A Demon's Core

Expansion is progressing steadily. My imps are more often bringing back small animals alive before eating them which adds to my mana. I decided not to tell Second that her mere presence further increases my mana regeneration. I fear that if I did tell her there is a chance that she would feel it is her duty to stay by me at all times so I could benefit from her mana. I do not want to keep her or any others confined, even if it self-imposed, solely for my own benefit.

After learning about her mana and potential for healing magic Second started trying to figure out how to use that power intentionally. She did have some success. She still could not heal Seventh all at once, but was able to further accelerate her recovery. She was fully healed within a week, though with some scarring remaining. I still have not made any progress with healing unfortunately.

But it does seem to be getting easier to expand. I can claim a larger area now with the same amount of mana. Like I am getting better at it; more efficient with mana perhaps. I was able to claim the second bedroom and the bathroom of the new room in the same amount of time it took me to claim the first bedroom.

The new area is going to need to be cleaned. Perhaps I can convince First to allow the others to borrow her brooms.

I would like the room on the left to be cleaned. Would you allow the others to use your brooms to help with that? I ask her. She looks towards the others suspiciously.

“None of them are going to be broken are they?”...She is still not over that.

There will be no need for any broom to be broken. They are just going to be used for sweeping. She still seems unsure. The only other option is for you to do all the sweeping yourself. Her face scrunches up at that.

“Fine, they can borrow. But if any of them break my brooms. I will make them regret it.” She actually seems serious about that threat. I suppose that is not too surprising. They are all quite protective of their personal collections.

Thank you. I do appreciate your help. I then reach out to all of them.

Everyone, I would like your assistance please in cleaning the new room to prepare for new arrivals in the future. If you gather in the main room you will each receive a broom. Some are less enthusiastic than others about being tasked with cleaning, but they obey without too much complaining. When they are assembled First hands each of them a broom.

“These are my brooms. I’m letting you borrow them. If you break them, I will break you.” She threatens, glaring at them. All except Second looking nervous under her gaze. Her glare lingers on Fourth longer than the others. I ask Second to keep them organized and on task as best she can.

“I will try but can’t promise it.” She says.

They did a reasonable job cleaning and tidying the room and Second even managed to get them to clean the next room beyond that. I appreciate her initiative as well as the general effort of all my imps and I make sure to let them know. None of the brooms were damaged so First did not have to damage anyone else in turn. I do not know how far she would really go to avenge one of her brooms, but I doubt she actually would have hurt anyone. At least not seriously anyway.

After another month I have claimed almost the entirety of the new room. I think I need a better way of referring to my rooms to make it easier to distinguish between them in conversation. Especially if I am going to continue claiming more. If this is a hotel, then there should be numbers on the doors. But my bubble of vision in the hallways does not extend high enough to be able to see them. But the doors open inward which would bring them into my field of vision. I could ask one of the imps to open them for me. First does not look to be busy right now.

I need you to do something for me. Can you open the door to the hallway please. Always eager to be helpful she does not hesitate to fling the door open. I can see the number five plastered on it. Excellent. Now please do the same for the room on the left. She steps into the hallway looking confused.

“Okay. But why am I doing this?” She queries.

I want to see the numbers on the doors, but I can not see them when the doors are closed.

“The next one is three.” She states without hesitation. So if this is Room 5 and the room to the left is Room 3, then beyond that is Room 1 and Room 7 is to the right. The rooms across the hall must be the even numbers.

...You can read the numbers?

“Yes. I learned from the extending tape...thing.” She states confidently.

I actually forgot about that. I was extremely impressed when you figured that out so quickly. And it is called a tape measure.

“Of course, because I’m a genius.” She brags quite smugly. I do not know if I would call her a genius, but her intelligence certainly should not be underestimated.

Have you taught anyone else to read the numbers?

“No. Should I?” She asks.

I think it is worth trying. If numbers can still be found among the ruins outside then it may be useful to be able to recognize them at some point.

“Okay, I will start now.” With a look of determination she gathers the others around, tape measure in hand, to teach them to read numbers.

I did not mean that she had to do it right now, but I guess this is fine. I am sure some of them already at least understand the concept of numbers. So for them it will simply be a matter of memorizing these symbols to represent them. Some of them are not interested in learning, but First does not take no for an answer. If Second is the leader of this group, First is definitely next in the hierarchy, so they all listen to her eventually. Whether they want to or not.

As the days go by, Fourth is going out less. Or rather, she still goes out almost every day, but the amount of time she spends outside is lessening. But it is easy to see why. From the noticeable swelling of her abdomen it is clear that she is pregnant. When it initially became obvious everyone was excited. Third looked some combination of proud and smug. First looked so happy she might explode. She seems even more excited than Fourth. She has been doting over Fourth almost constantly. She would probably even sleep in the same room if Third was not against it.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. You seem happy. I say to Fourth. She is currently in her room. Third is out at the moment, but First is still here and comes in to check on her frequently.

