The First Vampire

Thud, thud, thud.

Butler Emon knocked on the massive oak door in front of him and reported, “Sir, Count Morrison requests an audience.”

“Let him in,” Colin’s voice came from inside the room.

“Yes.” Emon pushed open the door, bowed to Count Morrison, and gestured, “Count, please.”

Count Morrison gave a faint smile to Emon and then proudly walked into the study.

“Count Morrison, welcome to the Red Fortress!” Colin warmly greeted him and shook hands with the Count energetically.

“Viscount Angler, thank you for your hospitality, I hope my arrival hasn’t caused too much trouble for you.”

The Count Morrison appeared to be under twenty years old, slightly younger than Colin. Although he tried to put on an air of maturity and sophistication with a purposefully grown beard, the youthful innocence still showed up in his gestures.

“No trouble at all. It’s an honor to have you in Ice Rock City. As for the late venerable Count, I have always held him in high regard!”

The late Count in Colin’s words was the previous Count Morrison, who was the grandfather of the young man in front of him.

The old Count was killed by a sword from Knight Cain Sudor at a Lords gathering half a year ago. Colin was there and witnessed the old Count’s strong scolding of those Lords preparing for rebellion.

After the old Count’s death, it was a reluctant measure for the Morrison family to let such a young man inherit the title of Count.

The Morrison family did not have many offspring. The old Count only had one legitimate son, but this son was severely injured in a war many years ago, almost paralyzed.

As such a person who can’t even take care of himself could not inherit the Morrison title, the old Count’s eldest grandson, Saken Morrison, then only eighteen, was forced to become the new Count.

“Thank you for your condolences and praise. If my grandfather were to know that his sacrifice was recognized by so many, he would surely rest in peace in heaven!”

After the brief exchange, Colin invited Count Morrison to sit and ordered the maid to bring coffee and dessert.

“Count, may I ask why you have traveled so far?”

Count Morrison put down his coffee and spoke earnestly, “Viscount sir, I’ve come unannounced in hopes of getting your help.”

“Oh? Please, speak. If I can assist, I won’t hesitate,” Colin smiled, already guessing the reason for Count Morrison’s visit.

After the Winter Festival, quite a few Lords from the Northern Territory had approached him, intending to buy a batch of food for emergency use.

Count Morrison was one with the highest rank among them so far.

As expected, his subsequent words confirmed Colin’s speculation, “I’ve heard, Viscount, that you’ve bought a large amount of food in Silver Moon City. I wonder if you could sell some to the Morrison family?”

“Of course.”

Colin’s generosity surprised Count Morrison who excitedly said, “Really? Thank you so much! Viscount sir, the Angler family’s kindness will always be remembered by the Morrison family!”

“However, Count, you surely are aware of the current food price in the Northern Territory ?this batch of food won’t come cheap.”

Count Morrison paused for a moment, but then quickly nodded, “Rest assured, the Morrison family won’t let a friend suffer. We will purchase this batch of food at market price.”

Upon hearing this, Colin couldn’t help but show a satisfied smile.

How could he possibly suffer a loss?

With Colin’s status in Silver Moon City, the local Half-Elf merchants would not dare to overprice the food. They sold it to Colin at the standard price. However, when this batch of food was transported to the Northern Territory, the price skyrocketed by more than ten times as much. Colin was making a huge profit.

The previous few Lords who came to buy food had tried to haggle after getting some information, but this young Count Morrison in front of him agreed directly without even discussing the price.

Looks like we have another simple man.

Colin looked at Count Morrison, his smile growing brighter, “Count, there is something else I need to clarify with you beforehand.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“I’m sure you understand, we’ve had so many people buying grain from Ice Rock City lately. Our food supplies come from Silver Moon City, so it’s possible we may not be able to keep up with the demand immediately.

Therefore, I’m afraid we may not be able to deliver all the grain you’ve purchased all at once.”

Count Morrison frowned slightly and asked, “When can we expect to receive all of our grain?”

“That ?depends on the delivery speed from Silver Moon City. However, I can assure you, the Morrison Family will receive priority in grain supply!”

“Great, thank you very much.” A smile finally appeared on Count Morrison’s face.

Unfortunately, this young count didn’t realize that Colin hadn’t made any particular promises. What could a so-called “priority in supply” guarantee?

Colin wasn’t intentionally misleading Count Morrison; he suggested this installment delivery condition to all the lords who came to buy grain.

Using this condition, Colin could moderately control the grain supply to these families, further influencing their stance in the upcoming turmoil in the North Territory.

Of course, while the grain is delivered in installments, payments must unfortunately be made in full.

The Angler family embraces a no credit policy!

In the present North Territory, grain is in severe shortage. Even with Colin’s stringent conditions, the lords had no choice but to accept.

Count Morrison seemed blissfully oblivious to Colin’s ulterior motives as he left, showering Colin with gratitude.

Seeing his joyful expression, a tinge of guilt momentarily flickered in Colin’s heart, but it vanished within a second.

Not long after, Butler Emon knocked on the room door again, “Sir, we have another guest in Ice Rock City.”

“Who is it from this time?”

Emon simply shook his head, “Sir, this guest comes from the North.”

“The North?” Colin was taken aback. Ice Rock City was already at the northernmost part of the North Territory, any more north

That would be the Sky Ice Plain!

“A troll envoy?”

“No, it’s an envoy from the Golden Lion Legion stationed on the Sky Ice Plain.”

Colin’s brows furrowed even deeper, “The Golden Lion Legion? Are you sure their envoy has requested to see me?”

In Colin’s view, a Golden Lion Legion envoy should visit Winterfell City. Why come to him?

Lowering his voice, Emon explained, “Sir, the one who wants to meet you is a follower of the Golden Lion Legion envoy. His name is Charles St. Hilde.”

“Charles?” Colin surged up from his seat in astonishment.

He remembered, this eldest son of Duke St. Hilde, the former Marquis of the North Territory, was exiled to the Northern Frontline by his father, with the order

“You may not return to the North Territory until the Troll King’s city is breached.”

So, he had sneaked back home at this time?

No wonder he didn’t dare to go to Winterfell City and instead came to Ice Rock City.

Colin paced back and forth in his study, his brows tightly knitted.

After a while, he finally asked, “Has anyone recognized him?”

“No, sir. Sir Charles disguised himself and appeared in Ice Rock City as the follower of an envoy.”

“Good, bring him to me.”