The First Vampire

Chapter 577: 575 Night Talk_1
 

The night was at its deepest.

Colin strolled alone on the manor grounds. The biting cold wind awakened his dormant thought processes like never before.

A banquet was still underway in the manor to celebrate the reconciliation between the Church and the North Territory, and the impending official dispatch of the Imperial Allied Army to the Westland.

Regrettably, Colin was not in a festive mood.

What was supposed to be an excellent opportunity to weaken the Church ended up in the current stalemate. Despite their tremendous efforts, the North Territory had gained virtually nothing.

Colin reflected inwardly. The failure was not only due to Emperor Reinhardt’s foolish betrayal but also his own carelessness.

The secret of Vera’s awakening should never have been revealed to Queen Midela.

Although she shared the same surname as St. Hilde, her intentions were inscrutable, and her alliance to the North Territory was tenuous at best.

Also, Colin was aware that his current power was inadequate. If he had complete control over the North Territory or even the East Territory, the conference would have ended differently, despite Emperor Reinhardt supporting the Church. Colin would still have had the confidence to push back.

Despite everything, Colin was not disheartened.

Though he was not powerful enough, he held substantial potential.

He needed to strategize carefully for the impending Orc war if he desired to extract maximum gains…

Lost in thought, Colin unknowingly found himself standing under the ancient oak tree located at the center of the manor.

A mysterious allure seemed to emanate from this spot, compelling him towards it subconsciously.

Having learnt his lesson from the previous night, Colin was cautious not to transform into his True Blood Form recklessly.

The gentle moonlight bathed the colossal ancient oak, casting a halo of holy light around it.

A squirrel scampered past Colin, skilfully scurrying up the thick trunk towards the crown.

In the next instant, it was ensnared by a delicate hand.

Colin raised his brows, only now noticing that Queen Midela was perched on a tree branch above him.

In a white palace dress, crowned with a circle of flowers that seemed freshly woven, her bare feet swung in the air from the perch. The queen bore an uncanny resemblance to a woodland nymph.

Standing beneath the tree, Colin had a clear view of the queen’s beguiling allure under her fluttering skirt. “Good evening, Your Majesty. I am merely out for a breath of fresh air.”

“Well then, do tread wisely. We’d certainly not appreciate a scene like last night’s.” Queen Midela gently stroked the squirrel, cradled in her arms.

Nodding with an indulgent smile, Colin replied, “Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll leave you to it.”

With that, he turned to leave without hesitation.

Seeing him prudently ready to take leave, Queen Midela hastily interjected, “Count Angler, could you please wait a moment?”

Upon hearing this, Colin turned back, politely donning a smile, “Your Majesty, is there something else you wish to discuss?”

Queen Midela gave Colin a reproachful look. “Last night you were referring to me as Midela, but now it’s ‘Your Majesty’ again.”

Unmoved by her comment, Colin chuckled coldly, “Your Majesty, if there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave…”

Before Colin finished speaking, Queen Midela gracefully descended from the tree, landing before him, interrupting him with, “I did reveal Vera’s awakening to Reinhardt, but I did not expect him to betray us to the Church.”

Expressionless, Colin nodded, but refrained from voicing any opinion.

Queen Midela moved to touch Colin’s chest, but he took a step back to dodge her advances.

“Your Majesty, people are prone to pass by at any time. Please keep your hands to yourself.”

Feigning pitifulness, Queen Midela implored, “Colin, are you really not willing to forgive me?”

Colin rolled his eyes, responding, “Alright, Midela. These games of yours won’t work with me. Save yourself the trouble.”

At his words, Queen Midela burst into a tantalizing smile, regaining her composed elegance. “Alright, Colin. Let’s be honest with each other. Are you interested in my proposition from last night?”

A glint of fierceness flashed in Colin’s eyes. “I am interested, but unfortunately, I am not willing to collaborate with you. Because I don’t trust you.”

Spirits lifted, Queen Midela immediately asked, “What must I do for you to trust me?”

Surveying her flawless face, Colin declared solemnly, “Tell me your real intentions.”

“Real intentions?” Queen Midela frowned, puzzled. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

Colin took a step closer, diminishing the distance between them.

The rich fragrance filled his nostrils, but his resolve remained unshaken.

“Midela, you clearly don’t love Reinhardt, so why did you marry him?”

“Because he is the Emperor,” Queen Midela earnestly replied.

Shaking his head, Colin continued, “No, back then he was just a puppet Emperor. Initially, I thought you simply wanted greater power.

But upon reflection, it’s certainly far more than that.

A puppet Emperor, for whom you toiled tirelessly to win the throne. You even risked associating with Ji, your family’s nemesis, and offending a peak Holy Knight.

These actions can no longer be justified by the pursuit of power alone.

Moreover, you cunningly planted spies within the Empire’s territory by using blackmail, and I was once one of them.

You now sense that Emperor Reinhardt is drifting out of your control, and you intend to kill him!

So, what is your ultimate scheme? What is driving you to forsake your comfortable life as an Imperial Queen in the quest for more power?”

With a faint smile, Queen Midela casually remarked, “How could you ask such a ludicrous question? Isn’t the desire to attain more power my ultimate aim?”

“No,” Colin shook his head firmly, “I thought so too, initially. But I’m now convinced your ambitions are far more complex.

So, if you wish to collaborate with me, you must first be candid with me about everything!”

Appearing somewhat helpless, Queen Midela shook her head, “Colin, you’re overthinking it. What other ambitions could I possibly have?”

Colin smirked, turning his back to the queen and beginning to walk away.

Clearly, he was reluctant to waste time conversing with the deceitful Queen.

“Colin, Colin… Count Angler! Colin Angler!”

Despite the Queen’s urgent plea, Colin’s footsteps remained steady and did not falter.

Watching Colin’s retreating figure, Queen Midela’s countenance turned exceedingly complex.

“Squeak… Squeak…”

The trapped squirrel noticed the queen’s clasp tightening, akin to an iron shackle, becoming increasingly restrictive.

In its final moments, it struggled in despair, emitting helpless shrieks, before being crushed to a pulp in the queen’s enraged grip.

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