The First Vampire

The clamor from the opposite shore had long since woken Ron up, but he had no idea what was happening over there. Nor did he dare to make any move, fearing he might attract unwanted attention.

Thump, thump, thump.

Amid the footsteps, Jason Lute rushed in breathlessly, his face unabashedly gleaming with joy, as he cried out:

“Father! The Pegasus Navy is fighting amongst themselves!”

Ron stared wide-eyed, asking urgently, “What do you mean they’re fighting each other?”

“Anyway, their warships are fighting each other, many of them have turned into ashes under that terrifying green fire!

Moreover, according to the people I sent across to scout, the Alfalfa Brotherhood is also seizing the opportunity to plunder. It’s a total mess over there!”

Looking at his son, who took delight in their misfortune, Ron calmed down, asking in perplexity, “How can this be? Why is the Pegasus Navy undergoing a civil dispute? Why is the Alfalfa Brotherhood betraying the East Territory?”

Jason scratched his head, hesitating, “Could it be a strategy of Earl Angler?”

Ron’s brows furrowed even tighter, “Then why didn’t we receive any news about it?”

Jason fell silent.

It was an awkward topic.

If it really were a plot set up by Earl Angler, then the close-by and ruling Lute Clan of Alfalfa City not hearing any news about it was indeed embarrassing.

The room remained silent for a while until Jason couldn’t help but break the silence, suggesting, “Father, why don’t we also send people across the shore! Perhaps we can reap some potential rewards…”

Ron rolled his eyes at him, interrupting irritably, “Who should go? You?”

Jason retracted, suddenly falling silent.

Ron angrily glared at his son, but didn’t continue to give him a hard time.

He understood well that given the current strength of the Lute Clan, if they really sent their son with men across the shore, it would simply be sending him to his death.

But if they did nothing, letting this wonderful opportunity that could potentially facilitate the rise of the Lute Clan slyly slip away, he was deeply reluctant.

Looking at the fire-lit opposite shore, Ron hesitated for a long time until he finally made up his mind, turning to ask, “How many warships can we call upon now?”

“Five, I guess.” Jason, thinking about the fleet of the Pegasus Navy, said guiltily, “And all of them are small boats under one hundred tons.”

Ron restlessly paced around the hall a few times, finally gritted his teeth, saying, “It doesn’t matter! Right now, the Pegasus Navy is self-involved, they probably won’t be on guard against us.”

Jason hesitated, “Father, but with just the private army currently owned by our clan, even if they cross the Angry River, it’s impossible for them to stabilize their footing on the other side…”

“No! We are certainly not aiming to occupy the opposite shore.”

“Then, what’s our target?”

“Count Evan!” Ron said solemnly, “I know that Count Evan is over there, as long as we take advantage of the chaos and capture him, the hope of the Lute Clan rising again would exist!”

Jason’s eyes lit up as well, feeling that this proposal was quite feasible. But just as he was about to agree, he suddenly felt a quake-like tremor.

At first, he didn’t pay attention to it, thinking it was just another explosion from the opposite shore. However, this vibration was not explosive, it was constant—growing stronger like a rush of wild beasts charging into Alfalfa City.

“Fa…Father…” Jason was obviously frightened.

Ron, however, showed no panic. He felt somewhat relieved, but also regretful, saying: “It’s the cavalry. It should be the Blood Knight Army entering the city.”

“Blood Knight Army? Earl Angler?” Jason reacted.

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the butler rushing into the room to report: “Master, the Blood Knight Army has entered the city!”

“Quickly! Line up to greet them!”

Ron said this as he rushed outside.

Jason quickly followed.

When they both had come out of the City Lord’s Mansion, they saw a long line of fire appearing at the end of the street.

Soon, a team of torch-holding cavalrymen approached in front of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Ron straightened his collar and prepared to go forward to interrogate them, only to find out that they didn’t intend to slow down at all. Instead, they rushed past the City Lord’s Mansion like flying arrows.

The wind blew Ron’s meticulously groomed hair into disarray.

Just when he felt embarrassed, a military officer from the Blood Knight Army finally stopped in front of the City Lord’s Mansion, asking, “So you’re the City Lord Ron?”

“Yes, General!” Ron quickly responded, “May I ask where the Earl is?”

The officer didn’t answer Ron’s question, instead he said aloofly, “The Blood Knight Army will cross the river at Alfalfa City, I just came here to inform you.”

Seeing that the other party was unwilling to divulge Earl Angler’s whereabouts made Ron angry, but he dared not reveal his anger and could only continuously nod, saying “Good, it’s good! May I know how I can help?”

The officer glanced at Ron without expression, saying, “Try to gather as many boats as possible.”

“Alright!”

————————

Above the Angry River.

Count Howell stared at the dimming flames not far away, his expression solemn and contained a sense of heaviness.

Majority of the St. Prowse Family’s heavy battleships were completely reduced to ashes by that terrifying [Wildfire], and most of the remaining light battleships also met with a watery grave. The remaining few battleships, though still hovering around like flies, were unable to change the course of the battle any longer.

In this battle, the Howell Family had achieved a decisive victory!

From today, the Angry River would be under control of the Howell Family.

However, even so, there wasn’t much joy of victory in Count Howell’s heart.

The sound of footsteps from behind interrupted Count Howell’s contemplation. He thought it was Marquis Vincent, so he quickly turned around intending to greet him. But on seeing the face of the newcomer, he suddenly froze.

“Ang… Earl Angler?”

“Count Howell, your fleet definitely opened my eyes!”

Seeing Colin with a beaming smile, Howell finally came back to his senses. He quickly bowed and said, “Your lordship overpraises!”

Although he was a bit unsure of how Colin got on the ship, he didn’t ask.

He secretly speculated that this young Northern Earl had probably been on the ship since last night, hiding in the shadows and watching his every move.

If there were any hesitation or weakness from him, the other party might have joined hands with Marquis Vincent to bypass him and personally command the Howell Family’s fleet.

Colin, looking at a conflicted Count Howell, assumed that the latter was worried about the family members staying back at White Dew City, and so he reassured him:

“Don’t worry. As long as your fleet sails the Blood Knight Army across the Angry River, I guarantee that your family won’t suffer any harm!”

Count Howell instantly thought back to Marquis Vincent’s words about the Northern Territory’s conditions – I will exchange a Duke title for the Eastern Territory.

For a moment, this old earl’s feelings were incredibly complicated.

But he also understood that he couldn’t turn back now.

“Yes, my Lord! The Howell family’s fleet is more than happy to serve you!”