I Became the Progenitor Vampire - Chapter 362

Chapter 362: Chapter 364 The Starting Point of Revenge (5800 words) Chapter 362: Chapter 364 The Starting Point of Revenge (5800 words) The caravan slowly disappeared around the corner in the blizzard, and Venna stood transfixed on the mysterious street with a somewhat dazed expression. It took a long time before those deep blue eyes regained focus.

There was an indescribable sense of reluctance in her eyes. Partings always brought the girl’s lowest moments.

But as soon as Venna turned around, the expression on her face quickly vanished, returning to her usual cool composure.

After Lide’s departure, the Business Queen who had made a great name for herself in Green City returned once more.

That girl’s tenderness was something only the owner of the Mage Tower could feel; nobody else was worthy.

Tap, tap~
Tap, tap~
In the Frost Month of snowy winters, a long caravan of thirty horse-drawn wagons, protected by hundreds of heavily-clothed warriors riding strong Unicorns with Demon Beast bloodlines, trekked through the blizzard on the main road.

Lide sat in the center, inside the luxurious and spacious carriage pulled by eight pure white unicorns.

This was his first time traveling to a city hundreds of kilometers away by carriage.

Before, it had always been Castro who served as his mount, with supersonic flight, a few hundred kilometers could be covered in less than an hour.

But for Lide, who had never had such an experience, it was quite special. The slow progress of the carriage also allowed his usually fast-paced life to slow down, giving him more time to think.

“Lord Lide, the road to Anos City, after our repairs, has become much smoother. If you had traveled there when Anos City was first established, I’m afraid the experience wouldn’t have been so pleasant.”

Inside the luxurious carriage, a wooden table, intricately carved with elaborate patterns, stood fixed to the floor, with various snacks, fruits, and tea arranged on it.

Lide sat on the inside, while Laurent, the president of the Golden Wheat Commerce, sat opposite him with his increasingly plump figure.

The carriage was immensely spacious, with enough room for seven or eight people, though it seemed rather empty with just the two of them.

“Currently, Golden Wheat Commerce has undertaken 90 percent of Anos City’s trade. We have already started preparing the business streets in Anos City…”

Lide listened quietly as Laurent excitedly said, “You said before that the greatest profit in business comes from monopolies.

Now, our Golden Wheat Commerce has monopolized the trade of Anos City.

Almost all adventurers buy their supplies from us…”

“If it weren’t for the fact that those adventurers don’t have too many Gold Pucks on hand, our profits would have been even bigger in this time…”

“Lord Lide, you may not know, but those adventurers are indescribably peculiar. Just assign them tasks, even if it’s a suicide mission, as long as the price is right, countless people are willing to go…

By the Goddess, the lives from the Lost Plane are so strange…”

“There are also construction tasks. Many who are already professional adventurers, given enough silver puke, are equally willing to participate in road and bridge building…

They are professionals, yet why are they so happy to do these commoner’s tasks? It’s truly incomprehensible…”

Hearing Laurent’s endless muttering, Lide couldn’t help but find it a bit amusing.

This must be how most of the native inhabitants perceived the majority of players.

Their peculiar behavior was baffling, and for money or other rewards, they seemed willing to do anything without a trace of dignity.

Such players were despised by the native inhabitants, leading many to look down on them.

Not that they looked down on players from the start, but the manner of many players’ actions earned the natives’ disdain.

A noble Spellcaster, for a tiny reward, willing to run errands for a commoner or merchant.

It was simply disgraceful to everyone.

Therefore, the sacrilegious disaster that culminated in the massacre of players was just a trigger; the discontent had long been sown.

“Laurent, the growth environment of Lost Plane adventurers is completely different from ours,” Lide rarely took the time to explain to this subordinate who had followed him for three years.

“Therefore, when dealing with these adventurers, there is no need to be overly surprised. Think from their perspective–if you went to another world where you could also constantly revive and be reborn.

Wouldn’t your behavior change, too?

Even though their actions are odd, on the other hand, doesn’t it mean that these adventurers are very easy to command?

As long as you offer enough Gold Pucks, they’ll do whatever you ask of them. In this sense, these adventurers are more suitable as helpers.”

Laurent nodded his head in complete agreement after hearing this.

“You’re right, it’s because of their peculiar natures that we’re able to command them, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to get professionals to dig trenches and clean latrines for us…”

Lide shook his head and changed the subject without further discussing this topic.

