Chapter 98: A Hand of Hope

Eagerness fueling his heart, he pushed the shop's weathered door open and peeked inside.

A cloud of dust swirled around him as the smell of old, almost rotting, wooden furniture caused his nose to scrunch. Each step he took left a fresh trace on the veil of dust that claimed the place.

He turned his head, noticing a row of empty displays seemingly placed randomly before focusing on the counter in front of the illuminated rear room.

He ran his hand over it, feeling the cracks running deep in the withering wood.

Meanwhile, Litia knocked on it twice, breaking the shop's dreary silence.

"Are you still alive, or did you finally stuff yourself with your jewels, old Durgrim?"

An old, raspy voice sprinkled with sick coughs answered.

"And you? Did a mad horse finally run you over, or are you still in one piece?"

Stay updated with m-v l|-NovelFire.net

A second later, a short figure emerged from the rear room.

Illuminated by the soft orange glow of the fireplace, Adam scanned his sunken cheeks, the purple circles running down his weary eyes and his deadly complexion in pity. The man's bushy white beard didn't help hide his parched lips or his neck's visible bones.

His eyes trailed down, finally noticing the dwarf's missing right arm. Searᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

He sighed, the gravity of the man's condition gripping him by the throat.

'He'll die in a month if he continues breathing this place's vitiated air.'

Meanwhile, Durgrim smiled warmly at Litia as he walked to her.

"I heard about bandits attacking your caravan a few weeks ago. I'm genuinely happy that you survived, little squirrel."

Litia shook her head. "I considered dying rather than enduring what the bandit leader planned to do with me. Fortunately, my sisters helped me hold." She pointed at Adam, returning Durgrim's smile. "This man saved us before the bandits could taint us. He's Adam, and he welcomed us into his territory for the past two weeks."

Durgrim's old eyes lit up, sparks of gratitude flashing in them as he lowered his head.

"I only have a few friends in this city, and you saved three of them." His hand trembled as his trembling fingers reached for Adam's hand. "Thank you so much."

Adam shook his head, the old dwarf's thanks irrelevant when the man's life flickered more than a candle battered by a storm.

His firm hand met Durgrim's shoulder, the bones poking his gauntlets as his eyes narrowed into slits.

"You can't remain here. Join my territory. I promise to treat you much better than this city lord."

However, Durgrim scoffed and backed a step.

"To what end? I'm nothing but a crippled, an outcast scorned by humans because of my race." He shook his head, a determined glint flashing in his eyes. "I'll die in my shop to spite them. The only moment I'll leave is when they'll transport my stiff corpse to bury it."

Adam scratched his hair in response, frustrated by the man's misplaced defiance and the potential loss of a good addition.

His fists clenched as he stepped forward and knelt to match Durgrim's green eyes.

"Listen here and listen well. Your life doesn't have to end. Not if your heart desires righteous vengeance." He removed his helmet, revealing his red horns. "I'm not a human, and you can ask Litia. I welcome and treat everyone equally in my territory. As for this corrupted city?

It's the first I'll conquer." His eyes narrowed into fiery slits. "And trust me, it'll happen much sooner than anyone expects."

Meanwhile, Durgrim's pupils trembled. "A greater demon?" He muttered, an icy shiver licking his spine, instilling an irrepressible dread into his old bones.

His eyes slipped aside, expecting to see Litia panic after learning that a demon abused her trust.

Yet, she only placed a hand on her hips, raised the other in a thumbs up and grinned.

"He never hid it. In fact, he even offered us to leave the territory after he saved us. But trust me, old coot, life is good there, and everyone smiles. We decided to stay there by our own volition!" She rushed to hug him. "Look at you! You're only torturing yourself here.

Come! Come with us and forget about this hateful city. Let go of your anger. Or rather, entrust it to him!"

Adam gazed at her, his brows raising in astonishment at her eloquence.

Then, he continued, urging the trembling dwarf to join them again.

"You need urgent medical care, Durgrim. Join us, and I promise you two things." He raised two fingers. "One: I'll conquer this city and bring the city lord's corpse to you. Two: I'll do everything I can to rejuvenate your missing arm, even if finding a solution might take some time."

His eyes softened as he saw Durgrim's lips quiver and his eyes water. The dwarf clearly tried to contain his tears but failed and buried his face in Litia's shoulder to hide them. Yet, he couldn't hide his trembling shoulders and sobs.

Still, he pushed himself through his sorrow to speak despite his cracking voice.

"Who would have thought a demon would show more humanity than most humans? I-I'll join your territory. Thank you. Thank you for plucking out the seed of despair that took root in my heart so many years ago."

Adam's lips stretched into a broad grin as he let go of Durgrim's shoulder and put his helmet back on.

"We'll let you gather your items and recover for now. Join us at the inn this evening for a warm meal and to prepare for our departure tomorrow."

Without waiting for an answer, he moved to the door, knowing Durgrim would need an hour at least to recover. And honestly? He wouldn't want anyone to see him when he was at his lowest.

However, a strange idea crossed his mind as the door creaked open, and a gust of fresh air cleansed the odour of decay sticking in his nose.

'I wouldn't mind if Luna sees me...' He shook his head, fiercely chasing this thought away. 'No! What are you thinking, fool?!'