Chapter 22: Chapter III – Alucard’s Training Grounds and Palace Life
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Alucard watches two dozen new recruits spar on the palace grounds, finding their skill poor. Captain Isra stands beside him, noting that recruitment has dropped under Rhy’s reign due to rumors spread by the Hand. Alucard offers to spar with any volunteer. He scans the soldiers for hidden resentment and picks a recruit named Yarosev, who sneers at the royal family. During the fight, Alucard uses wind magic to trap the air in Yarosev’s chest, then releases him. When Yarosev throws dirt in desperation, Alucard suspends it midair with earth magic. He praises Yarosev’s persistence and helps him up. After an hour of training, Alucard returns to the palace through the northern gates, using a magical lock that reads his touch. Inside, he finds a rabbit eating a rug and soon meets Princess Ren (Tieren Maresh), who insists the animal cannot be caged—aligning with Arnesian beliefs against binding living things. Ren’s nurse, Sasha, appears, collects the rabbit, and tells Alucard she is giving Ren a bath because King Rhy wants to be alone. Alucard kneels to console Ren, joking about sharing baths, then heads off to find Rhy.
Key Events
- Alucard and Isra assess recruits – Training ground scene establishes the poor quality of new guards and the political pressure of the Hand’s rumors.
- Alucard singles out Yarosev – He reads the soldier’s disdain and chooses him for a sparring match.
- The sparring match – Alucard demonstrates his triad magic (air, earth, water) by cutting off Yarosev’s air and stopping dirt midair. Showing mercy, he praises the recruit’s fighting spirit.
- Alucard returns to the palace – He enters via the northern gates, using a magical lock attuned to his touch.
- Encounter with Ren – Ren (the king’s young daughter) has a rabbit loose in the palace. Alucard humorously tries to enforce rules but is swayed by her childlike logic.
- Sasha intervenes – The nurse retrieves the rabbit and informs Alucard that Rhy wishes to bathe alone. Alucard reassures Ren about bath time.
- Alucard goes to find Rhy – He decides to try to convince the king to share his bath.
Character Development
- Alucard Emery – He is portrayed as a skilled magician (triad) and a patient mentor. Despite the disrespect he faces as “sitaro” (consort), he commands respect through ability. His care for Ren shows a softer, fatherly side. He also bears the weight of political gossip and the constant need to prove himself.
- Isra – The captain of the guard is no-nonsense, loyal, and respected by Alucard. She effectively controls the recruits with a single word boosted by wind magic.
- Yarosev – Represents the hostility among new recruits toward the royal family. His hatred is evident, but Alucard’s treatment leaves him with grudging respect, as he eventually accepts a hand up.
- Ren (Tieren Maresh) – The four-year-old princess is curious, animal-loving, and possesses a natural authority that draws creatures to her. She challenges Alucard with principles of freedom for animals.
- Sasha – The nurse is efficient and maternal, handling Ren and the rabbit with calm authority.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Power and Perception – Alucard muses on words having two powers: meaning and tone. “Sitaro” can be respect or an insult depending on delivery. This theme runs through the chapter as Alucard navigates his public role.
- Control vs. Freedom – The Arnesian principle of never binding a living thing is highlighted through Ren’s rabbit and the contrast with other Londons. Alucard’s own restraint in sparring (holding back) mirrors this cultural reverence.
- Magic as Identity – Alucard’s triad magic sets him apart, and his ability to see magical auras gives him an edge. The chapter reinforces that magic is tied to personhood and lineage.
- Family and Duty – Alucard’s relationship with Ren and his wife (King Rhy) shows him balancing domestic life with his public role as consort. His affection for Ren is evident, and his decision to seek out Rhy after a hard day suggests a close partnership.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter humanizes Alucard and reveals the daily pressures he faces—not only as a magician and consort but as a step-parent to the kingdom’s heir. It also sets up the political tension created by the Hand’s rumors, which are eroding trust in the monarchy. The sparring match shows that while Alucard is powerful, he chooses compassion over dominance. The domestic interlude with Ren and the rabbit deepens his character, making him more than a battle-hardened sailor. Finally, the unresolved note about Rhy wanting to bathe alone hints at possible strain or change in the king’s mood.
Study Questions and Answers
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How does Alucard demonstrate his magical abilities during the sparring match, and why does he choose to hold back?
Alucard uses wind magic to suffocate Yarosev temporarily, then earth magic to suspend dirt. He holds back because he wants to test the recruit’s persistence without permanently harming him, and to avoid revealing the full extent of his power. -
What does the scene with Ren and the rabbit reveal about Arnesian cultural values?
It reveals the strong taboo against confining living things. The rabbit is allowed to roam because, as Ren says, “cages are for things you own,” and owning a creature violates the cardinal rule of not binding a mind or body. This value distinguishes Arnes from other Londons. -
Why does Alucard reflect on the word “sitaro” and how it can be wielded?
He reflects because the recruits’ looks and posture communicate disdain even when they don’t speak aloud. The word can be used with respect or as an insult, and the chapter explores how social status and public perception affect a person’s power, regardless of their actual magic.