The Original Vampire

  Colin calmed down his breath and turned around to see a tall, thin old man standing behind him.

  He was wearing simple black casual clothes with white hair, but he was energetic and had a strong and straight body. He looked like a soldier at first glance. He must have been on the battlefield when he was young.

  ”Grandpa!” Weber quickly struggled to get up and greet her.

  Only then did Colin know that this old man was the target of their visit—Archon Sebas.

  ”Hmph! Is this how you greet distinguished guests?” Sebastian glared and scolded Weber.

  The sudden change of mood made the temperature of the scene seem to drop several degrees.

  ”Grandpa, I was wrong.” Webber, who was originally arrogant and domineering, turned completely into a quail in front of Sebas.

  When Vera saw this, she smiled and came to the rescue: “Uncle, you don’t have to blame my cousin too much. He was just playing around with Colin.”

  Sebas looked at Vera, and a smile appeared on his face. She nodded and said, “Vera, I haven’t seen you for many years. You have grown so big. I heard that you are already married.”

  ”Yes, uncle.” Vera came to Colin, took his arm, and said sweetly. He smiled and said, “This Viscount Colin Angelet is my husband.”

  ”Hello, Your Majesty the Consul!” Colin quickly bowed and saluted.

  ”I’ve heard some things about you. It’s very good. You are indeed a young hero!” Sebastian nodded to Colin and praised him.

  Colin said a few words modestly.

  However, Colin was not relieved by the other party’s gentle and friendly attitude. Every old fox in politics will have this kind of superficial skill, but only when the other party’s vital interests and political stance are involved, will their true side be revealed.

  After some pleasantries, the atmosphere suddenly relaxed a lot, and Sebas enthusiastically led Vera and Colin into the main castle’s living room.

  The decor of this living room is a perfect example of luxury.

  The curved dome made of century-old paulownia wood from the dark forest is covered with gold foil and inlaid with various gemstones. The hanging crystal candlestick chandelier emits soft light, reflecting on the exquisite and unique murals and sculptures, making it look magnificent and full of elegance. Noble artistic atmosphere.

  Sebas sat down on the main seat, and then several young and beautiful maids took small steps and presented various fruits, desserts, and purple-gold wine bottles. They filled each guest’s wine glass with transparent wine. , a fresh, elegant, yet mellow and sweet aroma of strange wine spread in the living room.

  Even Colin, who didn’t know much about wine, could tell that this was definitely a valuable wine, even better than the one at the palace banquet last night.

  Sebastian raised his glass in greeting and said with a hearty smile: “This is the gin I have collected for eighty years. Come and try it!”

  Colin and Vera quickly raised their glasses in return.

  While sipping the wine, Colin looked around.

  He had to admit that Archon Sebas was rich beyond his imagination.

  You must know that although Sebastian has a noble status, he does not have a title or fief, and there is no fixed tax income. If he only relies on the salary of the Senate Consul, Colin cannot imagine how he can build such a building. It can be called a luxurious manor.

  I have always heard that the elders of the Senate have a “big appetite.”. Now it seems that Colin feels that he has underestimated the gray income of these elders.

  He was suddenly glad that when he wanted to change the family crest, he was dissuaded by Butler Eamonn. Otherwise, if the Senate was really alarmed, the Angelet family would probably bleed a lot.

  Sebas put down the wine glass and asked, “Vera, I heard that your father left a will.”

  ”Yes, uncle.” Vera immediately took out the will and gave it to Sebas.

  Sebas opened it and looked at it. There was no emotion or anger on his face. Then he returned the will to Vera and said in a deep voice: “Since your father has made you the Marquis of the North, you will inherit the position of Duke of the North. , I have no objection.

  However, at this time, if you want to successfully accept His Majesty’s canonization, you still need to do one thing.”

  ”What?”

  ”Be baptized!”

  Colin’s heart moved and he quickly asked: “Your Excellency, Consul, there is no provision in the Lord’s Law that one must be a knight to accept the imperial title, right?” “

  Indeed, there is no such thing.” Sebas nodded, but then frowned and said, “But the current situation in the Imperial Capital is quite special. Vera’s identity as a mage will cause her to suffer a lot of criticism and may even prevent her from successfully inheriting the position of Duke of the North.” Vera asked in a solemn tone, “Is it because Prince Lehi is preparing to launch a war?

  against Yevil?”

Bass nodded. “That’s right.”

  Colin considered his tone and said tentatively, “This matter is still in the proposal stage and may not be implemented.”

  Sebastian smiled calmly and said confidently, “Believe me, the empire will soon declare war on Yevil.”

  Colin’s heart sank.

