The First Vampire

Just as Colin expected, the dwarves sent another envoy into Winterfell City the next day.

The envoy was a familiar face – Count Anka.

The fact that members of the Menam family came to negotiate in Winterfell City twice showed that Marquis Dawson was now marginalized in the Dwarf Legion.

This time, Vera and Colin received Count Anka in the flower room.

Of course, the real dominator of the negotiation was still Colin. Vera was fully engrossed in playing with her newly planted Blood Rose.

“Viscount Angler, I have conveyed the thoughts of Miss Vera and yours to my father. He also understands your worries.

However, please believe, we dwarves do not intend to be enemies with the Saint Hilde family.

But! Our determination to found our own nation is just as strong!

To make up for the losses in the North Territory, my father is willing to cede part of our territory…”

At this point, Count Anka unrolled a map of the North Territory, marked with certain areas, to show Colin.

“We are willing to transfer the area from the Ben Liu River to the Poplar Forest to the Saint Hilde family unconditionally.

In addition, the Dwarf Kingdom will sign an alliance agreement with the North Territory. Whenever Duke Saint Hilde needs us, the Dwarves will definitely provide assistance!

Also, the Menam Family will contribute fifteen hundred thousand gold coins to the Saint Hilde family annually!

Viscount Angler, this is the tax amount that a normal Marquis would pay to a Duke annually.

Therefore, except for not swearing loyalty to the Saint Hilde family, the Menam family has essentially fulfilled the obligations that a vassal of the North Territory should be fulfilling.

You could even consider that the Dwarf Kingdom is still part of the North Territory, and we dwarves are still citizens of the North Territory!”

Colin stroked his chin, sinking into thought.

It must be said, to make peace with the St. Hilde family, the Menam Family has indeed made significant concessions.

However, Colin was still not satisfied.

Whether it’s the so-called alliance agreement, annual offering, or even the ceded territory, none of these could change one fact – the dwarves wanted to break away from the North Territory!

As long as the dwarf king does not swear loyalty to Duke Saint Hilde, the Saint Hilde family would have no control over the dwarves. The Dwarf Kingdom would still be a separatist force.

“These conditions are not enough.” Colin shook his head indifferently.

Count Anka puckered his mouth, patiently asking, “Then what conditions do you want? We can negotiate.”

Colin said calmly, “I want the Dwarf King to accept the title bestowed by Duke Saint Hilde and to swear loyalty to Duke Saint Hilde.”

“That’s impossible!” Count Anka refused without hesitation. “The Dwarf King will only swear allegiance to Emperor Reinhardt.”

Colin shrugged, spreading his hands out, “Then there is nothing more to discuss.”

Count Anka resisted the impulse to punch Colin, inhaled deeply, and said sternly, “Viscount Angler, our Dwarf clan came with good intentions, but we didn’t expect you to carelessly trample all over it!

Know this, our Dwarves have been waiting for the establishment of our own nation for thousands of years!

Do not belittle our resolve!

Nor should you think that Dwarves will only take submissive actions!

Our axes and swords remain incredibly sharp, and our warriors yearn for blood!”

Colin calmly took in Count Anka’s burgeoning rage, then suddenly asked, “Is Mr. Ji dead?”

Count Anka choked.

His round eyes rolled a few times before he reluctantly nodded, “Yes.”

Prince Lexie killed Mr. Ji in public, hence there was no way to hide this. Count Anka also knew this news would reach Winterfell City sooner or later.

But he didn’t expect it to arrive so quickly.

The reason why the Menam family was so desperate for a settlement was to finalize everything before the Saint Hilde family heard about Mr. Ji’s death.

Unfortunately, they were just a step too late.

Count Anka sighed internally, finally understanding the reason behind Colin’s hardline stance.

Seeing the count’s face gradually darken, Colin smiled and took the map of the North Territory, circling another area, before saying.

“I can agree to the establishment of the Dwarf Kingdom, but the territory you agreed to cede earlier is not enough. I want this area!”

Count Anka quickly looked over, but then furrowed his brows and hesitated, “Viscount Angler, the area you circled… Isn’t it the Marquisate of the Dawson family?”

“Indeed.” Colin replied as if it were a matter of course.

Count Anka squinted his eyes and shook his head, “That’s impossible. The Dawson family will never agree to such a condition.”

