Blood Awakening: The Strongest Hybrid and His Vampire Bride

Chapter 186: Dinner With an Ancestor Vampire

Not long after Nikolai began to read the books on the shelf, someone knocked on the door and quickly guided him to the dining room.

Nikolai walked along the mansionʼs corridors while he looked at the beautiful paintings decorating the walls. Nikolai felt as if this was the middle of a fantasy world. He couldnʼt believe that the mansion was real. But it was.

”Lord Nikolai.”

”Yes?”

”Please, come inside.” Gladys bowed with a gentle smile, her hands spread out while looking at the ground, with her silver hair cascading over her right shoulder, revealing her pale neck.

When he entered the dining room, a lavish feast awaited him. He noticed a handsome yet strange-looking male, different from the previous Nosferatu heir, with a horrid face without hair.

The elderly male, with a rather dapper look, smirked at Nikolai. With long black hair and deep red eyes, hidden by his sunken dark rings underneath them.

A beautiful female Nosferatu sat beside the male; her eyes were deep red, and her dark skin was contrasting with the pearly white fangs. She smiled at Nikolai. A white ribbon tied back her hair as she smiled at him. Of course, it was Mikaela who looked extremely pale, like a porcelain doll.

”Greetings, Lord Alucard and Miss Mikaela.” Nikolaiʼs awkward greeting caused them to look amused, and the male Nosferatu chuckled. He said, ”It has been a long time since weʼve been addressed by a young vampire so respectfully, isnʼt it?”

Mikaela smiled and replied, ”Yes, My Lord.”

Although married, the pair looked like a couple plucked from a thousand years ago, their beautiful clothes, like a medieval noble gown and dress. The maleʼs attire had a detailed embroidery pattern, and Mikaelaʼs dress looked like it came from a fairy tale. Nikolai couldnʼt believe that vampires wore those types of clothes.

”Please, sit down.” Alucard smiled and motioned Nikolai to sit in front of him. Nikolai nodded and sat down.

”Let us introduce ourselves first.” Alucard said while his red eyes stared at the boy.

Nikolai looked at the pair with doubtful eyes. He felt quite uncomfortable at first, but the table looked different from how he had imagined. A human-style feast, with various wines, likely blood wine. There was plenty of food available on the table.

ʼI thought they didnʼt have human food...ʼ

ʼNo, rather I thought I would be eating alone; itʼs a little strange to eat with two strangers.ʼ

”I am the former patriarch and ruler of the Nosferatu clan, an Ancestral vampire that served the family for over two thousand years.” Alucardʼs low voice echoed and carried a sense of elegance only a noble might have. The old manʼs words gave Nikolai a feeling of respect.

ʼAn Ancestor grade monster?! Iʼve only just learned about them. Long-lived vampires who carry the legacy of their bloodline with both great power and wisdom. Yet why did the new heir push him away? This is different from what I read...ʼ

”Oh? You look confused young Báthory.”

ʼAh... he knows well.ʼ

”Could you tell, Lord Alucard?”

”Alucard is fine—your mother was like a niece to me, treating me comfortably while in private. Nikolai.” The ancestor vampire carried a powerful aura, his voice carrying the weight that made Nikolai realise his shallow thoughts about the monster world. ”—also, in your battles, I saw the similarities with your mother. Her unique way of fighting, avoiding attacks as if she could see them.” He chuckled. ”You have mastered that skill it would seem.”

ʼI do not dare interrupt... even if I want to.ʼ

Nikolai felt the weight and danger of accepting this request, and the fact his mother remained silent also made him understand the severity of this current situation.

”Do not look so worried, you may act as you wish. If I was a bitter old man, would that rude pest be the current patriarch?” Alucard chuckled as he gazed at the darkened window, showing the cloudy sky outside.

Mikaela sat silently beside him, her hands covered by the white tablecloth on the table while looking at Nikolai; he was confused about whether to speak out loud.

However, since Alucard said so twice, he accepted the old manʼs offer.

”Understood, Alucard. But if I insult or offend you, please let me know.” Nikolai reached out and took the crystal glass into his hand, filled with deep red liquid; it smelled sweet yet metallic, like blood.

[It seems this old man hasnʼt changed. Heʼs so confusing and acts like he knows everything!]

Nikolai felt amazed to hear his mother speak with such a childish tone. Her usual refined voice and eloquence had faded for a moment.

ʼI never expected mother to be so cute...ʼ

”You should speak freely like your mother. She has always been like this—her childlike attitude and playfulness caused many to gasp and worry for her future. All because of her naughty personality.” Alucardʼs gaze flicked towards Nikolaiʼs upper right shoulder, where his motherʼs illusory figure hovered, and a sudden thought flicked through Nikolaiʼs mind.

