The First Vampire

The streets of Silver Moon City had become somewhat deserted.

A middle-aged half-elf hurriedly walked down the street, brimming with fallen leaves, his hat brim low.

However, a patrol of guards stopped him quite quickly.

“Name?”

“Ross.”

“What are you doing? Where are you going?”

After some routine inspection and questioning, Ross was finally let go.

He wandered the streets for a long while before finally entering a nondescript tavern.

He bypassed the bustling main hall and headed straight to the kitchen as if he knew the place well, then, led by a chef, he slipped into a concealed basement.

“Brother, Kathy has sent an urgent message from the royal palace.”

Under the dim candlelight in the basement, a half-elf raised his head—it was none other than Cis from the Windbell Commerce Association.

Cis furrowed his brows, accepting the piece of paper that Ross handed over. He said somewhat discontentedly, “The Modewen family is looking for us everywhere now. Why does she have to take the risk and send messages out?”

Ross sighed, “It must be vital information. In order to get it out, we’ve already lost three of our insiders in the palace.”

Cis’ brows furrowed even deeper, but he still patiently unfolded the paper, then took a book from a shelf.

After translating the cipher on the paper, his face instantly became grave.

“What happened?” Seeing the sudden change in his brother’s expression, Ross asked worriedly.

Cis handed the translated paper to his brother, saying in a serious tone, “We must take action now; we can’t just sit around and wait for death!”

After reading the intelligence, Ross hesitated, “Brother, but Mr. Ji…”

“Forget that damned Mr. Ji!” Cis said angrily, “At this point, the only one we can rely on is Duke St. Hilde!”

“But…” Ross seemed to still have some doubts.

“Younger brother, it’s not three hundred years ago anymore. Between the two, you still can’t see who we should choose?”

After a long silence, Ross seemed to be persuaded by his brother’s words, and nodded, “Alright! So what should we do?”

“Make arrangements, I need to see Duke Lute!”

“You dare to see me?”

Duke Lute snorted coldly as he saw Cis appear before him.

With a calm expression on his face, Cis retorted, ‘Your Grace, don’t you dare to see me at this time as well?”

Duke Lute chuckled, “How do you know that I didn’t agree to meet you just to deliberately lure you out? You should know, Prince William is searching for you throughout the city.”

“Do you know why Prince William is looking for me?”

“I heard it’s due to your Windbell Commerce Association’s tax evasion.”

“Do you believe in this reason?”

“Of course not.”

“Then what do you think is the reason?”

Duke Lute sneered confidently, “I believe, it should be because of Queen Isa.”

“Oh?” Cis blinked, “And what do you know about my business with Her Majesty the Queen?”

Duke Lute laughed, “No wonder you’re getting on so well with Queen Isa, under the guise of cultivating Blood Roses. You probably took advantage of that, didn’t you?” Duke Lute bore a knowing smile, “You really are lucky, a lowly man like you is favored by splendid rose-like Queen Isa!”

Cis was taken aback.

He once thought his secret affair with Queen Isa had been discovered by Duke Lute, but he didn’t expect…

“Hahaha! Your Grace, indeed you have a discerning eye!”

Duke Lute wore an air of self-satisfaction, hummed lightly and said, “In the royal palace, there aren’t many things that can escape my eyes.”

“Absolutely, absolutely!” Cis forced back a laugh, “So, are you intending to take me to His Majesty?”

“That depends on your performance.” Duke Lute slightly smiled, “Though the Windbell Commerce Association has been sealed off, I believe that you must have your own little treasury.”

“So you want money?”

“And also…” Duke Lute’s eyes flashed an unclean light, “You’ve spent so much time with Queen Isa, there must be something that you can use against her, isn’t it? Give it to me.’

“And then, you can use it to threaten Queen Isa to favor you, is that your plan?” Cis’s look was somewhat peculiar.

Duke Lute harrumphed, seemingly admitting to it.

Cis couldn’t stop laughing, shook his head and sighed, “Your grace, you misunderstand. My relationship with Queen Isa isn’t what you think. But, if you really want her favor, maybe I can help.”

Duke Lute felt that Cis’s denial was just bluster, but at the end, he still couldn’t help asking, “How would you help?”

“I can help you seize the Royal Palace. Then, all the Half-Elf beauties in the palace, including Queen Isa, would be yours.”

Duke Lute’s eyes popped out and he shouted angrily, “Are you toying with me?”

“I’m absolutely serious, Your Grace.” Cis laid his hand on his chest and bowed, looking perfectly serious.

“Heh, you lowly creature, daring to toy with a noble! Do you really think I wouldn’t dare kill you?”

In the face of Duke Lute’s threats, Cis merely laughed, “Your grace, I am no commoner.” “What did you say?”

“My surname is Savoy.”

“Sa, Savoy? Savoy!” Duke Lute sprung up from his seat, his face full of disbelief as he looked at Cis.

Cis also stood straight and met Duke Lute’s gaze without flinching.

Then, to convince the other of his identity, Cis pulled out a finely crafted badge.

“The Golden Wing Bird!” The moment Duke Lute saw the badge, he finally confirmed Cis’s real identity.

He was indeed the descendant of the previous Half-Elf royal family, the “Golden Wing Bird” Savoy!

“No wonder Prince William is desperate to catch you.” Duke Lute finally understood.

“Your Grace, now you know that my proposal to help you seize the Royal Palace isn’t mere talk.”

” Hmph! Are you out of your mind? Even if you are part of the Savoy family, so what? Do you think this is still three hundred years ago? That by revealing your identity, I would instantly be at your beck and call?

Wake up. The current Half-Elf royal family belongs to the Modewen family!”

Cis also laughed, “Your Grace, if you don’t follow my advice, do you think the record of our past dealings will end up in front of His Majesty?”

Duke Lute instantly became a bit flustered, but still managed to growl, “Would His Majesty believe you?”

“Why not?

Do you know, I have always been in the habit of keeping records. For every bribe I’ve ever given you, I have detailed records.

And not just for you, but for your family members and loyal subordinates.

Perhaps you’re not fully aware, but the Windbell Commerce Association has become deeply entwined with your Lute family.

Normally, it might not matter, but at this sensitive time, do you think His Majesty would choose to believe your innocence?

Or would he choose to ‘better to kill an innocent than let a guilty go free?”‘

Duke Lute broke out into a cold sweat.

Because he knew his brother-in-law all too well.

A cold-blooded political animal!

The moment he found out about the murky dealings between the Lute family and the Savoy family, the old king would absolutely raise his butcher’s knife without hesitation!

After a long silence, Duke Lute finally forced out, “What exactly is your plan…”

The corners of Cis’s mouth lifted into a bloodthirsty grin..