Currently, in the bustling heart of Ratmawati City.
"Is it really necessary for all of you to leave right now?"
Amidst the symphony of urban sounds in the background—stood a man in a crisp white and blue suit. His hands clasped behind his back—he was in front of the lobby of a building, that was massive compared to the ones around it.
Despite the recent events, still an air of authority emanating from his poised demeanor.
Nobody would not recognize the man—it was President Sebrof.
Since the downfall of the Fifthborn who laid tyrant on the Human Territory, doing anything he pleases to everyone, he has emerged publicly, to address the people and quell their unrest—providing comprehensive accounts of recent events.
He painted the Fifthborn to be the black goat of everything that went wrong.
Naturally, he didn't spill that their wrongdoings caused the Fifthborn to be awakened.
Controlling the media, doing that was not a hard thing for him to do.
In addition to that, he also bears the good news that the war against the Supernaturals had to come to rest as both parties are working on co-existing. Having drained of their resource and manpower, this was the best thing that the Human could ever hope for.
Of course, there was opposition, but most people felt eased with the progression.
All of them were mainly glad that they could finally breathe a little.
President Sebrof monitored the response from the people this past week—and he found that it was going smoothly. One thing that was going badly—was the fact that he needed to hide, the SCO and their Black Hands that took a massive hit on their structures.
Since King John was incapacitated and was under medical care, their operation was slowed.
Not to mention, the messengers were also in a mess because of the recent events.
Despite King John's attempt to oust President Sebrof from both his position of power and his life with the help of the Fitfthborn—President Sebrof chose to grant him clemency as nothing Humanity needs more than to recover right now.
He had become the better man and cover for King John.
Now, his steely gaze fixed upon a group of people bustling into sleek black sedans.
Judging from the luggage that the group was bringing—loaded by the drivers with practiced efficiency, it was clear that they were about to leave for somewhere far away. Of course, the group of people was the ninth-rank Awakened sent by the Elpida Alliance.
One of them stood in front of President Sebrof and sighed, "Yes, our tasks here are done,"
"With the Fifthborn defeated, the city is liberated once more. However, I fear we still require your aid. Our military is crippled, and our Awakened numbers are severely depleted. Should any threat arise, the city will fall, without a doubt," President Sebrof replied—his expression twitched with concern.
Upon hearing this, the Awakened looked at President Sebrof and paused briefly.
He was sizing up President Sebrof in that brief moment.
But soon, a light smile crept to the Awakened's face, "That man... Emperor Rex is not a simple man, and I had a feeling that he was not dishonorable too. Since he gave his words to you—I don't think the city would be in trouble for quite some time. Douglas decided to stay—so that should fill in the city's weakened forces"
"Besides, I also believe that in your hands, the city will be fine," He added reassuringly.
President Sebrof, on the other hand, didn't accept the compliment well.
"I've put the city in jeopardy because I—as a leader, couldn't see the bigger picture. I was too biased and viewed the situation from the people's perspective. How can you say that the city will be fine with me as its leader?" He asked, genuinely asking.
Naturally, his confidence as a leader dropped even though he didn't show it.
Millions of lives were almost gone because of him.
All of their blood will be on his hands, and that didn't sit well with President Sebrof.
However—this made the Awakened, tapped President Sebrof on his shoulder, "Because you are not going to make the same mistake again" He replied, giving a playful wink at President Sebrof. "There's a reason why experiences matter as a leader—and someone who has done wrong is usually a better candidate to stay in the same position than taking in a new one,"
Upon hearing this, President Sebrof was stunned, but he eventually smiled a little.
For all its worth, the Awakened's words gave him some confidence boost.
"Besides, other major cities also have their own problems," the Awakened added and sighed.
But a week in, and the Witch was already too impatient to wait any longer.
It was the best time to act, so Evelyn understood, but it was still frustrating.
Knowing that Calidora is a meticulous and sly Vampire—Evelyn wanted to make sure that not a single aspect, that she might've used had been overlooked. If the time to strike comes, she doesn't want Calidora to have any backup plan to counter the plan.
Considering what she pulled off back then, Evelyn was extremely careful against her.
'Not to mention, the wings on her waist... I don't like them' She pondered.
Initially, Evelyn wanted to answer why Calidora was acting weirdly.
As the Vampire Princess, having other Vampires being extremely protective of her was not a surprising sight. However, what worried Evelyn, was that Nezera and Solomon were sticking close to her as if she was a fragile glass.
Only when she gained the full answer that she would start the plan to get back on Calidora.
But it was too late now.
"Do you even know where we are, Calidora?" Evelyn started, as she strode onward slowly. "If anything, the people would believe me, the Empress more, than you. Even if I struck you here—you will be the one in trouble"
"Of course, the people would believe you" Calidora nodded in agreement.
It was at that moment Evelyn managed to reach inches away from Calidora and stopped.
"But the people... I'm not talking about them" She added.
Upon hearing this, Evelyn frowned but decided that she had no time to waste. Looking down, she found that she already got Calidora, "Regardless of what you meant by that—you should really not let someone hostile, get this close. But worse of all... you should not let them avert your attention like this,"
"Hmm...?" Calidora raised her eyebrows, her crimson eyes flickering with a question.
Just then, she realized something and looked down.
Having her attention fixed on Evelyn, Calidora didn't realize that there was a circle of rite that was being formed on the ground where he stood. It was entirely made of cursed energy, and that cursed energy is climbing higher.
Now she realized that Evelyn was only buying time.
Initially, Calidora thought that Evelyn would opt for a straightforward method, but she didn't.
Realizing that it was cursed energy, Calidora's expression paled, "W- Wait!!"
However, the Witch didn't give her any time to react and quickly activated the circle of rite.
Swoosh!!
Almost instantly—the circle exploded with cursed energy that instantly enveloped Calidora's form, gripping her tightly in place. She tried to break free—it did nothing, but electrocute her body, yanking her backward.
Following that, a haunting hooded skull creature appeared behind Calidora.
It was one of the Witch of Chaos' pets.
Chanting hard cursed language, the hooded creature fixated on the circle of rite and infused everything it had into the pattern. Having resentment toward Calidora for humiliating it in the past, the hooded creature used this moment to repay the favor.
Boom!
"Kaarggh- Evelyn, wait!" Calidora pleaded, not expecting Evelyn to resort to this method.
Against Evelyn, Calidora was not worried.
But the Witch, on the other hand, is a different situation altogether.
Looking at Calidora's surprised expression, Evelyn was confused as she was very confident earlier. However, she decided to take this as an opportune moment, and quickly activated a symbol on her palm, the Luna mark, and imprinted it on the barrier surrounding Calidora.
Swoosh!
A violent purple gush of energy tears through the barrier, leaving Evelyn's mark there.
"I'll be taking back what's mine and more, Calidora," She uttered raspingly.
Following that, with a forceful grunt, Evelyn pushed the mark and branded Calidora with it.