Chapter 97 97: No Time
Despite searching for five hours, Lancaster couldn't find Lilith. He went back to the center of the city to wait for Yovana, hoping that she had better luck.
Yovana also arrived at the spot thirty minutes before the deadline was going to be over.
"Did you find her?!"
Both of them asked at the same time. They didn't even need to wait for the answer as their questions were already enough to summarise that they hadn't found her.
"There are only thirty minutes left, and we failed to find Lilith. There is only one place to check which we haven't. But if she's there, that means she truly is in danger..." Lancaster gazed at the tallest castle in the distance.
"The Royal Castle where the King resides. If I'm not wrong, Lord Atlan is kept there as well. Lady Lilith certainly seems to be caught. Still, I don't understand how it's possible. How could she be caught? Unless she was attacked from the back..."
Yovana let out a concerned sigh. "So what should we do now? Within thirty minutes, the city was going to be in chaos. Is there nothing we can do to stop it?"
"There is something, but thirty minutes might not be enough for that."
"And what is that?"
"Checking the castle. We need more time for that though. You should go back to Atlas and tell him to give me two more hours if possible. I'll be going inside the castle! I won't return without taking Lilith."
"Huh? Have you gone crazy? You'll go to that place alone? And what? You'll ask them for Lilith, and you think they'll return if she's truly kept hostage? You idiot, they would classify you as a traitor as well. You'll be dead before you know it. They won't have mercy on you just because you have the Royal Bloodline."
Yovana couldn't believe Lancaster was suggesting such a stupid plan. There was no way this was going to succeed.
"I know they won't go easy on me. I might have the Royal Bloodline, but I'm not part of the Royal Family. My father wasn't either. We are from the banished lineage, so they truly won't go easy on us." Lancaster stated.
There was a strange calm on his face, which was trying to hide the fear he felt. Unfortunately, that uncertainty could be seen through his eyes. Even he wasn't sure if this plan was going to work, but he knew that there wasn't any other option.
Despite all the risks he faced, he was prepared to embrace them since the alternative was even worse. If Atlas came here, there was going to be bloodshed. Many Werewolves were going to die, and in the end, Atlas was going to be captured by the King just like Atlan.
Even if he wasn't captured and managed to escape, he was going to paint a big target on his back which Lancaster didn't want. This battle was harmful to both sides, and he wanted to avoid it if possible. The only way he could see how was through entering the castle.
"Yovana, there's not much time left. It'll take time to go back as well. Go now! Stop Atlas from coming here! Just delay for two hours! I promise I'll return with Lilith!" Lancaster declared.
Yovana didn't know why but she felt something through those words of Lancaster. It was as if Lancaster was really determined. No matter what she said, he wasn't going to listen. These actions reminded her of her own father, who had the same personality.
"Go!" Lancaster insisted, grabbing Lilith's shoulder. "Stop Atlas at any cost. Remember, your father's safety and the entire plan depends on Atlas's safety so keep him safe! As for me, I'll find a way to return with Lilith if she is there. Just two hours!"
Yovana froze in place momentarily before nodding. "I-i will."
She turned around and started running to the exit. Only twenty minutes were left before the time limit was going to be up. Even as she ran, she glanced back occasionally, watching the lonely yet brave Lancaster going to the Royal Castle all alone.
She ran as fast as she could to get to Atlas on time. She had only twenty minutes but the way back from just as much time. Even as she ran, she wasn't sure if she could make it back on time.
*****
Atlas gazed at the bright sun in the sky.
"They aren't back... I must go in."
Atlas entered the carriage and changed into the attire of Castiel from the ordinary attire he was wearing. It was time for Castiel to make an appearance in the Kingdom of Wolves.
He stepped out of the carriage, leaving the two pets back in the carriage under the care of the carriage before he started walking to the Kingdom entrance.
"If she is truly captured or hurt, I won't ever forgive the Kingdom of Wolves. For every wound on Lilith, for every blood droplet spilled unnecessarily, rivers of blood shall flow in the Kingdom even if it's my last day."
Atlas really cared for Lilith. It was natural, but there was something more to it. Not only Atlas, even Castiel cared for Lilith. Lilith wasn't like a family only to Atlas. She was also like family to Castiel, staying with him always.
It wasn't just Atlas' feelings that were swaying him in the direction of action, but Castiel's true feelings were mixed in them as well, making this feeling even stronger. It was a feeling that made Atlas decide to save Lilith at any cost.
After some time, Atlas got back on the road, having a clear view of the Kingdom in the distance.
He started advancing toward the entrance. The only reason he didn't move faster was because there were still ten minutes left in the deadline. He had promised Lancaster that he was going to give him exactly six hours.
The speed at which he moved was to ensure that he was only within the sensible range of the Vampires after ten minutes had passed.
Winds intensified with each step Atlas took toward the castle, making his beautiful robe wave gently along with his long hair.
Atlas knew that he was about to enter the midst of the enemies as someone who could be attacked instantly. He didn't know how he was going to be received, but that was the last thing he would care for at the moment.
As Atlas walked toward the Kingdom, Lancaster ran in the same direction. The only difference was that he was running to the Royal Castle, placing his own safety at risk. Only one person was running in the opposite direction to the two men, and it was Yovana, giving it her all to leave the castle on time before it was too late…