Vampire Overlord's Harem In The Apocalypse-Chapter 67: Regrouping

The acrid stench of smoke and blood hung thick in the air as Rita, Leo, and Bethany stepped into the remnants of Adrian’s base.

The aftermath of Simon’s rampage was nothing short of apocalyptic. Twisted metal, broken bodies, and scorched earth stretched as far as the eye could see.

Every step they took crunched against debris, the silence punctuated only by the distant crackle of dying fires.

Bethany led the way, her movements confident but guarded. Her green skin seemed to shimmer in the faint light, a stark contrast against the desolation around them.

Rita followed closely behind, her hands fidgeting nervously, while Leo lingered at the rear, his sharp eyes scanning the wreckage for any sign of movement.

The tension between them was palpable, an unspoken unease that hung heavy in the air.

"He’s gotta be here somewhere," Bethany muttered, her voice low but firm. "No way Simon’s dead. He’s too stubborn for that."

"Stubborn doesn’t mean invincible," Leo replied, his tone edged with bitterness. He kicked a broken piece of rubble out of his way, his frustration evident. "What if he’s not? What if we’re wasting our time?"

Rita shot him a glare. "Shut up, Leo. We’re not leaving him behind. Not until we know for sure."

"You’re awfully loyal for someone who’s been tossed aside more times than I can count," Leo muttered under his breath, but Rita ignored him.

They pressed on, weaving through the carnage. The further they went, the clearer it became just how thorough Simon’s assault had been.

The guards who had once patrolled this base now lay in grotesque piles, their lifeless bodies twisted and broken.

Blood streaked the walls, and the ground was littered with spent ammunition and shattered weapons.

"Over here!" Bethany’s voice cut through the silence, drawing Rita and Leo’s attention. She stood near a collapsed section of wall, her gaze fixed on a figure slumped inside a small building.

Simon.

He looked barely alive. His body was covered in blood, much of it dried and flaking off his torn clothing.

His chest rose and fell weakly, each breath labored and shallow. His once-crimson eyes were half-closed, their glow dim and flickering like a dying ember.

Steam rose from his body in wisps, curling into the air as if his very essence was burning itself out to keep him alive.

Bethany crouched beside him, her expression unreadable. She placed two fingers against his neck, checking for a pulse. A faint one thrummed beneath her touch.

"He’s alive," she said, relief softening her voice. "Barely, but he’s hanging on."

Rita dropped to her knees beside Bethany, her face a mixture of worry and guilt. "What’s wrong with him? Why is he... steaming?"

Bethany hesitated, she didn’t want them to know. "I’m not sure. Could be his blood trying to repair the damage. But whatever’s happening, he’s not in good shape. We need to move him. Now."

As Bethany gently lifted Simon’s limp form, Leo’s mind raced. This was it — their chance. With Simon incapacitated and Bethany distracted, they could make a break for it.

They could be free from Simon’s ruthless leadership, from his constant manipulation and disregard for their lives.

He glanced at Rita, his expression hardening. "We could leave her here, you know," he whispered, his voice low enough that Bethany wouldn’t hear. "Take the car and go. She’d never catch us."

Rita turned to him, her eyes wide with shock. "What? Are you serious?"

"Think about it," Leo urged, his tone insistent. "Simon’s out of commission. Bethany’s distracted. This is the best shot we’re going to get."

Rita hesitated, her gaze shifting between Leo and Bethany. The thought was tempting, she couldn’t deny that.

But as she looked down at Simon’s battered form, her resolve faltered. Despite everything, despite his cold demeanor and ruthless tactics, Simon had kept them alive.

He had fought for them, even if his methods were brutal.

"I can’t," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I won’t."

Leo’s jaw tightened. "Rita, he’s going to get us killed. You know that. He doesn’t care about us. He’ll throw us to the wolves the second it suits him."

"Maybe," Rita admitted, her voice steadying. "But I’m not like him. I’m not leaving him to die."

