Chapter 53 53: Unexpected Complications

It was early morning. Finally, the sun started rising, and the Vampires began going back into the castle.

The humans started crowding the streets, going to work. Shops started opening, unaware of what had happened at the night.

The investigation was still continuing around the Brothel. Even though it had taken a long time to remove the rubble, the Vampires didn't give up. They wanted to know if this was truly an accidental explosion or if someone was behind it. There was a good chance of this being the work of the enemy since just this morning, something similar had happened.

If this was truly the work of an enemy, this was going to prove that the enemy was still inside the city, at least until the explosion.

After a long search, they had finally managed to find something conclusive. The explosion had destroyed most of the building, burning all evidence, but there were still some things left. One such part of the building was the floor of the room, which was right next to the room where Atlas was staying.

The Vampires managed to notice a strange red marking on the floor that seemed like it was made from blood.

"This doesn't look like a normal carving. It looks more like something a Witch would draw," a man exclaimed.

He stood up. "Pick up that stone piece and bring it back to the Castle. Lord Carlisle has invited that person to the city. If this is truly the work of a Witch, he might be able to know."

The group of Vampires left the burnt building, carrying a piece of flooring where Lia had carved a spell to contact her grandma. She had thought that the explosion was going to destroy it as well; unfortunately, she was wrong.

It survived, and now this evidence was with the Vampires, who were already suspicious that this was the work of Witches, along with what happened in the morning.

Unaware of the closing reach of the Vampires, Atlas and Lia were still ignorantly roaming the streets of the city, somewhat happy that they didn't need to hide anymore. There were more than enough humans in the surrounding area to give them cover.

"Are you feeling sleepy?" Atlas asked Lia, noticing her yawning every now and then. He could understand why she would be sleepy. She had been up the entire night and the day before. She didn't have time to sleep.

"You aren't?" Lia asked in return. "I haven't slept in a long time. Of course, I would be sleepy, but I can't sleep now. I need to force myself to stay up."

Atlas glanced at the sleepy face of Lia, not commenting anything. He seemed to be lost in some thoughts though.

He subtly changed his direction, taking a different turn. Lia didn't realize that Atlas was taking her elsewhere. It was only after Atlas stopped before a building that she realized what was happening.

"Why are we here? Aren't we going for the selection?" She asked.

Atlas shook his head. "There is still some time before that starts."

Pushing the door open, he stepped inside. He brought out a gold coin from his pocket and gave the man at the reception to get the keys to a room. Now that it was morning, he felt a bit safe.

He was escorted to a room respectfully by a staff member. Using the keys, Atlas opened the door and stepped inside.

"We still have around three hours left. Take the nap you need. I don't need you dozing off there," he pointed towards the fluffy bed in the distance.

"But there is only one bed? Where will you sleep?" Lia asked, slightly suspicious. Did he bring her here to sleep with her? Was he truly a person like that?

"I won't be sleeping. I'll take a shower and then get going. I still need to do some recii of the site."

"What if I can't wake up on time?" Lia inquired.

"Lucky us, you're not the one taking part. You can sleep all day if you want. I just thought it would be better to have you there. You can use some subtle spells to help me without being caught. But I'll be fine even without them."

Atlas placed some more gold coins on the table. "This should be enough to help you stay here for a week while I'm away. That much time is enough for me to take the book and my sister. But remember, you can't let the hotel staff get suspicious. Don't stay in all day."

After giving some brief instructions, Atlas took off his shirt and placed it on the side, revealing his perfect physique. Lia was about to say something in response to him, but seeing him like this, she forgot what she was going to say.

