The First Vampire

Knight Ivan struggled and shouted loudly.

But the hands of the two Blood Knight Army bodyguards were like iron clamps, and Knight Ivan couldn’t break free no matter how much he tried.

“Prince Harrison, what about the alliance we reached before! You can’t betray me like this!”

“Shut up!” A flash of humiliation and rage crossed Prince Harrison’s face.

Colin signaled, and a bodyguard punched Knight Ivan in the face.

Several teeth mixed with fresh blood splattered out.

Knight Ivan screamed, but he still mumbled as if saying that his brother would certainly take revenge for him.

Of course, Colin was not threatened by this.

In fact, even without Knight Ivan, Colin had already made an enemy of Governor Emoson of the East Territory.

When Vera, as the heir to the Northern Duke, entered the Senate for the vote, Colin knew very well that this Governor Emoson had voted against her.

This grudge, Colin would take revenge sooner or later.

Now, killing Emoson’s little brother on the sly was like collecting interest in advance.

After the reform of the Senate, the governor’s term was changed from lifelong to limited. Colin also planned to pull down this Governor Emoson when the term was up next time.

When the voice of Knight Ivan gradually disappeared outside the Conference Hall, the expressions of the Eastern nobles in the hall gradually became more submissive.

Killing the chicken to warn the monkey, although the method was old-fashioned, it was extremely effective.

And seeing Prince Harrison unhesitatingly abandon Knight Ivan, the Eastern nobles realized that there was not only the North Territory behind Colin, but also the Royal Family of the Empire!

Colin’s cold gaze slowly swept across the audience. Seeing no one opposed him anymore, he said:

“Good, since everyone has no objections, then let Count Nicoll temporarily take over the East Territory.”

Technically, Colin had no right to announce this appointment.

But now that White Dew City was under the control of the Blood Knight Army, and Prince Harrison clearly expressed his support for his teacher, so no one dared to say Colin’s declaration was illegal.

What’s more, most of the Eastland nobles had already been brought down by Colin over the matter of attacking the Pegasus Army. At this point, they were also accomplices.

Count Nicoll received his orders with a ruddy face, looking as if he had grown ten years younger.

Colin smiled, saying to Count Nicoll:

“Count Nicoll, while I shouldn’t interfere too much in the internal affairs of East Territory, as this matter concerns His Majesty’s War Order, I’d like to ask, do you have confidence in completing the task explained in the War Order on time?”

Count Nicoll thought for a moment, and said solemnly:

“According to His Majesty’s War Order, this time East Territory should send no fewer than two hundred thousand soldiers to support Westland. Although East Territory just experienced turmoil, I believe, as long as the Lords of East Territory generously contribute funds and work together, we can certainly form an army of two hundred thousand men in time!”

As soon as these words came out, a series of gasps resounded in the Conference Hall.

The Eastern nobles all looked worried, seemingly realizing that they would have to spend a lot of money, but because Colin was present, they dared not object. Many people, their faces red, looked as if they were constipated.

Colin took in everyone’s expressions, laughing inwardly, and said:

“Gentlemen, regarding the cost of forming an army to support Westland, I have a suggestion.”

Count Nicoll was moved, and quickly replied:

“Please speak, my Lord Count!”

Colin smiled slightly, and said loudly:

“I know East Territory has just settled from the turmoil, and you must be having some difficulty in raising military expenditure.

Of course, I share some responsibility for this.

After all, due to some misunderstandings, there were minor frictions between me and the East Territory…”

Upon hearing this, several East Territory nobles couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of their mouths, muttering to themselves—

Minor frictions?

You essentially punched a hole through the East Territory…

Colin paid no heed to the expressions of the people, and continued on his own:

“… I know you now need to issue a large amount of pensions, enlist many soldiers, prepare supplies for campaigns… Such a large expense is a huge burden for everyone present.

But if you hastily increase taxes, a small increase won’t be of much help, and a large increase might stir dissatisfaction among the citizens of the East Territory. In that case, not to mention supporting the Westland, even the East Territory itself risk plunging back into turmoil.”

The nobles kept nodding their heads, full of curiosity as to what kind of good solution Count Angler could propose.

“… Therefore, I suggest you can increase your tax income without increasing the tax burden on the commoners.”

At this point, everyone was confused.

Count Nicoll couldn’t help but ask: “My lord, please forgive our ignorance, but how can we increase tax revenue without increasing the tax burden on the commoners?”

Colin smiled faintly, and said: “The total tax revenue certainly won’t increase, but it can increase ‘your’ tax revenue!”

Hearing Colin’s emphasis on the word “you”, some of the more insightful nobles finally understood.

In fact, not all of the Glorious Empire’s tax revenue goes into the lords’ pockets, part of it is given to the Glorious Church!

So, Colin’s intention is very clear.

Don’t increase taxes, but instead use the Church’s tax income to cover military expenses!

Suddenly, the nobles were astounded by Colin’s daring.

You need to know, since the establishment of the Glorious Empire, the Church’s “tithe tax” was set in stone. For a thousand years, no matter what turmoil the empire went through, or how financially desperate the nobles were, no one dared to consider dipping into the Church’s “tithe tax”.

This is the unspoken understanding between the nobles and the Church, it is a red line!

And Colin’s suggestion, if truly implemented in the East Territory, would certainly infuriate the Church –

No, that might be Colin’s real goal!

Several East Territory nobles then realized.

Colin ostensibly offered to help the East Territory nobles alleviate their financial burdens, but in fact, he was inciting the East Territory nobles to challenge the authority of the Church.

The Archbishop of the East Territory, who was also the Duchess, already died at the hands of Beatrice St. Prowse, which will certainly fuel the Church’s dissatisfaction with the East Territory. If the East Territory nobles follow Colin’s suggestions and divert the Church’s “tithe tax” to cover military expenses, the East Territory might completely sever ties with the Church.

“Lords, what do you think of this proposal?”

Colin asked with a chuckle, as if what he was saying was merely a trivial matter.

But the hall fell into an eerie silence.

Although many East Territory nobles were horrified by Colin’s proposal, even more were itching to move.

After all, this touched their own interests.

If they do not take this opportunity to snatch from the Church, they themselves will certainly bleed heavily.

Thinking about it this way, why not just take this opportunity to completely sever ties with the Church and move towards the Royal Family?

However, this matter is too shocking, no one among the East Territory nobles dared to be the first to voice their opinions.

Colin looked around in the conference hall, finally resting his eyes on Count Nicoll, and asked with a smile:

“Count Nicoll, what do you think of this proposal?”