The First Vampire

Despite the arrival of the first light of dawn on the parapet of Silver Moon City, Colin remained sleepless.

Having just listened to Knight Logh’s detailed account of the incident when the Dark Cavalry was ambushed, Colin now found sleep elusive.

Vera, who had just spent some time crying out of worry for her uncle’s safety, finally fell into a deep sleep out of sheer exhaustion.

Colin gently covered Vera with a blanket, then signaled for Knight Logh to accompany him outside.

Once they had reached the corridor outside the chamber, a Half-Elf maid cautiously approached them:

“Viscount, my lord, Knight Logh, would you like breakfast?”

Colin had no appetite at the moment, but seeing the state of Knight Logh, he figured the knight probably hadn’t had a decent meal in a while. So he nodded in response: “Bring two servings.”

Soon, the maid returned with two trays of food.

“Just place them on the ground,” Colin instructed, not wishing to disturb Vera’s sleep, and he took a seat on the corridor stairs.

It was apparent that Knight Logh, too, was unfazed by these arrangements and sat down next to Colin.

Seeing the situation, the maid had no choice but to carefully set down the trays on the steps before retreating quickly.

With a few bites of food in his mouth, Colin asked: “So, Marquis Dawson didn’t quite specify who orchestrated this ambush?”

“But did Marquis Garcia say that it wasn’t Duke St. Hilde who planned it?”

“Yes.”

Colin was suddenly more bewildered.

He had initially been convinced that this was all a conspiracy by Duke St. Hilde, but he hadn’t expected Marquis Garcia to refute this possibility.

What made Marquis Garcia believe that his brother wouldn’t betray him?

His control of the Dark Cavalry had long become the largest destabilizing factor in the North Territory.

Previously, Colin had wondered why Duke St. Hilde was planning to scheme against the Half-Elf Kingdom, and even the East Territory, while threats from within his own were still prominent.

If the Half-Elf Kingdom was merely bait, and the true target was the Dark Cavalry, everything would make sense.

But why did Marquis Garcia still believe that his brother was not the mastermind behind this ambush?

If it wasn’t Duke St. Hilde, then who had turned Marquis Dawson?

Sensing Colin’s confusion, Knight Logh asked: “Viscount, do you suspect that

Duke St. Hilde orchestrated this ambush?”

There was a moment of silence, before Colin shook his head, “Rethinking it, it seems highly unlikely that Duke St. Hilde planned this ambush.”

“Why?”

“He could easily have convinced Marquis Dawson to betray Marquis Garcia, I don’t doubt that. But how did he manage to collaborate with the East Territory Army to ambush supply lines in Shadow Gorge?”

Remember that the North Territory’s plot against the Half-Elf Kingdom has undoubtedly touched the sensitive nerves of the East Territory.

The St. Prowse family must have been wary of Duke St. Hilde for quite some time now. How could they possibly collaborate with his plan to clear out the Dark Cavalry?

Are they not worried that Shadow Gorge is in fact a trap that Duke St. Hilde and his brother have set for them?”

Upon hearing Colin’s analysis, Knight Logh nodded in agreement.

However, as a cunning look crossed his eyes, he asked in a seemingly casual tone, “But if Duke St. Hilde really did plan this ambush against the Dark Cavalry, would you still carry out your promise of revenge?”

As he was mulling over the potential mastermind behind the events, Colin didn’t pay much attention to Knight Logh’s question and casually answered:

“Of course it’s still valid. If Duke St. Hilde is capable of such a heinous act, I will most certainly seek justice for Marquis Garcia!”

“Would you go so far as to kill the duke for this?”

Meeting Knight Logh’s gaze, Colin suddenly realised that this could be an opportunity to win over the remnants of the Dark Cavalry.

Eight thousand Dark Cavalry troops!

It was an impossible military force to ignore.

Thus, he responded straightforwardly, “If Marquis Garcia dies in this ambush, I’ll definitely find a way to avenge him, even if the mastermind is Duke St.

Hilde!”

Knight Logh’s gaze flickered, as if he was excited, yet also hesitant.

After a moment, he asked again, “Who do you think should inherit the position of master of the North Territory in the event of Duke St. Hilde’s death?” Colin knitted his brow, finding this Knight Logh rather peculiar.

Why was he even concerned about this?

According to Marquis Garcia’s judgments, not to mention Colin’s recent deduction, Duke St. Hilde had basically been cleared of suspicion. So why was Knight Logh even starting to care about what would happen after the Duke’s

death?

Looking at the serious expression on the other’s face, Colin thought that Knight Logh had been overly shocked and had become somewhat abnormal.

“I think Miss Vera is very suitable to assume the position of the Lord of the North Territory.” Colin spoke his mind without hesitation this time.

Moreover, this remark was also meant to be a test for Knight Logh.

Hearing Colin’s response, Knight Logh seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and laughed, “I think so too.”

Colin immediately realized from his reaction that Knight Logh was aware of the real relationship between Vera and Marquis Garcia!

Otherwise, according to the noble inheritance law, the third son of the Duke, Joyce, had a higher succession rank than Vera.

So, Knight Logh’s response could only mean one thing: he, too, knew Vera’s true identity.

As a knight of Marquis Garcia, he of course would favor Vera.

However, this wasn’t too surprising.

Marquis Garcia, in a moment of dire peril, ordered Knight Logh to lead the rear army to break through the encirclement. This clearly indicates that Knight Logh was his trusted confidant, so knowing Vera’s true identity would also be normal.

Just when Colin was about to probe Knight Logh whether he knew who Vera’s mother was or not, Knight Lyle strode in and reported, “Viscount Angler, there’s news from Shadow Gorge.”

“What’s the situation?” Knight Logh asked impatiently.

“The Dark Cavalry in the gorge were completely annihilated, and Marquis Garcia was taken captive by the Pegasus Army.”

Hearing this news, Knight Logh’s eyes instantly reddened.

The veins on his right hand, gripping the sword, bulged, and the hilt creaked in his grip.

Colin sighed, comforting him, “Though it’s not good news, it’s not the worst either. Marquis Garcia is still alive, so we have a chance to ransom him.”

“Right!” Knight Logh lifted his head, a flicker of hope rekindling in his eyes.

Knight Lyle rolled his bald head and said, “My lord, actually, there’s another bad news from Shadow Gorge…”

“What other bad news?”

“The Eastern Army that annihilated the Dark Cavalry is currently heading for Silver Moon City, and is estimated to arrive in about five days.”

Colin stared wide-eyed, asking hurriedly, “How many people do they have?”

“Approximately a hundred thousand.”

“A hundred thousand?” Colin looked worried.

But, looking at Knight Logh, who clearly couldn’t hide his hopes, and thinking back to the painstaking guidance that Marquis Garcia bestowed upon

him- -not to mention the Half-Elf Kingdom that he had only recently brought under his influence- -Colin drew a deep breath and declared resolutely,

“What’s there to fear! Let’s fight! If they dare to come to Silver Moon City, isn’t this a chance of revenge delivered to our doorstep!”

“Well said!” Knight Logh responded loudly, knelt on one knee, held his sword forward with both hands, and faced Colin.

“Honorable Viscount Angler, I vow my loyalty to you here! As long as you’re willing to seek vengeance for Marquis Garcia, the eight thousand Dark Cavalry soldiers are at your disposal!”

Colin’s eyes brightened. He accepted the sword from Knight Logh and tapped his shoulder:

“I, Colin Angler, accept your allegiance!”