SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God Chapter 713 It was you?

Damon took one final look at the fading system interface before waving it away. Zero achievements popped up. No grand world alerts. No flood of prizes. A partial victory, he mused. Just barely. Sufficient to make a difference and perhaps sufficient to shift the balance against those fools if he handled it wisely. In the meantime, the father and daughter embraced tightly, crying their hearts out. "When will I get to see you next, my precious little plum? Each time you depart, it seems like I'm wagering against destiny itself. This elderly heart of mine can't take it any longer. Why didn't you pick some fool who's happy just lounging in our palace?"

Alzara pressed her face against his chest, her tears drenching his garments. "Forgive me, father. My heart wouldn't obey. I hate leaving you behind. I vow to return frequently. I always will. I'll miss you terribly too."

"You better do. If you vanish for too many days, I'll haul this aging frame to your location and yank you back by the earlobe."

Alzara sniffled and bobbed her head vigorously, still holding on tight. "You wouldn't survive a single day beyond the palace walls," she remarked amid her sobs. "You'd gripe about every little thing."

"That's due to how barbaric the outside world truly is," he muttered, embracing her more firmly. "Particularly now that my girl has chosen to elope with the deadliest individual breathing."

Damon's features spasmed. He yearned to step back a bit from the embarrassment… er… to grant the father and daughter some space, yet he remained pinned and compelled to overhear the entire conversation.

Following several extended moments, the emperor drew away. "Stay safe, my darling child. Should you require anything at all, inform this old fellow promptly. I'll manage to deliver it somehow, no matter where. Keep that crystal on you. Chat with me daily, no exceptions. You realize I can't rest without glimpsing your face."

Alzara grinned past her watery eyes. "Of course, father, I understand."

The emperor stood tall, his posture straightening as he eyed Damon. His gaze remained moist, yet his tone stayed firm. "Blood God," he murmured softly, "if any harm befalls her…"

Damon locked eyes with him directly. "Not a single spot in this realm would shield me," he replied straightforwardly. "I get it. I'll safeguard her using all my power."

The emperor dipped his head once. "Excellent."

Alzara intertwined her fingers with Damon's, giving a soft squeeze. A wide, foolish grin lit her features, drawing a soft laugh from Damon. He quietly absorbed the ongoing banter between father and daughter while pondering his subsequent moves. Strangely enough, the Great Western Desert Emperor resembled his own folks in many ways.

Distinct might. Distinct realm. Identical dread. The dread of seeing your offspring venture into peril, aware that you lack the power or authority to intervene anymore. Maybe, should he father a daughter someday, he'd respond identically.

A adorable young girl from any of his spouses would prove utterly… daunting to imagine. Damon banished the idea before it could root deeper. Indeed, he wasn't set for family life yet. Wiser to savor the early bliss a while longer.

Yet consider… a tiny Kate would boast those same plump cheeks and sulky mouth. A small Lirae would become Dad's cherished jewel. A mini Aurora… would unleash pure chaos!

Yes, he was utterly unprepared for fatherhood.

Damon cleared his throat gently and shoved the notion deep into the void reserved for all hazardous future notions. He was completely, utterly unfit for a sweet and snuggly little terror. Strength could be handled. Foes were handleable. Offspring? That presented an entirely novel challenge.

Jolted back to reality, Damon prepared to cut into the father-daughter talk and inquire about a time-acceleration training chamber when abruptly his ancient instincts ignited.

"Intruders approaching." He rose swiftly, his crimson aura surging forth. The cozy atmosphere in the chamber dissolved in a flash. The emperor's face hardened immediately. Every hint of tenderness evaporated as he traced Damon's stare to the distant hall's end. "Intruders?" he queried darkly.

Alzara sensed it as well. Her joyful expression vanished, her grip on Damon's hand intensifying. "Blood God… So many are coming."

Damon drew her nearer and planted a kiss on her cheek. "We anticipated this eventuality. Stay calm."

From various passages, auras materialized. Initially dozens, then hundreds. Damon's ancient perceptions scanned them instantly. Every one was C-rank, and not the mediocre sort. Without exception, they stood at peak C-rank prowess.

The enormous portals groaned as they swung wide, and silhouettes streamed inside, fanning out with expert coordination, blocking pathways, creating a broad ring around the three. Their actions remained serene, orderly, as though victory was already assured.

The emperor emitted a deep, mirthless laugh. "Seems the serpents couldn't even hold off till dusk."

A known aura advanced from the throng's midst.

The crown prince.

He donned pristine attire, stance at ease, countenance serene to the verge of haughtiness. He bowed his head courteously at the emperor. "Father."

The emperor's stare blazed. "It was you all along."

Alzara blanched. "Brother?" Disbelief gripped her. Her sibling had pampered her above all others in the stronghold. Since childhood, they'd shared a tight bond. After her dad, he'd been her closest confidant. So why this?

The Crown Prince hardly glanced her way, fixing his eyes on the Emperor alone. "Old fool, I hoped you'd evolve, but right to the finish, you're a total letdown."

The emperor's chin clenched. "You tainted your own sister with poison."

"Indeed," the crown prince affirmed coolly. "Gradually. Precisely. A venom that evaded clear detection. No harsh reactions. She'd fade progressively, bit by bit, until her passing seemed ordinary." His gaze darted momentarily to Alzara. "I ensured it caused minimal pain. Had you simply let matters proceed, all would've been well. No suffering for anyone. But you've compelled my action. Now I must cause you agony."

Alzara's orbs expanded. "…Why?" she breathed.

This occasion, he regarded her. No affection lingered. Just cold reckoning. "Because survival wasn't your fate long enough to obstruct me. The realm orbited you. Father orbited you. Each choice, each postponement, each concession bore your name as rationale."

The emperor advanced a pace. "You have the audacity-"

"You favored her above the realm," the crown prince retorted sharply. "Time and again. And now you bestow it all upon a damned bloodsucker?" He barked a harsh guffaw. "You've validated my stance. You're merely a frail and pitiful elder. The realm couldn't endure under your rule. Lacking drive, lacking vision, and heh… lacking courage, father. Perpetually shielding and evading the secret directives."

"Ever pondered the outcomes if you'd allied with them rather than defying?"