I Became the Progenitor Vampire Chapter 319

Chapter 319: Chapter 321: Anthony's Military Journey in Dawn City (7800 words) Chapter 319: Chapter 321: Anthony's Military Journey in Dawn City (7800 words) Glory's Main Plane's weather had never undergone too many changes, and winter remained cold.

However, this year's winter in Dawn City seems much warmer than in previous years.

Not only because the newly established district blocked a certain amount of cold wind, but also because the ample supply of resources was one of the main reasons.

All the residents felt secure; no one went hungry, and everyone had a very comfortable winter.

Including the new 50,000 residents.

The refugees plundered to Dawn City during the Frost Month had never imagined such a miraculous city existed, a place that could provide them with free accommodation, even allocate land to them, and provide them with jobs.

There was no oppression here, no nobles who looked down on commoners as lowly lives, no endless extortion from underground forces…

It all felt like a dream.

Especially when they heard all sorts of magical legends about this city from the mouths of the old residents — One-eyed Giants, Beastmen, Dwarves, Goblins, Bone Dragons, Centaurs…

And they witnessed all sorts of incredible alchemy creations.

This strange city, ruled by Vampires, managed to shake their conviction within a very short time; many even felt that this city gave them a greater sense of belonging than cities ruled by human nobles.

That was a feeling of belonging that came with being respected as a person; here, they were no longer lives that could be discarded and oppressed at will, they were free to breathe just like everyone else.

The only thing different from the tranquil atmosphere in the city was that, starting from late November, Dawn City's military vigilance continued into the post-winter season and showed no signs of stopping.

Nevertheless, the residents weren't too worried because the Holy Light Bloodline's lords had said they were developing a dangerous yet extremely fertile land.

As long as the Kachar City Lord was there, there would be no danger.

Everyone was utterly firm in this belief.

And as Dawn City's wheels rolled forward, there were always some ripples quietly emerging.

Anthony shook the thick black cotton coat on his body, exhaling a long white breath, heading towards the food store managed by the logistics department in the cold wind.

Today he planned to buy some fresh mutton to take home because Uncle Jike was very fond of it.

Although it was already the end of February, the tail end of the Frost Month, there still was no sign of warming temperatures.

Amidst the heavy snowfall, the streets that were bustling in the past now had sparse pedestrian traffic, and Anthony's thick coat insulated him from the snowflakes, as if the cold didn't matter much to him.

His footsteps crunched on the snow-covered ground, and Anthony found himself somewhat cherishing this rare sound.

Because in a short while, the logistics staff and those Mages would use magic to clear the streets of ice and snow, and this main thoroughfare of Dawn City would not be covered in snow.

Such a thing was almost impossible in other human cities, how could the lofty Mages possibly clear snow for the lowly commoners in the cold of winter?

But in this city, it all seemed quite normal.

Thinking of this, Anthony couldn't help but feel a touch of pride because he was also a member of this city.

Praise the Goddess, praise the great Lord Kachar!

His spirits lifted as he glanced at the colorful flags and various brightly colored flowers hanging on both sides of the street.

Although the Dawn Festival had passed two months ago, it seemed that the cheerful festival atmosphere had never left the city.

Recalling the Dawn Festival, Anthony's lips curled into an unconscious smile because, on that beautiful holiday, he had met a pretty girl, one who touched his heart.

Although they were still just friends, Anthony felt like a spring azalea bird encountering the freshly blooming rhododendron, vibrant and full of life.

At this moment, he couldn't help but call out in his heart, praising the Kachar City Lord!

For the Dawn Festival was a holiday set by the Kachar City Lord to commend the residents of Dawn City, and he had been fortunate enough to be present when the Kachar City Lord made the announcement.

That epic scene was one he would never forget in his lifetime.

Now, once again on this festival, he had encountered the light of his life; perhaps he was one of the lucky ones blessed by the Kachar City Lord.

As one of the oldest residents, having witnessed the establishment of the Dawn Festival had become Anthony's proudest talking point when drinking with the Dwarves in the tavern.

Of course, he also never missed telling the story of how he had participated in the hero selection competition, ranking 205th, only a little short of entering the top two hundred, and nearly becoming a glorious tale of the Holy Light Bloodline.

Dong~ Dong~ Dong~
The clear ringing of the bell from the spired clock tower at the junction of Cross Street suddenly broke Anthony's train of thought. Returning to his senses, he looked around at the warm-colored magical lamps that were now lit, and the residents bustling to and fro with smiles on their faces despite the heavy snow, feeling an inexplicable sense of nostalgia in his heart.

This was the third winter he had spent in Dawn City.

