After the banquet ended, Rhode immediately returned to Durnholde Keep with Antonidas.
King Terenas did not make much effort to persuade Rhode to stay, though he had hoped Rhode could spend more time with Calia.
After all, Rhode still had a mission to carry out, and it was an important one.
Antonidas had already explained the gravity of the situation to him. He understood that curbing the growth of the Cult of the Damned would indeed require the power of the Dalaran Mages.
Besides, as a newly appointed earl, Rhode ought to return to his domain and familiarize himself with his duties.
Although Rhode had distinguished himself in battle and proven his ability to command on the battlefield, that did not necessarily mean he could manage his domain well.
He would observe him for a while longer.
Once Rhode became a genuinely beloved earl, there would still be time to arrange a match with his daughter.
Of course, when Rhode returned to the Magic Tower, Lilia was waiting to greet him with a round of "punches and kicks."
"Oh, Rhode, Rhode. So you've learned to run away from home now!"
"No, come on, didn't I leave you a message? Besides, traveling through the Archmage's portal makes you really dizzy. I was worried you'd throw up..."
"Hmph! You went adventuring without me, and now you're making excuses! Take this!"
"Ah... I surrender! I surrender..."
Sally stood to one side, enjoying his misfortune.
Once everyone had finished fooling around and Antonidas had teleported back, Rhode set about choosing a site for the mage academy.
He spread a map of the Hillsbrad Foothills across the table and studied it carefully.
He did not want to build it in Durnholde Keep.
It was a city, and finding a large enough open space for a