"I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice."

Chapter Two
- I Vow to Thee, My Country No More

"Master isn't answering anymore. I am concerned. Are they busy protecting the royal family? After Prince Charles' murder three days ago..." Seras said with a sigh, taking a seat across the table, in front of him. She was wearing a red outfit that consisted of a short miniskirt and a most becoming tank top.

Red as her eyes. Red as Alucard's eyes. Red and his own eyes and recently, Integral's. The same hue as the blood they fed on. As the one shed by his fallen comrades in vain for the country and which had angered the Angel of Death with it's betrayal.

"Your blood, Mistress Victoria. You should drink a little," Walter insisted, gesturing towards her untouched package resting on the table. He had finished his own haemoglobin bag minutes ago, the same bag which he had started drinking in the beginning of the week. It was hard to find enough supplies in such a little town, but he could not risk hunting. Not only his Creator would not approve, but it was not wise to have people missing with such small population.

"Right," Seras muttered, opening the package and pouring the contents onto her plate before forcing herself to sip the liquid. "And Walter, I told you many times not to call me by that title. Just Seras will do."

"I understand that it must be unpleasant to have a man of my advanced age calling you Mistress, Seras. My apologies," Walter commented affably. His tone, however, was caught between teasing and bitterness. He looked so old and she was so young. It was a barrier he at times disliked. His gaze met hers, trying to discern her reaction. Walter had to admit that despite his joy at having his good eyesight back, he missed the monocle. It's absence left an uncomfortable twitch on his nose. One of the few unfortunate consequences of his condition.

"That's not what I mean!" Seras quickly pointed out, nervously swirling her spoon in her crimson supper. "You have been the only company I've had for years, Walter… and I don't care if you look old or young. We are vampires. Age doesn't make any difference, does it?" she asked, glancing longingly at him. Her tone was uncertain. "Or so I think," she added, muffled by the slurp of the blood.

Walter smiled gently. Her inexperience was endearing, but, somehow, he could not take advantage of such innocence, not even if vampirism lowered his inhibitions.

"My words were bold, Seras. I didn't mean to offend you. I thank you again for giving me an opportunity to live." He gestured towards his neck where her bite marks had not yet healed. "Even if I was an old fool. One who spent too much time believing a lie." His hands closed into fists on the table. His arms trembled.

Years of service greeted with such foul treason; a knife in his back. He remembered himself being too stunned to even act as the bullets had pierced his stomach and legs. Before Seras found him and saved him, shielding his body with hers. Before collapsing, he had managed to disarm the sharpshooters with his wires.

"I won't let you die," she had murmured as tears trailed down her cheeks. Her arms wrapped around him, bringing him close as she had jumped from a window to the ground and entered an alley to buy more time. Her touch had been cold, but he had felt warm inside. "I couldn't save Ferguson but I will save you. It's your choice. Please, Walter."

He had accepted, of course. Not only for his sake but for Integral's. His poor lady would have been devastated if she were alone. Someone had needed to warn her about this stab on her back, and he had trusted neither Alucard's intentions nor Seras' abilities.

Walter did not regret his choice, his condition, or the feelings that had bloomed. Her deadly kiss had been the most pleasant experience of his entire existence.

"Walter," Seras addressed him. Her hands reached for his and squeezed them carefully. "Day dreaming?"

"Recalling what happened," Walter answered, head down, hiding his glowing eyes. "Trying to come terms with it."

Seras bit her lip, still maintaining the contact. "Master will solve everything. So will Sir Hellsing now that they're both vampires. They will find those responsible and punish them!" she exclaimed, her voice glowing with praise. "I am sure we will all return to fight for Hellsing soon. They will come for us. I could start some research to unmask the truth."

Walter said nothing, allowing her to live in the delusion of goodness for now. He deemed the world to dark for Seras. Not even the four years they had been hiding had taken away her hope. It was an admirable trait, if naïve.

"We haven't received any news from Sir Integral or Lord Alucard since his message of her vampirism," Walter indicated, releasing himself from her touch. "I wonder what happened."