His first winter had just arrived, and this grand city seemed so empty and desolate.

There were no pedestrians on the streets, no shops by the road, and even the spired clock tower at the intersection of Cross Street was a silent, broken relic.

To call it desolate would be an understatement.

But by the second winter, Dawn City had undergone earth-shaking changes.

Shops had started to appear along the streets, the number of pedestrians was no longer sparse, life visibly improved at a rate detectable by the naked eye, and one could even eat pork from the farms and use the magical alchemy creation–running water.

By this third winter, the city filled with hope had fundamentally transformed into a burgeoning, opportunity-full, and oppression-free great city.

Everything here appeared so charming, and Anthony felt that he wouldn't give up living in this city even if he were offered a noble title like Baron elsewhere.

For here lay everything he had dreamt of, including that girl in a long dress…

And before this year's Dawn Festival, with the Holy Light Bloodline bringing back over 50,000 new residents, the city's population had soared to over 100,000, making it extraordinarily lively.

The data was even posted on the bulletin board at City Hall; Anthony had been shocked when he saw these figures.

Thinking of this, Anthony couldn't help feeling a bit envious.

Those newcomers were indeed lucky, being able to move directly into the newly constructed district of the city.

Their brand-new homes not only had complete living amenities, but many could even see Moonlight Lake just by opening their doors.

Truly a group blessed by the Divine.

Creack~ Creack~
The crisp sound of crushed ice echoed as Anthony, clad in a black coat, reached the grain store not far from Dawn Square after a long walk down the street.

The logistics department managed five grain stores, evenly distributed across the residential areas of Dawn City.

But it was only this very first grain store, located in the bustling city center, that had mutton for sale, which was why Anthony had come so far from his home to shop here.

Looking at the closed wooden door, Anthony stepped forward to push it open; the warmth inside dispelled the chill he felt.

The interior was spacious, easily accommodating fifty to sixty people.

The floor was wooden, stained with dark varnish, and dozens of shelves were arranged around the walls, displaying various kinds of grains, mostly in large bags. The grain store rarely sold food in pounds or small quantities, usually trading in tens or hundreds of pounds.

Because it was nearing dusk and due to the heavy snow, only a handful of people were inside purchasing food, with about a dozen employees present.

The grain shop's fireplace to the right was blazing with charcoal, the red flames especially endearing during winter.

Two employees dedicated to fire watching were relentlessly vigilant, ensuring no accidents occurred.

The surrounding houses had been treated by the mages from the Dawn Mage Tower, preventing the cold air from entering and retaining the warmth of the burning charcoal.

Anthony took a few deep breaths of the warm air, the mist that would normally appear outside was nowhere to be seen.

“Hello, Mr. Anthony, what kind of food would you need today?”

A worker dressed in a black and white uniform, looking neat and tidy, stepped forward to politely inquire.

Anthony smiled slightly at the person, “Qili, why so formal today?”

The young man's face broke into a beaming smile, “This is our standard service, sir. From now on, we must provide excellent service to all customers purchasing goods from the grain shop.”

Upon hearing this, Anthony shook his head with a smile, “Has that manager who came from Risier City come up with some new ideas?”

The youth named Qili glanced behind him, making sure no one was eavesdropping before relaxing his expression and whispered with a grin,
“Indeed, but this time it's a good thing. From now on, if you're satisfied with our service, you can give us an extra satisfaction rating. Accumulate enough good ratings and you can receive a reward~
Anthony, you must help me later…”

Anthony's eyes twinkled as he laughed, “Does that mean if I give you a bad rating, you'll be punished?”

Qili gave Anthony a quirky look.

“Did you sneak a peek at our policy?”

Do I need to sneak a peek?”

“Definitely, otherwise how could you guess…”

As the two exchanged jokes, the wooden door behind them was pushed open again.

A tall figure in a stern black full-body armor walked into the grain shop.

Tap tap~ Tap tap~
The sound of military boots stepping on the wooden floor rang clearly.

Upon seeing the arrival, Qili's expression changed and he immediately went forward with respectful greetings.

“Lord Oli, good day, welcome. Please come inside…”

On hearing this, Anthony immediately turned to look at the newcomer. The black armor made the figure appear immensely dignified, with short hair standing up like steel pins, and the young face, only in his twenties, exhibited a superiority and dignity unbecoming of his age.

Anthony recognized the newcomer on the spot.

Oli, the head of the Dawn Wings, was personally appointed by Kachar City Lord and had control over an army of thousands.

Oli's legend was almost household knowledge in Dawn City.

And almost all the old residents took pride in him.

Because Oli emerged as the chosen hero from the hero selection contest, a true Holy Light Bloodline figure who came from among the city dwellers.

