[ Carlo-sama, it is nice to see you again. We're really sorry for this, we could've had sent our own vessel to Vlad Alucard, but we were refused. We're sorry for your time that we had consumed. ]

[ Don't worry about it, I was actually glad I was the one asked to get Vlad-san. ]

In front of Vlad and Carla were two people: a tall man with bulging muscles and a tanned and tall girl with ponytails. They both wear an incomplete set of armor - only chest plates, shoulder pads, and knee pads. The two of them have the looks of warriors ready to go on a battlefield.

Vlad was actually shocked to see their figures. Carla had told him before they came here that the Lionheart family servant will receive them in front of their residence, he was not expecting at all to see two people with honed visible muscles to show up instead.

[ You must be Vlad-Alucard... Sir, I will refer to you as Vlad-sama, can I? ] their wording too was different from normal people.

[ You can... ] but ignoring their odd looks and behavior, he replies.

[ I thank you. ] the man bowed and the woman also followed.

[ Then, I will leave you here, Vlad-san. I also have my own business to deal with. The celebration will happen a few days from now, I hope to see you there again. ] Carla interrupted as she turns to Vlad's direction.

[ I had a good time. ] she bowed her head a little towards him.

[ Thank you, Carlo-san. I will see you, too. ]

***

[ Again, it's nice to meet your acquaintance, Sir, Vlad-sama. My name is Guardo, a humble servant of the Lionhearts. ]

[ The name's Gina, I also work as a servant to the Lionhearts. ]

The two servants introduced themselves to him. They bowed their heads to the lowest and stand back up again to their normal postures.

[ We will now take you to the mansion. The head is expecting you, Vlad-sama. ]

[ Please do so. ]

[ Un. ] they bowed again and started to walk.

Vlad follows, and with him are s.h.i.+n, and the twin Vampire Brides.

( Hmm... I guess their residence is really bigger than what I had in mind... Mine wouldn't even compare... ) Vlad thought as he looks at the wideness of the land of the Lionhearts.

Carla had said to him that all he sees right now is a part of the residence of the Lionhearts.

There are many trees around that can be seen. Though it was not autumn yet, their color is orange. They follow the breeze of the wind and they sway to it. Looking far ahead, there can be seen a large mansion; a mansion that wouldn't even compare to his - his would look like an ordinary house.

The mansion almost looks like a castle. There was its huge base and two tall towers on each side where their crest is decorated on. In front, where they are currently walking, is a paved-cobblestone road that splits into two: one going straight ahead, and the other, circles to the back. There are also many decorations in places, such as the lion statues and different colored-flowers.

In this world, a family n.o.bles' residence and mansions represent their wealth and influence to their country. Every family n.o.bles have to have their own mansion that will show their wealth or else they will become a laughing stock to the others. Definitely, this manor of the Lionhearts is one to be praised and owed.

Soon, they have arrived in front of its two large doors, again, carved with faces of lions.

[ We're here, Vlad-sama; please prepare to meet our master, Cristov-sama. ]

The two servants placed their hands on the doors handles and slowly, they've opened them.

[ [ Welcome! Vlad Alucard-sama! ] ] as soon as it opens, he was greeted with the voices of maids and servants inside.

Like the two servants, Guardo and Gina, there were servants who are wearing light armors, but most of the maids and other servants that are gathered right now are wearing proper maid uniforms and butler suits.

One thing Vlad had noticed is that the ones who are wearing armors are taller people and well-built than those who aren't. Maybe like the two, they're warriors or soldiers, or at least that's the conclusion Vlad had come up with. He knows that the Lionhearts are a family who prioritizes and acknowledge strength; it would be logical.

[ Un... ] he only nodded a little and continues to walk at a much slower pace - towards the people waiting in the middle of the room.

Looking ahead, there were the people lining up, one of whom is Caiden. Almost all of them are tall, well-built, and has red hair, all except one person, the woman in the middle who has average height and blonde hair.

( What is this family...? )

If not a family, they would be a gang - that what Vlad thought as he looks at them. All have intimidating looks and scary stares. If they change the color of their hair, they would look like a certain race from the anime he had watched as a kid(DBZ)

*Tap, tap tap...

And so, Vlad stopped as he reached a close enough distance.

[ Umu. You must be Vlad Alucard! Welcome to the Lionhearts! ] the tallest man in the middle shouted and welcomed him. Like the others, he has red hair, but his is much darker in color and much fierce-looking.

[ My name is Cristov Lionheart; the head of this family. I welcome you. ]

( Here comes the dad... )

[ Un, thank you for your hospitality. ]

[ Ohho~ Really... I didn't know that the guy who beat my student up with one spell would be this fragile-looking... Hmm... I guess you really can't judge a book by its cover... ]

( ... )

[ Vlad-san! I would love to see how powerful you really are... ]

As he says this, his and all of his kids' eyes flared up red in excitement. And they slowly became like a pack of wolves ready to pounce on their prey. They were like beasts finally out of their cages. Except of course, for Caiden, who already knows him, and the woman with the most different traits.

( Seriously... What's up with this family...? )

Sensing danger, Stella and Ayla began to heighten up their senses and s.h.i.+n put one of his hands on his back secretly to pick up his weapon.

( Is this how you treat a guest...? )

[ Hehe... Vlad-san... How about a spar...? ] General Cristovs showed a creepy smile on his face as he says so.

Slowly, the atmosphere became dangerous.

Two sides showed bloodl.u.s.ts and killing intent.

[ Come-on...! I just want to see - ]

That was until...

[ I think you should stop with that, my dear. ] a silent, sweet yet matured voice was suddenly heard. It came to the smallest one in the group and the only one who has blonde hair.

[ [ ... ] ] every one of them went back to normal almost immediately, even the excited Cristov who is the head of the house.

It was almost invisible, but Vlad was sure that he saw a cold sweat appeared on Cristov's forehead.

[ I-I'm sorry, dear... I think I went too far... ] Cristov whispers in an apologetic manner while scratching his head.

[ It's okay, you can greet Vlad-san here properly. He's our guest. You're the head of the house. Shake his hand. ]

[ O-Of course... I'm really sorry about that, Vlad-san... Let me introduce myself once more... My name is Cristov Lionheart. This 'young' sweet woman here is my wife, and this are my children... Pleased to meet your acquaintance... ] she says in a much different manner than before. And as what his wife had said, he also shook Vlad's hands.

[ Un... ]

( What the h.e.l.l just happened...? )

The atmosphere earlier had now completely disappeared. They suddenly became the normal-like family Vlad was expecting and it confused him.

He then looks at the woman that tamed the wild beasts.

[ As he introduced, I'm his wife, Karen. ] she smiles and shook Vlad's hands.

( She looks completely different from her sons and daughters... She's their complete opposite... Furthermore... she's like the alpha in this family... Is that how it really works...? )

[ My name is Cole. ]

[ I'm Cette. ]

[ Cain. ]

[ I'm Casper! ]

[ It's nice to meet you again, Vlad-san. ]

Like their father, they are now well-behaved unlike before.

They introduces themselves to Vlad with Caiden greeting him last.

[ Un. Again, My name is Vlad Alucard. ] he didn't actually introduce himself properly earlier since he wasn't given the chance, so now, he did.

( What a weird family... )