The First Vampire

Hundreds of tents, stables, and horse-drawn carriages transformed a vast grassland into an enormous camp. The camp was filled not only with half-elf nobles and their attendants but also with tens of thousands of commoners who had come to watch the Hunting Party.

Well-dressed nobles, shiny armored soldiers, magnificent horses decked in gold and silver, excited commoners, children running amok, odd-dressed bards, performing jugglers, boorish mercenaries, loudly hawking vendors, and countless fluttering flags composed a lively and captivating picture.

The annual Hunting Festival was a unique large-scale event of the half-elf clan and a rare entertainment celebration.

Of course, high-ranking knights like Colin would not participate in the hunt. After all, even the fiercest beast in front of him was not qualified game.

The main participants in the Hunt were still low-ranking professionals and apprentices.

After the Hunting Party, there was a Martial Arts Competition.

Actually, the hunting was just an appetizer, the Martial Arts Competition was the main event.

At the Martial Arts Competition, there would be truly high-ranking professionals participating. They would exhibit their courage and strength in front of the Queen, earning their own honor.

The winner of the Martial Arts Competition every year would receive rewards presented by the half-elf queen herself – treasures such as swords, armor, steeds, and even nobility.

Before this year’s Martial Arts Competition, rumors had spread that the rewards would be unprecedentedly extravagant, with a large number of nobility being awarded.

The half-elves had no doubt about this, because in the previous rebellion, the half-elf nobility circle had experienced a major purge, leaving a large number of noble titles and official positions vacant that needed to be filled.

So, it is very possible that Queen Isa will use this Martial Arts Competition to select new blood and cultivate new nobility loyal to her.

With such expectations, this year’s Hunting Party became unprecedentedly grand.

Almost all half-elf nobles, even families that had been stripped of their nobility like the Lute clan of Alfalfa City, had sent their knights to Silver Moon City, hoping that they could stand out, receive the queen’s recognition, and restore their family’s glory.

When Colin and Queen Isa arrived at the observation platform, the surrounding area was already packed. The ceremonial official loudly chanted the titles of Queen Isa and Count Angler in a distinct tone, marking their arrival.

Queen Isa boldly took Colin’s arm, with half-elf maid Kathy following behind, carrying Sylv and took their place on the main seat of the observation stand.

Half-elf nobles along the way stood up and greeted Queen Isa and Count Angler, both Isa and Colin responded with a smile of impeccable elegance and grace.

Even in such a public occasion, Queen Isa actually behaved like a gentle and beautiful wife, accompanying her husband at his side.

Perhaps she felt that since her relationship with Colin was already well-known, there was no need to deliberately conceal it. Besides, no one in the current Half-Elf Kingdom dared to challenge Isa’s authority.

Moreover, with Sylv’s purity of the Phoenix bloodline, even if she was an illegitimate daughter, no one would say that she is not eligible to be the heir to the Half-Elf Kingdom.

Woo –

In the sound of a long horn, the hunting party gradually appeared at the edge of a not-too-distant forest, galloping towards the observation stand.

“Teacher! Teacher! My brother really hunted a brown bear!”

Even before reaching the platform, Colin heard Princess Judy shouting. Her voice echoed even louder than the thunderous hoofbeats.

“Is that so!” Colin rose from his seat, smiling and walked towards the returning hunting party.

Prince Harrison took the lead, naturally being at the forefront of the group. When he was about to reach the platform, he expertly pulled the reins, slowing his horse down before gracefully hopping off. He advanced a few steps due to the inertia before stopping right in front of the platform, bowing and saying:

“Yes, teacher! Please allow me to dedicate this honor to you!”

Theoretically, today’s game should all be dedicated to Queen Isa, but after all, Prince Harrison was not a vassal of the half-elf queen due to his special status, and no one dared to say that he was impolite.

Colin glanced at the gigantic brown bear body being hauled over by a flatbed cart and found himself genuinely surprised.

Thinking back on his predecessor at Harrison’s age, it seemed that he did not have the strength to hunt a mature brown bear on his own. It seems that his student indeed has excellent talent.

“Very good!” Colin said with a nod and a smile in praise.

Prince Harrison raised his head, and his face was filled with a satisfied smile.

Princess Judy also rode her miniature horse to the stage at this time, yelling, “Teacher, what about our reward?”

Colin raised an eyebrow and asked, “What reward do you want?”

Before Prince Harrison could speak, Princess Judy cried out, “I want Bella!”

She held up the reins in her hand to indicate that “Bella” was the little horse she had just ridden.

The little horse impatiently scraped at the ground with its hooves, showing that it had not yet fully succumbed to Princess Judy.

The pony was the property of the Half-Elf royal family, but it was just a pony, Colin didn’t even need to ask Queen Isa, he just nodded and said,

“Of course, it’s an honor for her. However, you have to make sure your servants take good care of her, Bella seems to have a bit of a temper.”

“I’ll take care of Bella personally!” Princess Judy hugged the neck of the little horse, her little white hand affectionately scratching the horse’s neck. Apparently tickling it, the little horse actually made a comfortable cooing sound.

Princess Judy immediately burst into giggles.

Seeing her charming appearance, Colin also laughed and then turned to Prince Harrison and asked, “Harrison, what reward do you want?”

Prince Harrison hesitated for a moment, his eyes sneaking a peek at the viewing platform, then quickly returned and said, “Teacher, your approval is the best reward for me.”

Colin knew without looking back that Prince Harrison was definitely stealing glances at his Half-Elf maid Kathy.

Fortunately, he had some measure and did not dare ask Colin for Kathy on this occasion.

After that, Colin returned to his seat, allowing the rest of the Half-Elf nobles to present their game to Queen Isa.

After the presentation was completed, the long trumpet sounded again echoing through the viewing platform.

Two Knights riding tall war horses slowly strolled into the arena, and the much-anticipated Martial Arts Competition officially began.

Meanwhile, an attendant came to Colin and reported,

“Your Majesty, The Lord, the Eastern Envoy asks for an audience outside.”

Colin smiled lightly and said, “Perfect timing. Invite him to enjoy the Martial Arts competition together.”

“Yes!”

Soon, Viscount Fein arrived at the viewing platform led by the attendant.

“The Lord, Your Majesty!”

Viscount Fein greeted the masters with great respect.

Colin withdrew his gaze from the dueling field, smiled and said, “Viscount Fein, you have had a hard journey, why not watch the Martial Arts Competition first.”

“Okay.” Viscount Fein nodded in agreement, but he didn’t sit down. Instead, he continued, “Your Majesty, we in the Eastern Region have prepared a grand gift for the winner of the Martial Arts Competition.”

Queen Isa was slightly shocked, then she squinted and looked at this young Eastern Viscount, and said lightly,

“Viscount Fein, we appreciate your kindness but the Half-Elf citizens don’t need any rewards from the Eastern Region.”

Generally, when the host has clearly refused, the guest should know to back off.

But Viscount Fein clapped his hands and let the attendant bring up a Knight Sword, saying,

“Your Majesty, don’t worry, it’s just a small token of goodwill from the Eastern Region.”

Colin didn’t pay attention at first, but when his eyes landed on that Knight Sword, he instantly clenched his fist.

Because, he had recognized that Knight Sword–

It was the sword of Marquis Garcia!