ʼMaybe these two people, or at least Alucard, can see and hear mother?ʼ

[What?! Thereʼs no way this sneaky old man would hear my voice. Nikolai, donʼt be stupid!]

”Hohoho... Little Elizabeth, did you forget asking this old man for a diamond mine for your ninth birthday?”

Alucardʼs sudden words caused the entire table to freeze over, Mikaelaʼs hands holding the silver cutlery clanged, while Nikolai almost spat out the sweet, fruity wine in his mouth.

Cough.

His coughs caused Alucard to chuckle once more—however, he did not help and continued watching the scene unfold.

”Ack...” The dry sound escaped his lips. His face contorted in pain. It felt like hot water burned down his throat. ”How did you hear my mothers voice?”

[Nikolai, This old man can hear Momʼs voice! Donʼt believe his sneaky lies... he never got me that mine!]

The illusory figure floated closer to him; a hand touched his chin and turned it left and right while examining him.

”This old man has lived for a very long time. Heʼs one of the strongest creatures known to exist in this world... So, who knows? Maybe it is just something that comes naturally to all-powerful monsters.” A wide smile formed on the old manʼs lips. However, he was a handsome elderly male with a soft-looking pale complexion.

”What?” Nikolai became curious.

The last part of his sentence resonated in Nikolaiʼs mind, causing him to become even more inquisitive.

ʼHmm, are they truly able to speak across realms or realities? Or maybe my mothers connected to him somehow.ʼ

[Neither! Itʼs because he is a master necromancer. Do you think their family wouldnʼt notice an idle spirit?]

”Oh? Your mother revealed one of the secrets I possess, but it doesnʼt matter. Iʼm aware that your mother became this way all because of the past and that event. And as the heir to the Báthory Clan, you must be aware of my true nature, anyway.”

”Is it alright for me to know this, our families... we could become enemies.”

Mikaelaʼs face looked paler than usual.

However, she gazed between Alucard and Nikolai with a strange expression, her lips parted and eyes constantly switching between open wide and narrowed.

”Are you confused, Mika? Did you think I summoned the boy for nefarious means?”

”Ah... darling.... I...”

Alucardʼs true purpose seemed unknown to Mikaela until now.

She looked at Nikolai and then squinted her eyes as if trying to read a tiny print on the back of a contract. ”Is that figure, her?” She asked Alucard, her mouth opening wide in shock.

ʼYou arenʼt wrong.ʼ

Nikolai smiled wryly as he noticed his motherʼs expression darken from within his peripheral vision. Before Alucard stroked Mikaelaʼs hair,

”Thatʼs correct. Itʼs her, she is currently giving a rude gesture to you.” His calm voice answered his wifeʼs question.

”I see...” She whispered. Although her words were quiet, Nikolai heard them and considered what they might want and the reason for him reaching out.

ʼLetʼs just ask and see what they want from me.ʼ

”Why did you want to bring me here and tell me all of this?”

”After dinner, Nikolai. Itʼs rude to speak business while eating—we are not barbarians.”

”Of course,” he replied and began to eat, although hesitatingly, he used his spoon and dug into the softest meat he ever tasted. With each bite, he enjoyed the meal, savouring the food and sipping wine whenever the flavour of one dish overpowered his senses.

ʼDamn I want to be super rich...ʼ

[Ah... my Nikolai is becoming a Capitalist?!]

ʼMoney makes the world go round.ʼ

The strange exchange between mother and son caused Alucard to smile while watching their interactions. He could only hear half the words, but because of Elizabethʼs personality, he could lightly guess the kinds of things Nikolai thought. Experience new tales on m v|l eʼ-

After some time, the plates became clean, and only a few empty bottles of blood remained on the table.

”So, tell me... why did you invite me to join you during dinner?”

There was a moment of pause before Alucardʼs lips curled into a smirk—he then stood from the table and gestured towards the opposite door that Nikolai entered earlier.

ʼHmmm... it seems strange to offer that door.ʼ

”Come, follow me to my office for an after-dinner discussion.”

”Yes, Sir.” The mention of a room named office made Nikolai tense up. Every movie he ever watched appeared before him. Images of an older man using their power over a younger male to force them to do something sinister.

Or tricking them into an unfair contract began to play through his mind.

Even though this wasnʼt a life or death issue, it made Nikolai feel uncomfortable.

ʼWell, this old man hasnʼt done anything so far. I can listen to his words and he seems to know my mother better than I thought.ʼ