Progenitors were some of the strongest beings, as only a few fighters on the Transcendence Stage could rival them in strength.
Everyone recognized this as well as the fact that each Progenitor had a special Title. It showed the Progenitor's main characteristic or reminded them of some significant achievement.
Obviously, Alucard had a Title - The Immortal, the same was true for everyone else and Liang was no exception.
However, even Titles had to have some limits, right? Well, Liang had held his Title, The Strongest One, for centuries and no one had been able to challenge it yet.
The Axalts were proud that their Progenitor and ruler bore such a Title, which many considered more significant than Alucard's one.
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
As soon as Liang released some of his aura, a ripple and a slight tremble went throughout the world, which was felt by the residents.
"Agh...? What's going on?" The young man that had just finished training muttered as he looked into the distance, to where the frost temple was, "Is the Ruler fighting someone?"
This was the reaction of most Axalts who were higher than the Second Chronicle, for when an Axalt reached the Third Chronicle, he would immediately make his first attempts to ascend to the temple.
At the same moment, the guards of the Axalt World headed toward the temple. There were now slightly more of them than when Alucard and Gael had invaded this world. They were anxious, for they knew that their ruler had not radiated such pressure during their training. Among them was also the woman who had led Alucard and Gael here.
"Tsk." The woman bit her lip with a great frown.
"Nakano, is something wrong?" One of the guardians asked with a curious expression.
"No, or rather yes." Nakano shook her head, "Those bastards made me escort them to the Ruler, I assumed they didn't come with good intentions, but I didn't think it would come to a fight so quickly!"
The man shrugged, "You shouldn't berate yourself for that. Even though we're among the strongest in our world, there's nothing you could have done against that monster. If you had resisted, it would have just devoured you like a wild beast."
"Agh...?" Nakano's eyes went wide as she glanced at Alucard, "Mr. Wang, are you talking about him? About The Immortal?"
Nakano still vividly remembered the shame and humiliation she had experienced when Alucard had brazenly kissed her, however, now she realized that it was probably the best thing that could have happened.
"Yeah, I think he's been more like a beast than a person for a long time now. Moreover, Vampires originally have fangs, some kind of savagery, and sharp claws. He is the Progenitor of all Vampires. He is the one who has achieved what all Vampires, as well as many of us, wish for." Wang said calmly with a serious expression.
Wang was the chief protector and one of the strongest and oldest Axalts. He knew more about the Progenitors than most, as he had seen and heard what they were capable of on many occasions.
Nakano gulped, "You're probably right, but that said, he doesn't look like a beast at all... I mean, he was just toying with me. He looks more like a child than someone truly frightening."
Wang nodded, "Yeah, that makes sense. However, it should be pretty obvious to you that this isn't the real Alucard."
Nakano gave him a questioning look.
Wang sighed, "The older we get the less we want to be completely serious when all we have to do is show our true colors and do whatever is necessary. I'm sure Alucard, as someone who can't die, has very little reason to ever be serious. He just doesn't need it, it's much easier to play a role and enjoy it."
Nakano nodded silently. She hadn't even thought of something like that since Wang was trying to figure out what was going on in Alucard's head. Nakano on the other hand was just worried about their ruler, they were thinking about completely different things.
"You don't need to worry." Wang replied as if he had read her mind.
"Agh...?" Nakano was surprised.
"Have you forgotten what Title our Ruler holds? He may not be able to kill Alucard, for obvious reasons, but he can easily beat him to the point where the great Vampire Progenitor will flee our world in fear." Wang confidently said as he folded his hands behind his back.
"Yes!" Nakano exclaimed with a serious expression. Her mentor's words gave her confidence; there was no doubt in her mind now.
Nakano and Wang didn't know it, but Alucard could hear their every word, and if he wanted to, his hearing became truly acute. With maximum concentration, he could easily hear the footsteps of ants several kilometers away from here.