He was the idol of nearly all young people as his story was too inspirational.

“Lord Oli.”

At this moment, Anthony approached with a cautious look. He knew Oli, and had conversed with him before he became the head of the Dawn Wings.

But now he didn't dare to treat him as casually as before.

This was one of the leading figures in Dawn City, whose every word and deed could change the destinies of countless people.

As one of only two zealots of the Dawn Sect, Oli's position had soared to an extreme after becoming the head of the Dawn Wings.

However, due to his personality, this zealot hadn't become arrogant; seeing Anthony, Oli's grave face softened a bit and he nodded slightly to the two.

“Good day, Qili,
Good day, Mr. Anthony.”

Anthony was visibly flattered when he heard Oli call his name.

Such distinguished figures were far beyond his own social status, but unexpectedly, his name had been remembered by someone he had encountered only a few times before.

Just as he thought to continue the conversation, he was disappointed to find that the figure had urgent matters and didn't intend to chat; after a few words with Qili, he headed straight to the back hall which was not open to the public.

It seemed that he mentioned another big name, Recker, the logistics director, in his conversation with Qili.

Anthony didn't dare to intrude further and could only watch as the figure left.

After Qili left, another idle employee took over to serve him.

Anthony engaged in pleasant small talk with the worker, but inside, he couldn't shake off an unstoppable sense of loss.

He had once stood on the same starting line with Oli in the hero selection contest, and there hadn't been much difference between the two.

But now, this young man, seven or eight years his junior, had a status he couldn't even hope to compare with.

He was still just an ordinary farmer, conducting small business and living a decent life, but it was clear he was in a completely different league from Oli–to say there was a world of difference wouldn't be an exaggeration.

After purchasing mutton, Anthony lingered in the shop inexplicably, his gaze constantly drifting towards the back hall behind the counter, waiting for a long time without any movement.

As he was about to leave, feeling dejected, a snippet of conversation from the back hall stopped him in his tracks.

“Big brother Recker, I'll have to trouble you with this.”

“No problem, with the King's Blade expanding its forces, the Dawn Wings will be expanding as well, right? You'll be busy during this period.”

“Yes, the Dawn Wings need to take in new blood. To guard the glory of Dawn, for His Highness, we must have greater strength…”

Tap tap~ Tap tap~
As these voices echoed from the back hall, that familiar sound of footsteps reappeared.

Creak~ The door to the back hall opened, and a towering figure, even more imposing than Oli, appeared before Anthony.

Recker, the logistics department head; Anthony naturally recognized this big figure of Dawn City who had even received relief food from him when he first arrived in the city.

“Big brother Recker, I'm heading back now.”

“Alright, come find me for a drink once you're free.”

The two didn't talk much and paid no mind to others; the residents inside buying food lowered their voices subconsciously, none daring to interrupt.

Creak~ Bang~
After Oli left, Recker gave a glance around the room, said nothing more, and turned back to the back hall.

Anthony, seeing this scene, couldn't help but feel even more dejected; he didn't even have the qualifications to approach and talk with these two important figures.

At that moment, the enthusiastic guide for Oli came charging from the back hall to Anthony.

“Mr. Anthony, have you heard? The King's Blade is going to expand its forces again, and the Dawn Wings are also recruiting for the Air Force!

It's truly wonderful.

The Dawn Wings, that's the Sky Cavalry. It's said that every soldier who becomes a Magic Language Knight will be regarded highly by the Kachar City Lord and even have the chance to go out and fight for Dawn City, to establish merits!

Glory and the Dawn accompany us, while our sharp blades in hand guard our homeland; we will become the cutting edge on the throat of our enemies!

What do you think of this pre-battle declaration I've come up with?” Anthony didn't have the chance to react, as the excited guide seemed to be just looking for someone to express his thoughts to.

“I swear to the Kachar City Lord, I must join this recruitment.

I don't want to be just a commoner, forever moving sacks of grain in a food shop; I want to fight for Lord Kachar, for the Holy Light Bloodline, for Dawn City!!”

Watching the speckled face of this young man, not even in his twenties, filled with such shining aspiration, Anthony was once again deeply moved in his heart.

The King's Blade, the army personally established by Lord Kachar, the guardians of Dawn City, soldiers that every resident took pride in.

Their status was incomparably revered.

He had once had the chance to become one of them, but…

At that thought, the frustration in Anthony's heart grew even stronger.

He could have, he really could have!

“Do I have to continue with my ordinary life?

Becoming someone who is protected by others, watching my friends bleed for us while I pretend to see nothing, a coward?”