"They are probably occupied, but they are alright," Seras stated adamantly, eyes narrowed. "Master cannot be defeated, he's not human."

"Neither is Sir Integral one to surrender so easily. Perhaps you are right, I-" he paused, expanding his senses. Outside the door of their apartment were two presences. They were neither Alucard nor Integral. He could smell their sweat and hear their heartbeats – they were alive.

They also reeked of gunpowder.

"Walter…"

"Pick up a gun, Seras," Walter advised, standing. "We aren't certain if they came alone or who sent them."

"Iscariot?"

"It's a possibility. We are in Batrick. It's the limit of the Catholic's territory in Ireland." Walter saw Seras gulping and covering her neck before heading towards the door – his footsteps made no sound over. He heard their conversation while Seras moved to his side.

"Perhaps they are gone."

"I don't think Hellsing and the Count were mistaken."

Both were clearly male, and their choice of words captured Walter's attention. Hellsing. Are they working for Integral? Nodding on Seras' direction, he opened the door and exited, quick as lightning. He grabbed the bulky man on the left before Seras captured her own prey, the fair-haired one with a long nose. They let go a gasp and winced at the vampires' tight holds.

"Speak while you have a tongue and vocal cords to be able to," Walter said calmly into the man's ear. "Did they truly sent you?" he loosened his hold a bit so that his prisoner had a chance to talk.

"S-search in my right pocket," he replied.

Walter did so, finding a patch exactly the same shape and design of Hellsing's but with a difference. There was a red dragon on the middle of it. "What is this?"

"The new order," the other one replied as Seras put him down. He gasped for air. "You have a good grip, Victoria. My older brother always spoke highly of your father."

Walter glanced at them, Seras' eyes widened in recognition. "You resemble… Harry Anders."

"I am Robert, his sibling. I also work in the MI-5, like Christian there," he introduced himself, gesturing to the captive in Walter's hands. "I took over my brother's role in contacting the vampire community when we came across the lord and the lady."

"They offered us immortality in exchange for our loyalty," Christian added, grumbling as Walter released him.

"You two are new Renfields?" Walter asked, sceptically. He could sense Alucard's scent on one of them and Integral's on the other. They did speak the truth.

"Two of many. Except we don't eat insects," Robert replied with humour. "They are recruiting the former acquaintances of Hellsing's members, their family, friends, partners and everyone ever lured by their promises."

"A new army," Walter murmured to himself. Seras walked towards him, slightly confused.

"An army? To replace our ranks."

"That is a way to see it, Officer Victoria" Christian answered, wiping away sweat from his forehead. "You have seen one of their deeds already. Three days ago to be exact."

Three days ago? Walter thought, realizing what they were referring to, but Seras won the upper hand, saying aloud:

"Charles' murder. Oh dear, those were them?" Seras bleached, her eyes widening slightly.

"This is a new order, Victoria," Robert intervened, "New rules and a completely different game. Alucard wanted me to tell you that. They are waiting for you two to join them."

"The newspaper merely explained that the Tower of London is closed to the public but didn't give all the details."

"But… what about Hellsing?" Seras demanded to know, gritting her teeth. "What happened to what we used to stand for and fight for? For what many of our men died?" Walter patted her shoulder, trying to soothe her. He understood her reasoning and the reasons of the Crown's betrayal. He knew they were doing a simple, logical cleaning job to ensure their good image, but he still could not forgive them.

"They took away our purpose, Seras," the Angel of Death pointed out, "They disgraced the deaths of our partners and their sacrifice. And for such, I vow to thee, my country no more love until they repay their debts for our faithful service." He paused, resolute about his decision. His loyalty was first and foremost to Integral. It would never falter. "Guide us to them, to the new order that has started." And I hope Arthur forgive me for not avoiding this mutual treason.


Author's Notes: I thank Oscar Rose for editing this chapter. To the reviewer who wondered who Ilona was, I said it in chapter 1 (in the text), she's Vlad Dracula's historical second wife. The first wife name was never recorded (the Elizabeta one was Francis Ford Coppola's invention). Feedback is welcomed.