The First Vampire

Chapter 595: 593 Decapitation_1

The skirmish on the Sky Ice Plain ended at a breakneck speed.

From the moment the Blood Knight Army commenced their attack to the complete collapse of the Troll Army, it only took three hours, a miracle in military history.

Okamoto gazed blankly at the sight in front of him. No curses, no fear, nor regret. At this moment, he seemed like an outsider, observing the scene in silence and indifference.

All he could see was the Troll Army, shredded beyond recognition by the Blood Knight Army, with escaping trolls scattered across the landscape. They were like helpless lambs to the slaughter at the hands of the Blood Knight Army.

Okamoto had already gone through such a brutal and bloody scene once before.

He knew once it got to this point, unless a deity descended upon them, no one could turn the tide.

But was the deity still watching over his believers?

Okamoto looked up at the sky, letting the icy snowflakes fall on his face. He took in a deep breath that filled his nostrils with the smell of blood.

From the corner of his ear, he could hear his bodyguards shouting, urging him to escape.

But Okamoto didn’t budge.

What was there left to run from?

The Troll Empire was finished.

The military gamble that exhausted the last potential for war in the empire hadn’t even started before it was already over, moreover in such a humiliating way.

Okamoto knew full well that the North Territory wouldn’t give the Troll Empire any more chances.

The fate that awaited the Troll Empire was dismemberment, enslavement, or total annihilation.

And the Troll Empire no longer had the ability to resist.

At this moment, Okamoto suddenly understood his father, Prince Gambick.

Maybe when Prince Gambick saw the Troll Empire’s elite army of 300,000 men being decimated by the Dark Cavalry led by Marquis Garcia, he felt the same.

The kind of despair that drowned all reason made death the easiest option.

Therefore, Okamoto, looking at the approaching Blood Knight Army, drew his sword with a metallic sound and roared:

“Come on, Colin Angler, my head is right here!”

Knight Logh had long had his eyes set on Okamoto. When he saw Okamoto rushing out, he immediately led his troops forward, easily breaking through the resistance of the Emperor’s personal guards.

Logh, covered in blood, knocked Okamoto to the ground with a single blow.

However, he knew the value of Okamoto and deliberately avoided dealing a fatal blow.

Cackling with laughter, Knight Logh grabbed the incapacitated Okamoto, holding him like a trophy from a hunting trip.

The sound of the commander’s flagpole of the Troll Army being severed by accompanying cavalry echoed through the air.

Knight Logh immediately sent someone to bring the severed flag and the captured Troll Emperor to Colin to claim the credit, while he continued to pursue the fleeing trolls with his troops.

Thump!

The soldier unceremoniously dumped Okamoto on the freezing ground, completely disregarding his eminent status.

With his teeth clenched, Okamoto grunted a few times. His right arm had been severed from the root, and the massive blood loss made his face deathly pale. Yet he still endured the intense pain and struggled to his feet, unwilling to show weakness in front of his old adversary.

“Okamoto Volkin.” Colin looked down from his war horse at his defeated opponent. His tone held no mockery, and instead, showed more pity.

“Colin Angler.” Okamoto stared back at Colin with an icy, unbending tone.

Colin raised his eyebrows, taken aback by Okamoto’s attitude.

All this time, Okamoto had been very humble, even obsequious in front of Colin.

Of course, Colin knew that Okamoto’s previous submissive demeanor was only to lower his guard, to afford the Troll Empire some breathing room and a chance to grow.

But now, Okamoto didn’t even bother pretending.

“You’ve lost again,” Colin said with a smile, “So, what price is the Troll Empire willing to pay to appease the rage of the North Territory this time?

Okamoto nonchalantly shrugged. “What does the Troll Empire have left to lose? The real question is, what are you going to do about the chaos in the North Territory?”

“Chaos in the North Territory?” Colin arched his eyebrows, “What do you mean?”

“You haven’t learned yet?” Okamoto’s face displayed a hint of triumphant pleasure. He laughed raucously, “The oil painting I gifted to the St. Hilde family contains toxic substances in some of its pigments! By now, Duke St. Hilde must have died from the poison. Ha-ha-ha.”

“Poison?” Colin’s countenance took on a weird hue, the look he directed at Okamoto reflecting sympathy.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Okamoto was dissatisfied with Colin’s reaction. He had expected seething anger, regret, and hatred, but found none. Feeling disgruntled, Okamoto prodded again,

“Colin Angler, do you not realize the gravity of the situation? Upon the death of Vera St. Hilde, your foothold as the husband of the Northern Duke would dissolve into thin air.

Can you maintain your current prominence after the new Northern Duke ascends?

Garcia St. Hilde, despite being the blood brother of the Northern Duke and in control of the Dark Cavalry, was feared by many.

Do you, an outsider, expect to win the trust of the new Duke?

Impossible!

The more formidable power you wield now, the more pitiful your end will be!”

“Really?” Colin feigns a state of panic, asking, “What should I do then?”

“You can only cooperate with me,” Okamoto persuades eagerly.

“With you?”

“Yes,” Okamoto’s brain functions at lightning speed. If death was improbable, then he shifted his focus on striking a deal for the Troll Empire, “If the Troll Empire were to crumble, suffer dismemberment or even destruction, would North Territory, free from the threats of the north, still require the Blood Knight Army?

Hence, if you do not wish to be discarded by the Duke, you must make yourself useful.

Your most significant role lies in serving as the northern shield of North Territory.

Therefore, you should cooperate with me and grant the Troll Empire a chance to survive, allowing us some respite.

As long as the Troll Empire recovers its breath and manages to threaten North Territory enough, you and your Blood Knight Army can then secure a footing in the North Territory.”

The corners of Colin’s lips curled up in a wry grin, he responded, “Okamoto, do you know why you keep losing?”

Okamoto shook his head.

“Because you’re always focused on these dubious plots and forget that your own power is the key to victory,” Colin said ruthlessly, “Even if Otto and Squein manage to assassinate successfully and heavily damage the Blood Knight Army, you expect this Troll Army to conquer North Territory?

Don’t be ridiculous.

The North Territory still has the Phoenix Butterfly Army, and Ice Rock City has about ten thousand Blood Cavalry Reserves that have been training for nearly two years. Your motley crew wouldn’t stand a chance against the regular army, let alone the defenses in the major cities.

Furthermore, the Half-Elf Kingdom has an army of fifty thousand Silver Moon Guards ready to aid the North Territory at a moment’s notice.

What assure your victory?”

Colin looked at Okamoto’s red and swollen face, continuing to provoke,

“Your so-called cooperation is, heh, absurd.

Even if Vera did die from poison, considering the power I have now, regardless of who ascends to the Duke’s position, they would need to show their respect to me, the Guardian of the North Territory!

So, rest in peace.”

After saying so, Colin drew his sword without hesitation.

“Wait…” Okamoto attempted to justify himself, but Colin’s sword had already transformed into a streak of silver light, sweeping past his throat.

Swish!

A blood-stained head thudded to the ground, leaving a trail of blood in the snow and finally resting at Colin’s feet.

Okamoto’s eyes, refusing to close in death, were staring at Colin’s figure.