“Thank you. I am happy. I didn’t think could have such a good place. It’s safe here. Never hungry anymore. Have good pack. Have good mate. This is good place for children. Thank you for bring me here.” She replies.

There are a few things I am curious about in regards to imp pregnancy. How many offspring do imps usually give birth to?

“One or two. Two is more common.” She says. One hand gently caressing her abdomen.

Is there ever more than two?

“Sometimes. But is rare. Two is enough I think. More would be hard.”

How long is gestation?

“Ges-tay-shun.” She repeats slowly. “Don’t know that word.”

It means how long it takes for children to be born.

“I not really sure. Maybe half a year. This is my first time.”

Are you nervous?

“I am bit nervous. But it’s okay. Have lots of help.” It does seem like all the others have been going out of their way to be extra helpful. More than I think is probably necessary at her current stage. She is not so far along that she can not do things for herself yet. But Fourth does not seem to mind so I am not going to tell them to stop. Third does seem to be getting a little annoyed though. Perhaps because he is now getting less time alone with his mate.

Everyone does seem quite excited about your pregnancy. It is at that moment that First comes in to check on Fourth again and ask if she needs anything. One more so than the others. Is it normal for everyone to be so eager?

“Is normal yes. Whole pack helps take care of children. So everyone gets excited. Sometimes get a little too excited.” She says, smirking at First.

“Can’t be too excited. This is the most exciting thing. Even more special because it is your first time and these the first impies to be born here. Everyone else not excited enough.” First retorts. This is the first time I have heard the word 'impies'. Though given the context the meaning seems pretty clear.

So impies is the normal term for imp children?

“Only when very little. After about two years they no longer impies. They just called children then.” First explains. “But impies so cute. Everyone loves them. I can’t wait to see them.”

“If you so excited for impies you could have your own. There are two other males I’m sure be happy to be your mate.” Fourth suggests with a salacious grin. First pauses, actually seeming to consider the suggestion.

“Not right now. But maybe later. I’ll think about it.” She definitely seems interested in the idea. Maybe there will be even more impies in the future if one of the males can manage to woo her. Fifth has been trying for a while now without success. But it might become easier for him if First decides that a mate is something she actively desires. I can sense that Third has returned and he soon enters the room carrying a bucket containing a few small lizards and a mouse-like rodent. His face sours when he sees First.

“You go now. She’s my mate. I take care of her.” First looks hurt at the curt dismissal. Fourth does not let it slide though.

“Not need to be mean. She just want to help.” She scolds him. He sighs and looks towards First.

“Sorry. Thank you for helping.” First smiles and leaves the room. I follow quickly behind her, leaving the expectant parents alone.

I can not deny my own anticipation for the impies to be born. Though it is mostly due to curiosity. I would like to learn more about imps and their life cycle. But I am also curious about how children would be affected by me. All of my imps are improving both mentally and physically due to their connection to me. But what would happen to a child that is connected to me from birth? I suspect they would experience much more potent changes than their parents as it would be occurring while their body is still developing.

That is assuming, of course, that they would actually have the same connection to me as their parents. As I understand it the connection to my imps was forged when I summoned them. So it is possible that children born here will not actually be connected to me at all since I did not summon them. How should I respond if that is the case? Should I try to find some other way to forge that connection? Is it even possible to create a connection to a creature that already exists here that was not summoned? Or would it perhaps be better to let them grow up naturally without my influence? Is it right to force such an influence on a child, even if it is objectively beneficial? Well I am sure the parents will insist on it if it is possible. There is no point in pondering these “what ifs” at the moment. I will not know anything for sure until the children are born. There is little to be gained from worrying about it now.

I am almost finished claiming Room 3 now. Though as I walk down the hallway I wonder if an easier means of moving between rooms could be created. Having to traverse the hallway to get between the rooms feels inconvenient. The easiest method I can think of for achieving that would be to break a hole through the wall. Not through the bedrooms of course. The imps who sleep in them would not appreciate that. But the bathrooms are not currently being used for anything except storage space. So I ask Second to organize the others to get it done. I am learning to delegate.

The walls, as it turns out, are not that strong. It does not take long for them to make a hole big enough for imps to fit through easily. Except for Fourth. In her current state she might be able to squeeze through. But not for much longer.

Once the hole is finished Fifth, Sixth and Seventh leave to go scavenging. They return much sooner than expected though and I wonder if they even had enough time to leave the building. But I can see that they are out of breath and afraid.

What happened? Did you see something out there?

“Four things. They were big. They see us as we go outside. They move closer so we ran.” Fifth explained, still trying to catch his breath.

Did they follow you?