The First Vampire

Chapter 438: 436 Huorong City_1
The towering Althus Mountain Range extends from west to east, dividing the Eastern Territory in two.

Before the fall of the St. Sean Family, the area north of the Althus Mountain Range was occupied by them, while the south of the mountains were the territory of the St. Prowse Family.

Huorong City, located at the foot of Mount Althus, happened to be positioned at the most important passage connecting the south and the north of the mountain. During the era when the St. Sean family was still ruling the northeast, this city was a significant strategic place for the military.

However, with the St. Prowse family uniting the entire East Territory, the military importance of Huorong City has been gradually decreasing.

Nevertheless, the city’s influence in the military has not been lessened.

That’s because it’s home to a reputedly powerful army in the East Territory—the Huorong Army

The most notable characteristic of this army is that each soldier wears a Huorong flower on their chest.

These Huorong flowers grow in the Althus Mountains, and they can only be found in the cliff walls above three thousand meters.

Gathering these Huorong flowers is no easy task.

Young people in the Althus Mountain Range take pride in wearing the Huorong flower. This rare alpine flower has become a symbol of valor.

The only recruitment requirement for the Huorong Army is to personally gather a Huorong flower from the Althus Mountains.

As a result, the Huorong Army’s soldiers are the best in the East Territory. Though they only number about fifty thousand, they are a military force that cannot be ignored in the East Territory.

Especially after Marquis Vincent’s costly defeat of the Pegasus Army at Silver Moon City, the importance and position of the Huorong Army became even more apparent.

However, this army is not directly under the St. Prowse family but is the private army of the Brugen family.

That’s why the first thing Duke St. Prowse did when he learned of his eldest son’s “death” and decided to push his second son, Count Evan, to take over, was to arrange a marriage between Evan and the daughter of Count Brugen.

And after Count Evan managed to escape from Alfalfa City, he went straight to Huorong City.

“My Lord Father-in-law, I believe that Colin Angler is deliberately putting on a show for us!”

In the study, Count Evan and Count Brugen sat opposite each other, discussing the latest news from the Frontline.

Count Brugen took a sip of his coffee and asked, “Why do you think so?”

Count Evan replied solemnly, “What do you think is Colin Angler’s primary objective in invading the Eastern Territory this time?”

After some thought, Count Brugen replied, “Based on the information from Dragon City, the Senate has approved Emperor Reinhardt’s War Order. Although the order will take some time to reach White Dew City, it won’t be too long.

Within this short period, Colin Angler would not have enough time to gather the Northern Army for a large-scale invasion. With only the Blood Knight Army, their best-case scenario would be to loot, and from his current actions in Riverside City, it seems like he’s attempting to steal as much food as possible to alleviate the famine in the North Territory.”

Count Evan slowly shook his head and replied, “No. To my knowledge, the famine in the North Territory has basically been resolved. Moreover, if the Blood Knight Army were truly looting for food, why would they leave half of the food for the commoners in Riverside City?

Therefore, I believe this is all an act from Colin, intended to mislead us into underestimating his true objective in invading the Eastern Territory.”

“So what do you think his real intention is?”

Picking up a piece of intelligence from the table, Count Evan spoke gravely, “The Howell Family!”

“The Howell Family?”

“Yes,” Count Evan said with certainty. “The Angry River is the most significant obstacle for the Northern Army’s invasion of the east. This time, Count Howell’s rebellion has given the Northern Territory a golden opportunity to control the Angry River!

However, to truly control the Angry River, the North Territory must win over the Howell family completely. To achieve this, Colin Angler must rescue the members of the Howell family trapped in White Dew City!”

The members of the Eastern Lords’ families typically reside in their respective territories, leaving only a temporary residence in White Dew City. However, this is not the case for the Howell family.

Originally, they were merely merchants within White Dew City. Even after their successful ascent to the noble class, they chose not to relocate their family from the city to their territory, but to remain in White Dew City.

It is for this reason that the St. Prowse family grew to trust this family, with all its members under their watch, and it is also why the Howell family was able to become their most trusted vassal.

This turned out to be instrumental in their rapid development.

Thus, the Howell family was able to control half of the Pegasus Navy without arousing the suspicion of the St. Prowse Family.

But now, these elders, weaklings, and women left in White Dew City have become leverage for the St. Prowse Family against Count Howell.

Count Brugen seems to have realized this as well.

For the Northern Territory, the Angry River is undoubtedly the key to their conquest of the Eastern Territory.

As long as they fully control the Angry River, even if they can’t advance further into the Eastern Territory due to Emperor Reinhardt’s War Order, they could easily invade again in the future.

Without the Angry River acting as a barrier, the Eastern Territory will appear weak and defenceless before the Northern Army.

Count Brugen furrowed his brow and asked again, “What do you think Colin Angler’s plan might be to rescue the Howell family members from White Dew City?”

Count Evan smirked and replied, “My father will surely understand the importance of the Howell family and will undoubtedly have all the Howell family members in White Dew City under strict surveillance. If the Northern Territory wants to rescue those inside from White Dew City, they only have one option—overrun White Dew City!”

Count Brugen’s eyes widened in realization, “I see! So, Colin Angler’s ostentatious looting of food in Riverside City is an attempt to distract us, misleading us about his true intentions and causing us to overlook the danger posed to White Dew City!”

Count Evan nodded, “That’s right, I am sure that the forces in Riverside City cannot possibly be the main force of the Blood Knight Army!”

Count Brugen stood and walked towards a military map hung on the wall, pondering aloud, “So where exactly is the main force of the Blood Knight Army?”

Count Evan shrugged, “That’s difficult to guess. The Althus Mountain Range lies between Alfalfa City and White Dew City. If the Blood Knight Army wants to invade White Dew City by land, they need to pass through Huorong City.

But let’s not forget that the Angry River is now in Count Howell’s hands. If he’s willing to assist the Northern Territory, he could easily enable the Blood Knight Army to bypass the Althus Mountain Range via the river.”

Count Brugen’s eyes swept over the various harbors along the Angry River, contemplating the potential landing spots for the Blood Knight Army.

However, Count Evan shook his head, “Actually, there’s no need for us to figure out where the main force of the Blood Knight Army will land.”

“Oh? Why’s that?” Count Brugen turned back, puzzled.

Count Evan gazed coldly back, his tone serious, “Because our real target should be Colin Angler in Riverside City!”