The First Vampire

Chapter 378: 376 Undercurrents (Part 2)_1
The air in the entire conference hall had solidified.

No one dared to make a sound, they were even trying hard to control their breathing.

The heavy smell of blood began to permeate the air, enabling the half-elf merchants present to realize one thing — Nobles can kill people!

No matter how gentle and friendly they appeared, from start to finish, the nobility’s rule was established on violence.

In front of the nobles, the merchants, no matter how wealthy, were just lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

With a bloody corpse, Marquis Vincent had forced the half-elf merchants present to face harsh reality anew.

Some were furious but dared not express it, their faces ashen. Others were filled with fear, avoiding eye contact, and some were utterly dejected, resigned to their fate…

Haver was also sweating profusely at this time, filled with regret.

He had thought he had invited a strong ally, but it turned out that this was not an ally, but another jackal!

In this case, he felt that he would have been better off just submitting to Count Angler…

Just as everyone felt restless, a half-elf merchant slowly raised his hand, hesitated before uttering, “Mar…Marquis… I drank too much water… I need to relieve myself…”

Marquis Vincent glanced at the man and coldly said, “Hold it in!”

The man turned pale, forced a laugh, and seemingly spoke to himself, “Okay, okay, I can… hold it in a bit longer…”

The conference room was filled with a stifling atmosphere, almost suffocating.

Finally, Marquis Vincent spoke again, “Let’s continue our previous topic. I know you are reluctant to part with your food, but how can you hope to cause chaos in Silver Moon City without making sacrifices?

Ha ha, do you really expect to reap the benefits without lifting a finger?”

Marquis Vincent swept his gaze around the room, noticed that no one dared to make eye contact or refute him anymore. So, his tone softened a bit as he continued,

“Of course, once we succeed, you will also share in the profits which may offset your losses.”

Upon hearing this, everyone present broke into smiles, one by one praising the St. Prowse Family’s kindness and generosity.

Seeing these profit-driven merchants change their tune, Marquis Vincent sneered inwardly but didn’t show it.

Thus, an agreement was reached. The half-elf merchants would set their granaries on fire at a designated time, to create chaos. After they had toppled Queen Isa’s rule and driven out the North Territory Army, they would receive compensation from the East Territory.

However, Marquis Vincent gave no details about the amount or form of compensation.

If it had been in the past, these half-elf merchants would have scoffed at such vague promises. But now, they didn’t dare to question the forceful Marquis Vincent, especially with a blood-soaked corpse in the room.

At this point, they could only comfort themselves with the thought — ‘The St. Prowse’s reputation should still be trustworthy.’

Once his goal was achieved, Marquis Vincent, ignoring the merchants’ enthusiastic retainment, walked out directly.

Outside, the inconspicuous horse-drawn carriage was still parked in the same location, with a larger security detail surrounding it.

The impatient Marquis Vincent dismissed Haver and the others who came to see him off. He walked up to the knight standing nearby and asked, “Has Duke Modewen arrived?”

The knight stiffened and shook his head, “Sir, Duke Modewen declined.”

Marquis Vincent’s brows furrowed, ready to lose his temper, but the knight continued, “However, we did bring Duke Modewen’s son — Charlie Modewen.”

Marquis Vincent’s face softened slightly as he asked, “How many sons does Duke Modewen have?”

“Just this one.”

“Good.”

Marquis Vincent nodded and stepped into the carriage.

The carriage was spacious inside. Relative to its plain exterior, the interior decoration was extremely luxurious.

“Honorable Marquis Vincent, welcome to Silver Moon City!”

Looking at the young boy in front of him, Marquis Vincent gave a smile and asked, “Charlie, how old are you?”

“I am twelve this year, Your Excellency.”

Marquis Vincent nodded, indicating for Charlie to sit, and then did so himself, sighing, “Is your father afraid to meet me because of his fear of being blamed for his deception last time?”

“Father deceived you?” Asked a bewildered Charlie.

Marquis Vincent realized in an instant, the little fellow in front of him didn’t understand a thing. His presence in his carriage was likely the result of those in the Modewen family pushing for rebellion against Queen Isa’s rule.

Therefore, Marquis Vincent lost the desire to talk more with this young lad. Smiling, he said, “Those are some old matters, which I won’t go into. Charlie, do you know why you’re here to see me?”

“I do.”

“Oh? Why?”

“To overthrow the rule of Queen Isa!” Charlie said in his youthful voice, his expression extremely serious.

Marquis Vincent looked with interest at the young boy before him, and continued to ask, “So, tell me, how will you overthrow Queen Isa’s rule?”

“Queen Isa is about to give birth. I will seize this opportunity to lead the Silver Moon Guards into the Royal Palace and force her to return the throne to the Modewen family!”

“So, you’re confident you can make the Silver Moon Guard obey your orders?”

“Yes!”

“But isn’t your father the commander of the Silver Moon Guard? Would he agree with your actions?”

“Father is a coward!” Charlie said with disdain, “But, I have already met with the uncles of the Silver Moon Guards, and they all support me!”

“Impressive!” Marquis Vincent praised, but in his heart, he was sneering—

Incredible, these Half-Elf nobles really had nerve, placing a child like this in the front row!

However, Marquis Vincent would obviously not remind Charlie that his so-called “uncles” were just afraid to take the blame, thus pushing him out as the scapegoat.

Marquis Vincent’s praises made Charlie hold his head high in pride, as if he already saw the annoying Queen Isa begging him for mercy.

“Charlie, why do you want to overthrow Queen Isa’s rule?”

“Because the throne of the Half-Elves rightfully belongs to our Modewen family, and Grandfather also told me, Isa is a bad woman!”

Marquis Vincent was taken aback, then realized that the “grandfather” Charlie referred to was the former Half-Elf king, also Queen Isa’s husband.

Thinking of this, a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He nodded and said, “Good! Worthy of the Modewen family’s young hero! Don’t worry, the East Territory also dislikes Queen Isa. At the right moment, I will stand up and support the Modewen family.”

“Thank you for your support! The friendship between the St. Prowse family and the Modewen family will last forever!”

Watching as his empty promise made Charlie overwhelmed with gratitude, Marquis Vincent sneered in his heart, simultaneously lamenting—

The Modewen family really has declined with each generation.

The old king was a formidable opponent even the Duke of the East Territory had to take seriously. As for Prince William, who is now Duke Modewen, he may not be intelligent, but at least he could see the situation clearly. As for Charlie…

However, Marquis Vincent would certainly not care about the future and fate of the Modewen family, nor did he have any guilt about sending a child to the front lines of the battlefield.

After encouraging Charlie a few more times, Marquis Vincent sent him away.

Sitting alone in the carriage, Marquis Vincent fell into deep thought.

He was very clear, even under the command of a young lad and the Half-Elf merchants, it was still a fantasy to expect a rebellion in Silver Moon City.

But fortunately, his plans go far beyond just that.

Thinking of this, Marquis Vincent knocked on the side of the carriage and ordered:

“To the Temple of Destiny.”