Chapter 204 A Mother’s Pain (2)

Ashton finished explaining the story of the conundrum and their escape, with Michelle chiming in to confirm whatever he said was true. It took them a while to explain everything, but soon they were able to show Alucard the complete picture.

"So, if we locate and hand over those people to Lycania, you will be willing to marry my daughters. Is that what you're saying?" Alucard wanted to confirm everything to their minutest detail so that Ashton wouldn't be able to decline the proposal twice in a row.

"That'll make me think about it at least." Ashton gave him a vague reply as usual.

Marrying the princesses wasn't a big deal for him. He could marry them as doing so would give him a lot of political power. But until and unless he was done taking care of the things he needed to, namely killing Mera and finding his parents, marrying someone was going to be the least of his concerns.

Also, he wasn't going to marry someone just because they proposed to him. A relationship like that wasn't anything but a sham.

Initially, he wanted to use Alucard's favour to find out more about his mother, but then he realised he didn't even remember her face and as far as he knew, she might have been given a new name. Just like he was when he got turned into a werewolf. That's why whatever name he remembered wouldn't be useful either.

Without a name or face, it would impossible to look for someone like that. But now that he had gained access to the vampire kingdoms, he could look for her on his own.

However, finding Conundrum was a task he won't be able to accomplish by himself. Especially since he had no doubt they probably heard about his arrival in the kingdom. If anything, those bastards must have already gone into hiding.

Also, Jonathan wanted him to do something about the conundrum. It was one of the main reasons why he agreed to send his 'treasure' away from his jurisdiction.

"Hm... we should keep the topic aside for now." Alucard mumbled and took out a sword from his inventory, "On your knees, proud warrior!"

Ashton followed his command without any protest. Mainly because he knew what was going to happen next.

Alucard tapped Ashton's shoulders one after another. Officially welcoming him into his kingdom by making him a Templar knight in the Order of Von Dracula Cult. It was a group even high-ranking Vampires had to work hard to merely get into, let alone be granted the position of a Templar Knight.

Therefore, it was no wonder why Ashton was immediately targeted by everyone there. Even though everyone present there was congratulating him, most of them still saw him as someone whose presence was unnecessary there. But alas, they couldn't do anything about it.

However, there was one person who was happier than anyone else present in the room. Avalina couldn't believe what a wonderful man her little boy had grown up to be.

From the way he countered every argument that was thrown his way, to his fighting skills, everything left her in awe. But there was one thing that was troubling her.

Ashton was going by the last name of Bismark... which meant, he now either belonged to the king or the mistress and Avalina couldn't imagine which one of them was worse.

'I'll set everything right, starting now.' Avalina thought as it was her turn to congratulate Ashton.

But fate had something else planned for them as a shockwave was sent throughout the palace, knocking everyone down. It was such a huge force, that the centuries-old tinted glasses finally lost their battle against time and were shattered in a moment.

Avalina fell as well, but Ashton caught her and gently placed her on the floor, "Are you hurt?"

"N-No, thank you for helping me, Son."

Avalina finally summoned all her willpower and did it! She called him son, but Ashton wasn't paying attention to her anymore as a gigantic black coloured portal opened right outside the palace. It was so big, that it shrouded a better part of the palace with darkness.

"What the hell is going on?" Alucard roared at the top of his lungs and Griffin came charging inside the room at once.

"Alucard, it's not looking good," Griffin's voice appeared to be calm but had a sense of urgency hidden within, "An instance dungeon opened up right outside the palace gates. If we don't go inside and clear it, even lord Dracula won't be able to protect the citizens."

"What's an Instance dungeon?" Ashton asked Michelle who was just as clueless as he was.

"It's a rare phenomenon where a portal connected to a dungeon appears out of thin air." Avalina decided to give him some info about the dungeons, "We can get a rough estimate of how what kind of dungeon the portal has linked with based on its colour and size."

She continued, "and judging by the appearance of this dungeon... it could either be an E ranked dungeon with a lot of monsters in it or a D ranked dungeon with fewer but much stronger monsters. If someone does not kill them all, they will get out of the portal and kill everyone on this. It's a kill or be killed kind of scenario!"

Before Ashton could thank her for the information, Alucard grabbed the lady by the hands and pulled her back to her feet, before turning towards his daughters.

"My precious daughters, keep Dr Avalina safe. Her survival is crucial for you know what!" He instructed them. He said a lot of things afterwards but Ashton couldn't hear a word after he mentioned the name Avalina.

It had been over a decade since he had heard someone speak the name. He even thought he heard it wrong but when he got a better look at her, the faded image of his mother buried deep within his head, resurfaced again. There was no doubt. The lady in front of him was his mother.

"Mom!?"

Ashton mumbled softly, but it was enough for Avalina as she smiled at him while tears streamed down her cheeks. She had finally been reunited with his son, albeit only for a short time as she was dragged away to safety.