Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

The moment Adam stepped inside his house, Tiamat's figure greeted him.

Arms crossed and eyes narrowed, she gazed at him, then at Mab on his shoulder.

An invisible pressure crashed over him, almost forcing his back to arch as the two goddesses glared daggers at each other for what felt like an eternal yet brief second.

Then, Mab shattered the silence first.

Her violet wings released golden dust as she flapped before Tiamat, smirking from ear to ear.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the queen of chaos herself."

The air froze as Tiamat's eyes swirled like two dark, chaotic pools. Her features hardened, and her jaw tightened.

Before she could answer, the wind whistled as Mab lunged at her neck without warning. Stay updated via empire

Adam's eyes widened, and his heart raced against his chest. Did she scam him in the end? Had she aimed to kill Tiamat all along?

The thought alone made every fiber of his body tremble as he powerlessly watched her reach Tiamat, his most critical ally.

However, his leg buckled, and he almost fell to the ground when he saw her hug it and chuckle.

"I'm so delighted to meet you, big sister. I'm a bit younger, but I've read all your legendary deeds."

Meanwhile, Tiamat raised her nose and gazed at him, unfazed and pride sparkling in her eyes as if to say, "See? Even other goddesses know I'm incredible."

Then, she patted Mab's head and nodded.

"You can join us, little fairy."

Her eyes narrowed on Adam's missing hand before she sighed. On one hand, she suppressed the burning rage threatening to burst at any moment. But on the other? Could she blame Mab's test when it was chaotic in essence?

Survival of the fittest and improvement through hardship: those concepts defined her views, making it tough to decide.

With a sharp inhale, she shook her head and dropped the matter. She could feel the slight thumps of the primal chaos in Adam, something she expected would happen in a year or more.

"I forgive you since you helped him sharpen his instincts and brought a little gift." Her eyes narrowed, and her voice took an ominous tone. "But don't you dare touch him again. He's my contractor! Find yours if you want to join, or..."

Her eyes pierced through the ceiling, sky, and cosmos to reach a distant realm. Covered in a lush forest, the air echoed the howls of healthy beasts as they landed on a towering tree.

Inside, a fairy exuding arrogance and a faint trace of madness sat on an exquisite throne. The natural crown adorning his head, composed of magical flowers of every color, tilted as he returned her gaze.

However, she ignored the wrath in it and plunged deeper—into the tree's most reclusive and dark rooms. And there she found her: a dark-haired fairy.

Golden handcuffs fixed her hands against the walls while her head sagged. Ravaged by time, her dark dress covered a few parts of her skin, exposing the bruises covering her body.

Before she pondered, the fairy king's voice thundered.

"Every god already hates you with their guts. But you had the gall to spy on Oberon's domain? Foolish Tiamat!" His teeth cracked as he engulfed the fairy in a dark veil and expelled Tiamat from his realm. "The fairies will never welcome you or your contractor. Begone draconian dog!"

Back in Adam's entry hall, she cracked her neck, smoke blowing from her nostrils as she continued her discussion with Mab, ignoring Oberon's insolence... for now.

"Or you're still a prisoner, and I'm talking with one of your echoes, a fragmented piece of your dreams."

A sly smile curled on Mab's lips. "Touché." She glanced at Adam subtly. "That's why I want him to defeat Oberon. Of course, it's the easier route. But if he gets his hand on a morsel of Yggdrasil, I can make this body real and give up on the first."

"Clever use of your dream affinity."

Tiamat tucked her fingers around her chin, considering doing the same before shrugging. No one would be her match as long as she recovered.

Yet, she gritted her teeth when she remembered how her other children channelled their divine powers into Marduk. Far from a duel, she fought against the powers and authority of fifty-one gods alone.

"Tsk." She glanced at Adam and the throne behind him. "Put that in my room."

Then, she grabbed Mab and placed her between her draconic horns. "Come, little sister. A bit of company won't hurt, and I'll need your scheming mind to drown these usurpers."

As she left with the chuckling Mab, Adam rolled his eyes.

'You swore not to let me any piece of furniture or what?'

Still, he carried the throne to her room, retrieved the bright stone from Mab after promising her to treat her son well, and went to the warehouse.

Sprawled before his sparkling eyes, he saw the carcasses of the 450 undead he had defeated in the crypt.

Without wasting a second and his lips curving in eagerness, his hand blurred to touch them.

The familiar notifications of loot entering his pockets made his smile broaden.

[Obtained: 15 units of darkness attuned bones.]

[Obtained: 150 units of draugr dust.]

[Obtained: 1 unit of Heart of the Undead.]

[Obtained: 135 Tier 4 core.]

He paid no attention to the crafting materials and focused on the cores. The quantity alone made his heart drum in his ears, and his mind spin in delight.

'The territory's first giants! I can get thirteen of them today! But first!' He turned towards the golden chest.

BAM

His feet met the lid, sending it crashing heavily as his hand blurred to grip the blueprints inside.

Since he had gotten the Heretic's Guild blueprint last time, he couldn't help but seethe with impatience at today's rewards.

[Elden's crypt blueprint x1]

[Elden's mana walls blueprint x1]

[Elden's royal castle blueprint x1]

[Undead power core x1]

Since he had seen the crypt's architecture, he skipped its description but nodded at its utility. With it, he could offer his dead subjects a last resting place under the city they liked so much.

Instead, he grinned at the walls painted on the next parchment, smelling the rich scent of ink wafting from the blueprint as he read its description.

Elden's mana walls

Introduction:

Twenty-meter-tall walls developed by Elden's mages. They imbued them with elvish engravings, giving them a unique style with their pulsing mana and bright barrier.

Effect:

Arcane barrier:

A magical barrier will encase any territory surrounded by those walls.

Materials required:

50 elemental gems, 3.000 units of bricks, 600 units of iron, and 1.000 units of wood.

"Steep but excellent!" He tried to strike his palm, only for his fist to meet air and his eyes to glare at his missing hand.

But he dismissed any thoughts concerning it.

'Can't worsen my mood before checking my rewards and summoning my new friends!'

He chuckled as he put the walls' design aside and laughed at the castle.

"Hahaha. I know someone who'll jump in joy. The month isn't over yet either. So, if I focus on building it, I can keep my promise!"

His eyes narrowed on its description as Luna's approving smile warmed his mind.

Elden's royal castle

Introduction:

A cultural marvel built using the accumulated knowledge of the Elden elves. More than a grand building composed of fine towers and beautiful engravings, it is proof of their know-how and a cultural monument they were proud of.

Effect:

Artistic center:

Boosts the territory's artistic interest and increases your subjects' successful education by 20%.

Bastion of defense:

More resistant than the walls, a mana barrier protects the castle's surroundings from physical and magical strikes up to the fourth tier.

Symbol of luxury:

Increase your territory attractiveness by fifty percent, convincing commoners of your grandeur and nobles of your skills.

Materials required:

200 elemental gems, 10.000 units of bricks, 5.000 units of iron, 15.000 units of wood, and a power core.

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AN: Please share your thoughts on the new cover. :D

I'll put the old one back if you dislike it.