"Hahaha, damn, those two are real idiots!" Wain exclaimed with an excited expression, "They don't even realize what they just did!"
Sven smirked, "Yeah, I guess I'll agree with you. In front of Liang, he won't attack them, but... now he'll do anything to show them how wrong they are. Just to see their faces full of despair."I think you should take a look at
"Damn... I don't understand your games at all." Osvald frowned as he crossed his muscular arms over his chest, "Either way it's going to be an interesting fight! I want to see it!"
Marlis shook her head, "You never change, all you think about is fighting. You should have dived deeper since not all fights are fistfights. Many fight in their minds."
Osvald looked at her as if she was talking complete nonsense.
"What...? How can you defeat someone with your mind? There's only one effective way! It's a powerful fist strike!" Osvald exclaimed, with absolute certainty.
Marlis just rolled her eyes. Sven and Wain exchanged glances as slight smiles appeared on their faces. They agreed with both Osvald and Marlis, after all, when fighting someone of such a level as Alucard and Liang, everything mattered.
The powerful aura that emanated from Liang was like torrents of wind raining down on Alucard, fluttering his long white hair and crimson coat. His face remained emotionless.
"And? How long do I have to wait? Go ahead and attack me!" Alucard arrogantly said, setting himself up for the attack.
Liang remained silent until glanced at Gael, who was standing to the side, "You're not going to participate?"
Gael shrugged, "Nah, I'm fine. You two need to blow off some steam before we can talk without emotion. Moreover, I passed the temple test as required, so by your logic, I deserve for you to listen to me, right?"
Liang paused for a moment, then he nodded, "Yes, you are right. However, I doubt we can change my mind. I will participate in the Great War and only on the side of the Arkans!"
"Hmm? What about them?" Alucard pointed back at the guardians that hovered in the air and watched the battle, "Will they follow you too? Just like the people of this world?"
Liang shook his head, "No. That is only my decision. I have my own motives. Axalt World will continue to exist at the same pace, and the Great War won't affect it in any way."
"Damn, you have some damn strange logic, I don't understand you at all." Alucard said with a confused expression while scratching his cheek, "Maybe it's a side effect of meditating! Oh, I know! Because of meditation and practicing, your brain started to malfunction!"
Nakano frowned as she clenched her fists tightly. She was furious that Alucard was mocking her Ruler, whom she respected immensely. However, Liang himself did not have any emotions, he remained completely calm.
"Well, if you earn the right to speak to me, then perhaps you will understand me. It will also be a good opportunity for you to become a little smarter." Liang said confidently, "You possess immortality, but instead of evolving, you're degenerating, how ironic."
Alucard smirked. He obviously wasn't angry, on the contrary, Liang's attempt to hurt him only made things more fun and interesting for him.
Liang's eyes narrowed and at that moment Gael took a step back disappearing from the arena with particles of ash.
"Agh...?" Nakano was puzzled as to why Gael decided to do that, and after a moment she had an answer.
Whoooooooooooooooooooooooosh.
Liang gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, took a step forward, and swung his sword several times.
Nakano could clearly see three swings, one horizontal, one vertical, and one diagonal.
However, Sven and Wain saw a lot more, a number far beyond what Nakano could notice.
"Twenty-one." Suddenly a calm voice sounded behind Nakano as she turned around and saw Gael.
"What...? What are you talking about?" Nakano was puzzled and surprised. She didn't expect to see Gael here, she thought he was headed somewhere else since she didn't even feel his aura.
Gael smiled slightly, "Didn't you notice that? Well, you still need to practice. Just now, Liang made exactly twenty-one sword swings, it was swift, faster than a heartbeat."
"Did...?" Nakano turned around in disbelief, looking at Alucard. Just like last time he didn't defend himself, so seconds later everyone saw the consequences of his actions.
Crackle. Crackle. Crack.
Alucard's body disintegrated into many pieces as they fell to the ground. From a person in an instant to bloody cubes on the ground.