Chapter 50 50: After

A building burned in flames, killing many that were inside. The flames were so fierce that people could see the terrifying flames from far away and feel the heat as well.

All the Vampires that were around the city ran to the building in haste, trying to understand what had happened. The screams that came from the building stopped soon, but the flames continued.

Standing in a distant corner, Lia was watching the building burn. There was a look of sadness in her eyes. She didn't want to have to kill so many people, but she couldn't ignore the command of her Grandma.

She had thought that her grandma would ask her just to kill Atlas, but according to her, killing Atlas was going to bring Vampires on her trail along with her. Especially since Atlas was seen going with her.

The only way to make sure that it didn't happen was by making sure that Atlas wasn't the only one who died. If everyone in the building died, it could be considered an accidental explosion due to some explosives catching fire. Even though it was still going to get some investigation, there was going to be no witness since everyone died inside, including her for the world.

She noticed Vampires surrounding the place, but none of them dared to go inside the flames. They just watched from outside, wondering how it could've happened.

In the back, Lia started sneaking away, not intending to be noticed by the Vampires. According to her Grandma, the mission was canceled, and she was commanded to come back.

After hours, the flames had stopped. The Vampires finally entered the building to get a stock on things. As soon as they entered, they noticed many scorched Bodies. It was impossible to recognize the bodies as they were so badly burnt.

"Just what is happening in this city? First the death of Captain Lorenz and the heads of Weiss and Igor family, and now this explosion? Why does it feel like someone is targeting this city?" One of the Vampires commented as his brows furrowed. "Who could be behind it?"

