The First Vampire

“What’s the matter?”

Seeing the Northern Army suddenly retreating, the orc military officer on the opposite side was also baffled.

Another orc military officer squinted and cautiously speculated after a while, “Could it be a trap?”

During the days of battling with the Northerners, they had been walked into traps set by Marquis Garcia time and again, resulting in embarrassing defeats. In this battle, the Northerners they faced were, without a doubt, their toughest opponents.

Therefore, witnessing the sudden, unanticipated retreat of the Northerners left the orc army hesitant about pursuing immediately.

However, such hesitance only lasted for ten minutes. An order from the Orc Emperor finally led the frontline officers to give the command to attack.

Whoo—

Amid the sombre call of the horn, countless orcs rushed down through the defensive gap left behind by the retreating Northerners.

A fatal gap had appeared in the firm defence, and a surging tide of the orc army swept in.

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Emperor Reinhardt immediately ordered his cavalry to infiltrate up the flank, trying to block the orc’s advance, but due to the abrupt retreat of the Northern Army which left too large of a gap, any remedial action was already too late.

The momentum of defeat had already taken shape and was beyond any human power to recover.

What was worse was that the action of the North set a frightfully rotten example for the other territories.

Originally, the warriors of the East, South and Flame Region were unlikely to fight desperately like the Westerners. Moreover, the fierce fighting of recent days had further worn down their fighting spirit. Seeing the Northerners escape from the battle, they started to think of retreat.

“Duke, the Northerners have truly run away!”

In the rear of the Southern Army’s position, a middle-aged man with a weather-beaten face and white hair spoke to Duke St. Rands.

Duke St. Rands squinted his eyes towards the direction of the Northern defensive zone. His expression turned complex, and his tone was somewhat regretful:

“Scholar Yerug, your prediction was accurate. Heh! I didn’t expect that Garcia would actually dare to do this!”

“He’s left with no choice.” Scholar Yerug sighed, “Emperor Reinhardt and Duke St. Gregorian would never agree to an easy retreat. Continuing like this, the Empire’s most elite army may be buried here.

Therefore, he can only use the most ruthless method to preserve as much of the Empire’s manpower as possible.”

Duke St. Rands frowned, seemingly perplexed by Marquis Garcia’s choice:

“Didn’t he consider the consequences of such action to himself? Fleeing in the face of the enemy, leading to the Empire’s defeat at the Sky Breaking Mountain Range and even the complete fall of the Westland… Can he, Garcia, bear such a crime?”

Scholar Yerug took a deep breath and replied, “Some people are willing to sacrifice their lives for the survival of the Empire, and of course, some are willing to pay something more precious than their lives for it — honor. ℝÁNȯꞖʧ

Marquis Garcia, is truly a knight!”

Duke St. Rands glanced at Scholar Yerug and sighed, “Such a pity, his actions will not only be misunderstood, but he will also become the scapegoat for this defeat and be scorned as a traitor.”

“Real heroes are always like this, tragedy is their destiny.” Scholar Yerug lowered his head, apparently recalling some unhappy memories, and his emotions were slightly out of control.

Luckily, Duke St. Rands did not notice the unusual emotion of his trusted advisor. An orderly was galloping towards them and shouted before he even arrived:

“Duke St. Rands, His Majesty demands you advance your troops immediately to fill the gap left by the retreating Northerners!”

Duke St. Rands stood silently on the spot as if he hadn’t heard the orderly’s words.

Thinking that the Duke hadn’t heard clearly, the orderly quickly repeated the order.

Yet, Duke St. Rands still showed no reaction.

The orderly now reached the Duke, deftly dismounted, quickly bowed, and was about to speak again:

“Duke, please immediately…”

Shick!

The orderly’s head was sent flying, surrounded by a streak of silver light.

Duke St. Rands casually sheathed his blood-dripping sword, with an indifferent look on his face, snorting dismissively:

“Reinhardt, that fool, is still thinking of remedying the situation under these circumstances.”

Scholar Yerug kept silent, even though he disdained this far-sighted Emperor, he wouldn’t openly show it like Duke St. Rands.

Duke St. Rands beckoned his deputy officer and commanded:

“Inform Knight Kxrulu to cover the retreat. Everyone else, Retreat!”

…

The battlefield of the East Territory.

Count Nicoll stared at the chaotic scene before him with a pale face, unsure of what to do.

The sudden retreat of the Northern Army left the flank of the East Territory Army completely exposed to the orc horde. Reason told him that if they didn’t retreat quickly, the East Territory Army would soon be in danger of being attacked from both front and back.

But the messenger sent by Emperor Reinhardt ordered them to immediately send troops from the East Territory to plug the defence gap left by the retreat of the Northern Army.

How on earth are we supposed to do that?

Count Nicoll condemned Marquis Garcia for abandoning his post, while also blaming Emperor Reinhardt’s unreasonable demand.

The numerous military officers and nobles surrounding him looked at him anxiously, hoping he could quickly issue combat orders.

Others took pleasure in his plight and urged him:

“Count, what should we do? Make a decision quickly!”

Count Nicholl looked at the young man who spoke.

Knight Camilla also looked at him with flagrantly mocking eyes.

Although Count Nicholl temporarily held the authority of the East Territory, he was not a member of the St. Prowse Family, therefore, his prestige was not universally respected. It was said that this knight from the St. Prowse Family, reportedly supported by the royal family, was eager to replace him.

Count Nicoll knew that under the current circumstances, the best option was to retreat. The East Territories nobles present also expected him to issue the retreat order, as no one wished to send their army to a battle destined to fail.

But the gaze of the messenger made Count Nicoll feel like a thorn in his back.

If he disobeyed Emperor Reinhardt’s orders, Count Nicoll was well aware that he would certainly be held accountable.

But if they continued to fight, would these angry Eastern nobles be instigated by Knight Camilla to forcefully strip him of his power?

“Count, why are you still hesitating?” The orderly urged him.

Count Nicoll clenched his fist and was about to speak when he heard someone exclaim:

“Look! The people of the South Border are retreating as well!”

Count Nicoll didn’t hesitate any further and instantly gave the command:

“Retreat!”

…

“Damn! They’re all damned!”

Emperor Reinhardt roared furiously, venting his anger and fear.

The Northern, Southern, and Eastern Borders were all retreating in succession; this battle was clearly unwinnable now.

No matter how unwilling Emperor Reinhardt was, he could only grit his teeth and order:

“Retreat!”

…

The battlefield of the Westland.

Duke St. Gregorian scanned the gathered Western nobles with calm eyes and slowly said:

“They’ve all retreated, but can we?”

The faces of the Western nobles were varied, some impassioned and determined, others with eyes flickering in indecision.

But under Duke St. Gregorian’s frosty gaze, none of them dared to speak.

Duke St. Gregorian lifted his sword and shouted in a voice as majestic as a mighty heavenly wrath, clearly heard across the entire battlefield:

“Westland Knights, we would rather die than retreat!”

“We would rather die than retreat!”

Countless roars merged into one voice echoing across the battlefield.

While forces from other territories were retreating one after another, the Westland Army became a force against the tide, charging fearlessly towards the surging orc horde.

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