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