Hill stopped and stared coldly at An Ran. How had he grown skin that thick?
If Hill hadn't sensed that the man's words, disgusting as they were, came from good intentions, he would have sent him up to the Heavenly Court for a look around.
An Ran quickly realized something was wrong. Only then did he work out what "don't lie in front of me" meant: this Archmage could probably tell whether someone was telling the truth, just like the imperial Grand Shaman.
Apparently, even a little insincerity counted as a lie!
But he was a merchant who exaggerated by nature. Turning one part into a hundred and twenty was instinctive!
Now he was in trouble. Cold sweat broke out on An Ran's forehead. He hadn't discussed this with the family head, but the head of the An Family would certainly do just that!
An Ran glanced at the sky, raised a hand without hesitation, and said, "This is only my own judgment, but I guarantee our family head will do it! I'd even swear a deadly oath!
"Every word I'm saying right now is true!
"The An Family is at a critical point. Our future is at stake. Anyone who makes trouble now is dead, even if he's the family head.
"That's how great families work! The family always matters more than any person.
"Even if I die here today, it'll be the same. If the family can avenge me, it will. But if that means sacrificing its interests, then I'm just one unlucky dead fat man!
"If I'm the only one being targeted today... then I probably really will be a dead fat man."
Seeing Hill's thoughtful expression, An Ran didn't mind having revealed a little of his family's secrets. He bunched up the flesh on his cheeks,