Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Unfazed by the whistling blade, Sylvie's smirk didn't falter. Instead, she licked her lips and opened her arms wide, ready to hug her most valuable pawn.

"Time to forget and build my army, Adam. Together, we'll conquer all the realms in Odin's name."

With her soothing whisper, a caw reverberated in Adam's mind. Forgotten the moment it resounded, it vaporised his recent memories into oblivion—all but one. Anchored in his burning hatred for those dogs, it ignited, resisted, and overwhelmed the caw to let him roar his enemy's name.

"ODIN!"

Sylvie's eyes widened. Why did he resist it now when she had toyed with him in the past three days? But she rapidly recovered her bearings and gazed at Elaris' open mouth.

"Floral shield!"

A bright, ethereal petal formed, then two, three, and ten. They hummed, spinning before Sylvie—a split second before the blade collapsed on her neck.

CLANG

The clangor of metal colliding against metal reverberated. Sparks illuminated Adam's distorted face as he pushed to break through.

Despite his strained arm, the shield remained unbroken. Worse, Sylvie's icy command already echoed.

"Increase the output, Muninn! He doesn't need memories to serve me."

"Caw!"

The air stirred and deformed around her shoulder, revealing a raven as dark as the night sky—the same that had descended with the Valkyrie in the crypt.

Though Adam hadn't seen it, he knew its name and role in the north pantheon: Odin's companion and spy. But what was knowing worth when he could sense his memories pop like bubbles one after another? Soon, he would forget about it, his territory, and his friends.

He bit his lip, the taste of blood filling his mouth as he rained a flurry of strikes on the shield to stop the process. But dread's icy fingers gripped his heart.

'Break!'

Despite his urgent inner roar, the shield didn't budge, the raven kept cawing, and Sylvie giggled victoriously.

His arm trembled in unwillingness, more scenes vanishing from his memories. 'Betrayed by someone I wanted to save. A well-deserved end.'

He closed the two chaotic pools his eyes had turned into and watched his fleeting moments with his trusted generals shatter one after another. Shihan came next, then... Luna. Just when their relationship progressed on the right track, it would fade like a sand castle washed by Sylvie and Odin's trap.

He clenched his jaw, the urge to retaliate burning in his chest—but to what end? Unlike Zeus' and Baal's plans, he hadn't discovered Odin's by luck before it became unstoppable. There would be no miracle today, only his inevitable defeat.

"I'm... sorry..." He muttered, the last remnant of his memories evaporating, leaving darkness to fill his mind.

CLANG

The noise of his sword slipping from his hand and colliding with the floor echoed as he lowered his head under Bart's horrified gaze.

"You can't give up, my lord! I won't accept it. Never! Rise and fight back until we change the world's perception of demons, bring Shihan back, and bring peace to everyone. Wake up, Adam!"

However, Adam didn't budge or think. He had forgotten how to, after all. But hope still burned strong in Bart's chest. The raven! Since it was its doing, he could maybe reverse it by killing it—as Lyra advised him to.

His eyes hardened, and he clutched his scarlet broadsword. Even if it didn't work, ensuring Adam's survival came first, even at the cost of his life.

"For the lord! For the territory!" He repeated Shihan's words, his muscles exploding with demonic essence.

The wind roared behind him as he lunged at Elaris, his figure turning into a red blur.

"Get lost with your shield, old fool!"

His blade cleaved through the air, zooming to the elder's frail figure.

Yet, Elaris sneered and struck the ground with his staff. The rotating gem crowning it brightened, collecting the surrounding mana to hasten his casting time and spell potency.

"Vines entanglement."

Lush vines sprouted from the trembling ground. Like spears, they shot to halt Bart's charge. Yet, they only met the whistles of his swift broadsword. Each strike cut them in half as he pushed forward.

However, he bit his lip, his charge slowing, then halting. No matter how many he cut, more pierced the air to replace them. Now, green walls surrounded him, threatening to close on him like a beast's jaws.

Dread's icy fingers gripped his heart, the realisation of his swift failure making his eyes tremble. But they still sparkled despite the difference in tier and levels. He wouldn't give up until he saw Adam safe.

With a roar, demonic flames engulfed his eyes, wafting into the surroundings. His veins bulged and squirmed like snakes on his powerful muscles as he hacked the Vines with renewed vigor.

"I told you to get lost already!"

Behind him, the ten surviving elves tightened their fists. Why did they give up when a stranger fought so hard? It was their city, their civilisation, and their legacy. It was their duty to protect them.

They raised their palms, channelling their mana into a myriad of colorful whips as they called their spells' names.

"Wind cutter." "Strength augment." "Speed augment." "Natural armor."

"We have you back, demon! Get rid of those two traitors, and we'll agree to any of your conditions!"

The wind whooshed as air blades slashed through the vines. Meanwhile, the empowering spells rocketed through the opening and gently wrapped Bart's body in a layer of multicolored mana.

"RAAAH!" Bart roared, feeling his strength, speed, and defense reach an unmatched level. But it wasn't time to revel in this ephemeral power.

Without wasting a second, he stomped the ground, disappearing from everyone's eyes. As though he had teleported, he reappeared behind the defenseless Elaris, his broadsword glinting scarlet overhead and his eyes screaming vengeance for what he and Sylvie did to Adam.

"Die!"

"I don't think so." Sylvie's voice, sudden and unnerving, resounded. Accompanying it was the noise of a whip splitting the air and travelling faster than the speed of sound. Continue reading at empiren/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

BOOM

The sound barrier broke, creating a booming noise as the defensive spell protecting him shattered upon impact. His armor followed, a deep gash destroying its stylish aesthetics to reach his muscles, then bones.

"ARGH!"

A sharp pain forced an agonising wail out of his throat as he felt his clavicle shatter like glass and his muscles down to his thigh rip like paper. Burning blood gushed out from the wounds and travelled up his throat, filling his mouth with its taste and flowing down his lips.

As he collapsed to his knees and tried to support himself with his weapon, Sylvie continued, her voice carefree and taunting.

"Be kind, and don't attack my first follower." She manipulated her silver whip again, tying it around Bart's limbs and neck before she smirked. "You could have killed him had I not moved. So sad. But, hey! I have good news for you." She caressed Muninn's head, her eyes sparkling ominously. "You'll remain with your dear lord forever... after I wipe your memories, that is."

Noticing that Bart's eyes still burned in defiance, she shrugged and pushed the nail further. Licking her lips, she walked to Adam and raised her palm.

"I'll visit your other friends next. Rejoice, pitiful demon. You'll all be slaves together!"

Before his constricting pupils, she swung, sending a slap towards his lord's dull face.

"N-No..."

Hissing through his teeth, he closed his eyes, unwilling to see anyone disrespect him.

However, the noble elves observed in trepidation as the palm closed on Adam's cheek. Then, their eyes widened as the unthinkable happened: seemingly as frail as a baby in his state, he craned his neck to the right and dodged with unnatural reflexes.

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AN: Please don't forget to review and comment if you enjoy the story. Sending power stones and golden tickets is also super helpful because... the book isn't doing well. In fact, it's almost dead. :'(