The First Vampire

Chapter 358: 356 Broken Finger_1
“Winterfell City.

As Count Evan walked into the dining room in the dim sunlight of dawn, he saw Sallya had finished breakfast and was wiping her mouth.

“Good morning, Sallya, why are you so formally dressed today?”

Sallya was wearing a red, off-the-shoulder gown today, with her hair piled high and a string of sapphires around her slender, fair neck, looking elegant, glamorous, and captivating.

She gave Count Evan a slight smile and said, “Good morning, Evan. I’m planning to visit Duke St. Hilde at Lion Roar Castle today.”

A faint frown crossed Count Evan’s brow.

Seeing this, Sallya quickly said, “I know you don’t want to trouble the St. Hilde family, but I’m tired of searching aimlessly. After all, this is the North Territory, and without the help of the St. Hilde family, we can never find our father’s whereabouts.”

Count Evan sat down by the long table where a rich breakfast was already laid out. He casually tied a napkin around his neck and said with a smile:

“Well, since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll accompany you later.”

Sallya was taken aback, she thought Count Evan would object, but to her surprise he agreed without a word.

Seeing the surprised look on his fiancee’s face, Count Evan laughed and said, “But I still want to remind you that the St. Hilde family may not be willing to help us out.

Moreover, even if they are willing, it may not be easy to track a Holy Knight’s movement.”

“I understand, but I have to try.” Sallya pursed her lips, her eyes full of determination.

Count Evan made no further attempt to dissuade her and began to enjoy the breakfast before him.

Sallya was silent too, staring at the hollowed-out pattern on the tablecloth, lost in thought.

The dining room was filled with tranquility once again, only the sound of cutlery touching the plates remained.

The tranquility was soon broken by the sound of footsteps.

“Your lordship, Sir Weber The Knight in waiting requests an audience.”

Count Evan’s eyebrows knitted tight at that, he hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded to the attendant and said, “Let him in, escort him to the lounge, I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Yes, sir!”

Then, Count Evan hastened to finish his beef pie and drank a few sips of milk before putting down his knife and fork, wiping his mouth with a napkin, and saying to Sallya:

“I’ll go see Sir Weber first, and then accompany you to Lion Roar Castle.”

Sallya gave a gracious smile, nodding in agreement: “Alright.”

Count Evan stood up to leave the dining room, he quickly made his way to the lounge, but the moment he stepped in, he stopped in his tracks.

“Your lordship!” Knight Weber immediately stood up to show his respect, while the small figure beside him also rose to show his respects.

But Count Evan was staring hard at the small figure, he frowned and said, “Master Joyce, you should’t be here.”

Count Evan’s icy gaze and words left Joyce at a loss for words. He stammered, then said in a wounded voice: “My lord, if I had any other way, I wouldn’t have sought you out.”

Knight Weber also quickly came to his aid, “Your Excellency, rest assured, we were very discreet when we left, without alarming anyone. Besides, they probably don’t know that you live here, do they?”

Count Evan sneered, sighed and said, “This is Winterfell City, for goodness’ sake. Do you really think we can keep our every move from Count Angler?”

But then he waved his hand, looking resigned and said, “Never mind, since you’ve come already, just tell me what happened?”

Only then did Joyce let out a sigh of relief and began to recount in full detail what had happened at Agate Manor.

He emphasized repeatedly his innocence, insisting that all of it was Prince Harrison’s plot to frame him.

Count Evan listened quietly, then sighed again, saying, “Joyce, if you hadn’t fled to Winterfell City overnight, maybe you would still have had a chance to defend yourself. But now, your escape will only serve to expose your guilty conscience, and your reputation will be in ruins.”

“Wh…what? But I didn’t do anything!”

“If that’s the case, what are you running for?” Count Evan asked coldly.

“But… but…” Joyce gaped, stammering without being able to say anything for a long time.

The disappointment in Count Evan’s eyes was impossible to hide, he knew Joyce was ruined now.

Therefore, he lost the desire to continue the discussion with Joyce, turned around, and left without another word.

