This was an ancient castle, like a composed and elegant nobleman, exuding an air of age and solemnity.
Every stone wall seemed to tell stories spanning centuries.
Every stone within it bore the weight of time.
This was on the outskirts of London, Britain.
The headquarters of the Royal Order of Protestant Knights, private property of the Hellsing family.
The horizon was gradually whitening as dawn approached.
Yet the distant rumble of gunfire could still be faintly heard.
Even the seemingly fresh air carried a trace of gunpowder smoke.
"It may be a little small, but you can tell it's been well cared for."
The two Army soldiers guarding either side of the main gate only saw a blur before eight figures appeared out of thin air in the open space before them.
They instinctively raised their guns in alert, only to spot the familiar Alucard and Seras.
The words they had been about to shout were immediately swallowed back down.
At the same time, they took the other six strangers to be guests of Hellsing.
Especially the blue-haired man at the very front, who had praised the castle.
That bearing, those clothes—one look was enough to tell he was a person of high status.
"Eh? Why didn't they react?"
Joseph was somewhat puzzled to see that the two soldiers showed no reaction to their sudden appearance.
He had thought he would immediately get to see blood spill on the spot and alarms blare inside.
The two A-rank mages behind him also hesitated, unsure whether they should unleash the spells they had prepared.
"These are mages I invited. There's no need to be alarmed."
Alucard stepped forward and spoke to the two sentries.
Then, under their astonished gazes, he led Joseph and the others into the courtyard.
No need to