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...
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Bah! Why are you always doing that?!
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A question, if I may. Have you had any further contact with our slithering friends since that day?
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Not in the slightest. Why, do you know something?
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Yes, actually, what with the riots in Hrym territory and the former Duke Aegir's attempted rebellion.
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Thanks to that we now have a lead on the insurgents within the Empire as well as those who slither in the dark.
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Speaking to the latter, I also tried to determine if they had been attempting to reach you, or otherwise thought you an ally.
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But at present it seems neither is the case. Regrettably.
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"At present"? You still don't trust me, do you?
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And our conversations? The future of the Empire? Promoting commoners?
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I would've hoped you'd ease up at least a little after all that.
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You and I have been talking a lot lately, Hubert. About the future of the Empire. Promoting commoners.
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I would've hoped I'd earned your trust by now, but I guess that's not how this thing goes.
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Not to say I don't get where you're coming from. The emperor's right-hand man can't afford to let his guard down.
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Believe me, it brings me no joy, and in fact some guilt, to doubt you so. But I must be prepared for any eventuality.
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When needs must, I have made even my greatest enemy feel as though they are a trusted friend.
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Yet at times I have also shown extreme suspicion towards those who were in all manners undeserving of it.
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Yeah, I get it. Keep your cards close to the chest. Never let them know what you're actually thinking.
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You really are something, you know that? I'm just glad we're on the same side.
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I must admit, I only tell you all this because I do, in fact, consider you deserving of my trust.
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Even if you were once connected to those who slither in the dark, that is clearly behind you now.
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So believe me when I say I have the utmost confidence in you.
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After what you just told me, I think I'm actually more worried now. I bet that's not how you really feel.
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Heh. I get the feeling that any attempt I make at explanation will only dig myself further into this hole.
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Not sure how much you really mean that, but I'm glad to hear you say it, at least. Thanks, Hubert.
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How very diplomatic. Just the response I would have expected from you.
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Enough on that, though. Our problem now is what lurks beneath your mind's veneer.
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What do you mean?
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I can sense another you, bubbling away behind the one you present to the world. Call it...intuition.
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What really worries me is that you may one day shed this husk you bear now and become that someone else entirely.
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...
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Another me, huh?
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Well I appreciate the concern, but even if that someone does exist, I won't let them overtake me. I mean, c'mon.
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I'd shove that other me right back where they came from and earn your trust once and for all.
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Though just so we're clear, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
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Very well. I suppose I will have to take your word... for now.
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In any case, I hope that as we inscribe Fódlan's new future, we do so with you by our side.