Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 383: The Goddesses’ Agreement

As he wondered if one of the engraved dragons was Tiamat, the doors split open with a loud rattle.

The carpet he stood on continued inside, passing between Mesopotamian columns carved from the oldest rocks on which torches crackled to illuminate the room.

Above the short flight of stairs at the end of the spacious hall, on an elevated platform, Tiamat sat on a throne that gave him the impression of gazing at the universe. Faint lights sparkled like stars on the pitch black metal, some bigger than the others, each seemingly arranged with a purpose he couldn’t be bothered to understand.

Instead, he preferred to focus on the goddess’ mesmerising violet eyes and faint smile.

Why had she moved from his palace? Did she like grand entrances that much? Her shenanigans somehow made him smile.

With a smug throw of her hair, she grinned. "Welcome to my favorite resting place: the Dragon’s Maw Citadel. I believe Mab gave you a tour and explained the facilities, right?"

Adam approached and smirked despite his drumming heart. "Dragons, minotaurs, and hippogriffs? Steep but not too bad."

"Not too bad?" Tiamat pursed her lips playfully. "You’re too wet behind the ear to know what’s good, brat." She gestured at the fairy.

Mab flew to her side with a delighted smile. "Now that everything is more or less settled, let me welcome you to my realm: the Fairy Woods. Before anything, let me share the agreement I came up with Tiamat."

Adam sat by the stairs without caring for formalities. It had always been like that, and a sparkling throne or a grand citadel wouldn’t change their relationship.

Then, he leaned forward, a furrow creasing his brows. Why hadn’t they shared that agreement with him earlier? Well, perhaps because he jumped into his underworld expedition before they could? Anyway, it better benefit him, too.

Unbothered by his lack of decorum, Mab stretched her palm. An icy construct formed into a map of the forest they had flown over earlier and the sea they were at. It expanded eastward, forming sandy shores, broad mountain ranges, and grassy plains.

"It’s nothing much, really. Anything west, including the forest, is mine. You can have the sea and the undeveloped territories in the east." Her smile broadened. "Don’t you need beast cores? It so happens the place is filled with wild magical creatures..." She paused, adding with a mysterious smile. "And a cocky intruder who thinks I didn’t notice his presence."

Adam frowned at the last part before deciding to ignore it for now. "Half the realm doesn’t sound too bad. I assume you don’t want my city to interfere with your borders."

"Precisely." She snapped the map in two, sending the eastern part hovering before him. "You know what they say? Good fences make good neighbors."

He grabbed the map, dark flames bursting from his palm. With a loud sizzle, it dissolved into mild water as he grinned. "I agree, but aren’t you selling Oberon’s skin before we killed him?"

"Humph. That fool and his bitch’s downfall are set in stone. Even if we fail, Tiamat can lend us a hand after recovering a little more."

Mab snorted, and Tiamat rolled her eyes.

"Sure. Retrieve my organs from Asgard, Olympus, the underworld or even that huge tree you call your castle. I’ll smash Oberon faster than you can blink if you can."

She locked eyes with Adam, her fingers tightening around her armrests. "More seriously, you can’t fail, not after I invested everything to boost your evolution—not with your potential."

She rose from her throne and swung her palm between them in a majestic gesture. "With the citadel’s pure chaos and your training grounds, I want to hear about your victory in a year! Because it’ll send a clear signal to those fools seated on their golden thrones—because I trust you can achieve it!"

"Don’t forget my magic lessons!" Mab raised her fist, eager to begin.

But Adam only narrowed his eyes between Tiamat and her throne. He covered his playful smile, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "That’s why you stood up."

Mab chuckled, while Tiamat froze for a second, her own words biting her. Then, her eyes narrowed into slits as she clenched her fist. Knuckles cracked with her sweet voice. "I see you’re becoming more comfortable by the day. Oh! Now that I think about it, I got an elixir I forgot to give you. Forget about Oberon, you’ll become as powerful as Zeus, so come get it."

An icy shudder ran down Adam’s spine as her unsettling smile registered. He leapt to his feet and bolted out, yelling. "You think I’m three years old? And what’s with your creepy smile?"

Without glancing back and chuckling, he left the citadel through one of the tower’s windows. He enjoyed the bright sky and the sight of his boisterous city for a moment.

People were still discovering the three rings. Although a few houses lined the spacious streets, most were empty. And amidst the emptiness, a few buildings he had missed earlier became apparent.

Two ports stretched into the emerald sea from the north and south. Orichalcum piers split the flow, promising terrifying maritime capacities. Beside them, dockyards filled with platforms and constructs he had never seen before made him nod.

Since Atlantis was a maritime city hailed for its legendary technologies, perhaps he would find ships’ blueprints.

He shook his head. Not him—his artisans. Tiamat was right. He needed training, and every second wasted was a sin.

"Reminds me of a saying. Being born weak is not a sin; remaining weak is."

"I wouldn’t have said better." Mab emerged from his hair as if she had always been there and slapped his forehead three times.

"Ouch?! The heck?" He clicked his tongue and waved his hand in the manner he would to chase an annoying bee away.

She flew up before him, her eyes narrowing. "What do you think? Return to the citadel to start my magic lessons. Eighteen hours per day should do. But I’m no tyrant. You can have a day off to... train more inside your palace."

He glared at her, words refusing to come out of his mouth. Not even tyrants would make people train for so long! Yet, he slammed his fist against his palm and grinned. "Bring it on. I bet you’ll give up before I do!"

"Oho? Mister really feels comfortable. Or are you provoking me to push the training to the limit? Cunning, but foolish." She licked her lips. "Alright! I’ll entertain you with your bet, Adam."