The First Vampire

War is not unlike certain things, the most thrilling part is always the rush into a melee.

But the various cumbersome tasks before and after are quite boring, yet they are indispensable.

Colin was currently dealing with various aftermath tasks and starting to plan the next counterattack.

The Battle of Luwal Valley was just a turning point, not an end.

Before the Orc army was completely driven back to the west of the Sky Breaking Mountain Range, the Imperial Allied Army would not stop.

“Lord Count, it’s almost time for the regular military meeting.”

Colin was pulled away from his mountain of documents by his attendant’s reminder. He nodded, indicating that he understood.

As the commander of the Imperial Allied Army, Colin holds regular military meetings every morning, listening to reports from high nobles and generals on post-war processing and war preparation matters, and issuing new orders.

Entering the main camp, all the noble generals stood up and greeted Colin.

Once everyone was seated again, Colin started speaking loudly:

“You all have been working hard lately. Fortunately, the post-war matters have been basically taken care of. Next, we’ll officially start preparing for the counterattack…”

“Please wait.” A voice interrupted Colin.

The camp immediately quietened down, and everyone turned their eyes towards the speaker.

Colin frowned slightly, but still maintained his demeanor, asking with a smile:

“Governor Fred, is there any issue you’d like to raise?”

Governor Fred stood up, watching Colin with calm eyes, and said:

“Count Angler, His Majesty previously appointed you as the temporary commander of the Imperial Allied Army, just to let you take full responsibility for the Battle of Luwal Valley.

Now that the Battle of Luwal Valley is over, the upcoming battles… haha, I’m afraid you may not be able to continue leading them.”

Colin gave a faint smile and said:

“Governor Fred, now that His Majesty is in a coma due to his serious injury, we can’t exactly wait for him to wake up and reappoint a commander, can we? řάℕö฿Εs̈

I’m afraid the citizens of the Westland eagerly awaiting their return home wouldn’t agree to that.”

“That is absolutely correct!” Duke St. Gregorian immediately spoke up in support of Colin, “We cannot delay the war simply because His Majesty is in a coma. Moreover, as the commander of the Imperial Allied Army, Count Angler has demonstrated very outstanding leadership abilities in the Battle of Luwal Valley. It is only right that he should continue to serve as the commander of the allied forces.

Do you have a better candidate, Governor Fred?”

Of course, Governor Fred would not answer this question directly, as he could not propose a more suitable commander than Colin.

But he did hold onto the procedural issue from before:

“Count Angler, I do not have anything against you. However, the position of the commander of the Imperial Allied Army is extraordinary and involves the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers of the empire, hence it must be dealt with carefully.

Without His Majesty’s orders, I’m afraid it would be inappropriate for you to continue commanding the Imperial Allied Army.”

Before Colin could speak, Duke St. Gregorian questioned in an annoyed tone. “So are we just going to continue waiting here like idiots until His Majesty wakes up?”

Governor Fred just gave a light smile and said:

“Duke St. Gregorian, I understand your eagerness to retake the Westland and it’s also clear to me that we shouldn’t delay the war because of His Majesty’s coma.

However, we must follow the legal procedures. Otherwise who will be held responsible if the war turns unfavorable?

According to the ‘Glorious Code’, when the emperor is unable to perform his duties, the Senate will elect a temporary regent by voting to handle necessary imperial affairs on his behalf.”

“I agree with Governor Fred’s opinion.” Prince Lexie immediately seconded, “We should immediately convene a Senate meeting and elect a regent to take overall charge.”

With Prince Lexie’s statement, many nobles in the camp also began to speak in favor.

At this point, Colin realized that Governor Fred and Prince Lexie must have been plotting this for some time. They were planning to seize military power.

At this point, a Senate meeting would undoubtedly result in Prince Lexie being elected regent!

Even though Colin’s reputation was at its peak, he wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to a member of the royal family with the reputation of a holy knight who had just slain the Orc emperor.

If he wanted to retain his military power, the only possible way would be to get the Senate to elect Prince Harrison as regent.

As his own student, Prince Harrison would likely still allow Colin to manage the upcoming battles.

But the problem was, a fourteen-year-old minor prince obviously couldn’t compare with a newly recognized national hero, a Holy Knight.

Unless Colin could influence the Senate’s vote…

But, the odds of success for that were low.

After all, at this point, the only ones that Colin could really control were the elders from the North Territory.

With help from Duke St. Gregorian, he should be able to convince more than half of the elders from the Westland too.

But he was quite helpless with the other three territories.

There’s no doubt that the Flame Region would support Prince Lexie.

While Colin did conquer the Eastland once, he didn’t have time to manage the Eastland forces before the Orc war erupted. So, the Eastland currently is like a piece of meat that Colin hasn’t had time to gobble up and digest yet.

As for the Southland…

If Governor Fred dared to propose this, it would mean he must have enough confidence, probably having won the Duke of the South Border over already.

Of course, Colin was not worried.

Because he had another way–

That was to let Emperor Reinhardt pass away immediately!

Once Emperor Reinhardt dies, there would be no need for the Senate to elect a regent, but instead, the throne succession procedure would be straightaway initiated.

The first in line to the throne, of course, would be Prince Harrison!

Colin had been delaying Emperor Reinhardt’s life, actually planning to use the Emperor’s death to trap the Church, but now under the combined pressure of Governor Fred and Prince Lexie, Colin had to change his plans.

Having made up his mind, Colin nodded with a smile:

“Governor Fred, I also agree with your opinion. Now that His Majesty is in a coma, the Empire does need a regent to take overall charge.

So, I’ll have to bother you to quickly return to Dragon City and convene a Senate meeting.”

Seeing Colin easily backing down, Governor Fred was stunned for a moment.

He had prepared a few more pushes to get Colin to concede, but now it seemed that they were unnecessary…

Duke St. Gregorian was anxiously trying to get Colin’s attention, but Colin just responded with a calming glance.

Prince Lexie was also looking at Colin uncertainly, seemingly questioning whether Colin honestly grasped the implications of holding a Senate meeting.

It took Governor Fred a good while to come to his senses, then he cleared his throat and said:

“Very well, I will return to Dragon City immediately. Please everyone wait here for a few days!”

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