The First Vampire - Chapter 551

Chapter 551: 549 Banquet_1

Please continue reading on ΒOXΝʘVEL.ϹΟM .

Night falls, and the lights begin to sparkle.

Hundreds of candles illuminate the banquet hall of the Benson family’s castle as if it were day.

Expensive oak floors are adorned with three rectangular dining tables, laden with all sorts of fine wines and delicacies.

Young and beautiful maids stand respectfully by the dining table with trained smiles, ready to serve their distinguished guests at any time.

Solemn and graceful music flows from the harp in the corner of the hall, as if one is under the vast and serene starry skies.

However, the atmosphere of the banquet at this time was not lively, nor harmonious, but filled with a solemn and grim tense.

Viscount Benson, seated in the main seat, carried a flattering and awkward smile on his face, lacking the aura a host should have, instead, he seemed more like an attendant pleasing his master.

Seated to his right, was Marquis Garcia, whose face was icy cold, dressed not in formal clothes, but in armor.

Not only Marquis Garcia, but all the Northern Lords invited to the banquet were dressed in armor; an uninformed person might think that a military meeting was underway.

As the host, Viscount Benson certainly didn’t dare reprimand his guests for their impudence, instead, he kept trying to relax the atmosphere, but his efforts did not seem to garner much response.

Just as the atmosphere was becoming more and more stagnant, an attendant quickly walked to Viscount Benson’s side and whispered a few words in his ear.

Viscount Benson, seeming like he had grasped a lifeline, suddenly brightened and loudly said:

“Lord Marquis Garcia, Lord Count Angler, I have just received news that Bishop Denny’s crimes have been confirmed!”

(vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function(){viAPItag.display(“vi_765923973”)})

“Oh? Is that so?” Colin put down his wine cup, looked at Viscount Benson encouragingly, and indicated him to continue.

Viscount Benson knew that he didn’t have the power to sit on the fence anymore, and immediately said:

“Yes! My guards found a large amount of untraceable gold in Bishop Denny’s private manor, and the butler of the manor has confessed that all these are the ill-gotten gains that Bishop Denny has accepted privately and unlawfully seized from the tithe tax over the years. In addition, my financial officer has also found a large amount of unaccounted-for funds in the account books of the Falcon City Church!”

“Very good!” Colin smiled and nodded, “I believe your actions will be appreciated by our Lord! Bishop Denny will be temporarily arrested by you. After Cardinal Mensai arrives, he will be handed over to him for disposal.”

“Yes!”

Colin then stood up with his wine cup and announced loudly:

“Gentlemen, let us raise our glasses together to celebrate the just punishment of another false believer who has tarnished the glory of the Supreme Lord!”

At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall finally changed, and the Northern Lords all stood up, raising their cups in a toast.

As if welcoming the joining of another lord.

Viscount Benson himself understood that from now on, he must follow these Northern people all the way to the end.

Even if Cardinal Mensai disposes of Bishop Denny by relying on the evidence he provided, he certainly will not reward the Benson family.

On the contrary, the Church will see the actions of the Benson family as a serious provocation.

After all, how many of these high-ranking officials of the Church are completely innocent?

They possess almost unmonitored enormous power, how can they be willing to live the austere life of a hermit?

If the Benson family can bring down Bishop Denny this time without being appropriately warned, can other lords follow the example and threaten or even control the bishops in their own dioceses?

In this way, the Church’s independence and autonomy would be greatly weakened.

Moreover, if the corruption of a large number of high-ranking officials of the Church were exposed, it would be a great blow to the prestige of the Church.

Therefore, the actions of the Benson family essentially sever their path to reconciliation with the Church, and they can only follow the North to make a big fuss.

Having sworn in, the Benson family is now “one of us”.

The hall finally had some of the atmosphere of a banquet, and was no longer as stagnant as before.

Of course, the atmosphere of the banquet was still far from lively. After all, Duke St. Hilde was still in a coma, the Pope had not yet been properly punished, and it was too early to celebrate.

In particular, Marquis Garcia kept a cold face, and everyone else present didn’t dare to act recklessly.

This restrained banquet naturally didn’t last long, and was declared over just past eight o’clock.

Everyone left, but Colin was stopped by Marquis Garcia.

They left the banquet hall and walked along the quiet corridor under the tranquil moonlight. After a while, Marquis Garcia finally spoke:

“Will your forcing of the Benson family to join us incur the wariness of the Royal Family?”

Colin immediately understood Marquis Garcia’s concern, and said, “Marquis, are you thinking that the Royal Family can be wooed over to our side?”

“Isn’t that the case? Restricting the power of the Church has always been a long-standing desire of the Lorenzo Family.”

“That’s true, however, I have just received a message from Dragon City.”

“What message?”

“Emperor Reinhardt had originally planned a public speech, apparently to take a stand on the current situation. However, on the day of the speech, Emperor Reinhardt called in sick and didn’t appear.”

Hearing this news, Marquis Garcia frowned immediately.

After thinking for a moment, he guessed, “So, he doesn’t intend to publicly declare his support for either side, but instead he intends to standby and observe?”

“Indeed.” Colin nodded, and added, “Also, I received another piece of news. Queen Midela has already left Dragon City with Prince Harrison and Princess Judy.”

Marquis Garcia stopped in his tracks, and asked, “Where are they planning to go? Is it the North Territory?”

“It should be.”

Marquis Garcia frowned and fell into deep thought.

Colin waited for a while before whispering, “Marquis, I have a suspicion that Emperor Reinhardt has already become wary of the St. Hilde family, this is why Queen Midela was forced to leave Dragon City.”

Marquis Garcia snorted coldly and said, “Absurd!”

Colin silently agreed.

The emperor’s actions indeed chilled them to the bone. As a noble leader, how could he just stand by and watch at such a critical moment? Couldn’t he see that this was a rare opportunity in a thousand years to suppress the power of the Church?

“So, Marquis, since the Royal Family is becoming wary of us, we don’t need to hold back.” Colin said with firm conviction, “I plan to use similar methods all the way, forcing the lords of the Crimson Flame Territory to take sides. I want to see if the Emperor will continue to play dead under such circumstances.”

Marquis Garcia turned around, looked into Colin’s eyes, and asked in a deep voice, “Colin, have you ever thought about whether all your actions will bring about a backlash in the future?”

Colin gave a faint smile and said, “Of course I have thought of that. If the Glorious Empire were peaceful, I know that my fate would be utterly miserable.

But it’s different now.

The invasion of the Orc Empire is imminent, and the Glorious Empire is facing an unprecedented threat.

The era of great chaos is about to begin, and being timid is just asking for death!”

Marquis Garcia stared into Colin’s eyes for a long while, a complex expression appearing on his face, and said:

“It’s a pity. If you were born into the Holy Knight Family…”

Marquis Garcia, stopped mid-sentence, then turned and left.

Watching his figure gradually disappear into the darkness, Colin touched the tip of his nose and chuckled in amusement.