Chapter 93 The Aftermath 2



"Lead the way, Maria. I want to see her," Daniel requested.

Maria nodded in acknowledgment and promptly guided Daniel towards the hospital. They boarded an electric car at the hangar, and within a few minutes, they arrived at a tall white building adorned with a prominent red cross sign and a signboard that read 'Main Hospital'.

Stepping out of the car, Daniel entered the hospital through its entrance, which led to a spacious and well-lit lobby. Despite its pristine and organized appearance, the atmosphere felt slightly subdued, with only a handful of people present. The soft murmurs of conversation and occasional footsteps created a sense of tranquility that permeated the area.

The hospital staff moved with purpose, their footsteps echoing softly on the polished floors. Daniel observed a few nurses attending to their tasks, their crisp white uniforms standing out against the sterile environment. Despite the apparent emptiness, the hospital exuded an air of efficiency and readiness, as if poised to spring into action at a moment's notice.

Daniel's gaze swept across the lobby, taking in the sight of the reception counter where one of his actualized people, dressed in a white gown, stood attentively. Nearby, a woman from Veneziale's gang, serving as an informant, engaged in a hushed conversation with the actualized doctor. Although their voices were low, they added a touch of liveliness to the otherwise serene surroundings.

The doctor, actualized from the 'Atlantean Field Medic' card with the ordinary ability "Tap: Gain 2 life" and a power and toughness rating of 1, seemed relatively at ease with Wrath being the only patient at the moment.

"Doctor!" Maria's stern voice startled the doctor, who swiftly snapped back to a professional demeanor upon hearing her admonishing tone.

"Yes, Miss Maria," the doctor responded, attempting to regain his professionalism despite feeling a bit awkward. He noticed his lord approaching alongside Maria.

"Ah, my lord! I assume you've come for Miss Wrath," the doctor greeted Daniel with a bow.

"Yes, where is she? Is she safe enough for us to visit?" Daniel inquired.

"Yes, my lord. She is already strong enough to receive guests, especially from you. Although she is still sleeping, we estimate that she will wake up tomorrow morning. However, there is something I need to tell you about her," the doctor's expression turned solemn, indicating that the information he was about to share might be of grave concern.

"Please go on, doctor," Daniel urged, bracing himself for potentially unsettling news based on the doctor's tone.

"My lord, based on our tests and analysis, it appears that Miss Wrath will no longer be able to use magic. We are still uncertain about the cause, but we have detected that although mana is still flowing through her magic veins and can be accessed, she is unable to utilize magic. To use an analogy, it's like a driver without a car equipped with wheels, brakes, gears, or any other components necessary to translate the driver's commands into action," the doctor explained.

Hearing this revelation, Daniel felt a mix of relief and concern for Wrath. However, he reminded himself that he was now strong enough to protect her, and he had his own forces, albeit modest in size. But after the Card Shop opened once again, he could expand his forces further.

"I understand. If she struggles with being unable to use magic, I'll try to talk to her," Daniel responded with understanding.

"Thank you, my lord. Now, please follow me. I'll lead you to her room," the doctor said, taking the lead and guiding Daniel towards Wrath's resting place.

After a few minutes, the group arrived in front of Wrath's room. It was a reserved space for VIP patients within the hospital, a white room that was minimally decorated but prioritized cleanliness and efficiency. The walls were adorned with numerous panels containing medical equipment, ensuring prompt assistance and comprehensive care if needed.

Wrath lay peacefully in the room, soundly asleep. Daniel carefully placed the child on a long sofa, allowing her to continue her rest. Soon, he would need to find a more suitable place for her to stay, as the base was not an ideal long-term solution.

Daniel gazed down at Wrath's familiar face with a mix of love and tenderness. He gently stroked her head, his hand gliding through her black-red hair. The face of his beloved rested serenely, unaware that he had finally taken his place by her bedside.

"Thank you, doctor. I won't trouble you any further," Daniel expressed his gratitude.

"If you require anything or if the patient wakes up, please use this button," the doctor pointed to a call button on the panel above the patient's bed.

