Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

After two hours seated on a tree's branch, his eyes sparkled as the wind carried the noise of horses' hooves colliding with the ground into his ears. The rhythmical spinning of the carts' wheels they towed followed until he saw the first humans approaching his position.

Armored and carrying spears, their eyes darted to scan the surroundings for potential bandits' or beasts' attacks.

Then, he watched their relieved exhale when the caravan leader emerged from his carriage.

The man raised his fist and commanded something that caused them to stop.

A second later, the specialists, farmers, and eager teenagers he had recruited last week rushed out of the transportation they had shared for many days and breathed in the nearby plain's fresh air.

He patiently waited as they gathered his grains and cattle, then chuckled, imagining their crooked expressions after they saw him without his helmet.

Finally, following his instruction, the caravan leader shook his passengers' hands and began his return trip to Foliaris.

Watching him and his twenty guards disappear on the dirt road, he lept down his tree ten minutes later.

The wind whipped against his torso as he blurred into motion. In the blink of an eye, he reached his citizens and beasts.

With a gentle smile, he taped on Laura's former boss' shoulder to draw her attention as his eager voice echoed.

"I'm glad you didn't meet misfortune on the road."

The lady jumped and craned her neck in his direction. Pupils trembling, and her heart drumming in her ears, she took a deep breath to calm down.

"I almost met misfortune just now." She rolled her eyes at him. "Were you trying to welcome us with a heart attack?"

He chuckled and shook his head in apology.

"I may have let my impatience act up a little. It won't happen again."

Meanwhile, Marc heard his voice and left the beasts to rush at him. Face red and fists clenched around his farmer's belt, his aggrieved tone drew the other's attention.

"I can't believe neither you nor the three troublemakers informed us about your nature!" He swung his arm upwards, finally able to vent his frustration. "If not for Miranda, we'll be running like headless chickens after seeing your horns and scales..." His voice trailed off, and he scratched his beard in confusion. "Scales?"

Adam shrugged and clicked his tongue at the lost opportunity to see them panic. Even the teenagers only eyed him in fear and wonder as their hushed whispers reached his ears.

Then, he pointed to the forest.

"I'll explain what I'm and what you can expect in more detail on the way."

After they agreed and moved, he summarised his three weeks' journey. He also told them he was a unique demon with draconic features.

Everyone's eyes widened at the revelations. Still, Miranda had already recounted most of the events and convinced them to try during the trip.

Just like that, they reached the wooden walls three hours later.

He noticed the kids tremble upon seeing the demonic soldiers patrolling them, then gawk at the large oikas lining the neatly paved streets. Even the ten specialists nodded, their lips twisted in a respectful grimace.

Simultaneously, cheerful screams echoed from the mixed citizens, creating a strange yet harmonious scene.

"Welcome, new friends!"

"Come, Marc! I'll show you the barn and our farms."

"Can you believe it, Miranda? We have our own tailor workshop here!"

Adam chuckled as Litia took Marc, the teenagers, and the beasts to the farms in the west while Laura and Lilia toured the place for the others, leaving him behind.

A soft smile crept on his lips as he took four rum barrels from the warehouse and left for Wukong's mountain.

'We finally have enough crafters to offer regular citizens jobs and develop our economy.' His eyes sparkled as he cut through the forest. 'By then, they'll rely on each other's skills without needing the army.'

Five minutes later, he entered the cave Wukong had arranged as his living space.

Before he could greet his mythical figures, disgusting smoke swirled and obscured his vision. Worse, the stench burned his nostrils and assaulted his nerves. Confronted with the insidious attack, he trembled for a moment, trying to resist the effects. But his efforts proved in vain.

Without his command, his body relaxed as if melting, and his thoughts slowed down.

Still, he gathered his remaining willpower to hurl his fist with all his strength.

BOOM

The air exploded under the strike, turning into a gale that blew the smoke away and revealed... Wukong and Ozymandias, smoking from two luxurious hookahs.

Lips twitching and face-palming, he yelled at the absurd situation.

"The heck are you two doing in the morning? And where did you even find these things?"

He pointed at the stone table filled with delicacies and potent alcohol.

Despite the distance, the scent scorched his throat and added to the lightheadedness he tried to battle away.

Meanwhile, Wukong patted the seat by him and smiled.

"Those? We bought them from Foliaris, of course. But why does it matter? Come and enjoy them with us, brother."

However, he shook his head and rolled his eyes at him.

"Where are Achilles and Karna?"

Wukong took a puff and exhaled a series of circles above him, then smiled.

"These two battle maniacs? They should be training in the mine's depth. Just follow the noise, and you'll find them." His voice sharpened, and his eyes narrowed into slits. "They told us you'll learn their techniques. Why didn't you ask me, too?"

Adam raised his palms and shrugged.

"Don't think too much about it. I just didn't want to bother you." He placed the rum barrels on the table and turned to flee the place before his brain short-circuited. "There is one for each of you. Enjoy yourselves. See you next time."

Without waiting for his answer, he escaped through the stairs.

Once outside, he panted and gulped the forest's fresh and musty scent to clear his mind as he bit his nail in worry.

"I really must regulate alcohol and addictive products before they corrupt everyone!"

With this idea in mind and his blood boiling at the prospect of learning from the two legends he considered the fiercest warriors, he entered the mine again.

He followed the metallic clangor reverberating from the underground. A moment later, he emerged in the vast cave Maven's father had used to gather the demonised kobolds two weeks ago.