Narrator's POV:
*Betty's dazed*
"Betty... Believe thyself. Hereafter, thou shalt attain answers whom thou yearn for so long."
- Claudius reassures her in a gentle and heartwarming way.
After hearing Claudius words, Betty gone speechless for a moment and blushes slightly.
. . .
"I will... Thank you, Claudius."
- Betty replied in an emotional and touched by Claudius's words.
. . .
Claudius heard Betty's response and he smiled.
. . .
Many minutes have passed, daybreak has come to its peak. Sun rises over the boundless horizon and shines brightly throughout every corner of the entire Capital.
*chattering noises of the Imperial Guards at the Gate*
People starts performing their work as they all enthusiastically head to their workplace as today is a new day to start a whole new day.
. . .
"Sir, may I humbly request what merchandise contained in your caravan? Also, wouldn't you mind if we ask what route you'll be taking for the your goods? Can you elaborate your answers in an organize manner?"
- Knight (1) ask respectively.
The merchant paused for a moment when he heard the Guard's question, and he then answered afterwards.
"My merchandise are mostly human's basic needs in everyday life like fruits, vegetables, spices, salt, wheat, sugar, and etc. The destination; the neighboring villages between Barren Lands and Lantis Mountains."
- the merchant immediately responded without any sheer of hesitation.
"I see."
- Knight (1) said as he scribbles on his note.
"By the way Sir, I hate to intrude but aren't you gonna hire some mercenaries? You see, the conflict between the Moniyan Empire and the Barren Lands are still on its peak. Travelling without any escort will leave your life at stake, especially you, yourself is heading down to the Lantis Mountain where demons have nested."
- Knight (2) said frankly.
*the merchant listens*
"Ahah! Fret not, dear soldiers as I, have already been warned by the dangers that lingers of my path for such a long time."
- the merchant said boldly.
"Then, why did you still continue knowing the perils along your path? It would cost you your life, Sir."
- Knight (3) said while Knight (1) keeps scribbling on his paper.
"Danger is a terrifying thing to face, especially for a mere merchant like me, but as a merchant also whose life have dedicated in this type of things, I, too, can't bare to see people who are in need of my bargains."
- the merchant explains.
*knights are listening*
"Being a merchant is not just about money and adventures, it's all about sustaining the needs of the people from afar...."
- the merchant said with pride.
. . .
"Whose merchant wouldn't feel delighted upon seeing their customers happy after you sustained their necessities of their every day living in such drastic place?"
- the merchant said with honor and pride.
*knights are speechless*
"Of course you'll be willing to risk your life about it.... Ahahah!... But I know not all merchants like me though, most are schemers and greedy... But can we control them? That's how the world goes, there are always good and bad sides of everything!"
- the merchant said enthusiastically.
. . .
*a moment of silence*
. . .
"About hiring mercenaries? In some thought, it would be a best asset for me also, but I guess Imma pass on that for now... If your gonna ask the reason... I, too, doesn't know either! Ahahah!"
- the merchant said hysterically.
*the imperial guards of the gate are wondering and confused*
As the merchant kept on talking towards the guards, Alucard feel a little impatient inside the caravan.
"D*mn that b*ttchin man! Stop blabbering and keep moving!"
- Alucard impatiently wondered as he faintly tap his finger inside a crate in a repititve manner.
. . .
- - - - - Meanwhile - - - - -
( after the inspection )
"Alright sir! We're done inspecting the Caravan! This baby here is secure and permitted to set off!"
- Knight (5) signals other Knights infront of the Merchant.
*other knights on the front listens*
. . .
*sigh*
"Alright! That's great to hear then! ... Mister, you've heard our men, you're ready to go."
- Knight (1) said as he give the merchant a slip indicating like... ya'know, a receipt or something like he's permitted to leave the Capital.
"Aaawhhh... I still have lots to share about my journey but oh well, business comes first than nonsense blabbering."
- the merchant said in an upset way.
. . .
"But anyway, thank you for listening and I'm on my way now... See ya again, folks!"
- the Merchant bids farewell to them.