“Laurent, in the future, Anos City is bound to become a burgeoning metropolis, which presents an unprecedented opportunity for Golden Wheat Commerce.

This is a chance to become a colossal commerce guild.

And in this process, those who wish to seize a foothold must be prepared to pay a greater price.”

Although he could freely direct Golden Wheat Commerce, it was still very necessary to motivate Laurent.

“You don’t need to hold back, this city has deep ties with the Crimson Mage Tower, and my visit to Anos City is to establish a Subtower of the Crimson Mage Tower.”

The relationship between Anos City and Lord Lide was the utmost secret, currently known only to Stanley and Harrison, while others were kept in the dark.

Even Grot, the Level 17 Child of the North and the top combat force of the Dark Contract, had no knowledge of this matter.

The Dawn City Shadow Project was Dawn City’s highest-level plan, which no one irrelevant, no matter how powerful, could possibly know about.

The Dark Contract’s heavy investment in Anos City was also because Stanley valued the potential of adventurers and the future of Prince Anos as an excuse.

Upon hearing the news that Lord Lide wished to establish a Subtower of the Crimson Mage Tower, Laurent’s eyes instantly lit up.

“Lord Lide, how can Golden Wheat Commerce cooperate with you regarding the construction of the Mage Tower? Just give your command, and we will surely accomplish it!”

This was a rare opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty, and Laurent had not had the chance to confidently assure Lord Lide like this in a long time.

“Rest assured, you will not be left out of this matter.”

Lord Lide nodded, his gaze profound.

Risier City was a key future node, essential for controlling players, so for a long time, it had been his focus for investment.

This was venture capital, high risk and high reward.

The Dark Contract, the Crimson Mage Tower, even the Centaurs of the Dwarf Hills, and the Fishman Tribe were all chips he had invested in the development of Anos City.

“Golden Wheat Commerce has no light burden to bear.”

As the only commerce guild in his hands responsible for basic supplies and the lower market strata, Golden Wheat Commerce was the main force in the construction of Anos City at this stage.

Due to Prince Anos’s own notorious reputation and the Empire’s dark machinations, hardly anyone from Green City chose to conduct trade in Anos City.

Furthermore, the presence of despised adventurers in this city, destitute and foolish folks, offered hardly any business opportunities, further exacerbating the commercial barrenness of Anos City.

Hence, Anos City could only rely on Golden Wheat Commerce to tough it out, but thankfully, under the protection of the Crimson Mage Tower, Golden Wheat Commerce had already become a major commerce guild in Green City, and the resources they could mobilize were more than enough to support the city’s development.

Lord Lide did not say more to Laurent, instead, he turned his gaze toward the window.

Green City was bordered by the sea and the Dwarf Hills’ plains. Outside the window, snow covered the earth, and there were conspicuously fewer pedestrians, with even players reluctant to venture out into the blizzard to hunt monsters and level up.

Creak~ Creak~
The sound of carriage wheels pressing against the crushed ice resonated crisply.

Lord Lide’s thoughts also began to drift.

The future positioning of Anos City, how to control the players, the role of the Crimson Mage Tower’s Subtower, and additionally, the Divine Remains of Risier City that had recently become his focal concern…

…

January 3, 3525.

The cold-enshrouded Anos City had not ground to a halt; on the contrary, thanks to the City Lord’s manor issuing numerous construction tasks, the entire city slowly took shape amid a bustling atmosphere.

Today was different; suddenly, hundreds of Centaurs poured out of the City Lord’s manor, and the city’s master, Prince Anos, was also waiting at the entrance of the manor for something.

This unusual scene caught the attention of many players, and several even began to stake out the manor, hoping to pick up some tasks.

After a wait of three Sunshine Hours.

Along the newly constructed main avenue, a procession of luxurious carriages approached through the snowy wind under the watchful eyes of players, the flag of Golden Wheat Commerce fluttering atop them, finally halting at the entrance of the City Lord’s manor.

To the players’ surprise, upon the carriage’s arrival, Prince Anos personally stepped forward, welcoming a Mage dressed in silver-lined embroidery, his bearing nearly perfect, down from the carriage.

“Holy shit, who’s this handsome guy??”

As the mysterious figure within the carriage revealed his unparalleled appearance, players who had been waiting to trigger quests were stunned in an instant.

Shouts and exclamations were incessant.

“Am I blind?? How can someone be so handsome??”

“Damn, this NPC is unbeatable. With those looks, damn, a ton of chicks would pay to be with him.”

