The First Vampire

At the northern foot of Holy Mountain, four knights in pure white armor are carrying a crystal coffin along a mountain path.

Their faces are solemn. As they walk, they bow their heads in silent prayer. Their armor, bathed in sunlight, emits a hazy platinum glow that exudes an aura of holy radiance.

They turn a corner and come to a heavily guarded outpost where an elder dressed in a red priest’s robe awaits.

If one knows the robes of the Glorious Church, they would recognize that only three Cardinals are entitled to wear the red priest’s robe.

Upon seeing the crystal coffin, the Cardinal murmurs a sigh. The sorrow and sympathy etched onto his weathered face intensify. The holy light circling the intricate patterns embroidered on his red robe echoes the holy light surrounding the four pallbearers.

Gradually, the entire mountaintop is enshrouded in the platinum glow of the holy light.

The guards at the outpost raise the gate.

The Cardinal turns and strides through the open stone gate, followed closely by the pallbearer knights.

Behind the stone archway is a picturesque valley.

It was the middle of a harsh winter, but the valley enjoys a climate as warm as spring.

Countless wildflowers of numerous hues bloom on the lush green grassland, forming a magnificent, colorful ribbon.

A clear stream trickles from the mountains, striking smooth pebbles and scattering into countless sparkling droplets, which vanish as they merge back into the flowing water.

The Cardinal walks towards the depths of the valley as the tolling of a distant bell echoes throughout.

Dong——Dong——Dong——

The atmosphere grows increasingly somber, as even the colors of the roadside begin to fade.

The vibrant array of flowers gradually become uniform white chrysanthemums. Beneath the fluttering breeze, waves of white petals seem to beckon the returning soul.

The Cardinal continues his journey and soon arrives at the end of the valley.

In the patch of white chrysanthemums stands a magnificent cemetery.

Adjacent to the cemetery’s entrance, a ribbon of waterfall cascades, creating a platinum rainbow above the cemetery amidst the sound of rushing water.

This is the Holy Tomb of the Glorious Church.

Inside are buried the generations of Popes of the Glorious Church and faithful who have made significant contributions to the Church.

By right, Duchess St. Prowse of the East territory, being a Archbishop, shouldn’t be buried in the Holy Tomb, nor did she seem to have made any significant contributions in her lifetime. However, Pope Gregory personally decreed that she be granted rest in the Holy Tomb.

Apparently, the Pope wishes to send a message ——

He is very angry!

The consequences are severe!

As they enter the Holy Tomb, a group of Holy Temple Knights cross their long spears in the air.

Resounding with the holy light, the valley is filled with resonating, solemn prayers.

The Cardinal steps out from the spear formation and stops before a figure clad in a golden priest’s robe. He bows and says:

“Your Holiness, the remains of Archbishop Kate have arrived.”

Pope Gregory nods silently.

The four pallbearer knights move forward and place the crystal coffin into a pre-prepared grave.

Dong——

The bell tolls again.

Stepping forward, Pope Gregory stops before the tombstone and begins to speak:

“Death is not the end, but another beginning.

Only when your limbs are claimed by the earth, can you truly dance.”

“Only when you reach the summit of the mountains, does your true climb begin.

Only when you leave this world, can you shine like the stars.

The Lord says, do not fear, move forward!”

Thud——

The dirt slowly scattered, gradually filling the grave.

Holy light rose from the graveyard, forming a straight beam that reached the clouds.

After a moment, the beam of light dissipated, and everything returned to tranquility.

In the Holy Tomb, the Holy Temple Knights left one by one, leaving only the Pope and the Cardinal.

Pope Gregory suddenly spoke while looking at the tombstone of the Archbishop of the East Territory:

“Turennes, can you understand my anger?”

“I empathize with you, Your Holiness!”

Cardinal Turennes nodded gravely.

He knew well that the real cause of the Pope’s anger was not the death of the Archbishop of the East Territory.

Of course, the assassination of the Archbishop of the East Territory was undoubtedly a huge blow to the Church’s prestige.

However, compared to the East Territory nobles’ misuse of the Church’s exclusive “Tithe Tax” to offset military expenses, the death of an Archbishop seemed less significant.

For any organization, financial income is of paramount importance, a lifeline that cannot be touched.

The fact that Archbishop Kate was able to rest in the Holy Tomb was not because of her significant contributions in life, it was a signal the Pope was sending to the outside world ——

The Church would certainly not let matters rest regarding the upheaval in the East Territory.

But at this time…

“They are trying to undermine the foundations of the Glorious Church, we must launch a forceful counterattack to deter those who are secretly plotting!” The Pope, Gregory, spoke sharply, his eyes full of undisguised murderous intent.

Turennes frowned more deeply, cautiously advising:

“Your Holiness, with the imminent invasion of the Orc army, the Glorious Empire…can’t withstand a civil unrest!”

“I understand.” Pope Gregory nodded, but the murderous intent in his eyes did not decrease at all, “So our counterattack must be restrained, yet also sufficiently ruthless!”

Turennes looked up at the Pope and asked, “Your Holiness, do you already have a plan?”

“Yes.” Pope Gregory took out a scroll and handed it to Turennes, commanding, “Set off as soon as possible, and head to Winterfell City.”

“Okay.” Turennes took the scroll and then froze, “Winterfell City? Not the East Territory?”

“No, the root of the upheaval in the East Territory is in the North Territory, or more accurately, Count Angler, the Guardian of the North Territory. Therefore, our counterattack should be targeted at him.”

“Yes, Your Holiness! Your will shall be carried out!” Turennes bowed and then turned to leave.

Pope Gregory stood blankly in front of the Archbishop of East Territory’s grave for a while, before walking deeper into the Holy Tomb.

Until he reached the very end of the Holy Tomb, Pope Gregory stopped in front of an old tombstone.

Looking at the tombstone that had weathered thousands of years of wind and rain, Pope Gregory’s face turned ferocious, like a raging beast about to choose its prey, he growled:

“Look at the good you’ve done! Is this the result you wanted?”

Spit!

A mouthful of phlegm was spat onto the tombstone, covering the name of the tomb’s owner.

But as time passed, that name eventually reappeared ——

Peter Miser.

The name of the first Pope of the Glorious Church.