Nate looked at Alucard.
"What are you going to do now?"
Alucard smiled.
Dark energy began surrounding his body.
"Turn this place into a crater."
Nate's eyes widened.
"Yeah, no."
Divine fox fire suddenly erupted around him.
Golden flames spiraled around his body as his energy surged outward.
Kunou immediately recognized the transformation.
"Husband!"
Nate's appearance changed as the power of the Yokai King flooded through him.
His eyes burned with divine golden energy.
The air around him trembled.
The water itself seemed to recoil from the immense power being released.
Nate had entered Yokai King Mode.
Or, as some of the Yokai had started calling him...
King Nate.
Nate slowly raised his sword.
"You're not destroying this place."
Alucard looked at him.
For the first time since leaving the Sea Prison, his smile faded slightly.
"Oh?"
Nate's divine fox fire burned brighter.
"These people are under my protection."
Alucard chuckled.
"Thou hast spirit, young King."
Nate's eyes narrowed.
"I'm not joking."
Alucard's dark energy continued gathering around him.
"Neither am I."
The pressure from Alucard's aura spread throughout the city.
Royal guards immediately began retreating.
Several Ningyo collapsed to their knees just from feeling his presence.
Even though the surrounding water was weakening him, Alucard's aura was still monstrous.
Nate felt it.
'He's still this strong while being weakened by the water?'
Nate's expression became more serious.
'That's bad.'
Alucard took another step forward.
Water splashed against his body.
He winced.
His smile disappeared for half a second.
"...I had forgotten how exceedingly unpleasant this ocean is."
Mangetsu looked at him.
"You're a vampire."
"I am aware."
"And you're standing underwater."
"I am also aware of that."
Mangetsu grinned.
"Then you're kinda screwed."
Alucard slowly turned his head toward her.
"...Your choice of words is most peculiar."
Mangetsu laughed.
Nate almost smiled.
Almost.
Then Alucard's dark energy exploded outward.
BOOOOOOM!
Nate immediately planted his feet.
Divine fox fire surged around him and formed a barrier.
The blast slammed into it.
KRAAAAAASH!
The entire underwater kingdom shook.
Nate was pushed backward several meters.
His feet carved trenches into the stone floor.
Kunou immediately rushed toward him.
"Husband!"
"I'm fine!"
Nate pushed himself upright.
The golden flames around him intensified.
Alucard stared at him.
"Thou survived."
Nate looked at him.
"Was that supposed to kill me?"
Alucard smiled.
"Not yet."
Nate's expression became annoyed.
"Okay, Dracula."
Alucard stopped.
Mangetsu stopped.
Kunou looked at Nate.
Nate realized what he'd just said.
'...Oops.'
Alucard's crimson eyes narrowed.
"How dost thou know that name?"
Nate quickly raised his sword.
"I guessed."
"You guessed?"
"Yeah."
Alucard stared at him.
Nate stared back.
Mangetsu looked between them.
"...That was a terrible lie."
"Thanks, Mangetsu."
"You're welcome."
Alucard's smile returned.
"Curious."
He raised one hand.
Dark energy condensed around his fingers.
"But there shall be time for questions later."
His eyes moved toward the city.
"First, I shall reduce this place to ruins."
Nate's divine fox fire erupted.
"Not happening."
Alucard vanished.
Nate's eyes widened.
'Fast!'
BOOM!
Alucard appeared directly in front of him.
His fist slammed toward Nate's face.
Nate blocked with his sword.
The impact sent a shockwave through the water.
KRAK!
Nate's arms trembled.
'He's ridiculously strong.'
Alucard leaned closer.
"Thou hast strength."
Nate pushed back.
"So do you."
"Indeed."
Nate suddenly grinned.
"But you're forgetting something."
Alucard raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Nate's divine flames erupted between them.
"We're underwater."
Alucard's expression immediately soured.
Nate slammed his palm into Alucard's chest.
"Divine Fox Fire!"
BOOOOOOM!
Golden flames exploded.
