NOVEL WEB Chapter 9: Chapter 8: The Weight of Heritage
Speaking
(Thoughts)
{message spell}
[author notes]
onomatopoeia
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Carne Village
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Third Person POV
Alucard traversed through the village of Carne, his face etched with remorse and empathy as he witnessed the aftermath of recent violence. The weight of what these people had endured was evident in every line of his expression—a familiar ache that resonated with memories of his own past.
Beside him walked Albedo, still clad in her black armor. Her stride carried the dual nature of a tomb guardian and a devoted companion, but her thoughts were far darker than her composed exterior suggested as she observed her lover's distress.
These humans and their suffering are souring my love's mood. Uncouth swine! she thought with barely contained disdain.
Her internal tirade was interrupted when Alucard stopped as a villager approached. The man, clearly exhausted and carrying a heavy burden, spoke with respectful deference.
"Your Highness," the villager said, sweat beading on his forehead.
Albedo's eyes narrowed. This human dares to...
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Alucard's POV
The villager struggled under the weight of a large piece of timber, his legs trembling with exhaustion. Without hesitation, I placed my hand on the wooden beam.
"Please, allow me to help," I said, closing my eyes and offering a gentle smile. "You've endured enough hardship through your labor. Just show me where this needs to go."
I lifted the timber as if it weighed nothing, and the shock on the man's face made me chuckle softly as he led the way.
During our walk, I struck up a conversation and learned far more than any anime could have conveyed. The war between the kingdoms had left scars deeper than I'd imagined. This man—Kellen Kovach, as I discovered—had once had a wife. He'd been forced to watch helplessly as a nobleman defiled her before killing her. He'd come to this village seeking a fresh start, but the pain still haunted his eyes.
The reality of this world's darkness hit me harder than expected. It reminded me too much of my own past, of the cruelty humans could inflict upon each other.
"Lord Alucard... are you alright? You're crying," Kellen said softly.
I touched my cheeks and felt the wetness there. Why can't I control myself? This shouldn't affect me this much, but... seeing these people, talking to them—it's bringing back memories I thought I'd buried. Every fan of the anime could never truly understand how terrible this place really is, or the pain each person carries.
I can't let Satoru kill so many innocent people for no reason. I'll ensure only the criminals pay the price.
"I'm fine," I said, composing myself. "Hearing your story has touched my heart. As I promised before, I will protect this village, Kellen. I give you my word."
He smiled and nodded, leading me to where others were rebuilding their homes and the storage house. I rolled up my sleeves and joined their efforts.
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Time Skip
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Third Person POV
With the houses restored, Alucard found himself embraced by grateful villagers. His clothes were now dusty from the honest work, but his spirit seemed lighter. As the crowd dispersed, he walked with Albedo toward the village chief, finally addressing something that had been weighing on his mind.
"I'm glad I could help them," Alucard said, "but Albedo, there's something I need to ask. You seem to harbor contempt for humans."
Albedo's expression didn't change, though inwardly she bristled at seeing her lord perform menial labor—even if the way his outfit stretched across his form made her pulse quicken. Her voice carried unmistakable disdain when she replied.
"What's to like about them? They're weak and pathetic! They needed your help just to complete basic tasks. They're nothing but insects that deserve to be crushed underfoot."
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Alucard's POV
Her words struck me like a physical blow. I clenched my fists, my voice taking on an edge I rarely allowed—one that carried the weight of centuries.
"Is that so? Then let me tell you something about weakness, Albedo. Do you know why I stand here protecting these people?"
She looked at me with confusion tinged by a hint of fear at my tone.
"My love, I... I don't understand."
I turned away, gazing at the villagers in the distance, my voice growing heavy with memory.
"My father was Dracula—Vlad Țepeș—once the most feared creature in existence. He commanded armies of darkness, ruled over legions of the night, and held power that could shake the very foundations of the world." I paused, feeling the familiar ache in my chest. "But before all that... he was human. He loved a human woman—my mother, Lisa."
I could hear Albedo's sharp intake of breath behind me.
"She was a doctor, a healer who wanted nothing more than to help people, to ease their suffering. She saw past the monster the world believed my father to be and found the man underneath. For a time, through her love, he remembered his humanity."
My hands trembled slightly as the memories surfaced.
"Then... humans burned her at the stake. Called her a witch for her knowledge, for her compassion. They murdered the one person who could have saved them all from what my father would become." I turned back to face Albedo, my golden eyes blazing with ancient pain. "In his grief and rage, he declared war on humanity. He became the very monster they feared—no longer the man who had loved a human woman, but a creature of pure vengeance."
I stepped closer, my voice dropping to barely above a whisper.
