The First Vampire

“What? Winterfell City has released the prisoners?”

Upon hearing the news of the return of the prisoners, the first emotion that filled Marquis Dawson was not joy, but shock.

After all, his son, Earl Falcon, was still on a mission in the city. How could the Golden Lion Legion abruptly release the prisoners?

Moreover, even if terms were negotiated, Earl Falcon and Earl Anka couldn’t possibly have signed an agreement with the St. Hilde family on their own.

Therefore, this must be a conspiracy!

“Yes, Lord Marquis. However… the returning prisoners appear to have had a conflict with the Menam family.”

Hearing the report from his guards, Marquis Dawson felt a growing unease in his heart.

After a moment of contemplation, he quickly went for the Menam family’s camp.

Upon entering the territory of the Menam family, Marquis Dawson was immediately surrounded by a company of guards.

“Take me to Marquis Menam!”

“Of course, Lord Marquis Menam was expecting you.”

Looking at the heavily armed, stern-faced soldiers, a hint of anger flashed through Marquis Dawson’s mind.

What does Marquis Menam mean by this?

Was he planning to have someone arrested and brought to him if he hadn’t come of his own accord?

Suppressing his inner rage, Marquis Dawson made his way to the center of the Menam family’s camp.

“Marquis Menam, what is the meaning of this?” As soon as he saw him, Marquis Dawson questioned him without any courtesies.

“I was going to ask you that, Marquis Dawson. Why has Winterfell City suddenly released the prisoners from your family?”

“I have no idea, but I suspect that it could be a plot by the St. Hilde family!”

“A plot? What kind of plot?” Marquis Menam remained unmoved as he looked doubtfully at Marquis Dawson.

“Creating discord!” Marquis Dawson said solemnly, “From the beginning, the St. Hilde family has been trying to sow discord amongst us.

Have you forgotten the negotiation agreement they brought before you, demanding that you hand me over?

They knew we couldn’t trust each other, so they repeatedly exploited this, trying to divide us.

This release of the prisoners could easily be another part of their plot!

Therefore, now is the time when we need to trust each other and be sincere.

If I really wanted to betray you, I would not come to explain at a time like this.”

Upon hearing this, a wave of relief seemed to wash over Marquis Menam’s face. He appeared somewhat convinced by Marquis Dawson’s words.

After a moment of silence, he asked: “What do you think we should do now?”

Marquis Dawson heaved a slight sigh of relief. Marquis Menam’s attitude indicated there still might be a chance to rectify the situation. Thus, he suggested earnestly:

“I believe we should first soothe the returning prisoners. We must not allow these warriors, who have shed blood for the dwarf clan to lose heart.

Then, on one hand, we can carefully question the military officers among the prisoners, to understand why the Golden Lions Legion has sent them back.

On the other hand, we should promptly get in touch with Anka and Falcon, who are in the city…”

Just as Marquis Dawson was earnestly cooperating with Marquis Menam, trying to mitigate the detrimental effects caused by the abrupt release of the prisoners, the situation was escalating unpredictably.

The news of the prisoner release quickly spread in Dawson’s camp, Unlike the Menam family’s attitude of resistance and doubt, the Dawson family was definitely very welcoming to the return of these prisoners.

After all, those prisoners were their comrades-in-arms and even their kinsfolk.

But as the news of the conflict between the prisoners and the Menam family’s army reached them, the officers of the Dawson family were immediately filled with confusion and anger.

They all came to Marquis Dawson’s command tent, intending to find out what exactly had happened and why the Menam family was attacking their prisoners?

But at this point, Marquis Dawson had already gone to meet Marquis Menam and wasn’t at the camp.

Without their leader, the officers of the Dawson family were instantly thrown into disarray. Some argued to go rescue the prisoners, some insisted on understanding the situation firsthand, while others suggested waiting for Marquis Dawson’s return to discuss it further…

In any case, the Dawson family’s camp had plunged into complete chaos.

And at this very moment, Wells was pushed forward by the quarrelling officers.

