"Are we friends?" Zhang Heng asked groggily.
"Of course, of course. We are both advisers to His Majesty the Emperor, so naturally we are friends." Autrus's voice was sincere, making people instinctively want to believe him. Combined with the effects of the henbane alkaloid, anyone else in Zhang Heng's place would already have been unable to resist opening up to him.
In truth, Autrus was also quite satisfied with Zhang Heng's current reaction. He continued, "I heard you came from a distant Eastern country. There are rumors that you were an aristocrat there. Why abandon a perfectly good life and leave your homeland to come all the way to Rome?"
"Oh, that's a long story. My family was once prominent. My father was a general of the empire, but he was framed and imprisoned. Then, in the political struggle that followed, my family was utterly defeated. I lost everyone and everything I cared about, until in the end, I was the only one left. I had no choice but to leave my country and keep traveling west. I didn't know where my destination was. I only needed... to escape that nightmare of a past. At the time, I didn't know I would come to Rome, nor did I want anyone else to know about my past."
Zhang Heng knew Autrus had no way to verify this question, so he could fabricate freely. At the same time, this story explained why he possessed such outstanding combat skills and considerable political experience.
"I understand." Autrus nodded. "You are now a citizen of Rome. This city will be your new home from now on."
"I hope so."
"Let's continue with what happened after you arrived in Rome. When did you first meet His Majesty?" Autrus asked.
"I first met His Majesty at a