"*yawwn!*... How much longer until our shift ends?"
Said an individual with a short stature, long ears and bright green skin, his body adorned by a full plate steel armour and on his back a bow and arrows.
"Do you have to ask me the same damn question everyday?"
The one standing next to him, having a similar appearance replied.
They both belonged to the Hobgoblin species, a more evolved version of the typical Goblin. They were both archers stationed on top of a tall wall.
"Hey... It's not my fault that your wife cheated on you with a Kobold so don't take it out on me! Keke."
Hobgoblin #1 said, mockingly sticking out his tongue.
"Huh?! Shut the fuck up!"
Hobgoblin #2 retorted and punched Hobgoblin #1 on the face.
"Haha! Beat me all you want! It won't change anything!"
Hobgoblin #1 laughed out loud, guarding his face from the oncoming flurry of punches.
Suddenly... Hobgoblin #1 saw something in the sky that deeply disturbed him.
"What the hell is that?!"
He screamed out loud, pointing at whatever it is that he saw.
"You think I'm dumb?! I'm not going to fall for that!"
Hobgoblin #2 exclaimed.
"Get off you idiot! There's really something there."
Hobgoblin #2 finally relented and glanced over at the sky.
What they both saw made their bodies shudder and instinctively draw their bows to noose their arrows.
"Wha —What is that?!"
"I don't know but it looks like a Wyvern!"
"But then why does it look like that?! It's not even flapping its wings so how is it even flying?"
"I don't know! Stop asking me questions!"
"Should we fire our arrows at it?"
"I said stop as —"
Suddenly... A commanding voice came from the Wyvern, cutting off their banter:
"Silence, you idiots!!"
The two Hobgoblins recognized the voice and their bodies instinctively became stiff.
"L-Lord Nicolai, Welcome back!"
Both the Hobgoblin's bowed deeply after seeing Nicolai who was carrying a Wyvern and flew over the walls with it.
"... He looks so injured, did the Wyvern do that?"
Hobgoblin #1 whispered.
"Of course not, you think a mere Wyvern can do that to Lord Nicolai?"
Hobgoblin #2 retorted.
"Then, who did?"
"Shut your mouth before you get us killed!"
Nicolai flew over them and straight toward the large castle that stood at the center of Duskmire, the royal capital of the Demon Kingdom.
Nocolai landed at the castle entrance, guarded by two Orcs, each with tusks menacingly protruding from their mouths, one carrying a mace and one a large axe.
"Greetings, Lord Nicolai, Count of Mansire."
The Orcs bowed deeply.
*Thud.*
Nicolai threw the Wyvern corpse on the floor.
"Greetings Pigs, I seek an audience with my Liege."
"Have someone take this corpse to the basement."
Nicolai said, his fangs glistening.
He went inside the castle, its interior expertly designed and decorated by multiple high quality items such as statues and paintings.
A maid who was a sheep Beastkin, hurriedly stepped forward and bowed her head before Nicolai, her twirly horns pointing at the ceiling.
"Greetings Lord. His majesty the Demon King has been expecting you, please allow me to lead you there."
The maid said, her voice slightly trembling.
"Yes, I allow it."
Nicolai replied, eager to meet with his liege.
"Please wait my Lord, perhaps we could fix your appearance first?"
The maid suggested, glancing up and down on Nicolai's bloodied and bruised body.
*Grab!*
"Urgh!"
Nicolai put his hand around her neck.
"Are you crazy? Are you suggesting that we make my Liege wait? Huh?! Hurry up and take me there before I kill you!"
Nicolai spat, his red eyes beaming with rage.
"Y —yes! Please excuse my presumptuousness!"
The maid led Nicolai to the throne room and opened the large doors for him.
He then took a deep breath, poised himself, and entered the brightly lit throne room.
The decorations of the castle in general paled in comparison to those of the throne room.
On the ceiling there was a large crystal chandelier illuminating the entire throne room with an exquisite light.
On each side of the walls there were masterfully designed tapestries and sculptures as well as flowers that only served to enhance the overall elegance.
