(Picture: Vladislav Dieter Basilisk)

"Lord Vlad... it has been a long time..." Sir Alvard said but almost without a smile.

Vlad nodded and smirked, "It certainly has... Master Alvard," he said with a slight pressure on the word 'Master'.
He walked to a nearby chaise and sat down gracefully. While Sir Alvard kept standing.

"How are you faring lately?" Vlad asked again, chit-chatted like old days.

Sir Alvard sighed and shook his head sadly, "I had hoped my days in this mansion were numbered, but alas, fate will not let me retire until I fulfill my task. Unfortunately, that task is proving rather difficult. And also... I still have not succeeded yet in bringing YOU back to the right path."

Vladislav laughed softly, "right path? So you think that I am in the wrong side now? You must know that, what's right to you doesn't always seems right to others."

"Playing with lives? Is that sounds right to you, my Lord?" Sir Alvard squinted his eyes.

"Well, Master, I learned from you. Have you forgotten that it was your ambition that inspired me? You were the one who dragged me to this damned path, introduced me to the tradition of my ancestors. The beauty of the Dark Arts."

"Don't remind me, Vlad. That was a mistake. I admit," Sir Alvard said but almost without remorse. "Let's end this. Let's not spill anymore blood."

Lord Vladislav sighed, "I came here because I haven't seen you for a long time. Not to be lectured by you."

"Really... What's bringing you here today? True that it's been years since you have not stepped into the library. I guess... there is something more than meets the eye?" Sir Alvard asked calmly and put his hands behind his back.

Vladislav grinned as he crossed his arms, "well, that depends on your answer."

Sir Alvard tilted his head, "on what?"

Vlad sighed, "Master Alvard... I've been so generous towards you that I let you live, only to honor you as my previous mentor. So long until this very day. But now... I become more impatient. So... tell me, where is the grimoire?"

Sir Alvard's face turned to a cold expression as he heard the demand from Lord Vlad. He then answers calmly, "I don't know what you are talking about, my lord. The grimoire is nowhere near here."

Lord Vlad winced at Sir Alvard's answer "So you have no intention of giving it away?"

"What should I give if I don't have what you want?" Sir Alvard asked back.

"Stop talking nonsense!! you must know something!!" Lord Vlad stood up and raised his voice.

Sir Alvard was still calm and composed, he didn't even flinch at Lord Vlad's loud voice.
"I said I have no idea where the grimoire is. If you really want to know that badly, then why don't you search for it by yourself among thousands of books here? Doesn't this library belong to your family? I am only a mere librarian here and have no obligation to forbid you. You're free to do as you wish."

Lord Vlad squinted his eyes, a fiery anger reflected in both of his orbs. "You hide it somewhere? Answer me!"

"What made you think I hide it?" Sir Alvard asked again.

"You have always been... a man surrounded by mysteries. It's no wonder that I guessed you might know something about my lost grimoire. Someone stole it. And he might be you!"

Sir Alvard chuckled, "I am a librarian, Lord Vlad, not a burglar."

"One more final question! Where is my grimoire? Or else..." Lord Vlad summoned a demon then ordered him to attack Sir Alvard, but Lesath leaped out and protected him with his own body. He released a counter-attack that sent the opponent backward.

"Master! Are you alright?" Lesath turned a while to Sir Alvard. He stood tall in front of his respectful master.

Sir Alvard was slightly surprised as Lesath suddenly came out and protected him from harm. He nodded to show that he is fine.
"Thanks to you, my boy."

Lord Vlad was also surprised, but his smug face still remained. "No way... you are Lesath, the demon who I banished from this land!?"

Lesath smirked, "No. I've never truly left this place. I've been hiding myself as "Virgil L. Castor". But today... We met once again, Vlad. I have chosen Master Alvard as my true 'Master'! If you dare to scratch him an inch, I will guarantee that you'll face my wrath!"

Lord Vlad was speechless for a moment, but then he laughed again.
"Ha! Do you really think that you can beat me? I have defeated many demons before and killed the strongest one of them. You are nothing to me, little demon..."

"I'm not little! I'm two hundred years older than you!!"

Lord Vlad smirked, "Yes, but my pet demons were thousand years older than you."

Lord Vlad summoned a demon. This demon has a tall and black complexion like Lesath, only his hair was black. The demon's eyes were also a bit misplaced, somehow.

Vlad gestured to his demon, and he obeyed his instruction. Sir Alvard wanted to stop the fight, but as Vlad's demon leaped once again, they had no choice but to engage in a battle.

"Master, stand back!" Lesath cried.

The black demon immediately launched an attack towards Lesath. The demon's body was covered in black aura and he swung his blade repeatedly at Lesath, trying to slash him.

Lesath was a fast one, so he could easily dodge. However, his attack towards his opponent was not so strong. Some of his attacks even missed the target and he was not happy about it. He then quickly launched attacks once more, this time with both of his arms.

Realizing that his attacks were in vain, now Lesath dodged, just not to be killed. He planned to take Sir Alvard escaped from this place.

Lord Vlad's demon was frustrated as he could not scratch Lesath an inch. Lesath kept dodging swiftly almost like a dance, as smooth as the morning breeze.

The demon shifted his move in the last second and he dashed towards sir Alvard instead. Lesath was caught off guard by the sudden changes.

On the other side, Sir Alvard was still calm, as if he was ready for any attacks from the evil demon. He quickly stepped aside to avoid the attack of his enemy.

"I must say... you are quite persistent in killing me, aren't you?" Sir Alvard asked.

Sir Alvard muttered a verse of the holy book. He muttered in another language that could not be understood by Vlad nor his demon.

And that was enough to bring the demon down to his knees.

Lord Vlad was shocked and annoyed when his pet demon was suddenly paralyzed. He desperately tried to fight back but his body couldn't move.

"You... How did you do that? You can't just make my demon down with holy words!" Lord Vlad glared furiously.

"Virgil, now!!" Sir Alvard ordered, almost forgot the true name. He was very used to calling Lesath by the name "Virgil"

This is an advantage for Lesath as he could attack the evil demon again. By several moves, he managed to take down the evil demon. He watched as the demon turned into dust, truly leaving the world.

Lord Vlad gritted his teeth. But that was not the only demon slave he had. With a strange yet strong incantation, he summoned the black shadows. They were all nine black shadows. They circled around Lord Vlad, waiting for their master to command them. Their presence made the air become tense.

With a small gesture, Vlad commanded them to move and they swiftly flew towards their prey. Three to Sir Alvard, and seven to Lesath.
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