Alucard arrived at his room, looking at the door leading to the training chambers it was already opened with Touka standing in the way. Seeing him she bowed and walked inside clearing the way for him to enter, inside the room Nyx sat on the ground visibly bored, while Talia looked over the Clementine and Lottus. The Lich was still wearing the same clothes as before and even all this time in a cell he still had that same smell as before.
"Alucard-sama." Clementine greeted, taking a graceful bow
"It's been some time, Lottus." the vampire remarked
"Indeed. I would like to apologize for the ignorance I showed you when we first met, Alucard-sama." the Lich replied, with a respectful bow
"I see, Neuronist did good work on you."
"Yes. She enlightened me." even all this time a chill ran down Lottus back every time she was mentioned
Neuronist had been extremely devoted in his "education", in her words she had taken "special care" in order to show him the greatness of the Supreme Beings. Even is Lottus mind was strong, she had a way of working around such things, the process had been long and painful but in the end, he accepted his place within Nazarik. At this point he couldn't imagine doing anything else, so fruitful had been his "education".
"First of all, do you two know about lizardmen?"
"I have read of them." Lottus replied
"I have seen them~ And killed some of them." Clementine replied, with a chuckle
"We are currently in the middle of a conflict with them. After an initial loss, we will now try something subtler, that is why I called you here. Does anyone know of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?" no one replied, but from their expression Alucard could tell that they did not
"We apologize, for our ignorance." Talia replied, speaking for all who were present
"The first one is Conquest, who rides a white horse. Second came War, on a red horse. Followed by Famine, on a black horse. Finally, came Death on a pale horse. We will be taking on those roles when we meet the lizardmen."
"Acting~? That sounds boring…" Clementine muttered, causing the deadly gazes of the Brides to fall on her
"Is that so? It takes a certain kind of subtlety to be able to act, specially under such circumstances." Alucard remarked
"Alucard-sama, if I may. This woman is clearly unbalanced." Lottus pointed out, she laughed at his statement
"I didn't bring you here to discuss such things, or to offer you a choice in the matter, I simply need you to stand there while I speak."
"Then, I will be taking the role of Conquest. Lottus you will be Famine. Clementine will be War…" Alucard stopped, still thinking of who will be the final horseman
"Nyx, what do you think?" Alucard looked back at his Bride, who had been on her feet since he began to speak
"I will do my best, Alucard-sama." she replied
"I'm sure you will." he said, with a warm smile causing her to blush slightly
"I will inform you of the plan, tomorrow. For now, you are dismissed, go back and rest I want all of you at a 100% come tomorrow."
Lottus, Clementine and his Brides left soon after, Alucard stayed for some time in the training room still thinking about how he would do things tomorrow, he wanted things to go as smooth as possible for both sides.
Some time passed and even after spending so much time in bed, Alucard couldn't help but lay on it pondering the task he had decided to take on. Soon enough he heard the door opening, sitting back up he tried to give the lock as if he hadn't been laying lazily on the bed, however he still was sitting in the middle of it. The new arrivals were Talia and Touka, Nyx was missing which Alucard couldn't help but think of as strange.
"Where's Nyx?"
"She's with Mare-sama." Touka replied, prompting Alucard to raise an eyebrow at her
"I believe she has taken a liking to Mare-sama, given his nature." Talia explained
"I see." he replied, still pondering on this "liking" thing, Nyx may look and act like a child but she was far from one
"Tomorrow should be a big day, you two should get some rest." Alucard suggested, even if the idea of them needing rest was questionable
The Brides exchanged uneasy looks as if they wanted to say something that could get them in trouble. Noticing this Alucard was unsure of what to do, it was rare to see them like this, many times they would just speak their mind knowing perfectly that what they might say may anger him.
"…Talia is worried, Alucard-sama." Touka finally spoke out, their master's gaze went to the oldest of the Brides
"You may speak freely, I will listen." he informed, in a reassuring tone
"I believe Alucard-sama is trying to hide it…but I am worried by your expression…" Talia said, pausing as if the words were painful to form
Alucard did not react, holding back the urge to put a hand up to his face in order to check it by himself, he wondered what she was talking about, he was certain his expression was normal.
"I believe she is talking about when you returned to the room to speak with those two. You did look a bit angry, there was even some glow in your eyes." Touka added
"N-Now it has subsided but it's still there…" Talia said
Now knowing of what they were mentioning Alucard was dumbfounded. Indeed, he was less than happy to know that he was still under the influence of Downfall of Castle and Country. When he spoke with Ainz, he had to hold himself back for fear of attacking him which had even caused his right hand to shake as if a nervous twitch. After that he was certain he had maintained perfect composure not letting any of his true feelings show, but it seems like even his best of efforts couldn't get pass his Brides, how did they know him so well?
