"Lord Baron Merick, if the three-headed hounds in the Kayas region have truly been eliminated, I am willing to promise on behalf of the Pauli Chamber of Commerce to serve the Merick family from now on."
President Potter had long wanted to align with a major family in Will City.
Now, receiving the olive branch from Liszt, he was also inclined to pledge allegiance, and the two sides hit it off immediately.
Once their relationship grew closer, President Potter relaxed considerably.
Under Liszt's guidance, he shared quite a bit of news about the Duchy of Will.
However, this news did not involve the upper nobility, but rather various chambers of commerce and some customs from his travels.
"My lord, I hear rumors in the city that you are interested in Viscount Ambert's daughter, Miss Anna?"
"You must have heard about the duel, right?"
Liszt didn't answer the question directly.
At this point, no one would believe him if he said he had no feelings for Miss Anna, so explaining would be pointless.
"Yes… and my lord… I've actually heard some other news…"
"I'm not sure if I should tell you, my lord."
President Potter's face was full of hesitation, which immediately piqued Liszt's curiosity.
"Is it about me? Or about Miss Anna?"
"It's related to Miss Anna, but…"
…
"It's fine! Go ahead and tell me, I won't blame you no matter what the news is."
Upon hearing it was about Anna, Liszt couldn't help but sit up straight.
Although his imminent duel had nothing to do with Anna, the whole affair started because of her.
Now that there was news about her, Liszt was naturally keen to know.
"It's just some baseless rumors, about Miss Anna and her… pa… painter…"
...
"Painter?"
"What are the rumors?"
…
President Potter's expression became even more troubled, and only after a moment of struggle did he finally speak.
"Actually, it's not just a rumor, that painter's name is Ruiz, and he used to have some collaborations with our Pauli Chamber of Commerce."
"His family isn't wealthy, but he is a skilled painter, often commissioning our chamber to sell his paintings and paint portraits for the city's nobles to make a living."
…
"Later, after painting a portrait for the Ambert family, Miss Anna contacted him through our chamber of commerce on one occasion, and then actively sought out Ruiz several times…"
At this point, President Potter watched Liszt's expression closely, deeply afraid of angering the baron he had worked so hard to get close to.
Fortunately, Liszt's expression showed no anger, apart from a slight frown and an occasional thoughtful flicker, the baron was much calmer than he had imagined.
Not at all like the impulsive person who would duel the Duke's son for a woman.
"You mean, Anna has feelings for this painter?"
Seeing Liszt's calm tone when discussing this matter, President Potter finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
"There is indeed some private affection, when this happened, many people in our chamber of commerce envied that kid Ruiz."
"They thought that having won the favor of a viscount's daughter, he would have new developments ahead…"
_President Potter didn't finish his sentence, in fact, he himself had placed a bet on Ruiz at the time.
Hoping to get a connection with Viscount Ambert through the young man Ruiz.
But later on! The matter gradually became troublesome.
"When did the two of them start seeing each other?"
"Over half a year ago."
…
"So the painter the Ambert family hired some time ago…"
"That's right! It's Ruiz!"
Liszt now recalled it as well, Butler Anke had mentioned it to him not long ago.
Saying that Miss Anna had recently fallen in love with painting, and Viscount Ambert had hired a painter to teach her at home long-term.
To think it was this Ruiz?
Liszt was now brainstorming furiously.
President Potter, sitting opposite him, finally let out a sigh of relief in his heart.
He could have kept this matter buried in his heart, pretending to know nothing.
It involved so many secrets among the nobility, and even concerned the Duke's son.
A mere chamber of commerce like his, with no powerful backing, dared not gossip recklessly.
But now that he had established a connection with the Merick family, it was better to inform them in advance of any news concerning the Merick family, especially news concerning Liszt.
If there was truly some misunderstanding, or if something had really happened between Anna and this Ruiz.
And if Liszt later treated the Pauli Chamber of Commerce as an enemy because of the matter between Ruiz and the chamber, that would be a huge problem!
Liszt remained silent in the reception hall for a long while before he reacted.
"Thank you, President Potter, for informing me of such important news."
"The cooperation will be settled as we discussed earlier, the specific details and profits will be communicated to you by Butler Anke."
…
"Thank you, Lord Baron, for your high regard, then this humble one shall take his leave."
...
Only after President Potter, who resembled a purple ball of flesh, had left, did Butler Anke immediately approach with a worried look.
"My lord, have the three-headed hounds in the Kayas region really been eliminated?"
"Or do you have a grudge against the Pauli Chamber of Commerce…?"
Anke had been holding it in for a while and only now dared to ask Liszt.
He even suspected that Liszt wanted the Pauli Chamber of Commerce to go to the Kayas region to their deaths.
"Of course they've been eliminated, the Pauli Chamber of Commerce has already pledged allegiance to our Merick family, what grudge could I have with them?"
Seeing Liszt's certainty, Butler Anke assumed that Liszt had recently witnessed a high-level professional clearing out the Kayas region.
Even though he knew Liszt often went out of the city recently and returned smelling of blood, he was unwilling to believe that the three-headed hounds' lair was cleared by Liszt alone, after all, it was too fantastical.
Of course, Liszt at this moment didn't understand his old butler's train of thought, he was still thinking about the matter with Anna.
Since President Potter would mention these things to him, it meant that Anna indeed had a history with this painter named Ruiz.
There must be some private affection, and it predated the time his predecessor inherited the barony and started pursuing her.
Could it be that she couldn't get rid of his predecessor, so she found the Duke of Will's son, Kunt, to take the fall?
To make the two of them duel?
No! No matter who won the duel between him and Kunt, Anna would surely be married off to the victor by her father.
If she truly liked this painter and had a long-standing affair, she would never resort to such a poor strategy.
Unless Anna just wanted to stall for time… and then elope…
Liszt felt he was gradually starting to clear his thoughts.
Although things with the Duke and Kunt were not yet fully sorted out, based on the news President Potter gave him today.
It's possible that Anna really had such an idea.
After all, from the day of the duel until now, although Kunt hadn't sought out Anna, Anna hadn't actively sought out Kunt either.
At the same time, from their meeting over half a month ago, Liszt's impression of this woman was still deep.
Although this woman was well-endowed, she was not a bimbo, she had some cunning.
Thinking of this, Liszt once again instructed Butler Anke beside him.
"Butler Anke, send someone to inquire about this Ruiz for me."
"If this matter is true, have someone make a trip to the Duke's castle and deliver this news to Kunt."
If this duel could really be canceled because of this, Liszt would naturally be willing.
He wasn't afraid of Kunt, but he was very wary of the ducal family behind him and the still-living Duke.
Whether to win this duel or not was something he, who was not yet strong enough, needed to ponder.