Alucard was sent flying backward.
He crashed through several stone pillars before finally stopping.
Mangetsu stared.
"...Oh."
Kunou smiled.
"Husband remembered his advantage."
Nate lowered his hand.
"Yeah."
He looked at Alucard.
"The water is weakening you."
Alucard slowly stood.
His clothes were damaged.
His body was regenerating.
But his expression was noticeably more irritated than before.
"Thou art observant."
Nate pointed his sword at him.
"And you're fighting in the worst possible environment for a vampire."
Alucard looked around.
The ocean surrounded him.
His expression became dark.
"...I had hoped not to notice."
Mangetsu burst out laughing.
Alucard glared at her.
"Cease thy laughter."
"I'm sorry!"
She absolutely wasn't.
Nate took a breath.
The golden flames around his body continued burning.
But there was one problem.
His transformation was already consuming an enormous amount of energy.
'Five minutes.'
He clenched his sword.
'That's all I've got.'
He couldn't afford to waste time.
If Alucard was already this powerful while weakened by the water, Nate couldn't imagine what would happen if the Vampire King escaped onto dry land.
Alucard noticed the change in Nate's expression.
"Thou hast realized something."
Nate looked at him.
"What?"
Alucard smiled.
"Thy power hath a limit."
Nate's eyes narrowed.
Alucard's crimson eyes gleamed.
"Then let us see which of us shall reach his limit first."
Nate raised his sword.
"Deal."
Kunou stepped beside him.
"Then we shall make certain he never reaches the surface."
Alucard smiled.
"Very well."
Dark energy erupted around him again.
"Come then, young King."
Nate's divine fox fire roared.
"Bring it, Dracula."
And deep beneath the Dragon Palace...
The Yokai King and the Vampire King finally clashed.
The two kings moved at the same time.
BOOOOOOM!
Nate and Alucard collided in the middle of the underwater city.
The impact sent a shockwave through the surrounding water, rattling windows and shaking the foundations of nearby buildings.
Nate swung his sword.
Alucard caught the blade with his bare hand.
Nate's eyes widened.
'He caught it?!'
Alucard smiled.
"Thou hast a fine blade."
Nate immediately pulled backward and spun, bringing his leg around.
Alucard blocked the kick with his forearm.
BOOM!
The force sent Alucard sliding backward.
But only a few meters.
Nate stared.
'Okay.'
His grip tightened.
'This isn't going to be easy.'
Alucard looked at his arm.
There was a small mark where Nate's kick had struck.
The wound regenerated almost instantly.
Alucard smiled.
"It hath been many years since I have crossed blades with another monarch."
Nate rushed forward.
"Then consider this a reunion gift!"
He swung downward.
Alucard vanished.
BOOM!
Nate's sword smashed into the ground.
"Where—"
Alucard appeared behind him.
His fist slammed into Nate's back.
KRAAASH!
Nate was launched through a building.
"NATE!"
Kunou immediately started forward.
"Stay back!" Nate shouted.
The ruined building exploded outward.
Nate shot through the debris and slammed into the ground.
He rolled several times before stopping.
His divine fox fire flickered.
Nate slowly stood.
"Okay..."
He wiped some blood from the corner of his mouth.
"That one hurt."
Alucard descended slowly through the water.
"Thou hast endured it."
Nate looked up.
"You hit hard."
"I have had centuries to practice."
Nate suddenly vanished.
Alucard's eyes widened.
BOOM!
Nate appeared directly in front of him and drove his fist into Alucard's stomach.
Alucard bent slightly.
Nate followed with an upward strike.
BAM!
Alucard was launched upward.
Nate chased him.
"Divine Fox Fire!"
Golden flames gathered around his fist.
He struck Alucard in midair.
BOOOOOOM!
The explosion illuminated the entire underwater kingdom.
Alucard crashed through the ceiling of one of the ruined structures.
For a moment, there was silence.
Nate hovered in the water.
His breathing was becoming heavier.
'Four minutes.'
His transformation had already consumed another minute.
