I passed by Kai in all his pop-star glory — brown hair, green eyes, that stupidly symmetrical face. Yeah, definitely the kind of guy who'd sell out a concert with a single wink.
He didn't say a word, just glared at me like I'd kicked his childhood dog.
But I was feeling talkative. Maybe it was the brain damage.
"Hi," I said, flashing what I thought was a charming smile.
"Hello there, you monster."
Firstly — rude. Secondly — I didn't even have time to retort because the chain around my neck yanked tight, jerking me forward so hard I almost kissed the floor.
They dragged me through the castle halls, and I've got to admit — it felt strange seeing them again. Same cracked stones. Same cold air. Same smell of mold, metal, and bad decisions.
The only good part of this damned place was Sei's room, and that was mostly because of her.
And there she was, standing near the stairs like a painting that had somehow learned how to breathe. Seishan didn't even flinch when she saw me, though I could feel the tension rolling off her. She hid it well — most would've thought she didn't care. But I could see her heart racing under her ribs, the rhythm of surprise.
"Welcome back, Harus. Gemma."
Her voice was calm, cool, the kind that froze oceans. "So, who's this you've brought in?"
Gemma gave a nervous chuckle, ready to brag about his accomplishment. But when her red eyes landed on him, it was like she'd reached out and gripped his throat with pure disdain.
He swallowed. Hard.
"Oh—yes, Lady Seishan. This is, uh, the Butcher. The one Gunlaug ordered us to capture."
Her gaze slid to me.
"So… you caught this Butcher, then?"
That stare could've cut through steel. I didn't move. Didn't breathe.
All I could think was: If I survive this, I'm going to have to let her drain me dry as punishment, and she's going to enjoy it.
The chain around my neck jerked, pulling me forward again.
"Come on, freak," one of the guards muttered.
They dragged me through the upper halls until we reached the tower prison. They locked me in at the very top — apparently I was too dangerous for the basement. I took that as a compliment.
The moment the door slammed shut, I sighed and stared at the ceiling.
Five seconds of silence.
Then—
"Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo, baby shark—"
"I bet two soul shards he tires out after an hour," one guard whispered.
"I bet six he doesn't make it past ten minutes."
"Deal."
An hour later, one guard was hugging his knees in the corner, muttering prayers, while the other was softly headbutting the wall. I hadn't even gotten to the chorus yet.
"Who let the dogs out? Who, who, who, who, who?!"
They swapped shifts. The new guards came in bright-eyed, all confidence and ignorance.
"He keeps singing," the first guard hissed, pointing at me with a trembling hand. "Every time we filter out one song, he just—he just switches to another!"
"Oh? New victims!" I said brightly. "Perfect timing. I was just rehearsing for my opera debut."
Then I took a deep breath and began screaming the opening notes of 'My Heart Will Go On'. Badly.
The taller guard tried to threaten me. "You'll shut up, or I'll—"
"Do what? Chain me harder? Oh wait, I already have that kink, so go ahead."
The other guard choked trying not to laugh.
That night, I kept it creative.
When they told me to stop singing, I started whistling — off-beat, at random intervals, for two solid hours.
When they told me to stop whistling, I narrated my thoughts out loud. Loudly.
"Hmm, I wonder if these chains are forged from cheap steel. They smell like cheap steel. Hey, did you know human bones make better soundproofing? I read that somewhere. Maybe I'll try it!"
After they threatened to gag me, I pretended to be possessed by the castle's spirit and spoke in three different voices arguing with each other about who was the sexiest prisoner.
Later, when boredom really set in, I started flicking droplets of blood from my arm onto the wall and arranging them into "art."
By morning, I had made:
1. A blood portrait of Beast wearing a top hat.
2. A blood rendition of Gunlaug getting punched in the face.
3. The words "ALUCARD LOVES THICK BITCHES" in dripping red letters.
The guards begged to be reassigned.
That evening, my "dinner" arrived — a bowl of thick stew and a loaf of bread. The guard didn't say anything as he shoved it through the slot, but the smell hit me like a spell.
I knew that scent. Rich, balanced, a little floral — Sei's seasoning.
I smiled.
She hadn't sent it herself, but I knew she'd cooked it.
She always added that tiny hint of iron sweetness — just enough blood essence to make it feel alive.
"Tell the kitchen I said thank you," I called out.
The guard grunted. "Shut up and eat, freak."
I leaned closer to the bars. "You first. I wanna see if you explode."
He didn't reply, but I heard the way his armor clinked as he stepped back. Gods, that sound was satisfying.
Night fell again.
I leaned against the wall, tracing the cracks in the stone with my eyes. I wasn't really tired — I just felt done.
That's when I heard his voice.
"Kai?"
It was sharper now, colder.
"Who are you, monster, and what did you do with Alucard's body?"
I blinked. "Kai, is that you? What do you mean, what did I do with my own body?"
"Cut the crap. Just answer the question."
"I am Alucard."
Silence. Then a loud crack — his fist slammed into the wall outside, sending a few stones tumbling.
"I know you're telling the truth," he said, voice shaking. "But I just can't believe it. I saw your corpse. I helped Effie bury you."
The words hung there I didn't know how to respond