Chapter 402: Chapter 402: Visit (Part 2)_1

Hundreds of candles illuminated the restaurant of the red castle, as bright as daylight.

As Count Evan and Sallya entered, they saw the butler Emon greeting them promptly, leading them to seats at the long table in the middle of the restaurant.

Although Count Evan carried the highest status, being a guest, he could only sit to the left of the main seat.

Sallya seated herself next to Count Evan.

Sitting in the main seat was a slim, spirited old man.

Count Evan knew him to be Hughs Angley, an uncle of Count Angler.

At this time, Count Angler was not in the red castle, and although the real person in charge was Emon, the butler, because he was not of Angler’s bloodline, he could not take the main seat.

Therefore, the most senior member, Hughs, became the nominal “host”.

However, it was clear that Hughs had not experienced such a “grand event”. Faced with an eastern count and a holy knight’s princess, he was a little shaky in his speech.

This was the consequence of inheriting a family without enough heritage. Except for Colin, the Angler family could not bring out another person who could support the scene.

Count Evan seemed not to mind this, keeping a warm smile on his face, skillfully using various communication techniques to maintain the warmth of the scene without seeming to overshadow the host.

Gradually, Hughs also realized that his esteemed guests seemed easy to get along with and he was able to relax.

“Count, when Colin was in Grey Castle, his martial arts teacher was Baron Raymon. In addition, Knight Lyle often gave lessons to Colin,” informed Hughs.

“I see.” Count Evan nodded thoughtfully and then turned to a burly man across him, who was tearing into some watery lizard meat, “You must be Knight Lyle, correct?”

Reluctantly putting down his piece of meat, Lyle bowed his head in acknowledgment and replied, “Indeed, my lord.”

“With you as his martial arts teacher, Count Angler must have shown great talent from an early stage, right?”

“Of course!” Without thinking, Lyle began to tout Colin, “Count Angler is extremely talented in martial arts. All the techniques I know were learnt by him within a few days. Now, I dare not even spar with Count Angler.”

Count Evan gave a meaningful smile, asking with a hint of doubt, “But how come I heard, Count Angler stagnated in his knight apprenticeship for three whole years?”

Hearing this, the butler Emon looked up at Count Evan.

Sallya also frowned slightly, as if feeling that her fiancé was being a little rude.

However, Lyle didn’t mind, he scratched his smooth head, chuckled, and mysteriously answered, “In fact, Count Angler has been hiding his true power. His martial prowess is not inferior to mine!”

“Really?” Count Evan carefully looked at Knight Lyle. Seeing Lyle’s sincere smile, he assumed Lyle was hiding nothing.

Count Evan did not pursue this any further, and again turned to Hughs, “Mr. Hughs, I’ve been having a question I’m not sure whether to ask.”

Hughs’ old face burst into a full-blown smile, courteously saying, “Please go ahead, my lord. If I know, I will definitely answer truthfully.”

Having a small sip of the red wine, Count Evan asked, “What is the rank of the most powerful knight in the Angler family?”

“That…” Hughs hesitated, did not know if he could not remember or he did not want to answer, and his gaze shifted to Emon.

Emon, clearing his throat, took over:

“My lord, the strongest knight recorded in the history of the Angler family is of the fourth rank. However, the bloodline of the Angler family can be traced back to before the founding of the Glorious Empire, records of that history have been lost. Thus, the extent of the strength of the knights born of the Angler family before that remains unknown.”

“I understand,” said Count Evan, seemingly convinced by Emon’s explanation.

Just as he was about to ask another question, Emon intervened first:

“My lord, I have just received some news from the Half-Elf Kingdom, if you would like to hear it.”

With a slight smile, Count Evan invited, “Of course, please.”

A faint smile crossed Emon’s serious face. “Queen Isa has safely given birth to a princess.”

“This is indeed a joyous occasion!” Count Evan immediately raised his wine cup, sincerely laughing.

Everyone else also lifted their cups, celebrating the good news.

After setting down his wine cup, Butler Emon immediately continued, “However, there was a rebellion in Silver Moon City during Queen Isa’s childbirth. Fortunately, it has already been suppressed by the lord himself.”

“Haha, with Count Angler present, one naturally doesn’t have to worry about a rebellion!” Count Evan laughed heartily, seemingly having great faith in Colin.

Butler Emon looked deeply at Count Evan and said, “The mastermind behind the rebellion has already been arrested. Count, do you know who the mastermind is?”

Only then did the smile on Count Evan’s face fade, he sighed and said, “If I’m not mistaken, it should be my brother Marquis Vincent, right?”

Butler Emon nodded expressionlessly and no longer spoke.

For a moment, the scene fell silent and the atmosphere gradually became awkward.

Count Evan picked up his wine cup, stood up, and sincerely said, “Gentlemen, I can assure you that I had no knowledge of the rebellion in Silver Moon City.

But please believe me, Vincent alone cannot represent the St. Prowse family, let alone the stance of the Eastern Territories.

I bear goodwill towards the Angler family, the North Territory, and the Half-Elf Kingdom.

Since such regrettable incidents have already occurred, all I can do here is to express my deepest apologies!”

Having said that, Count Evan downed the wine in his cup, then placed his hand on his chest and bowed deeply to the people present.

The solemn atmosphere left Hughs Angley somewhat at a loss. He opened his mouth as if to say something to lighten the mood, but under the deep gaze of Butler Emon, he immediately shut his mouth without saying a word.

After expressing his apologies, Count Evan turned his gaze to Butler Emon. Seeing that the latter had not responded for a long time, he sighed again, saying:

“In that case, I, the unwelcome guest, won’t bother you any longer.”

After saying that, he strode towards the exit.

Sallya also apologetically smiled, stood up, and was about to follow him.

Only then did Butler Emon finally speak, “Miss Sallya, this matter has nothing to do with you. You are still a welcome guest in the Red Fortress.”

“I understand.” Sallya nodded, but she still followed him out.

As soon as she exited, Sallya saw Count Evan waiting for her outside.

“They don’t welcome me here, I’m afraid we have to leave.” Count Evan said somewhat helplessly.

But Sallya shook her head and said, “No, they just don’t welcome you. If you want to return to the Eastern Territories, I won’t go with you.”

Count Evan furrowed his eyebrows, “Sallya, your father entrusted you to me. I won’t abandon you …”

“No, I don’t need to be entrusted to anyone.” Sallya firmly stated, “Moreover, from the beginning, your target was Count Angler, helping me find my father was just something you did on the side …”

Count Evan hurriedly explained, “Sallya, you misunderstand me …”

But Sallya quickly interrupted him, “Evan, more excuses will only make me think less of you. I know, in your heart, the Eastern Territories were always first, and I, at most, was second.

I’m not blaming you, nor am I demanding you to put me before the Eastern Territories.

Now that your brother has had an accident in Silver Moon City, I know your heart is no longer here. Since that’s the case, go do what you need to do.

I can find my father by myself.”

Count Evan looked at the unfamiliarity and coldness in his fiancée’s eyes, and couldn’t help but feel panicked. He hastily said, “Sallya, listen to me …”

But Sallya immediately turned around, leaving Count Evan with a resolute silhouette and a cold sentence:

“I’m sorry, Evan, I’m going back, the banquet isn’t over yet.”