"Time is trickling away, old man."


    Seeing As not react, Zhang once again reminded him about the time limitations.


    "You only have sixty seconds left now. Don''t tell me I didn''t remind you. I won''t give even a single extra second. As soon as the time is up, I''ll crush her neck."


    "Fifty seconds left."


    With each passing second, As realized how little time he had, which sent his mind into more chaos. Was there really no other option which wasn''t risky?


    "Thirty seconds."


    "Fine! I will surrender. Release Lilith and let her go. It''s my promise that I''ll surrender!" As let out, having no other resort.


    He really hoped that Zhang was just as naive as Yovana was to believe a promise since he was supposed to be Castiel for now.


    Zhang only smiled in response. "I''m not an idiot to believe an empty promise. Surrender first, and she will be free. That''s my promise. Twenty seconds left..."


    As clenched his fist even tighter. This man didn''t listen. With only a few seconds left, As realized that there was not much time left. If Lilith was going to die even if he surrendered, it was better to fight back and take the risk.


    "Fifteen Seconds." The man dered.


    That was it. There wasn''t time to waste. As shot straight to Zhang.


    Zhang appeared as if he had expected something like this as well.


    "Bad choice." Zhang started tightening his grip around Lilith''s neck.


    He raised his right hand toward As. An energy st appeared between As and Zhang, which shot straight to As, who was mid-air.


    ****


    Seven Hours ago~


    "Is there a spell to use the wind to my advantage?" As asked Yovana, who had read the entire book of Lilith.


    "Use the wind? What do you mean?"


    "When I was fighting with the Werewolves before, I realized that it was quite difficult to change directions mid-air. If Lancaster hadn''t arrived in time, I might''ve been hurt as well. So I''m asking if there is a spell that can make me use the wind to change direction midair or help me maneuver."


    As exined what he was looking for, only to make Yovana even more suspicious. Shouldn''t Castiel know about such basic spells? She wondered if there was something wrong with his memories.


    Still, she didn''t question him and answered. "There are some spells like that. For example, this. It''s easy to cast and the fastest in a situation like that."


    *****


    Present time~


    Zhang shot an energy st in the direction of As, intending to send him flying back.


    Since he was in the middle of the air, it should''ve been impossible for him to avoid the attack.


    The attack was powerful, but in no way was it powerful enough to hurt As. At best, it could send him flying back to give Zhang more time. Even Zhang knew that and used the spell in such a manner only.<novelnext></novelnext>


    Moreover, even if he went against Razil before, he knew that when it came to choosing between a Progenitor or his n, Razil was ultimately going to choose him if there was really ever a battleter on.


    Also, it wasn''t as if he truly denied Razil. He was prepared to return Lilith with some terms and conditions applied. It was As who made the situation worse.


    As noticed the attack, which should''ve been impossible for him to avoid, yet he wasn''t phased. It was as if he had prepared for something like that already.


    The direction of the wind abruptly changed, mostly affecting only him as soon as he snapped the fingers of his right hand.


    The winds sent him flying to the left, making him about the energy st. Unfortunately, the ring he wasted in dodging was enough for Zhang to kill Lilith.


    Zhang shed a smirk, making As understand what wasing.


    Swiss~


    "Argh!" Zhang roared in pain. His hands were open, making Lilith fall to the ground, but it wasn''t intentional.


    An arrow had impaled his arm, which was holding onto Lilith. Since Zhang was so focused on As, he hadn''t expected that there was an archer nearby. If he had known, he could''ve taken steps to protect himself.


    That arrow... As recognized the arrow. He remembered a youngdy who always carried a bow and some arrows with her. It was the same girl he had asked to stay behind.


    In the distance, Yovana was sitting on top of a tree, holding an arrow in her arms. "Since you care for her so much, how can I let someone hurt her?"


    Yovana shot another arrow. Unfortunately, this time Zhang was more careful. He waved his hand, casting a small wind barrier that sent the arrow off its part. The arrow missed him.


    However, this gave As enough time to get close to Zhang.


    As used his entire force as he sent a punch. The power behind that punch was enough to shatter the bones and the heart of a person. Moreover, unlike Werewolves and Vampires, the Witches and Wizards didn''t have much physical strength. That was no more than ordinary humans when it came to physical strength and defense.


    This one fist was enough to kill Zhang right away. Unfortunately, Zhang wasn''t any ordinary Wizard either. He stood on equal grounds to the Werewolf King. Some even said he was the strongest Wizard in the World.


    Zhang had a lot of battle experience. Despite being at such a disadvantage, being attacked from both sides, he quickly protected himself, not getting overwhelmed.


    "Blessing of the Goddess!" He cast the fastest spell of protection he knew. A ck Armour, made purely of natural energy, appeared before his chest, giving him some form of protection against the attack.


    As the fistnded on Zhang, his body was sent flying back. Even the barrier was broken. Fortunately, it did the thing it was called to do, decreasing the impact of the attack on his chest.


    Zhang bnced himself with the help of Winds in the distance before holding his aching chest.


    Despite the decreased impact, he still felt the pain. Fortunately, all his bones were intact.


    As didn''t chase after Zhang. Instead, he picked up Lilith in his arms. "Are you alright?"


    "You are an idiot; you know that. Why did you risk yourself bying here! I-i could''ve..."


    "I''ll alwayse to save you, no matter where you are. I''m not letting you leave me, Lilith. At least as long as I live, which might not be long."


    "You duffer!" Lilith wanted to scold As so bad for spoiling her n and risking himself, yet she couldn''t. Her heart was filled with some strange feelings.


    She just wrapped her arms around As, going silent.


    "You''re the biggest idiot I''ve seen but... thank you foring."