Looking at the yearning on the face of the guide, Anthony's hands tightened imperceptibly; he was now just an ordinary farmer, a merchant making small deals.

If nothing out of the ordinary happened, he could foresee his own future all too well.

Because his father had lived his life the very same way.

“Mr. Anthony, I'm going to get busy first; once I'm done, I can head to City Hall to register early~
I hear the registration involves a very strict selection and review process; if I go too late, it might delay progress, and if I miss the registration period, I'll have to wait for the next one.”

Watching the guide leave with a cheerful stride, Anthony opened his mouth to say something but instead let out a quiet sigh and said nothing more.

Lifting the mutton he'd just paid for with copper pucks, he turned and pushed open the thick wooden door, whoosh~ a gust of cold wind blew straight onto his face, and the chill seeped down his collar into his clothes.

The chill gave Anthony a jolt, and his thoughts sobered a great deal.

Looking ahead, there were already Spellcasters in long mage robes clearing snow from the street.

The enormous Mage's Hand transformed into a shovel, and as the Spellcasters walked, the Mage's Hand shovelled along the ground with an air of leisure.

Because it was nearing dusk, and the weather was cold, there weren't many pedestrians on the street; as Anthony walked, his heart felt inexplicably complicated.

Especially seeing the troops of patrollers clad in heroic armor passing by, with the respectful looks in the eyes of the surrounding residents, it left an even more complex taste in his heart.

Craaack~ Crunch~
Treading on tiny chunks of ice, he slowly walked back to the residential area along the street, lit warmly by magic lamps.

Arriving at his own building, Anthony looked up to gaze at the second floor, where a faint candlelight flickered, and sighed softly.

The second floor was the dwelling assigned to him and Uncle Jike by the City Hall, with two rooms and a hall, quite comfortable to live in.

He strode upstairs and knocked on the white-painted door, thud, thud, thud.

Footsteps sounded from inside the house, and after a moment, the door creaked open, revealing an old man clad in tight black cotton clothes, his hair white with age and his face creased with wrinkles.

Anthony gestured with his hand towards the bag he carried and smiled, “Uncle Jike, I've bought your favorite mutton.”

For this old man, whom Anthony had met on the Beastman Border and then came to Dawn City with, he had truly come to regard him as his own kin.

“Come inside; the snowstorm is so harsh outside.” Jike cracked a smile, opened the door wider, and after Anthony entered, he closed it again, shutting out the icy wind.

“Uncle Jike, while buying the meat, I heard Lord Oli from the Dawn Wings say that they're about to increase their numbers.

I really envy those young lads…”
Hearing this, Jike's brow furrowed, a complex expression in his cloudy eyes.

“Anthony, isn't life already good enough now? Why do you always think about joining the army?

The dangers of the battlefield far exceed your imagination; no one can guarantee you'll live to the next second. Cherish your life.”

Anthony laughed it off without a care, placed the mutton on the round table in the corner, and then turned on the faucet to wash his hands. Feeling the chill on his palms, he quickly moved to the fireplace to warm up by the charcoal fire.

“Uncle Jike, I'm still young and do not wish to remain a farmer or a petty merchant for life.”

Saying this, Anthony turned his head to look at the approaching Jike, whose wrinkle-lined face now seemed even more aged.

“If it weren't for taking care of you, maybe I would have joined the army during the last recruitment.”

Jike sneered, “Hmph, you think I don't know you applied? You just failed the assessment, that's all.”

Anthony gave an embarrassed smile, then his eyes betrayed a touch of disappointment.

“Yeah, I didn't pass the assessment.”

Seeing Anthony's face as forlorn as if he had lost a close relative, Jike shook his head, his black eyes still murky from years of hard life.

“Why be so stubborn? Anthony, to live an ordinary life peacefully for a lifetime is already the greatest fortune.

It's a life even the divine would envy.

People outside would be immensely jealous of what you have in Dawn City.

You already have enough; there's no need to change.

Besides, Dawn City's army won't miss one man.”

Anthony shook his head.

“Uncle Jike, that's exactly why I want to become a warrior who guards Dawn City.

Everything we have now is given to us by Dawn City; it's the City Lord Kachar's power protecting us.

If everyone thought like you do, who would protect Dawn City?

Would we not return to the nomadic life of uncertainty, not knowing what tomorrow will bring?”

Jike looked at Anthony, slightly stunned, then shook his head again.

“This is an issue for the Kachar City Lord to consider, not for you…””
“No, Uncle Jike,” Anthony retorted loudly, “Dawn City belongs to all its residents, and each of us must contribute our strength.

I refuse to be a weak coward!!”

Watching Anthony's impassioned expression, Jike fell silent.

