The First Vampire

Winterfell City was swallowed by darkness, a storm lashing across, enveloping the heavens and the earth within its grasp.

Occasional bolts of lightning that pierced through the heavens left heart-stopping scars against the night sky, followed by deafening thunder.

Lion Roar Castle, located atop the hill, seemed to be in the eye of the storm. The violent torrential rain looked like it could pulverize the grand and magnificent castle into ash at any time.

Scholar Doan donned his raincoat and made his way out of Lion Roar Castle towards the North City Gate.

He had just visited Knight Thomas’ residence, only to be informed by the servants that after the banquet that night, Knight Thomas did not return to his quarters for rest but had gone to guard the North City Gate.

With no other options, Scholar Doan braved the heavy rain, struggling to reach the North City Gate in the dark night.

Due to the curfew and heavy rain, the streets were deserted, even the usually bustling taverns had closed their doors early.

Scholar Doan encountered a few patrols of soldiers along the way. Upon confirming his identity, he faced no obstruction from them.

However, when he arrived in front of Winterfell City’s Church, Scholar Doan halted his steps.

The Church was brightly lit, faint prayers echoed from within, a band of soldiers were guarding the entrance. By the light streaming from the Church, Scholar Doan recognized them.

It was unmistakably Knight Thomas’ personal guards!

With a sinking feeling in his heart, Scholar Doan hesitated for a moment, but still approached and asked, “Is Knight Thomas inside the Church?”

Recognizing Scholar Doan, the leader of the guards nodded and said, “Yes, Scholar Doan, Sir Thomas is inside.”

“Alright.”

Suppressing the unease bubbling inside him, Scholar Doan stepped into the Church.

“…Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me;

This grace that brought my fear relieved, my heart was eased;

Songs of joy and praise, in the presence of the Father, guiding me home…”

The choir was singing hymns, the melodious voices possessed a soothing power as if overlaying the raging storm outside.

The architecture of the main hall of the Church indeed had a unique design, the hymns resonated and fermented within it, evoking a divine ambiance.

Scholar Doan squinted, searching in the crowd, but he was unable to spot Knight Thomas.

“Good evening, Scholar Doan.”

Turning around, he found Archbishop Honor standing behind him, a benign smile on his face, his tranquil gaze fixed on him.

“Good evening, Archbishop Honor.”

“Are you here to pray, Scholar?”

Scholar Doan smiled and nodded, “Yes, I was unable to sleep due to my restlessness. I came here to bask in his divine light, hoping to find a moment of peace.”

Archbishop Honor said softly, “May the Lord’s gaze soothe your restless heart.”

As Archbishop Honor prepared to leave, Scholar Doan quickly asked, “Before I entered, I saw Knight Thomas’ guards at the entrance. Is he here as well?”

Archbishop Honor nodded, “Yes. Knight Thomas is in the confessional repenting. Do you need something from him?”

“Oh, no. Just asking casually.”

“Alright then, if you need anything, please feel free to approach me.”

“Alright.”

Watching the receding figure of Archbishop Honor, Scholar Doan wiped off the smile from his face and took a seat on a wooden bench at the back.

The soothing hymns continued to echo in the hall, but Scholar Doan’s unease seemed to intensify.

Colin tossed and turned in his bed, unable to sleep.

A myriad of thoughts swarmed his mind unstoppably.

He was worried about Vera’s safety outside the city, he missed Queen Isa whom he hadn’t seen in a while, he even thought about the seductive yet holy priestess at the just concluded banquet, and somehow Queen Midela, the mature and voluptuous queen, also wove her way into his thoughts…

Disgusting!

Colin scolded himself, and then began comparing who amongst the beauties had the longest legs…

After an unknown stretch of time, the sound of rain outside the window seemed to lessen considerably.

Unable to sleep, Colin got up and stepped outside.

It was pitch black outside, only a few points of firelight flickered from various sentry posts of the castle.

The biggest ordeal of the storm seemed to have passed, now only a faint drizzle remained.

Walking aimlessly down the dim corridor, Colin began to worry about Scholar Doan and if he might have persuaded Knight Thomas.

Although Marquis Garcia was once the military god of the North Territory, he was now a prisoner of the Eastern Territory. Would Knight Thomas still respect and admire him as before?

Thinking of Marquis Garcia, Colin suddenly realized that the date agreed upon for exchanging prisoners with the Eastern Territory was approaching.

The reason for pushing back the date of the exchange was due to the rebellion in the North Territory that he couldn’t extricate himself from.

He thought a three-month delay was enough to stabilize the situation in the North Territory. But now it seemed he had underestimated the complexity of the situation.

Given the situation, the time for the prisoner exchange would likely be delayed again.

The Duke of the East is probably hoping that Marquis Garcia will return to the North later, after all, the more chaotic it is here, the longer they can gloat over the disaster.

