Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 335: Ten Years for a Punchline

Ifrit watched Adam’s soft smile—the same he had back in those amusing days when the city was a village of ten crooked houses, and he roasted meat over the campfire.

It was really him! After ten years, his lord had returned. And now the realms would rumble, and the skies would tear up under their flames until they rip the gods’ throats.

Excitement overwhelmed him as his towering frame dissolved into bright flames. They swirled into a compact sphere around the chest, condensing the limbs. A split second later, the giant vanished, replaced by a demon-sized Ifrit.

In a fiery jet, he crashed on the polished floor on one knee, his head lowered and his eyes overflowing with emotions. "Congratulations on escaping death, madness, and the eyes of those bastards. Ifrit is ready to vaporise their realms at your command!"

Garduck rolled his eyes at his shamelessness while Achilles strapped his shield back with a click of his tongue. He really wanted to hit someone to vent, but alas, Ifrit had calmed down.

Surprised by Ifrit’s ferocious form and ability to grow into a giant, Adam raised an approving thumb. "I almost thought you forgot about me. You look great, though."

"Forget?" Ifrit raised his solemn face. "I’d never forget the one who allowed me to grow. But I gave up." Joy and guilt melded in a deep sigh. "Luna told us how unlikely your return was. For five more years, I clung to a sliver of hope before it faded."

Adam twisted his lips, disappointed but understanding him... Luna concerned him more, though. Did she also give up? Before darker thoughts could form, he shook his head. Like Ifrit, she’d return as long as he showed her he had survived.

However, his positive mood crumbled, and Garduck trembled at Ifrit’s next words.

"I’ve built you a spiritual resting place from Muspelheim’s finest ore."

"You bastard!" Garduck lashed out, his voice cracking and his mind lost. It was a good idea, but why did he mention it now that Adam returned?

He turned, and as expected, he saw Adam’s brows twitch and his eyes narrow. Even worse, Achilles covered his mouth, his shoulders trembling. Unable to keep his laughter in, he slapped his forehead.

"Hahaha! It’s the first time I’ve seen someone curse another to die with such innocence. I wonder how you returned despite that."

"Tsk." Adam clicked his tongue. "Destroy it!" He turned to Achilles, his eyes blazing with scarlet plasma as he blew on his raised fist. "Want to clench your teeth again? I promise I’ll only double the strength I used last time."

The lingering taste of blood and the feeling of his jaws collapsing immediately caused Achilles’ face to twitch. With a reluctant headshake but deeply amused, he pointed at Ifrit. "Wow! What a charming intention. It proves you cared for our lord... Please continue your discussion."

Adam snorted, then turned toward Ifrit. His eyes softened slightly. It was indeed a nice intention and a promise to be remembered, but it still felt strange to learn that someone built a grave for him before he died...

A soft sigh escaped his lips. "It’s fine. Let’s enter the castle. We’ll talk more after escaping this heat." He grinned and jabbed a finger at the sweating Garduck. "Our poor army commander will melt like a candle if we don’t leave."

As Garduck gave him a grateful nod, Ifrit shook his head.

"The gates are sealed. Only Surtr can open them. But the castle leaks tons of fiery energy, so it’s a nice place to refine your strength, my lord. I arranged a nice cave under the magma. We can talk there."

Adam observed Garduck pale and heard Achilles curse under his breath. Amused, he returned Ifrit’s headshake. "Now? But Bart is eagerly waiting for you to explore the realms. Your friend, Maven, is missing, too. So I thought you would want to search for him together."

Ifrit’s ember eyes lit up at the mention of Maven. "My little captain of the guard is missing? We can’t let it happen! Who will bring me inmates to judge better than him?" He glared at Garduck. "You did a nice job keeping everyone together, ha!"

Garduck huffed in suppressed rage, his fists shaking. "Says the bastard who left seven years ago." He turned to Adam. "That stubborn djinn will make me explode in anger if I continue to hear his bullshit."

A soft smile curved Adam’s lips as he patted Garduck’s shoulder. "Muspelheim is indeed not the best place for a reunion. We’re on edge because of the heat, and I know you’re more patient than that."

He gazed at Ifrit next. "Before we leave, a local lord told us about epics engraved on this mountain’s walls. Can you guide us to see them?"

"Why?" Ifrit tilted his head. "They only show Surtr ravaging realms in oceans of flames and beheading a few gods—nothing I won’t be able to do now that you’re back." He paused, his brow raising as if he remembered something, then raised his thumb with a bright smile. "Oh! There is also a weird story about names, identities and how gods draw power from that. Pretty useless since I love the name you gave me."

The secret to godhood useless? Adam rolled his eyes. "Do you remember what they say?"

Ifrit shrugged. "I learned runes just to read that joke, so I’m not forgetting why I wasted my time. You need a name that unquestionably represents who you are. You must have a deep emotional attachment to it and the person who gave it to you."

He scratched his head. "What was next? Ah yes. Just mentioning it must inspire a cosmic or primordial authority, like thunder and strength for Thor. The last part is about genuine worshippers. What a joke. Whoever painted that included horror and violence to the word genuine. Anyway, only after checking these conditions can someone become a god... Well, put like that, it doesn’t sound that useless anymore."

"Right?" Adam clapped his hands.

Simultaneously, Garduck rushed to the chariot, followed by Achilles. "It’s more or less what we deduced, so let’s not waste a second in this hellish place."

Adam chuckled as he passed his arm over Ifrit’s shoulder and moved with him to the chariot. "Alright, alright. I can ask Mimir about it later, anyway, and we should be fine, so let’s end Ifrit’s rescue mission here."

Delighted, Achilles whipped the reins, causing the horses to neigh and bolt through the sky.

Yet, Ifrit frowned. "Garduck looks like he needs to be rescued, not me." He leaned over him, his palm glowing a bright orange. "Did you abuse some shady succubus services during my absence? You look... drained."

Before Garduck could lash in irritation, Ifrit passed his palm over his face. As if tangible, the heat that had burdened him dissipated like a mirage.

He blinked a few times, his eyes wide as Ifrit chuckled.

"I understood this old joke of yours a few weeks ago. Here, the heat should be bearable now." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

"Thank you!" Garduck patted Ifrit’s shoulder, a bright smile tugging at his lips before he paused. "Wait... Didn’t I make this joke the third day after we were summoned? You just understood it now?!"

"So what?" Ifrit shrugged. "I focused on power to judge the gods. I didn’t have time to waste on humour before I hit a wall. And guess what?" His eyes burned with crackling flames. "I’m powerful enough to make this realm kneel alone."