She just started looking elsewhere. Atlas stepped into the shower.

~~~~

As Atlas stepped out, trying to dry his beautiful wet hair, he noticed that Lia was still awake.

"Aren't you going to sleep?" he asked her.

"I suddenly don't feel sleepy," Lia responded. "I don't think I can sleep today."

"Are you sure? The selection might last all day. You don't get the time again?"

"I am fine with it. It's just staying up for a little. I'm not a kid who can't do that," Lia rolled her eyes. "I'm coming with you."

"Well, that girl is certainly stubborn," Lilith chuckled. "She's talented as well. Keep her with you. It's better if she's there with you from the beginning. I'm sure she knows some good spells. However, there is one problem I've noticed."

"She can't cast spells without using the spell formations with her fingers. She is still very young, it seems.," She further added. "Get her a long robe that can hide her hands if you want to take her with you. That would make sure no one sees her fingers as she casts a spell to help you if needed."

"Alright," Atlas nodded. He got dressed properly before picking up the key. "Come."

"Are we going to the selection site now?" Lia asked, standing up hastily.

"No. We are going for shipping. You need some clothes that can hide your fingers while you cast your spells. I don't want you to get caught," Atlas explained as he opened the door.

"This... Why didn't I think of this before?" It was as if Lia had just realized the merit of what Atlas had said. Generally, Witches rarely went on such missions. Usually, they openly casted spells. That's why she hadn't thought of this before.

Atlas held the hands of Lia as if she was his wife to maintain a facade as he left the hotel.

He went straight to a clothing store that wasn't far and helped Lia select the attire that could be most helpful to her.

"How does this look?" Lia asked, coming out of the dressing room. She was dressed in a cloak that had such long sleeves that they covered her entire hand and more. Atlas couldn't even see her face.

"This looks good." He nodded in satisfaction. "This might just work."

"How much is this?" he asked the Storekeeper.

"One Gold Coin."

"Here." Atlas placed the gold coin on the table before he turned around.

"Ah, Sir? Don't you need anything for yourself? We have a nice selection for guys as well!" Watching Atlas leave, the Storekeeper called out.

"No need." Atlas smiled in response as he left. He didn't need new clothes. He was going to pretend to be a commoner who couldn't afford new clothes to get this work. He didn't need anything. In fact, he was going to wear even worse clothing which he was carrying in his bag. He had stolen that attire from the house of Lancaster.

It was only after finding a Vacant alley that Atlas stopped. "Stay here and warn me if someone comes. And don't look back," he instructed Lia before he entered the Alley.

He started taking his clothes off and changed them with the ones he was carrying in his bag.

"Tap." He tapped on the shoulders of Lia after getting ready. "I'm done. Now, let me tell you the plan."

"From this point on, we don't know each other. We won't go there together either. Alright? You'll go as a spectator while I'll go as a participant." Atlas glanced at the poster in his hand.

"For the most part, I don't think I will need your help. But if there are things in which I need your help, I'll give a subtle signal. Make sure you help me without making it too obvious. Don't get me caught. You understand? If we can get in, both of us can achieve our goals," he added.

"What will be the signal?" Lia asked. "I might not be able to help in every situation, but I'll try my best."

"I'll scratch the back of my head. Just keep your eyes on me. If that happens, know I'm asking for help because I'm not confident I can win. Got it?"

Lia nodded in response.

"Good." Saying his last words, Atlas started departing, all alone, leaving a lonely figure of Lia behind.

She had been with Atlas the entire night. She didn't know why, as she watched him leave, she felt a bit sad. Even though she knew he wasn't going forever, she still felt something.

"What is happening to me?" She said, frowning. "I'm I starting to like this guy?"

She hastily shook her head as soon as this thought crossed her head. "No, no, no! I need to focus on my mission! I don't have time for likes! I've just met him after all!"

She glanced at her long sleeves, belonging to the clothes that Atlas had bought her. Even though it was just a basic dress, it was the first thing someone who wasn't from her family had bought her.

"He isn't that bad a guy though. He also hates those bloody Vampires. He is also very honest, from what I can sense. His life has been really hard, yet he hasn't lost his senses. He is a very strong man, mentally and physically. If my family had died before my eyes, I might've gone insane, yet he still thinks critically..."

Lia watched the lonely figure of Atlas, going farther from her before it ultimately disappeared in the crowd.

She also mixed with the crowd.

~~~~

The preparation of the servant selection was ongoing in full force. It was going to take place in an Arena. Initially, even Atlas was surprised why the Vampires were making such a big deal for this selection. However, it was only when Lancaster told him that this was usually the case since this was a source of entertainment for the Vampires, Atlas understood.

This wasn't just about the selection of the best servant. This was about making a spectacle of the event. To show the entire city how hard it was to just be a servant of the Clan. It was a prestigious thing!

This selection was also about the entertainment of the Vampires, making them see humans fight and complete to be their slaves!

Whoever was selected as a servant could be in direct contact with the gods of this place. Atlas was sure that thousands of people were going to take part in it despite it being so dangerous.

After showing the poster to the guard at the entrance, Atlas told him that he was here to participate. He said his name to get him registered.

He was given a small name tag with a sign of the guard which proved that he was going in as a participant.

"You can take the right gate. It will lead you to the arena."

Nodding, Atlas took the gate he was told and entered the massive stadium-like establishment to appear in the arena.

His eyes roamed the surroundings. Only a few Vampires were here for now, and the seats weren't filled either. There was still about an hour before the event started.

As Atlas stood in the Arena, wearing his cloak, he was really praying that Yovana and the Vampires who saw her in the forest weren't going to be there. He based his hopes on the fact that Yovana was hurt just yesterday, and the Vampires who were with her were going to stay with her as she recovered in the castle.

So the chance of them coming here was negligible unless they wanted to be punished for ignoring her.

Atlas had calculated all possibilities, including one where he was going to see Carlisle in the stands. He wasn't worried about that though. He had already prepared his heart to not react at the sight of Carlisle.

Unfortunately, he had forgotten one thing while calculating. Yovana was really special for Carlisle. That's why he had gone far and beyond for her, even using his precious treasure to help her heal faster.

Even though she still wasn't completely fine, she was a lot better. And she had already left the Castle with her team to attend the selection. This event didn't happen every day after all...

Atlas stood in the stadium where Yovana was going to be. Lia had also started walking towards the stadium. Carlisle was also on his way to that place, and so was one other person... Lancaster was arriving in the city...

A Vampire Lord, a human he held dear, a Witch, a Royal Werewolf, and a Progenitor... They were all going to be in the same city. The things had just started, and they were about to get a lot more complicated for everyone.