"Where is it?"
Rhonex was sitting calmly on a chair. The man in front of him was visibly shaking with fear, though he tried to hide it.
Another memory had returned to Rhonex recently, he had a sword. A very special sword, one he forged himself. A piece of his power was sealed within it, but now, he couldn't sense it. And he needed it.
Molan, his butler, had told him of a certain blacksmith in the kingdom. Unpopular, but known in certain circles for forging dark-shaded weapons. That was who Rhonex had gone to interrogate.
But no matter how many times he tried, the blacksmith remained silent.
"You cannot do anything to me, you evil demon. I won't say anything," the blacksmith hissed.
Ronex wasn't the patient type. He hated being tested.
"I'll count to three," he said coldly. "If you don't tell me where it is, you'll regret it."
"One. Two. Three."
The blacksmith didn't flinch.
"You can't kill me. Even if you want to," he spat.
"Is that so?" Rhonex raised a brow.
His patience had worn thin. With a flicker of his magic, he expanded his senses, just in time to feel a presence creeping up behind him.
The blacksmith's wife, dagger in hand. Rhonex vanished from the chair in a blink, reappeared behind her, and without hesitation, snapped her neck. She fell, lifeless.
"What have you done?" the man exclaimed, heartbroken that his wife had been killed.
"You! I shall kill you!" he shouted, trying to gather his power.
Rhonex smirked.
"Do you think I, an high Lord, can be killed by a low pixie like you?"
He began walking slowly toward the blacksmith. As Rhonex approached, the man staggered backward, using his powers on him.
"What are you? Why are my powers not working on you?"
Rhonex was now right in front of him. He grabbed the man by the neck, strangling him.
"Please," the man gasped, "I beg of you, don't kill me. I have children…"
Rhonex turned slightly and saw a teenage girl holding a small boy tightly. Both were visibly scared, sobbing in silence.
Rhonex looked back at the man and said coldly,
"If you think I'm some human man with emotions like pity, you're wrong. I'm going to kill you today. I would've ended you with a snap of my fingers, but I want you to die painfully."
The man finally gave in, "I will tell you where the sword is…"
"Tch, tch," Rhonex whispered. "I don't want to know anymore. I gave you a chance. That opportunity only comes once. Do you feel it? My hand around your neck, really tight. You gasping… for breath… to live."
Rhonex laughed wickedly while the man struggled against his grip, until he gave up the ghost. Rhonex's fangs extended, and he sunk them into the man's flesh. By doing that, he acquired all the information the man knew. His golden eyes glowed brightly as he licked the blood from his lips. He looked down at the lifeless bodies on the floor and snapped his fingers, it vanished.
He turned toward the two children, still standing there, shivering in fear. Rhonex could feel every emotion in the small house, and he fed on it.
He walked out of the house, where Molan was already waiting.
"My lord, did you find anything about where your sword might be?"
"It's in Velmoria Castle," Rhonex replied. "Those damn vampires found it and took it. But I don't know yet where it is inside the castle."
"We should go there now," Molan said.
"Yes," Rhonex nodded.
"Also, King Draelos has made a royal announcement, about the husband for the first princess. And it's you?"
Rhonex smiled. "I knew no being could resist what I have to offer."
"Anything else?"
"The King of Duskhelm also requests your presence in the castle tomorrow." "Okay," Rhonex said. "We do not have time to waste. Let us go to Velmoria Kingdom and give Prince Corvin some greetings."
He smirked.
"What about the two children?" Molan asked.
"You know what to do," Rhonex replied.
Molan nodded, already planning to give the children out to parents who needed children who would take care of them well.... because from the look at them they looked like someone who were not properly taken care of,he was sure there parent never paid attention to them...Good riddance. Then, without another word, he teleported with his master to Velmoria Castle.
Prince Corvin was sitting at the council meeting table, surrounded by murmuring voices filled with complaints.
"Why would you cancel the proposal for the princess's hand?"
"Why would you do such a risky thing without informing us, my prince?"
