"Baron, Xu Yi has left the City Lord's Manor," Butler Wenlai respectfully reported to Baron Billier Stark.
"Mm." Baron Billier nodded lightly in acknowledgment.
Had Xu Yi seen Baron Billier at that moment, he would have been astonished.
Baron Billier sat upright, his expression composed, a gentle, confident smile on his face. There was not a trace of the flippant manner Xu Yi had witnessed. He seemed like an entirely different person.
After elegantly sipping his tea, Baron Billier considered for a moment, then said to Butler Wenlai, "So he spent over half an hour at the City Lord's Manor? It seems he has a good relationship with Count Samo."
Butler Wenlai nodded. "Yes. Count Samo places great importance on the Xinfei Merchant Guild and often publicly expresses his support for Xu Yi and the guild. Without that, the Xinfei Merchant Guild would not have developed so smoothly in Bunta City."
"I imagine my dear elder brother Leslie played quite a significant role in the Xinfei Merchant Guild's rapid growth as well," Baron Billier said with a smile.
Hearing Baron Billier mention his former master, Butler Wenlai immediately lowered his head and remained silent.
Baron Billier glanced at him and chuckled softly. "Butler Wenlai, when my elder brother Leslie left you here, he also intended for you to look after Xu Yi and the Xinfei Merchant Guild on his behalf, didn't he?"
Butler Wenlai hesitated, then sidestepped the main issue. "The Viscount gave me no such instructions. He left me here only because he felt I was familiar with the local situation and could make it easier for whoever the family sent to take over."
"Yes, you have indeed helped me a great deal during this time. If you weren't my elder brother Leslie's man, I would truly like to