Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

That’s what his experience murmured in frigid whispers. After all, in a realm where everyone was an enemy or a traitor, the demons who survived were as rude as they were cunning.

He took a shaky step back, his breath coming out ragged. "I-I mistook you for someone else, sir. Please forgive me for the bother." He produced two coins minted with a lion-headed demon holding a snake—Vinéa.

Adam glanced at him, chuckling. "What about the pouch of materials I gave you earlier?"

The demon almost choked. Still, he reluctantly reached for his pocket. "Right. It’s only natural that I return it to you..."

However, Adam cut him off by raising his palm, then making a zipping gesture on his lips. "For your silence. I don’t need to spell what will happen to you if you run your mouth." His voice grew somber. "Right?" freewёbnoνel.com

He pocketed the two coins, turned, and waved his hand. "Choose your targets better, or your next offence might be the last."

The demon watched his sweaty palm tremble for a few seconds before a fire ignited in his eyes. Why was he scared when this was an opportunity?

The handsome demon seemed out of touch with how things worked. Many ideas flashed in his mind until he locked on the most probable.

A demonic creature that evolved recently. Maybe a Vrock since he had wings. A Marilith would make sense, too, with his serpentine tail. With how random demonic evolutions were and the vast pool of species, he couldn’t be sure. Not that it mattered since it wasn’t uncommon for some to harbor strange or mixed features like their king and his lion’s head.

As for his actual strength, demon duke was a given—perhaps even a demon prince. One uncorrupted by their society for now. How much wealth and power could he get by making Adam feel indebted to him like a... friend?

His lips curled into a grin that reached his eyes as he rushed behind Adam. "Wait, sir!"

Adam turned, frowning as the demon continued. "I couldn’t help but notice you didn’t seem to know your way around the city. Allow this humble guard to guide you as an apology." He leaned closer, whispering. "It may not look like it, but I have a few contacts among the upper echelon. I can introduce you to the guard captain, perhaps even the mayor if he’s around. I’m sure they’d be delighted to make your esteemed acquaintance."

"Mhh? My." Adam clapped his hands. "That’s a delightful offer. I guess you want me to slip a good word for you?"

"Err." The demon scratched his head, then struck his chest with a genuine nod. "I’d be grateful if you did. But I value your friendship more."

Adam gestured toward the arena, chuckling. "Friendship? That doesn’t grow on trees around here, does it? Lead the way. I’ll entertain your fantasy as long as I meet the mayor."

"I shouldn’t make either of you wait, then." The demon nodded, then shoved demons around the densely packed plaza, thundering. "Make way, dumb bastards! Orders from the city guard!"

However, their answers almost made Adam choke on his saliva.

"Fuck you and your city guard!"

"The only thing your guys guard is our blood after sucking our wealth dry!"

"Wait! Aren’t you a city guard yourself?"

"So what? No one likes us—not even us ourselves!"

The demon clenched his jaw. "I will murder any idiot who still blocks me the moment they step foot outside the city."

Voices died in the throats of the angry crowd as they reluctantly moved aside. No guard was below the demon marquis’ rank1, while they were a bunch of lesser demons. A few greater demons mingled with them, but even they lowered their heads to let the guard and Adam through.

"Humph." The guard snorted. "Look at these squirming insects. They talk big until the realm’s only rule shuts them up."

"Which is?" Adam smirked, knowing the answer.

"Strength, of course. What else can subdue accursed demons in a barely functioning society?" The demon shook his head. "If not for our king’s overwhelming powers, we’d be butchering each other like mindless beasts."

He tilted his head, his lips curving with murderous intent. "Scratch that. It would have been better. We could devour those fools’ essence while cleaning the place. Ah, I wish we had no king now..."

The citizens who heard him recoiled, their faces twisting in horror. Then, they turned tails and scrambled away before the guard acted on his realisation. It wouldn’t be a first... nor a last. Wilds, alleys, even toilets weren’t safe from the demons’ greed.

However, Adam sneered. "You don’t know how wrong you are."

"Are you one of those who advocate for common demons? We indeed need them for menial tasks... But don’t you think they’re easy to replace?" The demon frowned.

"Not about that. Strength." Adam’s smirk broadened. "Is the only rule, no matter which realm you live in. You’re wrong about the essence, too. Would you want to devour others if it were readily available—if you could access the purgatory’s original flame, for example?"

The demon paled at the mention of the flame. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his voice cracking into a suppressed whisper. "Y-You can’t talk about that, please." His eyes darted in every direction before he sighed in relief. "We don’t like to share; the kings like it even less. The name alone can attract their gaze... and ire. But to answer your question: no, I wouldn’t need to devour anyone."

Wide-eyed, Adam cursed. ’Shit. They can’t see me, but those around?’ He bit his lip. ’No mention of the flame. Noted.’

Then, he clicked his tongue as he passed beneath the building’s tall arch. "Think about it. If you don’t need to devour others because you can all improve, what reason would you have left to suspect each other?" His voice grew somber. "Tell me. Are demons really accursed, or are the realm’s rules forcing them on that path?"

The demon frowned. "What bullsh..." He corrected himself. "An unusual opinion, to say the least. But the truth is quite different. If we removed competition for resources and murder, what fun would we have left? Evil, amusement. Call it whatever you want because, deep down, we enjoy this system. The strong and cunning rise while the weak and foolish fall under their boots. Share with them? What right do they have?"

Adam closed his eyes. ’I tried—a waste of time. They’re too far gone to change.’

When he reopened them, only a steel-like focus remained as they passed through the lobby, climbed a flight of stairs, and stood before a VIP lounge.