"You might have been the husband-to-be, but you've ruined it all. How are you going to become king without a bride?"
At that last comment, Prince Corvin raised his head and said sharply, "What do you mean by that? The first princess is not the only woman in the world. I can choose to marry any other. There are still many noble daughters and princesses available to me. I did what I did to save our kingdom's face."
He glanced across the table. "If you were at the ball—ah yes, Duke Tiorel and Lord Thernial, you were both there, contesting for the princess's hand. As pure-blooded vampires, I know you can sense a person's aura. Tell me, do you think I stood a chance against him? The demon?"
Duke Tiorel spoke first. "Indeed, we have a very wise prince. That demon's aura was overwhelming, powerful. And you know how demons are, whatever they want, they take, even if it leads to war." Lord Thernial nodded. "And war is something our kingdom cannot afford now. We have other pressing matters, like crowning you, Prince Corvin, as king. We must avoid outside conflict while dealing with the rising tensions we already sense within."
Lord Thernial added, "I support that. The prince made the right decision. It's better he stepped away early than let rumors spread that he was rejected or unworthy. We all know how fast gossip moves. Still, my prince, you must find a bride soon."
A servant suddenly entered the room and whispered something into Prince Corvin's ear. Without showing much reaction, the prince nodded, and the servant left quietly. But deep down, Corvin was perplexed.
What is the Demon Lord doing in my kingdom?
A voice from the council interrupted his thoughts.
"My prince, our final appeal remains, please find a bride soon."
Prince Corvin cleared his throat. "I'll see what I can do about that."
He dismissed the council.
Once outside, he turned to a slave and asked, "Where is the demon?"
"My prince, I've directed him to the guest wing house."
"Good."
Corvin used his vampire speed to reach the guest wing. There, he found the Demon Lord reclining in a chair, sipping tea. A man, likely his butler, stood beside him.
The Demon Lord looked up.
"Are you going to keep standing there, Prince Corvin? I was half-expecting your servant to offer me blood, but you have refined taste, I must say, this tea is pleasant."
Corvin played along and took a seat across from him. "I'm surprised to see you here. I believe we share no formal ties."
"That's true," the Demon Lord replied. "But you do have something that belongs to me."Corvin raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?"
"I don't need to tell you," Rhonex said smoothly. "But I can sense it… in your castle."
"Why would I allow you to search my castle or take anything from it?" Corvin asked, eyes narrowing.
"What do you want, Corvin?" the demon asked, deliberately dropping the royal title.
Corvin ignored the slight. "Let me think... actually, I don't want anything yet. But I'll let you search the castle. In return, you'll owe me a favor. I can ask for anything, anytime."
Rhonex smiled. "Deal."
Corvin smirked inwardly. He had been waiting for an opportunity like this, and fate had just handed it to him.
Rhonex stood up.
"I would like to begin the search now. I still have to return to the Duskhelm Kingdom to prepare for my upcoming wedding."
Prince Corvin replied, "Ah yes, I almost forgot, congratulations on securing the princess. I do wonder what you offered King Draelos."
Rhonex turned to him, his fangs slowly emerging as he chuckled darkly.
"Hahaha… You are such a clever prince. But what I offered King Draelos is confidential, something I cannot share."
"Very well," Corvin said. "Let us begin. I believe we should start from the Forbidden Wing of the castle. It's dangerous… but I sensed a strong demonic aura there. Your sword might be hidden in that place. I will lead the way."
Ronex narrowed his eyes. "Why aren't you coming in with me?"
Corvin smirked. "Oh, I'd love to see what lies beyond those cursed doors, but I don't think I can afford to risk my life. Everyone who entered the Forbidden Wing never came back… not even the strongest warriors. There's even a legend that a powerful celestial being, stronger than you, perhaps, once entered and was never seen again."
There was a pause, then Corvin added with a subtle smile,
"But you love risks, don't you, Lord Rhonex?"Rhonex's devilish grin slowly stretched across his face.
"I sure do."