Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Adam stopped by the road, with one hundred demons eagerly awaiting his next commands behind him as he scrutinised his map.

Green flames danced on the rough parchment, depicting the surrounding 600 kilometers.

Eyes narrowed on the camps, beasts' dwellings, and, more importantly, the lords' territories, his brows creased into a pensive frown. Read latest chapters at empire

Going through each one one by one would waste too much time. Separating would hasten the process, but at the cost of experience points, which he didn't want to lose.

After pondering for a moment, he put the map away and turned to his generals.

"We'll divide our forces and attack multiple camps at once. Wukong and Merlin, you'll stay with me. We'll remain at the center while they clear them to get the maximum experience points." He smirked at his impatient demons. "If you have no questions, let's start this expedition!"

Everyone nodded before leaving the road's safety to scurry across plains, mountains, and rivers. Each camp falling brought them closer to level 50 without forgetting the much-needed materials and chests they gathered.

However, troubles arose when they raided the first lord's territory.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Standing atop the high walls, a youthful-looking man's veins throbbed on his forehead as his barks echoed.

"I'm not surrendering against a mere division of demons." He slammed his fist on the railing and pointed at the hundreds of trembling soldiers behind him. "Fuck off if you're not coming with a real army!"

Adam clicked his tongue and raised his hand, his five fingers the countdown that would spell the lord's doom.

"You have five seconds to surrender and embrace a peaceful life." His voice sharpened as dark flames engulfed the first descending finger. "Or you can embrace death."

The lord trembled at the threat for a second before he roared at his subjects to draw their bows and obliterate the demons. A mistake he would regret in the afterlife.

Under his generals' commands, the demons roared, their battle lust reaching their peaks as they charged the second the enemy soldiers fired their first arrows. Each stomp upturned the earth, making it rumble and leaving deep pits behind. Their scarlet blades whistled and clanged against the projectiles, deflecting or cutting them in half.

Behind them, the djinns channelled their demonic essence—fire, lightning, water, wind, and earth crackling to form a volley of elemental arrows. They glinted under the bright sun before drawing colorful arcs in their tracks.

"Target the lord!" Luna commanded, fiery snakes lunging like living beasts from her outstretched palms. "Limit casualties to the minimum!"

Faced with the horrifying attacks, the human defenders' blood grew cold, and their legs chattered. Death knocked on their doors and whispered in their ears. They could almost feel Hades tug at their souls. All for what? An egocentric lord who didn't treat them that and refused to surrender?

"No!"

One soldier slammed his bow and leapt down the wall.

"Die alone, fool!"

And when one sets the example, the scared lambs follow.

More soldiers deserted their positions, leaving an almost unguarded wall, and a terrorised lord cursing them for their betrayal as the demons' projectiles painted the sky in a myriad of bright colors.

But was it really betrayal? Adam shook his head and sighed.

'You betrayed them by refusing to surrender and forfeiting their lives in this unfair battle.' He shrugged, his eyes narrowing. 'I won't try to convince weak fools I don't need. Don't mistake my courtesy for our shared origin for a weakness.'

He watched the lord drown under the elements and heard the last curse targeting him for his savage assault. But he didn't care and focused on the charging demons led by Ifrit, Bart, Garduck, Maven, and Zane as they collided with the wall.

BOOM

Like demonic drills, they dug a broad hole through its center, revealing the village's rough streets and the kneeling soldiers.

"We surrender!"

Their voices cracked, despair painting their faces a ghostly white.

"Tsk."

Most of the demons clicked their tongues and halted their charge. Such a weak army, such weak wills. Even mere magical creatures offered them better challenges. They gazed at them, disdain curling their lips before Garduck towered in front of them.

He planted his scarlet sword into the ground, making it rumble and crack as his gaze lingered on the soldiers.

"Gather the citizens and resources, and bring me your lord badge. We leave in fifteen minutes!" He clapped his hands, his lips curling into a genuine smile. "Congratulations on making the right choice, and welcome to Harmony."

Adam nodded from behind, satisfied by the conquest's efficiency. With the power he commanded and the examples he had set, he wouldn't bother convincing other lords anymore. Instead, they should beg to join him, considering the chasm separating them.

A moment later, Garduck returned, followed by nearly a thousand humans carrying heavy bags.

Without his command, Merlin waved his mana-coated hand. Space crumbled like glass along its trajectory, revealing Harmony, the hundreds of demons overlooking its walls, the noise of thousands building the obelisk, and Ondine, Zephyr, Morwen, Victoria, and Sarah, waiting cross-armed on the other side.

The humans' eyes widened, and their breath caught in their throat at the spacial magic before Zephyr's voice shattered their stupor with a command.

"Step in and follow me! I want an organised line and silence!"

Morwen continued, narrowing her eyes into threatening slits.

"We love troublemakers, so by all means, create a ruckus to see how we handle them."

She passed her lips over her mesmerising lips, causing the humans to tremble like battered leaves.

Still, they followed the commands despite the terror clawing at their guts. Not because of the other demons' gentle smiles and sparkling eyes, but for a simple reason: unchained humans walked down the streets behind them! They didn't wear collars or harbor slave marks, either. In fact, their eyes bulged as they saw them laugh with other demons.

Were they dreaming?

The question rumbled through their minds as hope ignited, warming their cold chests and chasing dread's icy fingers away.

Just like that, they stepped through Merlin's portal, enduring the buzzing mana, and followed the orders.

Meanwhile, Adam turned and pointed his blade to their next destination.

"We continue! No mercy for those who resist!"

A gust of wind blew his hair, making them dance before his smirk as the demonic teams separated again to raid the surrounding camps.

"We're just starting!"