Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

As they rushed out of the lord's palace, Morwen and Zephyr smirked before the undefended city. Behind them, a thousand demons and three thousand elves, led by Vaelion, trembled.

Eager to conquer Foliaris, they pounded their armor in an enthralling beat.

"Alright, guys! The barrier disappeared earlier than predicted, but why would I complain?" Zephyr chuckled and raised his crimson blade, his commands thundering. "Spare the citizens. Obliterate the criminals and the army!"

With the command, the ground rumbled beneath their feet as the elves drew their bows, and the demons' eyes burned a fiery green.

They stormed the gates, killing the few hundred soldiers protecting it before they spread into the outskirts.

Terrorised thugs fled through the filthy streets in vain. Arrows rained, elements roared, and blades whistled until the scent of their blood overwhelmed the disgusting stench of detritus and piss.

The innocent who didn't join the rebellion watched in horror from their windows at first. Then, they clenched their fists, almost voicing support for the demons and elves who finally cleaned the place from their tormentors. After all, they lived no better than slaves under their rules.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Morwen's delicate voice reverberated passionately, drawing their attention.

"Adam's liberation army is here. Stay indoors, brave people; no harm will come to you!"

Who was Adam? They gazed at each other, muttering theories but more importantly, thanking the man for his unexpected support and ruthless efficiency.

In less than five minutes, they watched the army leave bloody footsteps on the commercial district slabs.

Zephyr took the lead in this part of the city, his icy voice cutting through the air.

"We'll consider anyone stepping outside a corrupted criminal. Try at your own risk, but don't fret, friends. We'll flush you out, anyway."

Innocents lept in joy while terror gripped the culprits' hearts. A few tried to escape, only to meet the three soldiers overlooking each street. The spectacle discouraged the others as the army continued its relentless march to the inner city gates.

Before they did, Luna, Bart, and Garduck met them midway.

"What's wrong with the early timing, big sister?" Morwen asked, a brow raised in intrigue. "Don't tell me those fools refused to fight for their freedom."

Luna shook her head and pointed behind, the clangor of steel and roars of battle still raging.

"We convinced more than expected. I'm honestly impressed by their spirit and believe they can win without our help..." Her voice trailed off. "Well, most will die for this victory."

Garduck stepped in, shrugging as he spoke.

"We can't delay now that the rest of the population saw our army. Let's save them and be done with it."

Zephyr scratched his head, a conflicted frown creasing his brows.

"But big brother told us to wait until they despair. Only then they'd see us as their savior and accept our species."

Luna rolled her eyes.

"I bet they'd accept us after learning we could have saved them earlier but delayed it for no apparent reason. Move to the walls and conquer this place once and for all."

Nodding, they resumed their march, reached the rebels a few minutes later, and observed the sad spectacle.

Bodies piled up into small mounds everywhere, limbs and heads sprawled randomly. A deep scarlet colored the once elegant slabs, seeping into cracks and pits as the scent of death permeated the area.

Yet no one cared. In fact, the elves rejoiced each time they passed by a soldier's corpse, while the demons wished they had been the ones to kill them.

"Surround them." Luna pointed at the army, then smirked at the rebels. "Leave their protection to me. I want to try something."

The generals nodded and commanded the army to march in formation.

Meanwhile, the wind whipped against her clothes as she blurred to Kyriakos. His tired figure, bloodied from head to toe, stubbornly fought with the few remaining mercenaries on the frontline.

She gently pulled him back, securing his sword hand to avoid accidents, and smiled.

"The war is over."

Too exhausted to waste energy talking, he wiped his face and raised his brow at the enemy soldiers.

But his eyes narrowed when she shoved something into his hand. Feeling the cold metal, he observed it before a shudder ran down his spine.

"The lord's blazon! Xanthikos is dead." His fist trembled as tears rolled down his cheeks. "At last, you're avenged, Eleni."

Luna's lips curled into a soft smile as she patted his shoulder. Read exclusive content at empire

"Use it to protect the citizens and let us handle the soldiers."

With a nod, he stretched his weak mana into the blazon. Feeling how to command it instinctively, he raised his hand.

Mana hummed and danced around him, condensing into the city barrier before extending to encompass the stunned rebels.

"What's happening?!" The mercenary leader's enraged voice pierced through the confusion. "That shit stopped me from beheading this lucky bastard!"

However, his outrage melted like snow under the summer sun as he saw the demonic and elven army slowly suffocate the remaining soldiers.

The mages and archers that had plagued them shrieked in terror and agony. The veteran fighters he had measured his skills against dropped dead, arrows piercing through their necks and hearts.

Kyriakos couldn't help but gasp at the demon's textbook formation. It was almost as if he was seeing the legendary myrmidons in action. Then, dread's icy fingers wrapped around his heart as he imagined what would have happened if the demons attacked the city directly.

He exhaled, calming his raging heart and watching Foliaris' army fall for the first time in its long history.

"It's for the best." He muttered, his chest warming as he gazed at Luna. "You have my gratitude for saving us and sparing the civilians."

He raised his fist in triumph, his gladius trembling overhead.

"The demons killed the tyrant! We're free!"

The stunned rebels recovered at his words and raised their fists in unison, tears rolling down their cheeks and joyful yells leaving their throats.

As they hugged one another, he turned to Luna, bowed and presented the blazon back.

"I'd like to meet your wise lord, my lady."

However, Luna's fingers wrapped around his hand, closing it over the blazon.

"You'll meet him soon, city lord Kyriakos Foliaris." She smiled. "Do you feel worthy of your heritage now?"

He trembled for a second, contrasting emotions rampaging in his chest before pride and warmth overwhelmed them and manifested into a bright smile.

"I do." He kneeled, silent tears flowing as his voice cracked. "I vow to follow your lord and protect this city with my life."