The First Vampire

Early winter in the Silver Moon City was quite chilly, the occasional cold wind brought up a large amount of dust, obscuring the sky.

This Garden City, once meticulously cared for by the Half-Elves, had not been properly cleaned in a long while.

Ever since the coup half a month ago, the shadow of war had been hanging over the Silver Moon City, suffocating the townsfolk who were barely able to catch their breath.

Now, this oppression seemed to have reached its peak, even the normally docile Half-Elves seemed unable to suppress the fear and frustration brewing within them.

The heaps of skulls outside the city stirred panic among many Half-Elves, but also ignited an inner rage within even more of them.

The actions of Marquis Vincent had entirely undone the Eastern Army’s facade of decency, exposing their bloody nature to the Half-Elves.

At the same time, a rumor spread through the Silver Moon City at an astonishing speed—

The Eastern Army is planning to slaughter the inhabitants of the city!

This race, which from its inception believed in the protection of the strong and thought money could buy refuge, was experiencing the fear of genocide.

Just when the Half-Elves were in a state of panic, confusion, and fury, another message arrived — Queen Isa was about to make a public speech in Central Square.

As if they had found their backbone, the Half-Elves of Silver Moon City flocked to Central Square, hoping that their queen would guide them out of this crisis.

By noon, Central Square was packed to full capacity.

A platform was temporarily erected in the center of the square, and, under the watchful eyes of eager anticipation, Queen Isa finally ascended the platform.

Dressed in the ceremonial dress exclusive to the Half-Elf Queen, Isa Miller looked at once splendidly beautiful and icy cold, dignified and noble. At that moment, she seemed like the embodiment of the Goddess of Fate.

The assembled Half-Elves, apparently moved by her perfect figure, held their breath in hope of their redemption.

“My citizens…” Queen Isa began.

Her stunning face was filled with determination and calm; her manner seemingly declared that no one could make her bow her proud head.

“I know you are scared, you are fearful.

But our enemies will show us no mercy because of our fear and terror.

On the contrary, it will only make them wield their butcher knives without hesitation!

War cannot tolerate fear, nor tears, nor supplication.

Only the swords in our hands will command the enemy’s respect!

The Half-Elf Clan cannot rely forever on the refuge of others.

Only a powerful army, brave warriors unafraid to sacrifice, and an unyielding belief, can truly be the backbone of our clan!

In the face of the enemy’s threats and intimidation, we will never surrender, we will never yield!

We will fight to the end!

Pick up your weapons, join me,

Fight atop the city walls of Silver Moon!

Fight in every street, every house!

Fight before the Church of the Lord of Glory, fight under the gaze of the Goddess of Fate!

We will never surrender!

Even if the Silver Moon City falls into enemy hands, we will continue to fight on every inch of our Half-Elf Kingdom’s land!

Until our relentless belief moves the merciful and fair deities, ringing down their mighty power to save this race which is deserving of their abundant grace!”

Roar——

Queen Isa’s speech, like a spark falling into a pile of dry wood, instantly ignited the long-suppressed anger of the Half-Elves.

For a moment, the entire Central Square boiled over.

The frenzied Half-Elves, as if to fully vent their indignation and oppression, their shouts and roars eventually coalesced into one resolute slogan—

“Fight to the end! Never surrender!”

“Fight to the end! Never surrender!”

“Fight to the end! Never surrender!”

The grandeur of the resonating voices swept away the stagnating atmosphere that had enveloped Silver Moon City for days.

The dark clouds seemed to be shaken by this mighty momentum and gradually dispersed, revealing the long-gone sun.

The bright sunlight bathed the high platform in the central square of Silver Moon City, shrouding Queen Isa in a dazzling halo, making her look like a goddess descended upon the world.

This miraculous event fired up the half-elves in the square even more.

Many of them, with tears in their eyes, started to murmur incoherent prayers, worshipping the silhouette on the high platform.

However, that was when disaster struck!

A dark arrow, like a snake darting out of its hole, shot towards Queen Isa at lightning speed.

Whoosh!

The arrow pierced through her chest, splattering blood everywhere.

The inviolable deity in the eyes of the half-elves had fallen face-up in the full view of the public!

Time seemed to have hit the pause button. For a moment, it seemed as if the world fell silent, devoid of any noise.

But in the next second, the square erupted again!

“Protect Her Majesty the Queen!”

“Capture the Eastern assassin!”

“Avenge the Queen!”

The various cries threw the situation on the square into complete chaos.

The half-elves couldn’t believe that Queen Isa, who had just brought them hope for redemption, had collapsed on the platform.

The last string of sanity snapped.

Fuming with rage, under the manipulation of someone with an agenda, they turned their anger toward the East.

The cries for avenging the Queen grew louder and louder.

Even the weakest half-elves refused to mention surrender, as if it was an insult to them and a blasphemy against Queen Isa.

Countless half-elves with red eyes rushed to the recruitment center, they were going to carry out Queen Isa’s will, to fight to the end, never to surrender!

The usually deserted recruitment center had never seen such excitement or fanaticism. Just five hours later, the 30,000-strong Silver Moon Guards was fully replenished.

Those half-elves who failed to enlist were unwilling to leave, clamoring for weapons from the armory. Even if they couldn’t join the army, they were willing to die fighting for Queen Isa.

This usually timid and war-fearing race of half-elves, under various deliberate or inadvertent influences, finally brought out the valor hidden deep within them.

At this moment, they seemed unstoppable, fearless.

As this fanaticism continued to escalate, Colin had to ask the officers of the Silver Moon Guards to keep their subordinates in check, barely preventing the crazed half-elf soldiers from rushing out of Silver Moon City to fight a deathly battle with the Easterners.

However, the half-elves, full of rage with nowhere to vent, still managed to set a fire on top of the city wall of Silver Moon City.

Of course, they had not lost their minds and intended to burn the city.

They wanted to destroy the wisteria on the city wall.

These wisteria, originally planted for decorative purposes, would clearly become ladders for the enemies during a siege.

This action of the half-elves seemed to solemnly declare—

The vulnerable, pleasure-seeking race of the past was no more, replaced by a reborn and iron-willed race!

Queen Isa and Colin’s careful arrangements, along with Marquis Vincent’s “divine aid”, successfully ignited the valor of this race.

Although currently weak, with the proper guidance and the blood and skulls of the Easterners as a sacrifice, perhaps a martial spirit of the half-elf tribe really can be forged.