"For example, when a news story praised Free City for taking in refugees from the Northern Frontier, you published an article saying Free City was only using them for political gain. When Free City went thirty days without a public-safety incident, you said the price was people living under the watch of soldiers. My favorite was this one: after the Prototype Knight Golem developed by Free City's Mushroom House succeeded and received orders, you asked what use Knight Golems were when Legendary and Epic Professionals were the jewels of the Allen Continent—"
Annan rattled off the examples. Barr's mouth fell farther and farther open. "You... you really are Annan?"
"I have no reason to lie to a prisoner."
Barr finally believed him. He sat there in silence, his expression shifting through one emotion after another.
Oh...
The thought of Annan being right under the King's nose—and even meeting Clo—made Barr draw a sharp breath.
"What do you want?"
"You know what I want. But while I'm here, I'd also like to recruit some talent. Someone like you."
"Me? Talent?"
"Barr, you sell yourself short. Your ability to lie through your teeth is beyond anything we can manage, and we could learn a great deal from you. I need you!"
"You flatter me... Wait, what?"
Barr sounded flattered and even a little proud before he realized what Annan had said.
"Who says swindling people isn't a talent? You can turn black into white, the dead into the living, a dragon into a dog... You're far more powerful than you think."
Barr was only an ordinary man. He had no defense against Annan's persuasion or charm, though one last trace of hesitation surfaced. "But I'm a member of the Royal Family. Joining you would mean betraying my family name..."
"Is your surname