CHAPTER 332: CHAPTER 332 - WHAT DID YOU FEED MY DAUGHTER?

Atlas activated the massive magic formation. A shimmering portal that would transport everyone back to Gacha Haven. He stood before it, his gaze fixed on Lei Shen’s remaining troops, now all free agents.

"Anyone who wishes to join my forces and pledge their loyalty to me may step through this portal," he said, watching their faces closely as they hesitated, clearly weighing their choices.

"But if you do not intend to join," he continued, "I give you two minutes to leave this place as fast as you can. After that, I will no longer guarantee your safety."

Atlas’s offer could mean two very different things. If they chose to flee, they would risk Lei Shen’s wrath. He might easily send whatever forces he had left to hunt them down. Lei Shen would never forgive betrayal, nor would he allow those who had turned against him to walk away freely.

Just as Atlas expected, movement began to ripple through the crowd. Some rushed toward the portal, others moved at a steady pace, while a few glanced back at Lei Shen. Anger flickering in their eyes.

Well, after witnessing how their Lord had treated them, who could blame them for harboring hatred toward him?

Atlas had secured even more forces this time, along with a considerable amount of gold that Edrik managed to collect. A total of 34,000 gold had been obtained, along with more than a dozen new vehicles. The value of that was enormous, of course.

Lei Shen suffered heavy losses from this event. Perhaps even greater than what he might have endured had he simply fought the lord battle and surrendered afterward.

Serenith, Krythalis, and the rest of the troops immediately took flight, rushing into the portal as their bodies vanished one after another. Only Luna, Ember, Elyndra, Edrik, Kurogasa, and Everburn remained behind.

Atlas walked slowly toward the humiliated lord. His half-shattered face still carried a fierce, smoldering anger.

"Tell your alliance leader," he said quietly. In that moment, it was clear Atlas was holding back a rage far greater than words could convey.

Bolin had attacked Luna and Brigid, inflicting a major defeat upon them. Such conflicts were not uncommon in the world of the lords. However, this time Bolin had clearly struck with deliberate intent. To destroy Atlas’s alliance.

And Atlas knew they would never stop. Even after their loss and failed assault, Bolin still saw himself as superior to Atlas. More attacks and provocations were bound to come.

"I will come to him," Atlas said, turning away from the fallen man.

Edrik followed closely behind.

"You bastard! Give me back parts of my body you took, fool!" the wounded lord shouted after them.

Edrik gave no reply. Though, truthfully, the man’s missing parts would return on their own.

"Will you return everything to him?" Atlas murmured softly.

"I made a small mistake, my lord. His right hand vanished completely," Edrik said, his face expressionless.

Moments later, they disappeared into the glowing teleportation portal.

**

Atlas spent the rest of that day facing an even bigger surprise. Because now, Vienne could stand... and even tried to walk, though her steps were still unsteady. He was stunned, more stunned than Lei Shen had been when he realized his plan to attack Atlas had failed completely.

"Papa... I can walk... I can walk..." the little girl said as she moved across the floor of their resting chamber, with Morganna sitting calmly on the couch near the balcony.

Atlas sat on the floor, watching his daughter in awe. It felt as if he had missed months of her growth, even though he had only been away from the island for a single week.

"What did your mama feed you, Vienne?" he asked.

"Blood..."

"Blood?!" Atlas froze, utterly shocked.

"Yes, a lot of blood..." the girl replied innocently.

Atlas turned his gaze toward Morganna in the distance, who didn’t even bother to look at him. "Whose blood?" he asked, though he knew he wouldn’t get a straightforward answer.

"Strawberry ice cream, not blood," the vampire queen replied.

Wait... she answered. But strawberry ice cream? That didn’t sound convincing at all.

Atlas knew he had to find out the truth from someone on the island who might know what Morganna had actually done to their daughter.

For the first time in a long while, Atlas truly felt uneasy about his daughter being alone with her mother. Or perhaps, it had always been this way from the very beginning.

But once again, Atlas pulled his little daughter into his arms with pure joy, rubbing his cheek against hers

"My baby, you’re so cute. I love you so much."

"Papa... I love you too..." she replied softly.

"How did you learn to talk this fast?"

"I’m not a weak human baby, Papa," the little girl answered confidently.

How did she even know how to respond like that at her age? Morganna was clearly having a bad influence on this tiny child of his.

"Yes, I know, you’re not weak... you’re so strong," Atlas said with a small laugh. "But could you slow down your growth just a little? Papa wants to enjoy your baby form a bit longer."

"Papa... you’re so silly..." she giggled.

Vienne had developed such a wide range of vocabulary already. Who had been teaching her all this? Maybe Mira and the others on the island had something to do with it too. Atlas let out a resigned sigh, realizing there was little he could do about it now.

Atlas spent the rest of the day with his little daughter, cherishing every moment together. After that, he decided to take her out of Morganna’s chamber for a walk, using the chance to casually question anyone who might know what Vienne had actually been eating.

Orren, the island’s master chef, only explained at length about the finest ingredients he had prepared. Wholesome meals perfectly suited for a child. He listed all the fresh vegetables, fruits, and high-quality grains with great pride. Yet, none of it answered Atlas’s real concern.

So, he went to see Mira next, hoping for a more honest answer.

"Oh, you know, my lord," Mira began in her cheerful tone, "Vienne really loves carrots! Every time I bring her a bowl of mashed carrots, her eyes sparkle like she’s seeing treasure. She says the color looks a little like blood, so she pretends she’s a scary vampire while eating it. She even giggles and goes, ’Rawr! I’m mama!’ It’s the cutest thing ever! And when the juice drips, she licks it off her lips like she’s in some fancy feast! So adorable!"

"Carrots are orange, not red, Mira!" Atlas replied, exasperated.

"And she doesn’t pretend to be a vampire... she is practically one!"

Still not getting a satisfying answer from Mira, Atlas decided to look for Lyrassa. But where could she be?

"Oh! Right, my lord," Mira said again, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Lyrassa’s kinda... umm... busy right now. She’s in that big green cocoon of hers. Dullorak said she’s, uhh... going to give birth soon! Isn’t that exciting? She’s been sleeping inside it for hours, wrapped up like a giant glowing fruit!"

Atlas froze upon hearing that, his expression stiffening as he turned back to Mira. "Where is she now?"