Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 308: The Scent of Home, the Sting of Deceit

Mild sunlight brightened his skin the moment he pushed the doors open. A fresh breeze, the air so pure that his nose and lungs danced in joy, blew his messy hair and made his heart drum in his ears.

Scents of freshly cooked bread, meat, and nature melded in a delightful blend completely opposite to the toxic and frozen air of the abyss and Jotunheim.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath—how he had missed this simple pleasure.

Ignoring the passerby, he enjoyed it for a moment, noticing how demonic essence and life force filled the air. His body gulped them down as he gazed at the sky.

The demonic altar’s branches stretched to the horizon. What had once been a stone structure became a full tree rustling with the wind.

Neat rows of villas, lush parks, and brilliant shops filled the wide streets underneath. Cloud-like sails fluttered on merchant ships cutting the river behind the chaos forge. On the opposite banks, multicolored fields swayed with the passage of smiling farmers and their herds.

With a sigh, he took his first step into the pedestrian-packed street before a narrowed-eyed human thrust his palm before him. Behind him, a demon clicked his tongue and ordered.

"Name and identity plate!"

A frown creased his brows as he observed their neat uniforms and the blades already half-drawn from their sheaths.

"Police?" He tilted his head, understanding flashing in his eyes.

However, they took out a metallic device and barked instead of answering.

"We have a demon holding a severed head by the den. Requesting immediate backups! The individual wears rough wolf pelts and is highly dangerous."

Upon hearing their words, the pedestrians noticed Mimir’s head dangling down the rope and scrambled, screaming in horror.

"I thought you wanted to keep a low profile?" Mimir chuckled, shocking the police officers.

"Nothing I can’t resolve with a few words." He shrugged and pointed at the demon who spoke in the device. "Cancel your order and tell Maven to meet me in the warehouse."

"Dare to call our first commander by name? Who do you think you are?" The human’s eyes narrowed, his blade entirely drawn. "Raise your hands where I can see them and drop to your knees!"

Adam tapped his foot, his lips curling down. "You have two seconds to obey."

The officers glanced at each other, their veins throbbing on their foreheads. When did a citizen dare to disobey in this law-abiding city?

The moment they thought about using force to arrest him, however, a dull noise echoed. With it, the world blurred before they collapsed, unconscious.

Adam shook his head, his face shifting to a new one as he walked to the warehouse. He quickly changed his pelts to a matching pair of luxurious blue robes and pants as Mimir raised a brow.

"I didn’t know you had stealing tendencies."

Adam facepalmed at the stupid accusation. "I didn’t know I could steal from myself."

He strapped the head to the thick leather belt and left for his palace without checking the stockpiled materials.

He crossed the empty street, passing by the altar before he reached the lord’s palace’s molten walls and magma-pulsing runes.

"Surtr’s architecture?" Mimir raised a brow, intrigue flashing in his eyes. "How did you inherit the fire calamity’s training grounds?"

"Luck." He shrugged and stepped inside.

The magma running in channels by the walls and the flickering flames brightened the corridors as he went to the second floor and halted before Tiamat’s door.

His hand froze over the handle, hesitation twisting his brows as his features shifted back to his devilish ones. Could he still trust her?

Before he could decide, the door opened, a feminine voice echoing.

"My, my. Isn’t it my dear contractor back after his ten-year-long journey?"

He saw a youthful woman wearing a tight-fitting sleeveless dark-blue dress reminiscent of the ocean’s depth. Golden Mesopotamian embroideries circled her shoulders, and a wide purple belt covered her abdomen.

She gestured from her golden throne, the wide purple and dark blue sleeves attached to her arms by golden bands fluttering with her dark hair.

Her eye color had changed to a sparkling violet, and she had grown, but her draconic horns and pupils left no place for doubt.

"Ay." He sighed. "He returned after you all shoved him into the abyss without giving him a single clue."

Tiamat faded in a splash of saltwater and reappeared behind him.

"Would you have agreed had I told you?" She pushed him inside, retrieving the condensed blood hiding inside his skin’s crevices. "You even brought my blood back. What a surprise."

She reappeared on her throne, her chuckle fading as her lips quivered. "I know you feel betrayed, but time was too short."

Adam sneered, his fists tightening. "That’s the excuse? Time? We had more than plenty for an explanation."

He matched her gaze, his eyes unwavering. She had to explain herself, or he wouldn’t cooperate with her.

"I tried..." She shook her head, bitterness filling her mouth. "But I felt guilty each time. Put yourself in my shoes. Could you tell one of your generals you’d send him to a place of poisons, ruins, and ashes to stop Ahriman’s contractor before the devils freed themselves and allied with him?"

"I would," he answered, his lips twisted and his voice icy. "Where were you when the other gods taunted me through the system for months? Where were you when it recovered its communication function after I escaped? Was it guilt, too... or am I just a pawn to you?"

Feeling Adam’s turmoil, Mimir interjected. "Who would have thought you escaped Marduk’s seal, Tiamat? But Adam’s right. You’ve treated him like Odin would have. I suggest you weigh your next words carefully to avoid any dramatic misunderstanding."

Tiamat pinched the bridge of her nose and bit her lips. If the wise Mimir sided against her on this matter, she might have been wrong. Why? Didn’t she operate like any god would? Since when did they justify themselves to mortals?

Her chest tightened as Adam’s gaze firmed. She cared for him like a son, and seeing him like this because of her lack of communication hurt her.

"Not a pawn," she muttered. "I... I messed up, Adam. I thought everything would return to how it was after you came back. I was wrong. Sorry."

"Nothing will ever be the same." Adam shook his head and turned to hide the soft smile curling on his lips. "Don’t hide anything from me again and congratulations on recovering that much."

He retrieved a human-sized piece of Yggdrasil, placed it behind him, and left the room, half forgiving her after the apology. After all, he knew more than anyone how proud she was.

He shook his head. Gods all were. Even more so a primordial divinity as straightforward as Tiamat. Or did she learn manipulation from Mab? Doubtful, considering her strength, but he still kept it in mind.

Meanwhile, Mimir’s eyes trembled. "That’s a first in history."

"What is?" Adam frowned on his way to the gates.

"Do you think Odin apologised after I died because of his stupid hostage exchange? She’s genuine, I guarantee it."

"Maybe. But the harm is done. You don’t know what it was like during the first year... I almost gave up." Adam sighed, realising Tiamat had probably added the talisman to his talent’s wheel to give him a sliver of hope.

"I’ll need time to sort my thoughts." He nodded before switching the subject. "But let’s eat first. I’m craving a good meal after so long."