The First Vampire

From where he stood, he could vaguely see the battle unfolding in East City.

Although the Blood Knight Army was incredibly brave, they were still caught in the meticulously crafted defenses of the Pegasus Army.

Of course, Duke St. Prowse was also keenly aware that containing this unit of Northern Riders within White Dew City would come with a horrific cost for the East Territory.

It might even be a more terrifying toll than what was paid in the battle at Shadow Gorge.

But Duke St. Prowse was nonetheless resolved to carry out this plan.

Because he understood that the significance of this battle was not merely in annihilating this cavalry of less than twenty thousand, but in uprooting the sharpest tooth of the North Territory!

More importantly, this would hold much greater significance for the East Territory.

The East Territory’s army has been weak for many years, is it not because they lack a whetstone?

This time, Duke St. Prowse intended to use the Blood Knight Army, the hardest whetstone, to forge a formidable iron-blooded army for the East Territory.

As for those lives and flesh set to be consumed in the “sharpening” process, Duke St. Prowse viewed this as a sacrifice that the East Territory had to make.

This is the cold-bloodedness and determination required of a wise Lord.

The light sound of footsteps echoed from behind, the familiar scent of roses allowed Duke St. Prowse to guess who it was without turning around.

Indeed, he watched as the Duchess, moving with an elegant stride, stood by his side.

She glanced at the fires in the city and chuckled,

“It seems that the Blood Knights truly will not give up until they succeed!”

Duke St. Prowse smiled smugly, “Of course. The Howell Family is incredibly important to the North Territory. If the Blood Knight Army fails to escort those people out of White Dew City, the North Territory will never truly control Angry River.

And we, we will have leverage to persuade Count Howell to change his mind.”

“Are you really planning to forgive the Howell Family?”

“Do I have a choice?” Duke St. Prowse gritted his teeth, “The Angry River is too important to the East Territory. Didn’t that old fool Count Howell launch this rebellion only because he saw the importance of the river!”

The Duchess sighed, casting an expression of resignation, “In this case, it’ll be impossible to undermine Vincent’s position as the primary heir.”

Hearing this, Duke St. Prowse suddenly turned around, gazing upon his wife’s profile, “Why did you persuade me to change successors initially?”

“Of course, it’s because of Vincent’s disastrous failure at Silver Moon City,” the Duchess casually responded, “Do you regret it now?”

But Duke St. Prowse did not let the subject be diverted so easily; he continued to press her, “No, you had shown your dislike for him even before Vincent messed up the Silver Moon City campaign.

Furthermore, why was the Fein family convinced to join Evan? You really think I don’t know anything?”

The Duchess’s eyes were evasive, as if touched upon something undisclosed.

She lifted her head to tuck a few strands of hair, blown astray by the nighttime wind, behind her ear, appearing as if to hide her uneasiness, she then chuckled, “Yes, indeed, I don’t particularly like Vincent.”

“Why?”

The Duchess turned her head towards her husband and said, “Have you forgotten? Vincent was the first child I conceived. Because I had no experience, I suffered quite a bit. Therefore, in comparison to Evan and Anna who came later, I indeed didn’t care for Vincent as much.

Of course, this is my own problem. As a mother, I shouldn’t favor one over the other…”

“Really?” Duke St. Prowse quietly looked at his wife’s face, not sure whether to believe the somewhat absurd explanation she had given. Then he asked, “What about Evan?”

“What?” The Duchess looked confused.

“Did you not advise me a few days ago to allow Anna to inherit the Duchy of the East?” Duke St. Prowse scrutinised his wife, “Why has Evan lost your favour?”

“That’s because he keeps disappointing us, with Alfalfa City, the Huorong Army, and even acting arbitrarily to summon the lords in an attempt to trap Colin Angler. So, I began to think that perhaps he is not the best candidate for the Duke of the East.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Besides, Anna is making great strides in the Way of the Knight and has a good chance of being promoted to the Holy Field. It would be a good choice for her to inherit the Duchy of the East.”

“Is that all?”

“What else?” The Duchess said matter-of-factly. Then she seemed to remember something and suddenly asked, “By the way, speaking of Anna, have you found out where she is?”

Seeing his wife trying to divert the topic again, Duke St. Prowse finally lost his patience and said gravely, “Enough, Kate. Stop pretending. I’ve seen through your schemes!”

The Duchess stiffened, then looked at her husband, puzzled, and asked, “Pretending what? What schemes?”

Duke St. Prowse sneered, “Complications in the first childbirth, the defeat at Silver Moon City, these are just excuses! The real reason you don’t want Vincent to inherit the Duchy of the East is because he married a woman from the Howell family!”

Not waiting for the Duchess to defend herself, Duke St. Prowse continued,

“The same goes for Evan. Alfalfa City, the Huorong Army… these appear to be reasonable excuses. But in reality, ever since I publicly announced his engagement to Grace of the Brugen Family, you’ve been suggesting to me subtly to appoint Anna as the primary heir!

It seems, what really matters to you is not who becomes the Duke of the East, but who the spouse of the Duke is!”

If I’m not mistaken, you’ve probably found a faithful husband for Anna, haven’t you?”

“You… Is that how you see me…” The Duchess began to tremble slightly, as if unable to believe her husband could suspect her so maliciously.

“Isn’t it?” Duke St. Prowse huffed, looking at his wronged wife, but his heart was stone-like. “I regret listening to your nonsense! If I had insisted on Vincent’s right to inherit, all of this would not have happened…”

“Heh!” The Duchess suddenly scoffed, “So that’s what it is. You want to put all the blame on me!”

“Enough!” Duke St. Prowse roared, gripping his wife’s arm in rage, “Kate, you’ve disappointed me greatly!

You’ve been married to the St. Prowse family for so many years, and you’ve given me three children, but your heart has always been with the Church!

Of course, that in itself is not an issue, after all, the St. Prowse family has always been a loyal ally of the Pope.

But the unspeakable act is you aiming for my heir!”

Whether it was the pain caused by Duke St. Prowse’s hold on her arm, or the realization that her true intentions were revealed, the face of the Duchess turned pale.

As she racked her brains on how to explain to her furious husband, a rush of footsteps suddenly sounded.

The butler noticed from a distance that the atmosphere on the balcony was a bit off. He should not interrupt, but the situation was urgent. Ignoring his hesitation, he braved himself and approached.

Duke St. Prowse asked irritably:

“What is it?”

The butler, not daring to lift his head, said in a trembling voice:

“My lord, young master Vincent… he… he has been assassinated at the Howells!”