Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 324: Beyond Lordship, Into Brotherhood

He shook his head and inhaled to regain his bearings. He trusted her strategic mind and the strength they had honed in grim battles.

’Don’t let your emotions control you. Trust her. She should be fine,’ he repeated inwardly, yet couldn’t help but bite his lip as military tents began to fill his vision.

Mimi, who had remained silent to let him digest the information, patted his hand with a soft smile. "I know it’s just a consolation, but we retrieved Ondine’s corpse and made a grand funeral to honor her bravery. As she had wished, we chose a lush oasis as her ultimate resting place."

Adam held her hand and offered a feeble smile. "Thank you. She told us about her dream of governing an oasis city. It counted a lot to her." He pinched the bridge of his nose, praying for her soul to find rest and hoping there was a way to bring her back. "Let’s meet Garduck for now."

With a nod, she guided him through the tents and curious demons until they reached the biggest one. She pulled the thick leather, revealing the colorful carpets covering the ground. Then, she asked the others to wait outside to give Adam space for his reunion as he stepped inside.

Standing before the war table, he saw Garduck’s sparkling green eyes. Yet he almost didn’t recognise him.

Deep wrinkles—the mark of years of stress and worry—dug into his forehead. His pale lips, though curled into a welcoming smile, spoke about salvation, relief, and heartfelt delight.

Bart towered beside him, as healthy as ever... No, his red skin shone, and his broad smile illuminated the room, just like the beautiful Shihan holding his hand.

He focused on her, his brow raised at the six fluffy fox tails wagging behind her. But more importantly, on the eight or nine-year-old boy and girl glancing at him suspiciously while gripping her Chinese dress.

Their porcelain skin and fox ears intrigued him, but stomping noises and blurring arms forced his attention back on the rushing Garduck.

Without warning, Garduck hugged him tightly, tears he failed to contain gushing out of his eyes.

"Forgive me for this shameful display, my lord. I-I missed you so much but always believed you’d return..."

Adam returned his hug, feeling his trembling back under his palms as he cut him off. "It’s ok. I missed all of you, too." He gestured for Shihan and Garduck to join them with a soft smile. "Your loyalty honors me, and your friendship is one of my most precious treasures."

Bart and Shihan threw themselves into the hug, glaring at Garduck.

"You’re the one who said we should follow decorum, you rogue." Bart clicked his tongue but grinned. Who would care about rules when they finally reunited?

"Who cares?" Warm tears rolled down Shihan’s eyes as her flully ears perked up. "Ten years! I missed a month, and I already felt lost. I can’t imagine how you feel. But everything is fine now that you returned. We’ll take our time to fill you up on the events and help you adapt."

She pulled back and nudged the two children hiding behind her, causing them to grimace and hold each other. But she smiled at their shenanigans and nodded at Bart.

Bart cough and gestured to the scared children. "These two are our twins: Noah and Maria. They’re almost nine and are uncomfortable around strangers since they’re a rare sight in our forest." He patted the kids’ shoulders. "Say hi to the lord. His looks changed, but he’s the same one we told you about."

The kids exchanged a hesitant glance before Noah stumbled forward. Fidgeting with his fingers but standing straight to protect his sister, he raised his face and muttered, "I-I’m Noah."

He shuddered as Adam stretched his palm above his head. The expectant nods of his parents forced him to remain still and snap his eyes shut, only for him to reopen them a second later as he felt a soothing hand brush his silver hair, then heard a voice cracking with emotions.

"Nice to meet you, Noah."

He touched the hand, feeling its warmth despite the ashen skin. Was this the hero from his father’s bedtime stories? The one who had killed the giant Heracles and slayed Leraje, the terrible great marquis of the demon realm, to save his mother?

As a blush crept on his face and the desire to hug his hero made his heart race against his chest, Maria blurred past him.

Under his widening eyes, she lunged at the lord’s waist like the demonic beasts they reared in their forest.

"You’re our imp uncle who became handsome!" She chirped as Adam caught her and exploded into laughter.

"Uncle? Hahaha. I guess I’m." Adam picked Nohad up, too, and grinned at them. "So young, yet already a man caring for his sister’s safety. You did well. And you, Maria. You know how to speak, ha! Of course, I’m the most handsome!"

The children chuckled, delighted by his approbation. Adam was just like their parents had described: easy to talk to and warm. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"Will you live with us in the forest?" Maria patted his glowing crevices curiously, imagining how she’d introduce their cute beasts to her uncle.

However, Adam shook his head and placed them on the ground. "Many things require uncle’s attention. But I’ll make sure to visit you the moment I have a second to breathe." He winked. "I might have a better solution, though."

Before the children could express their disappointment, Shihan held their hands and smiled. "Don’t bombard your uncle with questions. Mama and Papa want to speak with him, too."

She gestured at the table. "Thank you for your gentleness, my lord. Let’s continue around a glass of wine."

With a nod, Adam sat at the broad war table. "We glared death in the eyes several times together. Please, drop the title and be at ease..."

He closed his eyes and sighed. Lord, subjects, they weren’t what he wanted anymore. Instead, friends to laugh with, companions to share joy and sadness with, and comfortable friends—no, a family—who wanted to stay with him because of who he was rather than his rank mattered much more.

The generals exchanged a surprised glance as they sat.

Then, Garduck spoke for them. "A title isn’t enough to show how important you are to us. You gave us a purpose, something grander than personal gains to fight for, and lives safe from senseless killing, distrust, and insecurities."

Bart nodded and placed his smiling children on his lap. "You kept your unbelievable promise against all odds. Demons aren’t just selfish bastards. We can aspire for peace, too!"

A tear rolled down Adam’s blurry eyes before Shihan’s slender fingers met his shoulder.

She nodded, her green eyes sparkling. "I knew from the start that you were different. We’ll follow your wish if you don’t want us to call you lord anymore. But we had to make our feelings clear first. No matter what we call you, you have our entire respect and loyalty."

Adam watched their soft smiles and watery eyes, his chest tightening. That was why he had endured those ten torturous years—to reunite with them.

Mimi and Muramasa watched from the tent’s doorway, their lips quivering and their hearts warm as Adam wiped his tears and grinned.

"You’re also important to me. Ifrit, Maven, and Luna, too." He saw their faces twist at the last name. "Mimi told me she left, so don’t worry. We’ll fetch her after ensuring we’re strong enough."

He coughed to fix his emotion-laden voice, his eyes sharpening. "I want to discuss two topics today. Find a safe realm, preferably invisible to the gods’ prying eyes, and prepare a journey to... a place far mor dangerous than the abyss."