The First Vampire

“Father, it has been confirmed. Governor Fred and Prince Lexie are both dead!”

Upon hearing his son’s report, Count Nicoll’s face violently twitched.

The dim candlelight illuminated his sullen side profile, making him look somewhat terrifying.

Seeing that Count Nicoll did not respond for quite some time, Sir Barton could not help but speak again,

“Father, Duke St. Rands has already pledged allegiance to Colin Angler. I suspect Governor Fred was killed by him!

As such, we also need to change our stance as soon Ns possible. The power of the royal family is fading, and I fear the Empire’s future will be dictated by the Northerners!”

Count Nicoll finally turned to face his son, his gaze somber, and said in a husky voice,

“Change our stance? How should we do it?”

Before Sir Barton could reply, Count Nicoll answered his own question,

A tinge of resentment flashed across Sir Barton’s face, but quickly disappeared, “Father, but you… didn’t you pledge allegiance to the royal family before…”

“Indeed,” Count Nicoll said with a self-mocking laugh. “So, do you now understand the difference between our family and the St. Rands family?

They now pledge allegiance to Colin Angler unhindered, whereas we carry a record of betrayal… Do you think Colin Angler would accept the renewed loyalty of someone who had once betrayed him?”

Growing somewhat anxious, Sir Barton replied: “Father, you still have to try. Perhaps Marquis Angler will forgive our previous betrayal.”

Count Nicoll shook his head, his eyes filled with desolation: “Don’t be naive, don’t harbour innocent fantasies about people like Colin Angler…”

“Then are we just going to sit here and wait for death to come!” Sir Barton said with gritted teeth, unable to hide the resentment in his eyes any longer.

Count Nicoll quietly watched his son. It wasn’t until the young knight regained his composure that the count finally spoke,

“We must pay for the mistakes of our past. But these were, in fact, my own mistakes. I hadn’t foreseen that Colin Angler could amass such a reputation, let alone become a Holy Knight…

Therefore, I will bear this cost. You don’t need to worry, son.”

“Father…” Barton said, looking apprehensively at his father, “What do you mean to do?”

Count Nicoll stood up, slowly unsheathed the sword at his waist, and handed it to his son.

Accepting the sword, Sir Barton asked, bewildered, “Father, what do you mean by this?”

Count Nicoll slowly turned his back to his son, and said in a calm tone,

“Kill me.”

“What?” Sir Barton could hardly believe his ears.

“Kill me,” Count Nicoll repeated. “Take my head to Colin Angler, and tell him that the previous betrayal by the Nicoll family was my idea alone, and that you have always…”

“No!” Sir Barton interrupted loudly, “Father, what are you doing…”

“Shut up! Listen to me!” Without turning around, Count Nicoll’s voice was as hard as iron. “This is a brutal world. Since we’ve chosen to participate in this dangerous game, we must be prepared to lose. ꞦаℕΟᛒÊꞨ

Remember, before Colin Angler, you must embody your hatred for me and place all the blame on me.

Despite the East End now being in the hands of the North, it still needs a proxy to rule it. Eckert Saint Proust is still too young to be anything more than a puppet Duke, hence, before he comes of age, it provides the perfect opportunity for the Nicoll family.”

“My poor judgement means I will never regain Colin Angler’s trust. However, you still have a chance!

So do not hesitate anymore!”

Sir Barton held the sword, both hands trembling, his face a battle of emotions.

But eventually, he let out a roar:

“I am sorry, father!”

Shick!

The sword penetrated the chest, revealing a bloody sword tip.

…

“Sir Benson, I am deeply sorry for the death of your father, Baron Grant.”

Sitting in the center of the Knight Hall, Colin sipped a cup of hot coffee and said.

Sir Benson respectfully stood beside him, bowing his waist, lowering his head, his face full of fear and flattery.

“My lord… My lord count, thank you for your sympathy for my father. To die for the empire was my father’s wish and the honor of the Grant family…”

“Really?” Colin sneered, “I thought you would bear a grudge against me, against Marquis Garcia.”

“No, absolutely not!” Sir Benson hurriedly refuted.

Just as Colin was about to speak again, a man suddenly walked in from the outside, holding a bloody skull in his hand.

The thick smell of blood immediately filled the hall, and when everyone recognized that the head was Count Nicoll’s, the atmosphere became somewhat subtle.

Sir Barton walked up to Colin, knelt down without hesitation, put the head of Count Nicoll in front of him and said loudly:

“Count Angler, this man has betrayed you and even planned to assassinate you. His crimes are unforgivable!

I have killed him on your behalf! I beg for your forgiveness for the sins of the Nicoll family!”

Colin was intrigued by Sir Barton, who had just killed his father, and no one knew what he was thinking.

After a long time, he spoke again:

“Sir Barton, tonight there was more than one person planning to assassinate me.”

Sir Barton raised his head, his hand hitting his armored chest, making a loud bang:

“Who else? I’m willing to be your sword, to eliminate all the assassins for you!”

Colin’s mouth slightly curled up, then he pointed to Sir Benson who was beside him.

Sir Benson was scared out of his wits, but before he could argue, he saw Sir Barton who was kneeling on the ground suddenly rushed over.

Whoosh!

A flash of cold light, and Sir Benson’s head had already fallen to the ground.

Mentally ill!

This thought flashed in everyone’s mind.

In their eyes, Sir Barton had gone mad, killing his biological father and then the first heir to the imperial baronetcy. This was a total disregard for noble laws and it pushed himself into a dead end.

If Colin didn’t harbor him, he would be ostracized by the entire nobility, and his end would be extremely grim.

But if Colin harbored him… he would become a mad dog under his hand.

“Well done.” Colin nodded in satisfaction.

He then stood up and looked around the hall.

Everyone respectfully bowed their heads where his glance fell.

“Due to the sudden orc attack, Springs Town has been hit hard. From today, we’ll enforce martial law, close the city gates and prohibit any entry or departure!

In addition, Duke St. Rands, Sir Barton, please send troops to the Luwal Valley Camp to encircle and suppress the Orc army infiltrating our Empire’s interior!”

“Yes!”

Duke St. Rands and Sir Barton replied immediately.

Then, Colin looked at Cardinal Mensai and said:

“Cardinal Mensai, please return to Dragon City immediately and pass the news about the small orc invasion back, let Dragon City heighten its guard.”

“Yes!”

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