"I will, thank you," Daniel acknowledged, his hand continuing to stroke his girlfriend's head with care.

Upon witnessing the scene, a pang of unease tugged at Michaela's heart, though she couldn't voice her concerns. In contrast, Maria's gaze held a glimmer of hope. She understood that Wrath harbored no objections to her relationship with Daniel; in fact, she even offered her support. 

Maria never anticipated such a response from Wrath, nor had she viewed her lord in that particular light. Yet, if someone were to inquire whether she disliked the notion, her answer would unequivocally be a resounding no. In truth, she rather liked it.

"Maria, Michaela, could you please take the child and ensure she is properly rested and find some clothes for her? We wouldn't want her to catch a cold," Daniel requested.

"Of course, my lord. You can count on us/ Certainly, my lord," both Maria and Michaela replied, accepting their lord's command. They carefully picked up the sleeping child and left the room, leaving Daniel alone with his girlfriend.

As the door closed behind them, Daniel planted a tender kiss on Wrath's forehead and couldn't help but smile. A wave of relief washed over him as he gazed at her peaceful face, and many of his worries seemed to dissipate in that moment.

"I apologize for not being able to help and protect you sooner, but there's no need to worry now. I'm here with you once again," Daniel spoke with tenderness and love, expressing his remorse and reassurance. He then settled himself on the nearby sofa, ready to rest.

As the weight of his worries lifted, a profound wave of weariness washed over him. Slowly, he succumbed to sleep, drifting off on the sofa, his tiredness finally claiming him.

_____

— Meanwhile - England - The Hightower HQ —

Within the sprawling grounds of the Myriad building, nestled amidst its tranquil gardens, stood the headquarters of the Hightower-Path of Knowledge faction. Housed in an old gothic structure, the building had been thoughtfully updated with modern amenities to ensure functionality and comfort.

The gardens surrounding the headquarters provided a serene environment, perfect for engaging in deep discussions on magical theory. Lush greenery, carefully tended flowerbeds, and cozy seating areas offered a peaceful retreat where members could gather to exchange ideas and expand their understanding of the arcane.

Adjacent to the gardens, expansive green fields served as a testing ground for a variety of artifacts and apparatus. Here, mages and scholars from the Hightower-Path of Knowledge faction conducted experiments, pushing the boundaries of magical exploration. The fields buzzed with activity as spells were cast, inventions were fine-tuned, and new insights were discovered. 

The gothic structure itself retained its timeless charm, while incorporating modern upgrades for convenience. Equipped with air conditioning units, solar cells for energy efficiency, and backup generators to ensure uninterrupted power supply, the headquarters seamlessly blended old-world aesthetics with contemporary functionality.

As the heart of the Hightower-Path of Knowledge faction, the headquarters symbolized the fusion of tradition and progress. It served as a haven for scholars, researchers, and practitioners of magic, united in their pursuit of knowledge. Within its walls, the ancient secrets of the arcane were safeguarded and new frontiers of magical understanding were explored, shaping the future of the mystical arts.

Within one of the conference rooms, a heavy air of seriousness hung in the atmosphere. High-ranking members of the faction and mage societies engaged in a heated debate, their attention fixated on a picture displayed on the screen.

The image depicted seven formidable Atlantean vanguards clad in hulking power armor suits, decimating over a hundred opposing forces from the Willow family. Both mages and armed ordinary men fell before their relentless onslaught. The vanguards' reflexes and accuracy in battle were unparalleled, akin to seasoned veterans with countless victories under their belts. The sheer power of their weapons effortlessly tore through mage barriers, rendering them as fragile as wet, thin paper.

Another distressing sight captured on the screen was that of Magitek and his bodyguard, ruthlessly massacring the Willow family's vampire reinforcements. The movements of Magitek, his adversary, displayed an agility and skill reminiscent of the long-extinct Vampire Hunters of old, striking fear into the hearts of those present. This unexpected turn of events compelled the gathering to revisit the origin of Magitek, urging their subordinates to swiftly gather more information about this enigmatic individual.