“Why do I feel like my handsome idol is nothing compared to this NPC, wuwuwu, I’m going to unfan…”

Players who were frantically snapping screenshots quickly posted the scene to the forum, which immediately set off a huge discussion.

Everyone was almost uniformly surprised by the high degree of attractiveness of the individual in question.

Even some female players couldn’t handle the shock and promptly created an NPC beauty rankings list, one for men and one for women,
and after the picture of Lord Lide, wearing his weaving robe, being surrounded by Prince Anos and a throng of Centaur guards at the very center, was posted, it instantly received a flurry of enthusiastic likes and votes from countless fervent female players, dominating the chart.

After that, no one was ever able to shake his position on the rankings, not even the handsome Elves.

At the time, Lord Lide was naturally unaware of these messy affairs. Welcomed by Prince Anos, he entered the so-called City Lord’s Manor.

Due to the previous state of disrepair in the Red Moon Territory, this manor was also quite decrepit. It wasn’t just inferior to the City Lord’s Manor in Green City–it didn’t even compare to the manors of regular merchants in Green City.

The courtyard walls were low, the houses run-down, and the furniture old-fashioned. If it weren’t for the presence of hundreds of towering Centaurs holding the fort, it would have seemed even more desolate.

Upon entering the main hall, Lide took his seat at the head of the principal hall, while Prince Anos, the nominal host, didn’t even have the right to sit down and could only stand to the side.

Lide looked around the room a couple of times. Illuminated by the magic lamps, it wasn’t too dim. To the right, the fireplace crackled with the burning of charcoal and wood, the surging heat making the room a touch warmer, but only to a limited extent.

The wooden floor looked somewhat dull but was well-polished, and a few oil paintings hung on the walls around him, vaguely revealing the yellowing traces of time.

Besides the two of them, there was no one else in the room. As Lide remained silent, Prince Anos dared not speak more and waited with his head bowed for the command of his master.

After a moment, Lide finally came back to his senses and gestured towards a wooden chair next to the long table in front of the reverently standing Prince Anos.

“Sit down, let’s talk, Anos.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At those words, Anos placed his right hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and performed a standard noble’s courtesy.

At the same time, the young prince’s face was filled with apprehension.

This was his first meeting with Lide, his Ancestor.

There was no question of dignity. The oppression from their bloodline was not something he could resist. Every cell in his body was submitting to the figure in front of him.

He was awe-struck and filled with fear.

Observing the uneasy expression on Anos’s face, Lide’s expression grew somewhat strange. The prince’s legends in the Nolan Empire were simply too numerous, though mostly they were met with mockery and disdain.

But in a country that esteemed bloodline legitimacy, a prince born to a maid would indeed be scorned.

That Prince Anos had survived until now without being toyed to death seemed miraculous to Lide.

Could this guy really be the Destiny Hero??

Feeling uneasy under Lide’s peculiar gaze, Prince Anos stood up again and said anxiously, “Your Majesty, Anos City glows with splendor because of your arrival.

Whatever task you assign, I shall fulfill it to the death…”

“There’s no need to be nervous. Sit down,” Lide said with a mix of laughter and helplessness, waving his hand.

“I’m not here to assign tasks this time. Anos City currently doesn’t have the capability to complete tasks.

Your main job at this stage is to properly build the city…”

Seeing the smile on Lide’s face eased Anos’s heart quite a bit, and he sat down for the second time, though his heart was still tense.

“There are many difficulties in the current stage of building Anos City. The cost of building a city from scratch is tremendous.

However, as a gathering place for adventurers from the Lost Plane, Anos City has many innate advantages that other cities do not possess.

It is a more open and inclusive city. Although everything is starting from the beginning, it is easier to construct a perfect city.”

After finishing his words, Lide felt quite moved, thinking about Dawn City, which was built from nothing. Initially there were 200 Bloodline, but now the population has exceeded 100,000, no, 150,000. The population plundering operation had come to a perfect conclusion ten days ago, and a huge city was born under his hands bit by bit.

The present Anos City was so similar to his own experience, but far luckier. It was entirely up to him to hold the fort in Dawn City, but Anos City also had him as a supporting mountain.

“Your Majesty, it’s my good fortune to be able to build such a city. I will seize this opportunity,” Anos said with the utmost respect.

Lide waved his hand and laughed.

“Anos, I’m here this time intending to build a Mage Tower.”

A Mage Tower??

