The First Vampire

Chapter 705: 703 Instigate_1

Huorong City.

In the Brugen family graveyard, Grace, dressed in a pure black long dress, adorned with a white daisy on her chest, stands silently praying in front of Count Brugen’s grave.

Behind her, a group of nobles and military officers gathered to attend the annual ceremony of Count Brugen.

One year ago today, Count Brugen led the Huorong Army, known as the strongest land army in the East, into battle against the Blood Knight Army, resulting in the complete annihilation of his forces.

What’s even more incredulous was that it wasn’t even the main force of the Blood Knight Army that destroyed the fifty-thousand-strong Huorong Army.

A mere three thousand Blood Knights shattered the Huorong Army on the battlefield.

...

This defeat completely broke the morale of the eastern soldiers. Since then, the mere mention of Blood Knight Army has become an inescapable nightmare for Easterners.

Later, Colin capitalised on the situation, stormed White Dew City, killed Duke Saint Prowse, and restructured the political landscape of the East. Throughout this process, the Eastern nobles bore silently, not daring to show the slightest defiance.

Unfortunately, due to the Orc invasion and the Royal Family’s War Order, the Blood Knight Army could only reluctantly withdraw from the East. They had no time to consolidate their victories, leaving many potential problems.

The most significant of these problems was the selection of the Eastern Duke.

Originally, as the first in line to inherit the Duchy of the East, Eckert Saint Proust was also approved and accepted as a student by Colin. As per the normal course of events, becoming the new Eastern Duke should have been a foregone conclusion.

But no one could have predicted his sudden death from illness.

Of course, the so-called “death from illness” was the explanation given by the St. Prowse family to the public.

As for how Eckert died, everyone knew—

How could a healthy five-year-old child die so easily?

Clearly, a force intending to resist Colin had surfaced in the East.

But for the majority of Eastern nobles, Colin and the Blood Knight Army remained a nightmare they dared not defy.

Especially the present Colin, he was even more dreaded than he had been a year ago.

Leading the Luwal Valley campaign, successfully being promoted to Holy Knight, being granted the title Guardian of the Empire…these glorious laurels made Colin a terrifying figure that the Eastern nobles dared not confront.

So, when news came that the Blood Knight Army had crossed the Angry River and once again set foot on Eastern territory, the Eastern nobles were panicked.

Grace ended her prayers, turned around, her cold gaze slowly sweeping over the faces of those attending the ceremony.

“Gentlemen, I believe you’ve heard that the Blood Knight Army is approaching Huorong City. According to the latest intelligence, they are only a little over three hundred kilometers away from Huorong City and will likely reach here in three days.”

As soon as these words escaped her mouth, it provoked a stir among the nobles present.

Out of all the Eastern nobles, the greatest fear of the Blood Knight Army was definitely held by the Brugen Family of Huorong City.

The destruction of the Huorong Army was an eternally painful memory for them, one that couldn’t be erased even with two or three generations’ time.

Grace paused for a moment and continued:

“I presume you all know why the Blood Knight Army is heading straight for Huorong City.”

The crowd exchanged glances, their eyes revealing a complex mixture of emotions.

They of course knew why the Blood Knight Army was heading directly for Huorong City.

Wasn’t it all because of the news of Grace’s engagement to Camila?

A year ago, after Colin annihilated the Huorong Army, he brazenly entered the defenseless Huorong City, and the person who had welcomed this Northern Wars’ God was none other than Grace herself.

Although many people looked down on Grace’s decision to serve the man who had killed her father, no one dared to show their disdain in front of this lady of the Brugen family. Instead, they would even show her respect because of her connection with Colin.

Who would have thought that after the Marquis Oberth plotted to assassinate Eckert, he would actually set his sights on Grace.

This old man was dead set on offending Colin St. Chapman.

When they first received the marriage proposal from Marquis Oberth, the majority of the Brugen family members wanted to refuse.

They didn’t want to become the targets of Colin’s rage.

But the problem was, Graces’s grandfather—the previous Count Brugen, immediately agreed to this marriage.

That’s right, the previous Count Brugen was still alive, just that five years ago, due to old age and inability to manage his territory, he had transferred his title to his son ahead of time.

A year ago, when Count Brugen died in battle, the Huorong Army was wiped out, and Colin’s Blood Knight Army killed their way into Huorong City, this old count was still pretending to be dead in bed, not daring to face the situation.

No one expected that after receiving Marquis Oberth’s marriage proposal, this old count, who had long stopped participating in worldly affairs, would suddenly reappear.

One would think that, until a new Count Brugen was appointed by the Eastern Duke, the old count was indeed the rightful ruler of Huorong City, and the knights of the Brugen family had sworn their loyalty to him.

But who knew if this old count was confused or had been deceived by someone, but he actually agreed to Marquis Oberth’s marriage proposal.

This undoubtedly put the Brugen family in an extremely dangerous situation.

No matter how much others advised him, the old count stubbornly persisted in his decision.

Now the Blood Knight Army was coming. @@novelbin@@

The thought of the recurring nightmare once again descending upon Huorong City was enough to send chills down the spine of the members of the Brugen family.

Grace captured everyone’s expressions in her eyes. She took a deep breath and distinctly said:

“My grandfather is old and confused. His actions will bring endless disaster to the Brugen family and to Huorong City!”

At her words, the graveyard fell into a silence.

Everyone was watching this resolute young girl who stood alone, their hearts filled with both astonishment and admiration for her bravery.

Grace seemed indifferent to the gazes of the others and didn’t seem to realise just how radically her speech diverged from the norm. She continued composedly:

“I refuse to marry Camila St. Prowse!

And I refuse to let the Brugen family get involved in dangerous political turmoil!

The Blood Knight Army is about to arrive; we must make a decision!

So, anyone who supports my decision to reject this marriage, please stand behind me!”

The crowd looked on in surprise at this young girl who’d found the courage to resist, and instantly began murmuring amongst themselves.

Gradually, the first knight who chose to support her by standing behind her came forth.

As if he was a signal, more and more people followed suit.

As more and more people chose to stand behind Grace, those who chose to oppose her became increasingly uncertain. Whether it was out of genuine support or a fear of isolation, eventually, all stood behind her.

Grace revealed a satisfied smile, turned around again, facing the crowd, she declared:

“Good, together, let’s choose a brighter future for the Brugen family!”