0. Hey, just the guy I wanted to see.
1. Ah, Balthus. Do you need me?
2. Yep. Got some hush-hush stuff I wanna talk to you [cdb]about, so let's go somewhere private.
3. Goodness, whatever could it be?
4. It must be serious if we need to discuss it in a [cdb]private setting.
5. So, what do you know about the Claude [cdb]investigation?
6. I fear I have no idea what you are talking about. Did this request come from my father, perchance?
7. Yeah, I figured you might be in the dark.
8. Indeed, this is the first I have heard of it—though I [cdb]believe he may have spoken to me once regarding [cdb]something similar.
9. Still, I am surprised he would ask such a thing of you. Also, how do you even know my father?
10. You know I've borrowed a lot of money from all kinds [cdb]of folks, right?
11. Well, your pops is on that list.
12. I'm as broke as can be, so he put me to work to pay it [cdb]back. That's how I ended up looking into Claude.
13. I think that was around the time I decided to hide [cdb]under Garreg Mach.
14. I am relieved to hear you know him for surprisingly [cdb]normal reasons.
15. Hey! What's that supposed to mean?
16. Still, I wonder why my father would lend money to a [cdb]base mercenary such as yourself.
17. Just gonna ignore that last part, huh? Now I know [cdb]where the phrase "like father, like son" comes from.
18. Anyway, I'll answer your question. I may not look it, [cdb]but I actually used to be a noble.
19. You? A noble? Pray keep your jests in check, sir.
20. No joke. The full name's Balthus von Albrecht.
21. I'm surprised you didn't know. Claude and Hilda [cdb]both did.
22. Does this mean you have connections with Lord Holst?
23. Yeah, we're old buddies. I was the heir to my house, [cdb]too, so we got to see each other a lot.
24. An heir? Goodness me! I apologize for my ignorance.
25. To think a boorish man so lacking in honor and grace [cdb]would be a noble...
26. Hey, easy! I'll have you know I was actually the lord [cdb]of the house. It wasn't till after I inherited the title [cdb]that I left.
27. Such a thought staggers the imagination, but I will [cdb]accept it for the time being. And I feel I now [cdb]understand your relationship to my father.
28. You just sort of say whatever pops into your head, [cdb]don't you?
29. Still, you better think twice about that brutal honesty [cdb]of yours, especially since you're gonna be the count [cdb]someday.
30. Still, you better think twice about that brutal honesty [cdb]of yours, especially since you're the count now.
31. You may be right. Thank you for the counsel.