War Begins, Harry

"Yes."

The two guards immediately dragged the screaming middle-aged man away. Blade turned to Mercury and said, "Now there’s no way to avoid war."

"Isn’t that exactly what you wanted?"

Mercury sneered. "Notify the government to clear out the surrounding area. With those old fossils’ temperament, they’ll make their move on the full moon five days from now."

"A dark, moonlit night—perfect for killing Vampires."

Blade grinned. Even after all these years, he still loved killing Vampires.

"You bitch! How dare you be so disrespectful?"

Countess Bathory, who looked no older than twenty, roared furiously. The middle-aged man whose tongue had been cut out by a silver blade—and could not regenerate it—could only make muffled noises, clearly accusing Mercury.

"Take the third butler away for treatment."

Countess Bathory waved for a maid to lead the middle-aged man away, then shouted murderously at the head butler, "Gather the other families for a meeting. I’m going to destroy Mercury."

"Yes, Countess."

The head butler immediately sent clan members to deliver letters. That was right, letters. It was called aristocratic ceremony—though they still took planes.

"We must destroy Mercury. She bought up all the hospitals, and we can’t buy blood anymore."

"She didn’t just buy the hospitals. She froze our banks too. We can barely even pay wages now."

"Not only must we destroy Mercury, we must destroy Blade too. That bastard kills Vampires in London every day. My youngest son merely drank the blood of an ordinary human, and Blade killed him for it."

"That’s right. We must destroy them."

The Vampires were in an uproar. What Mercury had done was simply too excessive; they could not tolerate it at all.

Seeing the Vampires burning with rage, Countess Bathory was overjoyed. She said, "Good. Since everyone has decided to go to war, we’ll send troops to destroy Mercury and take back what belongs to us."

"Good, send the troops."

The Vampires shouted one after another, but some frowned and said, "Countess Bathory, we’re not afraid of Mercury and Blade, but Blood God stands behind them."

At the mention of Blood God, the Vampires instantly fell silent. They might have been stubborn and old-fashioned, but they knew how powerful Blood God was—the footage of the Battle of Manhattan was not difficult for them to obtain.

"So what if it’s Blood God? With so many of us, can’t we defeat one man?"

Countess Bathory said, "Even if we really can’t, we can use humanity’s safety to threaten him. He treats humans far better than he treats the Blood Clan."

"He does treat humans better than us."

The Vampires were full of resentment. If Blood God had stood with the Blood Clan, the Blood Clan would have united the world long ago.

Another Vampire asked, "Countess Bathory, why hasn’t Grand Duke Damaskinos come this time?"

Nominally, Grand Duke Damaskinos was the leader of the European Blood Clan.

Countess Bathory grew irritated at the mention of him—irritated with Grand Duke Damaskinos. He had actually warned her not to provoke Blood God, or she would surely die.

"I’d like to see who can kill me."

Countess Bathory said coldly, "He has other matters to handle. Enough, don’t waste any more time. Gather the Purebloods and elite-level Half-bloods. On the night of the full moon, we march out, kill Mercury and Blade, and return everything to normal."

The Vampires roared in unison, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

In a mysterious ancient castle somewhere in Romania, Grand Duke Damaskinos—hairless, browless, and strange-looking—shook his head when he heard his subordinate’s report.

"Looks like I’m about to lose another old friend."

"Father, are they really no match for Mercury?"

Grand Duke Damaskinos’s daughter, Nissa, asked, "Mercury is merely a Pureblood who has lived for a little over a century. She should be far weaker than Countess Bathory."

"If Blood God dared send her, then he naturally has complete confidence in her."

Grand Duke Damaskinos said, "Just wait and see."

Nissa asked worriedly, "Father, what should we do? This time, Blood God is clearly telling us that those who follow him will prosper, while those who oppose him will perish."

"Blood God is at the height of his power. We should avoid him for now."

Grand Duke Damaskinos said, "Recall all our people, then seal the castle. No matter who comes, do not open the gates."

Nissa was stunned. Her father was planning to turtle up?

"Father, you are the leader of the European Blood Clan. Doing this will cost you everyone’s support."

"Leader in name only. As for people’s support, I have never cared about such things."

Grand Duke Damaskinos waved his hand and said, "Nissa, say no more. Do as I say."

Nissa answered helplessly, "Yes, Father."

