The earl’s castle was fairly close to the spot Theo had chosen as his hiding place. If there was a building that could claim to be in Rosewind’s center, the castle was definitely it. Surrounded by a moat and set of tall walls, it was designed to be quite imposing, towering above the few noble mansions surrounding it. The halls and corridors were built with the sole purpose of displaying the earl’s immense wealth and power.

Full-scale sets of bronze armor decorated the walls on either side, while Theo’s avatar was escorted along a red carpet—passing through multiple internal gates—to the throne room. Balls of light glowed in the air, indicating that Theo wasn’t the only building with magic in the city.

Hmph, Theo thought while walking. Size isn’t everything. I’m still far more stylish than this place. Right?

The question remained unanswered. As much as Theo wanted, the spirit guide was incapable of following his avatar outside of the dungeon. Of course, Theo could easily describe what he was seeing, but that would be annoying. The moment he restored some energy, he was going to have Spok teach him how to create a magic mirror, scrying ball, or whatever other magic device there was that allowed remote viewing.

“Please, wait here, my lord!” the city guard lieutenant said a few steps before the throne room.

“Umm, why?”

“The earl must prepare for your visit,” the lieutenant explained. “It’s all part of the etiquette.”

Looking around, Theo could see that he wasn’t the only one that had to go through such a humiliation. A woman in her thirties was also present, sitting in one of the chairs. While her expression was quite measured—one could say even carl—Theo could see her tapping annoyed on the wooden armrest with her left hand. Unlike most women in town, she was wearing a stylish uniform-style attire, strongly suggesting that she was a noble of some sort.

Poor soul, I empathize, Theo thought. He found the whole thing utterly stupid, especially since it was the earl who had rushed him here. Unwilling to cause a scene, Theo put a fake smile on the face of his avatar.

“Of course,” he said. “Where do I sit while I wait?”

Lieutenant Ribbons tensed up upon hearing the question. Uncertain what its actual purpose was, he systemically inspected all nine available chairs that were placed in the ante-chamber.

“Whichever you prefer, my lord!” the man said, then gate a salute, turned around, and walked off.

Theo waited for a few seconds, then sat next to the unfortunate woman.

“Hey,” he whispered in greeting. “They caught you as well, eh?”

“Hmm?” the woman glanced his way.

“The audience to the earl,” Theo whispered on. “I heard it’s an offer no one could refuse.”

“You can say that.” The comment made the woman let her guard down. “If I didn’t need a favor from the geezer, I never would have agreed with this, but… Anyway, that’s my problem.” The woman’s features softened. “What are you here for?”

“Apparently, to receive thanks of some sort,” Theo said. “I’m Theodor D’Argent, by the way. Baron, apparently.”

“Liandra Sky,” the woman nodded. “First Class Heroine.”

Within Theo’s true form, several pieces of furniture trembled. The universe had to be playing some cruel joke. After all the trouble he had gone through: the teleportation, the transformation, the difficult to obtain permits, Theo’s avatar had found itself sitting next to a hero, and First Class one, at that.

“A real Heroine?” Theo’s voice raised two octaves. “What brings you here?”

“I have a favor to ask from Earl Rosewind. Of course, the old goal is a stickler for etiquette, so everyone who wishes to have an audience with him must go through this humiliation. Why did you make the earl feel so thankful?”

“Nothing major. Just—"

The sound of trumpets filled the antechamber. Both Theo and Lindra looked at the entrance to the throne room. The castle steward appeared, dressed more flamboyantly than either of them, holding a rather large ornate staff.

“This is our cue to get ready,” Liandra stood up. Theo quickly followed her example.

The moment the trumpets went silent, the steward struck the floor three rimes with the bottom of his staff.

“Announcing Heroine Liandra Sky and Baron Theodor D’Argent,” he said loudly in a deep booming voice that would make any announcer in Theo’s previous life envious.

Having made his announcement, the steward moved to the side, letting the two guests officially enter the throne room.

It took ten full seconds of walking for Theo and the heroine to reach the appointed spot for their audience. As with everything else, it was clearly marked by a blue line of velvet across the carpet… as well as four armored guards. The earl himself was exactly what Theo imagined him to be: small, old, in expensive clothes, and a small coronet that did little to cover his bald spot. Standing next to the throne was a young man in his twenties. He didn’t have a crown, but there was a rather large medal on the right side of his stylishly plain uniform.

“Ah,” the earl said in typical aristocratic fashion. “Liandra, it’s really been too long.”

“Thank you, Lord Rosewind,” the woman bowed. “A pleasure, as always.”

“I remember when your father used to bring you here, and you’d spend the days running around with Avid,” the earl rambled on, giving the man by the throne a quick glance as he did. “I would have been so nice if we could just talk about the old days, but I’m afraid I’ve called you here on a rather urgent matter.”

The earl cleared his throat.

“I assume you’re the new baron?” he gave Theo’s avatar a stern look.

“Baron Theodor d’Argent, my lord.” Theo bowed as well. He had no idea what the proper etiquette was, so he decided to follow the Liandra’s lead.

“And quite a capable mage, from what I’m told.”

“Oh, you flatter me.” Theo couldn’t keep himself from responding. This was a habit acquired in his previous life and transcending his reincarnation. “I’m merely a class S,” he humble-bragged.

“A class S mage?” The earl nodded several times. “That makes things even easier. Considering you were the one who caught those two despicable thieves, I wanted you to take part in this request. However, given you were new here, I wasn’t sure whether it wouldn’t be too much of a burden for you. Hearing that you are a class S mage, I’m relieved that it wouldn’t be an issue.”

Wait, what?