Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

'Now that I think about it, it's true that I accepted her friend's request a few days ago.'

He pressed on her private message tab, intrigue sparkling in his eyes.

[Mimi: Hello, how are things doing on your side? My territory has never been in better shape, and I constructed a wall thanks to you!]

A smile crept on his lips as he remembered the brief transaction they had made and answered.

[Adam: I'm glad to read you're doing great. I still struggle a bit because of the lack of specialists, but things are on the right track now.]

[Mimi: Nice, nice. I hope you'll summon specialists soon. By the way, in which realm are you? I don't know how these things work, but do you want to ally with me if we're on the same?]

His index finger tapping on his cheek, he frowned at the message.

'Where did that come from? We barely exchanged three messages.'

Before he could ponder the pros, cons, and how Mimi got that strange idea, she sent another message.

[Mimi: Pharaoh said we should find trusted allies if we're not confident. The others advise us occasionally, but you're the only one who offered something to help me. So, I thought about you.]

His frown deepened, and doubts crawled to his heart. Could he trust her? More importantly, did he need allies in the first place?

Still, they probably weren't in the same realm. Therefore, he offered her genuine advice as he answered.

[Adam: I'm in one of Hestia's realms. But listen. An alliance goes both ways. If another lord provides you with defense, you must offer him something in return, or it won't work.]

[Mimi: I'm in one of Ares'. We are so unlucky... Also, defense is not a problem. Because of my talent, I have an Amazon training ground instead of the regular barracks... it just requires two cores to summon one big sister...]

'Seriously? Amazon warriors?!'

His eyes widened at the broken talent. The cost alone was a glaring proof of its power, not to mention these fierce women's reputations.

'With enough time to develop, she'll steamroll her realm.'

As he nodded in approval, his eyes narrowed on her last words, prompting a question.

[Adam: How old are you, Mimi?]

[Mimi: Why? If I tell you, You'll mock me like that bully Lord 6369.]

He passed his hand over his face, his ears buzzing with conflicting emotions.

He wanted to help her since her refusal was an answer in itself. But could he squander time bonding with other lords when they'd ultimately end up as enemies?

As he struggled with his moral values and an awkward silence enveloped him like a prickling blanket, Mimi answered.

[Mimi: I'm eleven. Please don't repeat it to the others.]

"... Shit."

Even if he was now a demon, could he let a young lass struggle alone?

'Somehow, it doesn't feel right. I don't know if we'll ever meet, but I can lend her a hand if she needs advice or mental support.'

While he moved to the altar, the sun casting dancing shadows on his conflicted face, he sighed and answered.

[Adam: Ask me if you need anything. I'll try to help despite the distance.]

[Mimi: Yay! Can I call you big brother?]

He rolled his eyes yet smiled.

[Adam: Do what you want. I must leave now, but I'll send a small gift to help you survive.]

Without waiting for her answer, he closed the chat tab.

'Who would have thought I'd use it?'

Chuckling, he retrieved his useless express mail coupon and shredded it in half.

ZOOMB

A deep sound echoed before him as multicolored lights condensed in a frantic dance.

The air trembled before him next as it cracked in a circle, letting the cold of space filter. A thin layer of frost covered the healthy soil, sending his shoulders trembling and teeth chattering for a second.

Then, his eyes enlarged as a vortex of swirling blue energies shattered the space. A creature hopped from it the next second, tumbling on the ground for a few steps before picking itself up.

"What's that?!"

He blurted out, gazing at the bipedal otter dusting its postman uniform.

Its hair glistened under the sun as it approached, and the temperature stabilised.

"Hello, good sir. I'm Tommy, and I will handle your delivery today."

'It can talk?'

His head leaned closer, eyes bulging and jaws dropping.

"Please refrain from glaring so much at me, sir. I'm a little shy."

'What is it imagining?!'

He coughed, noticing the otter-like creature's ears burn and its fidgeting fingers.

With a cough to recover and dismiss the awkwardness, he fished the blueprints he wanted to gift Mimi. Hand trembling with hesitation, he handed them to the otter.

"Can you deliver them to Mimi in one of Ares' realms?"

"Yup. I can go anywhere but the demon realm, nether realm and underworlds."

It offered him a comical salute, filled with the determination to accomplish its mission, and jumped back into the vortex.

'The heck just happened?'

He massaged his eyes, glaring at the dissipating vortex and the mending space for a moment.

Then, he opened his chat tab and checked if the otter had delivered his gifts.

[Mimi: Aw! A super cute otter gave me four blueprints and said it came from you! Thank you, big brother!]

His lips stretched into a satisfied grin as relief replaced the bizarre encounter's shock.

[Adam: List anything on the market and ask for eighty units of hard chitin. You'll have enough to make twenty items that way.]

With that, he had done everything he could to help her survive the initial stage and the end of the grace period in two days.

Despite her initial refusal, he urged her to accept, adding that she could repay him later if she found anything of interest.

'I don't expect anything, though. I can't watch a kid I know die... even if it sounds hypocritical since it would mean I don't care about the ones I don't know.'

He slapped his leg in amusement and walked to Luna's hut.

'I can't solve the world's problems. I'm not a hero.'

His eyes narrowed into slits as he pushed her door open.

'I'm just a gamer who'll surpass the gods and protect everyone that matters to me!'

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