The First Vampire

“I heard that Wind Whisper City has fallen,”

In the deepening night, Count Schultz sat in front of the bonfire, speaking to Count Uman beside her.

“It was inevitable,” Count Uman replied, unsurprised.

The armies from the other territories have already withdrawn. The Westerners alone couldn’t possibly fend off the horde of Orcs.

Not just Wind Whisper City, the entire fall of Westland was a foregone conclusion.

Count Schultz adjusted her beautiful hair, her enchanting face flickered as it bathed in the light of the bonfire.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked softly,

“Have you been contacted by Wells Dawson?”

Count Uman glanced at Count Schultz and nodded.

Since Marquis Garcia led the Northern Army to withdraw from the Sky Breaking Mountain Range, the soldiers in the army dared not openly express their sentiments due to the imposing reputation of Garcia. However, behind closed doors, murmurs began.

With the influx of refugees from Westland into the Crimson Flame Territory, tales of the calamity inflicted by the Orcs in the Westland began to spread.

All of this turned into tremendous public pressure, looming over the heads of the Northerners.

But how would the warriors of the Northern Territory willingly bear such insults?

They were merely following orders.

And the order to withdraw came from Marquis Garcia.

If it weren’t for Garcia’s high reputation in the Northern Army, a mutiny would have likely occurred already.

Nevertheless, the prestige Garcia amassed over the years has dwindled significantly, with the respect once seen in the eyes of his soldiers, now all but gone.

Futhermore, some of the Northern lords have begun to secretly conspire…

After the withdrawal from Westland, the remaining armies regrouped at the Storm Fortress. Yet the Northern Army, under the leadership of Marquis Garcia, bypassed the Storm Fortress and continued eastward, eventually halting to make camp in the Luwal Valley.

Emperor Reinhardt was livid with this, believing Marquis Garcia was shirking from battle. He has issued numerous edicts commanding the Northern Army to head to the Storm Fortress and prepare to halt the impending Orc invasion in the Crimson Flame Territory.

Yet Marquis Garcia ignored all this, leaving his troops stationed.

As time passed, the undercurrent of dissent within the Northern Army grew more intense, even showing signs of turning into a massive wave.

“I heard Wells Dawson received covert support from Emperor Reinhardt,” Count Schultz spoke again.

Count Uman let out a cold scoff, and dismissively said, “So what of it? Emperor Reinhardt can’t command the northern lords to pledge loyalty to Wells Dawson.”

“Indeed, he can’t. However, Emperor Reinhardt’s support can provide him with a significant bargaining chip. Given that there are more and more people in the Northern Army opposing Marquis Garcia, if this continues, Wells Dawson might have the confidence to overthrow him openly.”

Count Uman gazed into the fire, his hand stirring the bonfire before him.

Seeing his silent composure, Count Schultz felt compelled to probe further:

“I wonder if Count Angler will also come…”

Count Uman’s hand paused noticeably, but he remained silent.

Although both of them were of Colin’s bloodline, they did not know each other’s identity as Colin had not introduced them to one another.

However, as members of the Blood Clan, Count Schultz and Count Uman could feel a vague connection between them. Thus, both harbored suspicions about the other’s relationship with Colin, but neither of them had confirmed it explicitly.

After all, according to Colin, the identity of the “Blood Angel” can’t be disclosed yet.

Neither Count Schultz nor Count Uman wanted to cross this line.

“Count Angler should be coming,” Count Uman finally spoke.

“That’s better!” Count Schultz gave a charming smile. “I certainly don’t want to go to war with that fool Wells Dawson.”

Count Uman looked deeply at Count Schultz and suddenly asked, “Count Schultz, you seem to be looking forward to the arrival of Marquis Angler.”

“Of course. Is there anyone who doubts Marquis Angler’s military talent?” Count Schultz replied with a shifting look. “You also seem to be expecting Marquis Angler.”

Count Uman smiled slightly and said naturally: “Marquis Angler is my brother-in-law, naturally, I’m looking forward to his arrival.”

“I see.” Count Schultz smiled seductively, leaned in closer to Count Uman, and whispered, “And I, I am his lover!”

Count Uman’s face stiffened slightly, then he shook his head laughing, realising he probably wouldn’t get any meaningful information, so he didn’t say anything else.

Just as the atmosphere was gradually becoming awkward, there was a sudden commotion in the camp.

Count Schultz squinted his eyes and said, “That’s coming from the direction of Marquis Garcia’s tent.”

Count Uman immediately got up and went over, with Count Schultz following behind.

By the time the two of them reached the tent, Marquis Garcia had already come out.

Standing in front of him were four knights of the Lorenzo family.

The leading knight was none other than the captain of the Imperial Forest Guard – Erich St. Lorenzo.

He held a red longsword in his hand, the blade narrow, but engraved with complex arcane patterns. Under the influence of the holy light, these patterns emitted a scorching breath, as if flames were flowing.

Count Schultz recognised the sword at a glance – it was Emperor Reinhardt’s sword –

The Flame Messenger.

Knight Erich, holding the Flame Messenger, spoke with an authoritative and indifferent tone:

“Garcia St. Hilde, by the Emperor’s order, please accompany us immediately to Storm Fortress for an audience, if not–”

As he spoke, Knight Erich’s holy light burst forth, the Flame Messenger in his hand tilted forward slightly, the tip of the sword pointing directly at Marquis Garcia:

“I will sever your head with this sword and take it back to Storm Fortress!”

The scene immediately quieted down.

Everyone from the Northern Territory understood that Emperor Reinhardt had finally lost patience and had given an ultimatum.

And the means he used were still the most extreme.

However, none of the nobles or warriors from the Northern Territory came forward to defend Marquis Garcia.

If it had been before the orc invasion, if Emperor Reinhardt had dared send someone to read such an edict within the Northern Army, the Emperor’s envoy would have been killed by the angry Northerners without Marquis Garcia’s order.

But now, the Northerners only kept their heads down in silence.

Marquis Garcia remained calm, seeming not to take the Emperor’s death threat seriously.

However, this time he did not ignore the Emperor’s edict, but nodded and said:

“OK, I’ll go with you.”

Knight Erich hadn’t expected to complete his task so “easily” and he breathed a silent sigh of relief. But he also looked down on this Northern Marquis even more, confirming that he was a coward afraid of death.

“My Lord Marquis, please.” Knight Erich put away the Flame Messenger and made an inviting gesture, apparently, intending that Marquis Garcia should go with them immediately.

Marquis Garcia didn’t resist and stepped forward to leave.

Seeing this, Count Schultz’s expression changed, but then she seemed to realize something and kept quiet.

As for Earl Dawson, he could hardly conceal his joy. Knight Erich had given him a meaningful look as he was leaving, further thrilling Earl Dawson.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!