Antony had never regretted anything he’d done as much as he did now.
He was a small-time merchant who had been trading between the borderlands and Green City to earn some Silver Pucks.
Seven days ago, while following a group of refugees back to Green City, he was brought to this unfamiliar city by the Saintlight Vampires.
He swore to the Goddess that from the moment he was captured, he thought he was about to meet the God of Death!!
These were vampires, the legendary vampires!
However, what made him incredulous was that these vampires seemed different from the legends, and their promises were increasingly tempting.
But he hadn’t trusted them fully. He originally thought these vampires wouldn’t keep their promises, would plunder all his property, and drain his blood.
But none of his fears came true. His property wasn’t seized, he was actually allocated a house, and most importantly, they promised to allocate land to him later.
Goddess above, he swore at that moment he truly believed in the Saintlight Vampires.
But all of this changed the next day when rumors spread, claiming it was all a vampire conspiracy. They were doing this to gain human trust for their evil purposes.
Could one really trust blood-sucking vampires?
Antony swore he didn’t want to believe this claim, but fear overwhelmed him, and he ended up accepting this cursed rumor.
The fear of vampires almost paralyzed his ability to think. Just the rumors made him panic.
It was then that those damned, filthy, despicable members of the Wild Wolf Gang showed up.
This disgusting group threatened and coerced him, even scaring him with the threat of being handed over to the vampires as food.
They mercilessly robbed him of all his Silver Pucks and took most of his cherished wine.
Goddess above, if he could go back to that day, he would definitely report the Wild Wolf Gang to the Saintlight Vampires and let these great beings capture those filthy robbers.
Unfortunately, at the time, he was so frightened by the rumors that he truly believed the Saintlight Vampires were those evil vampires. Even when he saw the security squad on the streets, he didn’t dare speak up.
He feared these squads were the vampires’ henchmen, used to capture humans for the vampires as described in the rumors.
Pain and despair enveloped him. During that time, he feared nothing more than vampires visiting his door or the endless extortion by the Wild Wolf Gang.
But all of this changed today.
The master of this city returned—the great Clan Leader of the Saintlight Vampires, the Lord of Dawn City, Lord Kachar.
He was like a divine emissary sent to redeem him. His power was like the sun, leaving Antony awestruck.
Especially when he used magic right in front of everyone. That massive fireball exploded just above his head, singeing his hair!!
He swore that fireball could easily kill hundreds of people. Perhaps if Lord Kachar wished, he alone could kill everyone in the square.
What an awe-inspiring Mage Lord.
Most importantly, he personally captured the Wild Wolf Gang and promised to recover their lost wealth.
If it had been before, he wouldn’t have believed such claims.
But today, he did. He developed trust in this city lord whom he had only met once.
What moved him even more was yet to come. This prestigious figure not only promised to distribute land tomorrow but also said that anyone who earned 100 points would be granted noble status.
Goddess above, he was a merchant, someone even more looked down upon than commoners.
When he bravely questioned Lord Kachar about whether he had a chance to become a noble, Lord Kachar’s words nearly stopped his heart.
Regardless of background, regardless of age—anyone who earned 100 points could obtain noble status in Dawn City.
He believed it. Looking at the infinitely charming city lord, his trust in Dawn City and the Saintlight Vampires reached its peak.
He believed this great lord could help them recover their wealth. He believed he could be allocated land. He believed he too could become a noble high above others.
Even in the distant future, he could send his children to study magic in the mysterious mage tower.
This series of events caused a significant change in Antony.
Now, he was full of hope for the future and goodwill toward the Saintlight Vampires.
Never before had someone so prestigious smiled at him, a mere merchant. Never.
The nobles of Green City always treated him with disdain and disgust. For the first time, he felt the pride and honor of being respected by Lord Kachar.
After the assembly dispersed, Antony hurried back to his residence.
Someone was waiting for him there.
An old man lying in bed, frail and weak, who hadn’t gone to the square due to his condition.
Seeing Antony enter the room with a grave expression, the old man’s previously bright eyes dimmed inexplicably.
“Antony, did those people from the Wild Wolf Gang come again?”
This elder was someone Antony had met on the road—a kind person. When entering Dawn City, this elder had helped conceal Antony’s original property because Antony hadn’t trusted the vampires at the time.
Since the Wild Wolf Gang had extorted a large sum from Antony initially, they almost came to threaten him daily, which explained the elder’s question.
“No, Uncle Nick, the Wild Wolf Gang has been dealt with. No one will come to ask us for money anymore.”
Nick’s wrinkled face filled with astonishment.
“How could that be? That group had dozens of people. Is there anyone in this city who can subdue them?
In Nick’s eyes, vampires were utterly untrustworthy, so the ones who dealt with the Wild Wolf Gang must be a newly arrived gang.
Antony revealed an excited smile.
“No, Uncle Nick, it’s not a new gang—it’s the Saintlight Vampires!!”
Nick’s eyes widened in shock, his face filling with anger.
“You told those vampires?! Goddess above, they’re vampires!!”
Antony burst out laughing.
“Uncle Nick, they’re not those evil vampires—they’re the great Saintlight Vampires!!”
At this moment, Nick almost thought Antony had been bewitched by evil magic.
He could hardly believe his ears. The Saintlight Vampires? The great Saintlight Vampires? Wasn’t that just what those vampires called themselves? Why would Antony say it?
“Antony, I need an explanation. What did those vampires do to make you change so drastically?”
Antony smiled proudly.
“Uncle Nick, trust me. After you hear everything, you’ll praise the great Saintlight Vampires too!”
Nick glared, angrily shouting.
“Nonsense! I’d praise a group of vampires? Goddess of Life above, you must’ve been enchanted by those evil demons.”
Antony didn’t argue. He began recounting everything from Lord Li De’s first words on stage, explaining it thoroughly to Nick. Fearing Nick might not understand, he spent nearly half a Sun-hour re-explaining it in his own words several times.
Finally, this sixty-something-year-old elder was left stuttering, unable to speak from the shock of Antony’s news.
He didn’t hold much hope for becoming a noble, but the prospect of being allocated land made him feel invigorated despite his decaying body.
“Antony, is what you’re saying true? Any adult can be allocated ten acres of land, and they only need to pay 30% of the harvest annually?”
Only 30% of the harvest needed to be paid! Goddess above, in the village, he could only retain 30% of his harvest every year when he farms for the nobility, with 70% handed over.
And now, here, he had the opportunity to keep most of his income. It was unimaginable.
Seeing Nick’s excitement, Antony felt a sense of pride swell within him. He nodded proudly.
“Of course, Lord Kachar doesn’t lie.
But I need to correct you on one point: the land belongs to Dawn City. We only have the right to cultivate it, not sell it.
However, after three years, if you have 10 points, the tax can be reduced to 20%. With 20 points, it can be reduced to 10%.”
Nick, trembling with suppressed excitement, asked in a shaky voice.
“Did they mention an upper age limit for allocation? Do you think… do you think I might qualify?”
Under Nick’s anxious gaze, Antony thought for a moment before nodding.
“There’s no upper limit. Lord Kachar said anyone who is an adult qualifies. I think, Uncle Nick, you can get ten acres of land too.”
Upon receiving Antony’s confirmation, Nick sat up straight from his bed, his smile deepening the wrinkles on his face.
“Praise the Saintlight Vampires!”