The First Vampire

Colin widened his eyes, somewhat disbelieving.

“What? Don’t I look like it?” Beatrice raised her eyebrows and asked.

Colin said nothing.

He just thought, as Duke St. Prowse’s own sister, it was downright tragic that Beatrice had married into a viscount’s family.

By contrast, Queen Midela, who was the sister of the former Duke St. Hilde, had married Emperor Reinhardt.

Even if Beatrice couldn’t marry into the royal family, she shouldn’t have stooped as low as to marry into this obscure Fein family.

Seemingly understanding Colin’s doubt, Beatrice explained: “Isn’t it all because I offended that church whore, and my foolish brother was deceived by her, that made me marry into this damn place called Lark City?

Actually, I even ran away from the wedding…hehe, unfortunately, I was dragged back by my brother.”

Listening, Colin was utterly dumbfounded. The woman in front of him was surely a headstrong and wilful lady in her time.

Bemoaning, Beatrice added: “What kind of witchcraft does that church whore possess?

My brother is like this, and so is my useless son. Ever since he married the bishop of Lark City, he stopped listening to me.

Now he is rightfully imprisoned in Silver Moon City, which serves him right to reflect on his foolish actions.”

Colin suddenly felt that Beatrice’s spite towards the church wasn’t out of some “public indignation”— it was “personal enmity”!

The church was a tumour to the Glorious Empire, all excuses, the real reason was the betrayal of her brother and son…

Seeing Colin silent, Beatrice urged: “How about it? I’ll kill that whore Kate for you, you let my son go, and we let the Fein family be. Deal?”

Colin was a bit speechless, and said: “Why do I feel like you want to kill Kate yourself, how does this become helping me?”

Beatrice snorted, “Don’t tell me, Count Angler, that you can’t see what effect it will have if Kate dies at my hand?”

This time Colin didn’t argue.

Indeed, he actually would love to see Duchess Kate die at Beatrice’s hand.

After all, the defintie negative impact that the Duchess, representing the church, would have on Colin’s upcoming plans to control the Eastern Territory.

So, Colin didn’t want this woman to get in the way in White Dew City. However, he was not willing to kill Kate himself, as it would completely aggravate the church.

Colin wasn’t willing to commit such a foolish act.

The power of the church was already terrifying from what Colin understood, and this was just the surface. Who knew how deep the hidden part went?

Colin was definitely not willing to top the church’s blacklist.

But if Duchess Kate were to die in the hands of Beatrice, Colin would neither bear the fury of the church.

More importantly, Beatrice was of the St. Prowse family!

If handled properly afterwards, a rift could be triggered between the St. Prowse family and the church, and the Eastern Territory could even be completely brought under the influence of the royal family!

It was like killing many birds with one stone.

But since the matter was so beneficial, Colin felt somewhat incredulous for a time.

“Lady Beatrice, are you willing to pay such a high price for a Viscount Fein?” Colin couldn’t help asking.

Not that he looked down on Viscount Fein, but the price Beatrice was paying to redeem her son seemed far too high.

She was staking her own fate, the Fein family’s, the St. Prowse family’s, and even the future of the entire Eastern Territory.

Or could it be that this vindictive woman is so hell-bent on revenge against her sister-in-law who bullied her back in the day?

Colin had seen a lot of fools, but clearly, the woman before him wasn’t one.

Her previous actions were not that of a fool.

“Of course, I’m not just doing this for that worthless son of mine.” Beatrice stated frankly, “He isn’t that important. My primary motive is to help the Radiant Empire eliminate internal threats.”

Colin raised an eyebrow in surprise, “Are you trying to force the St. Prowse family to confront the Church?”

“To put it more accurately, it’s to suppress the Church.” Beatrice looked seriously into Colin’s eyes, the deep and determined light flickering in her amber pupils, “The Church has gravely affected the stability and unity within the Empire, thus it is necessary to cut off its extended influence, returning ‘the divine to the divine and the worldly to the worldly’.

Only in this way can the Radiant Empire firmly hold onto the most prosperous lands of this continent, and humans can avoid following the footsteps of Elves and the Giant Dragon.”

The expression on Colin’s face gradually turned serious.

Initially, Colin thought Beatrice and Queen Midela were allies since they were both trying to stand against the Church.

Now, it seemed that the two were completely different.

Honestly, despite Beatrice’s influence paling in comparison to Queen Midela, if he had to choose an ally to confront the Church, Colin wouldn’t hesitate to pick Beatrice.

Queen Midela would only continue to provoke Colin, making him the vanguard against the Church, while she hid behind, trying to reap the benefits.

And Beatrice? This female knight first beheaded a bishop herself, now she was eyeing the Archbishop of the East…

Colin believed that Beatrice was selfless and genuinely wished to suppress the Church’s interference in the secular world, enabling the Radiant Empire to be united and avoid collapsing due to internal strife.

Even though Colin knew what Beatrice did was greatly beneficial to him, he couldn’t help but warn her:

“Knight Beatrice, you should understand that if it was only the Bishop of Lark City, there’s still room for maneuver, but if you actually kill the Archbishop of the East… not even the St. Prowse family could shield you.”

Beatrice chuckled casually, replying, “When have I ever needed the protection of the St. Prowse family? As for the Church’s wrath, I’ve already prepared for it, there’s no need for you to worry.”

Colin showed a complex expression, opened his mouth, but only sighed: “You are a true knight!”

Beatrice’s gaze was steady and determined as she accepted Colin’s praise.

Then, she turned serious, “Well, if you agree to this proposal, then I will need your help.”

“How can I help?”

“Since I’ve attempted to assassinate Kate before, she’s started to be wary of me. I need your help to control her guardian knights…”

Colin felt a headache coming on.

This woman was actually not making her first attempt at assassinating the Archbishop of the East… Given this, Duke St. Prowse marrying her off to Lark City in the past was already quite magnanimous.

Of course, Beatrice had no idea what Colin was thinking and continued, “…my plan is as follows. I will set out for White Dew City first, then you will lead the troops to follow. Don’t worry, you don’t have to forcefully attack White Dew City, as I will assist in opening the city gate from the inside.

Once we’re inside, you will lead the Blood Knight Army and follow my lead. As long as you can help clear out the guards around Kate, I will take her life with my own hands!”

Due to the delay in communication, Beatrice still didn’t know that White Dew City had actually been once breached by the Blood Knight Army, and her brother, Duke St. Prowse, had been killed.

Colin hesitated for a moment and didn’t tell her about these events.

He wanted to know whether Beatrice, upon entering the city and learning about these events, would still stick to her convictions, and continue to uphold her promise.

“Alright! It’s settled then!”

“A pleasure doing business!”

“A pleasure indeed.”