Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 347: Utopia or False Paradise?

Rocked by the flow of the Cocytus, Adam counted ten monotonous days inside the boat’s hold.

None of the joyous cooks, who rolled barrels of food out daily, noticed their presence... he almost wished they had.

By now, he only longed for anything that would distract home from the endless noise of wood sliding against water. Each time he thought about the parties held above, heard the enthralling music, and felt the reverberating footsteps of people dancing, the irrepressible urge to meld into the crowd gripped him by the guts. But he couldn’t take any risk.

The journey’s danger level had already shattered the difficulty bar, making him remember his games. ’I’m living above hell mode. What should the name be?’ He had thought jokingly before shifting his focus to converting the underworld’s potent energy.

When he sensed his infernal essence increase at breakneck speed, he almost leapt to his feet at first before the monotony kicked in again. After all, he focused on action. Need more essence? Eviscerate enemies to absorb theirs—as simple as that.

Still, the increase was substantial: thirty thousand points that propelled his total to 106.000. So, he couldn’t really complain...

Fortunately, chains rustled, and unusual tremors rocked the boat today. The feeling of gliding on water faded, followed by stillness. Finally, the music died down as the instruments became silent for the first time before loud clappings replaced them.

He turned toward his companion, his eyes narrowed and voice solemn. "They anchored the boat."

Achilles, draped in a blue coat hiding his divine armor, nodded. "It won’t carry us further. Should we leave or mix with them?"

Garduck tucked his fingers around his chin, tilting his head. "Why would we follow them?"

Achilles shrugged. "There are cities in the Fields of Asphodel. If you prioritise safety, we can wait for another ship to carry us down the river." He shrugged. "Running or flying is also fine by me, but we’ll miss the underworld’s... unique product."

Adam’s eyes sparkled at the mention of a city. "I’m sick of travelling. We take a day’s break."

With Achilles and Garduck approving nods, he moved in the cover of shadows. As silent as a ghost, he emerged on the deck and scanned his surroundings. Dozens of smiling passengers disembarked on the wooden pier. Behind them, built in immaculate marble atop a hill, he clenched his fists as he saw a city.

His steps thundered on the pier as he bolted towards it.

He didn’t notice walls during his approach, as if the architect had relied on the advantage of height to protect the city. Or perhaps he believed Hades was the only protection it needed. In any case, he stepped on the white pavement, his eyes lingering on the fresh villas, fountains spewing cold water, and parks adding a verdant touch of green.

Everything seemed to have been built yesterday. The roof tiles sparkled orange, and bright gold circled the broad temple’s columns at the city’s core. The engravings at its top depicted Hades and Persephone ruling the realm hand in hand. In front, ethereal individuals kneeled respectfully along with those who had received new bodies.

Their eager smiles and spirited wishes each time they prostrated made him wonder if Hades’ rule was respectable or if he somehow brainwashed them. After all, most drank from the River Lethe—the River of Oblivion.

Without memories, he didn’t believe they could exercise critical thinking. They became blank pages on which the god of the underworld could write anything...

’Hades is by no means benevolent. His only desire is to fulfil his cosmic duty without taking charge personally.’ A furrow creased his brows as he glanced at the utopian city. ’If anything, he’s a shrewd man who understands how to delegate and manipulate.’

His lips twisted in regret for these individuals. "They’re happy to be manipulated," he muttered. "Perhaps that’s why mortals never matched gods. Many of them find satisfaction in simple, sheltered lives."

"Can we blame them when some walls are too impossible to scale? Look at me. I had given up in the demon realm. So had Bart and most inferior demons." A soft chuckle escaped Garduck’s lips. "This city isn’t bad. I can see my old self jump right into it to escape the demon realm’s savagery."

A pensive frown creased Adam’s brows as he glanced at the bright blue sky. Then, he laughed. "Indeed. If Hades added the internet and computers, I might have called it a paradise, too."

"Hahaha. Whatever those things are, I find our little paradise much better." Garduck pointed at the souls. "Those unsettling things carved from similar molds will never reach your free citizens’ ankles."

"Are you planning to engage in philosophical debate or actually visit the city?" Achilles passed his arms around their shoulders and stepped forward with a grin. "Let’s move to the temple square. I heard every soul can get a soul stone per day."

"Soul stones?" Adam tilted his head, the term unfamiliar.

"They’re condensed from sinners’ energy. You can see them as souls’ food. But to living beings?" His grin broadened. "They act like charms warding off the underworld’s negative effects."

Adam’s eyes brightened, a mischievous smirk splitting his face. "You’re telling me that getting one is all you need to take a swim in those rivers?"

"When will you stop that joke?!" Achilles exhaled through his clenched jaw.

It was unexpected the first time, then perhaps a little amusing the second. Now, it only became annoying.

He raised a finger, his voice solemn. "Listen, Adam. I will never swim in any of these rivers. By my blood, I won’t swim in any river at all. So please stop."

"Alright, I won’t mention it again." Adam shrugged and approached the temple.

He didn’t interact much with the soul in charge... If he could even call it that. Instead, it felt more like a trained robot who greeted him politely and handed him his stone.

The process stunned him. No questions asked, as if security didn’t exist in this place. More precisely, they didn’t need it. After all, very few could bypass Charon, Cerberus, and the three judges as he had.

’Works for me.’ Storing the stone, he toured the city with Achilles and Garduck until nightfall before they entered one of the many empty villas.

They found five narrow beds with white sheets—all they needed to recover and resume their journey tomorrow. The rest was quite sober; a cold fireplace here because of the villa’s architecture instead of its utility, a few empty shelves, and four white walls.

Before sleeping, he couldn’t help but remember how the same souls prayed until the sun dipped behind the horizon. A life like this... his heart throbbed in refusal.