The First Vampire

The night was deep, and the silver moon hung high.

A simple encampment had been set up by a lake where several bonfires sent tendrils of smoke skyward.

Suddenly, the previously tranquil lake stirred into ripples.

The knights spring into alarm, donning their armors, clutching their weapons, simultaneously huddling around the two most prestigious individuals at the center of the camp.

After listening to the ground for a moment, Knight Erich exclaimed loudly:

“About a thousand cavalry, coming from the east!”

On hearing this, everyone else relaxed somewhat.

After all, Orcs do not ride, and anyone coming from the east should be an ally.

Queen Midela appeared to have realized something and murmured:

Marquis Garcia silently nodded, confirming Queen Midela’s guess.

Soon after, a horse rider wearing the armor of the Blood Knight Army arrived in the camp, saluted the queen, and said:

“Your Highness, Count Angler, the Protector of the North Territory, is leading his Personal Guards to Storm Fortress, passing by here, he wished to send his regards to you.”

Queen Midela simply nodded, saying: “Invite Count Angler over.”

“Yes!”

A series of galloping hooves approached from the distance and soon Colin appeared in the middle of the camp.

He dismounted, walked forward, and bowed, saying:

“Your Highness, Lord Marquis, what a coincidence!”

Queen Midela gave a slight smile, saying: “Indeed, quite a coincidence. Count Angler, I heard you gravely injured the Troll Empire again on the Sky Ice Plain, even killing Troll Emperor Okamoto, White Wolf Witch King Squin and Holy Warrior Prince Otto?”

“Yes, I owe these achievements to the guidance and protection of my lord.” Colin responded humbly with a smile.

There was a strange glimmer in Queen Midela’s eyes as she earnestly said:

“Your achievements indeed deserve the attention of our lord. If the Empire weren’t in crisis, the Emperor would have personally bestowed nobility upon you!”

“Your Highness is too kind.” Colin bowed his head and smiled, not continuing the conversation.

After all, even if he were to be rewarded, it would be Duke St. Hilde who would confer a title on Colin, not the Emperor.

Unless…the royal family was having thoughts of winning over Colin again.

Queen Midela did not take offense at Colin’s attitude, instead, she asked again: “Count Angler, why are you taking such a small army to Storm Fortress? Didn’t the Emperor order the entire Northern Army to assemble at Storm Fortress?”

“Really?” Colin acted foolishly. “I apologize. I have just been appointed by Duke St. Hilde to take over the Northern Army and have yet to receive the Emperor’s orders. I am also unaware of the current situation on the battlefield. I am on my way to Storm Fortress to inquire about the next strategic planning.”

Queen Midela naturally saw through Colin’s pretense. Without exposing him, she simply smiled, saying:

“Then it’s perfect timing, we can travel together. I’m sure the Emperor will be glad to see your arrival.”

Colin gave a courteous smile, then turned his gaze to Marquis Garcia who had been keeping his head low and remaining silent.

Understanding immediately, Queen Midela rose to her feet:

“I will rest now, you may continue your conversation.”

Colin slightly bowed and watched as Queen Midela gracefully entered a tent.

He then sat down next to Marquis Garcia, then whispered:

“Lord Marquis, the Northern Army will be stationed in Luwal Valley. No one will try to relocate them. You can rest assured.”

Marquis Garcia nodded, indicating that he understood, then he sighed, quietly saying:

“You shouldn’t have come to Storm Fortress.”

Colin picked up a twig, stirring the bonfire in front of him, making it burn with a greater intensity. He spoke,

“Marquis, Luwal Valley does not need me now. On the contrary, it’s the Storm Fortress that is key to the successful implementation of your strategic plan.

We must find a way to relocate the hundreds of thousands of Imperial Allied forces in the fortress to Luwal Valley, instead of leaving them as decorations in the Storm Fortress.”

Marquis Garcia spoke indifferently,

“You don’t need to worry about this.”

Colin glanced at Marquis Garcia and asked, “Marquis, does that mean you have a way to make the Imperial forces gathered at the Storm Fortress retreat to Luwal Valley?”

Marquis Garcia nodded but did not further explain.

However, Colin wasn’t ready to let it go and continued to inquire,

“Marquis, are you confident that Emperor Reinhardt will accept your strategy?”

Marquis Garcia remained silent.

Obviously, he could not give a definitive reply.

With Emperor Reinhardt’s stubborn and abruptly self-righteous character, the possibility of him suddenly accepting Marquis Garcia’s strategic plan was virtually nonexistent.

Not to mention convincing him, once Marquis Garcia arrives at the Storm Fortress, the eager Emperor Reinhardt will probably send Marquis Garcia to the scaffold on grounds of treason.

Then he would shove all the blame for the disaster at the Sky Breaking Mountain Range and the fall of Westland on Marquis Garcia.

This way, not only can he vent his anger, but also conveniently shift any blame.

How could Marquis Garcia not foresee this?

But knowing that his trip to the Storm Fortress would be more dangerous than safe, he still willingly went ahead and even claimed he had a method to draw the Imperial forces at the Storm Fortress back to Luwal Valley…

All of this sounded like a tall tale.

But Colin did not believe that Marquis Garcia was bluffing or misjudging the situation.

Colin had always believed that since the Orc warfare, the most clear-headed individual among the Imperial higher-ups was Marquis Garcia.

So, Colin more or less guessed what Marquis Garcia’s plan might be.

“You want to go to the Storm Fortress and kill Emperor Reinhardt, am I right, Marquis?” Colin blurted out the shocking guess.

Marquis Garcia’s body slightly quivered, his pupils contracted violently but quickly returned to normal.

But Colin was closely observing Marquis Garcia, growing more certain of his conjecture.

“Marquis, assuming I’m not wrong, you plan to personally kill Emperor Reinhardt, and then let Queen Midela temporarily take charge of the Imperial Allied Army, correct?”

Marquis Garcia turned his head and stared deeply at Colin. Perhaps realizing that hiding it any longer was pointless, he honestly nodded and said,

“Correct. Midela has already agreed to my plan, so you don’t need to worry, she will cooperate with you on the next strategy.”

Colin, however, shook his head and asked,

“What about you?”

Marquis Garcia turned his head and gazed at the ground in silence.

Clearly, Marquis Garcia had not considered his own safety.

Assassinating Emperor Reinhardt, a crime of such magnitude, no one could save Marquis Garcia.

Unless, like “The Judge” back then, the Pope can bring oracle for Marquis Garcia.

But judging by the current strained relationship between North Territory and the Church, it would be a lucky thing if Pope Gregory doesn’t add fuel to the fire.

Looking at Marquis Garcia, obviously willing to give up his own life, Colin suddenly said,

“Vera is pregnant.”

In the next moment, Marquis Garcia’s previously dull eyes were instantly filled with vibrant light again.

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