The First Vampire

Three on-call female doctors were called in, and a group of well-trained maids began to work immediately. They were either boiling water or sterilising clothes, with everything being carried out nervously yet systematically.

However, amidst all this bustle, Colin and Duke Miller were unable to lend a hand and could only stand around aimlessly outside the delivery room.

Duke Miller paced back and forth restlessly, glancing at Colin’s expression from time to time. He wanted to say something but whenever he saw Colin’s unmoved face, he swallowed his words.

Time ticked by. Duke Miller saw the maids entering and exiting with various items, heard the faint cries of pain from inside the delivery room, and couldn’t help but say, “Why is it taking so long?”

Colin, with his back to his hands and a deep gaze at the setting sun, calmly said, “Having a child isn’t that quick.”

“Right, right…” Duke Miller looked embarrassed and was about to say something more when he suddenly stared at the sky to the north of the royal palace and exclaimed in shock, “Smoke… Smoke! How can there be smoke?”

Colin also saw where Duke Miller was pointing, but his face showed no surprise, as if all this was within his expectation.

In no time, plumes of thick smoke began to emerge once more from Silver Moon City.

This seemed to be a signal, as the noise of commotion suddenly rang out from all over the city. Even Colin, who was deep within the royal palace, could faintly hear it.

“What… What happened?” Duke Miller couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat. His eyes reflected an endless sense of terror.

Apparently, he realised something bad was happening.

Colin finally broke his silence and shouted out loud, “Logh!”

Knight Logh marched up to Colin, knelt down on one knee, and said, “Sir, any orders?”

The corner of Colin’s mouth curved slightly upward, revealing a bloodthirsty smile, and said,

“This is the first battle of the Blood Knight Army since it was renamed. Don’t disappoint me.”

Boom!

Knight Logh’s left hand heavily struck his chest armor and he shouted,

“Yes, sir!”

Then he turned around and walked away briskly.

Duke Miller stared blankly at everything and mumbled, “Lord Colin, did you… Did you foresee all this?”

Colin turned back and laughed, “Your Grace, I am not a fool. How could I be unprepared? Now let’s see what tricks these rebels can play. Hehe, I hope they won’t disappoint me too much.”

Duke Miller looked at Colin whose face was bandied about but was exuding a bloodthirsty aura, and he couldn’t help but shiver, lamenting – is Silver Moon City going to experience another bloody night?

…

“Who is moving the Silver Moon Guards? Why wasn’t I informed?”

Duke Modewen roared in fury, his eyes full of anger and a touch of undisguised terror.

He knew long ago that there were undercurrents in Silver Moon City, and he had reminded Queen Isa several times to be cautious. Unfortunately, the queen, for some reason, had always ignored him.

However, the queen could choose not to care, but as the commander of the Silver Moon Guards, Duke Modewen couldn’t ignore the looming signs of rebellion in the army.

So, he had been monitoring the state of the Silver Moon Guards and kept engaging officers in conversation, explaining the pros and cons to them, and warning them not to get taken in by the schemers and to do something stupid.

Despite all this, when things came to a head, Duke Modewen was devastated to find that a portion of the Silver Moon Guards had slipped out of his control.

“Your Grace, the Silver Moon Guards have been dispatched to put out the fire…”

“Bullshit!” Duke Modewen rudely interrupted, “I asked who is controlling the Silver Moon Guards, not why they’re being moved!”

The subordinate instantly shrank back, not daring to make a sound.

“And, no matter the reason, shouldn’t all movements of the Silver Moon Guards be approved by me!” Duke Modewen yelled furiously.

He knew very well what kind of nonsense he was being fed.

No matter how big the fire, there was no need to deploy the Silver Moon Guards to put it out.

Their aim in mobilizing the Silver Moon Guards could only be one — Queen Isa!

Thinking of this, Duke Modewen could no longer maintain his composure. He kicked over the lackey nodding subserviently before him and strode out the door.

But as soon as he walked out, Duke Modewen was stopped.

“Uncle Kames?” Duke Modewen looked at the old man blocking his path, a surge of ominous premonition welling up in his heart.

Kames Modewen stood with his arms folded, his face expressionless as he asked, “William, why are you in such a fluster? Where are you going?”

Duke Modewen took a deep breath and confessed, “Uncle, someone has mobilized the Silver Moon Guards without my consent. They have ill intentions! I must go and stop them immediately!”

“There’s no need.”

“What?”

Kames’ cloudy eyes fixed on Duke Modewen and he said apathetically, “Because the one who mobilized the Silver Moon Guards is your son — Charlie.”

Duke Modewen stood as if struck by lightning, speechless for a long time.

Seeing his reaction, Kames continued, “Don’t think about stopping it now. Charlie has probably almost reached the northern gate of the palace, preparing to launch the attack.”

Hearing this, the light in Duke Modewen’s eyes vanished instantly, and he asked in pain, “Why? Are you trying to bring the downfall of the Modewen family?”

“Downfall? Hehe.” Kames sneered dismissively, “William, have you forgotten how the Modewen family lost the throne of the Half-Elves?

Isn’t it all because of your weakness!

As the first heir to the throne, you surrendered to the lustful tyranny of Colin and Isa, that ignominious couple. You simply handed over the family’s throne without a fight!

This is nothing short of the greatest humiliation!

Do you know why Isa dared to entrust you with the Silver Moon Guards? Why she dared to let you oversee the kingdom while she is giving birth?

Is it not because she saw through you!

She knew you wouldn’t dare rebel!

You cast aside the family’s grudges, glory, and beliefs long ago, only thinking of how to please Isa and curry her favor!

If we continue to let you act this way, the Modewen family truly will plunge into the abyss of ruin!”

Duke Modewen stared back at his uncle, as if he were reacquainting himself with the man. His mouth curled into a mocking smile and he retorted,

“Uncle, I admit I’m not smart and my father was always displeased with me because of it. But do you know why he never replaced me as his heir while he was alive?”

Kames was taken aback and asked, “Why?”

“Because, although I am stupid…” Duke Modewen’s smirk grew wider, “But, you are even more stupid!”

A tinge of red flush crossed Kames’ face, but he stifled his anger, sneering, “William, stop spouting all this nonsense. Do you even have a choice now?

Your only son, Charlie, is attacking the royal palace. Do you really think you can remain uninvolved?

No, soon all the nobles of Silver Moon City will believe that you are the mastermind behind this rebellion!

Even if you do nothing now and let Charlie be killed by the Blood Knight Army, do you really think you can continue to earn the queen’s trust afterward?”

A struggle appeared on Duke Modewen’s face, but he remained silent.

Kames continued to coax him, “Charlie is your only son. Can you truly bear this?”

“We can’t defeat Count Angler!” Duke Modewen growled hoarsely.

“Hmph! William, your cowardice disappoints me!” Kames said coldly. “However, I can tell you that the participants in this rebellion far exceed your imagination. Surely you don’t lack the shreds of courage to gamble just once more?”

Duke Modewen lowered his head, his nails digging deeply into his flesh.

Weary of waiting for a direct response, Kames was filled with despair.

But just as he was about to turn away and leave this weakling family leader to his fate, Duke Modewen suddenly raised his head. His eyes filled with a cold, insane fierceness, he growled,

“Fine! Let’s have one more gamble together!”