Chapter 251 Training (3)

"His highness is going to use the Soul Sword?"

"Wow... Incredible. I can't believe I'm here witnessing this! How long has it been?"

p "It's said that the last time he used the sword like this was to fight the humans."

"First time in a century? I'm lucky indeed!"

Everyone was excited to see the soul sword in action. After all, it had been about a century since Alucard last used the sword as it was intended to use.

The soldiers failed to hold their excitement within themselves, but they weren't alone who felt like that. Even Griffin couldn't help but turn his gaze towards them and everyone there knew, it wasn't an easy task to distract Griffin while he was on duty.

"These people..." Alucard shook his head as if they were embarrassing him, "They like to make a big deal about inconsequential things. Now that they are so hyped up, we should put a good show for them, don't you think?"

"I was already planning to." Ashton jumped backwards preparing to launch an attack on Alucard once again.

"Let's make a bet then." Suddenly, Alucard pointed three fingers at him, interrupting him, "Three attacks. If you managed to remain unscathed after three attacks, I'd allow you to take an item from the treasury. However, if you lose, you will have to get engaged to my daughters tonight."

"What?" Ashton was a bit surprised, "I already told you. Until and unless I find-"

"You said you can't marry them until I handover those Conundrum brats to you. There was never an agreement between us that prevented you from getting engaged." Alucard corrected Ashton, "What's it gonna be?"

Alucard was confident despite having higher stats than him, Ashton was still a bit immature when it came to fighting. Thus, he was planning to use his experience to land a blow on him, which would be a relatively easy task.

Also, the only reason Alucard was so dead set on getting them engaged was all because of the recent discovery about the undead. After all, one of them managed to infiltrate the capital, who knows how many of them would be hiding in the shadows?

He needed someone capable to be by his daughters' side. That was also the reason why he decided to train Ashton. because if something were to happen to him, Ashton would ascend his throne and protect Transylvania.

Also, a lot of nobles in their society were already expressing their displeasure that Alucard had decided to 'corrupt' the royal bloodline by offering the hands of his daughters to an outsider.

Regardless of how many achievements Ashton garnered, there would always be people who will view him as an outsider and hence he wouldn't be fully accepted in their society.

However, if he managed to survive Alucard's attacks, he would definitely gain some recognition from everyone. No one would be able to refute his skills, no matter what.

Thus, regardless of what was the end result of their duel/test, Alucard would reap some kind of benefit.

"I accept," Ashton said with a smile, "Don't forget about your promise though. If I win, I'll take an item from your treasury."

"Who do you think I am? I'm the son of Dracula, the progenitor of vampires. Going back on our word is a sin. I'll try not to kill you."

As soon as Alucard said those words, the ground beneath him shattered. A cloak of blood materialised out of nowhere and enveloped itself around him. Alucard's physique got visibly leaner and skin turned black, as well as his previously white soul sword turned crimson. This was his 'True form'.

Born from a human before she was turned into a vampire, Alucard had the privilege and the power to shapeshift, which he used to hide his true form. A demonic form of a vampire that only those with Dracula's bloodline could master.

"I guess we are using abilities now." Ashton mumbled before riping the cuff off, "Fine by me."

[He's a tad bit more powerful than you now.]

"I know. That's why I agreed to his conditions."

Alucard lept at him with ferocity Ashton had never seen him use before. In a blink of an eye, Alucard broke the sound barrier. Everyone who had been spectating them couldn't even see where Alucard disappeared to.

However, Ashton could see him clearly. Every action Alucard did, created an aftershock of sound, it almost felt as if the sounds were chasing after him, trying to reunite with the source that created them. Only to fail over and over again.

[Look out!]

Ashton was so focused on Alucard, that he completely forgot about his sword. He dove sideways instinctively, only to see a small crater had taken his place. If it hadn't been for Astaroth's warning, Ashton would have lost a bit more than his limbs.

'I'll try not to kill you, my ass!'

"Strike one!" Alucard bellowed before popping up in front of Ashton and throwing a punch at him.

Ashton grabbed onto his hand, pulling Alucard towards him while simultaneously turning his back towards him. He then proceeded to sweep the vampire's feet away in the hopes of slamming him down.

But to Ashton's surprise, Alucard changed his manoeuvre midway, and Ashton was the one who got thrown away. Thankfully, Ashton managed to land on his feet or else it would have been game over for him.

"Oh, you're still standing. Good." Alucard said with a smile, "It would have been a shame if you couldn't even last till the final attack."

"You praise me and then proceed to underestimate me. It feels a bit weird, your highness."

Ashton got up and ran towards Alucard, at the same time the soul sword chased him. It was pretty obvious what Ashton was trying to do, sadly it wouldn't work.

"So you accept your defeat?" Alucard mumbled and hurled a punch at him.

However, the following moment Ashton disappeared from Alucard's sight, only to reappear behind him. In the end, Alucard's fist ended up colliding against his sword, sending a shockwave throughout the palace. Even Ashton got blown away by the sudden shockwave.

With a single move, the beautiful garden was blown away. Even a single blade of grass was nowhere to be found near Alucard and only a barren piece of land could be found under his feet.

"Looks like I went a bit overboard..." Alucard scratched the back of his head while looking around at the destruction he caused, "Either way, it looks like you won using that mask of yours Ashton."