Shinji Matou At Your Service - Chapter 509: The Vampire Dracula 

The legend became reality.

Terror descended.

Shadows, magic, mist, and monstrosity completely transformed the leader of the Black Faction.

At this moment, the Black Berserker was no longer the lord of Romania, “Little Dragon” or “Impaler” Vlad III, but the blood-drinking monster, the noble ruling the night, remembered by the world as Count Dracula.

The legends of vampires mostly originate from the Dead Apostles.

Some blend into human society to drink blood, while others maintain a solitary, aloof existence. Regardless, Dead Apostles have always maintained their unique concepts and culture, living silently on the world’s dark side, unknown to the public.

However, the being before them was not such an existence.

From the perspective of mysterious phenomena, it had only a history of a few centuries. However, its terror had thoroughly covered the entire world. When people heard “vampire,” their first thought was not of the Dead Apostles hiding in the dark corners of the world, but of Romania’s great hero Vlad III—the model for “Vampire Dracula.”

Karna’s indestructible spear indeed pierced the chest of the Black Berserker, shattering his spirit core. For nearly all Servants, this would be fatal, but that assumption was based on the fact that most Servants were human. The Black Berserker was no longer human.

Not only was he not destroyed, but he even had the leisure to smile.

What flowed from the pierced part was not blood but an unknown substance resembling black shadows. The “shadows” poured out and soon transformed the entire body of the Black Berserker into this form.

“…Although I felt a definite sensation, it seems to have no effect if he turns into that.”

Witnessing this bizarre scene, even Karna couldn’t help but widen his eyes. The spear he wielded was a divine treasure, one of the few top artifacts of Indian mythology. If piercing the spirit core with such a weapon was ineffective, it meant—this guy had no fatal weaknesses anymore.

“I should have killed him before he turned into a vampire!”

As Atalanta complained, a large swarm of bats flew out from the black shadows. The bats gathered together, gradually forming a human shape.

The vampire, fully restored to human form, turned his face towards the Servants. His originally pale skin had completely lost its color, with all the blood concentrated in his eyes, turning into a primal thirst for blood.

The once elegant black noble attire was torn to shreds. From within, instead of blood and flesh, shadows with substance constantly leaked out.

The silver spear he previously wielded vanished without a trace as his heroic side was completely erased.

“He has turned into a complete monster.”

Karna’s straightforward remark received the unanimous agreement of all present Servants.

“Monster or human, everything is for our wish. For this, I will use any power.”

Though he had become the vampire Dracula, the Black Berserker had not lost his sanity. He slowly surveyed his surroundings as if carefully observing, then locked his gaze on a particular spot.

“Alright, quickly bring me my Greater Grail. I must use it to wash away the stigma placed upon me.”

It was nighttime, the peak of the vampire’s power. The Black Berserker, with all his senses greatly enhanced, had already detected the location of the Greater Grail.

Achilles showed scorn with a facial expression., gripping his spear, and used his superior speed to instantly close the distance to the vampire. As he leaped, he hurled the spear with bullet-like speed at the vampire!

“You turned yourself into a monster and still talk about washing away your disgrace? That’s laughable.”

“No!”

The voice of restraint came from his teacher, Chiron. But it was too late; the spear had already been caught by the vampire.

A fatal shot was fired at a speed surpassing sound. Against this supposedly unavoidable strike, the vampire caught the spear effortlessly with one hand.

It was as if he had caught a flying missile bare-handed—an incredible feat. Naturally, his flesh was torn, nerves severed, and bones shattered into fragments.

However, the vampire’s regenerative ability was far quicker than the injuries inflicted. The sight of him regenerating the instant he was injured was enough to send chills down one’s spine.

“You shouldn’t underestimate monsters. I may not want to use this Noble Phantasm, but the power it brings is undeniably real.”

Casually tossing the spear aside, the vampire lunged at Achilles. The man, who was in mid-air, was instantly pinned to the ground. Even so, Achilles still had strength to spare. As long as his opponent wasn’t someone with divine lineage, no attack could harm his body.

That should have been the case, but the moment the vampire bared his fangs, Achilles’ extensive combat experience and survival instincts warned him, prompting him to reflexively block the vampire’s bite with his wrist.

As the fangs touched his arm, he felt a strange sensation of pain and itchiness.

—Poison!?

Before Achilles could react, Chiron kicked him forcefully, sending him flying.

Separated from the fangs, the pain and itchiness disappeared immediately.

Groaning as he stood up, Achilles protested:

“What the hell are you doing!?”

“For an attack to affect you, it must possess the attribute of ‘divinity.’ Due to your heroic traits, even mental interference and illusion magic are completely ineffective. However, even without divine lineage, there are ways to ‘make you an ally.’ That was not an attack just now; it was a vampiric act. It wasn’t intended to kill you but to turn you into an ally. Your body is indeed invincible against malice and killing intent, but when faced with a request, your resistance is very weak. In other words—”

“—Acts of affection are ineffective.”

Achilles, looking displeased, finished the explanation.

Chiron said nothing more, left hand holding the bow, right hand nocking an arrow, and without hesitation, he shot at the vampire who had until recently been their ally.

However, the vampire nonchalantly pulled out the arrow embedded in his body. Not a drop of blood was shed, and the wound healed in the blink of an eye.

“What is the meaning of this, Black Archer? Are you planning to betray us?”

Darnic demanded harshly.

“This isn’t betrayal.”

Chiron shook his head, his face showing undisguised regret and sorrow. “Compared to the Red and Black factions, we are heroes first and foremost. Some things cannot be compromised.”

Vlad III did not get angry at this answer but asked unhurriedly, “Did I do something intolerable to you? Or do you insist that heroes must defeat me, the monster?”

“In essence, yes. You are too dangerous now. If I had hesitated even a moment longer, Achilles might have become your thrall—such is the nature of vampires. Am I wrong, Ruler?”

“!!!”