The First Vampire

“Prince Lexie, perhaps you would care to examine this for yourself,” Queen Midela said suddenly, her face serious as she spoke to Prince Lexie.

Prince Lexie, who had been silent up until this point, looked somewhat puzzled as if he realized that this matter had something to do with him. However, he moved forward to the coffin as suggested.

Upon inspection, his expression changed as well.

After a moments’ silence, The prince furrowed his brow, and voiced:

“Correct, this is indeed the mark of my sword.”

There was an audible gasp.

Everyone present gaped in shock at Prince Lexie.

Colin was also stunned. Why was the Holy Knight so… frank?

Was he fearless?

Or did he deem it beneath him to lie?

However, he was also puzzled. The corpse of Governor Lattom bore no physical damage, Colin was sure Pope Gregory would not have missed such a detail. How could there be a sword mark on the heart?

What kind of sword technique could pierce the heart without damaging the skin?

Perhaps sensing the puzzlement of many present, Queen Midela began to explain, asking in part challenge:

“Prince Lexie, isn’t there a sword technique you’ve known to use that is named ‘Judgment’, which can breach the limits of space to strike the enemy’s vital areas directly?”

“Yes.” Prince Lexie replied, his expression remained impassive.

“Can you think of any other way to pierce the heart without leaving a single trace on the skin?”

“From what I know, there isn’t.” Prince Lexie replied calmly. “You don’t have to beat around the bush. I’ll tell you straight: Governor Lattom’s wound was indeed inflicted by my ‘Judgment’ technique.”

The murmuring in the Prayer Hall became louder.

Obviously, no one expected Prince Lexie to admit so straightforwardly.

But, even more surprising was when Prince Lexie denied his involvement in the crime. “Yet, I did not kill Lattom.”

At his denial, the discussions grew louder.

Queen Midela smiled brilliantly, pressing on her inquiry: “Your Highness, if you deny having killed Governor Lattom, then how do you explain this sword mark?”

“I cannot explain.” Prince Lexie’s response was still blunt and candid.

At this point, Colin was utterly speechless.

Did the prince believe that his martial prowess and status as a Holy Knight gave him the right to act without restraint?

Did he not care about being framed for a crime now?

This was a governor from the Senate, after all!

One of those standing at the peak of the Empire’s political arena, one of the most influential figures!

In particular, Lattom was an elder of the St. Lorenzo family and Prince Lexie’s very own uncle!

If convicted of this crime, no matter his strength, Lexie wouldn’t be able to avoid the inevitability of being ostracized by everyone.

The gaze of the nobles in the prayer hall had changed, particularly the members of the Senate, who found it intolerable to have someone who refused to respect rules, even if he were a Holy Knight.

Prince Lexie seemed to realize the severity of the situation, pointed out somewhat belatedly, “As I said, I didn’t kill the man.”

His statement was just as overbearing and straight to the point as always.

But a single statement like this was definitely not going to convince the crowd.

Queen Midela seemed to be trying to make an excuse for Prince Lexie, she inquired: “So, Your Highness, who do you believe could imitate your sword technique to leave a sword mark like this?”

“Nobody.” Prince Lexie stated categorically, an arrogant pride surfacing on his face.

Colin’s lip twitched with exasperation verging on speechlessness.

Was this really the time for pride?

Perhaps he was just too accustomed to solving things through brute force; he expected reverence and obedience as the Holy Knight and viewed as an embodiment of a deity. Prince Lexie probably forgot how to deal with the deceitful and conniving schemes.

He might even believe that as a Holy Knight, everyone should believe whatever he said.

But with such tangible evidence in front of them, even if Prince Lexie said he didn’t kill the man, would anybody believe him?

Scanning the room, Colin arrived at a negative conclusion.

Prince Lexie had a motive to kill, and now there was irrefutable evidence, it was almost time to pronounce him guilty.

Queen Midela said with a smile, “Your highness, this puts us in a difficult situation. You claim you did not kill, and yet you claim that nobody else could cause such a wound.”

Pope Gregory cut in to say: “Prince, the world is full of wonders, how can you be so sure that no one else could mimic your sword technique?”

Prince Lexie gave the Pope a faint glance, not replying, but his eyes revealed not gratitude, but the feeling that the Pope’s words were a tarnishment to his sword technique.

Emperor Reinhardt, seated in his wheelchair, finally spoke up, addressing Prince Lexie coldly, “Uncle, if you cannot provide evidence of your innocence, then I will have to pronounce you guilty.”

Prince Lexie stared at Emperor Reinhardt’s eyes but didn’t utter a word.

The gaze of Emperor Reinhardt was deep and fearless as he met his uncle’s gaze, delivering his judgment:

“Lexie of Lorenzo, I hereby, in the name of the Emperor of the Glorious Empire, strip you of your royal title and banish you from our lands!

Unless you find the true culprit, don’t ever step into Dragon City!”

Against the Emperor’s judgement, Prince Lexie’s face remained expressionless. He stared intently at Emperor Reinhardt for a long moment, his face revealing nothing.

The atmosphere in the prayer hall grew tense as everyone felt a terrifying oppression descend, rendering them breathless.

Colin’s heart clenched in fear, worried that the Holy Knight might act impulsively and begin a massacre.

Time seemed to pause.

It was a moment that felt like an eternity.

When everyone finally came back to their senses, they realized that the presumptuous Holy Knight had disappeared from the prayer hall without a word.

Colin furrowed his brow, not expecting Prince Lexie would leave silently.

With him walking away like this, the accusation of murdering Lattom was almost undeniable.

Unless he could find the real culprit.

However, Colin didn’t hold out much hope for that.

He also couldn’t fathom how the Emperor and Queen had managed to frame Prince Lexie for Lattom’s murder, using Lexie’s signature sword technique.

Prince Lexie himself had admitted that only he could perform the sword technique.

With this irrefutable evidence, what could he say in his defense?

Giving up on trying to defend himself, the proud Holy Knight must have chosen to leave abruptly.

Thus, Prince Lexie was finally ousted from the Empire’s political arena by Emperor Reinhardt.

From this point on, the Glorious Empire would truly return to the control of this Emperor!

At this moment, Emperor Reinhardt spoke up again:

“Well, my Lords, let’s continue mourning for Governor Lattom.”