The First Vampire

Count Evan, suppressing a laugh, gestured for Count Brugen to calm down and patiently explained, “Not exactly ignore them. We can send a letter to White Dew City, alerting my father about the possible arrival of the Blood Knight Army. That will be enough.

Although the Blood Knight Army is invincible in open combat, they cannot easily conquer White Dew City if we are prepared.

Therefore, I said there’s no need to worry about the main force of the Blood Knight Army.

Our real target should be Colin Angler from Riverside City!

He’s positioned himself as bait to distract us, but imagine if we bite and swallow this bait whole!”

After hearing Count Evan’s words, Count Brugen became excited, pacing back and forth enthusiastically in his study.

He realized that indeed, this was an excellent opportunity.

Count Brugen understood very well just how important Colin Angler was to the North Territory.

The husband of Duke St. Hilde, the protector of the North Territory, the commander of the Blood Knight Army, and not to mention, almost solely responsible for maintaining the order in the North Territory currently.

The Half-Elf Kingdom was also considered his backyard.

If this man were to become a captive of the Eastern Territory, the current crisis in the East would be immediately resolved.

Count Brugen stopped pacing, seemingly determined, turned back and looked at Count Evan with a piercing gaze, asking,

“What is your plan?”

Count Evan smirked confidently and said, “Since the main force of the Blood Knight Army has gone to attack White Dew City, there must not be many left by Colin Angler’s side.

However, he must have made preparations to flee at any sign of danger, and since cavalry can move as quickly as the wind, it would be difficult to stop him if he decided to leave.

Therefore, the most important thing if we want to capture him is not to startle him, we must block all his escape routes before delivering a deadly blow to keep him in the Eastern Territory!”

Count Brugen returned to the map, looked at Riverside City’s position, and said with a furrowed brow, “But Riverside City’s position is not deep enough, it’s only two or three days away from Alfalfa City, it is hard for the Huorong Army alone to block his escape route…”

“No! The Huorong Army must not move carelessly!” Count Evan immediately interjected, “My dear father-in-law, the Huorong Army’s reputation precedes it, and it’s definitely on the Northerners’ radar. As soon as we show any signs of leaving Huorong City, Colin Angler will surely be aware that his plot has been exposed. If he decides to retreat immediately, we would not even be able to catch up.”

“Then what do you suggest we do?”

“We should coordinate with the lords around Riverside City to discuss a time to mobilize our forces together. Only in this way can we form an airtight encirclement around Riverside City and trap Colin Angler within it!”

Count Brugen’s brow furrowed even tighter, “It wouldn’t be easy to get the neighboring lords to send troops collectively. They are not my vassals…”

“I will personally write letters to persuade them!” Count Evan immediately responded, his tone filled with determination and confidence.

Count Brugen looked deeply into Count Evan’s eyes and nodded, “Alright, then I will be waiting for your good news.”

Count Evan nodded in acknowledgment, wasted no more time, and swiftly exited the room.

Watching his leaving figure disappear outside the door, Count Brugen was left deep in thought.

“Father, do you think Count Evan will succeed?”

Suddenly, a cool and tender female voice resonated within the study.

Subsequently, a young woman emerged from behind the bookshelf, holding a book in her hands.

She was clad in a light green, waist-hugging long dress, her radiant black hair casually cascading off her shoulders. Petite with an enchanting figure, with curves beautifully symmetrical, her delicate features were a touch childish. Coupled with her fair and moist skin, she was clearly a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl.

Youthful and immature, but already possessing a blossoming aroma.

The Count Brugen did not seem particularly surprised at the girl’s arrival. With a resigned yet loving tone, he said:

“Grace, why didn’t you make a sound when you were reading in here?”

Grace laughed, stretching her back, a playful look on her face: “I saw that you and Evan were engrossed in conversation, I didn’t want to intrude.”

Count Brugen gave a teasing smile, “Really? Here I was thinking you couldn’t resist eavesdropping on your future husband.”

A rosy glow rose on Grace’s fair face. She avoided her father’s intense gaze and scurried to sit on the chair behind the desk, playfully twirling a wax seal while changing the topic:

“Father, you haven’t answered my question yet!”

“What question?”

Grace playfully rolled her eyes, and had to repeat, “I just asked you, do you think Count Evan could persuade the surrounding lords to lash out against Colin Angler?”

Count Brugen laughed, “That depends on what promises Count Evan can make to them.”

Grace’s lively eyes darted around before she asked again, “What about you, Father? If Count Evan can convince the surrounding lords, would you send the Huorong Army to help him corner Colin Angler?”

This time, Count Brugen did not reply instantly. Instead, he sat down opposite his daughter and asked with a playful smile, “What would you do if you were in my shoes?”

“Of course I would!” The girl retorted without hesitation, “You’ve already married me off to him, the Brugen family can only rise or fall with Count Evan.”

Count Brugen laughed heartily, “Why do I sense a lot of resentment in those words?”

Grace puffed out her cheeks, grumbled, “I warned you not to rush to pick sides when Duke St. Prowse sent the letter proposing the marriage alliance, but you wouldn’t listen. Now see, there’s no way out!”

Count Brugen became serious, “Grace, you don’t understand. Sometimes, if you don’t pick a side, you seem flexible but in reality, you displease everyone.

The Brugen family holds the Huorong Army, the St. Prowse family wouldn’t allow us to remain ambiguous.”

Grace still remained defiant, pursing her lips, “Anyway, I think you’ve made a bad move!”

Count Brugen, somewhat helpless, asked, “Don’t you like Evan?”

Grace nodded, “At first I thought he was a candid and interesting nobleman, but now it seems he’s just a cold-blooded politician with nothing but profit on his mind!”

“Why do you say that?”

Grace huffed, “Isn’t it obvious? He knows Colin Angler from the North Territory aims at White Dew City, but instead of thinking about sending help, he racks his brain to plot against Colin Angler at Riverside City.

He puts up such a grand front for his reasons, but he just wants to capture Colin to wash away the shame of his defeat at Alfalfa City.

As for the safety of White Dew City, he isn’t bothered at all!

Do you really want to entrust your daughter to such a ruthless person?”

Count Brugen sighed, “Evan has no other option. If he doesn’t seize this chance to prove himself, not only would his inheritance be in jeopardy, but the East Territory could also plunge into chaos again.

Our Brugen family is already involved, and we can only follow his lead to the end!

Daughter, can you understand your father’s predicament?”

Grace didn’t answer his question. She simply picked up the sheepskin book and left the study in silence.