The First Vampire

Although Count Brugen predicted before the war that the Blood Knight Army of Riverside City would choose to break through to the west, he still ordered out of caution that the city gates be closed, travel be restricted, and the city defenses be on high alert.

However, this move greatly troubled the caravans passing through.

The Mount Althus range separates the east into two, but it is not just through Huorong City that you can travel from north to south.

The problem is, the other roads are arduous mountainous paths, only the valley at Huorong City allows for smooth passage of large motorcades.

Now that entry and exit to Huorong City are prohibited, these merchants are helplessly stuck.

“Lord Sanders, if you just open the city gate for ten minutes to let the caravan of our trade association pass through Huorong City, this bag of gold coins will be yours,” said the merchant.

Knight Sanders glanced at the heavy bag in the merchant’s hand but did not reach for it. Instead, he said expressionlessly:

“Mr. Mori, out of respect for our many years of acquaintance, I will not expose your bribery to Count Brugen. However, do not expect me to violate the Count’s orders and open the city gate for you.”

Mori immediately feeling anxious, continued to persuade: “Lord Sanders, we only need ten minutes, and the timing of opening the city gate can be determined by you, as long as you think it’s safe, even in the middle of the night.”

Knight Sanders let out a cold laugh and said, “Mr. Mori, do you know how Riverside City fell?”

At those words, Mori said somewhat begrudgingly, “I did hear some news. But Lord Sanders, I am a true Easterner! Not one of those damn Half-Elves!

And we have known each other for so many years, surely you wouldn’t suspect that I am a spy for the Northerners?”

Knight Sanders simply shook his head firmly: “Sorry, even at the slightest risk, I cannot open the city gate.”

Sweating profusely, Mori was still reluctant to give up, “Lord, actually, your worries are unnecessary, the Northerners would not choose to come south unless they’re stupid. Huorong City is impregnable, and it blocks the only path through the mountains. For they would find only a road to death if they came this way …”

Knight Sanders suddenly lifted his hand, halting Mori’s incessant persuasion.

Just as Mori was feeling confused, a small black dot appeared in the distance outside the city and was quickly approaching Huorong city.

The black dot moved swiftly, and soon it could be seen as a cavalry squad of about ten men.

However, seeing the high-mountain fireproof flag and familiar armor, Mori breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Lord, maybe there is some good news from the front.”

Knight Sanders looked slightly relieved, but still did not give the order to open the city gate.

It was not until the cavalry squad arrived under the city wall, and the leader took off his helmet, revealing a familiar face, that Knight Sanders gave the soldiers an order:

“Open the city gate.”

The soldiers went to execute the order.

Mori, standing nearby, quickly smiled and wheedled, “Lord Sanders, since you’ve already opened the north city gate, can you let our caravan through?”

Knight Sanders hesitated for a moment and said, “Wait for me to ask about the situation at the front first.”

“Good! Good!” Mori nodded repeatedly, and at the same time, he shoved the bag of gold coins into Knight Sanders’s hand.

Sanders frowned, but he didn’t return the bag.

Seeing this, Mori was immediately overjoyed.

The city gate of Huorong City is a drawbridge. As the soldiers strenuously turned the winch, steel cables as thick as a baby’s arm slowly stretched out, and the drawbridge finally landed heavily on the moat.

The cavalry squad outside the city promptly crossed the drawbridge and entered the city.

“Knight Chit, how is the situation at the front?” Knight Sanders walked down from the city wall and asked with a smile.

“Good.” Knight Chit simply responded lightly, and then proceeded to climb up to the city tower.

Knight Sanders was taken aback, although he found the other’s tone and attitude somewhat strange, he didn’t stop him and just followed him, meanwhile asking quietly:

“What do you mean by ‘good’? Have we successfully besieged the Blood Knights in Riverside City?”

However, Knight Chit did not answer and continued walking forward with his head down.

Knight Sanders scratched his head, thinking this was military secrecy, and then asked, “So, do you have any tasks this time you’ve returned?”

Knight Chit nodded, indicating that he indeed had tasks on his hand, but did not mention what those tasks were.

Knight Sanders was somewhat annoyed, he thought his relationship with Knight Chit was good, but now the latter was being indifferent to him. Unable to bear it, he stepped forward to stop Chit, saying:

“What’s the matter with you? What are you planning to do by going to the city tower without saying a word?”

At this point, Knight Sanders finally met Knight Chit’s gaze.

But what a look it was!

Indifferent, icy, like a never-melting piece of ice at the peak of Mount Althus.

Only then did Knight Sanders realize something was wrong, but Knight Chit suddenly lunged forward, knocking him aside.

Knight Sanders stumbled backward several steps and steadied himself. When he looked back and saw Knight Chit’s target, he was horrified and yelled out:

“Quick! Stop him! He’s going to destroy the winch!”

But the soldiers on the city tower clearly hadn’t reacted yet and were still just staring blankly at Knight Chit, who was bathed in a strong holy light, brandishing his warhammer, and charging at them.

Boom!

The next second, Knight Chit’s warhammer smashes heavily on the winch that controlled the drawbridge. Instantly, countless shards of wood and iron flew in all directions.

“What are you trying to do!” Knight Sanders immediately drew his long sword, yelling in shock and rage.

But Knight Chit just stood where he was, still, letting Knight Sanders place his long sword against his throat.

“Chit! If you don’t give me a reasonable explanation, wait for the Count to return…”

At this moment, Knight Sanders caught sight of a long black line appearing on the horizon outside the city.

Thump, thump, thump…

The oncoming tremors began shaking the ground, and Knight Sanders’ body shook along with it.

Only then did he come to his senses. He furiously yelled at Knight Chit standing before him:

“You traitor!”

Down at the city tower, Merchant Mori was instructing his servant to send correspondence immediately to let the caravan come to Huorong City right away.

But then, he felt the trembling of the earth.

“The Blood Knight Army! The Blood Knight Army is coming!”

Hearing the shouting next to his ear and seeing the black tide rolling in outside the city, Mori was scared out of his wits and immediately shouted:

“Close the gate, close the city gate quickly!”

However, the city gate didn’t move at all.

Just as Mori was about to run up the tower to see what had happened, he saw a group of panicked soldiers running down from the city tower.

Mori grabbed one of them and demanded in a hoarse voice, “Why isn’t the city gate closed yet!”

The man stammered back, “We can’t… can’t close it… Knight Chit betrayed… and destroyed the winch…”

Upon hearing this, Mori’s knees gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.

The servants had long since run off, and although Mori tried a few times to struggle to his feet, he couldn’t, his legs were too weak.

The thundering sound of hoofbeats was growing closer and closer. Mori knew he couldn’t run, so he quickly rolled to the side of the road, covered his head with his hands, and played dead.

Soon, the thunderous hoofbeats arrived, and the dust they stirred up almost buried Mori.

Then came the sound of killing and screaming.

Mori hardly dared to lift his head now, he could only keep praying to the Lord of Glory, hoping the Blood Knight Army would not notice him, a little man.