Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 323: Where is Luna?

Adam emerged on the plaza, right behind the police officers investigating the altar’s mysterious disappearance.

Seeing them frown over glowing magic circles and devices to piece together how this tragedy had happened, he gave them and the grief-stricken citizens behind the barriers an apologetic nod on his way to the Gate.

Beneath the arched construct, Muramasa, Achilles, and the six teenagers waited. Behind them, a thousand two hundred armored lieutenants straightened in a military salute as soon as they saw him approach. freeweɓnovel.cøm

With a nod, he stretched his arm out and spoke with confidence.

"You already know my six little siblings, but the territory has more valiant generals stationed in another realm. We go to meet them and prepare for the territory’s expansion." The corner of his lips curled, and he raised his fist as he saw their brightening eyes. "Indeed. It’s time to test your training on the battlefield. Command your men with discipline and bring us resounding victories."

The lieutenants slammed their spears against their shields in an eager cacophony.

"We swear to win hundreds of battles and subjugate thousands of lords. For the territory!"

An amused chuckle escaped Adam’s lips. ’Isn’t that a bit too much? Well, let’s try to make it happen.’

Then, he turned to his generals and nodded as they asked him if he had slept well before Achilles stepped forward.

He cracked his neck and smiled, his fingers itching for a glorious fight. "I’ll supervise them well during our campaigns. You can expect perfection and nothing less."

However, Adam shook his head. "That’s not what you’ll do. We’ll go somewhere else. A place more..." His lips twisted, the desire to return to his warm bed crossing his mind. "Dangerous and challenging for your talents. Hahaha. You want glory? You’ll definitely find it there—the kind that’ll never fade in history."

Intrigued and shuddering at the promise, Achilles grinned. "I’ll follow you to the depth of the underworld, so it can’t be that terrible."

Adam glanced at him, a mysterious smile tugging at his lips as he walked to the Gate. "You have no idea."

Suppressing a chuckle at the irony of Achilles’ declaration, he entered Mimi’s realm coordinate.

Demonic flames erupted in a swirling tunnel in the empty door frame. Burst of sulfuric winds ruffled his hair before a soft light appeared in its depth. Slowly, it brightened and grew in his vision until he saw paved ground on the other side.

Then, tall villas sprouted like trees, followed by the marble columns of a grand temple. Gigantic statues of proud amazons leaning on their spears, their solemn gazes turned to the horizon, added a sense of majesty and antique culture to the place.

Though much different in style, he sighed in relief at Mimi’s nice palace. Then, his eyes trailed to the silhouettes standing on the other side.

Eager to meet them after ten long years, he gestured to his soldiers and stepped on the other side.

The moment his feet met the pavements, one of the silhouettes pounced at him.

Red hair and a white dress held by a broad leather belt decorated with geometrical flourishes fluttered as a young lady barely above twenty embraced him in a trembling hug.

He felt her tear moisten his skin and the warmth she had longed for in her sobs. "I-I missed you so much. Welcome back, big brother."

Taking a deep breath of fresh air, he patted her back gently. "You became a fine lady, Mimi." He pulled her back slightly, moved by the reunion and her good health. "Look at you. More beautiful than a rose and as elegant as a panther."

A bright blush crept onto Mimi’s face. She coughed to hide her embarrassment, yet her smile reached her sparkling red eyes.

"Won’t Luna be mad if you compliment another woman?" Adam palled as she chuckled and continued in an eager tone. "I can’t be the only one embarrassed, can I? Let me give you a tour of the city. Consider yourself at home."

Adam scratched his head. He had thought she’d feel somewhat disgusted, or at least curious, about his ashen skin and glowing crevices, but she didn’t seem to mind them at all. ’Is it because my handsomeness defeats minor considerations?’

Interested in the answer, he asked her. But she answered with a shrug.

"You were human, reborn as an imp, then evolved. I don’t really care what you look like. What matters to me is who you are: the big brother who advised me when all the others mocked me for my age." She lowered her face, a soft whisper escaping her lips as she kissed his cheek. "Thinking back, I would have died without the materials and cores you sent me. Thank you, big brother."

Adam touched his cheek, his eyes widening at her boldness. But he patted her head through her royal diadem and smiled. "It was nothing, and you returned my help during the second event, so forget about it. But do you really want Luna to kill me? Where is she, by the way?"

He gazed at the rows of amazons standing behind Mimi, his generals nowhere to be seen.

Mimi’s brows creased in hesitation before she bit her lips. "I didn’t want to worry you the day you returned, so I kept it to myself."

Adam leaned forward, his narrowing eyes prompting her to continue.

"She left seven years ago... Everyone did but Garduck. We searched for the past week but only found Bart and Shihan."

Adam’s eyes dimmed, the worries that had gnawed at him in the abyss proving true. His trusted generals lost faith and gave up on him. Could he blame them, though? Ten years were long, much longer than the time they had spent together.

His shoulders slumped, and he lowered his head, sad but understanding. "I see... Guide me to Garduck, Bart, and Shihan, please."

With a nod, Mimi passed her arm under his and walked toward the military camp by the side. "There is more. She said you’d know where to find her when you return. Ifrit said he’d wait in the hottest volcano in Muspelheim, too..."

She bit her lips and sighed. "Ondine fought bravely, but she met her end. The few survivors spoke about a bestial man who tore through their ranks. Like a savage bear, he ripped anything in its path in halves before they escaped by the skin of their teeth. The only one we have no news about is Maven."

Adam’s muscles tensed, his body freezing at the terrible news. Ondine died? The gentle water djinn who always protected them with her barriers and healed their wounds?

Before grief could settle, horror gripped his heart. Maven should be fine, and Ifrit was in his element, but Luna... "The demon realm," he muttered, his fists tightening.

Where could she go but to seek her long-awaited revenge? But alone against Zepar?

The desire to jump through the Gate to join her overwhelmed him. But he clenched his jaw, barely suppressing it. ’She’s anything but stupid. Spying? Rallying people? Preparing for a full-blown assault once I return? But I can’t join you yet...’

Merlin’s warning still buzzed in his ears: only death would wait for him in the demon realm.