However, since Ashton had blocked the area linking the cave with fields, it would take them a while to reach him. Which was perfect as it gave Ashton an ample amount of time to deactivate his genes to avoid raising any suspicion.
"I'll see you guys later," Ashton mumbled before hastily cancelling [Valhalla] and reverting back to being a werewolf.
Just as his summons were absorbed back into his shadow, the rubble was thrown away and Alucard stood there along with Griffin and his elite warriors. The gruesome scene they saw in front of them, took their minds off of Ashton.
Griffin and the soldiers immediately jumped inside and began investigating the corpses of the fallen trolls and mermen. The grassy green fields have been turned red and blue with all the blood and gore spread all over the place.
"What in tarnation happened here?" Griffin mumbled softly, "Just what could have caused this mess?"
There was no answer to his question as none of them had entered the field before him.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Forget about them, look for the kid first. We can't let him die due to our own failures." Alucard instructed them.
The soldier nodded and deeper inside. They did not have to look far for Ashton. He was right there, on his knees, drenched in his blood.
In front of him was someone that had the appearance of a human, yet all of them were sure she was no human. Not with the demonic wing protruding from her back.
Alucard followed them but was investigating some things on his own. Being a vampire well-versed in the art of dark magic, he could sense the traces of... something weird. It was as if someone had summoned a bunch of creatures that should not exist in their plane of existence.
In other words, someone there had been summoning the dead. At least that's what he could infer based on what he was seeing and sensing around the area.
That being said, he doubted anyone else could have the knowledge or the ability to summon the darkest creatures from the bowels of hell and manage to control them. Something even Lord Dracula is said to have difficulty in accomplishing.
'Hm... while I have seen some people utilising necromancy to raise skeleton soldiers, that's the extent of what a necromancer can pull off despite investing years and years of their life into mastering such a useless skill.' Alucard thought.
While in their golden age, merely having the knowledge of necromancy was considered to be the greatest treasure someone could stumble across. That being said, necromancers weren't known to spread their knowledge to others.
As they were afraid their importance and status would take a hit if more people were to master the art of necromancy. This was one of the biggest reasons why after the first wave of necromancers disappeared, so did their prestige.
The few who still practice necromancy were nothing less than a pitiful shadow of the ones who gave birth to Necromancy.
While Alucard took his sweet time to arrive there, Griffin and his soldiers surrounded the maiden. Despite that, the maiden seemed unaffected by them and had her attention focused on Ashton only. That being said, it didn't seem like she was going to attack him either.
"Are you alright Bismark?" Griffin asked Ashton while standing in front of him.
"More or less." Ashton replied, "What took you guys so much time?"
"There was a barrier- I'll explain it later. First, tell us about everything you know about this... headless creature."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Sorry to disappoint you captain, but I'm just as clueless as you are." Ashton mumbled while slowly forcing himself back to his feet, "Being in this dungeon would make one lose his sanity. I sliced her head off, only for her to grab it like a lantern and start shrieking."
He continued, "She didn't stop. Not till I got to the condition that I am standing in now. She even killed those creatures that were trying to protect her. That's the only information I know of."
Griffin nodded and realised there was something weird going on in the dungeon. From the trolls running out of the dungeon to the barrier, everything felt a bit off. But at least they had an answer to why there were so many mangled corpses scattered all over the place.
However, there was one issue. How were they supposed to kill someone if she was still alive despite getting decapitated? Could they even do something against her?
"There's only one way to know. Everyone, listen up!" Griffin roared at the top of his lungs, "target that head the creature is holding. Snatch it away from her. Judging by how close she's keeping the head to herself, it's probably the only weakness she has."
Ashton nodded. He was thinking the same thing. If the head wasn't important to her, then there was no reason for the maiden to keep it so close to her. Although he didn't know what could he possibly do with the head, burning it should be a good start.
Griffin had not ordered Ashton to do anything, but Ashton wasn't someone who would allow someone else to take what he wants. However, before anyone could make a move, someone special finally decided to participate in the fight.
"Ah, so you might be the reason for all the dark aura I've been feeling ever since I entered this forsaken place." Alucard mumbled absent-mindedly when he saw the maiden, "Griffin, take everyone and retreat. I wouldn't forgive myself if I end up absorbing any of your souls."
"You're gonna use Aetherius again?" Griffin inquired.
"It would be a shame to let these many souls go waste, wouldn't it?" Alucard smiled as he walked up to Ashton, "You are a unique gem, Ashton Bismark. I don't often say this, but I am jealous that Jonathan found someone like you before I did. Now go, before these words fill up your head."
As soon as he said that, the black sword once again appeared over Alucard's head, absorbing the souls of all the creatures that had been killed inside the dungeon. But that was all Ashton could see as Griffin pulled him out of the dungeon as Alucard had ordered.