The First Vampire

Chapter 131: Kill Move 131 (bottom)_l

The bone-chilling drizzle that lasted for three days finally turned into snowflakes on the fourth day.

By the fifth day, when the long-absent sun finally broke free from the shackles of the clouds, Winterfell City had become a world covered in a blanket of snow.

However, the residents of Winterfell City had no interest in admiring such beautiful snowy scenery.

That was because most of them were on the verge of running out of food.

“Are there no signs of the grain prices falling?” asked Duke St. Hilde while adding wood to the fireplace in the study of Lion Roar Castle.

Behind the Duke, there stood a man of middle age with an amiable demeanor.

He had eyes as deep blue as the ocean, with waves of wisdom surging within.

His white, low horse-tail hair was neatly combed, hanging behind his head. He was dressed elegantly but not lavishly, with an ancient scroll buckled around his waist and a white glove on his left hand.

Doan White.

People in Lion Roar Castle called him Scholar Doan.

“Scholar” is a title that is not a noble rank, but it is nonetheless extremely precious.

Only those who have studied in the White Tower Academy of the empire and graduated successfully are eligible to use the title “scholar.”

And every year, the number of graduates from the White Tower Academy could be counted on one hand.

Therefore, each scholar was the best option as a court minister and naturally became a target for various lords to curry favor with.

“No.” Scholar Doan shook his head, a worried expression on his face. “Over the past three months, the grain price in the North Territory has risen more than twenty times!

This rise is definitely not just due to the poor harvest of food caused by the Troll invasion earlier this year.

Someone has been deliberately hoarding food, driving up grain prices!”

“Just a bunch of merchants who value money over their lives,” Duke St. Hilde said with disdain. “Issue a duke’s order to all the lords in the North Territory to control their merchants closely.

If the grain prices are still high in half a month, don’t blame me for personally killing people!”

“Yes.” Scholar Doan nodded in agreement.

“Does the Golden Lion Legion still have enough army food?”

“If there is no large-scale war, it should barely be enough.” Scholar Doan said, hesitating a bit. Despite his hesitation, he still reminded,

“However, Your Grace, I would still suggest that you procure another batch of army food, just in case.”

Hearing this, Duke St. Hilde furrowed his brows.

He clearly understood what Scholar Doan was worried about.

Famine is the factor that most easily triggers rebellion.

As such, Duke St. Hilde immediately nodded and said, “Then procure another batch.”

“Very well. But the grain prices across the entire empire are currently quite high, so this time, I’m afraid…”

“No matter how high the price is, buy it back for me!”

“Yes.”

Duke St. Hilde once again threw a few pieces of wood into the fireplace.

Looking at the constantly leaping flames, he suddenly asked, “Where is the

Dark Cavalry now?”

Scholar Doan carefully looked at Duke St. Hilde’s face, but didn’t see any apparent emotion.

“The latest news from yesterday, the Dark Cavalry has already left the North Territory and entered the Half-Elf Kingdom,” he reported.

“Hmm.” Duke St. Hilde gave a nod but didn’t give any instructions.

The dancing flames were reflected in the Duke’s deep eyes, seemingly indicating his turbulent inner thoughts.

Seeing this, Scholar Doan was about to ask for leave when suddenly, a majestic and echoing voice rang out from outside the castle:

“Duke St. Hilde, Prince Otto Volkin of the Northern Troll Empire, in the name of avenging Emperor Murdoch, challenges you to a duel!” Bang!

A burst of blistering flames suddenly erupted in the fireplace.

Duke St. Hilde immediately rose to his feet and looked out the window.

A troll samurai exuding a terrifying aura was standing at the highest point of Lion Roar Castle, overlooking the guards who were constantly gathering below.

Seeing the Duke St. Hilde about to leave, Scholar Doan quickly stepped forward to dissuade, “Your Grace, it is said that Prince Otto has just ascended to the Holy Field!”

“So what?” Duke St. Hilde’s face didn’t show a hint of backing down, “Am I to hide in Lion Roar Castle while he struts around outside?”

Having said that, the Duke didn’t bother with the stunned Scholar Doan anymore and strode out.

Half-Elf Kingdom, southwest border.

The Dark Cavalry was setting up camp here.

Marquis Garcia, having finished his meat soup, wiped his mouth casually and asked Marquis Dawson next to him, “Another thirty miles forward, we should pass through Shadow Gorge, right?”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Marquis Dawson’s attitude was as respectful as ever.

Even though he was also now a Marquis and had sworn loyalty to Duke St. Hilde.

However, when Marquis Garcia mobilized the Dark Cavalry to march into the Half-Elf Kingdom, this former “Butler” of the Dark Cavalry also came forward to help without hesitation.

“Send someone to thoroughly investigate it,” Marquis Garcia instructed.

Marquis Dawson smiled, his words somewhat dismissive, “Your Grace, this is the Half-Elf Kingdom, it can’t be dangerous?”

“Being cautious never hurts.”

“Okay, I’ll arrange it now.” Seeing Marquis Garcia insist, Marquis Dawson promptly agreed.

After resting, the army marched on again.

Marquis Garcia rode through the Shadow Gorge, a hint of worry in his eyes. “Dawson, have you sent someone to thoroughly investigate this gorge?”

“Your Grace, rest assured. I have had it thoroughly investigated. It’s very safe.”

Only then did Marquis Garcia nod and press on.

But the farther he went, the more uneasy Marquis Garcia felt.

The feeling of apprehension enveloped him, as though something terrible was about to happen.

“Halt!” Finally, Marquis Garcia gave the command.

“Your Grace, what’s wrong? We’re only halfway there,” Marquis Dawson rushed forward to ask.

“It’s too quiet here!” Marquis Garcia’s gaze was cold as if he had realized something.

The next moment, he decisively ordered, “Turn around! The rear becomes the front, the front become the rear, retreat from the Shadow Gorge along the original route!”

“Your Grace…” Marquis Dawson was puzzled. “You’re…”

Marquis Garcia didn’t bother explaining and insisted that the officer convey the order immediately.

Just as the Dark Cavalry started to change formation, there was a sudden loud noise in the gorge.

Boom!

Marquis Garcia turned around abruptly, only to see dazzling flashes of light bursting from the cliffs on both sides behind him.

The terrifying mana power, like majestic divine wrath, blasted the tops of the mountains on both sides of the gorge to pieces.

Countless shattered boulders rolled down, crashing into the Dark Cavalry!

Boom, boom, boom!

Screams and neighs resounded through the gorge.

The face of Marquis Garcia turned pale in an instant.

In this stunned moment, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his waist.

When Garcia turned his head, he saw his most trusted subordinate stabbing a dagger into his waist.

“Fran Dawson! You traitor!”

Facing the angry gaze of Marquis Garcia, Marquis Dawson stepped back, smiled calmly, and said:

“Sorry, Your Grace, when my men investigated this gorge earlier, they might not have been very thorough..”