The First Vampire

High waters and swift currents marked the Ben Liu River in May.

Together, the St. Hilde family and the St. Sean family deployed over 300,000 troops, anxiously taking positions on either side of the Ben Liu River.

In the past month, both sides had seen dozens of skirmishes, turning the riverbank into a muddy war zone. Yet, the situation remained deadlocked, and victory seemed far from clear.

On the northern bank of the Ben Liu River, inside the Uman Clan’s camp, hundreds of injured soldiers were being tended to.

Though cries of pain echoed constantly, the soldiers’ faces were still adorned with smiles, for they had just won a battle.

Such probing battles occurred almost daily, with victories and defeats alike. Of course, the soldiers hoped to win, as victories earned them merits.

A pungent smell of medicinal herbs pervaded the wounded soldiers’ camp, deterring surrounding soldiers from drawing near.

Despite the unpleasant odor, Count Uman entered the camp, receiving salutes and greetings from soldiers along the way.

The Count casually nodded in response. He was not here to console the injured. Such grandstanding held little value and certainly was not his style.

“Where is Knight Walra?”

“Lord Count, please follow me.”

Guided by a soldier, Count Uman arrived in front of a regular tent.

Lifting the tent flap, Count Uman stepped inside.

“Lord Count!” The priest attending to Walra was slightly taken aback and hastily got up to salute.

“No need for formalities. How is he?” Count Uman waved his hand, dismissing the priest’s courtesy.

The priest was somewhat surprised, considering the Count’s unusual concern for his illegitimate son.

“Lord Count, Knight Walra was stabbed in the left chest. However, it doesn’t seem to have hit any vital organs. His life is not in danger. He should recover with one or two months of rest.”

“Good.” Count Uman nodded, his face void of any emotion.

Soon after, the priest excused himself and left the father and son alone.

“I apologize, Father, for causing you worry.” Walra, his face deathly pale, spoke weakly.

“Do not take such risks in the future. I will arrange for someone to take you back to Fallen Eagle City for recovery.”

“Yes, Father.” Knight Walra quickly agreed, a barely perceptible spark of joy flashing in his eyes.

After giving a few more instructions, Count Uman didn’t linger much longer and turned to leave.

After the Count left, Walra, who was barely clinging to life a moment ago, immediately sat upright, grabbed the water bottle next to him, and guzzled a few hefty gulps of “water.”

Then, a satisfied smile crossed his face.

Outside the tent, Count Uman had only walked a few steps when a Dwarf soldier rushed over: “Lord Count, Marquis Dawson asked for your presence to discuss a matter.”

“Alright.”

Count Uman, alongside the Dwarf soldier, made his way to Marquis Dawson’s tent.

Upon entering, Marquis Dawson handed over an invitation.

Count Uman took a look and immediately frowned: “Vera is to marry Viscount Angler? And the wedding is in three days?”

“Yes.” Marquis Dawson poured Count Uman a cup of malt beer. “I just received the news. Also, Duke St.Hilde is currently at Ice Rock City. He will preside over the wedding in three days.”

Count Uman took a sip of his malt beer, his tone grave: “So, the Angler family has clearly chosen to side with the St. Hilde family?”

“Yes.” Marquis Dawson also sighed. “No one expected Duke St. Hilde to leave his army during this critical time and personally travel to Ice Rock City. It seems he places great value on Viscount Angler.”

“Whoever commands an army like the Dark Cavalry will certainly garner the attention of the ruler of the North Territory.”

Marquis Dawson nodded with a hint of sentiment, “Not just the Dark Cavalry, but also the half-elf Silver Moon Guards. At first, on the Sky Ice Plain, I thought that Marquis Garcia favored this lad, most likely because of Vera.”

“But now, as it turns out, this Colin Angler is a really formidable character!

First, he crushed the Pegasus Army in Silver Moon City, then decapitated Modo the Second outside Troll’s Royal City. Unwittingly, this once insignificant son of a Baron, has quickly risen to power, growing into a mighty lord that no one can afford to underestimate.”

The countenance of Count Uman fluctuated.

After all, the Angler family and Uman Clan are related by marriage, and Colin should have been a lord easily swayed by Count Uman.

Regrettably, in a moment of falsehood, he had pushed them towards the opposition.

So, hearing Marquis Dawson sing Colin’s praises caused Count Uman to feel somewhat bitter.

Even though he knew regret only brought untimely emotions, Count Uman couldn’t help thinking that if he hadn’t sent an assassin, perhaps Colin would now be a great asset to the Uman Clan.

Marquis Dawson, noticing Count Uman had fallen silent, remained thoughtful but stated resolutely,

“We must be prepared for the possibility of the Angler family entering the fray, so I hope you will lead an army northward to safeguard our rear, preventing the Angler family’s army from easily reaching the Ben Liu River battlefield.”

Count Uman came to his senses instantly and, after pondering over the military map on the wall, replied, “Can you hold off the Golden Lion Legion?”

“With the Ben Liu River as a natural defense line, there shouldn’t be much of a problem. Besides, after so many days, I have more or less figured out the combat style of the enemy. They follow a steady commander who, without the presence of perfect vulnerability and opportunity, will absolutely not launch a major attack.

Additionally, I have some good news.”

Count Uman, seeing the smile on Marquis Dawson’s face, curiously asked, “What’s the good news?”

“The Menam family has dispatched troops and is now arriving in the North Territory. They should reach the Ben Liu River in about ten days.”

“Marquis Menam?” Count Uman was taken aback, then with a beaming face, he inquired, “Does this mean that the St. Lorenzo family has decided to abandon the St. Hilde family?”

Marquis Dawson nodded with a smile.

“Then this time, the Hilde Family is destined for disaster!”

Count Uman exclaimed excitedly.

But instantly, he was filled with a nameless rage? .

He had just found out about such a significant matter.

Clearly, the St. Sean family had already excluded him from the inner circle.

“How did Mr. Ji persuade Emperor Reinhardt?” Count Uman asked, reluctant to give in.

Holding his wine cup, Marquis Dawson smiled and said, “The Menam family will be relocated to the North Territory with their original territory replaced by a territory in the North.”

Count Uman pondered for a moment before understanding the other party’s intention: “So that means, to build the Dwarf Nation?”

“Yes.” Marquis Dawson nodded affirmatively, with brilliance gleaming in his eyes.

Count Uman suddenly understood the plot of the St. Lorenzo family. They were essentially extracting a large territory from the North Territory.

But he was still skeptical. Could such terms persuade Emperor Reinhardt to abandon the Hilde family, which had a marital relationship with him, and instead support the St. Sean family, which held a deep-grudge against the Royal Family?

“No other conditions?” Count Uman asked once more.

“As for the rest, I am not sure.” Marquis Dawson shook his head sincerely.

Seeing that he couldn’t extract more information, Count Uman drained the wine in his cup, stood up, and said,

“Very well, I will lead the army northward. I leave the situation here at the Ben Liu River in your hands.”

“Ha-ha-ha, alright!” Marquis Dawson laughed confidently, “The day the Menam family’s army arrives will be the day the Golden Lion Legion is annihilated!”