demon's brain is so slow, huh... But I'm grateful he understands.
"What about you, Valeria?" I asked towards Valeria.
"I understand perfectly, Lord. What exactly are you planning to do?" she asked curiously.
"I am going to make this place far more beautiful than you can imagine," I said, puffing out my chest proudly.
"I am very much looking forward to the result, Lord," replied Valeria, her mouth smiling.
I have to tell the inhabitants of these four caves to leave these caves temporarily while construction begins. I have to convey this as politely as possible so they don't think I'm evicting them.
"Valeria, please gather all the residents who live in these 4 cave mouths," I commanded Valeria.
"Yes, Lord," she replied.
Not long after, all the residents who lived in the cave mouths to Elvar's left had gathered and were bowing before Elvar.
My body swelled with pride. My voice was deep and resonant, dignified and brave, yet still conveyed in a non-intimidating tone.
"Oh, my people! I want to make this place a comfortable place to live. I see that this is very uncomfortable."
"If anyone objects, then that river will become the bathing place for those dissenters! Do you understand?" I gave a little threat so everyone would agree. I hope so, and I don't care if they hate me.
A rumbling sound of whispers was clearly audible to me.
"Then, for the time being, you, my people who live in these four caves, please leave the space and live elsewhere temporarily while the construction begins," I added.
The rumbling sound of murmurs grew clearer.
"I... I... I can't believe the new King cares so much about his people."
"What? Renovations? Does that mean a new nest? I can't wait to see what it will be like!"
"Yay! Awesome!"
"Can he really change these caves into a good nest?"
"What is a 'comfortable place to live' like? I really don't know."
"Why would he care so much about us?"
"Is something wrong here?" "I want to see the result."
"These caves are already good enough as nests. If they're made even better, what will they be like? I'm curious."
"Please be calm," I raised my hand. "If you want the process to go more smoothly, I hope you, my people, can help with this improvement. It might be very tiring, but I'm sure the result is for you as well," I explained, persuading them without seeming to command.
"Of course, my King, I will help!" shouted one of the inhabitants.
"Yes, Lord! We will help!" replied another.
The rumbling sound of shouts agreeing and following Elvar's plan made Elvar calmer, without any violence having to occur.
Without Elvar realizing it, Elvar's behavior in building the kingdom made his people trust Elvar's performance even more.
Suddenly, a glimpse of a horned animal from a distance was seen leaping over the lava river. It had two horns curled like a goat's, and an additional single horn in the middle. It looked like a goat, but the horn in the middle was like a unicorn's.
Is that a crossbreed between a goat mating with a unicorn?
Elvar stared in bewilderment at the animal.