Joshua, known as the Time Sorcerer, was said to be unbound by the conventional flow of time like other beings. His existence lay beyond the usual timeline, rendering his body immune to the effects of time itself.
That afternoon, as the sun scorched the horizon, Joshua walked through the crowd. The path he took grew increasingly difficult, but he pressed on, searching for the identity he had long lost. The mystery of the Bishop family's origins haunted him—why did he know nothing about his birth mother? Why had he been abandoned so easily?
He wanted answers. He wanted to uncover his true self. Yet the more he searched, the more elusive everything became.
Deep within his mind, Joshua always felt that he was not truly himself. As if somewhere, there was another life—one more real, more fulfilling than the one he was living now.
History may fade into mystery, but no force could truly erase it—just as no force could erase reality itself.
Joshua intended to confront his father, Alucard. But should he resort to violence? Or would it be wiser to speak calmly, even though diplomacy was not his strong suit?
His father was nearly impossible to defeat. Thanks to Molecule, he was utterly untouchable—even by the slightest attack.
So, how could he face him? Should he wait for the perfect moment? Or would he need speed beyond anything ever seen?
Joshua had to find the answer. There were still countless mysteries from the past left unsolved, but now was the time to seek the truth.
And he would get his answers once he met Alucard.
•.
"Hibiki, I want to ask you something," Dante said, his voice serious. "Regarding your power… will you use it to save humanity? Or only for your own ego?"
They were still in the dining room, and the conversation grew heavier.
Hibiki lowered his gaze, contemplating the question. "I still don't have a purpose in life," he muttered. "Maybe that could be one of them..."
He lifted his head, meeting Dante's eyes with lingering uncertainty. "But I don't have enough motivation to truly commit to it."
Dante smirked in satisfaction. "Hmph, that's good enough, I suppose," he said. "I'll tell you after this..."
•.
Within the Abyssal vortex, where demons reside, they exist as abstract, absurd, and grotesque beings.
Their forms cannot be defined, nor can they be etched in visuals or words. They typically stand over two meters tall, possessing intelligence that far surpasses that of humans. They are wise, filled with vast knowledge and immeasurable experience.
The Abyssal vortex lies beyond the reach of Earth—not below, not above, but far beyond the boundaries of this world's existence.
The demons no longer see humans as threats; instead, they face the Anomalies, creatures that also dwell in the darkness of the Abyss. A single demon has the power to annihilate an entire world without exerting its full strength. Their capabilities defy comprehension.
Yet, despite their unimaginable power, they are still living beings. And like all living beings, they remain bound by the fundamental laws of the universe.
Typically, they rely on the power of one among them to perform
The demons have a simple goal: to traverse the universe, amass power, knowledge, and dominion. They seek worlds teeming with life—worlds on the brink of perfection.
•.
Joshua stood right in front of the castle gate. He remained still, gazing at the grand structure before him.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. The gate began to open slowly—on its own, without anyone pushing or pulling it.
In this castle, there was no one else but Alucard.
Joshua took a step forward.
And that was the first step toward his revelation.
•.
"What kind of disaster could possibly make you offer this?" Hibiki asked, his face filled with curiosity.
He knew that Dante wasn't just wary of whether Hibiki was a friend or foe. Hibiki was certain that a far greater catastrophe was looming.
Dante smirked. "You're quite perceptive. Yes, in this universe, there's a calamity far beyond our understanding."
Hibiki tilted his head, looking puzzled.
"A Raid is coming. We can't pinpoint exactly when, but beings from far beyond this world will launch a massive invasion and take control."
Hibiki's expression grew serious. This wasn't just an ordinary threat—this wasn't something from Earth.
But an invasion from beyond?
"We call them Demons… and this is not something we can take lightly."
•.
Joshua stepped through the vast corridor, dimly lit with minimal lighting.
He was the type of person who truly embraced solitude.
The castle wasn't particularly large—just a residence leading to a single room. A strange room.
One room, one residence, and only one person living within it.
Joshua finally arrived before two massive doors. He paused for a moment, then knocked three times. The doors slowly creaked open, revealing a dark chamber.
Inside, there were only two sofas, a few candles, and a dimly burning fireplace.
Seated casually on one of the sofas was a man with long, white hair. His expression was calm, as if he had nothing to worry about.
Joshua stood still, waiting for a response.
"Huh?"
Alucard slowly turned his head, brushing his long hair aside.
He narrowed his eyes, locking onto Joshua with a sharp gaze. "You…"
His stare was piercing, yet Joshua remained expressionless.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, the tension in his voice unwavering.
"What do you think, Father?" Joshua replied flatly. "I came for answers."
"Answers?" Alucard let out a quiet chuckle. "I won't let you have them."
"Why?"
"Simple. I follow only what I deem important." Alucard's tone carried a hint of arrogance.
"Must we settle this with violence?"
Alucard's eyes grew even sharper. "Do you truly believe violence can give you answers?"
Joshua remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Does this have something to do with Mother?"
Alucard flinched slightly at the words.