Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

"Tsk." Bart clicked his tongue and grunted as he leapt to his feet. Raising his recovered arms in surrender, he masked his hesitations and spoke with unwavering assurance.

"Did you take my lord for a fool? Of course, he'd protect himself in an enemy territory." He shrugged, asserting dominance with a playful smirk. "Or did you believe he'd jump into a lion's den praying they wouldn't eat him? No. We stole your treasures and resources to start the real negotiations. After all, we now have something you desperately need to recover."

He saw the guard captain's jaw clench. But so what? He had to strike the metal while it was hot, Muramasa's teachings.

"I'd drop any idea of retaliating if I were you. You see, we've set up a rallying point, and if the others don't hear from us in what? An hour? Anyway, they'll return to the territory richer than ever."

The captain let out an icy chuckle before he barked at his soldiers.

"They're waiting in the forest. Take five hundred men and kill those bastards!" He turned to Bart, his voice dripping with mockery. "Your lord might not be a fool, but you are for giving out so much free information. Soldiers, ready to shoot!"

However, Bart flicked his ear lazily and yawned.

"Don't make yourself dumber than you are, sir. But if you like free information, here is another one: we have a mage who can open portals. You'll lose everything the moment they notice you're after them. So, take a deep breath, sit down, and let's negotiate like gentle demons... elves... whatever."

The captain stomped the ground, his curled lips revealing his cracking teeth in a comical show Bart enjoyed since the elf looked more demonic than him.

Meanwhile, the three surviving nobles moved in front of Bart and jumped into the conversation.

"Step down, Vaelion. They did us dirty, but would you want foolish allies?"

Eyes narrowed, he admonished before the second leaned forward.

"Strength and skills are part of negotiations. Think about it. Would you ally with weaklings you can crush like ants?" He clapped. "I applaud their boldness because I would have never dared to pull such a risky stunt in broad daylight."

Lastly, an aged elf shook his head.

"You're the only one to blame, Vaelion, and this mistake makes you suffer." He stepped to him and patted his shoulder. "But we can't let your personal feelings worsen the situation." His grip firmed on Vaelion's shoulder. "Look around you! Corpses litter the ruin that was once our pride. Command the army to bury our dead while you join us in the negotiation."

Vaelion trembled, conflicting emotions deforming his cheeks. Yet, his shoulders slumped. He knew the right choice, but his heart screamed against it, not after this humiliation.

"Damn it!" He slapped the elder's hand off his shoulder and turned to his soldiers. "Bury our dead and treat the wounded. Encircle the castle, and don't let a fly in or out. Understood?"

The nobles nodded, a grateful smile spreading across their lips as the soldiers moved. Then, everyone turned to Bart and pointed at the blazing cocoon curiously.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

However, Bart rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"I don't know what he's doing, but if I have to put my coin on something, I'd say he's evolving..."

He coughed, swallowing his next words since Adam's last evolution almost took a week.

As his brows creased pensively for an explanation, the cocoon stirred. Ferocious sizzles drew his attention—a second before a blinding, dark light forced him to shield his eyes.

His legs caved and trembled, and his shoulders slumped as if a mountain had fallen on them. What was Adam doing, and more importantly, what was this horrible pressure crashing on him?

The radiance receded a split second later, allowing him and the trembling elves to witness a spectacle they'd never forget.

Flames condensed and spiralled in a grand show. Rows of jagged teeth, glinting like broadswords, formed on powerful jaws. Dark scales giving off a metallic luster formed to cover a hideous yet majestic head—the head of a genuine dragon.

He trembled when its mouth split open and almost lost his grip on his bladder when furious gales battered his body as a thunderous roar deafened him.

However, amidst the dread, he felt the voice familiar... Wasn't it his lord's?

As his eyes widened, Adam cracked his scale-covered neck and roared, a sensation of power that had to get out flooding him. His eyes snapped open next, revealing eyes as dark as Muninn's feathers as notifications reverberated in his ears.

[Congratulations on evolving into a Demonic Draconian!]

[Muninn's divine energy awakened Tiamat's chaotic factor: you can now absorb any type of energy and convert it into chaotic, demonic essence without loss!]

[Note: The process consumed Muninn's energy to compensate for the lacking essence.]

Smoke filtered through his hot mouth as he smirked. Then, he raised his arms and observed his new form.

Dark scales harder than armor covered him from head to toe, glinting with a golden glow beneath their surface. He felt for his horns, sensing they were shorter but more draconic now. His muscles were also less voluminous but screamed of condensed brutality.

Finally, he rolled his shoulders, swung his hips, and smiled. Two broad wings ending with talons flapped behind him. A whip-like tail that didn't reach the ground but long enough to strike also swung with his movement. Heart drumming, he felt for them and made them move slightly.

However, he frowned the next second as he failed to do more.

"I'll need to train. Anyway, how many days have passed this time? Shit! the second event!" He slapped his forehead, his eyes trembling. "I was in the elven castle. What happened after?"

He finally took his surroundings in, noticing Bart's wide open mouth.

"Report to me, Bart. I want a clear narrative of what happened during my sleep and why we're still not back."

"Cough..." Bart stepped forward. "Around half an hour passed? Don't ask me how you completed your evolution that fast, though."

Bart proceeded to explain his earlier discussion and how he had killed Sylvie. However, not a single time did he mention how close to death he had been. Adam didn't need to know, and he felt prouder like that.

After catching up, Adam's lips curled into an amused smile as he poked Bart's broad chest.

"You forgot to tell me why you're here, though. I'm sure I asked Garduck to follow me in the castle."

As he teased Bart, the elves' closed their dopping jaws dropped, finally recovering from the shock.

Then, the oldest noble bowed and spoke with utmost respect.

"This ruin's stale, dusty air doesn't fit your illustrious presence, sir dragon. Please do me the honor of visiting my mansion."

Adam shrugged and tilted his head at the man's respect and dragon title. However, following him wasn't part of his plans.

"Despite the unfortunate... delay, we won't need long to negotiate." He raised his finger, emphasising his words. "You can't sustain your army or population without your riches. I also methodically cleared every lord and camp in the forest, leaving you only two options: submission or war."

He ignored their reddening faces and twitching lips and continued to intimidate them with his army's size and the Jotuns. Of course, he also mentioned that they could try to kill him here. But even a fool knew it wouldn't happen with their two elders dead.

Therefore, the elven guards gritted their teeth while the nobles' brows furrowed pensively.

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