SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God - Chapter 593

Chapter 593: What do you intend for her future?
Damon shut that thought down immediately. “I am not,” he said with a flat voice, “drinking anything that changes my race.”

The elder wiped a lingering tear of amusement. “Yes, yes, I know. If such an elixir truly existed, half the continent would be elves by now, though our forests would collapse under the weight of all their romantic expectations.” He sighed dramatically. “Mortals are exhausting.”

Damon ignored the guy and came straight to the point. “How much longer do you think the trial is going to take?” He talked about Lirae again.

The old elf stopped laughing and looked at Damon with a mysterious glint in his eyes. “Quite the smitten bloodsucker, aren’t you? Only thinking of my granddaughter all the time, hmmm? Say, brat, what are your plans for her after you take her away from me?”

Damon could feel ‘the conversation’ coming on, the one that a girl’s father typically had with a boy who dared breathe near his daughter. Except this one wasn’t a father. This was a boulder-armed, tree-blooded, ancient elf who could probably send him flying with a slap.

Damon internally sighed. Wonderful.

The elder leaned forward with that same twinkling, dangerous softness in his eyes, the “I might smile, or I might throw you into a forest” kind of softness. “Well?” the old elf prodded. “My granddaughter. Your… fiancée, apparently. What do you intend for her future?”

Damon casually replied. “Whatever she wants.”

The elder blinked. As if he wasn’t sure he heard correctly.

“Whatever… she wants?”

“Yes.”

A long silence followed, broken only by the gentle hum of glowing vines and the bubbling of the moonlit pool. The old elf stroked his beard, squinting at Damon like he was examining a rare, misbehaving artifact.

“My, my… look at you,” he finally said. “A ruthless, venom-soaked nightmare who just wrung my grandson like a wet towel, yet when it comes to my Lirae, you suddenly grow principles.”

Damon snorted. “I don’t suddenly grow anything.”

The elder gave him the full grandfather stare. “Brat, you massacred your way through two old orders in the desert kingdom, but the moment the topic turns to my granddaughter’s feelings, you answer like a respectful suitor terrified of upsetting her relatives? Are you a tyrant or a lover?”

Damon choked again. This elf was clearly just pulling his legs. “This conversation is pointless.”

“Oh no,” the elder said, wagging a finger, “this is a tradition. When a young fool barges into my home declaring intentions to marry my own blood, I have the right to pry.”

Damon rolled his eyes. Where was the elven pride? Where was the high-born elegance? Weren’t the elves supposed to be a prideful and aloof race who cared a lot about race, nobility, status and such? Why was this old guy so carefree?

Damon had somehow stumbled into the home of a muscle-bound ancient grandfather who behaved like a mischievous tavern uncle with too much free time. He resisted the urge to rub his face.

The elder’s gaze softened, though the mischief never left his voice. “You care for her.” He smiled.

Damon didn’t answer.

“You’re not planning to keep her locked up or clipped like a pet bird.”

“No.”

“You’ll protect her?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll respect her choices?”

“Obviously.”

“You’ll stop her if she tries something stupid like throwing herself at a holy knight again?”

Damon pinched the bridge of his nose. “She is not a small child and I am not going to leave her in harm’s way.”

“Heh?” The old elf sneered. “Says the person who allowed her to be taken against her will. How long did it take you to realize that she was actually missing?

Damon did not say anything.

“Listen, brat. Lirae is strong. Braver than she should be. But she is also… alone. Has been for a long time.” His voice lowered. “If you mean to stay by her side, do it properly. Not as a guardian. Not as a captor. But as someone she can choose freely, again and again.”

“I intend to do that.”

The old elf’s eyes narrowed. He then smiled. “…Very well, then I suppose I don’t have to bury you under a sand dune.”

Damon clicked his tongue and looked away.

The old elf leaned back, satisfied. “Good. Now that the father-in-law ritual is over, we may speak of real matters.”

“Lirae hasn’t been kicked out of the trial yet. Do you know what this means?”

Damon smiled, a bit proudly. That she kicked ass inside and is going to walk out with the reward. That should be the most probably outcome. That was also why he was a bit relaxed but he didn’t answer the question.

The old elf smirked. “When she walks out after claiming the legacy inside, don’t you think she should stay here with us?”

“Hmm?” Damon could see what the old elf was hinting at.

“You are just a small noble in the Crimson Mountains. You do not have the backing or power to protect Lirae if she comes with you. Today she might be safe but it is inevitable for some bloodthirsty bloodsucker to lust after her blood sooner or later. She is that special. If that happens, will you truly be able to protect her?”

Damon opened his mouth to say something but the elf cut him off. “Don’t even bother talking about the Crimson Mountains. I am well aware of exactly how unruly you bloodsuckers are. You are just an odd egg. The others aren’t that rational or logical.”

“You do know about the plight of the many women in the light faction cities you lot captured? Or are you pretending to turn a blind eye towards it? Perhaps you know about it and agree with them?”

“Lirae is meant to rule along side us. Not along filth like your race. Think about it. You don’t have to change your race but you need to think long and hard about the future. If you really wish to marry my granddaughter, you are welcome here to live with us. Otherwise, I suggest you rethink your options. It’s best you leave right now before she breaks the engagement herself.”

Just as the old elf prepared to say something more, a warm and gentle voice sounded. “And why would I be doing that, grandfather?”

***

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