SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God Chapter 717 Time to go all out

The crown prince remained motionless for several agonizing moments, his hands balled so tightly that crimson droplets seeped between his knuckles. Grinding his teeth, his jaw locked with such force that a brittle cracking sound emerged. Then, the system interface ignited before his eyes, pulsing with a vibrant, rhythmic glare.

Slowly and with visible agony, he raised his trembling hand, his finger hovering uncertainly over the glowing contract. "...I refuse to bow," he rasped, his voice strained. "But I have no intention of dying like a stray cur, either." With a sudden, decisive jerk, he pressed his palm against the shimmering parchment.

Ding. The agreement was sealed.

"A wise choice," Damon muttered, offering a slight nod. "You still draw breath. That, in itself, elevates you above the many who have perished attempting to claim my life."

Offering no reply, the crown prince kept his gaze locked onto the dusty floor, his chest heaving with shallow, labored breaths as he shielded his expression from the room. All around, the remaining experts knelt in heavy, oppressive silence, having surrendered their autonomy to the contract.

The emperor let out a long, shuddering breath, finally expelling the weight of decades. He stared at the kneeling dignitaries before shifting his eyes toward Damon. "...It is finished," he murmured, disbelief coloring his tone. In a single stroke, the clandestine cabals that had terrorized the Great Western Desert for countless generations had been brought to their knees.

And it wasn't the work of some monstrous B-rank entity. All of this had been orchestrated by a man who, like them, remained anchored in the C-rank. The mere prospect of what such an individual might unleash upon ascending to the B-rank left everyone shivering in their boots.

"Blood God! Although I granted you sovereignty over this Great Western Desert on a whim, I harbored my fair share of doubts," the elderly monarch wheezed, gulping down a vial of restorative tonic. "Yet, those misgivings have vanished. You are the fated sovereign of these sands. Guided by your hand, this kingdom shall finally taste enduring peace and prosperity."

He braced himself against his staff, rising to his full, weakened height as his gaze swept over the prostrate figures. His eyes held no trace of pity—only a chilling, iron resolve. "Remove them. Strip them bare of every title, resource, and shred of authority, then remand them to the new Emperor. Henceforth, these men shall labor to atone for their transgressions for the remainder of their days."

"As you command, Your Majesty!" the imperial guards bellowed in unison, surging forward to seize the prisoners.

Alzara exhaled a shaky, ragged breath, seemingly only just realizing she had survived the ordeal. Clutching Damon’s sleeve, she pulled herself toward him. "Is it… truly over? Are you unharmed? That soul-based strike from the witch was ruthless. I truly failed you by not issuing a warning; please, cast aside your anger. I was foolish and short-sighted, consumed only by my own narrow perspective."

Damon gave a gentle shake of his head, a smile touching his lips. "It is of no consequence. Do not burden yourself. Protecting me is not your duty; safeguarding you is mine. And speaking of which..." Damon understood the necessity of his next move.

Alzara began to speak, but her words died in her throat as Damon manifested a shimmering Blood Gate, creating a direct conduit to the Dark faction's continental portal. "Alzara, how would you feel about meeting the rest of my kin?"

Damon repeated the invitation to the aged emperor, whose eyes widened in surprise. The father-daughter duo exchanged glances, keenly aware that the landscape of the Empire had shifted irrevocably. While the immediate crisis was resolved, numerous smoldering issues remained that threatened to ignite civil unrest and potentially fracture the Empire entirely. After all, the transformation today was nothing short of earth-shattering: a Light faction empire, governed now by an alliance of both Light and Dark forces?

Such an arrangement was heretofore unheard of.

"I believe that may be ill-advised," the old emperor cautioned, shaking his head.

Damon offered a bittersweet smile and began to clarify his position. While he had no intention of keeping the truth from Alzara or the Emperor, he realized too late that he had severely underestimated the psychological impact his revelation would have on them.

"B… B-rank...? How is that possible?" the old emperor gasped, his eyes bulging in sheer shock. "What could you have possibly done to invite the wrath of such a being?"

"My objective requires the consolidation of as many territories as possible for a specific trial."

The monarch studied Damon as if observing a catastrophe draped in human skin, speechless for a long duration.

"...You provoked a B-rank existence," the emperor eventually stammered, his voice brittle. "For the sake of a trial?"

Damon tossed his hands up in a gesture of helplessness. "When you frame it in such a manner, it does appear somewhat deranged."

"Somewhat?"

The emperor dragged a weary hand down his face. "Do you grasp the gravity of the B-rank? They aren't mere masters of cities or empires. They are beings capable of erasing civilizations if they find their mood slightly inconvenienced."

"I am well aware," Damon replied, his demeanor composed. "That is precisely why I ceased my advance. Upon attaining the threshold I required, I pulled back. There will be no further invasions of Light faction lands, nor any large-scale carnage. As far as they are concerned, I have become irrelevant."

The emperor surveyed him with a searching, intense gaze. "And you possess such confidence in that?"

Damon sighed, shaking his head. "My actions were admittedly excessive, but I have halted them now. As I am no longer encroaching upon Light faction territories, it is highly probable the B-rank has lost interest in me. Furthermore, we shall not be broadcasting the events of today publicly, which should prevent the B-rank from taking notice."

"However, it would be folly to expect that news of this will be suppressed indefinitely. My mere presence could tempt the B-rank to strike at this empire. While I suspect he would not indiscriminately target common citizens, those within my inner circle may be at risk. I am taking proper measures to insulate us."

The old emperor nodded, remaining lost in thought for a long interval before questioning, "You mentioned gathering territories for a trial. What variety of trial demands such extreme measures?"

Damon provided a concise explanation, acknowledging that even his own knowledge was incomplete. The emperor drifted into profound contemplation, finally looking up to speak.

"If you have staked everything on this and there exists a chance for something truly extraordinary, then proceed with the utmost commitment. Concealment serves no purpose now."

Damon understood the implication perfectly. "That level of exposure is unnecessary. It would invite needless slaughter, which is exactly what I wish to avoid."

"Hmph," the emperor grunted. "Blood God, I concede that we lack your raw power, but do not mistake the Great Western Desert Empire for a docile lamb. We have endured for thousands of years amidst vipers. We possess the means to defend ourselves, even against a B-rank adversary. When the storm arrives, the desert does not bend to the wind."

Alzara let out a sharp gasp. "Father—"

"Alzara, listen to your father. Accompany the Blood God and remain secure in the wilderness with his people. I shall manage matters here." The emperor turned back to Damon with a resolute nod. "Place your faith in this old man and entrust the empire to me one last time; I shall not dishonor these sands. I will permit no harm to befall this domain. Go now, conquer your trial, and return with the strength to ensure that you need never hide from anyone again."

In the next instant, a cascade of chimes erupted, and a multitude of screens materialized before Damon.

[Ding! Global Announcement: The Blood Domain has successfully annexed the Great Western Desert Empire.]

[Ding! All defensive forces of the Great Western Desert Empire have pledged fealty to the Blood God.]

[Ding! The Blood God has been crowned the new Emperor of the Great Western Desert Empire.]

[Ding! Sovereignty over the Great Western Desert Empire has been claimed by the Blood God.]

[Ding! The Blood Domain has successfully altered the regional power dynamic. The continental balance is shifting...]

[Ding! Achievement Unlocked: Imperial Authority]

[Ding! Guild Territories expanded.]

[Ding! New trade routes established.]

[Ding! Resource Allocation Panel activated.]

[Ding! Military Command panel activated.]

[Ding! Territory Bonus Active: Blood Domain shops, residential housing, defenses, and taxation protocols are now functional.]