Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 334: Universal Names

Adam left as Behemoth offered him a pensive farewell.

He didn’t mind it after their discussion, though. Hope and disbelief had pounded at the man’s heart, making his thoughts wander into an uncertain future.

As for him? He didn’t care much about this name story—at least not as much as Achilles.

"Is he a fool? It’s only natural that names hold power. It’s the most ancient form of magic and the only thing left after we die." Achilles grumbled as they crossed the forge and scalded the mountain’s belly. "Why would I seek glory if not to engrave my name in history?"

Adam shrugged, his understanding slightly different. "Perhaps you’re right. Or maybe they don’t identify with those nicknames. Maybe they lost the blessing hidden behind the hours of thinking their parents put behind their names."

Achilles tucked his fingers around his chin before he nodded. "Several factors are at play." He shrugged. "Not that they concern us since we have our original names."

Garduck sighed as they emerged, Muspelheim’s heat already gnawing at his stamina. Still, he had also pondered the question on the way. "Our identity doesn’t only belong to us."

"Mhh?" Adam gazed at him as they climbed on Achilles’ chariot. The divine horses neighed as they took off to the sky and rushed south. "What do you mean?"

Enduring the sulfuric stench, Garduck sat inside the golden chariot. "Why do we call water, water, and why does it evoke a refreshing and nice feeling no matter the language—especially in this damned realm?"

He observed Adam’s pensive frown as he continued. "Its identity is as much its own as it’s shared between every living being. Why do the gods only use one name even though some have several? Why is it the first thing they change when they wander mortal realms? That’s my answer."

Caught off guard, Adam’s and Achilles’ frowns deepened, the puzzle pieces falling into place.

The gods used a single, universal name to receive mortals’ worship. Through it, they generated divine energy. The core of the matter was this universality, defining traits, and concepts intricately tied to their identity.

"The sky, lightning, and order for Zeus. War, wisdom, magic, and divination for Odin..." Adam muttered as the lava river cast its orange glow on his face.

There was no shortage of examples, and the explanation began to take a whole other sense. Names weren’t enough to reach godhood. He would need to make his resound with a defining trait that would evoke something deep and mysterious in those who heard it. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

He glanced at Achilles’ proud back, the golden shield strapped on it reflecting his confused face.

’Many already consider him a martial god. What about me?’

True, his citizens praised his rule, but could it be considered his when he was absent for ten years? They knew his proxies more than him, and gratitude aside, he doubted they had any impression of him.

’If anything, they’d call me the god of a taxless realm...’

With a deep sigh, he pushed those thoughts aside. What could he do but spread his reputation after their long expedition? ’Perhaps something like Ozymandias’ statues would help, or should I make the college teach my legendary misadventures?’

The idea made him laugh before he focused on the now visible silhouette they had travelled to.

His eyes widened, the sight banishing any lingering thoughts. It wasn’t the tall mountain he had expected to see. Instead, molten rocks parted midway into a broad opening.

Toxic gasses rose from the bubbling magma arranged in a circular pool inside, the infernal stench forcing his fingers to pinch his nose.

Like a solitary island, a jet-black palace floated in the middle. The architecture, basalt, and obsidian walls that reached for the sky and pulsed with fiery runes resembled his palace, although he knew they were much more intricate and powerful. But their presence left no doubts in his mind.

"We reached Surt’s castle."

Garduck nodded, almost feeling his sweaty face melt with the movement. "Let’s fetch that troublemaker and never return to this realm."

Achilles guided the chariot to the castle, his voice echoing his frustration. "I hope our expedition won’t lead us to another land of fire and ash. I might really think you’re trying to kill me if it is."

Adam smiled mysteriously. How many death flags would Achilles raise before they even departed?

However, his playfulness faded the moment the chariot touched the mirror-like ground.

The magma roiled into a whirlpool, burning liquid splashing around the castle as two crooked horns emerged from the pool’s depths. Blazing long hair followed, each strand a fiery tongue cascading before two giant ember eyes narrowed on Adam.

Tanned skin glinted and curled lips parted, revealing razor-sharp triangular teeth as a voice, deep, guttural, and slightly amused, reverberated through Muspelheim as if the creature owned the realm.

"It’s been years since ants dared to intrude. Entertain me, for you threw yourselves before your judge, jury, and executioner."

The trio’s eyes widened at Ifrit’s colossal size, sharp claws, and fur-like fire crackling around his shoulders and elbows. But upon hearing his speech... They couldn’t help but roll their eyes.

However, before they could speak, Ifrit snapped his claw down.

A meteor of condensed fire instantly formed above them and crashed down with a burning whistle.

"What are you doing, you fool!" Garduck roared, rage distorting his features. How dare he attack them? HOW?!

Contrary to his reaction, Achilles clicked his tongue and raised his shield, ready to absorb the impact and lunge into a devastating counterattack to teach the djinn not to mess with him... and vent for the horrible journey.

But even his eyes widened as Adam stepped before them and smirked. "You sure grew a lot, didn’t you? But I remember teaching you to hear the defendants before delivering judgment." His voice grew icy as he raised his palm. "Or were my words jokes to you?"

Ifrit frowned at the familiar voice before his ember eyes widened on his meteor.

His flames—his pride—detached themselves like mere threads. Even worse, the ant’s palms devoured them as if they were nothing but water.

"IMPOSSIBLE!" He roared, his giant hands blazing as he prepared to attack again.

Yet he froze, Adam’s response making his soul shudder in horror and his skin tingle before the dozen scarlet suns sparkling before his eyes.

The heat affected him? Him?! What kind of flames were those? No! He couldn’t hesitate! He was the strongest, the judge that would reduce his lord’s enemies to ashes and rain hellfires on their legions!

"I’m not backing even if Surtr in person comes! For the lord!" He charged, his powerful legs shoving tidal waves of magma aside.

As Adam sighed, Garduck’s furious voice pierced through the chaotic splashes.

"STOP IMBECILE! What ’for the lord’, huh?! He’s standing before you!" He clenched his trembling fists, his face burning. "What a shameful display, Ifrit!"

"What?!" Ifrit halted cold in his tracks, his eyes widening in horror. That voice, he knew it!

He bent forward urgently, his face passing through the castle walls as he scrutinised what appeared like ants in his giant eyes.

"..."

He paled, words stuck in his throat and emotions rumbling in his tightening chest. It really was Garduck, Achilles, and... "My lord?!"