The First Vampire

The heavy snowfall changed the landscape’s color.

In this snowfall, a team of about three hundred people was heading in the direction of Silver Moon City.

Eight knights in red armor, carrying the “World Purifying Flames” flag, rode at the head of the team.

The sight of this banner made the half-elf commoners along the road kneel hastily in reverence.

Because, the World Purifying Flames were the emblem of the luminous Royal Family of the Empire.

In the luxury horse-drawn carriage at the center of the team, a boy of about thirteen or fourteen was looking at the information report recently handed to him by his attendant, a look of surprise on his face.

From his clothing style and the badge on his chest, it’s not hard to guess that this young boy is the Crown Prince of the Empire – Harrison St. Lorenzo.

“Mother, the Pegasus Army of the East has been wiped out under Silver Moon City…”

Queen Midela was sprawled lazily on a soft cushion at this moment, covered with a thick fox fur blanket. Upon hearing her son’s question, she didn’t even bother to open her eyes and responded dismissively.

“Has the Eastern Army really become this incompetent after years of peace, losing to half-elves?”

“And the Dark Cavalry.”

“The Dark Cavalry?”

“Yes, they’re supposedly remnants who escaped from the Shadow Gorge, according to the report, there were eight thousand soldiers.”

Only then did Queen Midela open her eyes, revealing a look of curiosity.

Prince Harrison quickly handed the report over, questioning in confusion, “Mother, why didn’t these remnants of the Dark Cavalry flee back to the North Territory, but instead went to Silver Moon City?”

“It’s because their mission is to protect Vera, and Vera is still in Silver Moon City,” Queen Midela gave a casual reason, yet her gaze fixated on the name of Viscount Angler within the report.

A strange smile emerged on her beautiful face as if she thought of something.

Prince Harrison seemed to buy this reason, hesitated for a moment, then asked again, “Mother, Duke St. Hilde, Duke St. Prowse, and the Half-Elf Royal Family, they are all father’s vassals, aren’t they?”

“Yes.”

“Then… shouldn’t we stop them from fighting each other like this?”

Upon hearing this, Queen Midela looked directly into her son’s eyes, laughed, and asked, “Do you hope that the vassals of the St. Lorenzo family live in harmony and friendly relations?”

“Shouldn’t they be?” Prince Harrison was filled with confusion.

“Harrison, do you think the St. Lorenzo family has the strength to win over the North?”

“I suppose.”

“What about the North combined with the East?”

“…” Prince Harrison hesitated, not daring to declare.

“What about adding the West, or even the South Border?” Queen Midela’s gaze was cold, “Tell me, if the four Dukes joined forces, how should St. Lorenzo’s family respond?”

Prince Harrison suddenly broke into a cold sweat and fell silent.

However, Queen Midela seemed intent on not letting her son off the hook that easily, she kept her eyes fixated on him, waiting for his answer.

After a while, Prince Harrison cautiously answered, “Mother, aren’t you Duke St. Hilde’s blood sister? My blood also carries that of the St. Hilde family, the North wouldn’t dare rebel against the royal family, would they?”

“Hehe, aren’t the holy knight families in the empire marrying each other all the time? If marriage could solve all political issues, there would be no wars in this world.

A wise lord will only consider interests, not how many women he has married,” when deciding his family’s stance.

Prince Harrison was left dumbfounded.

He wanted to ask his mother if someday the North should stand in opposition to the royal family, whose side would she take?

But after hesitating for a moment, he didn’t have the courage to ask such a question.

After some thought, Prince Harrison continued, “But isn’t there the Sacred Covenant? Would the four border dukes dare to tear up the agreement, break their promises, and challenge the status of the St. Lorenzo family?”

Queen Midela scoffed, “Harrison, remember, all verbal promises and written agreements can be betrayed at any time. To ensure the loyalty of your vassals, you can only rely on your own strength.”

Prince Harrison nodded awkwardly, “I understand, Mother. So, we can’t let the four border dukes unite. We must create conflict among them. This way, the St. Lorenzo family can maintain control over the empire.”

Only then did Queen Midela show a comforting smile, gently touched her son’s hair, and nodded, “Exactly. Remember, the guarantee of the St. Lorenzo family’s superior status lies in maintaining a balance and mutual restraint among the four territories.”

Prince Harrison nodded heavily, engraving his mother’s words deeply in his heart.

Then he asked, “What about the Half-Elf Kingdom? How should we deal with this subordinate country?”

“No need to worry too much about such a small country.” Queen Midela’s expression became notably more relaxed, “However, from this war, it seems that the half-elf army has some merits that are worth recruiting.”

“Should I proceed with the original plan to crown Queen Isa?”

Queen Midela looked at her son with interest, “Do you have any other ideas?”

Under his mother’s encouraging gaze, Prince Harrison gathered his courage to speak:

“I think, even though the Modewen family claims to voluntarily give up their position to the Miller family, there must inevitably be coercion and threats involved. If I crown Isa Miller, a usurper, wouldn’t it give more ambitious people in the empire hope?

Therefore, I believe, we should depose Queen Isa and restore the Modewen family to the throne. In this way, the Modewen family, either out of gratitude or seeking support, always has to closely follow the St. Lorenzo family.”

“Your points are very valid.” Queen Midela praised, nodding her head.

Just as Prince Harrison started to smile, he heard his mother continue, “But do you know the consequences of refusing to crown Isa Miller?”

“What?”

“Hatred from the Half-Elves and displeasure from the North Territory. Worse, you might not even be able to leave Silver Moon City unscathed.”

Prince Harrison’s smile froze instantly, he anxiously whispered, “It can’t be…that serious, can it?”

However, the expression on Queen Midela’s face was extremely serious. “Harrison, you have to understand, a power struggle without appropriate strength to back it up is just a joke.

You want to depose Queen Isa? But have you considered, after this great victory, how much she is revered by the Half-Elves? Wouldn’t this act incite hatred from the Half-Elves?

You want to elevate the Modewen family? But the Modewens have no strength or reputation to support them. Can they really win the loyalty of millions of half-elf warriors by your words alone?

As for the North Territory, would they willingly step back and watch you easily take over the Half-Elf Kingdom which they obtained control over after paying a great price?

You intend to control the situation in the Half-Elf Kingdom with your three hundred Imperial Guards?”

Hearing his mother’s questions, Prince Harrison was instantly covered in sweat.

The dangers hidden in political struggles apparently scared the young prince.

Seeing this, Queen Midela sighed quietly, she pulled her young son into her arms and comforted, “Harrison, there’s still much for you to learn. But remember, speak less, act less, and observe more.

An underage lion must learn to hide its sharp teeth and claws, as they don’t scare off enemies but only arouse fear and vigilance.”

“Yes, Mother, I will dutifully crown Queen Isa.” Prince Harrison buried his head in his mother’s bosom and mumbled.

“Good,” Queen Midela ruffled her son’s hair and reminded, “Also, pay attention to winning over Viscount Angler of the North Territory.”

“Why?”

“Because he is now the true lord of the Half-Elf Kingdom.”

Prince Harrison looked up in confusion, but saw that his mother had no intention of explaining further.

She just stared deeply at the last line of the report.

That line read –

Queen Isa is pregnant.</p