SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God Chapter 737 The war begins

Damon had scarcely entered the banquet hall when a profound horn blast erupted from afar. Another followed immediately. Then three more resounded, reverberating through the palace hallways.

Lysandra's head jerked toward the noise. Every trace of color fled her face. The others mirrored her shock. Abrupt silence enveloped the entire banquet hall.

"That's the northern watch," someone yelled. "They wouldn't sound the war horns unless…"

A fresh barrage of horns thundered, this time louder and nearer. The ground stones quivered slightly beneath their feet.

Damon wasted no time. He pivoted and marched to the grand hall doors, shoving them apart in one fluid push. Chaos already gripped the outer corridor. Servants bolted in panic. Guards barked commands. Armored captains dashed toward the perimeter walls.

They hadn't delayed their assault. Predictably so. Damon would have done the same in their place. Mana swirled under his feet as he Blinked.

Every Blink hurled him across space, the castle's innards blurring into flashes of stone and flame until he touched down at the royal gardens' fringe. He regained his footing, letting out a soft breath. "Impressive," he murmured.

Three Blinks were required just to emerge into open air. The castle grounds extended vastly. The fortress sprawled across the landscape like a complete metropolis. Yet that paled against the real surprise. Damon's eyes locked onto the dozen silhouettes in the distance. Invaders had already arrived, their numbers graspable at a glance. No vast legions or monstrous swarms charged him. Just a scant group of intruders.

Damon's lips twisted into a wry smile. The castle's war preparations had led him to expect a repeat of the blood hall siege—barriers defending the stronghold or city as armies hammered against each other.

He'd relied on that setup for extra gains too. Chief among them, the strength surge from mass slaughter. Now it all seemed like wishful thinking. This golden rank world never ceased to astonish. It severed his power supply bit by bit.

But worse lay ahead. Damon inhaled deeply and deployed his primordial senses, scanning beyond the dozen foes. His expression darkened instantly. Their boldness in arriving so sparsely hinted at much, and his senses now validated every dread suspicion. Yeah, this time he was utterly doomed.

Three B-rank powerhouses. Not merely one, but three! Fully three B-rank powerhouses lurked within that twelve.

"Fucking hell! How is this even fair?" Damon managed only a hollow laugh. The challenge level here defied all reason. How in blazes was he meant to tackle three B-rank powerhouses?

Just then, Necrogod interjected. "BloodGod, there are three B rank powerhouses coming for you."

"Yes. I know." Damon replied. His mind drew a total blank, unable to envision any way he'd escape this clash alive.

"I tried my best to dissuade them but it did not happen. Even though you are considered a weak and stupid heir, they still ended up sending their full forces." Necrogod pressed on rapidly. "Sorry, I failed you."

"It's fine." Damon replied. By now, nothing could alter the outcome.

"But I did not fail you completely. I managed to buy you some time." Necrogod hadn't even wrapped up when a new band emerged afar. Yet again, roughly fifteen in number, but Damon already felt the formidable B-rank auras pulsing from them.

Stunningly, this faction also packed three B ranks!

The astonishment didn't stop. The rival groups began exchanging words.

"Mahany, are you blatantly going to disregard the peace treaty signed by your first elder?" One of them asked.

Damon's eyes flashed with sudden hope. The targeted man—towering, garbed in pale frost-blue robes—curved his lips in a faint smile. His hair gleamed like ice beneath the moon, and from afar, the air encircling him seemed keen enough to slice flesh.

"Disregard?" Mahany replied smoothly. "You misunderstand the situation."

The other B rank, cloaked in silver crescent patterns, folded his hands behind his back. "Then clarify it."

"I don't think I need to do something like that. Since when do I owe you explanations for my actions?"

A subtle surge of killing intent rippled outward. The very next moment, skipping all tedious speeches, both parties burst into fierce combat. Damon leaped back a few steps at once. No one should trifle with a B rank powerhouse's assault. Even the residual force could vaporize a C rank on the spot. That was the immense divide between B rank and C rank.

"Vlad, this is awesome. I don't know how you did it but this is the best case scenario we could have hoped for."

"Idiot. I failed," Necrogod responded dejectedly. "The BloodGods possess a hidden scheme. Another B rank is set to join them soon. Upon his arrival, his intention is to slay you first and claim the throne. I had wished they altered their scheme, yet they remain committed to it. I'll strive to disrupt their plans as much as possible, but no extra time can be gained for you. At best, you get mere minutes to ready yourself, after which you'll confront at least one B rank, regardless."

Damon absorbed the words in silence before a smile spread across his face. "No need to fret. I was already aware. From the instant I detected B ranks' involvement, I anticipated this outcome. What I meant was something different—time itself. You've granted me precious time, and now I'll flip this entire situation upside down. Enough talk. Let the slaughter commence."

Without a word, Damon ascended into the sky, unleashing a surge of his toxic aura.