Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

He shoved his leg down, the ground shattering under the stomp as he swung.

The chaosbringer drew a scarlet and gold arc as it cleaved through the wind with horrifying strength.

CRACK

It dug into the orc's neck like butter, shattering his spine and muscles before it exited.

PLOP

The head rolled to his feet, disbelief etched in Vrashnak's dimming eyes as he dropped to the ground and sighed.

He pointed at Garduck and waved at the others.

"Support the rear line against the cavalry. Chain the orcs—kill them if they resist."

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Everyone nodded as Garduck stood guard by him. Yet a question couldn't help but shoot through his burning lips.

"Where did that light come from? I mean, congratulations on your victories."

Adam chuckled as he saw Garduck scratch his cheek and shrugged.

"Even if the world is my enemy and even if I'm mistaken, there is someone I can trust with my life." He gazed in the distance, a soft smile curving his lips. "But I must prove worthy of this trust and not abuse it. Right, Karna?"

A hundred kilometers south, Karna dismissed the solar arrow nocked on his Vijaya bow with a bright smile.

"Congratulations on your first conquest, Adam. I hope my little help won't reduce your sense of achievement..." He closed his eyes and inhaled, his chest puffing. "I'm proud of you. And... sorry for what comes next."

As his words hung heavy in the air, a high-pitched, ear-splitting cry rocked the sky.

The realm trembled, mighty gales banishing the clouds to reveal the sky and the culprit's blue eyes.

Alarmed, Adam cursed and raised his head, only for dread to grip his racing heart.

Powerful lion's hind legs and two talons glinting like blades on the front met his gaze. Then, he saw two steel-like wings cast vast shadows on the capital, their mere flaps sending gales to pressure the weaker soldiers to the ground. Finally, he bit his lip as he saw the creature's avian head and the open broad beak that could swallow him in a single gulp. Worse, those same blue eyes locked onto him as if the griffin knew who started the war.

'I can't even catch my breath for a minute!' He slammed his palms on the ground and jumped to his feet.

"Evacuate everyone and gather the generals!" He hesitated.

They were powerful but not enough to join a fight against Ikarion, much less the griffin. Maybe Shihan could hold her ground if she had more time to adjust to her new powers.

He clenched his fists and revised his commands. Fighting the griffin was no different from sending them to their deaths.

"Escort the soldiers and civilians to Harmony. Request Wukong's, Achilles', and Merlin's immediate support!"

However, Garduck gripped his shoulder and shook his head.

"I won't leave you. Not after the life you made me discover."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"It's not the moment to prove your loyalty! I know you are. But I'm not letting you or anyone die for nothing. Leave!" He pushed his second subject back, his eyes and tone not accepting rebuttal.

Yet Garduck shook his head again and opened his mouth to explain his emotions.

Before he could, the air rumbled around him. The noise spread to everyone in the city but Adam like wildfire.

Bright blue mana vortices tore through space and engulfed them without warning.

"Good job, Merlin! Now join me with the others to kill this bastard!" Adam grinned and raised his thumb as everyone in the vortices vanished.

However, no one appeared. Instead, the griffin's shriek thundered twice louder, and its eyes narrowed into horrible slits. The devastated houses, the blood flowing through the empty streets, the corpses piling up in small mounds infuriated it. But Ikarion's lifeless body caused the winds surrounding it to roar in fury.

"You transgressed my rules by killing the king. Don't expect a merciful death, pitiful demon." Buildings collapsed, and the earth rose and fell as it delivered a chilling verdict.

"In my name as this barony's guardian, you are hereby banished from this realm, never to return again."

With a flap of its wings that shoved Adam against the ground, mana condensed into a magic circle of surreal complexity. Ancient symbols crisscrossed in an intricate dance before dark lights burst from them as it continued.

"Begone to the world you belong to, suffer in the abyss!"

Adam's body trembled like a battered leaf at the mention of the horrible place. The memory of the abyssal spawn that had shattered his arm and almost claimed his life two months ago resurfaced as he roared.

"Merlin! Come now! Achilles! Karna! Wukong!"

However, no one answered his call.

'Shit! Return scroll appear!'

The yellowed scroll he had kept for months materialised in his hand in a flash of light. Without hesitation, he ripped it and sighed.

[You are not bound to any realm. Return scroll's usage failed.]

'At least return it. Damn it!' He shoved his fist on the ground, scrambling to his feet as he cried out for his teachers and friends in despair.

Yet, the only thing he heard was the raging wind engulfing him, his torn coat flapping upward, and his own voice. Then, the frigid cracking of space and the sensation of losing his footing.

"Shit! What's happening?!" His fists trembled, and tears trailed down his cheeks.

What had he done to make them ignore him? He considered them genuine friends, some even family. Yet, that's how it ended...

WHOOSH

With a flash of light, his body disappeared, leaving only drifting tears behind and the memory of the demonic draconian named Adam in this realm.

Meanwhile, the griffin snorted and turned to obliterate the escapee. No one would survive today!

However, a sollar arrow cut through its feathers and a rage-filled voice shattered the sky.

"Where do you think you're going?" Karna's eyes, two miniature suns burning with hatred, locked on it as his voice dripped with venom. "You won't leave this place alive!"

Simultaneously, Merlin's portals opened, Achilles, Wukong, Ozymandias, and even Muramasa stepping through them. They all glared at the griffin, scalding vengeance rushing through their bulging veins and distorted faces.

"He'll hate us..." Merlin muttered behind them, his eyes lowered and shoulders slumped. He had foreseen it way before Tiamat made her choice. But the thought of facing Adam's reproaches, even hate... It stung his old heart.

He could also understand the others' rage. They just felt like him and had to vent their frustrations.

He gazed at the griffin and clenched his jaw, the veins in his neck bulging.

"Break all his bones and turn his body into equipment! We'll offer Adam the best artifacts once he returns as an apology!"