Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Muscles burning with essence, eyes ablaze with the imminent destruction of the barrier, they swung in a devastating downward slash.

The world turned silent for a brief moment as their energies crashed into the wall first. Already damaged by Gawain, and too late for Titania to rebuild it, their strikes ripped it in a downpour of rubble.

"RAAH!" Gawain roared, his frozen solar blade finally freed to continue.

The sun’s rays coalesced in a whirlpool around him, flooding his aching muscles with impossible strength for the zenith’s final second as he went for the last push.

All three blades collapsed on the barrier, their different colors creating a scene as beautiful for the invaders as it was daunting for the defenders, especially with the noise that finally returned.

CRACK

Shards exploded, falling in a glistening rain as they sliced through the barrier. Carried by their momentum, the blades plunged further, sundering the sylvester walls and incinerating countless fairy soldiers.

Titania’s wings flapped in horror. She bolted away from the strikes, feeling the heat on her skin. But she had no time to consider it. Gnawing on her lips with a fierce grimace, she tried to mend the barrier before they could infiltrate it. Yet, with three giant holes, it was too late—Adam’s disciplined army already rose to their feet.

Much worse, not only had Gawain spared them from the heat, but his solar energy also restored them to pristine condition. And as soon as they saw the barrier shatter...

"Gawain pierced their defences! Widen the gaps! Charge in!" Shihan’s shadows stretched into a bulky giant that gripped the openings and pulled them apart.

More shards crashed down, followed by an even greater cascade when the minotaurs’ hulking axes, clubs, and armored shoulders rammed the barrier’s base like fleshy siege rams.

Adam watched chaos descend on the battlefield, his confidant smirk fading. "Oberon still hasn’t moved."

Garduck cracked his neck, closing his eyes. "Mab didn’t either. With the barrier down, the advantage is on our side."

Adam shook his head. "That was the easiest part."

He glanced at Gawain. The prodigious presence and power displayed by the knight had already faded. Even worse, he planted Galatine on the ground, leaned on it for support, and panted, his face drenched in sweat.

"We consumed a lot of energy. Titania... has deeper reserves. And Oberon... He’ll be a tough nut to crack. Anyway, take a break, Gawain. You’ve filled your role splendidly."

A cough rocked Gawain’s shoulders before he shook his head. "I should have sliced it alone to mark everyone’s spirit."

"You still did." Adam pointed at the soldiers who stole admiring glances in their direction. "Our soldiers will sing how a mortal forced an ancient god to her last leg without support. Slowly, the tale will turn into legend, then a myth that embodies our belief: mortals are done worshipping tyrannical gods. They’re reclaiming their fates and walking their own paths."

His face darkened the next second. Titania wouldn’t idle for long. In fact, he could see her dishevelled green hair cascade down her clenched jaws, and the fury burning in her eyes.

They had to stop her. But would their plan work? He didn’t know... It depended on Oberon, but the bastard remained hidden thus far, most likely wary of Mab’s schemes. After all, who would know her better than her rebellious son?

"He should also know whatever he does will lead to her palm anyway," he scoffed, crouching and turning toward Garduck. "Ready to force the rat out of its burrow?"

"He’ll have to if he calls himself a man." Garduck reopened his eyes, grinning. "Don’t tell me you believe he’ll hide behind his wife’s skirt until the very end. It’ll be... quite pitiful, but great for us since we’ll just swarm him after her head rolls on his palace’s floor."

"I wish it would be that easy." Adam crouched, letting out a hollow chuckle. "Let’s see what option he picks."

Then, he lunged, turning into a blur of movement aimed at the collapsing barrier.

The wind whipped his hair against his face, the scent of burned wood, ash, and death filling his nose. Air became rare as soon as he stepped on the ravaged walls, which wasn’t surprising. Their flames must have consumed most of the oxygen, leaving behind toxic stenches and a suffocating heat. Not that they affected him.

However, they affected the fairies. Between those reduced to ashes and those squealing like pigs being slaughtered, with their limbs melted, wings charred, and covered in gruesome burns, he didn’t know who to pity most... figuratively, of course.

Many more would follow until he beheaded their leaders. And he felt nothing for them. Enemies who chose their camps. That’s what they were, that’s why they would die.

With a final glance back, he thundered in command for his army. "We make no prisoners and show no mercy. Kill on sight!"

Then, he glared at Titania, who gritted her teeth above him. He would lie if he said he hadn’t enjoyed seeing their plans unfold one after another. But that wasn’t his speciality. His was less fine in its use of global strategy, but more demanding in skills and resolve. It was in butchering impossible entities as the underdog. And one stood above him.

"What a poor fairy. Caught in the jaws of chaos... and still no husband in sight. Funny. I thought he’d show, at least to say goodbye." Adam shook his head with a pained expression. "I guess we know who wears the pants in your treacherous couple."

"Insolent, bastard!" She ground her teeth, her eyes burning with hatred. "Look at the devastation. Look at the deaths you’ve caused. You invaded the only race living in peace, far from this godforsaken world’s strife. All for what? All for whom? A dethroned queen, chased away because of her mad tendencies. A loser who couldn’t forsake the old traditions and upturned Britain, even though she had nothing to do there. Think carefully, mortal. Is your allegiance to her worth it?"

She stretched her palm out, but Adam cut her off with a sneer.

"Let me guess. It’s not too late to turn back? You hear that, Garduck? Allegiance. Hahaha!" His grip tightened on the god slayer and hammer. "This realm shall return to its rightful owner. Not because of loyalty, but because I find her quite entertaining. Do continue to call me a mortal, though. It’s what I was and those I fight for. "

He placed his hand before his lips, mimicking Mab’s shenanigans while folding space in front of Garduck, who began to swing.

"Oh, did I mention she taught me one or two tricks about magic? I suggest you look behind. Who knows? Something might appear out of nowhere."

"What nonsense..." Her voice caught in her throat as a gust of wind rocked her verdant hair.

A spear made of tangled thorns covered in blood-chilling barbs appeared in her hands as she snapped back, only for her eyes to widen in horror.

Garduck had appeared from nowhere, his broadsword already cleaving the air toward her neck.

Clenching her jaw, she flapped her wings with the grace of a limping drunkard. She shot back, feeling the infernal blade graze her neck. But to those two fools’ disappointment, she was a true queen, unlike the pathetic Mab. And they would learn it the hard way.

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AN: Subs are painfully low. I’ll rush to the end if it doesn’t get better soon, because ngl, both of my books are dead with an income of around 5$ per week. Of course, I’m grateful to those who still read it.