Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 421: The Returnee’s Kiss

Adam approached Luna, a grin spreading across his delicate features. "See who?"

Despite the sweat sticking to her long green hair, the stench of blood rising from the corpses surrounding them, and the victorious clamor of the other demons, his heart drummed just from looking into her bright emerald eyes.

He had dreaded and longed for this moment for so long. And now that it came, his voice caught in his throat, words failing to form. What should he tell her after eleven years? Hey, how have you been doing? Missed me? Or, wow, you really nailed Zepar with that last hit?

His brows twitched, the awkwardness making his eyes slip to the side.

Meanwhile, Luna raised a brow. She crossed her arms over her leather top. "It’s rare to find trustworthy demons outside our close circle. And you’re apparently not one of us, or you would know who I want to see." She nodded slightly, her voice softening. "Thank you for your quick-witted help, friend. It means a lot. For my revenge, to preserve Forneus’ soul wherever it is."

"Friend..." Adam muttered, biting his lip.

A radiant smile curved Luna’s lips. "Of course you are." She waved her hand at the other demons. "It might sound absurd, but we all are. If your heart is tired of strife, deception, and barbaric violence, our cause could use a pair of extra hands. Well, from how you gripped Zepar’s neck, you seem powerful, so I’m not sure my offer will appeal to you."

The surrounding demons nodded, eager to see him join their ranks. Among them, the purple-haired lady moved forth. Patting Adam’s shoulder, she whispered. "I’ll never forget how you barged in, screaming about not touching me. I don’t remember meeting you, but you..." She blushed, her eyes darting between Adam and the ground. "We can learn to know each other first."

A deep furrow creased Adam’s brow before he pointed at Luna. "Not you. Her." He sighed, muttering. "I thought you’d recognise my handsomeness after the battle..."

"Mhh?" Luna leaned forward, tucking her finger around her chin. She sized Adam’s black and white hair, blue and scarlet eyes, and the ancient kimono draping his broad shoulders. "Now that you mention it, you don’t look half-bad. But I only have eyes for a single demon." A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Don’t take it personally, but he’s more handsome than you. Sinfully handsome, according to his narcissistic opinion."

"What?!" Adam slapped his forehead, disbelief twisting his lips. Now that was a personal attack he couldn’t accept! "How am I less handsome? I’m divinely handsome, so much that even Appolo can only feel jealous of me!"

Luna’s eyes widened as he coughed into his fist, cursing himself inwardly. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"How quaint... How familiar..." She muttered, remembering his enraged face when he had barged into the ruined castle, his commanding tone, the tenderness in his gaze. More importantly, his words—take revenge with your own hands. It was as if he’d known what she needed deep inside, not merely understood it. And those ancient northern runes on the hammer at his belt... it could only be Durgrim’s unrivaled craft.

She covered her trembling lips with a hand, gasping. "A-Adam?"

"I told you I’d help you get rid of Zepar. I’m just sad it took me so long to return." The corner of Adam’s lips curled into a soft smile, his eyes watering slightly. Eleven years, and she still cared for him—loved him.

The sound of a stomp forced his gaze up. Eyes wide, he opened his arms, catching Luna mid-jump.

She wrapped her legs around his hips, her hands feeling his face. Tears trailed down her cheeks, yet she grinned as if she had just received the best present.

Before he could speak again, her soft lips sealed his. He closed his eyes, his arms tightening around her back as he lost himself in her warmth, her love—his love.

A rare tear slid down his cheek as his hands trembled. If only this moment could last forever. No. It will after they purged the universe of its tyrants, hand in hand.

Their kiss stretched for an eternity. Yet, once their lips parted and warm breaths caressed their skin, it felt as fleeting as a tender dream.

"I missed you," Luna muttered. "But a part of me wanted to believe you’d return against all odds." She pecked his lips. "You even kept your promise. It feels weird to say, but it’s one of the best days of my life."

Adam moved a lock of hair to gaze into her watery eyes. "It’s one of the best of mine, too. I-I doubted you would. The thought terrorised me, but thinking about reuniting with you helped me cross through the abyss." He grinned. "Thank you for waiting for me."

Luna’s ears burned at his words. She leapt down and turned halfway. "It was hard for me, too. I almost lost faith after three years..." She sighed. "But after returning to my birthplace, to this realm of greed, I could only think about you. So, I decided to believe you’d overcome the cursed air, poisonous water, and swarm of abyssal creatures. And here you are."

"And here we are." Adam placed his hand on her shoulder, slowly turning her to face him. "I love you."

Her blush crept from her ears to her cheeks, and a shudder ran down her spine. She cradled his cheeks and nodded. "I love you, too."

Eyes wide and jaws slack, the other demons watched the couple despite their wounds. One of them blurted out. "Is he the one we prayed to until last year—the savior who will bring peace to the demon realm?"

Emboldened by his friend, another whispered. "The statue had horns, though. He... looks more like a dragon-blooded human than a demon."

"The priestess told us he might change." A third smirked. "His charisma doesn’t pale compared to a true demon king, though."

Luna listened to the theories spreading through the crowd, then nodded at Adam. "They’re the most loyal demons I’ve gathered. Give me a moment to reassure them before you tell me about your unreal journey. I want to know everything; the abyss, your evolution, how changed so much, and how the Garduck and the others are doing."

After Adam nodded, she waved her palm, her voice thundering through the ruined city. "As most of you have guessed, he is Adam: the lord who defies gods and demon kings since the very first day—the lord who’ll free us from our culture of betrayal and murder." She raised her fist. "Light will soon banish the darkness that has gnawed on our people, homes, and hearts for millennia. Demons aren’t evil by nature! That’s what he told me. That’s what we’ll prove to the universe!"