The First Vampire

A row of white crystals was embedded in the snow-white wall. These crystals were a specific arcane material capable of amplifying light. Thus, even without many candles, the study could be as bright as daylight.

Previously, hanging above the fireplace was a specimen of a massive, colorful tiger skull, said to have been personally hunted down by the previous Duke St. Hilde, but it was now gone, replaced with a dazzling Blood Rose wreath.

The changes in the study seemed to hint that the master of this castle had changed.

“Countess Schultz is not Vera’s biological mother. Fortunately, you didn’t fall for it,” said Marquis Garcia.

Colin nodded and then cautiously ventured, “Then, Vera’s biological mother is…?”

Marquis Garcia gave Colin a warning look, then hesitated for a moment and said, “You don’t need to know who she is, you just need to know that she is no longer of this world. Therefore, anyone who claims to be Vera’s biological mother is a fraud!”

Colin sighed inwardly, thinking that Queen Midela indeed lied as well.

Well, damn it, they’re all a bunch of actors!

Fortunately, I too am…

“So… who knows the true identity of Vera’s biological mother?” Colin asked again.

Because he realized that Mr. Ji dared to let Countess Schultz pretend to be Vera’s birth mother and was confident that Marquis Garcia would not publicly expose them. It was evident that he knew Vera’s biological mother’s true identity and that this identity should not be disclosed.

The question is, how would Mr. Ji know?

Colin could understand if Queen Midela knew, as they were siblings, and it wouldn’t be surprising if she knew some secrets about her brother.

But Mr. Ji…while he possessed Duke St. Hilde’s body, did he also gain his memories?

“Why would you ask?” Marquis Garcia asked, eyeing Colin warily.

Colin had no choice but to recount Mr. Ji possibly possessing the body of the Duke St. Hilde to resurrect himself and bewitching Countess Schultz to impersonate Vera’s biological mother.

Of course, he did not disclose the secret agreement he and Agani reached in the church basement afterwards.

After listening, Marquis Garcia remained silent for a long time, and his face kept changing.

In truth, Marquis Garcia knew that the remains buried in the family mausoleum were not his brother’s authentic remains. Colin had been honest when he had returned him from the East Territory.

He also understood the necessity of passing off a fake corpse under those circumstances and did not overly blame Colin. He said that once Vera succeeded in inheriting the position of the Duke, they would ask the Morrison Family for the remains of the previous Duke.

But he hadn’t expected that the body would have been overtaken by Mr. Ji.

Moreover, the idea of resurrecting using another’s body was so inconceivable that it took Marquis Garcia some time to come to terms with it.

After a long contemplation, Marquis Garcia suddenly said: “You don’t have to worry about this, I will deal with the Morrison Family personally.”

A thought popped into Colin’s mind, he instantly realized that the Hilde Family and the Morrison Family might have more connections than he was aware of.

Furthermore, were the Hilde Family aware of the Blood Pool beneath the Morrison Family’s Clock Tower?

Going a little further, were the many noble girls that the Hilde Family married to the Morrison Family for ulterior motives?

Thinking that many innocent young girls might unknowingly be utilized as tools for some bloody research by both families sent chills down Colin’s spine.

But he also knew that this might involve some secrets that the Hilde Family wanted to keep hidden, and it was apparent that Marquis Garcia did not want him to delve too deeply into this.

Having no choice, Colin could only nod in agreement. He then changed the subject and recounted the incident of Pope Gregory casting some divine technique on Vera during her baptism.

After listening quietly, Marquis Garcia fell into silence once again. After a while, he finally asked, “Do you know what the biggest disagreement between Cyrus and me was?”

Colin was startled for a moment before realizing that the “Cyrus” Marquis Garcia was referring to was the name of the previous Duke St. Hilde.

“The development direction for the North Territory?” Colin recalled former conflicts between the two brothers, “The Duke desired to conquer the wealthy yet weak East Territory. You, on the other hand, were bent on destroying the Troll Empire.”

“Correct.” Marquis Garcia nodded with a touch of sentiment in his expression, “At this time last year, after annihilating three hundred thousand of the Troll Army on the Sky Ice Plain, Cyrus could no longer control his ambition to advance eastwards.”