"I don't know who is behind it," Another Vampire chimed in. "All I know is that whoever is behind it has chosen a wrong enemy, and they will soon start regretting it."

~~~~

Lia kept running away. It was unclear how she was doing it, but whichever path she took was a path that avoided the Vampires. Even though she took many unnecessary turns, she had managed to get to the border of the city without coming across any Vampires. Unfortunately, she didn't realize that there was a pair of eyes that were on her and were following him throughout without her seeing.

Atlas sat on one of the distant roofs, observing the Lia. His shirt was already burnt in most places, along with his pants. Fortunately, he didn't seem to have suffered too much damage.

"So much for working with the Little Witch," Atlas commented. "If I hadn't jumped out the window at the last second, I would've been hurt so badly. We were lucky there wasn't any Vampire on that side of the building who saw me jump! And that's why you don't approach suspicious ladies after hearing stories about them.$

Even though Atlas seemed like he was talking to himself, it was evident that he was taunting Lilith, who had forced him to go with Lia, convincing him that nothing bad was going to happen to him.

"Okay, so my calculations were a little off. So what? Even the brightest make mistakes," Lilith snorted.

Atlas just rolled his eyes and didn't respond to her. He was more curious about Lia. Just what was her motive? Why was she here? Was it just to kill humans? Because that's all she did. She hadn't killed a single Vampire yet, and now she was running away?

Even though he had barely escaped the spell of Lia, he was also able to see how powerful it was. She was certainly a very strong Witch if she could use such spells.

He did see the merits of Lilith's plan now. If he could make her side with him, he could have great help! A witch who could cast spells was indeed more useful than an unawakened werewolf, even if the Werewolf in question was a Royal Blood.

"I need to stop her if I want to get her help. If she left, she would be forever gone. But if I go to her, she would know I'm not a human. No human could survive the explosion and chase after her so fast. She would take me as her enemy. Is there no other way?" Atlas muttered, looking down.

On the other side, Lia started making a formation on the ground right at the edge of the border wall with her fingers, occasionally looking back to make sure no one was here.

"That's it! I can use that!" Atlas exclaimed suddenly, coming up with an idea. He turned to Lilith. "What's the relationship between Witches and Werewolves like?"

"Huh? What?"

"I mean, you said Witches are enemies of Vampires, and the two sides don't have a good relationship. What about the werewolves? What's their relationship like with the witches?"

"Their relationship? I guess the two sides are on neutral terms. The Werewolves don't engage with the Witched much, but there's not any bad blood either, at least as far as I remember. Werewolves are very aloof creatures, after all. They don't even care about us or interact with us, let alone hurting us," Lilith explained.

"As much as I hate to say this, to the Werewolves, we don't even exist. They only care about the Vampires. I'm not sure if that equation changed in the last millennia. Maybe the two sides have become enemies too? I can't say for sure. Why did you ask? Wait a minute! Don't tell me you want to..."

Lilith seemed to have guessed what Atlas wanted. She looked at him in shock.

"Of course. Since I'm already going to lie to her, how about I lie to her that I'm a Werewolf instead of saying that I'm a human?" Atlas smiled. "That should explain how I know about witches and how I managed to get out of that building and chase after her."

"But we don't know if the witches are on good terms with the werewolves at the current time! You can't take the risk! She would attack you! Don't be stupid!" Lilith scolded.

"Lilith, as someone who always avoided risks in my childhood only to end up having my sister killed, I now know better. One must take the opportunity when they present themselves instead of worrying about the risks," Atlas responded. "There are times when the risk is worth it, and this is one of those times! If I don't talk to her, she will leave, and I might lose a good ally. I'm going in!"

"Wait! Atlas don't!" Lilith called out, but Atlas ignored her as he jumped down.

Lilith heard the sound of someone's footsteps behind her. She stopped her spell as she looked back, stunned.

"Y-you? How are you alive? How are you here? You can't be a Human!" Lia roared, taking a step back. She held her pendant firmly. Even though she talked to Atlas, she kept continuing making the lines on the ground with her foot as if completing the formation.

"I am not here to hurt you, little witch. I'm on your-" Atlas tried to explain, but before he could finish, the formation under Lia's feet started shining. The formation was completed.

"Wait! Don't!" Atlas exclaimed, but he was too late. The formation made Lia's body shine as her body started floating up.

It was as if she could fly now. Without even looking back, Lia flew out of the city, passing from above the wall.

"This woman!" Atlas frowned as he jumped ahead. He landed on the wall and looked around, trying to find Lia. He soon noticed Lia flying away. He started running after her, jumping down the wall. He was also out of the city as he chased Lia, who was flying.

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"That girl is very clever. She used the flight spell. Learning that at such a young age. She isn't half bad." Lilith's voice fell in Atlas's ears as he chased after Lia.

"Lilith, enough with her praise! Stop being a spectator! You are supposed to be on my side! Come up with an idea! I need to stop her! She is faster! I can't catch up with her at this rate!" Atlas commanded Lilith.

"You don't need a plan. Just keep chasing her. The flight spell she used only lasted a few minutes. After that, she will come to the ground. As long as you don't lose her until then, you should be fine. But be careful. She is still a witch, and you are chasing her! She can come up with another spell to hurt you even as she lands. So grab her as soon as she lands without giving her a chance to cast the spell?"

"Got it!" Atlas exclaimed as he kept chasing after Lia.

Just as Lilith had commented, the figure of Lia started coming down as her flight spell weakened. Her body soon landed on the ground. She glared back, noticing Atlas still chasing after her. "He is fast! That bastard must be a Vampire! But his eyes?! It doesn't matter! I can't let him catch me!"

She opened her pendant and dipped her fingers in the red liquid before closing the pendant.

She raised that finger towards the sky and started making a formation. A red light appeared in the air, following the movement of her fingers. The red light stayed in the air as Lia tried to complete the spell. "You forced me to do this!"

Atlas had a bad feeling, watching the formation that was being cast by Lia. Lilith also confirmed his notion as she warned him that he needed to stop her before she completed the spell.

"Hurry up! You can't allow her to complete, or you'll be in big trouble!" Lilith warned Atlas.

"Argh! This woman! Why doesn't she just wait for a second and listen to me?!" Atlas roared in frustration. If she had just listened to his story, so much of the problem would've been solved already. But she was more immersed in running even though he had said he wasn't here to hurt her!

Having no other choice, Atlas straight jumped towards Lia, using all his strength. His speed was already so fast. The momentum gave him an additional advantage in the jump as his body flew ahead.

Lia was already very close to completing the formation. Her fingers were mere inches away from completing the formation. "I didn't want to have to do this. You made me waste the sacred drops! You deserve what's coming to you!"