Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Icy sweat dripped down Merlin's brows as he manipulated energies far exceeding his level.

Yet, his heart couldn't help but pound in excitement. After all, the holy grail had extinguished the fragment's consciousness, leaving behind a mass of pure infernal power.

"The first piece!"

Despite the strain, he shoved it inside the blade's circle.

The symbols shimmered and roared as the dim runes, magical symbols, demonic engravings, and qi characters covering the dark blade came to life. Pulsing with dark powers, they drew the fragment's pieces into the frame as if eager to devour them.

The air cracked and warped within the circle as the energies clashed. But the blade's insatiable hunger proved too much for the mindless fragment. It absorbed it, leaving nothing behind, and trembled.

Before Achilles's widening eyes, the blade's rough edges peeled like a chrysalis.

An infernal red suffused the blade, its deadly edge gleaming with a sinister light that made him whistle in awe and fear. He had never seen a weapon so evil. What horror was Merlin creating?

"The second piece!"

Merlin thundered, slamming his palm on the circle. The symbols exploded into a blinding radiance as they gulped Heracles' remaining divinity and pumped it into the blade.

However, the fragment's energy shrieked. It could work with anything but never divinity!

"The third piece!"

Merlin's eyes blazed as mana shoved his white hair upward in a mad dance and waltzed into Heracles' shriveling chest.

"Consecration by light and darkness!"

The world lost its colors as his voice rumbled.

An ominous pillar of darkness rose from the blade, its tendrils spreading like the crooked fingers of a beast, while the divinity sparkled bright white as if to oppose its counterpart.

"By the blood of heroes, what is this madness?" Achilles muttered, stumbling back before the incomprehensible phenomenon.

Merlin smirked, raised his palm, and spun it before the opposing forces. Black and white swirled before him as he controlled the process like a maestro.

Sparks reflected on his dripping sweat as he brought them closer, creating a precarious balance.

Under the influence of the magic circle and his unwavering focus, the energies gradually melded into something else—the culmination of craftsmanship, a weapon that should have never existed.

Divinity and infernal energy roared in unison, pulsing golden and scarlet along the blade's edge. Chaos danced between them, serving as their mediator, while qi regulated their output. Finally, mana and demonic energies defined the blade's enchantments like silent architects.

Achilles narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. Gripping Merlin's trembling shoulder and ignoring his labored breath, he frowned.

"What have you done? This weapon..." His voice died in his throat before he shook his head. "The darkness is balanced, but it's too powerful! What if someone uses it against us?"

Merlin panted and shook his head.

"Only one person will ever use it." He pointed a shaky finger at the magic circle surrounding Adam. "Soul binding!"

A transparent image of Adam left his body as the blade turned ethereal and rushed into his hand; then they both sank back into him.

Merlin continued. "You're right, Achilles. It's too powerful... for now."

He pointed at Tyr's glowing hand, controlling mana to sew it to Adam's left forearm before he snapped his fingers.

"Integrate it with your new owner's body."

The blade, now an integral part of Adam, heeded its creator's command for the last time and shoved its humongous energy into the new limb.

Chaos overwhelmed everything and, under Merlin's control, forced the hand to adapt to Adam's body.

Without care, it shattered the godly artifact's innate abilities one after another until only one remained. Dark scales sprouted on the newly formed limb, making it truly Adam's a moment later.

With the process done, Merlin's eyes rolled back as the exhaustion he had fended off crashed on him like a tsunami. Still, he forced his lips open before losing consciousness.

"I weakened the blade. Care for Adam. I'll... rest for a bit."

Achilles nodded before his eyes widened as Merlin's youthful body shrank to that of a cute child.

"You're such a troublesome bunch." He threw Adam over his shoulder and tucked Merlin under his arm, smiling as he left Heracles' shriveled chest. "But you make life so interesting. I don't regret our deal."

Once outside, he rushed to the demonic army, leaving behind the melted ground and the burning air.

Before he could speak, Luna rushed to him, snatched Adam, and gently supported his back on her knee.

She ran her trembling fingers through his black hair, her eyes watering as she roared.

"We won this war! Capture the lords and stall for time until our lord wakes up!"

As the demons' and Amazons' determined steps echoed, she hugged Adam, tears flowing down her cheeks as all the fear she had bottled up until now poured out.

"Wait until you wake up, stupid boor!" She smiled, pressing her forehead against his to share some warmth. "But take your time... I don't want you to see me like that."

Meanwhile, Mimi's face flushed red as she halted. She shared Luna's relief, but as young as she was, Luna's deep affection almost made her heart melt.

"You found yourself a strong and caring lady, big brother."

She smiled through her tears and took slow steps to give Luna more time to calm down.

As they cared for Adam, Garduck, Bart, Ifrit, and Maven sowed desolation in the enemy's camp.

Without hesitation, they cleaved through the soldiers, roaring in fury.

"Come out, weaklings!" Ifrit spoke first, his fiery voice chilling Drufus' blood. "No one will escape my grasp, and resistance is futile, for I'm the judge, the jury, and the executioner. Kneel and tremble, sinners! Ifrit has come to judge you all!"

The others rolled their eyes at his dramatic introduction but nodded when they saw the livid faces of the remaining soldiers.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Yet most still fought, counting on despair's energy to kill as many demons as possible—a vain attempt met by the blades of Adam's powerful generals.

Blood flowed, and wails echoed as they cleared the camp with a vengeance.

Soon, only a dozen resigned soldiers and the eighteen lords remained.