16 The Start

While being surrounded by Corbett and Marcel, Dracula's expression was full of loss and suffering as soon as the official who seemed to have a higher position in their cavalry asked the young vampire about the truth and how things came to be like this.

Soon, Dracula cited a pitch-perfect story without any plotholes.

"We were preparing to depart for the stronghold under the protection of the soldiers after having the morning meal.

But just then… an army of humans suddenly attacked the settlement from all sides.

They called themselves the followers of the Church of Elenoia." he started with key information that cemented some of the true facts first.

"I was in the woods, gathering some herbs for the village doctor because he was very old.

But as soon as the humans started blowing their warhorns and started a wanton massacre… I ran to find my parents." he said and soon, tears welled up in his eyes.

Was Dracula still sad about the loss of his new life's family?

Yes… but also No.

He had already avenged everyone and both he and Vlad had become one single entity already. Just that the lingering grief would take a while to get out of his system and then his mind and body would be in perfect sync.

"When I finally found my parents and brother… they… they… they were… they were already dead; brutally murdered by those human scums." he spoke in a sorrowful voice as beads of tears kept dropping.

Even Corbett felt uncomfortable asking about this matter to a child who lost his entire family and clan just hours ago.

"But when I was almost closed to getting attacked by those human soldiers…" he said and even the vampire guards escorting Corbett and Marcel looked towards him with anticipation.

"A vampire in black hood and mask suddenly appeared and killed those soldiers." he revealed.

"What?! There was someone else?!" exclaimed Marcel.

Vlad nodded and started iterating a tale.

That when it was only him left alive, a tall vampire in black hood and mask suddenly appeared. This new person went berserk after seeing the massacred people and started killing these human soldiers.

"It appeared as if someone close to him was killed by them. And that person only used a whip-like weapon that cut these enemies apart easily." he explained.

Dracula chose to speak about the Shadow Whip because he knew that once they investigated the corpses of the human soldiers, the pattern of how they were killed would be evidently noticed. So having this imaginary savior using the same weapon would solidify his story.

"But when the priests started using Holy crosses to suppress the attacker, I was also affected by it while hiding among the corpses." he subliminally hinted at how he lost his consciousness.

"The next time I woke up was when this guy slapped me." he said and pointed towards the soldier who slapped him.

"That's all I know." he said with an aghast expression, still looking like someone who wasn't over the fact that all these people including his family were brutally murdered.

"I'm sorry for your loss, kid." spoke Corbett as he gently placed his right palm on Vlad's left shoulder, trying to sympathize with him.

But in reality, he was actually trying to sense Vlad's real strength.

[It can't be this child. He is not even a Savant rank. Anyone below that level of strength couldn't have managed to butcher all these human soldiers with priests and holy crosses involved.

Damn it! So many lives lost and we can't even find the whole truth.] thought Corbett as he felt regret.

The obvious failure was in front of him. They were here to reinforce the defense and safely escort these people. But after their messengers reported the sightings of a big human soldiers garrison, they all departed in hurry. However… they all came late by only an hour.

That one hour made the whole difference and now… only one witness of this horrifying massacre was left.

As for the savior… they could only make assumptions about their identity but had no evidence to prove anything.

"You're the sole witness of this whole thing. You will come with us to the stronghold to give your testimony." spoke Corbett after confirming the fact that Vlad had nothing to do with the whole matter and was only a victim like the rest.

He then looked at the bloodied corpses of the human army and gave a command to all the soldiers.

"We will salvage weapons and armors from the human army.

Dig pits and bury them all. We can't leave these bodies in open. It could affect the environment as wild animals will flock here. And the commotion would definitely be noticed by human armies if they passed through this route.

As for our people… we will give them a proper burial." he ordered.

----------------

5 hours later.

Dracula stood in front of the graves of his family members after gathering their belongings.

Step!

Step!

Marcel walked in from behind and placed his right palm on Vlad's left shoulder as he gazed at the young vampire's sullen expression.

Soon he offered some comforting words, trying to console Vlad but the latter was still shaken from this loss.

"Marvin… Anya… I swear to look after Vlad until he's of age." he pledged in front of their graves.

For vampires, 20 years was not worth mentioning. One would be called an adult only after crossing the age of 50 since they aged differently. Even the weakest of their species lived for more than 150 years easily.

However at this moment… Dracula had finally controlled his mind and started making plans in his mind while aimlessly gazing at the graves of his family…

[I need safe refuge for now... A place where I can safely grow and gain information about this world, understand how everything works and then make my real moves.] he thought.

Soon, their group decided to leave towards the stronghold after burying the dead and cleaning the battlefield using their own means. Now, the whole place looked like there never was a battle in the first place.

Dracula gave a final look towards this valley where he was reincarnated. And with a resolute mind, he looked forward to what was coming his way soon.

He had great aspirations and impossible goals to achieve. But with his past life's experience, knowledge and unyielding will… he was as ready as one could be.

As for the memory of this place; he would remember this place as…

The Beginning.