The First Vampire

Stepping off the pier, onto the moist ground of the harbor, with each step, streaks of blood would seep out, as if the stubborn Pegasus Navy warriors who refused to die were cursing Colin, the demon who singlehandedly brought down the biggest barrier in the East.

“My Lord Count!”

Orlando, who had been waiting on the shore for a long time, quickly stepped forward to greet Colin.

Colin smiled and nodded, “Mr. Orlando, you’ve worked hard.”

“To serve you, my lord, is my honor!”

Colin looked at the Alfalfa Brotherhood’s president, who had a fawning smile on his face, and couldn’t help but start contemplating how to deal with him.

After the betrayal of the Howell family, the Angry River was no longer a natural barrier for the North Territory, so Alfalfa City naturally fell into Colin’s hands. He could not allow the scum of Alfalfa Brotherhood to wantonly ruin it.

The others in the Alfalfa Brotherhood were nothing but Orlando was quite capable. Colin planned to commandeer him for his use elsewhere.

But this wasn’t urgent at the moment, Colin’s primary target was White Dew City!

“Count Howell, how long would it take to transport the entire Blood Knight Army across the river?”

“My lord, if we follow your orders to make the journey without logistics and baggage, each man with two horses, we should be able to transport everyone before sunset tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Colin’s brow furrowed, and he said discontentedly, “Too slow!”

Count Howell deliberated then suggested, “My lord, if we can build a pontoon bridge over the river, that would speed things up considerably, however…”

“However what?”

“Pontoon bridges are built on transport ships serving as piers, connected by ropes. They are covered with wooden planks for traffic. But if we want to ensure efficiency, especially for the cavalry, we need a lot of wooden planks for reinforcement. I’m afraid we might not be able to find that many planks on short notice…”

Colin rubbed his chin, initially thinking about dismantling the decks of a few warships. But realising that wouldn’t be easy, he hesitated for a moment, just when Orlando quietly proposed:

“My lord, we can dismantle civilian houses.”

Without a second thought, Colin immediately ordered: “Good! Orlando, take charge of this matter. Tell the town’s residents that I will help them rebuild the houses that have been dismantled, and if they’re willing to help voluntarily, I will reward them.”

“Yes, my lord!”

After giving instructions about the Blood Knight Army crossing the river, Colin went alone to a red-wall building near the harbor.

The two guards at the entrance bowed immediately upon seeing Colin.

As Colin opened the door, he saw Count Evan standing by the window, quietly gazing in the direction of the Angry River.

“Count Evan, it’s been a while.”

When Evan heard Colin’s voice, he turned his head, saw Colin, and then turned back to continue gazing out the window, saying:

“Why didn’t I see my dear brother?”

Colin casually pulled over a chair to sit down, and said, “Marquis Vincent has already returned to White Dew City, unfortunately, he could not come to see you.”

Count Evan was startled for a moment, then chuckled, saying, “Is it that he cannot, or dares not?”

Colin ignored this question and continued: “Count Evan, despite you opposing me numerous times, in consideration of us both being counts of the empire, I’ve decided to unconditionally release you…”

“Unconditionally?” Count Evan interrupted with a cold smile, “Why are you so kind? Or do you have a bigger plot?”

Colin shrugged, smiled, and said, “Why? If I let you go, are you not willing to leave?”

Count Evan turned around and stared at Colin, saying: “If you can answer one of my questions, then I will leave.”

Colin burst into laughter and said, “What? Is it that I’m begging you to leave now?”

Count Evan crossed his arms and displayed a rogue-like posture, acting as if he was going to squat there unless Colin answered his question.

Colin was at a loss for words. “What exactly are you confused about?” he asks.

Count Evan looked rather smug as he replied, “My question is, why would Vincent agree to work with you?”

Colin laughed, revealing part of the truth, “Because I made him believe you were out to kill him.”

“I wanted to kill him?” Count Evan was startled, then realization dawning, “I see, it was the assassination attempt he encountered at the Half-Elf Palace, wasn’t it? You planned it, didn’t you? Then you framed me.”

Colin nodded, not denying, “Correct. Yet, what does it matter now? Even if you reveal this to Vincent, he can no longer turn back.

Moreover, don’t you want to kill your brother?”

Count Evan vehemently denied, “Never!”

Colin scoffed, pressing further, “Then, if I hadn’t shown up in Alfalfa City and had stuck with the original ransom plan, would you have abandoned your plans and let Vincent return safely to the Eastern Territory?”

Count Evan flashed a glance sideway, not answering.

Colin took it upon himself to continue: “You wouldn’t! You’ve sacrificed so much already-

Cancelling your engagement to the Princess of Lexie, marrying Count Brugen’s daughter instead, and driving Count Howell to a dead end. At this point, you can’t turn back either. If Marquis Vincent returned safely to the Eastern Territory, how would you clean up the mess?

When you convinced Duke St. Prowse of Vincent’s death, he was already dead!

Even if he appears before you again unscathed, you’ll surely kill him yourself!

So, Evan, spare me your brotherly love act.

My frame-up wasn’t baseless!”

Count Evan took a deep sigh, softy admitting, “You’re right. Before I heard of my brother’s death, I never had the intent to kill him, but afterwards…

I did contemplate that Viscount Fein’s news might be incorrect, that my brother might not be dead… but as you said, I can’t turn back now. The St. Prowse Family can’t toy with the Eastern nobles again.

Therefore, my brother must die!”

Colin gave a faint smile, commenting, “Count Evan, if you hadn’t been greedy for the Duke of the Eastern Territory’s succession rights this time, you might not have fallen into my trap so easily.”

Count Evan nodded in agreement, “Yes, I was too greedy.”

Colin stood from his seat, declaring, “Alright, figured it all out? If you have then get out, I don’t need another freeloader.”

Count Evan smiled, pointing toward the angry river outside the window, he asked, “My lord, you’re ordering the Blood Knight Army to cross the river. Are you planning to continue your attack on the Eastern Territory?”

“Why not?”

“The orcs are about to invade. I fear the Emperor’s mobilization order for war is probably on its way.”

“As long as it doesn’t reach my hands.” Colin asserted coldly.

Count Evan chuckled, “Alright, I wish you luck.”

With that, he headed toward the exit.

Once outside, to his surprise, Count Evan found a man lying at the entrance.

Then Colin’s voice rang out from behind, “Oh, right, this is your knight, isn’t it? Take him along, I don’t want him dying here.”

It was only then that Count Evan recognized the man on the ground as his guard knight: Fletcher.

He hurried over and found the guy still breathing, just unconscious.

“Angler, thank you for your hospitality this time. Given the chance, I will surely repay you twofold!”

Colin laughed heartily, seemingly unconcerned by the threat in his words, simply responding,

“Get out!”