After a long while, Anthony calmed down considerably.

“I'm sorry, Uncle Jike, I just see friends around me fighting for Dawn City, for all of us, and I feel powerless…”

“Anthony, becoming a soldier is a very painful thing. Are you really prepared?” The expression on Jike's face became solemn.

“You'll see your comrades die in battle, your brothers fall blocking the enemy's sword for you,
even under military orders, you may have to kill innocent unarmed people. You'll brush shoulders with death every day, and you'll become an executioner, a butcher hated by everyone!

You'll live under the cloud of war and death, never able to escape your entire life.

Are you, prepared for that?”

Anthony was shaken by these words, but after a moment of silence, he took a deep breath.

“Uncle Jike, for the dawn, I will not shrink back.”

His voice was firm and resolved, with an unwavering determination that no one could shake.

He had expected another round of persuasion from Jike, only to find a rare look of appreciation on Jike's face.

“Anthony, you're very much like I was when I was young. Just as determined, just as brave… and with just as little talent.”

“Uncle Jike…” Anthony was happy at first, but the comment on his lack of talent made him feel bitter.

“A lack of talent is not insurmountable, but only a heart that is steadfast and kind is the world's most precious treasure.

Anthony, I see in you the spark I've been looking for.”

At that moment, Jike spoke with an unprecedented authority. The old man, his hair now white and his eyes dim, held himself up slightly, his hands clasped behind him.

“For the dawn, it's a firm belief.

And this city, ruled by Vampires, is the only one I've seen in years worthy of being a city of belief.

I hope that when you become powerful, you'll still remember your true self.

I'm old now, very old, too old to lift a warrior's Longsword, and I won't live past a few more Frost Months.

Perhaps, it's time to have an heir for the Heart of Fearlessness…”

Seeing the old man, completely different from the one he knew, Anthony was still trying to grasp the situation.

Especially when faced with the aura arising from Uncle Jike, he felt like he was standing before a grown giant dragon, ready to devour him.

Was this the same frail old man who tended cows every day, the man he had lived with for two years?

“Uncle Jike, what's this?”

“Anthony, come with me.”

Jike's dim eyes now held a hawk-like sharpness.

He turned and entered his bedroom.

Anthony paused, keenly sensing that Jike had something important to tell him.

He stood up, suppressing the astonishment and complexity in his heart, and followed Jike step by step into the bedroom.

Inside the bedroom, Jike pulled out a long object wrapped in old cloth from beneath the bed, as Anthony watched on.

Then, sitting on the bed like a pilgrim, he solemnly and slowly unveiled the cloth.

Anthony's eyes were filled with curiosity.

“Uncle Jike, what is this…”

Jike didn't respond but continued to solemnly unwrap the cloth, layer by layer.

Until the last layer was turned.

A Cross Longsword, deeply sheathed, appeared out of thin air.

The hilt was intricately carved with blooming irises, lifelike in detail, with irises extending from the hilt all the way along the pitch-black sheath, immediately signaling the sword's extraordinary value.

Ancient and majestic, filled with the traces of time's erosion.

Anthony was even more astonished.

Jike turned to him, his tone complex and hard to decipher.

“This is the Holy Cross Longsword that has followed me through a lifetime of battle, the sole inheritance of the Heart of Fearlessness.

When you hold the Holy Sword, you will possess a fearless heart.

Courage will abide with you forever, and belief will become your strength.”

Heart of Fearlessness??

Hearing this name, Anthony was utterly confused.

“Uncle Jike, the Heart of Fearlessness? Is it powerful?”

“Powerful?” Jike shook his head.

“The Heart of Fearlessness is a title for our profession. In the Ancient Era, the Hearts of Fearlessness once made the entire Main Plane tremble.”

“Then why haven't I heard of this title now?”

“Because our ancestors once fought on the front lines against the abyssal invasion… All the Hearts of Fearlessness died in battle, leaving only a very limited legacy.

And in my hands, this Holy Sword is the Fearless Holy Sword that has been passed down for millions of years, containing all the inheritances of the Heart of Fearlessness.

Anthony, I'm old now, no longer able to wield the Holy Sword in battle. These past two years, your performance has won my recognition. Now, I hope you will continue the legacy of the Heart of Fearlessness.

This world can survive without me, but it cannot lack the Heart of Fearlessness.

This city, too, deserves the protection of the Heart of Fearlessness.”

Looking at the old man before him, whose expression was extremely solemn, Anthony was stunned.

“Uncle Jike….”

The next day, when the Dawn City army was recruiting, a figure holding a Cross Longsword entered the long line at the recruitment center.

Chapter end