The First Vampire

This place is the closest to the Lord of Glory in the secular world, but at the same time, it is also the furthest from mortals.

Only the real high-ranking individuals of the Glorious Empire had the privilege to come here and devoutly pray to the Lord of Glory.

“Before the Lord of Glory, all beings are equal.”

This sentence seems to be just an empty slogan, of course, some people might be more “equal” than others.

Today, however, the Holy Light Cathedral was busier than usual. The numerous nobles who came to mourn for Governor Lattom left the attendants in front of the church overwhelmed.

Even the three cardinals personally stood in front of the steps to welcome the distinguished guests.

Cardinal Turennes, watching the nobles stepping up the stage one after another, suddenly lit up his eyes. He stepped forward and greeted, “Welcome to the Holy Light Cathedral, Miss Vera, Viscount Angler. May the Lord’s glory ever shine upon you.”

Vera and Colin returned the courtesy promptly, but felt a little strange. Why would the Cardinal be so enthusiastic?

Given their current status, they didn’t warrant a personal welcome from the Cardinal. After all, Vera had not yet officially succeeded to the position of Northern Duke.

Neither Colin nor Vera had ever dealt with this man before.

Amid their confusion, they heard Turennes ask, “Miss Vera, I heard that you are preparing for baptism?”

“Yes, Your Eminence.” Vera nodded, seeming to understand the Cardinal’s intentions a little more.

As expected, Turennes then offered himself, “I wonder if I could have the honor of baptizing you?”

Vera looked at Colin and saw him nod slightly, then she replied with a smile, “Of course! It’s an honor to have you perform the baptism ceremony!”

The Cardinal’s status in the Glorious Church is second only to the Pope. Having Turennes baptize Vera couldn’t be more appropriate.

But at this moment, a majestic voice suddenly sounded behind the three, “Turennes, I will preside over Miss Vera’s baptism ceremony myself.”

The three turned their heads only to see Pope Gregory appearing out of nowhere.

Turennes’s face changed, and he hurriedly said, “Of course, you presiding over the baptism ceremony would undoubtedly be more suitable!”

Colin squinted his eyes, watching the scene unfold in front of him, and felt all sorts of doubts rising in his mind.

He couldn’t understand. Was there some kind of mystery to performing the baptism for Vera?

Or was the fact that a former mage converting to the church had such a great propaganda value that even the Pope couldn’t resist grabbing this merit for himself?

Of course, Vera would not refuse the Pope’s kindness and immediately agreed.

After discussing the time of the baptism ceremony, Colin led Vera into the church.

Upon entering the prayer hall, Colin felt a sudden tranquility as if the noisy world was completely isolated, and this place was a separate kingdom belonging to the deity.

There were no candles or magic lamps in the hall. The Holy Light descending from the sky dispelled all darkness. Those who bathed in it felt an immense and sacred breath. They couldn’t help but hide all the filthy and dark thoughts in their hearts, for fear of committing any blasphemy against the deity.

There were already quite a few nobles gathered in the hall to mourn at this time. Colin scanned the crowd but found out that he didn’t know most of them.

If only Scholar Doan were here.

Colin couldn’t help thinking.

Unfortunately, Scholar Doan, who had no nobility and wasn’t a court minister, wasn’t qualified to enter the Holy Light Cathedral.

Thankfully, Vera knew many of them and was quietly introducing the big names of the Imperial Capital to Colin.

The gentle and fragrant breath hit Colin’s ear, causing him to feel a little itchy, yet warm.

“The elderly man standing by the coffin is Pope Gregory. On his right are the four governors of the Senate – we have met two of them already. The one with the long beard is Governor Durace St. Rands from the South Border, and the tall and thin one at the end is Governor Emoson St. Prowse from the East Territory.”

Colin wore a slight smile as he looked at the four governors of the Senate. He noticed their faces seemed very solemn – perhaps Governor Lattom’s death had caused a feeling of shared sorrow.

