The First Vampire

On the Angry River, it was also pitch black, with only specks of light emanating from the warships of the Pegasus Navy.

However, Alfalfa City was brightly lit, bustling with activity, especially the Eastern District where the Pegasus Navy had docked. Tens of thousands of navy soldiers poured into the city, spending freely, eating, drinking, and reveling, a grand celebration of indulgence.

Count Evan, however, did not partake in the revelry. He politely refused the company of two beauties sent by the Alfalfa Brotherhood, and was engrossed in writing something in his quiet study.

After a while, his attendant Adam walked in quietly, handed a piece of parchment to Count Evan, and reported:

“Sir, this is the list of personnel for the mission assigned by Count Howell, for your review.”

Count Evan took the list, gave it a cursory glance, then set it aside, asking, “What is Count Howell doing now?”

“Count Howell is currently gathering the officers on the list, presumably to discuss their upcoming mission to Silver Moon City.”

“I see.” Count Evan nodded, and added, “After their discussion, have Count Howell come see me.”

“Yes, Sir!”

Just as Count Evan was about to return to his writing, he noticed Adam had not left and asked, “Is there anything else?”

The attendant swiftly reported: “Sir, Orlando has also summoned the leaders of the Alfalfa Brotherhood for a meeting, though it’s unclear what he’s up to.”

Count Evan frowned slightly but didn’t seem too concerned, nonchalantly instructing, “Go find out what they’re doing, and ask Orlando to come see me as well.”

“Yes, Sir!”

With that, Adam bowed and retreated.

——————————

In an abandoned church not far from the Alfalfa City harbor, more than a hundred leaders of the Alfalfa Brotherhood had gathered.

Once he saw that most of them had arrived, Orlando cleared his throat to attract everyone’s attention.

The place gradually fell silent.

In reality, compared to his predecessor Capen, Orlando didn’t have much prestige within the Alfalfa Brotherhood. After all, he did not possess the formidable martial skills that could suppress the unruly smaller factions like Capen did.

Fortunately, Orlando had the support of Count Evan, so even though many did not respect the new leader, they wouldn’t openly challenge his authority, particularly when the eastern navy’s fleet was stationed at Alfalfa City.

“I know you all have been uncomfortable lately.”

The first words out of Orlando’s mouth earned a secret nod from many of the gang leaders.

Since Count Evan began treating Alfalfa City as his own, he planned to control the city’s underground forces and restore order. However, this clearly made the gang members accustomed to deceit, robbery, and theft uncomfortable, and even resentful.

But under the intimidation of the eastern army, they could only suppress their dissatisfaction.

Now that Orlando had brought this up, the crowd immediately started whispering among themselves.

Orlando raised his hand and spoke again: “To be honest with you, I’m not used to this life of being controlled.”

These words earned Orlando a considerable approval, even some simple-minded fools clapped their hands.

Orlando gave a faint smile, raised his voice, and continued: “We came to Alfalfa City because we didn’t want to pay taxes, didn’t want to be controlled, and didn’t want the nobles to boss us around!

Whether it’s the East Territory, the North Territory, or the Half-Elf Kingdom, none of them can truly occupy this city!

This is our city!

No matter how poor and chaotic, it remains our paradise!”

“Good!”

“Well said!”

“Nobles, get out of Alfalfa City!”

…

A few instigated fools immediately started making a racket.

But most people just watched coldly.

The fools, seeing no one responding, were suddenly embarrassed. Then, they belatedly realized the consequences of what Orlando just said could be.

The Eastern District’s fleet is still in Alfalfa City’s harbor!

If Count Evan heard these words, a bloodbath would surely erupt in Alfalfa City again, and the newly-appointed head of Alfalfa Brotherhood would undoubtedly meet a tragic end.

And so, the room fell silent once again.

Orlando seemed unperturbed, as if unaware of the potential consequences of his words.

Some gang leaders who had never respected Orlando began to smirk in the shadows, planning to relay this news to Count Evan when they left.

Heh, the Alfalfa Brotherhood would then have to replace its leader again after some time.

If they could earn Count Evan’s favor, the position of the new leader might even fall to them!

“Many of you are probably preparing to inform on me, aren’t you?” Orlando saw through their intentions and straightforwardly unmasked them.

However, his words did not stir up any sizable wave, the majority of the gang leaders just looked at Orlando as if he was already a corpse.

Although they also didn’t want to see Alfalfa City regain its normal order, they wouldn’t provoke the Eastern District at this time.

To them, Orlando’s actions were simply foolish.

“I am not afraid of you reporting me,” Orlando said with a calm smile, “because Count Evan is already in a precarious position.”

Seeing the confident Orlando, the faces of the gang leaders finally showed some changes.

Someone couldn’t help but question aloud, “Lord Orlando, what news have you received?”

Before Orlando could reply, someone appeared at the entrance of the room. Orlando frowned, preparing to reprimand the guards for allowing someone in so casually. But, as soon as he recognized the man, he quickly put on a smile, saying:

“Mr. Adam, why have you come?”

As Count Evan’s personal attendant, Adam was naturally a person that no one in the Alfalfa Brotherhood wanted to offend. They quickly stood up and greeted Adam with a bow.

“It’s quite lively here, so the Count asked me to check what’s going on,” Adam greeted everyone with a chuckle.

The gang leaders’ faces were full of delight yet also contempt. They were deciding whether to reveal Orlando’s disloyalty to Adam when they heard Orlando speak first:

“Mr. Adam, we were discussing a problem.”

“Oh? What problem?”

Orlando walked up to Adam with a flattery smile and said, “We were discussing who is the master of Alfalfa City?”

“Have you come to a conclusion?” Adam thought Orlando was going to stroke Count Evan’s ego once more. His heart overflowed with complacency and contempt.

“Of course.” Orlando stepped closer and said, “Alfalfa City belongs to no one!”

Whoosh!

A flash of silver light.

Adam was still shocked by what Orlando had uttered when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his throat.

“Ah!”

Only then did the crowd realize the seriousness of the issue as they saw Adam clutching his throat and collapsing.

“Orlando, have you gone mad!”

Orlando nonchalantly wiped the dagger on his clothes and said indifferently, “I’ve told you, it’s not up to Count Evan to give orders in Alfalfa City.”

Just when everyone thought that Orlando must have gone mad, a loud noise came from outside.

Boom!

The shockwave made the chandelier on the ceiling shake violently, and ash began to sprinkle down.

“Is… is it an earthquake?”

Someone asked uncertainly.

Orlando pointed to the flames soaring from the port outside the window and laughed, “Gentlemen, chaos has begun. This is the battlefield you are most familiar with. The Pegasus Navy’s military payments, weapons, armor and treasures are all calling out to you. What are you waiting for?”

Having said that, he walked away laughing, leaving the gang leaders looking at each other in confusion.