The First Vampire

Outside the Troll Royal City, the Black Cavalry Army camp.

In the main tent, Colin was circling around the massive body of Prince Meruvi, occasionally squeezing and patting as if trying to gauge the explosive power filling the prince’s muscles.

After all, this was the first fifth-tier Blood Slave that Colin had converted. It felt like a child with a new and fascinating toy, unable to resist the urge to explore.

Moreover, Prince Meruvi had left an incredibly deep impression on Colin during the previous battle.

Nearly a hundred converted Troll prisoners turned into Blood Slaves were gruesomely killed by this fifth-tier samurai. To kill a Blood Slave, Colin knew of only one way ???decapitation.

Any other damage would not be fatal.

This made the fearless Blood Slaves, who had no fatal weaknesses, always possess an absolute advantage when facing opponents of the same tier.

This merely highlighted the formidable fighting prowess of Prince Meruvi.

However, although a large number of Troll Blood Slaves were lost, gaining a high-tier combatant like Prince Meruvi satisfied Colin.

Colin made a rough estimate; even in his transformed state, he reckoned he would be no match for Prince Meruvi.

Still, with the aid of his bat wings, Colin had an absolute mobility advantage. If he wanted to run, Prince Meruvi would not be able to catch him.

Up until now, the number of members in the Blood Shadow Guard had increased to 108.

Well, that’s exactly 108, as in the 108 generals.

This time, the gains from the Troll Empire included one fifth-tier soldier, one fourth-tier soldier, five third-tier soldiers, and fourteen first and second-tier professionals.

Colin had the Troll Blood Slaves put on ghost masks and thick full-body armor to cover their skin, preventing anyone from recognizing their identities and races.

While Colin was stroking his chin, admiring the gallant figures of the new recruits to the Blood Shadow Guard, an attendant outside the tent announced:

“Lord Viscount, there’s an envoy from the trolls asking to see you.”

“Let him in.”

“Yes!”

Soon, a Troll envoy strode into the tent.

While he was bowing to Colin, he was secretly sizing up the Blood Slaves standing in the tent with a stealthy glance.

Because they were clad in full-body armor, the Troll envoy naturally could not recognize the identities of these Blood Slaves but was simply impressed by how majestic Viscount Angler’s personal guards were.

Huh? Why does the figure in front look somewhat familiar?

Just as this Troll envoy was confused, Colin asked lightly: “So, Prince Abbas has sent you again? Does he still have objections to the treaty?”

The Troll envoy quickly withdrew his prying gaze, replied: “Lord Viscount, it wasn’t Prince Abbas who sent me.”

“Who was it?”

“I am here on the instructions of the newly-appointed Emperor of the Troll Empire, His Highness Okamoto ”

“Wait!” Colin interrupted the envoy hastily, asking with a somewhat incredulous expression, “Did you say the new emperor is who?”

“It is the revered Emperor Okamoto!”

Colin blinked, confirming he hadn’t misheard.

The new Emperor of the Troll Empire was not Abbas, but Okamoto!

Suddenly, he burst into laughter.

Because Colin finally realized that he had been played by Okamoto!

However, he didn’t take it to heart. After all, he had initially intended for Okamoto to inherit the throne, but Okamoto himself had refused.

The guy had a plan all along, he had even used Colin to get rid of Prince Meruvi, and used the treaty negotiations to damage Prince Abbas’s prestige.

Declaring no desire to inherit the throne but secretly planning, he repelled advances only to advance later, having the last laugh.

“Heh heh.” Colin sneered. While Okamoto posed as a pushover on the battlefield, he seemed quite adept in the ring of political struggles.

Interesting.

“What brings you here as the emperor’s envoy?”

“Lord Viscount, His Majesty wishes to meet you again, just like last time, five kilometers outside the Royal City, but without any escorts!”

“Heh, sure, as long as your emperor isn’t worried about me twisting his head off, let’s meet.” Colin agrees casually.

Okamoto’s capabilities have never been a concern for him, and even if something unexpected happened, nobody could stop him from escaping.

This will be a good opportunity to see what exactly the new Troll King wants to tell him in private.

“Yes, Lord Viscount, shall we arrange for it to be at noon tomorrow?”

“That works.”

On the second day, at noon.

The gentle warm sun shines down on this world, covered in silver and ice. The Royal City wall, built from huge chunks of ice, reflects a beautiful glare.

With a roaring sound, the South City Gate opens slowly.

Okamoto walks out alone.

On the side of the Dark Cavalry, Colin heads towards the Royal City alone as well.

Before long, the two men meet midway.

“It’s only been a few days, and you’re ready to negotiate. You’ve certainly surprised me, Emperor Okamoto!”

“Viscount Sir, I admit I was at fault in this matter. But I hope you understand that I was in a difficult position.”

Seeing Okamoto taking such a humble stance, Colin’s alertness did not decrease; instead, it increased significantly.

From the first time they met, Colin knew that Okamoto was a patient man.

Initially, when Okamoto sought peace in Winterfell City, Colin compared him to a scheming adversary from another world. Now, he’s even more certain of his initial judgment.

“Your Majesty is too polite. I would like to express my sincere congratulations on your ascension to the throne and hope that we can maintain a friendly relationship in the future, with less hostility.”

“Thank you for your best wishes, Viscount!” Okamoto nods delightedly, “I’ve always believed that the Troll Empire and the North Territory should be friendly with each other, not confrontational.

Therefore, I’m prepared to accept in full the peace treaty you proposed before, in the hope that this goodwill can mend some past misunderstanding.”

“Great! I believe this treaty will mark a new beginning.”

Colin is pleased with Okamoto’s willingness to come to terms. He takes out a prepared sheepskin scroll, signs it, and hands it to Okamoto.

Okamoto signs it swiftly.

The peace treaty is officially concluded.

Colin accepts the treaty, saying cheerfully, “I will withdraw my troops tomorrow. I hope the next time we meet, it won’t be on the battlefield.”

“I hope so too,” Okamoto says earnestly.

He’s genuinely scared of Colin, and scenes of the terrifying Dark Cavalry charge have become his perpetual nightmare. Several times, he’s awakened in a cold sweat.

Colin shakes hands with Okamoto, laughing, “The first time I saw you, I felt we would become friends!”

“Really?” Okamoto looks ecstatic, “It’s an honor to be friends with Viscount Angler!”

Colin bursts into laughter: “Long live our friendship!”

“Long live our friendship!”

After shaking hands, they embrace, like old friends bidding each other a sorrowful farewell.

But once they turn around, they almost simultaneously reveal glacial gazes.

Clearly, this friendship only lasted a few short seconds.