Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

His clenched jaw loosened as Sylvie's horrible truth reverberated against the dreary silence.

He gazed at her, his pupils constricting and trembling as his mind raced.

'What kind of mad kingdom does that to one of its nobles? To a princess no less?! Shame on you and your greed!'

Whether in Egypt, East Asia, Northern Europe, or South America, many cultures once buried the living alongside the deceased to accompany them on their last journey. But was it right?

His teeth cracked. Of course not! That's why they had rid themselves of these traditions!

'I'll never accept them! Not when they're even worse in this realm! Chained to guard an empty throne for eternity; what a cruel punishment.' His eyes narrowed into fiery slits. 'Cruel because I still don't believe you're innocent.'

As if reading his mind, Sylvie's slips parted to let a long, weary exhale out.

Then, her voice, a frail whisper, charged with countless years of despair, filled the room.

"I've been mourning the dead for so long, feeling each of their emotions. I've seen courageous soldiers and fierce warriors turn into mindless beasts, and I, too, will soon succumb, for no one can stop time and the impact it has on us, not even the gods."

She dropped to one knee, her hand crumpling the ethereal fabric covering her chest.

"You're the only living being to have reached this room in the past three thousand years. You're my last hope." She lowered her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Please, free me from this torture. I-I know you don't believe me. No one would. But even if I had committed a crime, who deserves such punishment?"

Her lips trembled at the mention of a crime, almost letting an icy laugh burst out of her throat. What crime? The one of being born with a talent for magic that dwarfed Edlen's arcanists? The one of seeing the fiancée they had forced upon her die like a proud fool?

'Ah!' A mental sneer came to contrast her outward appearance.

Sword in hand, that joke of a prince rushed with an elite team to kill Oikos' warriors, everything to impress his father. This foolish mistake sealed not only her fate but the fate of the entire kingdom.

Still, she couldn't bring herself to hate Elden for one simple reason: even after it crumbled, she still loved her country. After all, were thousands guilty for the decisions of a few? Were the soldiers obeying commands to be lumped in the same basket as their commanders?

She shook her head and sighed, a hint of worry creasing her brows.

She didn't believe so, but as she had mentioned, time flowed in a single direction, and enduring solitude and the dead's regrets slowly changed her emotions. And soon, it would change her beliefs, too.

But amidst despair, an amusing twist of fate cast a ray of hope. A demon, feared and hated by the realms, reached her—an unmissable chance to bathe under the sunlight once again.

As she waited for his answer, a furrow so deep that he looked ten years older creased Adam's brows.

Her words seemed sound to him, and he empathised with her plight, but what about her intentions? Would she seek revenge on the living after he freed her? The question gnawed at him like a beast, causing his breath to catch in his throat.

Yet, his gaze firmed on her.

'No emotions. Pure logic. That's what I need.'

And logic told him she wouldn't bring his territory much. Quite the opposite, she could threaten his citizens. But she also had complex feelings for Oikos. Perhaps redirecting her rage towards it could yield unexpected benefits.

A spark of inspiration flashed in his eyes. Why would he trust her when they could strike a mutually beneficial deal? There was more. He would see her loyalty value the second she joined his territory, answering the question once and for all.

Acting on his idea, he inhaled sharply and planted his sword before him.

"You're right. No one would believe you."

She gritted her teeth, her breath hissing in laboured huffs as hope faded... before reigniting with his next words.

"But here is what we'll do. I'll free you on two conditions." He raised two fingers to emphasise his demands. "No matter the reason, never attack my territory and help me defeat Oikos in a few weeks." A steely glint flashed in his narrowing eyes, his voice taking a solemn turn. "If you seek revenge, you'll have it. But if it is chaos that you want, trust me, you'll meet its most ancient and primal incarnation."

Despite her higher tier, Sylvie shuddered at his words—delight, longing, and a sliver of fear melding in her throbbing soul.

She leapt to her feet, eyes sparkling as she struck her chest twice like the Elden knights used to do.

"I vow on my soul to never threaten you or your people. Revenge is tempting, but I'd rather distance myself from its allure." She shook her head, a bright smile enlightening the dreary crypt. "I'd rather work for you. I'm a decent enchanter and can warn families before death claims their loved ones." A melodious chuckle escaped her lips. "Of course, I'll try not to show myself, not to scare them."

With a final clap of her hand, her head tilted to the side, locks of silver hair passing before her now beautiful face.

"I've seen how you treated Hogni. I don't know how a demon can feel empathy other than to trick others, but I trust you, Adam."

Adam scratched his cheek, the unexpected compliment causing a warm sensation to spread through his chest. Still, he didn't need her services and wouldn't treat her differently than his other subjects—as long as she shared their ideals.

He nodded at her and pointed his sword at the throne.

"I guess you're bound to it since it's the only item in the room. So? Must I destroy it or take it with me?"

As his words reverberated, the queen of magic's lips reached her eyes as she saw the conclusion of her last test. An unexpected one that would appeal to her son even if she disagreed with it herself. After all, no matter how much Adam veiled his face, she saw his emotions taint his logic with a naïve hue. Yet, that hue made her smile.

"Strong of spirit, noble of heart." Her voice thundered through the crypt, terrorising Sylvie and causing Adam to freeze in his movement. "Put your scroll down, child. You have shown me conviction enough. Now, step behind the throne and descend to the final chamber. Finally, don't fret for your knight's safety, for he is emerging from his slumber."