Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Chapter 304  Adam's Advance

"My lady?!"

Maids and guards snapped their heads in shock as Mimi bolted by them until she emerged out of the palace.

She covered her eyes from the sun's stinging rays and charged down the street's pavement, the echo of her stomps drawing the citizens' attention.

They craned their necks through houses and shops' windows, only to see the frills of her immaculate Amazon dress flutter and the golden shine of her crown.

But she ignored the confused looks they gave her and rushed to the demons' camp outside the city, blasting through the biggest tent under the few soldiers' gaping jaws. "Garduck! Where are you, Garduck?"

She saw the demon seated behind the broad war table, holding a quill and reading a pile of documents alone.

Her chest couldn't help but tighten. For seven years, he shouldered the army's command and endured the successive departures. The eleven other generals were first, then the sergeants, followed by the soldiers. From the one hundred thousand demons, only a mere five thousand remained.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, little lord?" Garduck raised his head, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

Her fists trembled as her emotions spilt. She lunged into a hug, her voice cracking in delight, hope, and expectation. "He's safe and will return soon!"

A shudder tore through Garduck's shoulders. "After ten years..." His arm tightened around Mimi's back as he suppressed a tear. "I knew you'd make it back alive."

"Right? No one can kill my big brother, not even those petty gods!" She pulled back, her lips curling into a radiant smile. "Do you want me to pass him a message? I came directly and haven't replied yet."

Garduck shook his head, his cheek trembling in shame and remorse. "What can I tell him but that I failed?"

His jaw clenched as he lowered his head. "We have fewer men than ten years ago. Everyone he trusts left, and the people who betrayed him rule over his realm. Mimi..." He bit his lip, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth.

"I don't know how to face him."

"Humph." She gripped his shoulders, her red eyes piercing his. "He told me ten years ago after I asked why he wasn't afraid to live with demons: he cared about each of his generals more than the mythical figures. That's why he silently played the fool and discarded the easy solutions to show you all that you could avoid lives of violence and betrayals."

She turned, giving him time to digest the information, and took a deep exhale. "Look at the result. You all become more powerful than you could have ever dreamed while limiting the risks." Her voice softened. "He won his mad bet to make demons peaceful. So, don't whip yourself for things you can't control. I guarantee he won't blame you for anything." @@novelbin@@

Garduck dropped back in his seat, a bitter smile twisting his lips. He knew that already. After all, who would want to help build houses or fight on the front lines despite being the lord? Everything Adam had done was to keep his promise, and it's the reason he and the generals had followed him without ulterior motives.

But that was also what made his failure press heavier on his heart.

He remained silent for a moment before he sighed. "Let's wait until he returns before we break any negative news to him. I'll try to gather whoever I can in the meantime."

Mimi nodded. "He needs to focus on returning, so I wouldn't have. I'll just tell you're eager to see him." She waved her hand, her fingers already blurring on her interface as she stepped out of the tent. Once far enough, she clasped her hands, muttering. "Who cares about soldiers? He can have my army as long as he comes back."

A steely glint flashed in her eyes as she went to find Hippolyta and ordered her to recall her troops. Nothing would stop her from reuniting with the only person who accepted her when she was a clueless eleven-year-old girl in a world filled with malicious individuals. As her realm rumbled with preparations, Adam pursued his journey through the frozen lands of Jotunheim.

His strength grew with each sunrise, turning him into a living calamity as Jotun's tribes and giant beasts disappeared from the surface of the realm.

Melted ice and rivers of blood followed his every step until he finally reached the eternal permafrost—the home of Hrimgar—a week later.

The icy wind battered his torso, his ashen skin turning paler. Plasma roiled in his skin's crevices in resistance, yet his teeth chattered, and his nose ran.

"H-How is this place colder than the abyss?" He stuttered, taking short steps forward.

"D-Do you see the mountains piercing the ice?" Mimir answered, as affected by the cold as him. "They're Ymir's remnants..." Unsure if Adam knew about him, he continued. "You said you met Surtr's echo. You can consider Ymir an ice version of him. Odin and his brother killed him eons ago and used his remains to shape the nine realms. The flesh for the earth, the blood for the oceans, the bones for the mountains, and the skull for the sky."

He coughed, mist escaping his lips. "You'll forgive me for the condensed information, brother. T-This cold is just too much."

Adam clenched his teeth as he pushed forward. "I don't have the strength to listen, and I don't care about a dead bastard when I'm freezing."

Shivering against the cold, he continued until he saw Hrimgar's ugly silhouette pierce through the white plain and the small, steamy pond beside him.

Mimir saw it, too, and whispered. "Are you sure you're ready? You'll have no choice but to fight if the negotiations fail." Adam rolled his eyes and ignored the question as the noise of his steps against the snow hastened.

Yet, he took a moment to glimpse at his interface before the uncertain conversation.

Name: Adam

Race: Elder Dragon Overlord

Affinity: chaotic, infernal energy

Talent: SS grade (Upgradable): I'm a gamer!

Job: Aberration Crafter.

Class: Chaos Druid

LVL: 52

Exp: 1140/337.280

HP: 5.368.230/5.368.230

Vitality: 59.313->439.473 (+97.350.350)

Strength: 59.313->439.473 (+153.815)(+97.350)

Agility: 59.313->439.473 (+153.815)(+97.350)

Chaotic demonic essence: 54.900->64.900

Free attribute points: 1.140.480->0

'It should be fine...' He shook his head. 'I'm not underestimating an ancient bastard.'