The First Vampire

“Colin, is it useful for you to send Kathy to the Eastern Camp?”

Within the palace, Queen Isa lifted her head from a pile of state affairs paperwork, stretched lazily, and displayed her enchanting curves in front of Colin without reservation.

“Why wouldn’t it be useful?” Colin laughed, unapologetically appreciating the half-elf beauty before him.

Queen Isa poured a glass of Deer Blood Wine for Colin then another for herself, questioning doubtfully, “We just tricked them using Prince William, would they be fooled again?”

Colin downed the Deer Blood Wine in one gulp and responded, “Do you know how the hunters of the North Territory hunt Arctic Wolves?”

Queen Isa shook her head, although she didn’t understand why Colin suddenly changed the subject, she continued to gaze at him intently with her charming eyes, signaling him to continue.

“The Arctic Wolf, especially the White Wolf, is a particularly challenging prey.

They put up a tough fight. Most hunters choose not to confront them directly, the counterattack of the Arctic White Wolf when cornered could impose severe costs on the hunters, so the best method still relies on traps.

However, the Arctic White Wolf is intelligent, it doesn’t approach the bodies of smaller animals that seem strange within the forest, as they understand that it could potentially be a bait set up by hunters.”

The wise hunter’s strategy for dealing with this involves harassing the Arctic White Wolf persistently, not giving it the opportunity to fight, but also not allowing it to hunt peacefully.

Over time, the Arctic White Wolf becomes tormented by fatigue and hunger; at this point, if it encounters another potentially bait-filled animal carcass, it wouldn’t be able to resist.

Even if it’s likely to be a hunter’s trap, it would take the chance, hoping that it might be able to counterattack after consuming the bait.”

Queen Isa nodded in thought: “So, you have thrown out Kathy as bait, even though it’s easy for Marquis Vincent to see through it, you still think he wouldn’t be able to resist this temptation.”

“Indeed. The Eastern Army now is like an exhausted white wolf, too tired to go forward or retreat. At this time, if you throw them bait, even if they suspect it might be a trap, they wouldn’t be able to resist biting.”

“True,” Queen Isa’s eyes brightened, her straight nose and slightly pursed red lips gave her an air of elegance and intelligence, “But I feel your scheme seems a bit hasty?”

Colin sighed and nodded, “Yes, it is. In fact, the best method for us would be to continue draining the Easterners. Silver Moon City has a surplus of food, but the Easterners’ supply line has been cut off by the Dark Cavalry, they cannot receive any supplies.

If this stalemate persists for another two or three months, the Easterners will genuinely be trapped in a dilemma.

Throwing out bait now might bring about a violent counterattack from the East.”

“Then why…”

Colin signaled for Queen Isa to pour him another glass of wine, his eyebrows furrowed as he began speaking, “I’m worried about the North Territory.”

“North Territory?”

“Indeed. It’s been a long time since I have received a letter from Ice Rock City. I suspect that the Eastern Army outside the city has blocked our communications.”

“Why are you worried about the North Territory?”

“Because I’m beginning to realize that my judgement regarding two matters might have been slightly off.”

“Which two?”

Colin took another sip of his Deer Blood Wine, contemplating, “The first one involves the mastermind behind Cis Savoy.

Initially, I thought Duke St. Hilde had instructed him to assassinate Vera, but now I feel the truth might not be so straightforward.

Cis was actually introduced to me by Prince Okamoto, which indicates that the Savoy family has connections with the Trolls.

So, is it possible that the assassination of Vera was actually orchestrated by the Trolls behind the scenes, in an attempt to exacerbate the conflict between the North Territory and the East Territory, thereby giving them a chance to breathe?”

The second thing was the ambush of the Dark Cavalry in the Shadow Gorge.

On the surface, it appeared that Duke St. Hilde was trying to eliminate unstable elements within the North Territory.

But thinking more carefully, there was a problem. How did Duke St. Hilde manage to get the Easterners to collaborate in eliminating his own brother? Didn’t the Easterners worry that this was a trap set up deliberately by the St. Hilde brothers?”

“So, you suspect that these series of events are the result of a Troll conspiracy?”

“Indeed there is such a possibility. But I also question whether the Trolls truly have the ability to carry out such a grand scheme? When did they gain such enormous influence within the Glorious Empire? To be able to mobilize so many forces in service to their plans?”

“Perhaps the Trolls have other collaborators within the Glorious Empire.”

“Yes. There is also the possibility that Duke St. Hilde is involved. Although he may not be the mastermind, he is likely an accomplice, since both incidents clearly benefit him.”

“Then, what exactly are you worried about?”

“I fear that Duke St. Hilde might inadvertently fan the flames and plunge the already fragile North Territory back into chaos … Thus, we cannot afford to continue this stalemate with the Easterners. I intend to end this war as soon as possible!”

Eastern Camp.

Facing the very real scrutinizing gaze of Marquis Vincent, Kathy felt unease.

After a moment, she gritted her teeth and spoke the truth: “Yes, sir, I am indeed sent by Viscount Angler.”

Marquis Vincent gave a satisfied smile, approving of his own clever intuition. Then he leaned back leisurely in his chair and asked, “Then what is he tasked you with?”

“He told me to inform you that there will be a rebellion at the South Gate of Silver Moon City tonight, the boulder blocking the city gate will be removed, and your army can take this opportunity to storm into the city…”

“Heh, then, once my army rushes in, they’ll find the city heavily fortified, ready for defense. Meanwhile, my army is trapped at the South Gate, and the Dark Cavalry outside the city can charge from behind and catch us in a pincer movement, right?”

“Yes.” Kathy lowered her head, seemingly not daring to meet Marquis Vincent’s eyes.

“A clumsy plot, heh, he really thinks I would fall for it…”

Marquis Vincent suddenly trailed off; something seemed to have occurred to him. He abruptly stood up and began pacing around the tent.

Kathy carefully lifted her head just to see Marquis Vincent’s face filled with inner struggle.

After a while, he abruptly stopped pacing, and then asked again, “Do you know the exact deployment of the Half-Elf army within the South City?”

Kathy unwillingly shook her head, “Sir, how could I possibly know that…”

Marquis Vincent fell into deep thought once again, his face filled with a look of anxiety, ready to overflow at any moment.

He had realized that the current situation might present a turning point for the Pegasus Army. The open South Gate was the bait Colin had set before him.

Even though he knew it was a trap, Marquis Vincent couldn’t help but contemplate making a risky move…

At this point, he was like a desperate gambler. As long as the dealer showed him even the slightest chance of winning, he would eagerly risk all his assets.

Attempting to turn his luck with a single round.

Finally, Marquis Vincent fiercely pounded his fist into his palm, swearing:

“Fine! Colin Angler! Let’s see, whether it is your trap that traps Pegasus Army, or us eating your bait, tearing through your net!”