- - - Inside the Caravan - - -
"Finally! It's done!"
- Alucard blissfully wondered.
The caravan where Alucard used as a transportation finally made its move down to the Lantis Mountain, a place where pure evil and corruption of the Abyss has been stalled for many, many, many years by its great mountain ranges whose purpose is to forbids the darkness from spreading throughout the continent.
*sound of rolling wheels of the caravan*
. . .
- - - At Wertz's Household - - -
"Plushies! Plushies!"
- Fanny said in an enjoyed tone of her voice.
*Fanny looked up to him*
"Bro-dah! Bro-dah! Thank you! Thank you!"
- Fanny gratefully said as she smiles greatly due to souvenir she received.
*Tigreal slightly smiled*
"Glad you like it, little sister."
- Tigreal said as he pats Fanny's head.
Fanny embraces her Core Guard Plushy so much. As for Tigreal, he felt relieved after seeing his little sister being happy.
But it doesn't last long until he glance on the Plushy where it reminded him about his mentors back at Castle Aberleen before the tragedy happened.
*saddened Tigreal*
He firmly grasp his fist and grit because of the mistakes he have made during the mission and also, he remembered his arrogant words and such which made his happiness of seeing his sister replaced by guilt.
*firm grip*
. . .
Tigreal didn't talk nor move in his position. Fanny stopped hugging her Plushy and give a joyful expression to her brother but the moment she looked up and sees her brother....
*Tigreal's depressed expression*
Fanny's cheerfully expression slowly replaced by wonder, seeing her eldest brother feel a little down.
"Bro-dah?"
- Fanny called.
". . ."
- Tigreal didn't talk.
Fanny called his brother but it seems her brother didn't hear anything she have said.
She look closely to her brother and she saw that Tigreal is gritting, and his eyes are trembling. As Fanny kept on looking at him, she faintly heard a gripping sound from his hand.
Fanny focused his attention to her big brother's hand and she noticed that it's trembling as well.
*concerned Fanny*
Fanny didn't know anything about guilt and fear as she's still young, and all she ever knew is happiness.
*smiled*
Thus, she smiles and embraces her saddened brother.
*hug!*
*Tigreal gasps*
"Fanny, loves bro-dah! Bro-dah's the best!"
- Fanny excitedly said as she hugs her brother.
Tigreal's surprised of his little sister's actions. He couldn't talk or react of his little sister.
While Fanny kept on hugging his brother, Tigreal remembered a memory back at Castle Aberleen.
- - - - - Flashback - - - - -
"Aren't you gonna buy something for your little sister? You know, kids love souvenirs too ya know?"
- Zemislav said.
- - - - - Flashback Ends - - - - -
After Tigreal remembered what his mentor used to ask him during the mission, he smiled and lowered down, and he gently pat his sister's head.
*pat*
*surprised Fanny*
Fanny seemed surprised of her brother's sudden petting. She look to her brother's face and she saw that her brother's face is crying.
*wondering Fanny*
"Bro... Bro-dah why are you cryi-"
- Fanny worriedly ask.
Before Fanny finishes her sentence, Tigreal immediately hugged her. The girl seemed confused of Tigreal's actions but then....
"I'm glad you loved my present, my dear little sister."
- Tigreal said as his tears continue falling on his cheeks.
". . ."
- Fanny's confused.
*Fanny smiled*
"Yeah! Fan-nie loves big bro-dah's present so, so, so much!! Thank you, bro-dah!"
- Fanny cheerfully replied.
Fanny hugged back her brother without knowing the real reason of his brother's sudden tears.
Fanny thought that her brother cried because he was glad about giving her a present, but she didn't know that Tigreal's tears resembling burden, and lamentations during the loss of his mentors and his unit back when he's on a mission.
*drip* *drop*
*sobbing of Tigreal*
. . .
- - - - - Outside the Capital - - - - -
The caravan where Alucard aboarded, moves in a constant speed.
*horses galloping*
At that moment, Alucard decided to get out of the crate where he used to hide and decided to look the place.
"Woah! Is this what it looks like outside the Capital?? It's f*ck*ngly amazing!!!"
