Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

The final countdown to his doom ticked by, more of his lost memories resurfacing with them. By now, he remembered entering the elven city, his suspicions and forgetfulness.

Sylvie's treachery after he had genuinely saved her followed, making him grit his teeth in regret. But it didn't matter anymore. The notifications already whispered that death would claim him in two seconds, and truthfully? As unwilling to die as he was, he had better things to think about in his last moments than that serpent.

However, as he turned his thoughts to his subjects, an anguished and agonising shriek reverberated against the hovering dust.

"No! I waited for three thousand years because those stupid arcanists bound me to that fool's throne. I planned everything! Rally the undead and march on Oikos in the past. Enslave and make the lords summon my army to march on it now. So, why?!" Sylvie's voice cracked in hatred as she fixed Bart's bone-like limbs. "Why did you throw your life to interfere with my plans?!"

However, only the crunching noise of Bart's legs snapping under his rickety torso answered her.

She munched on her lips, puncturing them and filling her mouth with blood. If she could, she would have kicked his decaying body into dust. But in front of him... she glared at her outstretched palm, the flickering and dimming magic circle hovering before it and her neckless body.

This bastard had beheaded her before she launched the spell. Her! Killed by a mere melee fighter! A cannon fodder of the fourth tier, someone not worthy to even look her in the eyes! How infuriating!

Although darkness encroached on her mind, she continued to curse him, hoping to find him in Helheim, only to gut him in public.

Full of hatred and unwillingness, her expression stiffened as her eyes dulled.

With her death, a delightful notification echoed in Adam's ears.

[You and your subjects have defeated the tier five level 59 boss: Elden's cursed princess, Sylvie. You have gained 250.000 experience points.]

[Promotion quest completed. Channeling the gods' authority to break the tier barrier.]

The familiar soothing sensation engulfed his almost exploding body. Dark flames erupted from the cracks crisscrossing his skin and licked it gently.

Yet, unlike the previous times, he didn't feel as though a warm blanket draped over him. The potent life energy also didn't relieve him from his agony. Not even his increased life rating helped. Instead, only dread filled him because he could still sense the divine energy rampaging in his veins. As forecasted by the system, he'd die in a second without a miracle.

[Tiamat's chaotic factor is flaring. Forceful evolution process resumed.]

His eyes trembled for a second, confusion and fear filling his mind.

'I've read something like this before I got my memories back. But how? I don't have enough demonic essence to evolve.' Though he asked, he prayed it'd work. After all, it was his last hope.

The flames licking his skin swirled and crackled, engulfing him into a scalding cocoon as darkness encroached on his thoughts. Before it closed, his final memories resurfaced—the scene in which he devoured Muninn alive. He gagged in disgust and pulled his tongue out, horror overwhelming his doubts and pain.

"What stupid instincts! At least cook it!"

As he lost consciousness, his voice reverberated through the throne room, to the green flames licking and restoring Bart's muscles. Delight and hope curved his wrinkled face as he raised a shaky thumb.

"I didn't plan shit, but let's say it all worked out. Hahaha." He laughed, tears of relief streaming down his eyes. "Wait for me, Shihan. We'll bring you home soon."

Although he felt death's breath caress his neck and her fingers tighten around his soul, only pride filled his beating heart. He turned his recovering neck toward Adam's blazing cocoon, feeling fresh wind blast the suffocating dust away, and nodded slightly.

"I hope you'll have your memories back once you emerge, my lord."

Behind him, the elven council, down to three members, busied itself with healing spells. The sweet scent of nature filled the desolate throne room for a few minutes, creating a relaxing contrast with the devastation.

Then, thunderous footsteps and panicked screams shattered it as elven guards rushed inside.

"Secure the wounded and surround the demons! I want their heads on spikes!"

The golden armored elf from yesterday roared before his feet froze on the burnt wood. He scanned the room, biting his lips as he saw the ravaged remains of the elven council and elders.

However, when he saw Bart by Sylvie's beheaded body, his anger surged, and his voice cracked.

"One is still here. Nock your arrows and cast your spells. We must end him before he heals!"

The thousands of soldiers behind moved as one, ready to obliterate the bastard who attacked them in their own city.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Before they could, one of the noble elves moved in front of Bart. Arms wide open in a protective gesture, he clenched his jaw and pointed an accusing finger.

"So much for our guard captain. The castle is in ruins; a traitor killed Lyra while Elaris joined her, yet, you show up, flowery words filling your mouth after everyone died." He scrutinised the guards, his intense gaze leaving no place for refusal. "Drop your weapons and heal the wounded, demons included. We owe them our lives and freedom. Attempt to touch them, and what remains of us will unanimously sentence you to death!"

The other two survivors nodded to confirm his words, a steely glint flashing in their eyes.

However, the guard captain tightened his fists, veins throbbing on his red forehead.

"They saved you? Ha! They had nefarious intentions from the beginning! While you let them do whatever they wanted here, they plundered our warehouses. A few infiltrated this very palace right under your nose! We come from the treasury, and guess what? They swept it clean!"

Bart's eyes slipped to the side as he whistled innocently. What could he say? Adam had indeed tasked them with stealing everything in case the elves refused to submit. After all, with the resource shortage, they would have had no chance in a future war. But now, this clever plan came to bite them in the rear when they were vulnerable.