Chapter 65: Problems Follow Us
"YAH!"
Two swords clashed with a snap, creating sparks that danced in the air. A young redhead and a blue-haired girl were training intensely at that moment.
"You've improved," commented Dante as he dodged strikes from the Holy Sword Durandal.
"And you've improved even more. This sword seems sharper," Sara praised as she propelled herself forward, launching into a new attack.
"HA!" he exclaimed, raising his sword to block the blow. Sweat was already dripping down both their faces, highlighting the intensity of the training. Dante wore a training uniform consisting of shorts and a black tank top, while Sara wore a similar all-black ensemble.
"Are you getting tired?" Sara teased, amused by Dante's tired expression.
"Bring it on," he challenged, advancing to attack. Dante's strikes came in sequence, but all were skillfully deflected by Sara.
"YAH! HA! YAH!"
It was the only sound filling the space, both completely immersed in training, unaware of Sasaki Kojiro's presence as he observed them.
"This is making me want to puke, and I'm a supporter of love," Kojiro thought with a slight smile as he settled into one of the rows. He leaned his hands behind his head and raised one foot, watching Dante and Sara train.
"Ugh," Dante sighed, raising his arms in a "T" shape.
"Please, time!" he pleaded, clearly exhausted. They had been in the training arena for over five hours since they woke up that Sunday.
"Haha! I won!" exclaimed Sara with a charming smile, holding Durandal on the ground. Dante, breathless, felt his feelings for Sara bloom slightly, like the cherry blossoms of spring.
"Yes, boss, you won," he agreed, letting himself fall to the ground, gazing up at the sky. The arena they were in was the second one in the academy, simulating a battlefield on the western plains. Dante now rested on the thin layer of green grass.
"Sara," he called out, and she turned to him. "I'm sorry," he said, closing his eyes. Sara felt slightly hurt.
"You abandoned me, I won't forgive you," she said, lying down beside him and watching the clouds pass by.
"I know, I'm dealing with some issues in my head..." Dante began, but didn't continue. Instead, he opened his eyes and looked sideways.
The girl stared at him with two large eyes that seemed like moons, almost consuming Dante's entire vision, making him feel a bit uncomfortable.
Cough, he coughed lightly. "Could you stop watching us like an old pervert, Mr. Sasaki?" Dante said, and Sara turned completely red as she immediately got up and spotted a man with white hair sitting on one of the benches in the arena.
"I like to appreciate youth," replied Sasaki with a mischievous smile in his eyes. "But you two should focus more on training than on my observation activities."
"We're not here for that, kid," added Sasaki, but quickly changed his mind. "Start using your waist, your technique will improve. But, actually, I didn't come here for that."
"Here, this is for you," he said, handing two cards to the young ones.
"Azure, Queen of Eternal Waters, Adventure Rank A," Sara read aloud, while Dante looked at his own.
"Akuma, Demon King of Devastation, Adventure Rank A," Dante read, looking at Sasaki for explanations.
"Unfortunately, we can't use your real names in Kryoris guilds for security reasons. We've been facing some recent problems and made this decision to avoid exposing your faces when you're outside of Kryoris," he explained, turning slowly to Sara.
"Your mother asked you to be more careful. It seems that a sworn enemy of the Empire has returned. They call themselves the 'New Demon Cult' and have recently attacked sixteen provinces," he explained, while Sara firmly held the handle of Durandal.
"Just like the Demon Cult, Dante, your wife asked me to deliver this to you," he continued, handing a letter to Dante, who read it silently.
Dear Dante,
I hope this letter finds you well. I'm sorry to inform you that I'm about to leave this world for a few months. My goal is to reunite with my family to better understand their banishment from the Spirit world.
During my absence, I've appointed Skyla to closely monitor Titania's actions. I have full confidence in her ability to perform this task diligently and discreetly.
