The First Vampire

“We surrender, we are ready to surrender!”

Before Duke Modewen could speak, his son Charlie crawled on his knees to Knight Logh, pleading.

At this point, the Silver Moon Guards were at their wits’ end, what other choice did they have except to surrender?

Knight Logh glanced at Charlie, but he ignored him, still looking at Duke Modewen, clearly thinking that Charlie, a half-grown child, could not make a decision.

The Duke Modewen, at this time, was completely dumbfounded, his eyes dull and vacant, as if he had not heard Knight Logh’s question.

Seeing this, Kames Modewen stepped forward, and said shakingly, “Sorry, sir knight, Duke Modewen is grieving over the death of a large number of his warriors, so he… he… he…”

He didn’t finish his words before he choked.

Because a sharp sword had pierced through Kames’s throat.

Behind Kames, his nephew, Duke Modewen, who was supposed to be “immersed in grief”, slowly withdrew his sword, letting Kame’s body collapse.

Then, Duke Modewen emotionlessly walked up to the shocked Charlie, and before he could comprehend what was happening, he slit his own son’s throat with a sword.

“Fa… Father…”

Knight Logh watched the brutal scene in front of him with interest, without stopping it.

However, when he saw Duke Modewen raising the sword again towards his own throat, Knight Logh rode forward, knocked the sword out of his hand, and said:

“Duke Modewen, you can’t die now, Count Colin wants to see you.”

It seemed from his words that he hadn’t stopped Duke Modewen from killing his uncle and son just now because Colin hadn’t planned to see them…

Duke Modewen has an expression of having nothing more to live for. He didn’t speak, but he didn’t resist either. He probably considered himself already dead and didn’t care what they did with him.

Seeing this, Knight Logh waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to take control of Duke Modewen, and then headed towards the Half-Elf Palace.

…

In the palace, Colin was changing his ceremonial dress with the help of a maid.

His previous clothes had been sprayed with some “good stuff” by the little guy, so he had to change and wash it.

Knight Logh led Duke Modewen into the hall and loudly reported, “Count Colin, the rebellion of the Silver Moon Guards has been completely quelled, and the mastermind, Duke Modewen, has been brought before you.”

“Well done!” Colin praised, waving a hand to dismiss the maid, then while buttoning up the last few buttons, walked up to Knight Logh and asked, “How are the casualties?”

“A rough estimate puts the casualties of the Blood Knight Army at around four hundred. I need to further verify the more detailed statistics.”

Colin nodded in satisfaction, the casualties were not large. It seemed that the Blood Knight Army possessed a frightening fighting power even in alley fights where their cavalry advantages couldn’t be utilized. This delighted Colin.

“Mm, You can go now. Maintain order in the city and bring out all the Half-Elves who participated in the rebellion.”

“Yes, sir!”

After Knight Logh saluted and left, Colin turned to Duke Modewen.

Duke Modewen had vacant eyes at this time and radiated an aura of despair. If there weren’t the bond of bloodline, Colin would almost mistake him for a blood slave.

“William, Her Majesty the Queen is very disappointed in you.”

Duke Modewen did not respond.

Colin waited a moment, seeing that he had no intention of speaking, he went on to say:

“When Her Majesty the Queen was about to give birth, she deliberately handed over the military and political power of Silver Moon City to you. Quite frankly, this level of trust is something I can’t even comprehend.”

Upon hearing this, Duke Modewen’s eyes finally moved, but he still remained quiet.

Colin didn’t mind his rudeness and continued speaking:

“I advised her, to delegate some of the power to avoid the chance of anyone harboring ill intentions causing disturbances. But Her Majesty firmly told me—”

‘My throne was given to me by William. If he wanted to take it back, he would not have given it up in the first place.’

Colin walked over to Duke Modewen and gently patted his shoulder, speaking in a deep tone:

“Her Majesty truly considered you her own son!”

An expression finally surfaced on Duke Modewen’s face. He stuttered few times before croaking, “I have let her Majesty down!”

Colin looked intently at Duke Modewen and asked seriously, “William, when you gave up your right to the throne, did you harbor any resentment?”

Duke Modewen shook his head and replied, “No, Count, I knew my limitations. I’m dull-witted and even if I ascended the throne, I would not have the ability to lead the Half-Elf Kingdom to prosperity.

Therefore, when you asked me if I was willing to give the throne to my mother, it was more of a relief.”

“I believe you.” Colin earnestly said, “And I also know, the reason you got involved in the rebel army this time, was entirely because of your son Charlie.”

The corners of Duke Modewen’s eyes turned red instantaneously, it’s uncertain whether he is reminded of his son Charlie, who he had just killed with his own hands, or whether he was moved by Colin’s understanding and trust.

Colin noticed all of these reactions, felt a hint of triumph in his heart, and said, “Therefore, I decided to give you another chance.”

“No!” Duke Modewen shook his head straightaway, “I betrayed Her Majesty’s trust, and do not deserve your forgiveness. Now, all I ask for is to die. Only then can I atone for my sins!”

“You want to die?”

“Yes.” Duke Modewen lifted his head and looked into Colin’s eyes, the determination in his gaze remained unshakeable.

Colin smirked, “Death is an escape, but also a liberation. If you truly wish to repay Her Majesty’s trust, and atone for your sins, you must first survive.”

Duke Modewen continued to shake his head: “Sorry, Count, there’s nothing else worth living for in this world…”

“Is that so?” Colin coldly interjected, “You don’t care about the fate of the Modewen family?”

Duke Modewen was suddenly startled, stuttered for a moment, then murmured in a low voice, “Given the mistake the Modewen family has committed, it’s only natural that they be left for the disposal of Her Majesty the Queen. I just hope that Her Majesty, considering the kindness of the past, would show mercy to the innocent members of the family…”

“Innocent?” Colin smirked coldly, “You have committed treason! Where is innocence in that? Even if Her Majesty decided to extinguish your family, no one would dare to utter a single word.”

Duke Modewen turned pale instantly and pleaded shakily, “Count, please persuade Her Majesty not to do so, otherwise she will be tarnishing her merciful image in the hearts of the half-elf citizens…”

Colin snorted coldly, “William, as I just said, I can give you another chance to atone. Are you still so eager to die?”

Now Duke Modewen hurriedly replied, “Count, I’d like to accept this opportunity, no matter what Her Majesty or you requires me to do, I will certainly do my best to fulfill it!”

Colin took another step closer and questioned, “Even if it requires the price of your life?”

Duke Modewen hesitated for a moment, but then firmly nodded, “Count, I am already prepared to die. As long as Her Majesty is willing to spare the Modewen family, I am willing to endure anything, even the splintering of my body.”

Colin nodded with satisfaction and said,

“Good! As long as you help me with one single thing, the rest of the Modewen family will not be held accountable for their crimes.”

“Please give your orders.”