  A Senate consul said this, which shows that Prince Lehi has successfully won the support of the vast majority of senators, and is very confident that this proposal can skip Emperor Reinhardt and pass directly through the Senate.

  The situation is not good.

  ”Uncle, do you also support the declaration of war on Jewell?” Vera couldn’t help but ask.

  Sebas looked into Vera’s eyes and sighed: “Vera, I know you have feelings for Yevil, but I still advise you to change your stance as soon as possible and convert to the Lord of Glory, and don’t let yourself go against the imperial nobles. .”

  Vera shook her head and said: “Uncle, in fact, I have already converted to the Lord of Glory, but I have always believed that mages and knights are not naturally opposed. On the road to pursuing arcane truth, I can also feel the guidance of the Lord of Glory! “

  Sebas’ face straightened up, and he said in a serious voice, “Vera, if you are willing to serve the Lord of Glory wholeheartedly, you must give up the path of arcane magic; otherwise, it will be blasphemy to the Lord of Glory!”

  Seeing Vera return, wanting to argue again, Colin quickly held her hand and shook his head slightly.

  Vera understood, suppressed the dissatisfaction and grievance in her heart, and said no more.

  Colin smiled, relaxed the slightly solemn atmosphere in the hall, and said:

  ”Your Majesty the Consul, after all, Vera is a little unfamiliar with how to serve the Lord of Glory, but please believe that she has a heart of refuge in the Lord of Glory. It’s sincere, and we will contact the church as soon as possible to arrange the baptism ceremony.”

  ”Well, that’s naturally the best.” Sebastian’s face softened slightly. “After Vera is baptized, I can also bring up the matter of the Duke of the North’s succession to the Senate. The discussion agenda of the Senate meeting. However, if you want this matter to pass smoothly, you will also need to prepare some lobbying funds.”

  Lobbying funds?

  Isn’t it just a bribe?

  Colin was speechless when he saw that the other party accepted the bribe so openly, and the target was his grandniece.

  At the same time, I also gained a deeper understanding of the Senate.

  ”Your Majesty the Consul, how much lobbying funds are needed?” Colin asked carefully.

  Sebastian picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and said calmly: “Five million gold coins.”

  Seeing Colin and Vera’s eyes widen, he immediately added, “Don’t make a fuss; this is something I will personally help you lobby for.” If you change the cost, it will only cost more!”

  Colin sighed and looked embarrassed. “Your Majesty the Consul, it’s not that we don’t believe you, but the North has just experienced a big chaos. The St. Hilde family is really unable to raise such a huge sum of money in a short period of time.”

  Sebastian glanced at Colin and said calmly, “Viscount Angelet, didn’t you defeat the Troll Empire and force them to sign the peace agreement? Did you get a large amount of war reparations and slaves?”

  Colin’s anger rose in his heart; this old guy actually plotted against him!

  ”It is indeed true, but you may not know that the finances of the Troll Empire are also very difficult. The war compensation is paid in installments. As for the slaves, I am afraid that they will not be able to collect them in a while.”

  Sebastian held the wine glass. He placed it heavily on the table and said in a cold voice, “Viscount Angelet, if you are unwilling to show due sincerity, I’m afraid it will be difficult to move forward in Yulong City!”

  Colin pretended to be sincere and fearful and responded: “Your Excellency, Consul , you misunderstood. I just want to confirm with Ice Rock City first the status of the Troll Empire’s compensation, and I will not reply to you until I have the exact information.” The smile on Sebastian’s face returned, and he nodded. Said: “That’s right. You two are still too young and don’t understand the political rules of the imperial capital. It’s inevitable that you will make some mistakes and offend people who shouldn’t be offended.

  So, from now on, you should consult me ​​first if you have any questions.” Opinions. As an elder, of course I will give you the help you deserve.”

  Colin and Vera stood up quickly to thank you.

  After chatting for a while, the two of them said goodbye and left.

  After leaving the gate of the manor and boarding the carriage, Vera’s expression changed from sunny to gloomy, and she asked, “Colin, do we really want to trust Sebastian?”

  Colin heard the change in Vera’s name for Sebastian. Smiling secretly in her heart, she said, “You should already have the answer yourself.”

  Vera nodded, frowned slightly, and said, “I don’t like this person.”

  ”Then don’t worry about him,” Colin said lightly…

  Vera was still hesitant: “Then…will this anger the Senate?”

  ”Sebas alone cannot represent the Senate!” Colin said coldly. “What’s more, he may have forgotten that… The Saint Hilde family pushed him to the position of consul.

  It is he who needs the Saint-Hilde family!

The Saint Hilde family does not need him!”

  (End of this chapter)