"I was hoping no one would notice…" Touka quietly interrupted him
"I think it was just the two of us." that fact was somewhat reassuring
"…I also don't wish to discuss this. Tomorrow will be an important day, I don't want to be stressed going into it."
He was expecting some bow or some act of apology from them, since they did make him speak of something he had no wish to even mention. Their reaction was the same as when they entered, they exchanged uneasy looks and moved to his sides, Touka to his right and Talia to his left, had the situation been different he would be certain they were trying to corner him.
"Y-Yes…We also would like to speak about that." Talia said, with her head hung low
"About what?" Alucard asked, truly not understanding what she was referring too
"If I may. Talia believes…" Touka began to speak, when Talia interrupted her
"Don't say it like that!"
"Let her speak." their creator growled, at this point he just wanted them to get this over with
"She believes that since you have woken up, you have been under the stress of all the acts you involuntarily committed against Nazarik…" the Bride paused also lowering her head, she wasn't wrong Alucard thought
"So…So…" Touka paused once more, she raised her head looking at Talia, seeing her face Alucard found it to be red
"I can't say it! It's your idea you say it!" she roared at Talia, causing the older bride to look up as well also exposing her blushed expression
"I can't possibly say such a thing!" she argued back
At this point he was starting to be afraid of whatever they were talking about, as they threw around the responsibility to inform him on the matter, Alucard couldn't help but get less and less patient.
"One of you speak, or I walk." he announced in a low, yet intimidating tone
"T-Then…I guess, I'll say it." Talia said
"We…would like to…help…Alucard-sama with…his stress…"
The Supreme Being wanted to sink deep into the ground and away from this situation, he wasn't sure what she meant but by her expression, her blushed face, and her choice of words he was confident that he understood what she was talking about.
"Does this "help" have anything to do with Nyx not being here?"
"Y-Yes. I told her it would be fine to stay with Mare-sama till we called for her." Touka replied
"I'm going to need a clear explanation of what you two mean by helping me." his tone was still low and serious
"We know that sometimes…" Talia began, being seemingly at a loss for words she looked at Touka
"W-Warriors need help releasing their…stress, after or before a battle…" this time Touka looked at Talia, her face had gone beyond red
"Since tomorrow could be the day we end the conflict with the lizardmen…We want to make sure that Alucard-sama is…at a 100% not only physically, but mentally too." Talia finished
Alucard was unsure of what to do, should he just outright say no to them, or should he first congratulate them for their, even if awkward, subtlety compared to Shalltear. Before he could decide they acted, lifting their dresses slightly so it would be easier for them to move their legs, as they got on to the bed.
"I…" Alucard tried to protest, but was too flustered to do so
"D-Don't worry we will…" Talia tried to say
"…do everything for you. Please be at ease, Alucard-sama." Touka finished, both of them began to approach him in a shy manner
The True vampire took a deep breath, this was not the time to give in to his primal urges he was better than this. When they got to the point he could grab them and they could grab him, Alucard placed his arms on their sides and brought them closer to him wrapping each Bride in an arm pushing them against him.
"A-Alucard-sama, I…" Talia gasped, not really resisting her sudden closeness to him
"Be silent for a moment, Talia. First of all, I understand that you both care about me, and are trying to help. Not counting how that makes me feel like a worthless master…" both Brides interrupted
"That's not true, Alucard-sama." protested Touka
"That was not our intention. Please accept our absolute apologies, Alucard-sama." Talia said
"As I was saying. Not counting that, I don't want you two to have to do this because of me." they once more interrupted
"But our bodies are yours. Giving them to you is only natural, it is just another way of serving you." Touka argued, however her expression told a different story
"Is that so…Do you agree with her, Talia?" his gaze went to the older Bride
"Y-Yes…It is as Touka said." Talia replied, looking down
"You don't sound very convinced, neither of you do Touka." he turned his attention to the younger Bride
"I…" Talia mumbled, placing her hands to her mouth to silence her self
"Continue, I'm listening." Alucard said in a warm tone, looking back at her
"I can't bother Alucard-sama with my selfishness again." she pointed out, lowering her hands
"Do I have to order it out of you?"
"N-No. I had always imagined that my first time would be…because Alucard-sama wanted it to be so."
It was if Alucard had just gotten hit in the gut, he was not ready or expecting her to say this, it was nothing compared to what happened with Shalltear.
"What!? But you were the one that gave the idea!" Touka remarked, looking at her
"Because I wanted to help Alucard-sama. That goes above my personal wishes."
"You're both fools. To place my wishes in front of yours, when discussing such things…truly fools." Alucard chuckled, deep down he felt terrible
"We apologize for our unbecoming behavior, Alucard-sama." Talia said
"As long as you don't repeat this, it's fine." he said, loosening his grip on them
"You may stay here, I'm going to train to clear my mind."