As for Hellsing, I've entrusted the care of the organization to Morgana. Three cities affiliated with Hellsing were recently targeted in attacks perpetrated by a group known as the Black Rose. It is crucial that you remain vigilant regarding the situation at the Academy. If you detect any suspicious activity, be prepared to take extreme measures to ensure your own safety.
Once I return, I will personally deal with the situation.
Regarding our personal relationship, I want to make it clear that I have not yet formally accepted your marriage proposal. I encourage you to work hard to earn recognition and to abandon childish behaviors. However, even if you mature, you will always be my baby.
In the end, I want you to know that even when I'm far away, my love for you remains unwavering.
With all my affection,
Mom
"Why so formal? Did she ask someone to write this? And what's with this 'Not accepting to be your bride' story? It was you who married me! What's this? Are you backing out now?
What's this about 'MY BABY??!!'" Dante was shocked by what he had just read...
"Could it have been Morgana who wrote this? I can't imagine who could have done this." Dante couldn't believe that such a letter had come from Valentina. On the contrary, he already believed that she had asked someone to write it.
"Sometimes I think it would have been better to have lived as a human," he said aloud while they both stared at him.
"Is this letter really that bad?" Sara asked; even Sasaki was curious.
"If by 'bad' you mean that my mother is leaving the world to go find her Familiar, and our guild was attacked in three different cities... Yeah, it's pretty bad. Look at how she wrote it, it's like she asked someone to write it."
"Let me see," Sasaki said, and Dante handed him the paper. He made a surprised expression, just like Dante. "The handwriting is hers, Dante," he concluded and continued reading.
"Weird, we haven't received anything about Hellsing being attacked," Sasaki commented. "I understand... It makes sense, she's planning something... That scary woman," Sasaki commented lightly, thinking of Morgana.
"Sasaki, isn't it very disrespectful to speak of a man's wife in such a low manner in front of him?" Dante asked, with a large vein almost bursting on his forehead.
"Oh, yes, that's true. Fortunately, I was here to prevent YOUR WIFE from being BETRAYED, isn't that right, Dante?" He asked with a crooked smile and a large vein.
"Oh, of course, I'm sorry for you not understanding that my wives are completely supportive of my happiness, unlike a certain someone who's been single for years," Dante said with a smile, and Sasaki looked at him with a grin.
"Oh, yes, before I go, I have something to say," Sasaki commented, and they both started paying attention to him.
"Many things have been happening in the past month, I'm honestly worried. So, stay alert during the excursion tomorrow. I wish I could go, but I'll return to my home to check on some things. Maybe it'll take me a month to come back, so above all, preserve your safety.
Professor Mogh from the third year and Nagasawa will accompany you during the excursion, but prioritize your safety," Sasaki said in a tone too serious for them to ignore, and they nodded. Sasaki turned around and suddenly disappeared.
"The Eastern Continent being attacked," Dante said, looking at the horizon.
"The affiliated cities of Hellsing being attacked," Sara said, sitting next to him.
They were both sitting there, the sky already with its warm, golden tones of the night falling, the gentle wind caressing their faces, creating a slight serene atmosphere.
Dante looked at the horizon, his worried expressions marking his face, and Sara approached him gently, sensing the tension in the air.
She gently placed her body next to his, resting her head on his shoulder, seeking comfort.
"I'm worried too, these attacks... they're strange," Sara commented.
Dante sighed, looking sideways and once again encountering two huge moons in her eyes, but the eyes were of genuine concern. Sara was still the only possible direct Empress; one day, she would assume such a position.
"I am too..." He didn't have much to say, despite being genuinely worried, he knew he couldn't do anything but protect himself.
"We are stronger when we are together," Sara said, recalling her only request she made to Dante. "Don't abandon me."
"I know, let's protect ourselves," he said, resting his head against Sara's, who closed her eyes lightly as she rested.
In the distance, however, our favorite romantic was still observing the scene.
"I must be unlucky in love, he has three... and I'm single," he sighed deeply and disappeared into thin air.