Lost in thought, Colin suddenly smelt a somewhat familiar aroma.

It was a scent reminiscent of roses in the summer after the rain, mixed with the lingering scent of morning dew on forest foliage, crushed gently to emit a subtly refreshing smell.

Turning a corner, Colin saw the source of the fragrance-—

Archbishop Agani.

“Good evening, Archbishop!” Colin bowed slightly, offering a gentleman’s salute.

“Good evening, Viscount Angler!” Agani was still wearing her white priestly robe, her large eyes, which looked like they could talk, staring straight at Colin.

Colin, under her scrutinizing yet captivating gaze, had to deliberately create a conversation, “Aren’t you going back to the church tonight?”

“Delayed by the storm. I’m preparing to go back now.” Agani’s voice was cold. She raised the book she was holding in her hand and added, “I just finished explaining a section of ‘The Divine Book of Glory’ to young Master Joyce as I was idle.”

For some unknown reason, Colin suddenly felt a twinge of jealousy towards that brat.

Agani didn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave either, but stood still and asked, “Viscount, why aren’t you asleep so late?”

Colin casually replied, “The thunder was too loud, I couldn’t sleep.”

Agani chuckled softly, whispering, “You are restless.”

Upon finishing, she made a prayer gesture with her right hand in front of her chest, then stepped forward a few paces, extending her index finger to touch Colin’s forehead lightly.

At this moment, the two were very close, and Colin could already feel Agani’s warm breath lightly hitting his face.

Her crimson lips seemed to carry endless temptation, causing Colin to nearly lose control and bite them.

But, when Agani’s index finger touched Colin’s forehead, a sense of tranquility instantly soothed all his inner restlessness and physical agitation.

In a daze, Agani in front of him seemed to be radiating a holy light, causing Colin to feel an impulse to bow in worship.

Her finger left Colin’s forehead, but Agani didn’t step back.

Their upper bodies were almost touching, breathing in sync, eyes communicating.

At this moment, Colin harbored no evil thoughts, as if that would be blasphemous towards the woman in front of him.

“Feeling better?” Agani asked softly, her concern melting hearts.

“Much better, thank you.” Colin replied with a smile.

Agani gently brushed her hair and suddenly praised, “Viscount Angler, you are the most promising knight I’ve ever met!”

“Is that so?” Colin raised an eyebrow, not sure if the Archbishop’s praise was heartfelt, out of courtesy, or part of some unspeakable conspiracy.

Agani nodded seriously, “I can sense the favor and closeness of the Holy Light towards you. Your faith in the Lord of Glory must be extremely unwavering and devout!”

What the hell?

The non-believer was instantly speechless.

Considering that he had even used the name of the Lord of Glory to trick the Bloodline Clan, Colin couldn’t help but doubt the effectiveness of the Church’s heresy identification methods.

Of course, on the surface, Colin definitely wore an admirably devout expression: “Yes, ever since I was baptized and became a knight, I have sworn to serve the Lord of Glory for life and clear away all evil for him!”

Agani seemed quite satisfied with Colin’s statement, her body leaning slightly forward, bringing her closer to Colin. She then spoke in a seductive tone:

“So, would you like to get a little closer to the glory of the Lord?”

Colin’s heartbeat accelerated once more, and he asked with dry mouth, “Get closer how?”

“The Temple Knight Regiment, I can recommend you to join.”

“Temple Knights…” Colin’s heart plunged, blood rushing back to his brain. As reason reclaimed dominance, he immediately declined, “I appreciate your kindness, but I’m not ready to give everything up to serve the Lord.”

The so-called Temple Knight Regiment is the strongest armed force in the hands of the Church, all members being knights with formidable combat power.

However, to join the Temple Knight Regiment, one must give up everything in the secular world — wealth, nobility, territory, and wholeheartedly fight for the Lord of Glory.

Obviously, Colin wouldn’t be foolish enough to do such a thing.

Although Agani was beautiful, she wasn’t alluring enough to let him lose his sanity.

“That’s a real pity.” Agani’s brow wrinkled, her face filled with concern causing hearts to ache, “However, the Lord has a plan for every believer, and I always feel that your place should be in the Temple Knight Regiment.”

Your place should be in the Temple Knight Regiment!

Your whole family’s place…

Colin silently cursed. Agani’s final comment sounded like a threat no matter how he interpreted it.

“Then let’s patiently wait for the Lord’s arrangement.” Colin smiled and took a step back, creating some distance between them.

Agani blinked her eyes, staring straight at Colin, then suddenly suggested:

“Don’t try to resist your predestined fate, it will only lead you further away from the glory of the Lord.”

After saying this, the enchantingly beautiful Archbishop quietly left.

Only a faint refreshing scent lingered in the air, tugging at Colin’s heartstrings.