MTLNOVEL Chapter 10: Chapter 9: The Dhampir's Gambit
"Talking"
Village Storehouse
3rd Person POV
The golden eyes of Adrian Fahrenheit Țepeș—known to this world as Alucard—swept across the forces arrayed beyond the village perimeter. His pale, aristocratic features remained impassive as he crouched by the storehouse window alongside Gazef and Albedo. The dhampir's long, flowing golden hair caught the dying light as he observed their predicament with the calculating gaze of one who had witnessed countless battles across centuries.
After their lengthy discussion regarding the diplomatic terms between the kingdoms of Re-Estize and Light, the reality of their situation had crystallized into stark clarity. Several magic casters stood in precise formation beyond the village boundaries, each accompanied by summoned angels that radiated divine power—a sight that stirred ancient memories within the son of Dracula.
"There they are," Gazef murmured, his voice tight with barely contained tension.
A knight beside him shifted nervously, armor clanking softly. "It looks like they've surrounded us at equal intervals."
Alucard's lips curved into the faintest of smiles, one that held neither warmth nor comfort. "Indeed... it seems those magic casters are employing Archangel Flames." His voice carried the refined accent of European nobility, each word precisely enunciated despite the casual observation.
Gazef turned to him in shock, his weathered face creasing with surprise. "You know what those are?"
How amusing, Alucard thought, his expression betraying nothing of his inner amusement. In a world where divine magic flows so freely, they remain ignorant of their own arsenal's true nature.
"Yes," he replied with languid grace, as if discussing the weather rather than instruments of divine destruction. "I've encountered them before, in battles that predate your kingdom's very existence. But tell me, do you recognize these particular practitioners? I had initially suspected the Baharuth Empire based on the villagers' accounts, but observing their attire more closely, their aesthetic suggests..."
"The Slane Theocracy," Gazef finished, his tone grim with recognition. "I thought the same."
A soft chuckle escaped Alucard's lips—a sound like silk being drawn across steel. The reaction caused every occupant of the storehouse to regard him with a mixture of bewilderment and unease. There was something unsettling about the way his golden eyes seemed to gleam with predatory amusement.
"How deliciously pathetic," he said, his voice carrying the kind of refined disdain that could only come from centuries of observing human folly. "They seek to entrap you from multiple vectors—tactics befitting cowards who have forgotten the meaning of honor. They require borrowed power, whether from their summoned servants or divine magic, to even contemplate facing you in battle. Such arrogance built upon foundations of weakness... it will inevitably become their undoing."
Gazef nodded slowly, finding himself in agreement with the assessment while simultaneously uncomfortable with the casual way this pale stranger seemed to dismiss divine magic itself. He straightened his shoulders and turned to face Alucard fully.
"Your Majesty," he began formally, dropping to one knee with practiced military precision, "I would like to formally request that you lend us your aid in this matter."
Alucard remained silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed upon the window and the forces beyond. When he finally spoke, his voice carried a weight that seemed to press against the very air.
Alucard's POV
How curious that events continue to unfold precisely as they did in that... entertainment... I once observed, I mused, watching the Theocracy's forces with detached interest. In my years of existence, I have learned that reality possesses a certain inertia—a resistance to change that even the most powerful interventions struggle to overcome. Perhaps this is simply the natural order asserting itself.
I sighed, the sound barely audible but somehow carrying the weight of centuries. I find myself reluctant to alter the course of events, not from any sense of destiny or fate, but from a growing certainty that my interference may produce consequences far more dire than this simple skirmish.
"Unfortunately," I said, turning my golden gaze to meet Gazef's expectant eyes, "I must decline your request. This conflict, while regrettable, is not mine to resolve. However, I give you my word that no harm shall befall this village or its inhabitants." I paused, allowing a small smile to play at the corners of my mouth. "And Gazef, permit me to share a piece of wisdom gleaned from my... extensive experience: one often encounters his destiny precisely upon the path he chooses to avoid it."
Gazef rose gracefully, his expression reflecting both disappointment and respect. "Your words carry the weight of true wisdom, Your Majesty. I understand your position. I shall focus upon the task before me and, upon its completion, return to the capital to inform King Ramposa of your arrival in our lands."
Reaching into the folds of my coat, I withdrew a small crystalline totem—a relic from my father's collection that I had modified for more... practical purposes. The artifact caught the light with an inner radiance as I presented it to the chief warrior.
"Gazef," I said, my tone carrying subtle amusement, "as they say, it is dangerous to venture forth alone. This trinket will serve you well in the trials ahead."
"You honor me with such a gift," Gazef replied, accepting the totem with both hands. "I shall treasure it."
As he expressed his gratitude, I addressed the assembled knights with the authority of one accustomed to command. "Brave knights of Re-Estize, approach and kneel. I shall inscribe protective enchantments upon your armor. Should any among you approach death's threshold, these runes will transport you to safety so that I might tend to your wounds."
The knights moved forward without hesitation, their trust in their leader extending to his judgment of me. As they knelt in formation, I raised my hands and spoke words of power that predated their kingdom by millennia.
