"Miss Joan, do you only have one guard with you?" the lead mage asked, feigning casual curiosity.
“I sent the others back to Keating Kingdom with The Faction.”
"That wasn't a good idea..."
"I didn't expect the locals to be so bold," Joan replied with cool sarcasm.
The lead mage didn't mind. If anything, her attitude finally put his suspicious mind at ease. "Sir Makarov is a coward. He doesn't deserve your regard."
"I can see you're much braver than he is."
The lead mage took that as a compliment. "I hope you'll forgive our rudeness. Once we return to the Territory, the lord will apologize to you personally..."
"Who is your leader?"
"Lord Kilian is our lord."
Kilian...
Joan knew that name because his surname was Raymond.
The Grand Lord of the Broken Mountains was also named Raymond.
Unlike Joan, who was an impostor, the Grand Lord of the Broken Mountains really was Kilian Raymond's uncle.
From that perspective, Lord Kilian was indeed a better choice of business partner. But Joan had wanted more than trade; she had also hoped to turn Sir Makarov into an Agent.
That legitimate Raymond had ruined her plans, and he had even dared to attack her!
Lord Kilian had spent too long shut away in the mountains. He clearly had no idea what Free City was capable of...
They hadn't gone much farther when an ornate carriage appeared, parked beside the road.
Kilian's people kept someone watching Joan in case she tried to flee, but otherwise treated her with the utmost respect.
Is it because I claimed to be a Montreal?
Joan had a vague feeling she'd guessed the truth...
Because she was one of the Imperials, perhaps they thought she would appreciate a little "wildness"...
It was too late to clear up