- Alucard said while mesmerized from what he saw.
*breathing the fresh air*
"So this is the countryside which my papa used to tell during his travels!"
- Alucard said in excitement.
"I didn't expect it would be as peaceful than that of the Capital... *inhale*... Less population... Abundant of fresh air... The place is filled with green environment... grassland type animals scatter around the area... And... *exhale*... Everything are all moving freely out here."
- Alucard said as he embraces the environment.
. . .
*a moment of silence*
As the young boy kept on gazing throughout his surroundings, a memory of his started to flash on his mind.
- - - - - Flashback - - - - -
( At Night time at their House's Roof deck )
While Alucard and Zemislav peacefully gaze at the night skies, and talking some of Zemislav's adventures, Alucard's all hyped.
"Woah! Is that how it looks like at the countryside Papa? That's so cool!"
- Alucard said as his words filled with excitement.
"Oh heck yeah, son! Countryside is as good as Capital you used to know! But the thing is, the populace is kinda lesser than here in this capital though."
- Zemislav said and his tone is slightly filled with disappointment.
*pft!*
"Who cares about population?? I wanna live where I can hear the sounds of nature at most! Not some nonsense chattering and yelling early in the morning. Pweeh!"
- Alucard said with a pouty expression.
*Zemislav burst into laughter*
. . .
As Zemislav laugh at his son's words, Alucard utters something which caught his attention.
"I wish the human population reduces half of its population...."
- Alucard curses.
*Zemislav didn't say any words*
. . .
After hearing his son's wishes, Zemislav took a moment to look at his son.
. . .
*pat!*
"Hey? Hey? Don't be like that, ya'know? It's bad for you to say those things, especially for a little fella like you."
- Zemislav said in an approachable and sincerest way as possible.
"But papa! I hate people being noisy! Especially when it's early in the morning!"
- Alucard reacted as he maintained his grumpy expression.
"Ahahaha! You really doesn't want anyone to disturb your peaceful nap eh, son?"
- Zemislav ask with a funny expression.
"*pft!* I'll bet you won't forgive anyone who dares to destroy your sleep, especially when you were having a great moment where you're having a great dream."
- Alucard said as grumpy than before.
"Ahahah! Of course I am, son! Who wouldn't be mad when someone tries to disturb your nap?"
- Zemislav burst into laughter as he replied to Alucard's statement.
"See? I told you! Old man!"
- Alucard pompously said.
*Zemislav's shocked*
"Hey??! What the f*ck??! Who were you calling Old Man??!"
- Zemislav blurted, funnily.
. . .
"*hmph!* I wish I'll live in a place where my surroundings are filled with nature and such... As long as it won't disturb my peaceful slumber."
- Alucard said as he acts a little grumpy.
*Zemislav looked at him again*
. . .
*smile*
"Well, since you love spending around with peaceful, and quiet place... Heheh! I'll bet you'll going to like Azyrya."
- Zemislav said as he wink on him.
*Alucard's curious*
"Az... Azyrya?"
- Alucard repeated the word with a confused tone of his voice.
"Yes.. you heard it right, son."
- Zemislav said as he swipe his nose because of confidence.
"What's.. that place, papa?
- Alucard curiously ask.
"Azyrya is a place of the Elves where they lived in harmony with nature. Their place is surrounded by nature most of the time. But you know son, the best among all there is; during night time where Moon shines brightly."
- Zemislav narrates and imagined the place as he speaks.
*Alucard listens*
"That is the place wherein, when night time has fallen, the place becomes majestic! Everything in there will surely become what you've imagined."
- Zemislav praises.
"Woah!! Really papa?? Like... I can see glowing trees, or... or... See many fireflies there?"
- Alucard mesmerically said.
*Zemislav pat his son*
"Yes, son!! Once you go there or get a chance to explore in that place, surely, you'll make your dreams come true! And... *smile*... If ever fate is surely at your favor, you'll meet someone whom you'll treasure for your entire being."
- Zemislav said as sincere as he could've said.
*Alucard observes*
. . .
- - - - - Flashback Ends - - - - -
. . .