The Minister of War made himself as humble as possible, almost ready to kiss Annan's boots.
Annan smiled. "There's no need for that... You played an indispensable part in helping the Blade of Freedom establish itself in New Royal City. We'll remember your contribution."
"I knew I wasn't wrong about you..." Moved, the Minister of War added wistfully, "The Reeves family... The last time I had any contact with them was more than twenty years ago."
In the past, Annan would only have avoided the subject. Now he found himself curious. "You knew my... father?"
"I only saw him once from a distance when I was young..." The Minister of War nodded, then shook his head.
Back then, he had been a nobody who thought the King of the North was a great figure... Looking back now, they had long since fallen apart.
But the Minister of War would never say that. He lowered his head. "Your timing is perfect. New Royal Capital has just finished a round of investigations and arrested a group of people."
"Our people?" Annan frowned.
The Minister of War shook his head. "I intervened. Most of those arrested were loyal to the Kingdom."
From the Kingdom's perspective, the Minister of War was a traitor through and through. From Free City's perspective, he was just what they needed.
"Be careful."
"Rest assured. Oh, and I've arranged a position in the army for the special envoy you brought."
"The special envoy I brought... Oh, you mean Maria?" Annan looked at Maria beside him.
The Minister of War raised his head in confusion. "Maria? Wasn't it Mr. Martin?"
"Who?"
The Minister of War froze. "Didn't you want Special Envoy Martin to serve in the army...?"
"Martin what?"
Annan and the Minister of War stared at each other.
Annan