Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Adam's pupils constricted behind the barrier, yet the twang of his bowstring never stopped despite his rumbling mind.

'That's Ozymandias' strength?! He's the ultimate support with his buffs, defense and tanking monument!'

His eyes slipped to the other two, a strange eagerness to see them in action making his heart race in his chest.

'He has the right to be arrogant.' His lips curled into a confident smile. 'With him and the others recovering, this war is ours!'

However, his smile froze, and his eyes trembled as Ozymandias' dismissive voice pierced through the chaotic noise of battle.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"That's all the help you'll get from us. Behead that inferior Marquis to prove your worth!"

Blood drained from Adam's face, his shoulders trembling and his fists tightening.

However, his eyes rolled uncontrollably.

"Stop acting like you're the lord! I am!"

As he clicked his tongue, Luna chuckled beside him. She turned, her bright eyes peering into his.

"Remember what we told you during our first days? We want a powerful lord to guide us." She slapped his back, a bright smile curving her lips. "You're always the one pushing us forward. It's your turn to shine."

A deep furrow creased his brows as conflicted emotions tugged at his heart. Could he defeat Leraje when even his balors seemed threatening enough to kill him?

"I don't know, Luna." His fingers trembled around his bow. "It feels like a risk I don't need to take..."

"It's not!" Luna cut him off, her voice growing cold and her eyes spewing fire. "Karna, Achilles, Wukong, Ozymandias. Do you think all these famous heroes want to follow a lord who doesn't believe in his own strength? Didn't you want to guide your subjects on the frontline?"

She pointed an accusing finger at him, a bitter taste filling her mouth as deafening projectiles crashed on the golden barrier, casting dancing shadows on her face.

"Shihan would be ashamed of your loss of self-confidence."

He stepped back, his eyes widening and his breath catching in his throat.

Before he could recover, her hair fluttered as she lunged at him, gripped his head, and brought it to her chest in a comforting hug.

Despite the shame burning her reddening cheeks, she continued.

"Listen well. Leraje is a skilled archer and swift fighter but lacks strength. I've seen you grow from a lesser imp to a proud draconian. You can do it."

He shuddered against her supple chest for a second before his shoulders slumped. Through her warm skin, racing heart, and cracking voice, he felt her trust and expectations.

'She's trying to give me courage. I'm not a man if I disappoint her!'

Slowly, the doubts clouding his eyes parted, letting his eagerness to prove himself through combat shine.

His gaze hardened, his muscles tensed, and his fists tightened as he pulled back and drowned in her shy eyes for a moment.

"I love you."

His lips twisted the next second as he realised what he had just said. But instead of seeing Luna shrink back as he had expected, she leaned forward. He could feel her hastening breath and her face's burning heat as her lips met his for a split second.

Then, she stepped back and turned, too embarrassed to look him in the eyes.

"Carve your victory in Baal's heart... I'll give you a real one as a reward."

He touched his lips, a smile blossoming amidst the chaos.

"I'll return with Leraje's head."

An inferno of determination burned in his eyes as he nodded and stepped to the wall's edge.

Before he leapt, Luna's voice echoed.

"One last thing. We both know Bart is far from hot-headed. Something must have triggered his earlier unrest. Cut Leraje's limbs but try to bring him alive to sort this mystery."

"I'll try, but I can't promise anything."

He cast her one last tender glance as he unfurled his draconic wings.

The wind whipped against his leather armor as he took to the sky the next second.

Sand prickled his eyes, and his ears buzzed as he bolted through the raging storms. The clangor of the balors slashing at Ozymandias' statue reverberated behind, while elemental projectiles whistled before him.

Showcasing his agility, he dodged them with minimal movements as he assessed his possibilities.

'The balors are stuck behind, leaving tens of thousands of djinns and Leraje in front.' He summoned his Chaosbringer, his eyes narrowing into fiery slits. 'Obliterate the djinns with my flames from above, then engage Leraje in a duel.'

With his rough strategy in mind, he emerged from the sandstorms and manipulated the surrounding clouds to gather above the djinns. Dark flames condensed on his scarlet blade, raging with twice the heat and tinged with a subtle gold.

His grip tightened around the blade, his heart drumming in his ears as he felt its enhancement boost his energy.

Then, his hair danced around him as he hurled a fiery pillar into the clouds and roared.

"Chaotic storm!"

Alerted by the unnatural noises, the djinns frowned and gazed up—just in time to tremble at the rumbling, dark clouds looming above.

As if a divine judgement smote them, dark flames encased in a golden sheen swirled down.

BOOM

The dry ground cracked open, the flames flooding and melting it like a torrent of lava. Dust rose and vaporised amidst the horrible heat as agonising wails pierced the sky.

The flames charred everything in a ten-kilometre radius before stopping. Worse, the blade's divine energy devoured their demonic defenses, laying their bodies bare before his strike.

The stench of their burning flesh saturated the air. Yet more than half the djinns stood outside the smoldering circle. And with a clear prey, they channelled their demonic essence and hurled their elements at him. Even worse, Adam clicked his tongue as he saw Leraje blur outside the inferno and lower his hat tauntingly.

"Tried to take me out with this ridiculous strike? Hahaha!"

Leraje kicked his bow, making it spin while he gripped three arrows emanating ominous energies. Catching it elegantly and nocking the arrows in the same movement, he snorted, his voice dripping with mockery.

"You threw yourself to your executioner, weak demon."