You Are Someone I Trust (Fourth Update, Alliance Leader Bonus Update 13/18)

"Chris, I need to go back and think over the news you brought. Get some proper rest. I've arranged for farm women outside to look after you. If you need anything, tell them."

Liszt gave those instructions and hurried out of the room.

First, he sent for his personal guard, Paris.

"Baron, what are your orders?" The hair at Paris's forehead was damp, clearly from rigorous training. Recently, she had been planning to learn battle aura, to see whether she could balance it with the Black Dragon Thrall's power and thereby increase her strength.

"I rescued a mage. You know about that, right?"

"Chris Truth. I went to visit her. Her body is as frail as an ordinary person's... To be honest, I was disappointed. If I became a mage too, I'd probably be just like her."

Of course not. Their figures and looks were worlds apart.

The thought merely circled through Liszt's mind before the wind blew it away. He had no mood for such random thoughts now. "She brought news that's hard to tell true from false. I need time to consider it, so during that time, I want you to secretly watch what she does."

"Hard to tell true from false? Baron, do you need me to interrogate her? I'm quite skilled at that sort of thing." Paris raised an eyebrow.

"There's no need. She plans to stay in Flower Town and work for me. Perhaps she'll become the mage I support in the future. The news she brought has made me somewhat anxious, and I need time to process it. Paris, once I've thought it through, I'll need your help weighing it as well. After all, you're someone I trust."

He placed a hand on Paris's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze.

Paris's breathing immediately