Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

His subjects waited for him before the now obsolete wooden walls, their proud figures casting long shadows under the midday sun.

Upon their arrival, Garduck and Bart chuckled at their locked arms and lovely approach.

Zane raised his thumb and winked at them, his lips curving into a cocky smile as if wanting praises for his earlier recipe.

The sunlight glinted off the freshly smelted medals of the new law enforcer captain and the territory judge as Maven and Ifrit struck their puffed chests and nodded solemnly.

Finally, Wukong cracked his neck. His gaze fixed on Adam, eyes blazing, he took determined steps toward him and patted his shoulder.

"Congratulations on your improved relationship, brother. But we don't have much time." He gestured to the smiling Sylvie, then to the one hundred soldiers draped in Murama's leather armor. "We'll raid anything alive between our territory and the elven forest south."

Adam's gaze lingered on the territory's oldest and strongest demons before he nodded. He didn't know what compelled Wukong to leave his leisure life on the mountain, but a warm sensation spread across his chest.

"Thank you for your help, brother."

"Don't mention it." Wukong waved his hand and pointed at the towering obelisk. "With the Jotuns helping, Ozymandias will complete it today, but won't have enough time to build the rest."

Adam tucked his fingers around his chin and frowned at the terrible news.

"What's stopping him?"

Wukong shrugged, signaled Maven to explain the rest, and walked to the gate. He was no builder nor the territory's attendant. If not for the experience points, he wouldn't have left the spiritual qi tower at all.

Meanwhile, Maven shook his head and repeated Ozymandias' words, his voice hesitant.

"We can't finish both the walls and the other building. We need more powerful individuals to speed up construction."

Adam's brows twitched as his mind raced.

The castle's construction couldn't be delayed. Even if he planned to gift it to Luna to honor his promise, its protective barrier would add a layer of safety for his citizens—a much-welcomed one if the end-of-the-week event resembled the first.

'I need to summon more demons or jotuns. But we can't spend time returning after each raid.'

He tapped his foot on the ground, rummaging through his memory before his eyes brightened, and his voice echoed with urgency.

"Find Merlin. We can do it if he uses his portals!"

The moment his command left his mouth, a mischievous chuckle echoed from the battalion as a demon stepped forward and crossed his arms in pride.

Each general narrowed their eyes at him, disapproval written all over their face.

But when Ifrit moved to reprimand him, Adam clicked his tongue and raised his palm to stop him.

"Tsk. Those annoying transformations. Did you plan to follow us in disguise the entire time?"

"Hahaha. Of course not. I awaited your call like a good little soldier since I knew you would need me." The demon's features rippled like water, revealing Merlin's broad smirk. "I need to meet the requirements to equip that staff, anyway. So, I'm coming."

His eyes narrowed, and his voice sharpened as he pointed to the lush forest south.

"Every second counts. Let's move."

Adam's hand rose, his earlier gentle presence shifting to one commanding as fires ignited in his eyes.

Heart drumming in his chest, his knuckle whitened as he thundered.

"Never break the formation. No mercy! We search and destroy. Move!"

The soldiers struck their powerful chests, a rhythmical drumming reverberating to acknowledge his commands.

Simultaneously, he watched in interest as his generals walked to distinct groups of 20 demons. He heard them bark their commands to march onward before Luna's tug distracted him.

He turned, seeing her smiling and pointing her finger at the last group.

"We each picked twenty soldiers yesterday. They're our elite teams and future lieutenants." She nodded at her trusted soldiers, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "You can't command dozens of thousands of soldiers. Neither can we. That's why Achilles urged us to form trusted subordinates yesterday."

Adam frowned for a second before he sighed and shook his head.

"I'm not playing an STR game. Achilles is right, and I appreciate his advice."

As Muramasa said, he should give the general commands and let others apply them. He knew it was truer during battles. After all, the bigger his army grew, the more spread his attention would be. Wishing to overlook so many individuals was nothing but an amateur's pipe dream.

He nodded, then smirked at Luna and walked to her team.

"Since you like to leave me out so much, I'll just join yours."

Her eyes widened, and her lips twisted. She stomped the ground, shaking her head.

"No! You go with Garduck, Bart, or Ifrit!" Her breathing hastened, yet her face hardened as she pushed him away.

Their relationship was one thing, but work was another. Mixing both? She bit her lips, knowing it would only create tension. Worse, it would arise from their different perspectives on leadership, making her dread seeing him try to help, only to end up upsetting her—or worse, reduce her authority.

She exhaled and looked into his confused eyes.

"Trust me, Adam. Military matters require the utmost discipline. There is no place for disagreement before your soldiers." She leaned closer and whispered, her ear burning. "We'll be together most of the time, anyway. So, go."

He clicked his tongue and grumbled about how unfair their treatment had become. Still, the method he controlled the army had to become serious now that he commended over three thousand soldiers.

Shoulders slumped, he went to Maven's departing team, his eyes narrowing into slits with each step he took.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

'No relationship in battle. Noted.'

He observed the Kobold and nodded. "Show me what you learned during the lord raids last week." He chuckled at Maven's gulp. "Act as if I'm not here. I'm just curious."

With a final mutual nod, they stepped into the lush forest.

Your next chapter awaits on empire

Their footsteps echoed against the soft soil, the musty scent of nature filling their nostrils. Wild beasts howled and fled in terror until they reached the broad plain, then the road leading to Foliaris.