The First Vampire

The towering city walls of Floral City were lit up with specks of fire, illuminating the patrolling soldiers.

The knight Nodoff stood atop the city walls, as the frigid wind howled. He gazed at Phoenix Butterfly Fort brightly lit within the city, and couldn’t help but feel envious.

He also wanted to join the welcoming banquet at Phoenix Butterfly Fort, to get close contact with his idol, Count Angler, and express his admiration and respect.

Unfortunately, someone had to stand guard in Floral City, and Knight Nodoff had the misfortune of losing at dice games to his comrades, so he could only stand alone atop the chilly city walls, looking at the lively Phoenix Butterfly Fort with resentment.

After hastily patrolling the city tower, Knight Nodoff returned to his post, brought several trusted officers, and began playing Gwent Card.

They were deep into their game when a soldier ran up to report that someone wanted to leave the city at night.

“The Count has ordered that the city gates are not to be opened at night,” Nodoff replied without looking up, clearly in a sour mood.

“But sir, the person who wishes to leave is Knight Logh of the Angler family!”

“Knight Logh!” Nodoff paused momentarily, of course, he had heard of the commander of the Blood Knight Army. Knowing that he was one of Count Angler’s most trusted generals, Nodoff immediately dropped his Gwent cards, chastising, “Why didn’t you say so earlier!”

Then he hurriedly left the post.

In no time, Nodoff arrived at the city gate. Seeing Knight Logh and his party waiting there, he quickly plastered a radiant smile on his face and strode forward, saying:

“Knight Logh, you are leaving the city?”

“Yes, there are some military matters I need to attend to. Could you please open the city gate,” Logh replied.

“Certainly, please wait a moment.”

Nodoff was somewhat confused as to why Knight Logh would leave the welcoming banquet at Phoenix Butterfly Fort to handle military matters outside the city at this time, but he did not pry further. He immediately ordered the soldiers to open the city gate.

To make use of the time while the soldiers were operating the winch, Nodoff seized the opportunity to chat with Knight Logh:

“Knight Logh, you have achieved so much in the East. I believe Count Angler will soon grant you a title?”

Knight Logh shook his head, saying, “The empire’s titles have always been bestowed upon knights who have made contributions in foreign wars. The previous conflicts in the East only count as internal strife; I can’t receive a title from that.”

Nodoff sighed regretfully. He then added, “However, we will soon be at war with the Orcs. I am certain you will earn a military honor and receive a title!”

Knight Logh merely responded with a reserved smile, not offering any reply.

Nodoff was not discouraged, he rephrased his question: “Knight Logh, I have always been very curious. As a cavalry, the Blood Knight Army, despite its extraordinarily powerful fighting capacity, still had to face so many formidable cities in the East. How did you manage to conquer them?”

Knight Logh glanced at Nodoff, saying meaningfully:

“Actually, the best way to conquer a city is to take control of the city gate.”

“Oh? How do you get control?”

“For example, like this!”

With a wave of Knight Logh’s hand, the hundred or so soldiers behind him immediately drew their swords, catching all of the unsuspecting city guards in Floral city off guard.

Nodoff, observing the sword at his neck, assumed that Knight Logh was demonstrating a scenario and began to clap naively.

Soon after, there was a flurry of horses’ hooves outside the city.

Only then did Nodoff realize that something was wrong. He painfully asked, “Knight Logh, you…you are joking with me, aren’t you?”

Knight Logh gave him a smile, revealing a row of gleaming teeth, saying:

“I’m sorry, Knight Nodoff, this is not a joke. If you don’t want Floral City to suffer unnecessary casualties, I suggest you don’t make any pointless resistance.”

Knight Nodoff was sweating profusely from his forehead, torn with inner turmoil. However, the gleaming blade at his throat and the dreaded reputation of the Blood Knight Army made him dare not issue a resistant order.

When the cavalry outside the city stormed across the drawbridge, flooding into Floral City like a tidal wave, Knight Nodoff knew that there was no remedy left, but the questions filling his mind made him ask out loud:

“Knight Logh, what on earth are you planning to do? How has the Morrison Family offended Count Angler?”

Knight Logh gazed in the direction of Phoenix Butterfly Fort and said indifferently:

“From now on, Floral City is taken over by the Blood Knight Army. As for the reason… you will know soon.”

…

The Banquet Hall of Phoenix Butterfly Fort was brightly lit with candles. Maids, elegant in their movement, brought dishes of delicious food to the long dining table with graceful steps.

Count Morrison personally cut a piece of fish and offered it to Count Angler with a beaming expression, saying:

“Count Angler, this is the famous White Belly Thorn Fish from Floral City, please enjoy.”

Colin nodded with a smile, picked up the silver fork and knife, and put the fresh, fragrant and tender fish into his mouth.

After a fine taste, Colin revealed an elegant smile, praising, “Indeed, a rare delicacy!”

Count Morrison’s smile grew even brighter, and he asked, “How does it compare to the cuisine you’ve tasted in the East?”

Colin shook his head, saying, “Eastern food is too soft, lacking texture. It could never compare to our Northern cuisine!”

Countess Nina, Morrison’s wife, smiled sweetly and said, “That’s because Easterners have soft teeth. They cannot bite into anything too hard.”

Immediately, Count Morrison added, “My dear, there is more than one thing that’s too soft in an Easterner!”

At this veiled insult, the crowd erupted in laughter.

Only Count Howell from the East hung his head in embarrassment, pretending not to understand.

Colin noticed the awkward expression on the Eastern Count’s face and intervened by saying,

“In my opinion, the only army that the East can truly be proud of is the Howell family’s fleet. If not for them guarding the Angry River, our Northern cavalry would be roaming freely across Eastern fields.”

“Exactly!” Count Morrison immediately raised his wine glass and declared loudly, “Let us welcome the Howell family into the North Territory! Here, is truly the place where you belong!”

Count Howell swiftly stood up and raised his cup in response.

The banquet’s atmosphere gradually escalated, and of course, Colin and Count Howell naturally became the focus of everyone’s attention.

However, during these cheerful toasts, a guard suddenly rushed in, visibly flustered.

Count Morrison immediately glared at him and angrily asked:

“Who let you in? Don’t you know that I am entertaining distinguished guests?”

The guard hesitated for a moment, but still approached Count Morrison and whispered a few words into his ear.

“Takeover? What takeover?” Count Morrison was puzzled.

It wasn’t until the guard repeated himself that Count Morrison exclaimed in disbelief:

“The Blood Knight Army has taken over Floral City?”

It was as if the banquet hall was suddenly put on pause, and tranquillity fell immediately.

Colin looked at the flurry of bewildered glances, and calmly confirmed with a smile:

“Indeed, Floral City is now under the control of the Blood Knight Army.”