Having made his intentions known, Alucard prepared to exit the bed wanting to distance himself from them as quick as possible. As he was about to leave the bed through the right side, he felt someone grip on to his coat, looking back he saw both Talia and Touka grabbing on to it.
"I've already said that we should drop this subject." he growled before looking back
Moving his head to the right so he could eye down both of them his will, that he was working so hard to maintain, was crushed and he felt his heart waver. The expressions on their faces, were so heartwarming, a mix of shyness, insecurity, and fear of his reaction, Alucard had never seen all of these emotions in one place, it was truly beautiful.
"We cannot use Alucard-sama's bed by ourselves." Touka said
"Y-Yes…We are unworthy. Please stay with us, Alucard-sama."
They were starting to be more persistent, either they were getting bolder or they had changed their minds and just wanted for him to simply lay with them. Alucard was unsure of what do, unlike Ainz his libido still existed and was in no way dampened, it was no lie when he said that he had great self-control over that part of himself.
"You wish for me to lay with you?" he asked, they simply nodded
Alucard let out a deep breath and returned to his previous position in between them, they carefully approached him and leaned into his chest, since it would be strange for him to be motionless he wrapped his arms around them once more.
Albedo walked down the hallways in the direction of Alucard's room, not that she wanted to question her beloved's decisions, but sending her to inform Alucard that they would be leaving in just a few hours instead of a maid, was not all that pleasing. Of course, serving Ainz-sama was about one of the most pleasing things she could do, but to know that she would miss be the first one to greet him when he exited his room made her heart ache. Stopping in front of the large obsidian colored door she knocked once and announced her presence and wish to enter.
"Come in." Alucard replied from the other side, in a strangely low tone
Albedo excused herself and carefully opening the door she entered, when her eyes fell upon the Supreme Being she had to do her very best not to lose her composure. Alucard still sat on his bed, by his side were his Brides who with time had ended up falling asleep and now rested against his abdomen as they laid in his bed. The Overseer felt nothing but pure envy towards the Brides, how could they, beings that stood even bellow a Guardian, share a bed with a Supreme Being before she did? Of course, this was not Ainz-sama, who stood above all Supreme Beings, but they laid with a Supreme Being which meant they were closer to her goal than she was. At least this was how Albedo was interpreting things, in truth nothing happened during this time, Alucard had remained awaken during all those hours, he simply didn't feel like sleeping and his Brides simply drifted of as the time passed.
"Albedo?" Alucard said, noticing that she seemed to have zoned out
While she stood before this great shock, Alucard calmly sat in his bed ignoring the numb feeling that covered his body from having sat for so long, his hands were busy passing through his Bride's hairs. At first, he didn't even want to do that, but seeing their peaceful faces as they began to fall asleep he couldn't help himself.
"My apologies, Alucard-sama! Ainz-sama, wanted me to tell you that we will be leaving in a few hours and that you should get ready."
"Understood. Tell him that I will be ready soon enough."
"Y-Yes, I'll tell him. Then, I will take my leave, Alucard-sama." with a bow she left, closing the door behind her
Alucard let out a sigh, his legs were numb and it was boring to have stayed so much time in one place, lifting his hands from their hair, he went to carefully caressing their cheeks.
"Wake up." he said in a low tone
The first to react was Talia, she began to move slightly before lazily opening her eyes to look up at him.
"A-Alucard-sama!" she gasped, her voice echoing through the room, as she lifted her head away from him
"My greatest apologies!..." her voice seemed to go mute when he began to pat her head
"I told you, you needed some rest."
"Don't be so loud…" Touka whined, stretching her arms and tried to wrap them around Alucard as one would do with a pillow
"Wait…Why is it so…" she mumbled, before slowly looking up till her eyes meet her master's
"My greatest apologies, Alucard-sama!" Touka gasped, distancing herself from him, so much so she fell from the bed
Alucard held in his laughter, jumping from his sitting position he landed perfectly in front of the bed, passing his hands through his trench coat trying to straighten it as best as he could, he gave his Brides some time to compose themselves.
"We are leaving in a few hours." Alucard said before pausing, the sound of his words was enough for them to completely straighten their posture
"Touka, go and get Nyx. Also warn Clementine and Lottus to get ready. I'm giving you half an hour to do this."
"Right away, Alucard-sama." taking a bow she left
"What shall I do, Alucard-sama?"
"Talia prepare the armors and equipment, I want them ready for use when Touka and Nyx arrive."
"I would join you but…" Alucard's gaze drifted to his weapon that was resting on his desk
"I want to meditate with Shi before getting ready."
"Understood. Should I prepare anything specific for this mission?"
"Prepare hidden blades for both you and Touka. For Nyx, prepare whatever scythe she is most proficient with."
"It shall be done."