The southerners emphasized their special status at every opportunity. It wasn't just the fundamentally different fashion, habits, and so on; everything was different from the capital. And it turned out that Archmage Dukon did everything to underscore his southern affiliation. Otherwise, the vampire could not explain what he was seeing.
With a nod of his head dismissing the maidservants, Dukon slowly took a sip from his cup, glanced at the men standing before him, and finally spoke.
"So this is what you're like, Master Blood."
"Knight, Your Excellency."
The titles for mages followed rather complex rules and changed not only depending on the rank of the person being addressed but also the strength, position, and talent of the speaker. By calling the man "Your Excellency," the vampire had essentially intentionally insulted the man lying before him.
For an archmage, "Your Excellency" could only be used by another archmage and only in informal settings. Even if Alexander had addressed him as "Your Grace," it would have been neutral, as mages were often called that without delving into details of their status. Instead, Alexander had deliberately corrected "Master" to "Knight" and then used the familiar "Excellency."
An archmage could only be addressed as "Your Most Excellency," and only if the speaker was a mage themselves. For those not gifted with power, the address was "Your Omnipotence." Naturally, everything was done by Alexander intentionally and consciously.
He very much wanted to see how his interlocutor would react to such blatant insolence—by likening himself to an ordinary noble and addressing him as an equal in magical strength.
Dukon's face did not flinch. It seemed he had not even noticed what had happened. Instead, he waved his hand.
"Please, have a seat, Knight Blood."
"A strong man. Though you wouldn't guess it from his appearance."
But apparently, the vampire controlled his emotions far less than his interlocutor, as Dukon laughed cheerfully.
"Don't be surprised, my dear. You're not the first to want to test me for weaknesses and try to offend me."
"Well then, Your Most Excellency, I understand this whole performance," Alexander gestured around the room.
"And it's hardly a performance, my dear! I'm from the south of the kingdom; it's more of a reminiscence of youth. Though you're right, it's all quite showy. I prefer to see my personal quarters in the Valerian style. Twenty years of study aren't easily forgotten."
The last comment was, of course, said specifically for the vampire, who was considered a native of Valeria. And the mages of Valeria did not acknowledge those of their peers who had trained outside their country. Alexander did not wish to disappoint the archmage and spoke the traditional student magical greeting in fluent Valerian.
"May our journey be long."
Dukon simply nodded in satisfaction.
"Ah, youth," he said nostalgically, "But we'll indulge in memories later; right now there are more important matters. Baron, leave us alone; you won't be interested in our magical discussions."
Savoyardi bowed and obediently left his own office, temporarily occupied by the insolent guest. Once he was sure the host had gone, the archmage got up from the sofa and sat in an armchair, inviting the guest to a nearby seat.
"I've been informed that you do not plan to go on the campaign. Is that so?"
"Yes, that's correct, Your Most Excellency. I personally will not miss such an event, but instead of my men in your army, there will be a squad of mercenaries hired with my funds."
"Extremely clever. You avoid exposing your own people, and no one can accuse you of non-participation. I was indeed planning to persuade you to do so."
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