The First Vampire

 

“Count Howell, do you like this city?”

Standing on the balcony of Phoenix Butterfly Fort, staring at the early rising sun illuminating the sky above Floral City, Colin asked the question once again.

If initially the Count Howell was somewhat mystified upon entering the city, after experiencing an eventful night, he finally had a clue about the implications of Colin’s question.

The Morrison family had been stripped of its nobility and territory; didn’t this mean their Count ship would be an ideal fiefdom for the Howell Family?

“Of course, I like it,” Count Howell immediately replied respectfully.

In truth, he wasn’t particularly keen on taking over this Count ship, because it had been deeply marked by the Morrison family. Winning over the citizens of this territory to the Howell family would be a long process.

Some ignorant subjects might believe it was the Howell family causing the downfall of the Morrison family, those harboring old loyalties could even resent the Howell family. If their governance was slightly stricter than the previous Lord, it could immediately incite widespread dissatisfaction, even riots.

However, Count Howell also understood he couldn’t refuse the Count of Angler.

After interacting for a long time, he had figured out the character of the young guardian of the North Territory. Seemingly gentle, he was actually extremely dominant.

Count Angler was determined to bestow the Count’s territory to the Howell family; basically, Count Howell had no possibility to refuse.

You know, a Count’s territory is not small, and even the Northern Duke might not be able to give it away easily.

If Miss Morrison’s territory was missed, it was uncertain whether the Howell family could possess a piece of territory worthy of their status.

Although this territory was troublesome to manage, perhaps it was a test from Count Angler towards the Howell family.

Furthermore, deeper thought suggested that Count Angler perhaps didn’t want the Howell family to control their new territory too smoothly.

Because the main military force of the Howell family was the navy, they couldn’t participate in this war against the Orcs. So, after the Northern Army went to Westland, in the vacant North Territory, the Howell family might stand alone conspicuously.

As a power that had just shifted its allegiance to the North Territory, Count Angler would definitely be wary of the Howell family. Therefore, assigning them a piece of territory that was not easy to control was one of his precautions.

Colin looked at the submissive Count Howell and nodded in satisfaction, “Good, since you have no objections, when we return to Winterfell City, I will have Duke St. Hilde officially bestow this territory to the Howell family.”

In the midst of conversation, there was a sudden rush of footsteps from behind.

Colin turned his head, only to see Knight Logh running up to the balcony hurriedly.

“What’s up?”

“My Lord Count, Franco Morrison has poisoned himself.”

Colin paused for a moment, sighed, and said, “Let’s go have a look.”

Soon, led by Knight Logh to Franco’s room, it was already crowded with people. The important members of the Morrison family were basically all present. However, their expressions varied as they looked at Franco’s remains. Some were mourning, others were furious, and some even seemed relieved…

After all, the current situation of the Morrison family, Franco should bear a lot of blame. Perhaps he chose suicide because he didn’t know how to face his family.

“Count Angler, I am sorry for your discomfort.” Lady Grace, who just lost her son, looked as pale as paper. However, with Nina’s support, she still came over to greet Colin.

Colin did feel sympathetic towards Lady Grace. Without her help, the Morrison family may not have complied obediently, and Colin would have had to put in considerably more effort.

“Lady Grace, take care of yourself.”

Lady Grace was silent for a moment, then earnestly looked into Colin’s eyes, and said:

“Count Angler, I have a request.”

Colin smiled slightly, saying, “Please go ahead.”

Lady Grace’s murky gaze swept over the faces of the Morrison family members, then said solemnly:

“Count Angler, I would like you to accept the loyalty of the Morrison family.”

Colin was slightly taken aback, and before he could speak, Saken Morrison abruptly stood up, his eyes red as he roared:

“Grandmother! I will never pledge loyalty to him!”

Lady Grace quietly looked at her grandson and said faintly:

“Saken Morrison, can you tell me, what plans do you have? How do you intend to restore the glory of the Morrison family?”

“I…” Saken Morrison was momentarily speechless, the confusion in his eyes impossible to hide.

However, he still stubbornly said, “But I will not swear allegiance to an enemy!”

“Enemy?” Lady Grace shook her head and said, “Don’t you understand yet? It was the Morrison family who brought this upon themselves. If you want revenge, you should look for Mr. Ji, look for the mage who took Horus away!

Count Angler is not only not an enemy of the Morrison family, on the contrary, he stopped Horus’s evil deeds, which is the greatest kindness done to the Morrison family.”

Saken Morrison remained silent, but still gazed at his father’s corpse, seemingly unwilling to yield to Lady Grace’s arrangement.

Lady Grace was disappointed, but she still rallied and swept her gaze over the Morrison family knights in the room, speaking loudly:

“You are the knights of the Morrison family, and it is your responsibility to defend the family’s honor.

Now is the most difficult time for the Morrison family, but it is also when the family needs you the most.

Even without nobility and territory, at least you still have strong bodies and unyielding wills.

Moreover, with the orc invasion imminent, it’s the perfect opportunity for you to make a name for yourselves!

If you still acknowledge me as your grandmother, then trust me this time, pledge loyalty to Count Angler, and follow him to the Westland to fight on the front lines against the orcs!

This is the only hope for the revival of the Morrison family.”

The room fell silent for a moment, with many people showing signs of struggle on their faces.

However, as time went on, many knights of the Morrison family slowly came before Colin, kneeling on one knee.

Now that the Morrison family had lost their nobility and territory, these people had become wandering knights. While they wouldn’t be reduced to the commoner class, they had lost their source of income. If they didn’t find a new lord willing to take them in soon, they wouldn’t even have the money to maintain their war horses and weapons.

By that point, there wouldn’t be much difference between them and the commoners.

Lady Grace was right, their only hope of rejoining the noble class was to make their mark in this war against the orcs.

Of course, the orcs were no easy foes.

To distinguish oneself and not merely march to one’s death required following a powerful commander.

And Count Angler… Was there a better warlord in the North than him?

Looking at the Morrison family knights who knelt before him, holding their swords high above their heads, Colin was also somewhat hesitant—

To accept or not to accept?

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