The First Vampire

Since he had “personally” participated in the actions of that night in White Dew City through connecting with the Blood Slave, Colin roughly understood the situation; however, he still patiently listened to the report of Knight Logh.

It was only at the end of the report that Knight Logh gave Colin a pleasant little surprise.

“A messenger from the Royal Family?”

“Yes, my lord, we met him after we evacuated from White Dew City. He claimed to be delivering the King’s War Order to the St. Prowse family, so I brought him along… Would you like to meet him?”

Colin was left somewhat speechless, retorting irritably, “Your guts are getting bigger these days! You even dared to capture a royal envoy!”

Knight Logh shrank back, not daring to speak.

“Forget it, bring him to me.”

“Yes!”

Knight Logh quickly turned and left. Shortly after, he returned with a young, handsome knight.

The man was dressed in splendid armor, affixed with the badge of the Purged Flame. It was obvious that this man was not only a royal envoy, but also a member of the St. Lorenzo family.

“Count Angler, do you dare to permit your subordinates to kidnap a royal envoy? Aren’t you afraid of His Majesty’s punishment?”

The young knight arrogantly berated Colin, his face full of the cocksureness of someone who had not yet been knocked around by the harsh realities of the world.

Colin gave a light smile and said, “You declare yourself a royal messenger. Do you have any evidence?”

The young knight sneered and produced a scroll from his chest. He unrolled it in front of Colin, saying:

“This is the War Order issued by His Majesty Rheinhardt himself, sealed with the royal emblem. Count Angler, you surely recognize it, right?”

Colin took a closer look, and then swiftly put on an enlightened expression: “Ah, I see! My apologies, sir envoy. My foolish knights lack discernment, they failed to recognize your identity.”

“Logh, why haven’t you apologized to the envoy yet!”

Knight Logh dutifully moved forward and bowed low, saying, “My apologies, sir envoy.”

The royal messenger rolled his eyes dismissively, “Count Angler, do you really think a frivolous apology could…”

“Sir Andy, what a surprise to see you here!” Prince Harrison timely interrupted him.

“Your Royal Highness, Her Highness.” Andy quickly bowed in salute and noticing Princess Judy, he respectfully saluted her as well.

Only then did he realize that the young count in front of him was the teacher of the prince and princess. He immediately withdrew his arrogance, daring not to delve further but still maintained his calm and composed posture:

“Count Angler, I have been entrusted by His Majesty. I must deliver this War Order to Duke St. Prowse as quickly as possible. I can overlook the previous matters, but now, I must head to White Dew City immediately. Please do not interrupt me any further.”

“Of course I won’t obstruct a royal messenger,” Colin said cheerfully, “But, if you want to deliver the War Order to Duke St. Prowse, you don’t need to go to White Dew City.”

Knight Andy furrowed his brow: “What do you mean?”

“I mean, Duke St. Prowse is right here.”

Andy knight was taken aback: “Count Angler, are you joking?”

The silent Knight Logh snickered and said, “Sir envoy, Duke St. Prowse was ‘invited’ here by us.”

Uncertain, Andy looked back and forth between them before saying after a long pause: “Then, please lead me to Duke St. Prowse.”

“This way, please!”

Knight Logh led everyone to a large tent and lifted the curtain, making an inviting gesture.

Knight Andy walked in first.

He then discovered that the tent was empty, save for a pitch-black coffin placed in the middle.

“Count Angler, are you playing a trick on me?” Turning around, Andy glared at Colin accusingly.

Colin ignored Andy, walked over to the coffin with an air of nonchalance, and suddenly threw open the coffin lid.

Bang!

The lid hit the ground heavily, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Colin turned his head, expressionless, and said to Andy,

“Knight Andy, you should pay your respects to Duke St. Prowse immediately!”

“You …” Knight Andy suddenly got a forbidding premonition, a dreadful thought appeared in his mind, but he instantly rejected it.

Impossible!

Knight Andy slowly approached the coffin and peeked into it.

Then, he froze, struck rigid as if by lightning.

“No… this can’t be … this can’t be!”

Knight Andy just felt a chill enveloping his entire body, making him uncontrollably shiver.

Colin gently patted Andy’s shoulder and said indifferently, “Knight Andy, you understand now, don’t you? The Blood Knight Army brought you here out of kindness, so you wouldn’t waste a trip to White Dew City.”

Andy felt as if he was being ruthlessly targeted by a terrifying beast. Even though Count Angler was gentle and showed no hostile actions beside him, he still felt his life was seriously threatened.

He swallowed painfully, Knight Andy was no longer as brash as before, he said fearfully,

“Co… Count Angler, you…how could you dare to murder… Duke St. Prowse…”

Colin shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and said, “Duke St. Prowse was killed rightly by the Blood Knight Army on the battlefield, what’s wrong with that?”

The Glorious Empire had restrictions on the feuds and in-fighting among nobles; actions such as assassination, poisoning and backstabbing are obviously intolerable.

However, there were two conditions under which the killing among nobles was permitted.

One situation was a duel.

And the other was a righteous kill on the battleground.

“So… the Blood Knight Army had broken into White Dew City?”

“Yes, just three days ago. Duke St. Prowse fought bravely to the end, I must admit I was quite impressed.” Colin said, feigning admiration.

With a shivering voice, Knight Andy questioned hesitantly, “But… But… with the impending Orc invasion, how could you…”

Colin shrugged, supremely confident, “But the War Order from His Majesty hadn’t reached White Dew City at that time.”

Knight Andy was speechless.

In fact, news of His Majesty’s impending war had been widely disseminated, but the War Order signed by the His Majesty with legal effect required a messenger to deliver and was always slower than a carrier pigeon.

This delay became Colin’s excuse.

Critically, no one could penalize Colin for it, as he genuinely hadn’t seen the War Order.

Knight Andy’s face fluctuated continuously, ultimately he accepted his fate, “Since Duke St. Prowse is already deceased, I will head to White Dew Fortress to deliver the War Order to the next Duke of the East.”

“Great, we can travel together then.” Colin said cheerfully.

Andy Knight suddenly became wary, “What are you going to White Dew City for?”

“Of course, to congratulate the new Duke of the East.” Colin replied, seeing it as a matter of course.

Knight Andy remained silent.

He seemed to be unwilling to stay in this gloomy place any longer, he casually saluted and hastily left.

The tent flap fell, blocking out the sunlight.

Only the flickering candlelight remained in the tent, illuminating Colin’s emotionless face.

He stood alone beside the coffin, silently observing the remains of Duke St. Prowse for a while before revealing an excited smirk.

Then, he opened his mouth, revealing ferocious tusks—

And he bit down.

“Gulp, gulp,”