The First Vampire - Chapter 196: Expose_1

Lying is an extremely stimulating game.

Gambling, war, politics  These pursuits that everyone strives for, all require sophisticated lying skills.

A skilled liar, calm and composed, can spin a seamless lie with just a small gesture, leaving people confused and entranced, perhaps even wanting more, addicted to being deceived. After having been fooled once, they may even wish to be fooled again. Such deceivers are often known as masters, perhaps warranting even higher titles

However, those who are not skilled may be full of holes and leave people laughing.

In fact, exposing a lie is also a very interesting thing.

Especially when the liar is still trying to struggle desperately.

At this moment, Colin was experiencing such pleasure.

Although his heart had long seen through everything, he was still willing to provide Charles with a stage to perform.

Pretend, keep pretending!

“Colin, what do you mean by this? What did I expose? Are you suspecting that I am conspiring with the Trolls to plot against you?”

Charles’s expression and tone were just right. His simple words conveyed a range of complex emotions: astonishment, shock, aggrievement

Colin was leaning lazily against the railing, enjoying Charles’s performance. He slowly asked, “You said before, this operation has already been approved by Duke St. Hilde. The Duke even promised that as long as I dispatched troops to attack the Troll Royal City, he would marry Vera to me, right?”

“Yes.” Charles nodded immediately.

“Hehe.” Colin sneered, “Do you know that three days after we left Ice Rock City, Duke St. Hilde made a public appearance? He first declared that Marquis Dawson, Count Uman, and others were rebels and ordered the Golden Lion Legion to attack Ironforge City.

Then, he received the envoys sent by various lords to Winterfell city.

Even that young boy from the Lomba family was received by him, but he did not receive the envoy from Ice Rock City!

And this envoy is the one I sent to propose marriage to the Duke. He has been waiting in Winterfell for over two months now.”

Charles’s facial expression did not change, even showing an equally puzzled expression. After thinking for a moment, he explained, “Colin, I think my father did not deliberately target Ice Rock City, but wanted to wait until you successfully seized the Troll Royal City before rewarding you and marrying Vera to you.”

“Is that so?” Colin nodded seriously, “That makes sense.”

Just as Charles let out a sigh of relief, he heard Colin ask, “Then how do you explain the timing of the Troll’s troop mobilization?”

“The troll’s troop mobilization time?” Charles appeared clueless as if he did not understand Colin’s meaning.

“Yes. If I remember correctly, you arrived at Ice Rock City on March 26th, right?”

Seeing Charles nod, Colin continued nonchalantly, “However, the time when the Trolls mobilized was March 23rd! Even if you received the news as soon as the Trolls began moving, how did you manage to get from Wind Roar Fortress to Ice Rock City in just three short days?

Can you fly?

Or did you somehow get the news before the Troll mobilized its army?”

Hearing this, Charles’s heart suddenly accelerated, but his face did not show any abnormalities.

“Colin, did you perhaps mix up the timeline of the Trolls’ mobilization?”

Seeing Charles still stubbornly resisting, Colin shook his head with a laugh.

He had “personally” witnessed the mobilization of the Troll army through the eyes of a blood slave. But in just three short days, Charles had appeared in Ice Rock City, bringing news of the Trolls’ mobilization.

From then on, he knew for certain that something was off with Charles!

“Did I get it wrong? Then you tell me when did the Trolls actually mobilize?” Colin smiled and looked at Charles while reminding him, “But you better think carefully before you answer. There are still quite a few Troll prisoners in Wind Roar Fortress. If your timeline doesn’t match their statements, that would be rather inconvenient, wouldn’t it?”

At this point in the conversation, Charles no longer attempted to defend himself.

He slowly lowered his head, allowing the shadow to envelop his entire face, and he stopped speaking.

The chilling wind howled, teasing the snowflakes into the watchtower and seemingly reducing the already icy atmosphere by a few degrees.

Colin watched Charles, who had fallen silent, and suddenly sighed, asking, “If I am not wrong, the trolls have already told you the truth about the devastating defeat in the North Territory at the beginning of last year, haven’t they?”

Charles didn’t respond.

Just when Colin thought Charles wasn’t going to acknowledge him, Charles finally found his voice. “Yes.”

His voice turned as cold as frost, where the slight chilliness exuding was even colder than the temperature above the Sky Ice Plain.

“So, you hold a grudge against Duke St. Hilde and decided to use this opportunity to take revenge on the North Territory?”

“Yes!” Charles looked up again, his eyes blazing with undisguised hatred. “My loving father, who considers everyone else his tools, his pawns. In order to achieve his goal, he would not hesitate to abandon us!

The two hundred thousand warriors of the North Territory, the hundreds of northern lords, countless citizens of the North Territory who died in war and famine, all of them are insignificant in his eyes.

As for me, Adams, Vera, and your Uncle Garcia, including you, Colin.

We are even less valuable in his eyes!

Tell me, what makes such a person worthy to be the Lord of the North Territory, and why should he deserve our loyalty?”

“Is this your reason for betraying?” Colin looked coldly at Charles, “How are you any different from Duke St. Hilde now? You collaborate with the trolls and betray your own people, thrusting the North Territory into greater chaos. You are just an ambitious man who only cares about his own interests, so stop pretending to act righteous.”

Charles chuckled, unbothered by Colin’s sarcasm, and tried to persuade him instead. “Colin, you still have time to regret. I can put in a good word for you in front of Mr. Ji, and I’m sure he’ll be willing to accept your allegiance.”

Colin laughed out loud, taunting, “Do you really think the plotter from the St. Sean family is sure to win?”

Charles shook his head, “No one can be certain until the dust settles. But, I don’t want to live in the shadow of Duke St. Hilde anymore. What about you, Colin, since you know all that he’s done, why are you still choosing to risk your life for him?”

“I’m not risking my life for him.”

“Then, for what?”

Colin pointed downward where the moonlight faintly revealed a patrol of the Dark Cavalry.

“The Dark Cavalry? Oh, I see.” A look of realization crossed Charles’ face.

This Dark Cavalry, which Marquis Garcia established with his own hands, had grown up in bloody battles against the trolls. Its hatred of trolls had thoroughly integrated into the soul of this army.

If Colin chose to coexist with the trolls, he would completely lose the loyalty of the Dark Cavalry. Even if the Dark Cavalry still pleaded to continue fighting for him, they wouldn’t maintain the same invincible fighting force as they do today.

Moreover, Colin is eager to marry Vera.

If the St. Sean family were to rule the North Territory, then Vera would completely lose her superior status.

Moreover, the Uman Clan, an important supporter of the St. Sean family, has a feud with Colin.

All in all, unless absolutely necessary, Colin would never pledge allegiance to the St. Sean family.

Seeing that he couldn’t persuade Colin, Charles said helplessly, “Alright then, I hope you’ll be able to survive in the turmoil of the North Territory.”

“The North Territory? There’s no rush. Let them fight like dogs for a while. I’ll first enjoy this grand feast that the trolls have prepared for me!”

Charles’s face froze, then disbelief took over, “You  you still want to continue attacking the Troll King City?”

Colin broke out into an inscrutable smile:

“Yeah, since I’m already here.”