The First Vampire

With a blank expression, Pope Gregory watched Fred emerge from the crowd. After a while, he finally asked, “Mr. Fred, what is it that you ask?”

Under the Pope’s scrutinizing gaze from high above, Fred’s throat moved quickly, seeming a bit nervous. But soon, he adjusted his state of mind and said aloud:

“Most esteemed Pope Gregory, I have no intention of challenging your authority. However, my father’s death has been obscure, and I find it unacceptable for him to be hastily buried in this way!”

“Mr. Fred, I can understand your pain and worries. But I have personally examined Governor Lattom’s remains, and I found no sign of any wounds or poisoning.

Therefore, your father died of natural causes!”

“Sir, my father was always in good health. He was still cheerful at dinner last night. How could he suddenly die for no reason? There must be a problem!”

The face of Gregory turned gloomy, and he sternly questioned, “Are you questioning my judgement?”

Fred was startled by the Pope’s fierce gaze, and hastily explained with a stutter, “I …I did not mean that, I just… I just want another autopsy on my father to confirm the cause of his death…”

“So, you think my examination results are problematic?” Gregory’s tone turned even colder.

Sweating heavily, Fred could barely withstand the palpable pressure of the Pope. He opened his mouth, but failed to utter a coherent sentence.

“Sir!” At this point, someone unexpectedly stood up for Fred, “I believe that Mr. Fred’s request is reasonable. Another autopsy should be performed on Governor Lattom.”

Pope Gregory turned his gaze to Emperor Reinhardt, who had spoken, and said, “Your Majesty, I don’t think this is necessary. If there was a problem with how Lattom died, how could I not have detected it?”

“That might not be the case,” Emperor Reinhardt smiled, “The poison I was under, you never did figure out what it was, did you?”

Gregory squinted, staring intently at Emperor Reinhardt.

Emperor Reinhardt also stared back without flinching.

The atmosphere in the prayer hall became tense again.

Watching the two men facing each other in the hall, Colin understood that this was a confrontation between royal power and theocratic power.

But the question was, why was Pope Gregory so insisting on not having another autopsy? Was it simply because he felt his authority had been undermined?

Or was he afraid that something might actually be revealed?

Colin also looked occasionally at Prince Lexie, noticing that the Holy Knight maintained his silence throughout, as if everything happening at that moment had nothing to do with him.

He didn’t seem to worry that this might be a conspiracy against him.

Just as the stalemate between the Pope and the Emperor was at a deadlock, Queen Midela broke the tension with a smile, “Sir, I believe that everyone present is very concerned about Governor Lattom’s cause of death.

We do not distrust you, but some matters must be investigated intensively for accurate results. After all, you did not perform an autopsy, which may lead you to overlook certain key things.”

Pope Gregory coldly argued, “I didn’t want to disrespect Governor Lattom’s remains without good reason.”

But Queen Midela pierced back, “What we are more concerned about are the cause of Governor Lattom’s death, and the dignity and authority of the senators of the Senate! If anyone dare murder a governor blatantly, we must not let him escape the law!”

By this time, Fred had also recovered and quickly added, “Yes, sir. I agree to have an autopsy performed on my father’s remains. Moreover, I believe that if my father’s spirit is watching us, he would undoubtedly agree to do so!

During his lifetime, he valued the duties and authority of the Senate even more than his own life!”

Given how the discussion had progressed, Pope Gregory could not reasonably deny the request anymore.

Also, he noticed that all the nobles present, especially the members of the Senate, nodded in agreement when Fred spoke.

Obviously, the nobles present could not tolerate such brutal disruption of the empire’s political order.

Reluctantly, Pope Gregory agreed to an autopsy on Governor Lattom’s remains.

Before long, a coroner was summoned into the prayer hall. Under the intense gaze of so many imperial high officials, he seemed a little nervous.

However, he quickly composed himself, took out his tools, and in full view, cut open the chest of Governor Lattom.

Whoosh!

Dark red clotted blood gushed out, startling the coroner.

This also made the faces of everyone present turn into expressions of shock.

“The deceased’s chest cavity is filled with blood…the cause of death… Cardiac rupture!” said the coroner tentatively.

“Wait! Why did my father’s heart rupture?” Fred urgently asked aloud.

The coroner was now sweating profusely, he seemed not daring to answer this question.

Pope Gregory suppressed his shock, walked forward a few steps, but when he saw the exposed, damaged heart, his face could no longer hide his disbelief.

Colin craned his neck but could not see the condition inside the coffin. However, he knew that the real drama had finally begun.

As people were wondering what exactly the coroner had discovered, Queen Midela also stepped forward a few steps to look at the body in the coffin. Her expression also turned to one of shock soon afterwards.