As the second son of Marquis Dawson, he didn’t have much prestige in the army. However, under the current circumstances, the whereabouts of Marquis Dawson were unknown, and Count Falco, the eldest son of the Marquis, was yet to return from his mission to Winterfell City. So, unexpectedly, Wells was the most eligible person to lead the Dawson Family Army at this moment.

Everyone knew Wells was unreliable, but a mediocre leader is always better than no leader at all.

If they continue to squabble like this, those newly released prisoners would probably be killed.

Wells was also very flustered at this time.

However, facing the burning gazes of the officers, he couldn’t back down. He had to make a decision.

The enormous pressure overwhelmed him, causing him to tremble involuntarily, sweat profusely, and his mouth felt dry.

He forced himself to calm down, but when it came to expressing his thoughts, he couldn’t dare to take responsibility and only managed to say timidly, “I think… we should first find my father…”

“Lord Marquis Dawson went to the Menam family, we have already sent people to search for him, but there has been no response so far!” an officer shouted loudly.

Wells became more flustered, but soon, a thought flashed in his mind like lightning, prompting him to blurt out:

“Oh no! Perhaps Marquis Menam intends to detain my father and hand him to the St. Hilde family in exchange for their forgiveness!”

“What?!”

This statement immediately caused an uproar among the officers of the Dawson family as it was the first time they were hearing such news.

Soon, the scene became even more chaotic, but more people started to demand that the army be dispatched to bring back Marquis Dawson, and also the released prisoners.

At this point, Wells felt as if he had a clear understanding of the situation. He was sure that his father’s long absence was probably because he was being held back.

At this moment, the honor of the Dawson family made him overcome his usual cowardly character, and he took the initiative to step forward, loudly urging everyone to go and rescue Marquis Dawson.

In the midst of chaos and anxiety, the Dawson family finally had a unified voice. Although this voice may not guide them towards a bright future, at this moment, the confused people needed a direction, which was better than wandering aimlessly in the darkness.

Thus, the loud sound of the military horn resounded in the Dawson family camp.

It was a signal for attack.

Hearing this sound, Marquis Dawson froze on the spot in surprise, totally dumbfounded.

He had almost managed to convince Marquis Menam to accept the prisoners first and stabilize the situation. But now, with this horn sound, the entire Dwarf Camp was up in arms.

The gaze of Marquis Menam instantly became as sharp as a poisonous snake’s.

“Fran Dawson! What are you up to!”

“It’s a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!”

Marquis Dawson, soaked in sweat, explained: “Marquis Menam, those fools must have thought something had happened to me since I had not returned for so long, and acted impulsively.

But I hope you understand that I have absolutely no intention of confronting you. Our two families cannot afford to be in conflict, it would only benefit the St. Hilde family!

Please let me go. I will definitely pacify those troublemakers!”

“Let you go?” Marquis Menam sneered, “You have been playing tricks on me time and again, do you really think I’m a fool?”

Marquis Dawson was so anxious that he was sweating profusely, and a hint of entreaty had crept into his voice: “Marquis Menam, keeping me here will only escalate the misunderstanding and the conflict!”

“Misunderstanding?” Marquis Menam’s gaze turned icy, “When you lied to me last night, any trust between us was already lost!

And now the Dawson family’s prisoners have been inexplicably released by Winterfell City, and these prisoners have begun to charge at my military formation without a word. Do you really think you can continue deceiving me?”

Marquis Dawson was taken aback and asked in confusion, “When did I lie to you last night?”

However, Marquis Menam had already lost his patience with Marquis Dawson. He gave a cold laugh and said to those around him:

“Take good care of Lord Marquis Dawson. Without my orders, no one is allowed to see him!”

“Yes!” The guards immediately surrounded Marquis Dawson.

“Marquis Menam, Marquis Menam! Listen to me! This is a conspiracy by the St. Hilde Family, don’t fall into their trap!”

Marquis Dawson continued to call out, but Marquis Menam had already left without looking back.