The pillars holding the entire wide throne room in place were made of pure gold.
In the middle of the floor there lay a carpet intricately woven in otherworldly material, and standing on each side of the carpet were knights adorned in full plate pitch black armour made from the scales of Wyverns.
The centerpiece of the room was a large throne, veiled in a high quality curtain at the top of a platform.
Nicolai took a deep breath and began walking toward the throne.
The knights on each side drew their swords and raised them high in the air as a sign of respect.
Nicolai, who had been focused on the throne alone, finally noticed a figure that was standing in front of, or rather, below the veiled throne.
[Tch... Why is that bitch here?]
Nicolai clicked his tongue inwardly, his eyebrow slightly twitching.
The person who was standing below the throne was a very beautiful Dark Elf woman, adorned in a well designed purple dress that enhanced her features.
Her hour glass figure was a sight to behold for lustful eyes, and the bright light from the chandelier elegantly bounced off her voluptuous brown cleavage.
She veiled half of her face with a hand fan, but that was not enough to hide her beauty, and her round purple eyes had the power to bring men to their knees.
"Oh my, if it isn't the second youngest, you look like you were mauled by a wild beast, are you well?"
The woman spoke, her eyes trembling with concern.
But...
[Look at this bitch acting like she cares.]
Nicolai swallowed his real words and said something a bit more friendlier:
"Greetings, fourth eldest, yes you could say it was something of the sort."
Nicolai said, a warm fake smile adorning his face.
"Ah is that so?"
The woman said, her eyes smiling sadistically.
"Fourth. You may be excused, I wish to speak with the Sixth. "
A voice that rang like a Tiger's roar came from the veiled throne, this prompted both Nicolai and the woman to fall to their knees.
"If it is fine with you my Liege, may I stay?"
The woman requested, bowing deeply.
[For what you bitch?! Go away!]
Nicolai spat inwardly, his pointy ears perked up, hoping the Demon King denies her request.
"I do not mind. Stay."
[Tch...]
Nicolai clicked his tongue inwardly.
"Sixth. Why do you look that way?"
The Demon King asked, referring to Nicolai's injuries and tattered clothing.
"... It shames me to admit my Liege, but I had trouble."
"I... fought with a Harpy I found at the scene."
Nicolai replied, shame laced in his tone.
"What are you saying? A mere Harpy injured you to that extent?!"
The woman asked with a puzzled expression on her face.
"Silence Fourth. Or I will have your tongue."
"F-forgive me my Liege!"
The woman instantly apologized and bowed deeply.
"Sixth. What was the name of the Harpy?"
[Why does the name matter?]
"The bird said its name was Hawke Featherblade. "
"Featherblade... I see."
"Does it make sense now Fourth?"
"Yes my Liege, I understand why Nicolai would have struggled. "
The woman nodded.
[Huh? Why does it make sense?]
[I wish to ask but... I cannot bring anymore shame to myself.]
"Worry not Sixth. The Featherblade's are a special bloodline."
[Special my ass... They're just birds. ]
"My Liege, if you will allow it, I shall strike them down!"
Nicolai said, itching to get his revenge on Hawke.
"No need."
"..."
"I understand, my Liege."
Nicolai wanted to argue but... He could never argue with the words of his ruler.
"Now then, Sixth. What did you find?"
"Yes my Liege, I went to investigate the source of that power at your request, but I only found the remains of a young Wyvern."
"And? What were your thoughts upon seeing it?"
"... I dare not say..."
"Speak freely."
"..."
"I thought the corpse looked like it had been struck by your power, my Liege."
Nicolai responded reluctantly.
[What?! A power similar to the Liege's?! That's impossible!]
The woman cried inwardly, her body slightly trembling.
"I see..."
"After having sired hundreds — No, thousands of children, none of them have been born with my unique ability."
"And now... Randomly, another like me is born?"
"Kuku. KUHAHAHA!!"
The Demon King laughed out loud, his laughter resembling hundreds of war drums being beaten in harmony.
The Demon King rejoiced, at long last he was not alone.
He was not the only one who is...
A Child Of The Void.