The First Vampire

However, Colin saw many bird nests under the eaves and corners of the houses along the way. He could imagine that when spring came, the sky of this city would certainly be bustling.

“Knight Beatrice, do you know where these skylarks migrate to in winter?”

Beatrice was taken aback, obviously did not expect Colin to ask such a question.

After all, they were walking on the streets of Lark City, and on both sides were Easterners glaring at them with anger.

At present, Colin’s reputation in the East was not good, almost synonymous with the devil.

If not for the guards of the Fein family on both sides of the road, it is estimated that many restless Easterners would have pounced on and torn Colin to pieces.

But in such a situation, Colin was actually still caring about the migration of skylarks, which surprised Beatrice immensely.

“Skylarks migrate east in winter.”

“Would they migrate to the Bright Moon Forest?”

“I’m not sure about that.” Beatrice shook her head, “If you’re interested, you can ask Yevir in the far east of the East.”

Colin nodded, thinking that one day he would have to visit that Arcane City.

The reason why he cared about the skylark migration was that he wondered about a problem – if the skylarks could migrate into the Bright Moon Forest, wouldn’t that mean that the taboos of the Bright Moon Forest only existed on the ground?

Of course, this didn’t make any difference for humans, since even a Holy Knight could only hover in the air for a short time and couldn’t fly a long distance.

But, Colin could fly.

With such random thoughts, Colin was already led by Beatrice into the castle of the Fein family and arrived at the lounge.

Beatrice waved away the maids who wanted to serve, poured a glass of red wine herself, and then handed it to Colin.

The wine swirled in the glass, as crimson as blood.

Colin took it with a smile and drained it in one gulp.

If it was Grace, she would probably ask – Aren’t you afraid of poison in the wine?

But Beatrice would not test him like this, the straightforward female knight just gave a slight smile, looking approving.

“Count, how is my useless son doing now?”

“He’s doing very well,” Colin said with a smile. “Silver Moon City is a good place, and half-elves are a very hospitable race.”

“That’s good.” Beatrice didn’t seem too worried about her son, and calmly asked, “So, Count, what are the conditions for redeeming Viscount Fein?”

Colin swirled the wine glass in his hand and counter-questioned, “What can your Fein family give me now?”

“Money, slaves, beauties… Count, as long as you say so, the Fein family will definitely do everything possible to satisfy your requirements. However…” Beatrice changed her tone, “I feel, these things are somewhat unworthy of you.”

“Is that so?” Colin put down his wine glass, leaning back in his chair with interest, “Then what do you think is worthy of me?”

There was a strange light in Beatrice’s amber eyes. She came to Colin, refilled his wine glass and said.

“How about a skull?”

Colin narrowed his eyes and laughed, “That depends on whose skull it is.”

Beatrice handed the wine cup to Colin and smiled faintly, “How about Archbishop Kate?”

“The Duchess?” Colin was startled in his heart.

Of course, he knew that “Archbishop Kate” mentioned by Beatrice was the wife of Duke St. Prowse.

But, this fierce female knight just killed a bishop of Lark City, and now she proposed to kill another archbishop of the east…

Is he resolved to stand against the Church?

Suddenly, Colin thought of something and immediately crossed his hands, forming a gesture similar to a lotus.

To his surprise, upon seeing the gesture, Beatrice only furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, and asked, “Count, doesn’t the wine suit your taste?”

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Colin chuckled, reaching out to take the wine glass handed by Beatrice. He put it to his lips, using the act of drinking to mask his awkwardness.

He had initially suspected that Beatrice was another pawn placed in the East by Queen Midela, but it seemed that he had overthought it.

“Knight Beatrice, do you have a grudge against the Church?”

“No personal grievances, but there are public ones!”

Colin took a sip of wine and gestured with his eyes for Beatrice to continue explaining.

However, Beatrice did not go on, instead she countered, “Count, what do you think is the biggest hidden danger to the Glorious Empire right now?”

“Orcs?”

“No.” Beatrice slowly shook her head, “The Orcs may seem threatening, but they are not truly fearsome. The Glorious Empire has repelled the Orcs twice before, so it can certainly do it a third time.

Moreover, to my mind, external threats are actually necessary. As someone who comes from the North Territory and has fought trolls for many years, you should understand this.”

Colin nodded. He seemed to have some idea of what Beatrice was about to say, but he didn’t say anything, only quietly listening.

“I believe that the present degenerate and corrupt Church is the biggest scourge and hidden danger lurking within the Empire!”

Colin looked at the solemn Beatrice and reminded her with a smile, “Knight Beatrice, do you know what fate awaits you, if these words of yours were to get out?”

“Being burned to death on a stake?” Beatrice shrugged, speaking with utter nonchalance.

Colin set down his wine glass, adjusted his sitting position, and asked, “then would you care to explain how the Church has become the Empire’s tumor?”

Beatrice refilled Colin’s wine glass and slowly spoke, “Because its existence is causing the Glorious Empire to fracture.

Take your invasion of the East this time for instance. If I’m not mistaken, it should be orchestrated by the Royal Family, right?”

Colin accepted the wine glass without admitting or denying anything.

Beatrice didn’t mind and continued, “The open and covert struggles between the Royal Family and the Church began at the founding of the Empire.

This kind of internal strife has severely damaged the Empire’s stability and unity.

The Church, which should have been spreading the glory of our Lord and helping the people to achieve salvation, has lost its way in the pursuit of power and benefit.

What they think about all day is how to divide and win over the lords to assist them in resisting the Royal Family and protecting their own interests.

The St. Prowse family in the East is just such a tool—or more accurately—sacrifice!

Why did my dear daughter-in-law, the Archbishop of Lark City, incite the Fein family’s knights to assassinate you?

Is it not in order to sow an irreconcilable vendetta between the East and the North!

Even the lady Duchess who is the Archbishop of the East, I am fully aware of the petty tricks she’s been playing at the White Dew Fortress!”

At this point, a hint of doubt started to appear on Colin’s face.

Seeing this, Beatrice immediately said, “Count, please allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Beatrice St. Prowse.”

Colin’s eyebrows raised in surprise, he hadn’t expected this knight to actually come from the St. Prowse family, but the doubt on his face had not fully disappeared.

To his thinking, someone like Beatrice who had married into the Viscount’s family from the St. Prowse family was probably just a distant relative. And having been married for so many years, how could she possibly know the secrets of the White Dew Fortress.

Little did he know, Beatrice then added:

“I am the Duke St. Prowse’s own sister.”