The First Vampire

Chapter 664: 662 Perception_1
 

“This might not be appropriate…”

Although Governor Fred was delighted in his heart, he put on a facade of concern for the country and the people:

“The North Territory won’t surrender easily, let alone the victory in the Luwal Valley has transformed Marquis Garcia from a traitor to a misunderstood hero. To provoke the North Territory at this time, I fear, will trigger great turmoil.

How about this? I can represent the Royal Family to help the Church explain the situation to the North Territory…”

“Will the Northerners believe us?” Cardinal Mensai interrupted impatiently, “Let alone our Church can’t provide proof of Marquis Garcia’s suicide, even if we could, the Northerners probably won’t accept it!

They already bear grudges against the Church, and now they have such a good excuse, how could they not make use of it?

Therefore, in order to avoid greater turmoil, we must act first to eradicate the threat in its infancy!”

With his brows knitted, Fred voiced his dilemma: “But the Northerners have just made great contributions in the battle against the Orcs…”

“Governor Fred, the present North Territory, whether in terms of strength or reputation, has already reached its peak! Don’t tell me that the Royal Family hasn’t felt the threat!

I am quite aware that the Imperial Central Army was completely defeated in the Battle of Luwal Valley, and even His Majesty died courageously on the battlefield!

Such an outcome, however, glorified the Northerners.

Hasn’t the Royal Family realised the hidden crisis here?”

“What’s your plan to deal with the North Territory?” Before Governor Fred could open his mouth again, Prince Lexie spoke first.

At this, Fred rolled his eyes, speechless at Prince Lexie’s detrimental cooperation.

Although the Royal Family also wants to deal with the North Territory, it is clear that the Church is more eager now, so Fred has been holding his position, trying to take this opportunity to extort something from the Church.

But surprisingly…

Seeing that Prince Lexie seems to be interested, Cardinal Mensai immediately perked up and said:

“Your Highness, the military strength of the North Territory largely relies on two people – Marquis Garcia and Count Angler!

Now that Marquis Garcia is dead, as long as we can kill Colin Angler, the Northern Army will completely lose its backbone, and can no longer cause any trouble!”

Governor Fred snorted and said:

“Cardinal Mensai, are you planning to assassinate an Imperial Count? Furthermore, a Count who has just led the Imperial Allied Army to victory in the Battle of Luwal Valley and saved the Luminous Empire?”

Having figured out the real intentions of the Royal Family, Cardinal Mensai did not care about Governor Fred’s questioning. Instead, he looked at Prince Lexie with piercing eyes and said:

“Your Highness, Colin Angler is a hero of the Empire, but he is also a threat to the Empire! Under the current circumstances, he will become the source of civil unrest in the Empire! Therefore, at such a critical moment, we cannot afford to show any mercy!”

Prince Lexie nodded and then asked:

“Tell me your specific plan.”

…

The afternoon sun was warm and pleasant.

Colin, lazily lying on a hill slope covered with four-leaf clovers, hands supporting the back of his head, gazing at the Luwal River tributary flowing slowly down the valley.

Annoying vultures occasionally passed by in the sky. Although the battlefield had been cleaned up and the corpses burnt and buried, the lingering scent of blood still attracted these scavengers to linger reluctantly nearby.

Behind him, faint footsteps approached, accompanied by the subtle fragrance of roses.

Colin tilted his head slightly, and sure enough, it was Duke St. Gregorian.

She was wearing a goose yellow waist-hugging dress, her flawless white feet bare. She slowly squatted down beside Colin. Her pure, azure eyes were filled with a curious smile, and her golden hair spilled casually over her shoulders, reflecting the brilliant sunshine.

“You seem pretty relaxed.”

“What else can I do?” Colin gave Duke St. Gregorian a smile, “I would love to get busy, but some people won’t let me.”

“Hmph! They’re useless against external enemies, but they’re quite lively when it comes to infighting for power!” Duke St. Gregorian declared indignantly.

“Don’t worry, any kind of cunning plot is nothing but clouds before absolute strength. As long as Harrison ascends the throne, the war will continue, and you can soon return to Westland.”

Duke St. Gregorian gazed deeply toward the west, grinding his teeth as he said:

“I can’t wait for that day to come!”

“It’s soon. Governor Fred should have also received the news of Emperor Reinhardt’s death by now. Once he returns to camp, you can discuss sending back the Emperor’s remains to Dragon City and the matter of the new Emperor’s succession.”

“Oh yes, Fred has returned. I just saw him storming out of Prince Lexie’s tent,” Duke St. Gregorian remarked with schadenfreude.

Colin gave a faint smile, without paying much attention to it.

But Duke St. Gregorian’s next sentence caught his attention:

“Also, I saw Mensai. I wonder how he got here…”

“Cardinal Mensai?” Colin’s eyes narrowed.

“Yes. I guess he received the news of victory and came to comfort the army on behalf of the Church.”

Instead of agreeing with Duke St. Gregorian’s assumption, Colin sat up straighter with a puzzled look on his face.

“No, in the winning of this battle, the North Territory received the greatest glory. There’s no way the Church would specially come here to console us. They should be hiding in Dragon City and cursely us for having dumb luck…”

Duke St. Gregorian also watched Colin, who was looking serious, and asked:

“So why do you think he’s come to Luwal Valley? Could it be to stir something up about Prince Harrison’s succession?”

Colin shook his head again, saying, “That’s unlikely. The news of Emperor Reinhardt’s death could not have reached Dragon City so quickly. Mensai didn’t come for that.”

“Then what for?”

Colin paused for a moment, then said conclusively,

“Something has likely happened in Dragon City!”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know.” Colin stared at the wilderness in the distance, his gaze gradually losing focus.

Duke St. Gregorian thought Colin was deep in thought, so he sat down on the grass next to him without saying a word.

In fact, Colin’s vision had switched to Dragon City.

Originally, in order to prevent anyone from making a move on Prince Harrison, he had deliberately left a few blood slaves in the shadows as guards.

Now, possessing the consciousness of a blood slave, Colin heard the conversation between Prince Harrison and a Royal Knight:

“I’m sorry, Your Highness Harrison, we’ve searched the whole city and still haven’t found any traces of Marquis Garcia…”

“What about the Holy Light Cathedral? Did you search there too?”

“Well… The Church is a sacred place after all, we didn’t think it appropriate to search…”

“You idiots! My uncle disappeared after going to the Cathedral for confession, and you didn’t think to search there?”

The knight lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Colin watched as Prince Harrison exploded in anger, finally understanding the true reason for Cardinal Mensai’s trip to Luwal Valley.

At that moment, a surge of anger boiled in his chest.

He squeezed cold words between his teeth:

“Gregory, you had better not do anything foolish!”