Throughout the Glorious Empire, the Senate had always remained at the top of the political landscape with their detached attitudes – no one could touch them, even if they were all corrupt to their core.

But now, it seems someone has taken aim at the Senate, and right from the get-go, the measures employed are ruthless and bloody.

The once pampered elders were in overnight shock and could not help but get into a state of self-preservation.

“… That, the one pretending to be asleep, is the Baron Heidegger, the Prime Minister of the Empire. To his left is the Marquis Grandi, the Finance Minister of the Empire, and further left is…”

Seeing Vera stop abruptly, Colin curiously turned his head, intending to ask what happened when he saw her looking at the entrance of the prayer hall.

Colin turned his head to look also and saw a charming and elegant middle-aged knight appear at the entrance.

Clothed in a magnificent prince’s ceremonial dress, with an ancient black knight sword hanging at his waist, he strides with head held high, without a sidelong glance, and walks in.

Wherever he went, it seemed like the center of the world, as if it was not him who was walking towards the hall, but the towering Holy Light Cathedral that was actively approaching him, welcoming him to the center of the prayer hall.

It wasn’t until he stood in front of the coffin that everyone managed to extricate themselves from this time and space illusion, collectively letting out relief.

“… He is Prince Lexie.” Vera’s voice echoed again.

Actually, even without her introduction, Colin knew that such a person could only be the Holy Knight at the apex of the Empire’s military power.

Although it wasn’t his first time facing a holy field power, the last time he encountered Duke St. Hilde in Ice Rock City, the Duke was severely injured and didn’t exert such a strong oppressive force on Colin.

But now, faced with a Holy Knight in his prime, Colin realised how insignificant he was.

Even though he is now a fifth-rank knight, and after metamorphosis, he dares to challenge even a sixth-rank knight.

But in front of Prince Lexie, Colin felt that if the Prince wanted to kill him, he probably couldn’t even take a single hit.

This was already a disparity in life essence, just as if it was the difference between a deity and a mortal!

“His Majesty is here.”

Vera’s voice echoed again and Colin turned back to see a middle-aged man being pushed in a wheelchair.

He was dressed in a magnificent ceremonial dress, but his face was pale and his lips had no blood, making him look really like he had just recovered from a serious illness.

Colin was somewhat confused. Could it be that this Emperor Reinhardt wasn’t pretending to be sick but was really ill?

Or is he really that dedicated that even if he is pretending, he has to make it indistinguishable from the real thing?

The one pushing Emperor Reinhardt was Queen Midela. Behind her, trailing to her left and right were two little figures, — Prince Harrison and Princess Judy.

With this, all the important figures of the Glorious Empire had arrived.

Colin couldn’t help but wildly speculate, if at this time, the Mage Council is ruthless enough to launch a super forbidden spell at the Holy Light Cathedral. If they could finish off everyone present in one fell swoop, perhaps the Glorious Empire will disintegrate on the spot…

Dong, Dong, Dong!

The melodious sound of the bell echoed. Everyone in the prayer hall gathered their thoughts and showed their most solemn and sorrowful expressions.

Pope Gregory’s old but booming voice began to emanate throughout the hall:

“Merciful Lord of Glory, today we gather here to offer prayers for Governor Lattom St. Lorenzo, he has completed his journey in this world, and finally returned to the embrace of the Lord.

From the dust to the dust.

May you grant him rest with your supreme power…”

“Wait!”

Unexpectedly yet within expectation, the Pope’s prayer was rudely interrupted by an impertinent voice.

Colin followed the voice and saw a solemn middle-aged man slowly walked out from the crowd to the center of the prayer hall, standing face to face with Pope Gregory.

“He is the son of Governor Lattom – Fred Lorenzo.” Vera’s voice rang in Colin’s ear again.

Colin watched the scene before him with interest, looking forward to the ensuing show.

He knew the real drama was about to commence.