Colin chuckled, “But the one negotiating with me now is not the Dawson Family.”

Finally, Count Anka understood Colin’s intention. He sought to instigate the Menam family to betray their ally!

The dwarf count remained silent, head bowed, torn.

Seeing this, Colin spoke again, “Fran Dawson has betrayed Marquis Garcia and sold out the Dark Cavalry. The Hilde Family could never forgive such a hatred!

Therefore, to strike an agreement with us, you have to hand over Marquis Dawson!

Moreover, I suppose your dwarf clan would also be deeply ashamed of such a traitor.

Is the Menam family really willing to establish the Dwarf Kingdom together with such a person?

Oh right, I’ve also heard that Marquis Dawson claims to be the inheritor of the once dwarven king Solinci’s lineage. Are you planning to crown him as the Dwarven king?”

“What qualifications does he have to be the Dwarven king!” exclaimed Count Anka dismissively.

Colin smiled victoriously: “Then what are you hesitating for?”

Count Anka fell silent for a while before speaking again: “If we hand over Marquis Dawson and cede the marquisate’s territory, will the St. Hilde family agree to let the Menam family establish the Dwarf Kingdom?”

“Correct.” Colin nodded earnestly.

Count Anka still seemed a little worried, so he turned his gaze to Vera.

Vera also turned her head back and solemnly said, “Yes, Count Anka, this is our condition. Marquis Dawson must pay for his betrayal!”

This reassured Count Anka somewhat, but he didn’t dare to accept such conditions outright.

Repulsion was not conspicuous in his reaction, though.

The party one needed to betray was the Menam family, and the interests of the Dawson family did not seem to be damaged; rather they would have one less rival.

Seeing this, Colin had a clear plan and texted the content of the agreement on a parchment. He then handed it over to Count Anka.

“You can take this treaty proposal back to Marquis Menam. If he agrees, he can sign it.”

Count Anka took the parchment and nodded in agreement before leaving hastily.

In the flower room, Vera put down the pot plant in her hand and asked worriedly, “Do you think Marquis Menam will agree to these terms?”

Colin laughed lightly, “Whether he agrees or not, I have ways to handle it.”

Vera finally felt reassured.

She had an almost blind confidence in Colin. After all, no matter what the issue was, Colin always found a way to navigate through and resolve it successfully.

“I hope my father can personally execute Marquis Dawson.” Vera gritted her silver teeth and spoke bitterly.

The ‘father’ she referred to here, of course, was Marquis Garcia.

“Of course, there’s no issue. After dealing with the dwarves, it will be almost time for the exchange of prisoners of war with the eastern territory, so you should be able to see Marquis Garcia again soon.”

“Okay.” As she fiddled with the rose petals in front of her, Vera was overwhelmed by her longing for her father.

Vera was dressed in a milky white tube top pleated dress today. Her bright golden hair was curling playfully at the tips and was secured by a red headband.

Colin went up to hug Vera into his arms, not uttering a word, just gently stroking his beloved wife’s back.

Vera also wrapped her arms around Colin’s waist and buried her face in his warm chest.

Neither of them said a word as they quietly enjoyed each other’s sweet and warm company.

Elsewhere, Count Anka quickly returned to the Dwarf Camp outside the city.

“Father, these are the conditions of the St. Hilde family.” Count Anka handed the proposal to Marquis Menam, lowering his voice, “They want Marquis Dawson…”

Marquis Menam gazed at the parchment in his hand, his expression shifted rapidly, and he finally snorted,

“A blatant attempt to sow discord!”

Count Anka was taken aback, obviously not expecting his father to respond in this way, stuttered,

“Father, what do you mean? Handing over Marquis Dawson to the St. Hilde family wouldn’t necessarily be wrong…”

“Idiot!” Marquis Menam scolded in exasperation, “If we really sell out Marquis Dawson, the dwarf union army will immediately collapse, and our Menam family will become the shame of the dwarf clan!

By then, without the support of the Dawson family, can we alone cope with the recovered St. Hilde family?”

Upon hearing these, a bone-chilling cold surged through Count Anka’s heart, causing cold sweat to seep out of his forehead. He stammered, “Then… what should we… do?”

Marquis Menam’s eyes shimmered, he said,

“Come with me to see Marquis Dawson!”