The First Vampire

Chapter 676: 674 Secret (Part 2)_1
 

“Count Angler, do you know that Midela St. Hilde was severely sick when she was fourteen years old?”

Colin shook his head.

Scholar Yerug gave a slight smile and said,

“This is very easy to verify. Just ask any elder of the St. Hilde family, they can tell you the specifics.”

Colin nodded and asked, “So, what kind of illness did she have?”

“White Plague.”

“White Plague?” Colin recalled his knowledge of this disease from his past life. It dawned on him; this must be Tuberculosis.

In this era where there were no antibiotics, the highly contagious disease was practically incurable, resulting in a high mortality rate.

Scholar Yerug continued, “You must have heard of this infectious disease requiring quarantine. Midela was suffering from the disease for three years. During those three years, she lived alone, cared for by a dedicated nurse, without entertaining any visitors. It was only after three years that she emerged, supposedly recovered from the illness.

But in reality, the real Midela St. Hilde died from the illness long ago, and the one who appeared three years later was actually my sister—Yeliv!”

From the balcony, Colin casually asked,

“So, why did the St. Hilde family conceal the news of Midela’s death? And why did they choose your sister as her replacement?”

“Because of the marriage alliance.”

“Marriage alliance?”

“Yes, Midela was betrothed to Emperor Reinhardt when she was just ten years old. If she died, the planned marital alliance between the St. Hilde family and the Royal Family would not be able to proceed.

After all, in that generation of the St. Hilde family, Midela was the only eligible noblewoman of the right age. It was unthinkable for the Emperor to marry a woman from a cadet branch of the St. Hilde family.

Thus, after Midela’s death, the St. Hilde family used her supposed quarantine as an excuse to hide her death until they found a suitable replacement.”

Without disguising the skepticism in his eyes, Colin asked,

“If that is your story, I must admit, it’s hard for me to believe. The St. Hilde family selecting a peasant girl to take the place of their own family’s daughter for a royal marriage… it all sounds like far-fetched fantasy.”

Unperturbed, Scholar Yerug replied,

“Count Angler, you do not understand the predicament of the St. Hilde family at the time. Marquis Garcia had just turned eighteen, and the Dark Cavalry had not yet been founded. The North Territory was under constant pressure from the Troll Empire and needed help from the Royal Family. The marriage alliance was extremely important to them…”

“Even then, they wouldn’t choose your sister…” Colin interrupted, “Please forgive my rudeness, but I don’t believe the St. Hilde family would choose a peasant’s daughter to marry into the royal family.”

“What if we are, in fact, not from the peasantry?” Scholar Yerug suddenly smiled.

Colin stared deeply at him and asked,

“Really? Then which family are you descendants of?”

“St. Chapman.”

“That Family of the Empire’s Guardians?” Colin questioned, “Weren’t they exterminated by the Church a long time ago?”

With a wistful smile, Scholar Yerug said,

“Yes. But when the Duke of St. Chapman decided to propagate The Divine Book of Glory within the Empire, he predicted that it might provoke the wrath of the Church.

Thus, he faked the death of his heir and secretly sent him to the North Territory to seek the protection of the St. Hilde family. This ensured the bloodline of the St. Chapman Family could continue.

When the St. Chapman Family was later exterminated by the Church, this sole surviving lineage was carefully protected by the St. Hilde family and secretly placed in Black Thorn Village…”

Upon hearing this, Colin didn’t express any doubt.

The St. Hilde family, the St. Chapman family, and the Royal Lorenzo family were always the most determined Holy Knight families in opposing the Church.

Their mutual cover-ups were only natural.

“… So after Midela died of illness, the St. Hilde family, urgently needing a replacement, set their sights on my younger sister, Yeliv St. Chapman.”

Firstly, she possesses noble bloodline, and even if the Royal Family ever found out, they wouldn’t exact heavy punishment. After all, the lineage of the Chapman Family is worthy of an emperor, and the Royal Family has always felt guilt towards the Chapman Family.

Yeliv is about the same age as Midela, and although there is some difference in appearance, a girl of fourteen or fifteen is subject to significant change. A separation of three years is enough time to blur people’s memories of the real Midela’s appearance.

Furthermore, although Yeliv bears the name Chapman, The Chapman family has long lost its glory and can only rely on the St. Hilde family for survival. After her marriage into the Royal Family, she will also maintain the interests of the St. Hilde family, which isn’t much different from the real Midela.

Thus, my sister was ultimately chosen by the St. Hilde family, to replace the real Midela and marry into the Royal Family.”

Colin looked thoughtful and yet noncommittal,

“Indeed, it is a plausible story, and it seems flawless. However, how does this relate to your warning to me?”

“Of course, it does. All those who are opposing the Church are allies of the Chapman Family! It is my duty to prevent you from falling into the Church’s trap. Besides,…” Scholar Yerug’s eyes suddenly sparkled brightly, “Haven’t you ever suspected your own bloodline? You must be a descendant of the Holy Knight Family since you’ve ascended to the Holy Field!”

Colin blinked.

He thought to himself, ‘I am only here because I used the Blood Clan cheat…’

“You’re not suggesting that I am also a descendant of your Chapman Family, are you?” Colin said with a laugh.@@novelbin@@

Unexpectedly, Scholar Yerug nodded seriously and said,

“Yes. You are indeed one of our clan!”

Before Colin could ask further, Scholar Yerug continued,

“After the original escape to the North Territory, our Chapman family ancestors, as a preventive measure, deliberately let a bloodline escape from the sight of the St. Hilde family. It’s not that we didn’t trust the St. Hilde family, but we had already experienced the distress of a family massacre. Our ancestors were full of a sense of crisis, so he left a backup planning…”

“So, this bloodline became the Angler family?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you have any evidence or a method of verification?”

Scholar Yerug shook his head, saying,

“How could such a secret flow of bloodline possibly leave any evidence? However, your father should know his own identity. He died in the frontline battle, perhaps without having chance to tell you about it. But, you can ask the elders in your family. Perhaps someone knows…”

Colin stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Scholar Yerug’s story seemed flawless, but the baseless tales can only be listened to. If Colin were to believe him, practical evidence would still be necessary.

However, if everything he said was true, it could explain some of Colin’s previous doubts.

Such as why Queen Midela has been developing secret forces, why she’s been attacking the Church like mad, why even when the Marquis Garcia wanted to die, she still wanted to take advantage of him, stirring up the North Territory to confront the Church.

Colin had always thought this was the natural conflict between the noble class and the Church, but Queen Midela’s actions clearly exceeded normal hostility and confrontation.

If her true identity was a descendant of the Chapman Family, it would all make sense.

Seeing Colin no longer asking, Scholar Yerug respectfully knelt on one knee, saying,

“Sir, the Chapman Family has been silent for over three hundred years, but finally we have you, a Holy Knight! This is the Supreme Lord’s grace!

I believe, you defintely can lead us to revenge against the Church!”

Observing the excited Scholar Yerug, Colin didn’t question him any further. He hid all his doubts deep within his heart, and put on a serious face, nodding gravely,

“Rest assured. Those false believers who blaspheme our Lord will surely be judged accordingly!”