The First Vampire

By mid-March, one could already faintly feel the approach of spring.

For the North Territory, where winter is exceptionally long, this year’s spring seems to have come a bit early.

Perhaps the merciful lord himself could no longer bear to see the famine continue to ravage and intends to let the spring ploughing begin early.

But even if the crops are planted now, they must wait until autumn to harvest food.

So, the famine, is destined to claim even more lives of the people of the North Territory.

And it is also destined to cause greater turmoil.

“Chaos is a ladder.”

Colin, reading the letter in his hand, looked somewhat amused.

“Is that all it says?” Vera, sitting by his side, asked curiously as Colin paused.

The two of them were having breakfast when the butler, Emon, suddenly handed them a letter they had just received.

The letter was from Ironforge City and was obviously written by Marquis Dawson.

“Yes, that’s all it says.” Colin scoffed, crumpling the letter into a ball and casually throwing it into the fireplace.

The flame jumped momentarily, then resumed its calm.

“Marquis Dawson must be trying to win you over, right?” Vera sipped her milk, her mind stirred by the contents of the letter.

“I suppose so.” Colin, noticing Vera’s somewhat pale complexion, reached out to hold her slightly cool hand and reassured her, “Don’t worry, I will personally chop off the head of this shameless Dwarf who betrayed your father!”

“Okay.” Vera nodded, gripping Colin’s hand in return, feeling slightly relieved.

As Colin continued to focus on his breakfast, what occupied his mind was the statement from Marquis Dawson’s letter.

Perhaps, as the severe winter is about to recede, the looming disturbance in the North Territory is also about to start.

After finishing breakfast, Colin was getting ready to take Vera for a walk in the garden when he saw butler Emon approaching again: “Sir, an envoy from the northern front has come again.”

“From the northern front?” Colin was taken aback, but then he understood who Emon meant.

This must be his future brother-in-law!

“Take him to my study room.”

“Yes, sir.”

Then, turning to Vera, Colin said straightforwardly, “Your brother is here, would you like to see him?”

“Charles?” Vera was instantly taken aback, but then her little face wrinkled, as if she were torn.

“If you don’t want to meet him, then don’t. He probably sneaked back this time, it’s a bit inappropriate for you to meet him.”

“Alright, then you go ahead, I will go to the garden on my own.”

“Alright, I’ll come find you later.”

“Haha, Sir Charles, welcome back to Ice Rock City!”

“Honourable Viscount Angler, thank you for your hospitality!”

Seeing Charles again, his attitude towards Colin was still just as respectful as the last time.

As if he’d truly forgotten that he was once the heir of the Northern Duke.

Colin warmly invited Charles to sit down and had the maids bring coffee and pastries.

However, Charles seemed a bit impatient, and soon after taking a sip of coffee, he promptly asked, “Viscount Angler, how have you considered my proposal from last time?”

A chill ran through Colin’s heart, knowing that Charles was still clinging to his previous proposal of a surprise attack on the Troll City.

“Charles, without the Duke’s orders, I dare not act rashly to attack the Troll Empire.”

“Viscount Angler, this isn’t you taking the initiative to send troops; it’s more like a forced counterattack.”

“What do you mean?”

“By the time I returned from the frontline, the Troll Empire had already mobilized a hundred thousand troops to march south. I estimate they’ll reach Ice Rock City in just over a month!”

Colin’s heart jolted: “Oh? The trolls are really sending troops?”

Charles swore earnestly: “It’s absolutely true! Viscount Angler, this time the trolls have sent a hundred thousand troops to march south, essentially emptying out their empire. Now, the defenses within the Troll Empire are practically non-existent. You merely need to lead a squadron of elite cavalry, and you could easily capture the Troll Royal City, establishing a monumental achievement!”

Seeing Colin still hesitant, Charles urged again: “Viscount Angler, I know you’ve received aid from the Half-Elf Kingdom and have the Silver Moon Guards helping you defend Ice Rock City. Even if you divert the Dark Cavalry, you don’t need to worry about instability in the rear. Given this, why not take a gamble with me?”

Colin rolled his eyes inwardly, thinking you would naturally be willing to gamble, as it’s not your stake on the line.

“Charles, although your plan does tempt me, I must consult the Duke.”

“Then it would be too late!” Charles was somewhat anxious, “Viscount Angler, when I set out, the Troll army had already been mobilized. If you were to consult with Winterfell City, I’m afraid the trolls would near Ice Rock City by the time you get a reply. By then, how would you be able to divide your troops to stealthily attack the Troll Royal City?”

“Doesn’t the Golden Lion Legion still have three fortresses at the front line? Can’t they delay the Troll Army?”

The fortresses Colin referred to were initially presented to Duke St. Hilde as gifts by Prince Okamoto during Vera’s coming-of-age ceremony.

The Troll Royal City is surrounded by the Snow Mountain Range. There are only three main passages for armies to traverse, and these three fortresses are conveniently located at key points on these three passages.

“Viscount Angler, do you have any idea how many troops the Golden Lion Legion has stationed within these three fortresses?” Charles’ face bloomed with great helplessness.

“How many?”

“Three thousand.”

“A total of three thousand in three fortresses?”

“That’s right. Moreover, most of them are new recruits.”

Colin was speechless for a while. How could such an essential military location be guarded by only a small number of the Golden Lion Legion’s troops? How could they possibly stop the Troll Army?

No!

Colin suddenly realized that these three fortresses might have been deliberately given up by Duke St. Hilde.

Firstly, the Golden Lion Legion needed to concentrate their forces to deal with internal rebellion, and secondly, Duke St. Hilde probably wanted to lure the trolls out

If that’s the case

“Sorry, Charles, without the Duke’s command, I won’t send troops.” Colin’s attitude suddenly became unusually rigid.

Charles stared at Colin’s firm eyes. After a long silence, he finally gave a sigh and said: “Colin, have you guessed something?”

Colin laughed: “Charles, you’ve seen the Duke, haven’t you?”

This time Charles didn’t deny it and nodded: “Yes, since it has come to this, there’s no point in hiding it. This sneak attack plan was actually devised by my father.”

As I thought!

Colin sneered inwardly. Duke St. Hilde indeed wanted to use him.

But under the current circumstances, if they still thought they could convince him to send troops based on Charles’ few provocative words and those illusory merits, they were being too naive.

Of course, Colin understood that he had to send troops, not just because of Duke St. Hilde’s orders, but because once the Troll Army nears the North Territory, Ice Rock City might indeed become the primary target.

However, Duke St. Hilde shouldn’t expect him to serve him without him giving anything in return.

“Charles, since it is the Duke’s command, of course, I won’t disobey. But, the envoy I sent to Winterfell City has been waiting for an audience with the Duke for over two months, which has chilled my heart.”

“Viscount Angler, my father is aware that you wish to marry Vera, and he has actually approved of this marriage. Hence, as long as you are willing to attack the Troll Royal City, he will definitely meet your envoy!”

“Oh? Has the Duke actually said that?”

“Of course, I swear to you on the sacred name of the St. Hilde family’s ancestors! As long as you can lead the troops to break through the Troll Royal City, Vera will definitely marry into the Angler family!”

Colin stared at Charles’ eyes, and after a long while, he seemed to have finally made up his mind and nodded:

“Alright! I will send out the troops to attack the Troll Royal City in three days!”