The First Vampire

 

“Winterfell City.

In the early days of spring, the ice and snow were melting, and the temperature was warming up.

The main road outside the east city gate of Winterfell City was crowded with brightly dressed people.

When the flag of the Blood Knight Army slowly appeared on the horizon, hearty cheers broke out among the crowd.

The story of Count Angler, the Guardian of the North Territory, leading the Blood Knight Army to sweep across the East Territory, had spread like wildfire to every town in the North Territory.

Bards had taken scattered words and their own imagination to exaggerate the tale of Colin’s journey in the East Territory, transforming it into a tear-jerking heroic epic that made all Northerners’ blood boil with admiration.

Back when the Hilde Family was battling the St. Sean Family, the St. Prowse Family took the opportunity to seize the victory that should have rightfully belonged to the North Territory – a grudge the Northerners had nursed for hundreds of years.

Now, Count Angler led an army to break through White Dew City, personally killing Duke St. Prowse, thus avenging the past feud.

Unfortunately, Emperor Reinhardt’s War Order came at an inconvenient time, otherwise, the North Territory might have been able to reclaim the territory north of Mount Althus that rightfully belonged to them.

Yet, luckily, the Angry River was no longer a barrier in the East Territory.

The Northerners trusted that once the Orc Empire was repelled, the Hilde Family was sure to “discuss” territorial disputes again with the St. Prowse Family.

Under the hopeful eyes of the crowd, the Blood Knight Army steadily approached the city gate.

Colin, impressively dressed in a resplendent white armor, rode a splendidly built pure black war horse and emerged from the crowd.

When he came within about a hundred meters of the crowd, Colin dismounted and proceeded on foot.

He raised his head and clearly saw that familiar figure.

Vera was wearing a green duchess ceremonial dress, her soft golden hair coiled into a noblewoman’s bun, her delicate features held a hint of authority, giving her a rather impressive look of a Duchess.

However, when she saw Colin, her facial expression thawed, as if the spring flowers had bloomed.

Among the passionate cheers, Colin came to Vera, knelt on one knee, and performed a standard Knight’s salute, loudly saying:

“To the most noble Duke St. Hilde, I present all the honor to you!”

Vera extended her right hand elegantly for Colin to kiss the back of her hand, looking at him warmly and saying:

“You are my greatest honor, my Knight!”

Colin stood up, looked at his wife’s pure and untainted eyes that were clear of irregularities, revealed a warm smile, and arm-in-arm, they strode towards Winterfell City.

The welcoming crowd erupted, countless colorful petals were thrown over this beautiful couple, slowly falling down, forming a flower path leading to the city gate.

With a nonchalant look, Colin seemed to not care, he wore a gentle smile and basked in the shower of falling flowers, continued his stride forward amid the incessant cheers.

Upon reaching the Central Cathedral located at the heart of Winterfell City, Colin instantly spotted the red-robed Cardinal Turennes.

“Count Angler, your reputation has reached above the Holy Mountain, and the Pope himself has personally commended you, calling you a hopeful Saint.”

“Your eminence, the Pope, is too kind!” Colin looked at the kindly faced old Priest, suppressing an impulse to twist his head off on the spot.

Archbishop Agani was also wearing a pure white Priest robe, standing behind Cardinal Turennes with a standard smile on her face, greeting Colin without any abnormalities throughout.

However, it was the retired Archbishop who did not dare to meet Colin’s eyes when greeting him.

Interestingly, this retired Archbishop was an old acquaintance of Colin’s. Before becoming the Archbishop of Winterfell City, he was the Archbishop of Ice Rock City. When Colin had the slaves taught how to read and write, the retired Archbishop had sensed something wrong, and even tried to dissuade him gently.

According to Agani’s report, this retired Archbishop was also vehemently criticizing Colin’s welfare system in front of the Cardinal, arguing that it would severely harm the Church’s interests.

What a sharp-eyed old geezer!”

Colin gave Archbishop Rongxiu a deep look, then took Vera into the Prayer Hall.

Cardinal Turennes personally officiated the prayer ceremony for Colin and Vera.

Throughout the process, Colin kept an eye on his wife’s condition, yet still found nothing unusual.

The bright sunshine poured through the domed glass ceiling and bathed the Prayer Hall. The sacred and peaceful ambiance was almost soporific for Colin.

After the ceremony, Colin donated three thousand gold coins to the church to express his piety.

Colin did not linger after that and returned to Lion Roar Castle with Vera.

Marquis Garcia and the members of the St. Hilde family awaited them at the castle’s gate.

After having not seen him for a long time, Marquis Garcia seemed in worse health than last time. It gave Colin a painful feeling of witnessing a hero in decline.

His gaze, however, was as piercing as ever. He stared at Colin for a while before cracking a faint smile and said:

“Well done!”

The praise made Colin puff out his chest, like a student praised by his teacher.

He exchanged pleasantries with the others who had come to greet him, before finally being led back to his room by Vera.

The maids had readied the bath water. Just as one was about to help Colin remove his armor, Vera shooed her away.

“Are you going to dress me yourself?” Colin stared into Vera’s eyes as if trying to glean something from them.

Vera smiled sweetly and said, “Yes, that’s a wife’s duty.”

Colin would never refuse that. He relaxed his body, eyes half-closed, seeming to enjoy his wife’s tenderness.

The room was imbued with a warm and cosy atmosphere that was soporific.

Once out of his armor, Colin could feel Vera’s soft hands wandering over his body. The warm sensation intoxicated him.

However, a sharp, icy sensation disrupted Colin’s enjoyment.

Realizing something, Colin sighed and opened his eyes only to see a dagger, glistening with a frosty sheen, pointed at his throat.

Vera, who held the dagger, trembled all over, as if she was struggling over whether to plunge the blade.

Her normally green eyes were ghostly, flickering with a sporadic golden light.

Her forehead glistened with beads of cold sweat, as if she was fiercely resisting something.

Colin looked at his wife before him with complex emotions and said gravely.

“Vera, do you recognize me?”

Silence ensued.

The dagger trembled fiercely, but it didn’t plunge.

Witnessing this, Colin felt a pang in his heart, but he still declared with resolution:

“Vera, do not succumb! No one, not even the Lord of Glory, can master you!”

Whether or not she heard Colin’s call, Vera’s body trembled even more violently.

But the next second, crimson blood flowed from her orifices.

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