The First Vampire

When the drawbridge touched the ground, a cavalry squad crossed the ten-meter-wide moat from above and came to the outskirts of the city, forming a line.

Their armor was bright and sparkling, the long spears in their hands gleamed, and they held their heads high and their chests out. They walked in a neat and orderly manner, clearly a well-trained ceremonial team.

Then, several nobles dressed in their finery came out of the city and stood before the ceremonial team.

The leader was a young man with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was handsome and always had a gentle smile on his face. The style of the noble ceremonial dress he wore indicated that he was the lord of Floral City—

Count Morrison.

The young count gazed at the distant cavalry army in the distance and asked his father, who was sitting in a wheelchair beside him:

“Father, why do you think Count Angler has come to Floral City? After all, Floral City isn’t a necessary route in returning to Winterfell City from the East Territory.”

Franco, sat in the wheelchair, didn’t immediately answer his son’s question, instead he countered:

“Why do you think Count Angler would come to Floral City?”

Count Morrison thought for a moment and said:

“Could he be here to visit Nina?”

Hearing this, a beautiful and gentle woman standing next to Count Morrison smiled and said:

“I’m not very familiar with Count Angler, I doubt he would come to see me.”

Count Morrison took his wife’s hand and said, “Why not? After all, you are the Duchess St. Hilde’s cousin, and when we married, Count Angler couldn’t make it because of the matters at the Half-Elf Kingdom and East Territory. It’s not surprising he would take this opportunity to send his belated congratulations while returning to North Territory.”

Franco looked at his naïve son and sighed inwardly.

Why would Count Angler, who is currently in his prime of prominence, make a special trip to make up for missing the wedding of a minor noblewoman from the St. Hilde family?

Although both are counts, the titles of Count Morrison and Count Angler couldn’t be compared. One inherited his ancestors’ legacy, while the other had earned his glory through real fights.

Not to mention the actual power they wield and their prestige in the Brilliant Empire, the two men were on completely different levels.

With Franco’s many years of political instinct, he had already sensed the unusual nature of Count Angler’s visit.

Taking into account the various rumors about the chaos in White Dew City that had come from the East Territory, Franco’s premonition of ill fortune had greatly intensified.

However, he could not openly express such premonitions.

Besides, even if he did mention them, it would be to no avail.

Count Angler, leading the Blood Knight Army, was now approaching Floral City, dare the Morrison Family refuse him entry?

Clip-clop, clip-clop—

The dense sound of hooves became increasingly closer.

Even though the Blood Knight Army had begun to slow down at a considerable distance from Floral City, the overwhelming sense of impending doom that hit them still made the welcoming members of the Morrison Family feel a chill.

This was the pride of the North Territory—the Blood Knight Army!

As Count Morrison watched the approaching cavalry army, he couldn’t help but feel envious. If only the Morrison Family could have such a cavalry squad, how wonderful that would be…

Seeing a cavalry squad advancing from the military formation, Count Morrison hurried to greet them, wearing his most sincere smile and loudly said:

“Count Angler, welcome back to Floral City!”

“Count Morrison, I’m afraid I’m imposing again. I hope I’m not causing too much trouble.”

“Not at all, you’ll always be most welcome guest of the Morrison Family!”

Colin reined in his warhorse, his gaze swept over the Morrison family members who had come to greet him, and finally rested on Nina, who was wearing a countess’s ceremonial dress.

He revealed a gentle smile, saying, “Lady Nina, I’m very sorry I missed your wedding with Count Morrison. However, I have prepared a wedding gift, which I hope you will like.”

“Count Angler, you are too kind.” Nina eagerly took the long box offered by Colin, and upon opening it, she found a slender knight sword inside.

Colin explained with a smile, “I know you’re also a knight, this is Lady Beatrice of Duke St. Prowse’s sword. I thought it would suit you.”

Nina nodded repeatedly, “I’ve heard some stories about Lady Beatrice. She was an outstanding and brave knight. I really love this gift. Thank you, Count Angler!”

Count Morrison also laughed and thanked Colin, only then did he notice a fully bearded knight trailing behind Colin, whose badge on the armor clearly did not belong to any family of the North Territory.

Caught in confusion, he heard his father behind him say:

“Count Angler, is this gentleman beside you Count Howell from the East Territory?”

“Yes,” Colin nodded.

Count Howell advanced a few steps, saluting and greeting Count Morrison and his people.

After the pleasantries, Colin, flanked by the Morrison family, entered Floral City.

The streets were crowded with people who had come to welcome him. As soon as they saw Colin, the cheers were deafening, and some bold and beautiful young girls even threw flowers at him.

This kind of reception was not available during Colin’s previous visit.

This is not surprising, after all, Colin’s prestige among the Northerners has grown beyond recognition.

The North Territory and the East Territory have been at odds for a long time, but due to the presence of the Angry River and the trolls on the Sky Ice Plain, the Northern Army has not been able to enter the East Territory for over three hundred years.

But Colin, with his Blood Knight Army of only twenty thousand, not only caused havoc in the vast East Territory, but even killed Duke St. Prowse on the battlefield. This achievement undoubtedly earned him the title of the Protector of the North Territory.

Colin has naturally become an idol and hero in the hearts of all Northerners.

The Morrison Family’s guards struggled to clear a path through the overly excited crowd. They discovered, for the first time, how long the distance from the city gate to the Phoenix Butterfly Fort actually was.

Count Morrison, watching all this, could no longer hide the envy in his eyes.

Colin, riding on his warhorse, wore an elegant smile as he waved to the crowd. He skillfully caught the flowers thrown at him and tossed them back into the crowd, seemingly indifferent to the heartbreak this might cause among the young flower-throwing girls.

“Count Howell, do you like this city?” Colin suddenly asked the Count Howell beside him.

Count Howell was taken aback, wondering why Colin was asking this, but he still nodded and said, “Of course, I do. This is a beautiful city, and it’s a passionate city.”

Colin chuckled and said with deep meaning:

“That’s good to hear if you like it.”