The First Vampire

Chapter 443: Encounter_1 441
After an autumn shower, the world was filled with a bleak desolation.

On a wasteland about one hundred kilometers south of Riverside City, a large army was slowly marching.

The flags were flying high, swords were numerous, the ranks were orderly and formations were well-aligned. From all aspects and perspectives, it was clearly a formidable army.

Moreover, whether it was a military officer or an ordinary soldier, or even the knights engulfed in armor, all of them wore a white Huorong flower on their chests without exception.

Clearly, this was the so-called “number one strong army in the Eastern Territory,” the Huorong Army.

In the center of the army formation, Count Evan was clad in silver armor, draped in a black cloak, and looked quite heroic.

However, beneath the surface glamour, Count Evan was already utterly exhausted.

After all, the body of a mage was too frail for such a long march. Even though he was on horseback, he felt as if his waist was about to snap, his bottom was about to split, and the weight of the armor had long made him regret deeply—

If he had known earlier, he would have chosen lighter armor.

Count Brugen also noticed the awkwardness of his future son-in-law, but he made no suggestion for him to take off his armor.

This was a great opportunity for Count Evan to win hearts and establish prestige. Of course, Count Brugen would not undermine it.

However, as time went on, seeing that Count Evan, who was riding on the horse, was breaking into a cold sweat and wobbling, Count Brugen knew that he was reaching his limit. To prevent him from embarrassing himself, he had to order the army to stop advancing and set up camp on the spot in advance.

Although the orderly officer was full of doubt as he looked at the high-hanging sun, he faithfully relayed the order.

With the help of his attendants, Count Evan dismounted from the war horse with difficulty, staggering almost without regaining his balance.

“Thank you, father-in-law!” Count Evan held onto the hand that Count Brugen extended and thanked him softly.

He naturally knew that the reason the other stopped to set up camp so early was entirely to accommodate him. He felt both grateful and unavoidably embarrassed.

Count Brugen, supporting Count Evan’s arm, smiled and said, “You are not a knight after all, it’s not surprising that you can’t withstand such intensive marching. You don’t need to feel guilty. And, the encirclement against the Blood Knight Army has already taken shape, they can’t escape even if they grow wings. Thus, we are not in a hurry.”

Count Evan gasped for a while, seemed to finally catch his breath, and then laughed, “Father-in-law, I still want to reach Riverside City as soon as possible, to see the embarrassed look of the Protector of the North Territory with my own eyes.”

Count Brugen laughed heartily, saying, “There’s no rush. I guess the Blood Knight Army should have received the news of the Huorong Army’s strike by now, I wonder which direction the Protector of the North Territory will choose to break out.”

“Unless something unexpected happens, the Blood Knight Army should be headed west.” Count Evan said with absolute certainty.

“I had the same thought.” Count Brugen nodded, “I hope the allied army of the western lords can withstand the impact of the Blood Knight Army.”

“Don’t worry, father-in-law.” Count Evan smiled with confidence, “If the main force of the Blood Knights was in Riverside City, I would be really worried that they could break out. But now, only three thousand Blood Knights are in Riverside City, and on the west, the allied army of the lords has gathered over one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers. With such a disparity in turnover, it’s impossible for Colin Angler to escape.”

Count Brugen nodded, feeling that he had been overthinking, and laughed, “Maybe, after carefully investigating the surrounding situation, the Northerners may even be discouraged to leave Riverside City.”

“Haha, that’s the best-case scenario. When the Huorong Army arrives in Riverside City, I’ll personally write a surrender letter to Colin Angler.”

“You can also think about what price the North Territory should pay to redeem him.”

The father-in-law and son-in-law chatted and laughed as if they had already determined that the Blood Knight Army in Riverside City could not pose any threat.

After chatting for a while, Count Brugen said, “You rest for a bit. I’m going to take a look at the camp.”

“Okay.” Count Evan sat down, leaning against a stout tree trunk.

The attendant wanted to help him take off his armor, but Count Evan shook his head and refused, “Not in a hurry, wait until it gets dark.”

Turning his head, he saw his guardian knight—Fletcher was standing not far away, fully clad in his armor, standing upright, as if this long march had no impact on him at all.

Count Evan was somewhat envious, but he still loudly said, “Knight Fletcher, come over and rest a bit.”

Upon hearing this, Knight Fletcher walked over, bowed courteously, and without even removing his helmet, silently sat down.

Count Evan concernedly asked, “How are your injuries?”

Knight Fletcher was startled, hesitated for a moment, and then responded in a stiff and hoarse tone: “Not a major problem.”

He then fell into silence again.

Count Evan could not see the expression on Knight Fletcher’s face under the armor, but he felt that he could understand his mood.

Assuming that the other person was still feeling guilty and ashamed about the incident in Alfalfa City, he patted on his armor and reassured, “Don’t worry, we will soon wash away that shame!”

Knight Fletcher nodded his head, but remained silent.

Count Evan looked at the bustling yet orderly Huorong Army camp and also fell silent for a moment.

As the second son of a duke, he didn’t actually have much experience leading an army. The Pegasus Army, the main force of the St. Prowse Family, was always commanded by his brother, Marquis Vincent.

Although he always acted unconcerned, deep down, Count Evan hoped to have an invincible army that could charge for him.

Especially when he found that the position of Duke of the Eastern Territory was actually within his reach, this thought became incredibly strong.

Although the Huorong Army in front of him was powerful, they were after all the private army of the Brugen Family.

Perhaps, after this battle, he would have to put more effort into the restoration of the Pegasus Army…

The sun gradually set, and the aroma of cooked meat began to fill the Huorong Army’s camp.

Count Evan, too, was already biting into a leg of lamb grilled to a golden brown, which was handed to him by his attendant.

After eating for a while, he asked with some confusion, “Hasn’t Count Brugen returned yet?”

The attendant shook his head and said, “Lord Count, do you want me to go check?”

“No need.”

Count Evan waved his hand and once again started devouring the leg of lamb in front of him.

Just then, the sound of hurrying hooves made Count Evan look up again.

“Father-in-law, dinner is ready, quickly come…..” Count Evan was midway through his sentence, when he noticed that Count Brugen looked odd, choking off the rest of his words.

Count Brugen dismounted and said anxiously, “We encountered scout cavalry of the Blood Knight Army!”

Count Evan was stunned, then said, “The Blood Knight Army couldn’t possibly be coming this way, could they? Could it be their scout forces left behind to monitor the Huorong Army in the south?”

“Not possible!” Count Brugen shook his head firmly, “Not just one or two scouts, but a scout cavalry unit! Our own scouts that were sent out took heavy losses!

The Blood Knight Army is definitely nearby!”

Count Evan’s mouth fell open, clearly shocked by the news.

But Count Brugen was already decisively saying,

“Form up! Prepare for battle!”