After Nissa left, Grand Duke Damaskinos rose and went to the basement deep within the castle. There was a highly advanced Gene Lab there.

"Those old fossils have no idea that the times have changed. Both Blood God and I are opening new paths for the Blood Clan. However, Blood God’s path is wrong. Mine is the right one."

Grand Duke Damaskinos sneered and asked the person in charge of the lab, "How is the progress?"

The man in charge smiled bitterly. "Grand Duke, we’re still stuck at the same point. We cannot create perfect offspring."

"We must be lacking Progenitor’s Blood."

Grand Duke Damaskinos said, "Continue your research. I will find a way to obtain Progenitor’s Blood."

"Yes, Grand Duke."

The man in charge nodded. After thinking for a moment, Grand Duke Damaskinos asked, "How is Chad Norman?"

Fear flashed through the man’s eyes as he replied, "He has devoured more than a dozen Vampires. His strength keeps increasing."

"Very good. He is the key to dealing with Blood God."

Grand Duke Damaskinos nodded in satisfaction. "Keep feeding him Vampires. Europe has been in chaos lately, so no one will care if Vampires disappear."

"Yes."

The man in charge nodded, though he was worried. What Grand Duke Damaskinos was doing could easily backfire.

A monster that fed on Vampires—just thinking about it was terrifying.

In Hell, a group of lords sneered. "The European Blood Clan are truly a bunch of fools. They actually took the initiative to attack Mercury. If we don’t intervene, they’ll definitely be wiped out."

"They’ve lived too long and can no longer keep up with the times."

Lucifer said, "Send them something that will let them escape. That way, after this battle, they’ll surely search for Dracula with everything they have. Only Dracula can save them."

"That’s right."

The Hell Lords nodded and sent gifts to the upper ranks of the Blood Clan through their followers on Earth. Hell Lords were rarely this generous.

At the same time, Mephisto was also contacting his collaborator—Harry Osborn, the son of Old Green Goblin Norman Osborn.

Harry shouted at Mephisto’s glowing statue with a twisted expression, "Mephisto, when exactly will I be able to take revenge? I’ve waited two years already!"

Though he was in Europe, Harry had never forgotten his blood-deep hatred. That Blood God had not only swallowed up Osborn Corporation, but had also killed his father Norman. If he did not avenge this grudge, he would be unworthy of being his father’s son.

"You’ll be able to take revenge very soon."

Mephisto’s statue explained his plan, then said, "Only Dracula can kill Blood God. You must help the Blood Clan find Dracula."

"Dracula? Is there no way for me to take revenge personally?"

Harry asked unwillingly. Mephisto laughed. "Do you know how powerful Blood God is? In the entire human world, aside from Ancient One, no one is his match. He is invincible on Earth."

"Damn it."

Harry gritted his teeth. "How can I help the Blood Clan? I injected the Human Enhancement Potion, but that little strength amounts to nothing."

Norman had a subordinate named Niels. Back when Norman was defeated, Niels fled in advance and was never captured by Blood God. The formula Kingpin possessed had come from him.

Later, with Mephisto’s help, Niels made his way to Europe and became Harry’s butler. That was why Harry possessed the Human Enhancement Potion. In fact, he also had Lizard Serum and Gliders.

"The Human Enhancement Potion is already outdated. Spider transformation is what’s popular now."

Mephisto said with a smile, "Lizard Doctor gave me the inspiration for it. What a pity Blood God captured him. Otherwise, he and I would definitely have created a lot of sparks together."

In fact, Mephisto was the next collaborator Lizard Doctor had been looking for. Unfortunately, before they could meet, Blood God captured Lizard Doctor.

Harry froze for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "For revenge, I can pay any price. What do I need to do?"

"It’s simple. Lure Spider-Man to Europe, then obtain his blood."

Mephisto said, "With Spider-Man’s blood, I can use magic to turn you into the Hell Spider King."

"Wait, magic?"

Harry was stunned. Hadn’t they just been talking about science?

"I’m a Hell Lord. What do I know about science?"

Mephisto said irritably, "Don’t worry. Magic will be no less effective than science. It’s a pity you aren’t suited to becoming Ghost Rider, or this would be much easier."

"Magic is fine, but how am I supposed to lure Spider-Man to Europe? I don’t even know him."

"You do know him. He is your childhood friend, Peter Parker."

"Parker is Spider-Man?"

