The First Vampire

A multitude of straight, evergreen cypress trees are planted around the temple, standing like silent soldiers, guarding the Temple of Destiny, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and dignity.

At the time of the temple’s inception, this location was not so serene. Half-Elves came in droves to pray, the bustling scene was even more exaggerated than the liveliest marketplace.

However, as the Elves disappeared into the Bright Moon Forest, the Half-Elves gradually leaned towards the powerful Human Empire. Their faith started to favor the Lord of Glory, instead of the Goddess of Fate.

Thus, the neglect of the Temple of Destiny could be understood.

The main structure of the temple, based on low-profile gray rocks, covers about eight thousand square meters. The enormous Prayer Hall is forty-five meters wide and one hundred and twenty meters long, with an arched ceiling rising to fifty meters, allowing tens of thousands of people to pray simultaneously.

Such grandeur, however, hasn’t made its appearance for quite some time. The Prayer Hall now lies empty and despite the servants who clean every day, it is impossible to completely rid the room of the accumulating dust.

Under tonight’s blood-red sky, Silver Moon City is engulfed in flames but the Temple of Destiny remains peacefully unchanged.

Be it the Rebel Army or the unruly civilians, even if they halt worshiping the Goddess of Fate, they dare not blaspheme this place.

Atop the spire’s balcony, a beautiful Half-Elf woman leans on the railing, staring at the fire in Silver Moon City, lost in thought.

She is dressed in a green ceremonial dress, subtly hiding her slender figure. Her slightly exposed skin is white and lustrous, as if bathed in the radiant glow of the silver moon.

However, a persistent melancholy and sorrow cloak her features. The night breeze brushes her soft hair, evoking a mournful melody.

“High Priestess Trissley, have you made up your mind?”

Marquis Vincent stepped out from the shadows behind Trissley. His words carried a hint of suppressed anxiousness and anger.

Hearing this, Trissley did not turn back. She kept staring at the distant flames as if she didn’t hear the respected Marquis’s question.

With a light cough, Marquis Vincent became angry, “High Priestess, don’t think you are irreplaceable in this ritual! Perhaps, you are unaware that in recent days, quite a few of your underling priests have approached me, willing to help me accomplish this ceremony.”

Upon hearing this, there was a visible ripple in Trissley’s eyes.

She slowly turned towards Marquis Vincent and, with a calm and confident tone, said, “Sir Marquis, but you also know that only if I preside over the ceremony will there be the greatest chance of success.”

“However, if you are unwilling, the probability will always be zero for me! So why not let someone else try.” Marquis Vincent stepped closer, his tone cold, “Nevertheless, High Priestess, you should also think carefully, if someone else helps me accomplish this ceremony. Heh, your position as the High Priestess of Silver Moon City may need to be vacated!”

Trissley’s face remained indifferent, seemingly unfazed by Marquis Vincent’s verbal threat. She instinctively brushed her tousled hair behind her ears, revealing her swan-like slender neck.

Unable to control himself, Marquis Vincent swallowed but refrained from acting impulsively. He remembered his father’s warning before departure: He should be the most cautious around the mysterious High Priestess of the Goddess of Fate.

“Sir Marquis.” Trissley finally spoke, “It is not that I am unwilling to help you, but those promises you’ve made, I find it hard to believe that you have the ability to fulfill them.”

A flash of annoyance crossed Vincent’s face as he retorted, “High Priestess, I am representing the will of my father – the Duke of the East! As for those promises I gave you, I never break my word!”

“Is that so?” Trissley remained unmoved and counter-questioned, “What about your mother? The Archbishop of the Glorious Church from the Eastern Province, would she really agree to let the Temple of Destiny take the lead in the faith of the Half-Elf Kingdom?”

“Of course, my mother will agree. I have already sought her opinion on this matter,” said Marquis Vincent with a confident expression.

Seeing that Trissley still looked doubtful, Marquis Vincent spoke again:

“High Priestess, perhaps in your eyes, the faith of these millions of half-elves is very precious. But in the eyes of Glorious Church, hehe, it’s not that important.

Moreover, this is a promise from the St. Prowse family and the only chance you have to save this Temple of Destiny and restore its past glory!

If you miss this opportunity, you will have to continue to wait hopelessly in this deserted place for redemption that you can hardly foresee!

So, what are you hesitating for?”

Trissley shook her head and said, “If the St. Prowse family really means it, then please offer some more specific conditions, not just an empty promise like ‘the Temple of Destiny will lead the faith of the half-elves’.”

Marquis Vincent took a deep breath, suppressing his inner impatience, and asked solemnly: “Then, High Priestess, what kind of conditions do you want?”

Trissley smiled faintly, raising her verdant fingers, and said, “First, the number of priests from the Glorious Church in the Half-Elf Kingdom must be controlled to under a hundred;

Second, ten percent of the Half-Elf Kingdom’s taxes must be handed over to the Temple of Destiny;

Third, the King or Queen of the Half-Elf Kingdom must convert to worship the Goddess of Fate;

Fourth…”

Hearing the harsh conditions set forth by Trissley, Marquis Vincent maintained a calm exterior, but inside, he was rolling with laughter. In his eyes, the High Priestess of the Temple of Destiny was amusingly naive.

When Trissley finished speaking, Marquis Vincent agreed without even bargaining. “Alright, I represent the St. Prowse family and accept your conditions!”

Trissley fixated her amber eyes on Marquis Vincent. It seemed that she truly believed Marquis Vincent, a smile finally appeared on her lovely face.

“Very well! I will help you conduct the Bloodline Ritual, but I hope you understand that even I can’t guarantee that the ritual will be successful.”

“I understand.” Marquis Vincent was overjoyed and nodded, “But, I would like to remind you, only if the ritual is successful, will the conditions you’ve asked for take effect.”

“Of course. If the ritual fails, the situation in Silver Moon City will no longer be determined by your St. Prowse family.”

Marquis Vincent hummed discontentedly upon hearing this.

Trissley didn’t pay any mind to Marquis Vincent’s feelings and abruptly asked, “Now, where’s the Phoenix Soul Stone Fragment?”

Marquis Vincent quickly took out a delicate small box from his bosom and slowly opened it.

Brilliant multicolored light spread out like flowing water, making everything on the balcony appear beautifully dreamlike.

Trissley’s gaze was locked onto the Phoenix Soul Stone Fragment, her face instantly turned incredibly devoted.

“High Priestess, how about this Phoenix Soul Stone Fragment which the St. Prowse family has collected? It should be able to help you complete the ritual smoothly, right?” Marquis Vincent bragged with pride.

Trissley didn’t respond to Marquis Vincent’s question. She took mystical steps towards the Phoenix Soul Stone Fragment, bowed and performed an ancient ceremony, then gently picked it up with both hands.

When she raised her head again, this extraordinarily beautiful High Priestess of the Goddess of Fate, was shedding tears.