0. Hey, thanks for coming. Sorry to make you wait, I couldn't get out of there any sooner.
1. You're looking kinda worse for the wear. Is running [cdb]the Alliance really that rough?
2. You're looking kinda worse for the wear. Is running [cdb]the Alliance really that rough?
3. Yeah, well, you know what they say. "What doesn't [cdb]kill you..." But enough about me. How are things [cdb]with you? Mercenary work keeping you busy?
4. Hardly. I came to Riegan territory expecting steady [cdb]work from your house, you know.
5. Hardly. I came to Riegan territory expecting steady [cdb]work from your house, you know.
6. But it still hasn't materialized. How's a merc [cdb]supposed to make a living like this?
7. But it still hasn't materialized. How's a merc [cdb]supposed to make a living like this?
8. Doesn't matter how much I train my sword arm if [cdb]there's nothing to swing it at.
9. It doesn't matter how much I train my sword arm [cdb]if there's nothing to swing at.
10. Right, sorry about that. I had a feeling your talents [cdb]were going to waste here.
11. Oh, he "had a feeling," did he? Where were those [cdb]feelings while we were left high and dry for these [cdb]last two years?
12. I've been getting by guarding the local inns and all, [cdb]but I'm at the end of my rope here.
13. I've been getting by guarding the local inns and all, [cdb]but I'm at the end of my rope here.
14. You mind if I move on? I hear there's plenty of work [cdb]in the south for a guy like me.
15. You mind if I move on? I hear there's plenty of work [cdb]in the south for someone like me.
16. Whoa, slow down there, friend. Why do you think I [cdb]asked you here? I'm ready to make you an [cdb]official offer.
17. And there it is. Just as I expected.
18. Huh. So war's coming, then.
19. So war's coming, then.
20. That's right. The new emperor of Adrestia seems [cdb]determined to bring a fight to the rest of Fódlan.
21. And many along our southern border are worried [cdb]she'll come after the Alliance.
22. Hence all these meetings to plan our response. Are you familiar with the Leicester Roundtable?
23. Not much. Just that they're meetings held by some [cdb]stuffy Alliance nobles.
24. Not much. Just that it's a council held by some stuffy Alliance nobles.
25. That's basically it. The Alliance crowns no king, and [cdb]bows to no emperor. So instead we just have a bunch [cdb]of meetings when we want to get something done.
26. Every last detail of Alliance policy and strategy has [cdb]to be worked out and agreed upon by the Five Great Lords at the roundtable conferences.
27. Day after day, we go round and round, arguing [cdb]and bickering over this or that.
28. And as each of the lords only truly cares about [cdb]their own skin, we never actually reach a decision [cdb]on anything.
29. No wonder you look like you've been put through the [cdb]wringer. Guess being a noble's not all fun and games.
30. No wonder you look like you've been put through the [cdb]wringer. Guess being a noble's not all fun and games.
31. You can say that again. And while we sit around [cdb]twiddling our collective thumbs, the Empire and [cdb]their army could be right on our doorstep.
32. Nevertheless, I'll find a way to convince the other [cdb]lords that they need to commit to deploying their [cdb]troops.
33. The real problem is what happens after. Armies [cdb]need commanders, and those commanders need [cdb]to be exceptional warriors that we can rely on.
34. You're not gonna ask me to lead Alliance troops, [cdb]are you?
35. You're not gonna ask me to lead Alliance troops, [cdb]are you?
36. You, my friend, hit the nail on the head. I want you [cdb]fighting alongside me as one of the Alliance's [cdb]commanders.
37. Hold on. I'm not a noble, though—I'm not even [cdb]a knight!
38. Hold on. I'm not a noble, though—I'm not even [cdb]a knight!
39. Who cares about titles? Isn't this why you came here [cdb]in the first place?
40. I came here to help you, as a mercenary. I never [cdb]thought I'd be commanding troops!
41. I came here to help you, as a mercenary. I never [cdb]thought I'd be commanding troops!
42. Look, you'll be well-compensated for your efforts. And you can do this, I know you can. What do [cdb]you say?
43. Accept the offer.
44. Hesitate a little.
45. Hey, if there's money to be made swinging my sword [cdb]around, I'm there. My coin purse'll be happy about it, [cdb]too. Plus, it's not like I have anything better to do.
46. Hey, if there's money to be made swinging my sword [cdb]around, I'm there. My coin purse'll be happy about it, [cdb]too. Plus, it's not like I have anything better to do.
47. I knew you wouldn't let me down!
48. Look, I'm sure you'll support me, but do you really [cdb]think the other nobles will trust command of their [cdb]troops to a merc like me?
49. Look, I'm sure you'll support me, but do you really [cdb]think the other nobles will trust command of their [cdb]troops to a merc like me?
50. Oh, don't worry about them. So long as it doesn't get [cdb]in the way of their own personal interests, they won't [cdb]care one bit.
51. You have the full support of the leader of the Alliance, and that's all that matters.
52. I have high hopes for you, my friend. Now then, [cdb]looks like I've got a contract to draw up.