"I was forced to kill my own father, Albedo. The man who gave me life, who taught me strength, who showed me what love could be... I had to destroy him because he forgot that not all humans are the same. He let his pain consume him until there was nothing left of the man my mother had loved."
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Albedo's POV
The raw anguish in my lord's voice, the weight of his confession, struck me like a physical blow. I had never seen such vulnerability, such profound loss etched into someone's being.
He... he killed his own father? To protect the very humans I despise?
"My love..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"You see, Albedo," Alucard continued, his composure slowly returning, "I learned that hatred born of pain only breeds more hatred. These people—" he gestured toward the village, "—they're not the ones who killed my mother. They're not the nobles who tormented Kellen. They're simply trying to survive in a world that's often cruel to them."
He looked directly into my eyes, and I felt the full weight of his conviction.
"If I let contempt for humanity consume me as it did my father, I would become the very thing I once had to destroy. Ainz walks that same precipice, Albedo. The line between justice and vengeance, between protection and tyranny... it's thinner than you might think."
He's not just protecting them out of duty or strategy... he's protecting them to honor his mother's memory, to ensure her compassion lives on through him. And to prevent himself from becoming like his father—consumed by hatred until nothing good remains.
"I... I understand now, my lord," I said, my voice thick with newfound respect and something deeper—a recognition of the strength it took to choose love over hatred, mercy over vengeance.
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Alucard's POV
I turned away from Albedo, allowing her a moment to process what I'd shared, and noticed the village chief approaching with Kellen waving me over.
"Kellen, is everyone alright?"
"My lord, we've just received word that more knights are approaching at great speed."
I stroked my chin thoughtfully. Gazef... this should prove interesting.
"Village Chief, gather everyone in the storage house. When I helped with the repairs earlier, I inscribed magical runes on the buildings for protection. Not even a fifth-tier spell could breach them. It will provide adequate space for treating any wounded, and..." I paused, considering. "You should remain here. These might be your kingdom's knights coming to help, and as the village leader, they'll need to speak with you."
Gasps and cheers erupted from the gathered villagers.
"Yes, of course! Thank you, my lord," the village chief said with deep gratitude.
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Time Skip
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Horses thundered toward the village as Alucard stood flanked by Albedo and the village chief. The riders came to a halt, and their leader spoke from atop his mount.
"I am Gazef Stronoff, Chief Warrior of the Re-Estize Kingdom. The king has ordered me to hunt down the knights who have been attacking surrounding villages. Your people are safe now—we will do everything in our power to protect you."
Alucard was about to step forward when the village chief interrupted, much like in the original timeline, though his words carried an unexpected twist.
"Thank you, General Gazef, but there's no need. We are safe now, thanks in large part to King Alucard here beside me."
Gazef's expression shifted to one of surprise and shock.
"King?"
Well, that's unexpected, but I can work with this. After all, I've spent centuries adapting to changing circumstances.
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Third Person POV
"Yes," Alucard said with a slight bow. "Greetings, Sir Gazef. My name is Alucard of Wallachia, King of the Twilight Realm—a domain that exists between the world of the living and the realm of darkness. I seek to establish peaceful relations between our kingdoms. As this man has said, I protected these people from those knights and have sworn to continue doing so."
Gazef smiled and extended his hand. As they shook, he said with genuine respect, "These people would have been lost without you. Thank you, Your Grace." He moved to kneel, but Alucard laughed warmly—a sound that carried both ancient wisdom and surprising warmth.
"My goodness, such manners! But please, don't kneel to me. You are a knight of a different kingdom, so I hold no authority over you. Nevertheless, you show such kindness to a stranger. You truly embody what it means to be a knight, Sir Gazef, and I am honored to be in your presence. Now, please rise, Knight Gazef."
Gazef stood and laughed heartily. Beside them, Albedo maintained her stoic expression, though inwardly she now understood her lord's deeper motivations. Her respect for his wisdom had grown immeasurably.
"You honor me with such praise, Your Grace, and I thank you for it," Gazef replied.
Before their conversation could continue, one of Gazef's knights approached urgently. Before the soldier could speak, Alucard interjected smoothly.
"Fear not, brave knight. I'm well aware that an army of hostile knights is surrounding us. Gazef, gather your men at the village storage house. My strongest ally will arrive shortly to deal with these brigands while we discuss battle strategy."
Gazef looked to his soldier for confirmation, and the man's expression told him everything he needed to know.
"Haha!" Gazef laughed appreciatively. "You truly are remarkable! If you knew we were surrounded and dealt with that band of knights alone..." He nodded with respect. "I concur, Your Highness. After you."
As Alucard smiled and began leading the way, the two men walked side by side. Their silhouettes merged against the setting sun as Alucard's voice carried a note of anticipation.
"And so it begins."