Seeing this, Joyce hurriedly got up and grabbed the sleeve of Lord Evan’s robe, pleading, “Count Evan, you must help me think of a solution! Don’t worry, as long as I can marry Princess Judy, I will definitely repay your kindness…”

Count Evan gave a scornful laugh, totally ignoring Joyce, who was still fantasizing. With a flick of his robe, he walked out resolutely.

Joyce turned back, looking devastated, turned to Knight Weber.

But right now, Knight Weber was at a loss for what to do as well. Count Evan’s attitude was too definite, Weber knew that persuasion would be ineffective.

At this point, even he couldn’t help being completely disappointed in the Duke’s third son in front of him.

“Master Joyce, let’s head back home,”

Knight Weber had no choice but to lead the dejected Joyce back to Lion Roar Castle.

After escorting Joyce back to his room, Knight Weber thought about whether or not to consult with Arnold about countermeasures, when a group of guards blocked his way.

“Knight Weber, Lord Angler, the Count, requests your presence.”

“Count Angler?” An alarm triggered in Knight Weber’s heart, “He is back?”

“Yes, the Count himself is waiting for you in the study room right now, please proceed.”

Suppressing his anxiety, Weber was escorted to the study by the guards.

“Please sit, Weber Knight.” Colin seemed busy writing something. When he saw Weber entering, he just raised his head, looked, and then instructed at ease.

The friendly attitude exhibited by Colin comforted Weber, and he seated himself on the couch.

After approximately five minutes, Colin finally finished writing, slowly got up, and approached Weber.

Weber quickly stood up, respectfully asked, “Sir Count, do you have any orders for me?”

Colin responded cheerfully, “I’ve been quite busy recently. I didn’t ask you before: how have you been finding Winterfell City these days?”

“Of course, I am comfortable. I was born here and only moved to Dragon City at the age of eight. But deep down, I have always considered myself a Northern Knight.”

“Well, that’s good.” Colin seemed relieved, then took out a golden dagger from his waist and handed it to Weber.

Knight Weber took the dagger, looked puzzled, and asked, “Lord Count, what’s the meaning of this?”

“Do you recognize this dagger?”

“Yes, I do,” Weber nodded, “This dagger is a symbol of the Northern Guardian’s authority.”

Colin laughed and said, “So as a Northern Guardian, do I have the authority to command you, the Northern Knight?”

“Of course.”

“Good.” Colin’s smile broadened, “Then I now order you to cut off your left little finger.”

“Wh…What?” Weber was frozen in shock, staring in disbelief at Colin.

However, Colin only chuckled and responded, “Did you not hear clearly? Do you need me to repeat?”

Only then did Weber’s whole body turn cold, realizing that Colin was not joking.

“Why?” Weber asked in a hard voice.

Colin’s smile remained unchanged, he replied lightly, “You don’t know the reason?”

Weber opened his mouth, but couldn’t utter any words of defense.

He couldn’t have guessed that Colin’s retribution would stimulate him so quickly, and so openly.

However, Weber then realized that he was utterly helpless against it.

According to authority, as the Northern Guardian, Colin does indeed have the power to control Knight Weber.

According to strength, Weber remembered clearly how, back in Dragon City, Colin had defeated him with a single blow.

At this moment, he realized that in front of this young count, he had no chance to fight back at all.

With the golden dagger in hand, it seemed as if Weber could lightly stab straight into the count’s chest, who appeared to be defenseless.

But, Weber did not dare.

“Knight Weber, do you have any objections to my commands?” Colin’s smile faded, his tone turning icy.

Weber felt like he was being pierced by a scary gaze, his shivering from fear, he felt he could no longer delay, gritted his teeth, and drew out the golden dagger.

Ssh!

Amid the suppressed groan of pain, a severed finger fell onto the pure white wool carpet, where the dark-red blood drops fell like scattered petals.

Colin nodded satisfied, picked up the severed finger himself, handed it to Weber, and said:

“Send this severed finger to Governor Sebas, and state the reasons behind the occurrence yourself.”

Knight Weber held on to his injured left hand; his body was shaking from the pain, but he still respectfully answered:

“Yes!”

Then Colin no longer paid him any heed, returning to sit behind his desk.

Knight Weber placed the bloodstained golden dagger on the corner of the table, respectfully bowed, then ran out of the study like someone who just escaped.