Then...
CRACK.
The rubble moved.
Nate's eyes narrowed.
Alucard walked out.
His coat was torn.
Blood flowed down the side of his face.
Then the wound closed.
The Vampire King casually brushed dust from his shoulder.
"Hmm."
Nate stared.
Alucard looked at him.
"That was rather impressive."
Nate's expression dropped.
"You're kidding."
"No."
Alucard smiled.
"Thou hast genuinely impressed me."
Nate sighed.
"That's not what I wanted to hear."
Alucard raised his hand.
Dark energy gathered around his palm.
"Then perhaps this shall be more to thy liking."
The water around Alucard began swirling.
Nate immediately sensed the attack.
'That's bad.'
Alucard released it.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
A massive wave of dark energy surged toward Nate.
Nate crossed his arms.
"Divine Fox Barrier!"
Golden energy formed around him.
The dark blast slammed into the barrier.
KRAAAAAASH!
The barrier began cracking.
Nate's eyes widened.
"Come on..."
Another crack appeared.
CRACK!
Alucard continued pouring energy into the attack.
"Yield."
Nate gritted his teeth.
"No."
"Thou art fighting a battle thou canst not win."
Nate pushed forward.
"Maybe."
His golden flames intensified.
"But I'm not fighting for myself."
The barrier suddenly expanded.
"These people are behind me!"
BOOOOOOM!
Nate broke through the dark energy.
Alucard's eyes widened slightly.
Nate shot forward like a golden comet.
"YOKAI KING—"
His sword ignited with divine fox fire.
"—SLASH!"
SHIIIIING!
The blade struck Alucard across the chest.
Blood scattered into the water.
Alucard was sent flying.
He crashed into the stone wall surrounding the Sea Prison.
The entire structure shook.
Kunou stared.
"Husband!"
Nate landed beside her.
"Still here."
Kunou looked at him.
"Your transformation..."
Nate glanced at the flames around his body.
"They're getting weaker."
Kunou's expression tightened.
"How much time?"
Nate hesitated.
"About three minutes."
Kunou immediately understood.
"We must end this before then."
Nate nodded.
"Yeah."
A laugh echoed from the ruined prison.
Alucard stepped out of the crater.
He looked down at the wound across his chest.
It was already healing.
But something was different.
His expression had changed.
The amusement was gone.
Now he looked genuinely interested.
"So..."
His crimson eyes locked onto Nate.
"Thou art not merely powerful."
Dark energy began gathering around him again.
"Thou possessest resolve."
Nate raised his sword.
"Yeah."
Alucard smiled.
"Excellent."
His aura exploded.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The surrounding water was violently pushed away.
Even Mangetsu's smile disappeared for a moment.
"Whoa."
Kunou immediately summoned her own power.
"Nate..."
"I know."
Nate's divine fox fire roared.
The two kings stared at each other.
Then both disappeared.
BOOM!
Alucard's fist met Nate's sword.
BOOM!
Nate struck with his elbow.
Alucard blocked.
BOOM!
Alucard kicked.
Nate twisted around it.
BOOM!
Nate's sword cut through the water.
Alucard leaned backward, narrowly avoiding the blade.
He countered with a punch.
Nate caught his wrist.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Alucard smiled.
"Thou hast become rather troublesome."
Nate grinned.
"Good."
Alucard suddenly headbutted him.
THUD!
Nate's eyes went wide.
"OW!"
Alucard grabbed him by the collar.
"Thou shouldst not become distracted during battle."
Nate kicked him directly in the chest.
BOOM!
Alucard released him.
Nate spun backward and regained his balance.
He touched his forehead.
"Okay..."
He glared at Alucard.
"That was cheap."
Alucard looked genuinely confused.
"Cheap?"
"You headbutted me!"
"It was effective."
"...I hate how technically correct you are."
Mangetsu started laughing from the side.
"He's got you there!"
Nate shouted toward her.
"You're supposed to be helping him!"
Mangetsu shrugged.
"I'm enjoying the show."
