Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 314: The Lord’s Return

Adam entered the castle ten minutes later, his eyes narrowed and his heart pumping scalding blood into his throbbing veins.

Unsuspecting guards tried to bar his entry, threatening to use violence if he didn’t turn back. The poor fools now slept on the cold ground as he passed by the marble statues lining the corridor’s walls.

He barely glanced at the lifelike paintings representing him, his generals, and mythical figures and continued, his eyes locked onto the open throne room’s door.

Once inside, his lips curled into a smirk, his gaze landing on Gilgamesh, who sat on a golden throne.

The man raised his blue eyes from the document he had been studying, a frown creasing his brows.

"How did you get in?" He gripped his scepter and slammed it on the ground, his eyes narrowing on Adam’s bare chest and the crevices glowing an infernal red. "Who are you?"

"Why don’t you rise and bow before anything else?" Adam stretched his fist between them. "Clench your teeth, Gilgamesh."

"You’re as arrogant as that annoying Ozymandias." Gilgamesh rose, the ground rumbling under his towering frame. "Here is what we’ll do: I’ll teach you manners first, then send you on a refreshing trip to our prison. I’m sure you’ll enjoy how we managed the place."

With a dismissive snort, he channelled his mana, his scepter drawing a bright arc through the air.

The ground answered, splitting into thick tendrils. Like a vicious colony of snakes, they cleaved upward to ensnare Adam.

Despite the threat, a mocking sneer escaped Adam’s lips. With a wave of his palm, plasma swirled around him.

The stones sizzled upon contact, scalding liquid splashing on the ground. A veil of vapor obscured their visions before a brilliant light shone by the throne. The wind roared the next second, a light beam erupting from Gilgamesh’s scepter.

Yet, the antique king of Uruk frowned. Where was the trespasser?

The answer came a split second later, sending an icy chill down his spine.

"Behind you."

He summoned his broad battle axe, the same one that had cleaved Humbaba and protected humanity. But before he could swing, a terrifying wind pressure crashed onto his face. A fist, unstoppable and charged with resentment, followed.

His neck muscles tensed, each fiber visible as he clenched his jaw to endure the impact.

BAM

Long, dark hair and curly beard fluttered as the noise of cracking cervical reverberated. His cheek rippled, his face moving to the side as his vision blurred.

Despite the taste of blood filling his mouth and smearing his lips, veins bulged on his neck like serpents as he forcefully resisted the pressure.

His blue eyes locked on the smiling demon standing two heads shorter. Where had someone capable of wounding him come from, and why did he stop after a punch? Could he be?

Realisation dawned on him as he studied Adam, his pupils constricting a little more with each second crawling by until he muttered.

"The lord who summoned me?"

"The lord you schemed against." Adam corrected, infernal essence wafting from his eyes as he sat on the throne—his throne. "And now that I returned, everything will change."

Gilgamesh sighed, feeling wronged by the accusation. "Keep me out of their bullshit. They didn’t consult me, and I played no part in their stupid plans. Instead, I did what you asked: rule your realm while you were gone." He spat blood and pinched his nose. "Don’t you think you went a bit overboard?"

"Humph. Let’s talk about your rule, then. Why did you refuse to invest my money into the academy? Do you want me to be king of illiterate peasants when I promised everyone good lives? And don’t talk about bullshit like controlling inflation. What you’re doing will have much worse consequences."

Of course, he wouldn’t bother to explain how devastating deflation was to even the strongest economy and continued.

"Keep the inflation at around two to four percent per year. Invest in the academy without counting and continue ruling in my stead." He rose, his voice chilling. "Even if you didn’t plan with the others, you knew. Yet, you didn’t warn me. That’s why the good old times are over."

As his words hung in the air, rapid footsteps echoed in the corridor, his smile broadening as Ozymandias bolted into the throne room.

"I swear on my glorious name, Gilgamesh, I’ll rip you to shreds if you don’t stop your incessant ruckus." His eyes locked on Adam, realisation replacing anger as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, well. Look who’s back? I almost began to think you enjoyed the abyss’ vista."

"You seem interested." Adam raised a brow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "I can arrange your stay there. You’re quite lucky. I paved the path to the exit so you might return in five short years."

Ozymandias frowned as his eyes narrowed into fiery slits. "Think about my generous offer. But first, clench your teeth."

He stomped the ground, turning into an ashen and infernal blur. In the blink of an eye, he bridged the distance and hurled his fist at the arrogant pharaoh’s face.

BAM

Unlike Gilgamesh, the impact sent Ozymandias crashing against the wall as blood cascaded down his nose. He collapsed to the ground, holding his face with a pained grimace.

"Foolish demon. You dare?" He tried to rise, but his trembling legs buckled as his voice cracked.

Before he could continue, Adam towered, his body casting an ominous shadow on Ozymandias. "Shut up, traitor. You had your fun testing me when I summoned you, then again when death loomed over my head during the second trial. Then, you colluded to banish me into the abyss. Dare I?"

He crouched, patted Ozymandias’ shoulder, and scoffed. "You’re useful, but don’t provoke me. I’m sure my academy will soon form outstanding architects to replace you."

Ozymandias frowned, his mouth opening before he clenched his jaw and spoke through gritted teeth. "You were weak. I had to ascertain you could deliver your promise. As for the abyss, what would I gain by sending you there? I just did as I was told: not to warn you."

He moved Adam’s hand off his shoulder, rose to his feet, and took unsteady steps toward the corridor, his pride shattered. After all, his strength was in large-scale battles, not duels. Therefore, this single punch made it clear that he couldn’t beat Adam.

"Don’t count on me anymore. I’ll leave by tomorrow."

Adam shrugged. "The abyss is right above Niflheim. Go tour it."

What a joke. The bastard could withhold information and participate in his ten-year banishment but wanted to leave at the slightest disagreement?

His eyes chilled. Good luck to him because the moment he stepped outside the territory, he’d truly go to the abyss... as a mangled corpse.