Harry was dumbfounded. That little fool who did not even know how to fight back when others beat him was Spider-Man? That was far too unbelievable.

"That’s right, he is Spider-Man. Get his blood as soon as possible. We don’t have much time."

With that, Mephisto went offline, and the statue’s glow quickly faded.

"Peter Parker?"

A trace of hesitation flashed through Harry’s eyes, but hatred immediately buried it. For revenge, he could spare no one, even a friend.

Besides, he only needed a little blood!

That night, Peter Parker received an invitation from his childhood friend. He was so excited that he practically jumped to the ceiling. After thinking it over, he called Gwen and invited her to travel to Europe with him.

"That’s great. I happen to be free during this period."

Gwen immediately agreed. Peter was overjoyed. He could finally enjoy some time alone with her. In New York, with Mayor George watching him, he did not dare do much of anything.

Late at night, James called Wang Bert. "Blood God, someone has sent Demon Amulets to the upper ranks of the European Blood Clan."

"Demon Amulets?"

"Yes, Demon Amulets imbued with Demon Teleportation."

James nodded. "Most of the family heads received them. Blood God, should I bring one back for you to study?"

"No. That could easily alert them."

After thinking for a moment, Wang Bert shook his head. "Have those family heads stand with the European Blood Clan tomorrow."

James nodded. "Yes, Blood God."

On the night of the full moon, Mercury had the nearby humans evacuated in advance. She stood quietly in the street with Blade, ten guards, and dozens of Blood Clan elites.

Blade had not summoned the Blood Clan Police Department to join them. On one hand, there was no need. On the other, he was worried the Blood Clan might launch a surprise attack on the police department.

At the same time, Wang Bert, who was in Brazil, watched the battle through a holographic projection in case anything unexpected happened.

Mercury and the others did not have to wait long. The sky suddenly turned blood-red. Then, a group of Vampires drove toward them in various vehicles, radiating murderous intent.

Mercury sneered. "They’re here. There seem to be quite a few of them."

Everyone looked disdainful, and none were afraid. Blade looked up at the blood-red sky and asked, "What’s going on?"

"That is Bathory’s Blood Cloak. It can cover the sky and create a blood-red domain. Within that domain, the Vampires she designates will receive a certain boost in strength."

Mercury explained, "Several famous first-generation Vampires possess treasures. Supposedly, Dracula had someone forge them for them."

Blade asked in surprise, "It can cover the sky? Can it be used during the day?"

"It can, but the consumption is enormous. Countess Bathory could not sustain it for more than a few minutes."

"I see."

Blade thought for a moment, then asked, "Are Blood Clan treasures all named after their owners?"

"All of them. For example, Blood God’s Necklace and Vlad’s Blood Chains."

Mercury nodded. "It is a Blood Clan tradition."

Blade was stunned. "Blood God’s Necklace?"

"The necklace around Blood God’s neck."

Blade said disdainfully, "What a terrible name. Good thing I’m not a Vampire, or my sword would have to be called Blade’s Blade."

Mercury teased, "It should be Sunglasses’ Blade. After all, sunglasses are your true body. Blade is just the frame."

Blade was speechless. At that moment, the convoy stopped several dozen meters in front of Mercury’s group. Then, hundreds of fully armed Vampires, dressed like special forces, stepped out of the vehicles and stared murderously at Mercury and the others.

Countess Bathory was the only one wearing a gorgeous long dress. Seeing that Mercury had so few people, she said disdainfully, "Mercury, kneel now. For the sake of the Purebloods, I can spare your life."

"I’d really like to kill you right away, but Blood God said we should win people over with virtue—courtesy first, force second."

Mercury said, "I’ll give you one last chance. Surrender, or this will be the last full moon you ever see."

"What a joke. Do you think you’re Blood God? We outnumber you by more than ten to one, and every one of us is elite-level."

One family head spoke disdainfully, and the others were the same. You, Mercury, wanted them to surrender?

Dream on!

"You refuse to see reason. In that case, die."

Mercury sneered and raised a hand. Four Ultraviolet floodlights lit up around them, bathing the area in purple light.

Though the Vampires suffered some pain, not one died. Countess Bathory burst into laughter. "Did you think we hadn’t prepared for that? All our clothes are Ultraviolet-resistant."

"That’s right."

The Vampires laughed one after another. They were fully armed and even wore sunglasses, all to guard against Ultraviolet light.

They were old-fashioned, but they were not stupid.