"Tears of Denial! Homeward Bound!"
Each knight was enveloped first in crimson flames that shifted to radiant gold—the colors of my own dual nature made manifest in protective magic. I turned my attention back to Gazef as the enchantment settled.
"You may wonder why I have not bestowed the same protection upon you," I explained with casual elegance. "The totem I have given you serves a dual purpose. Should you face mortal peril, it will transport you to safety while simultaneously summoning the most powerful mage in my service to take your place. His name is Ainz Ooal Gown—a practitioner of magic whose abilities... well, let us simply say they are considerable."
Gazef's expression brightened with genuine gratitude as he bowed deeply. "I am unworthy of such generosity, Your Majesty. With these gifts, neither I nor my men need fear death itself."
"Then go forth, my friend," I said, the term of endearment carrying surprising warmth, "and show these zealots what true strength looks like."
With a final nod of acknowledgment, Gazef led his knights from the storehouse, their horses' hooves thundering against the earth as they rode toward their destiny.
Thirty Minutes Later
3rd Person POV
Alucard sat with inhuman stillness within the storehouse, a scrying mirror floating before him with casual defiance of gravity. The villagers had gathered at the far end of the building, their initial curiosity about the magical device giving way to fascination as they watched the battle unfold like a living painting within its reflective surface.
The tension in the air was palpable—newborns wailed with the instinctive knowledge that danger approached, while children pressed close to their parents in silent fear. It was then that something unexpected occurred.
Alucard withdrew an elegantly crafted ocarina from within his coat, its surface gleaming like polished moonstone. As he raised it to his lips, the first notes of an ethereal melody began to flow through the cramped space. The music seemed to carry qualities beyond mere sound—it resonated with something fundamental in the human spirit, soothing fears and calming frayed nerves with supernatural efficacy.
The crying infants gradually fell silent, then slumbered peacefully. The frightened children found their terror melting away, replaced by a sense of profound safety. Even the adults felt their anxiety diminish as they watched this pale, otherworldly figure weave magic through music alone.
His newly adopted daughters, Enri and Nemu James, listened with expressions of pure wonder. Little Nemu had fallen asleep in her sister's arms, a peaceful smile gracing her young features.
"What is that, Father?" Enri asked, her voice hushed with reverence.
Alucard's golden eyes softened—a rare display of genuine warmth. "This is an ocarina, my dear one. It is a musical instrument capable of producing melodies that can touch the very soul. Would you like me to teach you its secrets once this unpleasantness has concluded?"
"Yes, please!" Enri's response carried the enthusiasm of youth discovering wonder. "It sounds so beautiful, and it helps everyone feel better. I want to learn so I can help our people during difficult times."
Something shifted in Alucard's expression—a flicker of emotion that spoke to hearts he had thought forever closed. A single crystalline tear traced down his pale cheek as he reached out to embrace his adopted daughter.
"Your compassion brings me great joy," he murmured, his voice carrying centuries of longing for such simple human connection. "To see you already thinking of others' welfare... it reminds me why humanity is worth protecting."
The villagers watched this tender moment with growing appreciation, several of the unmarried women finding themselves captivated by the sight of this mysterious, powerful man displaying such gentle paternal affection.
But such peaceful interludes are fleeting in times of war. Alucard's expression grew serious as he sensed the shift in the battle's rhythm.
"The true conflict begins now," he announced quietly.
Alucard's POV
"The true conflict begins now," I stated, my words causing the adults to turn their attention to the scrying mirror with renewed intensity. I placed two fingers against my temple, activating the mental link I had established earlier.
Ainz, are you prepared for what comes next?
Indeed, though I confess curiosity about how you deduced I would adopt our guild's name as an alias to attract potential players from Yggdrasil, came Momonga's response.
My dear Satoru, I replied with mental amusement, we stand at the threshold of an entirely new existence. Only those who shared our previous world would recognize that particular nomenclature. And naturally, there is the matter of my own... reputation.
The Legendary Dhampir... There was a pause in the mental communication. Yes, I see your logic. Adrian, promise me you will rest after this matter is concluded. Your tendency toward self-sacrifice concerns me greatly.
I appreciate your worry, old friend, but—
But you feel compelled to be perpetually vigilant. I understand. Simply... try not to carry the entire world upon your shoulders.
The mental link dissolved with a soft chime, leaving me with a melancholy that I had grown accustomed to over the centuries.
"Will they be all right?" Kellen's voice nearly startled me from my reverie—a remarkable feat given my supernatural awareness.
I couldn't help but smile at his successful approach. "My compliments on your stealth, Kellen. You very nearly succeeded in surprising me."
The man chuckled at my reaction. "My apologies, Your Majesty, but you hadn't answered my question."
I placed a reassuring hand upon his shoulder, noting how he didn't flinch from my supernatural cold. "There is no need for such formality. As I explained to Gazef, and as I now explain to all of you—" I gestured to encompass the gathered villagers "—titles of nobility imply a hierarchy that does not exist between us. I am not your sovereign, merely a guest in your lands. Please, simply call me Alucard."
