A young noble scion shouldered through the crowd of rankers gathered around the Central Adventurers Guild appraisal dais.
Ornate banners representing the highest noble houses fluttered from the soaring vaulted ceiling above the appraisal dais.
A dozen aristocratic heirs in silk coats lounged near the balcony railings, sipping vintage wine from goblets.
"The commoner boy from the north actually showed up to face judgment!" a young noble scion sneered.
"He exceeded his provincial mandate by waging unauthorized warfare against imperial houses," another courtier remarked.
"Guildmaster Allen will strip his provisional rank and confiscate his token before noon," the scion laughed arrogantly.
"They say he calls himself a sovereign lord over mere mountain dirt!"
"A dirty backwater brute who found a lucky relic cannot survive high capital politics."
"He should kneel before the court herald and beg for royal clemency!"
