The First Vampire

Following the weathered stone steps, Colin followed Count Schultz down into the basement of the Swan Castle.

Two attendants led the way in front, lighting the fire basin embedded in the stone walls in advance, illuminating the gloomy and somber passage.

Due to poor ventilation, the air in the basement was unbearably turbid. The smell of wine, plants, and a faint stench of decay mingled together, causing a feeling of suffocation.

Soon, they completed the passage and arrived at a somewhat spacious underground space.

Count Schultz pointed to the several wooden doors in front of him and asked, “Viscount Angler, there are seven rooms here, which one do you want to see first?”

Colin glanced around at the wooden doors, seemingly at random, pointing to the one in the middle, “Is this the wine cellar?”

“Indeed,” Count Schultz smiled gently, “and it houses some of the most precious wines of Swan Castle.”

“Then, I am more eager to take a look.”

Count Schultz nonchalantly nodded to the attendant, indicating him to open the door.

With a slightly harsh creaking noise, the wooden door slowly opened, a strong aroma of wine wafting out.

Colin’s eyes sparkled, seemingly attracted by the aroma of wine, and he stepped in.

Count Schultz followed him in as well, while pointing at the shelves of wine in the room, he said:

“Viscount Angler, these are all superior wines from the Winster Highland. The further in, the older the wine. If you like, you can select a bottle for the banquet later on.”

“I don’t know much about wine, why don’t you choose a bottle for me?” Colin casually looked around as he walked further in, seemingly genuinely attracted by the room full of wine.

But in reality, he had already detected that familiar faint scent of blood.

The disappearance of Archbishop John was indeed linked to the Schultz family!

Furthermore, the Schultz family probably had connections with the Morrison family too.

Still, he wondered why they would kidnap Archbishop John.

“Viscount Angler, if I were you, I would choose the wine from that rack,” Count Schultz pointed to a wine rack in the middle of the room, speaking with a smile.

Colin curiously asked, “Why?”

“First of all, when the wine is first produced, it is not suitable for immediate consumption. It’s best to cellar it for four to five years to get rid of its acidity and sourness.

The wines on this rack are four-year-old from the Winster manor. Moreover, the climate was warmer and rainfall was abundant that year, which made the quality of the grapes exceptional. I believe you will surely enjoy its exquisite blend.”

Listening to Count Schultz’s explanation, Colin vaguely nodded in understanding and walked forward to randomly pick a bottle and leave.

Anyway, his purpose for coming here had been achieved; the Schultz family surely harbored evil intentions, just as he had suspected.

But just as he picked out a bottle of wine and prepared to leave, his peripheral vision swept across the opposite side of the wine rack, and his body seemed to freeze instantly.

“Viscount Angler, have you made your choice?” Count Schultz, looking at the motionless Colin, asked in puzzlement.

But Colin continued to stare into the depth of the wine rack, seemingly oblivious to Count Schultz’s question.

Count Schultz exchanged a glance with Lucien by his side, their eyes filled with confusion, and walked over.

Then, both husband and wife froze as well.

Because, a corpse was abruptly sprawled behind that wine rack.

The corpse seemed to have been drained of blood. Its face was pale, gaunt, and haggard, but still vaguely recognizable – it was the long-lost Archbishop John!

Count Schultz’s eyes widened, he quickly turned to look at Lucien, seemingly questioning him, how did you handle the situation?

Lucien’s eyebrows furrowed, his eyes full of confusion and resentment; he wanted to tell his wife that he had indeed reminded the guy to find a new hiding spot.

But how could he know that the guy would actually overlook the most important “thing”!

No!

It’s not overlooked!

He did it on purpose!

Count Schultz felt a chill pervade his whole body, he had now understood the insidious intentions of the “Duke St. Hilde”.

The other party must have seen that Vera did not enter the city and realized that his original plan might have been exposed. So, he immediately altered his plan, not hesitating to sacrifice Count Schultz!

Now that Colin has found this corpse, what can be done?

Count Schultz simply felt like his mind was in chaos, with countless thoughts springing forth like shoots after the rain, but none of them seemed trustworthy.

Right now, Colin was also dumbfounded.

He never expected that he would genuinely find the corpse of Archbishop John in the basement of Swan Castle.

When he had initially suggested “visiting” Swan Castle, he had not actually planned to find Archbishop John, but rather hoped to ascertain whether the Schultz Family had any connection to Archbishop John’s disappearance.

His method of verification was through a sharp pang of a unique blood smell.

However, he never anticipated that a situation like this would arise.

He had already given the Schultz Family so much time to “clean up the scene”, who would’ve thought, the latter simply threw the corpse of Archbishop John in the basement foolishly…

Logically, with the case of Archbishop John’s disappearance now cracked, Colin should feel elated.

But at this moment, he absolutely did not feel joyful.

An intense pressure encroached from behind, completely locking onto Colin.

He knew, Lucien had murderous intentions!

In the fleeting moment, Colin slowly turned around, revealing a stiff smile, he said:

“Count, I never imagined that the murderer of Archbishop John would be so cunning, and wicked at heart!”

Count Schultz looked at Colin expressionlessly, she asked: “Oh? Why do you say that?”

“Because he dared to dump Archbishop’s body in the basement of Swan Castle, this is clearly an attempt to frame the Schultz Family! Don’t you agree that he harbors wicked intentions?”

Count Schultz was taken aback for a moment, immediately grasping the meaning of Colin’s words.

At this time, Count Schultz was also indecisive, she didn’t know how to deal with Colin.

With the appearance of Archbishop John’s body in the basement of Swan Castle, it made it difficult for the Schultz Family to explain to the Church.

She had indeed considered simply eliminating the eyewitness, Colin, and forcefully suppressing the matter.

But she was afraid that doing so would completely infuriate the St. Hilde Family.

The solution that Colin proposed seemed feasible now, but she still couldn’t make up her mind.

She didn’t know whether such an excuse could pass muster with the Church, and whether that damned “Duke St. Hilde” would have any more tricks up his sleeve?

Seeing the silent Count Schultz with her face constantly changing expressions, Colin cautiously reminded her: “Count, don’t make the wrong decision, and don’t become the puppet of the true murderer!”

Count Schultz bit her red lip and spoke in a low voice: “Viscount Angler, the death of Archbishop John, truly has nothing to do with the Schultz Family!”

“I believe you!” Colin immediately replied, “If you knew that Archbishop John had died here, why would you bring me down here to select wine?”

Count Schultz nodded, let out a heavy sigh, then turned to look at Lucien, seeking his opinion.

Lucien, however, did not relax, his body exuding an aura of terrifying power like a wide net, enveloping Colin. It seemed that with the smallest misstep, Colin would suffer a thunderous attack.

Seeing this, Colin felt a sinking feeling in his heart, he was about to explain again when he heard the voice of an attendant from outside the wine cellar:

“Master, the City Defense Force has sent a message saying that Archbishop Agani from the North Territory has just arrived in Swan City!”

“Agani?”

The atmosphere inside the wine cellar changed again.

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