Leo stared at her for a long moment, frustration and disbelief warring in his expression. Finally, he let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "You’re going to regret this," he muttered, but he didn’t press the issue further.

Bethany had managed to hoist Simon onto her back, his weight making her movements sluggish but deliberate. "We’ve got to get back to the car," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "Rita, help me steady him."

Rita nodded and moved to Simon’s side, her hands trembling slightly as she helped support him. Together, they began the slow, arduous trek back through the ruins, their footsteps echoing in the silence.

Leo followed a few paces behind, his jaw clenched and his thoughts a storm of conflicting emotions. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were making a mistake, that Simon’s survival would only lead to more suffering.

But for now, he kept his doubts to himself.

The car was where they had left it, parked just beyond the shattered gate. The sight of it brought a surge of relief, but it was short-lived. The vehicle’s battered state was a stark reminder of the chaos they had barely escaped.

Bethany carefully lowered Simon into the back seat, his head lolling to one side as she strapped him in. Rita climbed in beside him, her hands never leaving his arm as if afraid he might slip away.

Leo took the driver’s seat, his expression grim as he started the engine.

As they drove away from the ruins of the base, the silence in the car was heavy. Bethany sat in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the road ahead, while Rita kept her eyes on Simon, her worry etched into every line of her face.

Leo finally broke the silence, his voice tense. "So what now? We just keep following him until we all end up like that base?"

"Enough, Leo," Bethany snapped, her tone sharp. "Simon’s not the enemy here. Focus on getting us somewhere safe."

"Safe?" Leo let out a bitter laugh. "There’s no such thing as safe anymore. Not with him around."

Rita’s voice was quiet but firm. "He’s saved us more times than I can count. Maybe it’s time we saved him for a change."

Leo didn’t respond, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. The road stretched out before them, a dark and uncertain path that seemed to mirror their future.

For now, all they could do was keep moving, the weight of their choices pressing down on them with every mile.

The mansion loomed in the distance, a shadowy silhouette against the faint glow of the moon.

The car’s tires crunched against the gravel road as it approached, the engine humming softly in the still night.

Inside the vehicle, the atmosphere was tense, every passenger acutely aware of the fragile line they were walking.

Bethany sat in the passenger seat, her green skin faintly illuminated by the dashboard lights.

Her gaze was fixed on Simon, who was sprawled across the back seat, his head resting limply against Rita’s lap.

His normally sharp features were slack, his breaths shallow and uneven. Steam continued to rise from his body, hissing faintly as it escaped his wounds.

The unnatural process of healing was mesmerizing, but the sight of his injuries left an undeniable weight in the air.

"Turn left here," Bethany instructed, her voice clipped. She didn’t spare Leo a glance, her eyes glued to Simon. "It’s not far now."

Leo gripped the steering wheel tightly, glancing at Bethany from the corner of his eye. "You sure this is the right place? It looks... abandoned."

"It’s where we stayed before," Bethany replied curtly. "Just drive."

In the back seat, Rita shifted uncomfortably. Simon’s body was heavy against her, and the heat radiating from his wounds was almost unbearable.

She pressed a damp cloth to his forehead, her brows knitted with concern. "He’s burning up," she murmured. "Are you sure he’s going to be okay?"

Bethany’s jaw tightened. "He’ll be fine. Just keep him stable."

Rita’s lips thinned, but she said nothing. Her fingers brushed against Simon’s sweat-drenched hair, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.

She had considered leaving him behind back at the base. The thought lingered in her mind, haunting her as she looked at his vulnerable state. Despite everything, she didn’t want him to die.

The car came to a halt in front of the mansion. It was an imposing structure, its once-grand facade now weathered and cracked.

Ivy climbed up the stone walls, and several windows were broken, leaving jagged edges that glinted in the moonlight. The sight of it sent a chill down Rita’s spine.

Bethany didn’t waste a second. She opened the door and climbed out, motioning for Leo to help. "Get him inside," she ordered, her tone brooking no argument.