Upon hearing this, Prince Anos immediately stood up, his eyes sparkling with irrepressible delight.

“Your Majesty, this is truly wonderful!!”

As a prince who had come from the Nolan Capital, although his achievements weren’t much to speak of, his vision was not lacking. If Anos City, which was still basically at the level of a rural town, could have a Mage Tower, it would undoubtedly be a strong stimulant for everyone.

Lide smiled faintly.

Establishing a Subtower was both a need for the development of the Crimson Mage Tower at a certain stage and his support for Anos City, as well as a bold idea of his own.

This Mage Tower would be, just as he said, completely open. As long as you have contribution points from the Mage Tower, you could come in to learn magic, and the prices for all spells are clearly marked.

Moreover, apart from a small number of spellcasters with exceptional talent, he would not recruit a large number of players as fixed members of the Mage Tower. Instead, he would more often use contribution points, or say points, to drive the players.

Even his idea had many interesting aspects, such as players being able to contribute magic they had obtained in exchange for points. Magic Scrolls that could be learned by others could also be sold on behalf of the Mage Tower, and players could unite to improve spells, among other things.

The benefits of doing so might not be particularly obvious in the early stages, but as the players developed rapidly, the profits they gained would absolutely become larger and larger.

On the other hand, Lide did not plan to gain too much financial profit through this Mage Tower. It was more about helping Anos City gather popularity among players during a time when the city was still a blank slate and increasing his influence among the players.

This layout might take three to five years, or even longer, to see effects.

The first one or two years would be more akin to giving away for free.

But with the current size of the Crimson Mage Tower, establishing a Subtower was effortless, without the slightest pressure.

“The only issue now is, after establishing the Mage Tower, there needs to be a sufficiently powerful spellcaster to preside over it. The level must be at least above 15…”

After a brief thought, Lide looked at the excited Anos and said with a smile, “I’ll arrange for someone to choose a site later. I need a large enough area.”

“Your Highness, even if you use the City Lord’s estate, it will be no problem. I will carry out your orders with all my might.”

Anos’ face beamed with a smile that he could not hide.

Lide nodded slightly. After talking about the site selection, he temporarily set this matter aside; this trip to Anos City wasn’t just about building a Mage Tower.

“Anos, do you have any plans for the future development of Red Moon Territory?”

Anos City was just a small part of Red Moon Territory.

“Your Highness, I think in the short term, we are unable to develop other lands,” Anos said with a wry smile on his face, “Anos City has already tied up all our energy, and we can’t spare any effort in the short term.”

Lide shook his head, “No, Anos, you must now decide how Anos City and even the Red Moon Territory should develop in the future.

That’s your course. As the captain of this great ship that is Anos City, you must have a course to guide you forward, so you can disregard the assaults of any storm.

Red Moon Territory, although it appears very barren and dangerous from the outside world, the main threats are the centaurs and the Fishman Tribe by the sea.

But the current situation is that the centaurs are our allies, and the deep-sea fishmen are our partners.

With the right time, place, and people, you almost have it all.

Even those lurking in the shadows won’t be able to make a move against you anytime soon.

Grote of Dark Contract is in Anos City, and I will have him take charge of your safety later.

Without any worries behind you, you must consider how the Red Moon Territory should develop in the future.”

Prince Anos was a pawn that Stanley had intended to promote, but if the other party turned out to be useless, Lide would not continue to support him.

Letting him lead the development of Red Moon Territory was a test for Prince Anos. If he passed the test, he would still have control of the city.

If he failed, Prince Anos could only become a visible pawn, and someone else would be arranged to take over Anos City.

The city held a very important position in his territorial map, and he absolutely could not afford to let any mistakes happen.

Hearing Lide’s words, Anos took a deep breath and then knelt on one knee under Lide’s gaze, looking directly into his eyes with an extremely solemn expression.

“Your Highness, Anos will not disappoint you.”

“The enemies of the Nolan Capital, who once brazenly insulted the bones of my mother…”

“Who once trampled me into the mire underfoot…”

“Who once subjected me to the most shameful humiliation…”

“Who once made me taste all the darkness of this world…”

“I will return all of this. My sword has not yet been stained with blood, my love is still waiting for my return in the capital…

Anos City will be the starting point for my revenge!”

“Your Highness, one day, Bloodline Anos Kachar will ascend to the Royal Capital, slay all the enemies, and take the crown of the Nolan Empire for you!”

“The entire Nolan Empire, will bow at your feet!”