Chapter 287

Vorbuk left his room with Ashley and headed in the direction of the palace knight's training grounds. There were no knights training on the grounds today due to the blood red rain that was falling all across the continent. All knights, regardless of position, were on duty in order to maintain the kingdom during this time.

I should be able to train here without interruption. Vorbuk thought while looking around the training grounds with Ashley standing directly behind him.

Red rain water dripped from Vorbuk's black hair as he walked over to the weapon rack and picked up a dual blade. He needed more practice with a weapon similar to his own dual blade, Chavez, that he could make from his mana. Summoning his true blade from his mana would exhaust him too quickly so he preferred to practice with a regular one outside of real combat or intense training for his mana control.

"Master," Ashley called out to him from behind while he was training on his own with the dual bladed sword, "would you like a sparring partner?"

Vorbuk's red eyes flashed with a feint light as he pushed himself harder. He was not listening to Ashley's voice however his gaze swept into the vampire's direction on instinct. Hearing the slight sounds of movement coming towards him. Using his senses carefully the sound of the vampire's scythe coming in his direction had pulled his natural defense. The moment their gaze's locked on each other Vorbuk moved to block it.

CLANG! Sskkkk!

Ashley's blood scythe scraped across the blade of Vorbuk's weapon as he pulled it back after being blocked. Vorbuk growled slightly from his throat as he spoke, "I do not need help from you."

"I am a great teacher, master~" Ashley smiled as he swung his scythe again and again while his master blocked each attack. Though his master denied needing help from him, the beast continued to return each strike of his without complaint.

Vorbuk wanted to laugh at the thought of Ashley being someone's trainer, yet he could not complain because he was accepting his help, he could not help muttering under his breath, "Who would be crazy enough to take you as their teacher?"

A certain prince that you care so much about gets help from me. Ashley thought to himself, holding back a laugh, as their blades collided and scraped roughly against each other causing sparks to scatter in the air between them.

"Master," Ashley smiled with a bright expression on his face the more he thought about it, "I think I make a great teacher."

The two of them trained for several hours. Pushing Vorbuk to his limits as he continued to train hard. Every attack Vorbuk made became more comfortable over time. His body adjusted quickly with the vampire's guidance. It may not make him a perfect fighter over night but he could feel his own growth the more he worked with him. When it came to fighting it was truly hard to go against a vampire's deadly speed with their every movement.

A god's death, a terrifying rain, and yet that very rain if you looked passed how scary it seemed gave such a beautiful effect to those who stood under it. The rain was similar, though not as powerful, as holy water directly from The World Tree. It was refreshing for the body and could aid in speeding up healing. They both felt refreshed after only a few minutes of resting under the rain. It made their training more intense as they fought in it.

"I think I need a break." Vorbuk collapsed on his butt on one of the knight's benches outside the training ground's center. Around the outer wall surrounding the training grounds were places for the knights to sit and relax as well as manage their gear. Knights needed proper rest just like everyone else.

Vorbuk tried to refrain from panting in human form, his body was sore from head to toe after struggling to spar against Ashley, "I never would have taken you as someone who would teach anyone."

Ashley tensed up slightly as he thought about the stubborn prince, Leo, that he had been helping for the sake of his master lately, "I much prefer gardening to helping others."

"I do not easily see that either." Vorbuk replied while picturing Ashley taking care of plants. Flowers, would Ashley have been a florist if he'd had the chance?

"Pffft!" Vorbuk tried to hold in the laugh as soon as the image came to his mind but failed. Laughing out loud, he covered his face with the palm of his hand.

Uncertain why he felt insulted by Vorbuk's sudden laugh, Ashley sat down beside him. Both of them were dripping with red rain water and covered in dirt from training. The rain was cool and helped them both to relax from he heat of training. If you got past the fact that it was red the water was not that horrifying for Vorbuk. It felt like regular rain water however he could feel the rich sense of mana that came within the rain giving a soothing effect over his body.

"Fire!"

"There is a Fire!!"

"Someone set fire to the princess's palace!"

Vorbuk felt his heart stop as he heard the sudden shouting in the distance from the palace servants. Something had gone horribly wrong. The palace that Princess Isis was residing inside of during h er stay had been lit on fire.

[ Quest Activated: Rescue The Princess ]

"Your Majesty, intruders have invaded the palace! The Princess is currently trapped within her palace with one of them!" A servant told Vorbuk as he ran up to them. He was out of breath from running around in search of them.

Ashley felt his heart thud into the pit of his stomach, his anger beginning to rise along with his worry about the princess, "Has any information on the intruder been found yet?"

"No, you majesty." The servant replied nervously while looking at his angered king.

"Ashley." Vorbuk called out for him.

"Yes, master?" Ashley replied while carefully observing the servant in front of them.

"Protect Prince Chase," Vorbuk spoke while his body began to cover in black smoke, "if they are attacking the princess's palace then they may go after Chase as well."

"Master-!" Ashley wanted to refute the command. A sharp pain shooting through his temple.

"This is a command, Ashley. Go protect Prince Chase." Vorbuk did not want to leave the child unprotected. He could find the princess on his own and take care of her til help arrived. Prince Chase was still young and may need someone to guide him into making proper decisions during this time.

Ashley could not refuse a command given to him directly by his master. He could only watch as his master returned to his natural wolf form and jumped into the shadows. Shadow movement was quicker to move around in without being seen by others. It would be possible to track the princess down more quickly with that method.

Even if he wanted to help he could not. Ashley had to find Prince Chase before he could do anything further. His duty at the moment was to locate him.

After finding Prince Chase I will return, master. Ashley thought to himself while turning to dash off towards the main palace.