link Ignatz volume_up
Ignatz Victor reporting, Your Excellency!
link Lorenz volume_up
Yes, yes. Come in.
link Ignatz volume_up
Greetings, Your Excellency!
link Lorenz volume_up
I think you're supposed to say "forgive my intrusion."
link Ignatz volume_up
Right, yes. Forgive me, Your Excellency!
link Lorenz volume_up
Listen, Ignatz. I may have a title now, but you and I are still friends as we have always been.
link Lorenz volume_up
All this formality is starting to make my skin crawl. Please just treat me the same as ever you have.
link Ignatz volume_up
Oh...right. Of course. Anyway, what do you need?
link Lorenz volume_up
You've no doubt heard about the bandits who appeared in Gloucester, yes? The ones who are supposedly former mercenaries?
link Ignatz volume_up
They've been around for a while, right?
link Lorenz volume_up
Yes. My men have been searching for their base for some time now, and I believe they have finally located it.
link Lorenz volume_up
I took the opportunity to look into the provenance of these bandits anew, and it seems they were indeed a mercenary band—one in the employ of my father.
link Ignatz volume_up
I...see.
link Lorenz volume_up
For some reason, they have abandoned the sellsword life and fallen into banditry.
link Ignatz volume_up
But why would they do that?
link Lorenz volume_up
I do not know.
link Lorenz volume_up
I attempted to discuss it with my father, but his only concern at present is finding me a proper spouse.
link Lorenz volume_up
When I ask, he evades me and changes the subject.
link Ignatz volume_up
Hmm, yes. That's quite the conundrum.
link Lorenz volume_up
Regardless, I cannot ignore these bandits, especially if my father had something to do with them.
link Lorenz volume_up
Thusly, I have decided to deal with them myself, and I was hoping you might join me.
link Ignatz volume_up
Of course! I'm a knight of House Gloucester, after all.
link Lorenz volume_up
Good. Oh, and as it would be a rather tall order for the two of us to take on a gang of brigands alone, I have called in some additional support.
link Raphael volume_up
Heya, Lorenz! I came as soon as I could.
link Lorenz volume_up
Just once, I wish one of my acquaintances could split the difference between absurd formality and dire nonchalance. I am a count now, you know?
link Raphael volume_up
Wait, so are we not friends 'cause you're a count?
link Lorenz volume_up
No. What I meant to say is—
link Shez volume_up
Look, enough with the titles. I'm a busy man, so let's get moving already.
link Shez volume_up
Look, enough with the titles. I'm a busy woman, so let's get moving already.
link Lorenz volume_up
I will have you know, a noble is nothing without their... Never mind. I asked you here because I need your help dealing with bandits in my territory.
link Raphael volume_up
That's it? Well, sure! I'm happy to help!
link Lorenz volume_up
Hm, that was easy. I suppose it does indeed pay to have some true friends in one's corner.
link Raphael volume_up
Sure does! Besides, if just you and Ignatz try to do it, you're gonna get kicked into next moon.
link Lorenz volume_up
Have you ever considered not saying the first thing that pops into your head? The two of us could easily handle this matter—I am simply being prudent.
link Lorenz volume_up
Also, these are not some run-of-the-mill ruffians, but rather highly trained former mercenaries.
link Shez volume_up
Right, the old mercenary-to-bandit career path.
link Shez volume_up
Right, the old mercenary-to-bandit career path.
link Lorenz volume_up
They have some connection to my father as well, so I would like to uncover what we can in the process.
link Shez volume_up
You got it, boss. If we fight and win, I'm sure some info will turn up on your old man.
link Shez volume_up
You got it, boss. If we fight and win, I'm sure some info will turn up on your old man.
link Lorenz volume_up
I am not certain I follow your logic, though I suppose it would be the preferred outcome.
link Shez volume_up
Hey, I'm just the muscle. If you need information, you'll have to get it yourself.
link Shez volume_up
Hey, I'm just the muscle. If you need information, you'll have to get it yourself.
link Lorenz volume_up
So long as you fight well, that should suffice.
link Lorenz volume_up
Now then, we should be off. With my subjects in peril, there is not a moment to waste.
link Lorenz volume_up
We will depart as soon as you are ready.
link Raphael volume_up
I'll take my payment in meat, please!
link Lorenz volume_up
Ugh, I shall tell the kitchen to prepare a ham.