The First Vampire

Colin’s gaze passed over Cardinal Mensai to Duke St. Rands and the lifeless body of Governor Fred on the ground.

Even without asking, he could guess what had just transpired here.

Colin was surprised that Duke St. Rands had honestly unveiled a token of such weight, of course, possibly someone had helped make his decision.

Thinking this, Colin gave Scholar Yerug, silently standing by the side, a fleeting glance.

However, it was not the time for interrogation, Colin could only bury the doubts in his heart for the time being.

He welcomed the allegiance of the South Border, as he bore no grudges against the St. Rands family. Naturally, more power would be beneficial.

As long as Duke St. Rands does not harbor aspirations for the South Border to secede and fracture the Empire.

“Duke St. Rands, I’d like to have a private conversation with Cardinal Mensai, please clean up this battlefield and stabilise the situation in Easton Town first,” he suggested.

“Your will be done.” The Duke followed the command immediately, with a humble manner, as if he was standing before the true sovereign of the Empire.

The cardinal’s throat awkwardly bobbed as he forced out a slightly obsequious smile, the opening was successful.

“Count Angler, congratulations on your promotion to the Holy Field! The grace of the Supreme Lord is indeed everywhere…”

“Enough, Mensai, stop the nonsense.” Colin coldly interrupted, “The only thing I want to know now is, how is Marquis Garcia faring?”

At the mention of this question, Cardinal Mensai was taken aback.

He had clearly not expected Colin to ask this question.

Presumably, the news that Marquis Garcia had died in the Holy Light Cathedral had already been suppressed by the Pope.

Even if there were leaks, it was impossible for this news to reach Colin’s ears so soon.

“Marquis Garcia … naturally has been acquitted of his previous charges, and now he is being worshipped by the citizens of the empire as a hero!” Mensai held onto a shred of hope.

But Colin just scoffed coldly, pointed to the corpse of Governor Fred behind him, and said:

“Cardinal Mensai, if this orc squad that suddenly appeared tonight can kill Governor Fred and Prince Lexie, then naturally they could kill you. So, stop trying to brush me off with lies.”

At this point, Mensai gave up any wishful thinking, understanding that Colin truly knew that something had happened to Marquis Garcia.

Moreover, he knew that he wouldn’t hesitate to act against him.

After all, even Prince Lexie was already dead…

Although he found it hard to believe that Colin truly killed a Holy Knight, the facts were there and he couldn’t deny it.

“Count Angler, please hear me out, regardless of where you heard the news about Marquis Garcia, but I can guarantee with my life and honour, the Church absolutely did not harm Garcia!” Mensai spoke with tremendous sincerity.

“Harmed?” Colin’s expression darkened even more, “So, Marquis Garcia is dead, isn’t he?”

Mensai then realized that Colin was only acting on some rumours, but by this point, he couldn’t lie anymore, so he cautiously nodded and tried to explain,

“Yes, but … please, believe me, Marquis Garcia committed suicide…”

“Suicide?” Colin’s voice was cold as ice, “Why would Marquis Garcia commit suicide? And moreover, if the truth is as you say, why does your church seem so guilty?”

“Lord Angler, please hear me out.” Mensai hurried to explain,” the day news of the victory at the Luwal Valley war reached Dragon City, Marquis Garcia came to the Holy Light Cathedral to attend the mass. After it ended, he requested Pope Gregory to conduct his confession.”

“But in the middle of the confession, Marquis Garcia suddenly spat blood and fell dead…”

“Only Pope Gregory was in the confessional at the time, which is the real reason why we have this sense of guilt.”

“It just doesn’t make sense!”

Colin stared intently into the eyes of Cardinal Mensai, trying to discern whether he was lying.

Meeting his gaze unflinchingly, Mensai spoke again:

“My Lord Count, think about it, if Church truly wanted to kill Marquis Garcia, would it choose such a foolish method? With our influence in Dragon City, there are countless ways to silently eliminate the Marquis.”

His words had merit.

Something stirred in Colin’s mind.

Noticing Colin’s shifting mindset, Mensai promptly advised,

“My Lord Count, it is clear that this is a conspiracy, designed to sow discord between the North Territory and the Church. You mustn’t fall for it!”

At this, Colin remembered his journey to the Storm Fortress, where he had fervently tried to dissuade Marquis Garcia from assassinating Emperor Reinhardt. Yet, a desperate Garcia paid him no heed.

However, when he felt helpless, Queen Midela inexplicably convinced the Marquis to abandon his assassination plot, and he returned to Dragon City forthwith.

At the time, Colin was baffled as to how Queen Midela achieved it.

Yet now, it appeared she hadn’t persuaded the suicidal Marquis to abandon his self-destructive scheme, she simply convinced him to choose a different location and time for his death.

Realizing this, Colin was inclined to believe the Cardinal’s words.

Generally, Marquis Garcia committed suicide.

This North Territory Marquis, the mastermind behind the Luwal Valley battle, ultimately couldn’t bear the guilt buried deep in his heart.

His guilt was for the innocent citizens of the Westland who had died at the hands of the Orcs due to his strategy.

Victory requires sacrifice.

Some sacrifices were tolerable, even commendable, like the brave Imperial Soldiers who fell in the battle of the Luwal Valley.

However, some were unbearable, such as the unwilling sacrifices of the innocent commoners.

Otherwise, wasn’t Mr. Ji, who attempted to sacrifice the Storm Fortress, also a hero of the Empire?

Colin too had faced some psychological struggles. He considered Marquis Garcia’s actions somewhat improper.

Yet at this moment, he realized that Marquis Garcia was different from Mr. Ji.

Mr. Ji’s sacrifice showed no signs of inner turmoil, pursuing only his own objectives.

Comparatively, Marquis Garcia likely agonized over his decision, deciding to atone for his sins through death.

All along, he hadn’t been after any personal gain.

Undoubtedly, when he chose to sacrifice the Westland, Marquis Garcia unavoidably stained his character.

Even so, these very stains only amplified his extraordinary courage.

A knight is not defined by his infallibility.

Not those standing in the light are the true heroes.

Colin took a deep breath, finally making up his mind—

Although the Pope wasn’t involved in Marquis Garcia’s death, he was resolved to seek ‘revenge’ on his behalf!

Because this was the final plea Garcia made with his death.

Of course, Colin wouldn’t let him down!

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