Wizard: I devour the stars with swarms of insects.

"These are... vehicles from the Tudian Empire's administrative office? When did they arrive?"

Upon seeing the car, Holman's expression changed slightly, and he asked the guard beside him.

"Reporting to you, young master, they arrived around five o'clock this afternoon," the head guard replied. "At that time, Earl Victoria was still entertaining them in the Lord's Hall."

"These damned vampires, they're never coming here for good!"

Holman glanced at the departing carriage and said bitterly.

His eyes were blazing with anger, as if he was very upset about their arrival.

"What's wrong, Senior Brother Holman? What are they here for?"

Seeing Holman's indignant and agitated expression, Wayne asked curiously.

"They must be here to collect this year's taxes and food offerings!" Holman gritted his teeth, his voice filled with anger.

"These greedy vampires! Such a severe plague has broken out in our territory, and instead of sending anyone to support or help us, they immediately sealed off our borders and stationed troops to guard the roads leading to other cities, as if they were afraid the plague would spread and affect them. They acted faster than prostitutes in a brothel taking off their clothes!"

"Furthermore, knowing full well that our Victoria Earl's territory is unable to cultivate due to this year's plague, and that a poor harvest is certain, they still sent several administrators to repeatedly urge us to pay taxes and grain, without offering any reductions!"

"Instead of leaving us any money to care for the people and allow them to recover, all they do is squeeze money from our bones. They really don't care about the lives of the people at all... Humph! These damned, greedy bloodsuckers!"

Holman roared angrily.

However, Holman tried to calm himself down and spoke to Wayne.

"Sorry, Junior Brother Wayne, I was a bit out of line just now... Please don't mind, come on, let's come in."

Holman said somewhat apologetically.

Next, he led Wayne, along with Isabel and several other knights, into the courtyard of the lord's hall.

Upon entering, the courtyard features a wide path paved with gravel, and a stone fountain stands in the center.

However, due to neglect, it has dried up.

Training equipment and hitching posts were arranged around the perimeter, and a neat stack of firewood was piled up in the corner.

Warm orange light shone through the tall windows of the castle's main building, reflecting the last rays of the setting sun on the horizon and dispelling some of the night's chill.

Holman said as they reached the entrance to the lord's hall and prepared to enter the castle.

"Everyone, please come to the room next door and clean yourselves first."

Next, he stepped forward and pushed open a small door next to the castle in the Lord's Hall.

It was a narrow room.

It was filled with a strong medicinal smell, as well as a smell similar to gunpowder and sulfur.

After entering, Holman took something from the shelf next to him, something that looked like a feather duster.

He dusted off a few people and patted them lightly.

This action resulted in a large amount of sulfurous smoke filling the air.

It smells a bit pungent.

Several knights and guards couldn't help but cough, their faces turning red from the choking.

Holman said somewhat apologetically.

"I'm sorry, but because I'm worried that the plague might spread into the castle and infect more people, I've taken some precautions. I've made a cleansing powder by mixing it with sulfur, lime, and other powders to remove any unclean substances that might be on our bodies... Please bear with me a little longer, it will be over soon!"

Wayne looked at the cramped room, filled with the smell of medicinal powder and sulfur, and a hint of admiration appeared in his eyes.

"Hmm...not bad, at least they've gotten the awareness to 'disinfect'!"

This was in a time when science had not yet developed to the point where we could observe bacteria and viruses, like in the 21st century.

Having such a strong awareness of disinfection is truly commendable; this senior colleague Holman did a great job!

After they did some simple preparations in the room, Holman said.

"Alright everyone, let's go inside now!"

Pushing open the door, everyone came out of the room, opened the castle gate, and entered the lord's hall.

In the main hall, an elderly butler was respectfully attending to his needs.

Upon seeing them enter, they respectfully offered towels to help wipe away the medicinal powder and soot that had settled on their bodies.

Clearly, they are very familiar with such operations and procedures.

Holman gave him instructions.

"Alfred, this is my classmate, the wizard Mr. Wayne. They are my most honored guests. Arrange the best accommodations for them in the castle!"

"Yes, young master," the elderly butler replied respectfully, then said to Wayne and the others, "Please follow me, distinguished guests. There are suitable rooms upstairs."

Then, he led Wayne and the others upstairs and arranged accommodations for them.

"Grey Eagle Fortress is a foggy city with a damp air. These rooms were originally furnished and built with the finest fire pine."

"Furthermore, maids will come regularly to dry the rooms with rosin... We believe this place will make all our guests feel comfortable."

Upon reaching the end of the upstairs corridor, in front of several classically and exquisitely decorated rooms, the butler introduced them.

Soon after, rooms were arranged for Wayne and the others.

Suddenly, ding-dong!

Upon hearing the bells ringing in the courtyard, the butler reminded them that the meal inside the castle was ready and invited them to dine in the dining room.

"Distinguished guest, please proceed to the dining room for your meal. Young Master Holman should already be waiting for you there."

"That's what the butler said."

So Wayne tidied up his things in the room. Then, accompanied by Isabel and a few guards, he went to the dining room in the lord's hall for a meal.

When I went downstairs and arrived at the restaurant, Holman was indeed already there.

The restaurant was filled with the rich aroma of food.

Now, Holman was accompanying an elderly man with gray hair, who was dressed in a nobleman's robe, despite his gray hair.

However, he seemed to be in relatively good spirits. Holman and the old man were chatting.

"Father, if those 'debt collectors' from the Imperial Administration come again next time, why don't you let me drive them away for you? Anyway, I'm a wizard, they won't dare to do anything to me."

"No, Holman, it's not time to turn against them yet..." the old man next to him said, shaking his head, his tone and expression conservative.

"But..." Holman hadn't finished speaking when he saw Wayne walk in, and his eyes lit up.

He quickly greeted him, saying, "Junior Brother Wayne, come over here and try some of Greyhawk Keep's cooking!"

Meanwhile, Holman explained to the elderly man next to him.

"Father, this is my classmate from the Black Forest City, my new junior brother who has just arrived at our Wizard Tower, Wayne Albert. He's here to help investigate the 'Dryness' plague!"

"Junior Brother Wayne, this is my father, Earl Victoria!" Holman turned around and introduced him to Wayne with a smile.

"Hello, Mr. Wayne."

Earl Victoria stood up and greeted Wayne.

Although he was a count of a kingdom, with vast territories, hundreds of thousands of subjects and people, and a castle in the main city.

However, for wizards, these mundane things are nothing but fleeting clouds.

Before wizards with extraordinary powers... lords, nobles? No, they are nothing, they have nothing to be proud of.

So, even though he is old and quite advanced in years, he still takes the initiative to stand up and greet the wizard.

"Greetings, Your Excellency, please have a seat."

Now, Wayne is also greeting us with a smile and giving a slight bow in return.

After all, the old count in front of him was Holman's senior brother's father, so he had to give him that much face.

Clearly, her actions pleased Holman, who was on the other side, as she had given him considerable face.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for an ordinary lord in the secular world to gain the respect of a wizard... even if he is just an apprentice.