For this purpose, he went so far as to marry off Vera to the Half-Elf Kingdom. He wanted to manipulate the key to the East Territory, while also pressuring me to lead the Dark Cavalry eastward.”

Unfortunately, Mr. Ji’s plot completely disrupted Cyrus’s plan…”

Colin remained silent. He had personally experienced Vera’s marriage to the Half-Elf Kingdom. He was rather pleased with himself at the time, thinking he had gained a great deal. However, looking back, he was nothing more than a chess piece on the board, going with the flow unsuspectingly.”

“Cyrus wanted to advance toward the East Territory, not just out of his ambitions regarding its wealth, but also because of the instigation from the royal family.” Marquis Garcia glanced at Colin, asking, “During your visit to Dragon City, Emperor Reinhardt and Queen Midela tried to win you over, didn’t they?”

Colin nodded, “Yes, they definitely wanted me to march to the East Territory and cut off the Church’s greatest secular support.”

Marquis Garcia stared into Colin’s eyes, asking again, “What do you think?”

“I…” Colin looked at Marquis Garcia’s stern expression, but changed his words mid-sentence, “I think humans shouldn’t slaughter each other. This would give foreign races the opportunity to exploit us!”

As expected, an approving smile spread across Marquis Garcia’s face. He nodded and said, “It’s good that you understand. The most important characteristic of a knight is loyalty.”

“I remember when we were in Ice Rock City, I once asked you, ‘What is loyalty?’”

Colin nodded and involuntarily touched the Blade of Judgment at his waist, as scenes from the past gradually surfaced in his mind.

Marquis Garcia continued saying, “Loyalty is not a blind allegiance to a person because humans are fickle and inconstant. The only thing truly worthy of your unwavering loyalty is a certain belief!”

“Belief?” Colin pondered on Marquis Garcia’s words, having a moment of enlightenment.

“The belief of a knight is guardianship.” Marquis Garcia’s face became extraordinarily devout, “My entire life’s purpose is to protect the human race! This is my belief. No matter what happens, no matter where I am, I will always be faithful to it.”

Having said that, Marquis Garcia heavily patted Colin’s shoulder and said earnestly, “I hope that you can find a belief to which you can devote your unwavering loyalty.”

“Only in this way will you avoid being engulfed in an endless power struggle, losing your way in a vortex of intrigue.”

Looking at Marquis Garcia’s pure and fearless eyes and feeling the weight on his shoulders, Colin suddenly realized why this Marquis spent the first half of his life on the toughest frontlines in the North Territory, considering the Trolls as his lifelong enemies.

So, the grudges and grievances between him and his brother were all because of this.

Perhaps, this is what a real knight is, this is the guardian of the human race!

For a moment, Marquis Garcia’s hunched figure appeared much taller in Colin’s eyes.

“I understand,” Colin said seriously.

Marquis Garcia gave a faint smile, saying, “I have always had high hopes for you, do not let me down.”

Having said this, he turned around and started to walk towards the door.

Colin suddenly spoke, “Marquis, I plan to implement Scholar Sunny’s agricultural reforms to the North Territory. Additionally, I plan to take out a loan…”

Without turning back his head, Marquis Garcia waved off, interrupting, “You don’t need to inform me about these administrative issues, just handle them as you see fit. After all, you’re now the guardian of the North Territory and Vera’s husband, you have both the right and the obligation to help her manage the North Territory.”

“Alright,” Colin sighed in relief. He didn’t really want to be hampered by Marquis Garcia, and it seemed the latter also did not have the intention to do so.

Shortly after, Colin added, “Also, I’ll be going to the Half-Elf Kingdom next month to purchase food. I hope you could help maintain order in the North Territory while I’m away.”

Marquis Garcia turned back and looked at him with a teasing smile, “Isn’t Queen Isa about to deliver her baby?”

Having been caught off guard, Colin awkwardly laughed and nodded.

Marquis Garcia didn’t reproach him. After all, he himself had an illegitimate daughter, so he had no position to criticize Colin on that matter…

“Be careful on your trip.” Marquis Garcia off-handedly nodded without further comment and left the study.

“Yes!”