With only the slightest of sounds, a butler entered the room of the House of Alciel's True Ancestor, Alcor. Some would liken his silent movements to an assassin's, but the butler believed that it was important to carry out all tasks as quietly as possible so as to not distract one's master.
Even so, the grey-haired old gentleman that the butler came to serve wasn't someone who would remain unaware of his every move. A natural-born nightwalker's appearance was related to their mental age and disposition. However, looking old wasn't a sign of weakness, but of wisdom and experience. Unless one wanted to be mocked, the only vampires who could take on an elderly appearance were those alive around the time that the vampire faction was established. Additionally, just because they looked old didn't mean that they weren't still monsters with strength only below the Demon King's.
"First Lord, your tea."
The butler parked the cart beside the table that the ancestor sat at, and poured him a cup of tea. The old man, with sharp eyebrows and clear eyes that defied the expectation of aging, glanced at the butler with his dull red eyes. Others, including his own descendants, would break into a cold sweat at that glance, but the butler was unfazed. The butler gently slid the tea cup along with its saucer towards the ancestor, and then took two steps back. The old man reached for the cup and took a light sip before putting it down. The atmosphere seemed relaxed, like nothing could go wrong, but one question from the old man changed that.
"Jeffrey, why have you chosen to betray us?"
It was a shocking question, especially when one considered Jeffrey's outstanding work ethic. However, neither of them had any doubt.
In fact, with a faint smile, the butler responded, "So the poison didn't work, I suppose that's to be expected from a True Ancestor."
The fearlessness that used to please Alcor, quickly became irritating. He swung his hand, unleashing a spell that tore through space. This attack would certainly be enough to damage the current Duke Alciel, but the butler had evaded it effortlessly.
In a carefree manner, the butler spoke, "Oh dear, First Lord. Shouldn't you be trying extract some information before you slice me to ribbons?"
"Hmph, I can already deduce that you came from the resistance. As long as I capture your soul I can send you to Alucard for him to find out the rest."
"True Ancestor Alucard? Indeed, it would be dangerous if an expert in Soul Magic like him got a hold of me. I suppose it's time I make my exit."
Suddenly, the butler changed from a middle-aged gentleman to a young man with a mysterious charm, and then that figure became vague.
"Stop right there!"
Within an instant, the true ancestor summoned ten spears made from dark magic and fired them at the former butler's vanishing figure. As spatial manipulation was a delicate process, stopping him for even a second would be enough to hold him back. However, nothing could be done in this case because it was already too late.
All of the spears reached their target, but at the tip of the spears was not blood, only fragments. As if a strong force had met an immovable wall, the spear tips shattered after colliding with the body of the one substituting for the butler.
Beneath the short sleeves of his top, were thick forearms that had been toned for battle. He had a casual yet responsible aura, like an ideal older brother, but Alcor knew not to be fooled by his reasonably harmless appearance. Especially considering the entrance he pulled off.
In addition to the barrier that protected the capital, there were also barriers around this house and around the room, so Alcor wasn't sure how he was able to bypass all of them.
He asked, "How did you enter here? It should be impossible."
To which the intruder responded, "To accomplish the impossible, sounds like something my master would do."
Alcor raised an eyebrow at the mention of a 'master', but he wasn't scared. He tapped the floor with his feet, and with that signal the room expanded into seemingly infinity.
"I don't know who your master is, but he must not put me in his sight if he only sent you here."
On one side was True Ancestor Alcor of House Alciel. The one known to be the current strongest mage of Lambda.
On the other side was Brad, familiar of Sir Elios, leader of the resistance. A man who aimed to be the second strongest in the world.
Brad understood that this was an uphill battle, so he quickly brought out the golden sigils which marked his body. Compared to in the past, the sigils seemed dull, but they hid a terrifying amount of power.
"That's not true," Brad said, "Master places so much importance on you that he sent me to entertain you. Unfortunately, we don't have much time so I'll need to be quick."
As soon as he recognized the sigils on Brad's body, Alcor narrowed his eyes and finally stood up.
"An ascetic, I see. To get a high noble such as myself so enthused, I hope you don't end up being a disappointment."
The two faced each other with calm expressions, but the battle had already begun. Countless scenarios of feints, surprise attacks and counterattacks went through their minds before Brad made the first move. He pounced at Alcor like a charging bull, but he found himself surrounded by dark spears by the time he was in front of him. Even so, Brad thrusted his fist, pushing past the spears that blocked him.
When he finished extending his fist, Alcor had already teleported behind him, but the burst of force from Brad's punch smashed the tear in space that Alcor left behind. Leaving traps made of ripped space was a standard trick of spatial mages, so Brad had talked to Jeanne about them. However, instead of trying the counteract it with magic, Brad decided to focus on strengthening himself. This wasn't just because of pride.
Gaining sigils was proof that one had made their own path in the art of armed or unarmed combat. It required enlightenment as well as a vision for the future. This vision would dedicate the strength and abilities of your sigils and you could never change it. Just attempting to change your vision could cripple you, therefore Brad had to stick to path he chose no matter what.
Alcor had failed to wound him with his first tactic, but they were still in the testing phase. Right as Brad turned around to face him, black vortexes appeared on his left and his right while gravity slammed down on him. Alcor used Abyss to rip him apart, but with a burst of golden light Brad ducked and unleashed a sweeping kick with a radius of ten metres. Brad felt a few moments of resistance, but he pushed through all of them.
The kick was perfectly executed, but Alcor had escaped it by floating in the air with his hands behind his back. After those three tests, he had pinned down on Brad's vision.
"Endurance and Resilience. It seems capturing you will be difficult. Still, this might be a fun experiment."
For the first time in several decades, True Ancestor Alcor smiled. He then straightened his back, and a touch of colour returned to his hair. As he showed off his white fangs and bright red eyes, Brad returned him a smirk and a brazen expression.
Brad's master had eventually decided to send him because he was the strongest of his familiars and was tough enough to take a hit from Chaos with minimal injuries, but he forgot to consider one crucial detail. He allowed one battle junkie to meet another.