"The rank of count usually doesn't even grant land."
Of course it does. Where do you think the word "county" comes from? It's the area of land with its towns and villages a count (or viscount) governed in the past. Now, there were also nobles of the robe, who possibly could be a count as well, not having land, only the title and also a certain position/title in the government, such as a minister. Count Sileese seems to be such a count, serving as an royal investigator.