Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 322: Express Mail and Earnest Greetings

DING

[Talent’s daily use available. Use: Yes/No]

As the morning sun dispersed its gentle warmth through the city, filtering to illuminate Adam’s peaceful face, the notification’s sharp noise echoed.

YAWN

With a delighted smile, he massaged his relaxed shoulders, a luxury forgotten for ten torturous years, as he pressed yes.

As the red wheel appeared in a burst of scarlet flames and the rattling needle reverberated in the bedroom, he walked to a basin of freshwater placed on a plain chair by the window, mumbling. "Instead of weapons, I’ll ask Muramasa to craft a divine-ranked bed."

Watching his solemn face in the water, he chuckled. It might sound stupid, but it was anything but a joke. Never again would he sleep like a beast subjected to nature’s whims.

The cold water splashed on his face, chasing the remnants of sleep. "A few defensive enchantments, an alarm to wake me up in case of danger, and automatic strikes if a threat enters the perimeter. Sounds good."

As the idea settled in his mind, screams drew his attention to the window. He leaned through the opening, his eyes landing on a growing tide of individuals gathered behind wooden barricades.

Grief, sadness, and anger melded in their faces and voices as they glared at the locked-down plaza and accused the officers investigating the crime scene.

"What are you useful for if the city’s symbol disappears overnight?"

"Where’s our king’s beloved tree? How can you let this happen?!"

"Are these incompetent deserving to be paid with our tax money?"

"Brother... We don’t pay taxes."

Adam exploded in laughter when he heard the last two. Still, they were right to be angry. Even he still felt the bitter aftertaste of destroying the tree. But it was done, and he could only live with the weight of his decision.

He shook his head and sighed before the wheel’s notification came to distract his negative thoughts.

[Congratulations on obtaining an express mail coupon!]

"Mhh?" Didn’t he get one ten years ago? A simple item with limited use, considering the divine materials sparkling on the wheel’s prizes. "It’s still better than nothing."

With a nod, he swiped the wheel, making it dissipate into a swirling mist.

KNOCK KNOCK

Soft knocks echoed from his door before he could refocus on the drama outside. Two eager voices followed as the flavorous scent of meat, eggs, fresh bread, and honeyed pastries made his stomach grumble and his mouth water.

"Are you awake, my lord?"

"Wake up, big brother. We cooked breakfast!"

He glanced at the crowd before he picked up a quill and wrote in bold letters: Find an excuse to calm the citizens and build smaller demonic altars to replace the tree.

Then, he opened the door and grinned at Zane and Lilia. Yet, the warm greeting he wanted to offer them remained stuck in his throat as a dozen men and women bowed before him.

Their neat aprons and dark costumes fluttered and their hands trembled around brooms, dusters, clean sheets, and trays filled with delicacies as their voices cracked in unison.

"Good day, oh great king of Harmony. We hope your sleep was as peaceful as the lives of your subjects."

He frowned at Lilia. Why the grand, almost ceremonial greetings? And why so many people?!

Lilia chuckled. "They’re all good lads I formed over the past ten years." She clapped her hands. "Chop chop. Make his room sparkle and push the table inside!"

His frown deepened as they rushed inside. The noise of dusting, scrubbing, and blankets flapping echoed as he shook his head.

"Let’s have breakfast in a more... familiar place."

Zane nodded. "Gocha, big brother. I’ll pull a log before the altar..." He froze, his lips quivering and his bright green eyes watering. "The altar we used to play around... It’s gone."

All the servants sighed with dejected expressions, Making Adam feel even worse. ’It’s my tree! I’m the most affected by its disappearance, so don’t look at me!’

He coughed and walked rapidly to the obsidian flight of stairs. "Let’s go to the kitchens."

The servants unfamiliar with him glanced at each other, wondering why the kitchens. Curious, they followed, their faces flushed and their gazes stuck on his bare back, exuding a majestic yet dangerous sense of power with the glowing crevices and sculpted muscles beneath his ashen skin.

Soon, they lined the spacious kitchen walls respectfully as he sat on an ordinary chair, contrasting the lavishly adorned ones in the living room.

Lilia and Zane placed the trays’ plates on the table, enough food to sustain a hundred healthy warriors.

Yet, Adam snapped his face at them and frowned. "What are you all doing?"

Panic spread among the servants. Did their king dislike being watched while he ate? They shuddered, ready to leave not to offend him, before his next words made them freeze.

"Don’t stand like statues, and share this breakfast with me."

A confused gasp echoed, many following it. Were they dreaming? No. They remembered those wild stories stating that the lord used to eat with his citizens when Harmony was but a small village. So they were true?

They sought confirmation with a hesitant glance to Lilia, who nodded as she pulled a chair.

"You’ll have to change your habits eventually, my lord. What would the territory nobles think of you if they learned you share meals with servants?"

"Why do their opinions matter?" Adam rolled his eyes. "You all woke up way before me to prepare this food. I’m not letting you watch me eat standing like scarecrows."

Then, he turned to Zane and handed him the folded note. "Deliver it to Gilgamesh, please." His lips twisted. "You can peek inside, but keep it to yourself... I’ll tell you the reason later."

"There is no need to sour our mood this early." Zane shoved the folded paper into his pocket. "We have all the time in the world for explanations and troubles now that you finally returned. Big brother... Please focus on recovering from those horrible stories you told us about yesterday."

Adam raised a brow. When did this troublemaker who used to climb on his shoulders without care grow up so much? He had missed everyone’s growth...

But he couldn’t relax yet. Too many things called for his attention: relocating the city to a safe, preferably isolated realm, reuniting with the generals and Luna, and organising the dangerous trip to Tartarus.

A deep sigh escaped his lips as he patted the youth’s shoulder. "I’ll try. Go. And the others sit and eat to your heart’s content."

After Zane’s determined steps faded in the distance, the blend of scents and flavor melted as the timid servants began to eat. Encouraged by Lilia’s gentle words and Adam’s openness, murmurs began to break the silence until laughter and boisterous discussions erupted.

A soft smile played on Adam’s lips. That was what a meal should look like, not a pompous silent ceremony during which they paid attention to their every move, trembling at the thought of offending him. Now more than ever after his ten years in isolation. He wanted to see—to feel—the warmth of being with others in these mundane moments.

After all, he might not enjoy it soon.

’Let’s not think about that for now.’ He grinned and enjoyed the peaceful breakfast until the last plate sparkled clean, and the thrilled servants bowed in gratitude.

Delighted by the experience, their eager steps echoed as they spread to clean the palace with twice the zeal.

Meanwhile, Adam clasped Lilia’s hands and bade her farewell before he left the palace, not realising that something burrowed beneath his hair.