Everyone was waiting for Ashton as soon as he walked out of the prison cell. Especially the Progenitors who were eager to know what he did with Beelzebub. Their anxiety levels were at an all-time high. Moreover, they were worried that Ashton might have done something harsh considering his temper.
Avalina, Anna, and the vampire twins were there as well. Since these women had known Ashton for longer than anyone else, Aamon strike up a conversation in an attempt to know more about him. Although Irina and Verina did not have much to talk about, Avalina and Anna told them whatever they knew about him.
The more they got to hear about him from Anna and Avalina, the more they were worried. after all, from what they said about him, Ashton seemed to be a trouble magnet who often had a hard time keeping his emotions in check.
When he walked out, all of them immediately leaned in to look inside, only to see an empty room. There was no sign of the Xyran inside. No corpse or blood was visible either. This confused them as they didn't know whether Beelzebub was alive or not.
"What did you do?" Aamon calmly asked.
Unlike the rest of them, Aamon knew Ashton was being guided by a Xyran. Thus he would not have ended someone like Beelzebub, after being aware of the consequences. The administrator would have stopped him from doing anything rash. But finding that Beelzebub was missing, made him a bit... concerned.
"He's here." Ashton brandished Balmond's new form in front of them.
Well, he couldn't tell them about the Raphael, so he improvised and told them that Balmond evolved upon consuming Beelzebub's Mournblade. Unlocking a subspace where Ashton could hide the Xyran without killing him.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEssentially, he told them the truth but replaced Raphael with Balmond as a mobile prison.
Thankfully, no one questioned him once Aamon mentioned that it was possible for Balmond to have unlocked a new ability. After all, it was technically a Mournblade and all Mournblades had a specific ability associated with them. That's what he knew.
"It's fine, as long as he is alive." Aamon sighed in relief, "For a moment I thought of the worst-case scenario."
"Then we should get going," Dracula spoke for the first time ever since his meeting with Alucard.
"What the-"
Aamon jumped back from shock. No one had noticed Dracula till then, as he had locked himself in his room. But now, he was standing amongst them, almost as if he appeared there out of nowhere.
"Stop teleporting randomly! Damn it!" Aamon yelled while the rest of them shook their heads, "I should not have taught you that."
"Oh please, I knew it long ago. You just made me tune it a bit." Dracula scoffed.
"Excuse me, but go where?" Ashton respectfully asked.
The guests from space stared at each other and then proceeded to nod. Lycaon let sighed heavily before placing his hands on Ashton's shoulders. No word was spoken and yet Ashton could feel the dense atmosphere around them. Lycaon was about to say something and Ashton knew he wasn't going to like it.
"We can't fool Xyrans for long. They will realise what happened here sooner or later and would head towards earth soon enough." Lycaon said, "It would take them a couple of years or maybe even three years to get here. But when they do, and they will, someone would have to fight them. That gives us two years to get you to Grade-A at the very least."
He continued, "Unfortunately, Earth does not have the resources needed to supplement your growth. That's the only reason why the earthlings are still stuck at D-grade even though more than a century had passed since our evolution. It's kind of a shame if you ask me."
At this point, Aamon joined in, "I assume you're already aware of how much the Xyrans hate humans. In their eyes, the mutants aren't too different from humans either. Since they view you the same, they have intentionally set up barriers to prevent earthlings from getting stronger."
Ashton nodded. He was already more or less sure about it. Especially after witnessing the strength of the Giholos. Something was wrong with the growth of the earth. Aamon's words only confirmed his suspicions.
"So that's why you left the planet as well. It makes sense now." Ashton mumbled.
"More or less," Frank replied.
Ashton knew someday he would have to leave it all behind, but he wasn't expecting that time to come so soon. However, he didn't have any choice. The battle with Beelzebub was an eye-opener.
Victory might have been his this time, but it wasn't because of his strength or skill, he only won because of his luck. Also, luck wasn't a reliable ally and could change at any moment.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Fine. If I have to leave to get stronger, then so be it." Ashton nodded, "But, to defend my territory along with my people. I won't compromise their security in any condition."
"Don't you worry about that. You already have gained some strong followers." Aamon said with a smile and it hit Ashton as well.
"The Giholos."
Since Seraph was a god in their culture and Ashton possessed Seraph's crystal, technically they viewed him as his reincarnation. Thus they would do whatever he instructs them to. Now, he didn't have any concerns that came to his mind.
Lycaon then turned toward Anna, "You'll have to join us as well. After all, you can't stay away from your mate or master or whatever the relationship is between the two of you."
Anna was a bit taken by surprise. To her, it would have made more sense if they left her behind as she wasn't strong like the rest of them.
"Don't take it otherwise," Frank interjected, "I don't know how you evolved into one of the strongest beings present in the galaxy, but what I know is, we can't separate a succubus from her bond or you'll go crazy. Also, if you join us, you'll be able to get stronger as well."
"You two should join us as well." Dracula suggested to the twins, "I'll extend you the offer I gave to your father all those years ago, come join me and you'll be stronger than ever before."
Irina and Verina looked at each other and then at Ashton who was happily chatting with Avalina and Anna. Their father had already warned them that Dracula would try to include them in his cult and if he did, they were to say no to him.
However, seeing Ashton so happy made them want to stay with him as well. Going against their father wasn't something they would do, but fondness for someone makes people do random things. They had made their decision right then and there.
"We'll go."