Alucard looked toward her.
"Indeed, thou art most unhelpful."
"Thanks!"
Alucard sighed.
Then he looked back at Nate.
The smile returned.
"Come, young King."
His dark energy surged again.
"Show me whether this age hath produced warriors worthy of surviving it."
Nate's golden flames erupted around him.
His sword rose.
"Gladly."
The two charged again.
And this time Suddenly, a ripple opened in the sky above them.
The water around it distorted as though something had punched a hole through space itself.
Nate immediately looked up.
"What the..."
A single black feather drifted through the ripple.
It slowly descended through the water, completely unaffected by the currents.
Alucard noticed it.
His eyes narrowed.
The feather landed in his hand.
For the first time since his release, Alucard's expression became genuinely serious.
He turned the feather over between his fingers.
'Overseer.'
Mangetsu looked at the feather.
Her grin slowly returned.
"Well, it's time to go."
Nate immediately looked at her.
"What?"
A magical circle suddenly formed beneath Mangetsu and Alucard.
Nate's eyes widened.
"Hey!"
Alucard looked toward Nate.
The Vampire King gave him a calm smile.
"We shall meet again, young King."
Nate immediately rushed forward.
"Stop!"
His sword came into his hand as he accelerated through the water.
Kunou followed behind him.
"Husband!"
Nate swung his sword toward the magical circle.
"You're not getting away!"
The blade was only inches away.
Then the magical circle activated.
FLASH!
Alucard and Mangetsu vanished.
Nate's sword cut through empty water.
He stopped himself before crashing into the ground.
"...Damn it."
Kunou reached him.
"Husband, are you alright?"
Nate lowered his sword.
"Yeah."
He stared at the place where Alucard had disappeared.
His Yokai King Mode suddenly began fading.
The divine fox fire surrounding his body disappeared.
The golden energy dissipated into the water.
Nate's transformed appearance returned to normal.
He took a deep breath.
'Five minutes.'
He looked at his hands.
'And I barely managed to hold him off while he was weakened by the water.'
Nate looked toward the direction of the surface.
'If that really was Alucard at his weakened state...'
His expression became grim.
'Then I seriously don't want to find out what he's like at full power.'
Kunou gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You did well."
Nate sighed.
"I don't feel like I did."
"You protected Ryūgū."
"I also let the guy who was trying to destroy it escape."
Kunou shook her head.
"He was fighting you while being weakened by the sea, and you still forced him to take you seriously."
Nate looked at her.
"...You really think so?"
Kunou smiled.
"I know so."
Nate gave a small smile.
Then his expression changed.
"Wait."
Kunou tilted her head.
"What?"
Nate looked toward the spot where the feather had appeared.
"That feather."
Kunou's expression became serious.
"You recognized it?"
"No."
Nate paused.
'Technically, I did.'
"But Alucard did."
Kunou looked toward him.
"He called it something."
Nate nodded.
"Overseer."
The word hung in the water.
Kunou's ears lowered.
"Do you know what that means?"
Nate shook his head.
"No."
He looked toward the palace.
"But I'm guessing we're going to find out."
Far away, beyond Ryūgū...
The magical circle reappeared.
Mangetsu and Alucard stepped out.
Alucard still held the black feather.
He examined it once more.
"Overseer..."
Mangetsu glanced at him.
"You know them?"
Alucard's expression darkened.
"I know of them."
Mangetsu's smile widened.
"Oh?"
Alucard looked toward the distant horizon.
"Before my imprisonment, there were whispers of beings who watched the world from beyond it."
He closed his hand around the feather.
"Yet I had believed such tales to be nothing more than superstition."
Mangetsu giggled.
"Guess you were wrong."
Alucard looked at her.
"Apparently."
He glanced back toward the direction of Ryūgū.
"And apparently, the world hath become considerably more interesting during my absence."
Mangetsu laughed.
"Welcome back, Vampire King."
Alucard smiled.
"Indeed."
His crimson eyes glowed.
"Welcome back, indeed."
To be continue
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