The villagers' expressions brightened at this gesture of equality, but our moment of camaraderie was interrupted by the sound of a body materializing behind me with a heavy thud.
I turned to find the first wounded knight, his armor rent and blood seeping from multiple wounds. Without hesitation, I extended my palm toward him and spoke a word of power.
"Healing Light of Alucard!"
A sphere of gentle radiance materialized above the injured man, bathing him in restorative energy that mended flesh and bone with supernatural efficiency. The knight's eyes widened as his wounds closed completely.
"My lord, I... how can I ever repay such kindness?" he stammered.
I merely nodded in acknowledgment, my attention already turning inward to darker considerations.
This healing magic draws upon my vampiric nature, transmuted into something beneficial rather than predatory. Ten millennia of gaming experience across countless worlds has given me abilities that even I do not fully comprehend. I pray I will not need to employ the more... aggressive techniques at my disposal. The Crissaegrim, in particular, carries implications I would rather not explore in this reality.
More wounded knights began materializing as the battle intensified, each one requiring immediate attention. Though they expressed gratitude, I found myself increasingly troubled by what the scrying mirror revealed. Gazef fought valiantly, cycling through martial techniques with impressive skill, but the gap between his abilities and those of his opponents was becoming painfully apparent.
The power scaling in this world is profoundly unbalanced, I mused grimly. It is as though these people exist under some form of artificial limitation, while magic from our previous existence operates without such constraints. Only Gazef shows potential for true growth, and even he seems bound by invisible barriers. This disparity troubles me greatly.
The Final Stand
3rd Person POV
The battle had reached its inevitable conclusion. Gazef knelt upon the bloodied earth, his armor cracked and his body bearing the evidence of supernatural punishment. Multiple magical assaults had left him weakened beyond his ability to dodge or deflect further attacks. Blood painted his lips as he looked up to find himself surrounded by the gleaming forms of summoned archangels.
Three of the divine constructs moved to attack from the front in perfect coordination.
This is dire indeed, Gazef thought, his mind racing despite his physical exhaustion. All my men have fallen, though thankfully His Majesty's magic has preserved their lives. But that offers little comfort in my current predicament.
An archangel struck from behind even as he completed this thought. Gazef managed to slice through the divine construct with his enchanted blade, but the frontal assault continued relentlessly. He powered through the pain, destroying another angel, but two more strikes found their mark. The final blow pierced completely through his abdomen, creating matching wounds that gushed crimson life onto the battlefield.
As Gazef collapsed, four archangels hovered above him like harbingers of divine judgment.
"Finish him!" Nigun Grid Luin commanded from his position of safety. "But take no chances—attack with every remaining angel to ensure his destruction!"
The magic casters and their summoned servants began forming a circle of annihilation around the fallen warrior. Gazef slowly pushed himself upright, drawing upon reserves of strength he hadn't known he possessed. In that moment, Alucard's earlier words about his enemies' cowardice echoed in his mind, though he had momentarily forgotten about the crystalline totem resting within his armor.
"I... am... not... finished!" Gazef roared, his voice carrying across the battlefield with startling force. "I am the Chief Warrior of Re-Estize! My heart, my soul, my very existence belongs to this kingdom! I would die a thousand deaths before yielding to the likes of you!"
Nigun's response carried the cold certainty of fanaticism. "Yes, you will die, and your blasphemous tongue will be the cause. Accept reality, Gazef Stronoff—you cannot prevent what comes next. Once we finish with you, those villagers will join you in death. Cease this futile display and submit like the dog you are. As an act of mercy, I will make your end swift."
Something in Gazef's expression shifted, and he began to chuckle. The sound grew into laughter that carried disturbing undertones.
"Is something amusing?" Nigun demanded.
"Yes," Gazef replied, his grin taking on almost feral qualities. "You and your pathetic army. When King Alucard learns of this... what follows will make your worst nightmares seem like pleasant dreams."
Nigun's brow furrowed in confusion. "Attempting to deceive me with fictional threats? There is no monarch by that name. Kill him, my angels—ensure his suffering is memorable."
As the divine constructs prepared their final assault, a familiar voice spoke directly into Gazef's mind.
"I believe it is time for our positions to exchange," Ainz announced with calm authority.
The world dissolved around Gazef, and he found himself standing within the familiar confines of the village storehouse. His wounds remained, but the immediate threat had vanished.
"Where... where am I?" he gasped, disorientation mixing with blood loss.
"Have you forgotten our arrangement so quickly?" Alucard's voice carried gentle amusement.
Gazef turned toward the sound, recognition dawning as he slowly withdrew the crystalline totem from his armor. Understanding flooded his features as he managed a weak smile.
"Well... I'll be damned. I owe you more than I can ever repay."
As consciousness fled from the exhausted warrior, he collapsed. The scene faded to silhouettes as Alucard stood over his fallen friend, a smile of genuine warmth gracing his pale features.
"Rest now, valiant knight. You have fulfilled your duty with honor. Now I shall fulfill mine."
Author's Note: Thank you all for the incredible support and love you've shown this story! I cannot express my gratitude enough. The next chapter will feature significant plot developments and timeline alterations, so stay tuned!