0. It appears Fleche's personal vendetta was enough [cdb]to motivate her soldiers to action.
1. However, if they had Edelgard's tacit approval, then [cdb]we have a much bigger problem on our hands.
2. There's no way she knew about this. The Empire [cdb]had nothing to gain from us fighting.
3. No, this only happened because I made the wrong [cdb]call. I owe you all an apology.
4. Apologies aren't gonna do us any good. What we [cdb]need is for you to leave the past behind and focus on [cdb]the future.
5. Apologies aren't gonna do us any good. What we [cdb]need is for you to leave the past behind and focus on [cdb]the future.
6. Indeed. And I fear the degree of difficulty we had in [cdb]dispatching a minor foe suggests that our forces [cdb]are woefully lacking in power.
7. Yeah... If only we were stronger, then Judith... She [cdb]might still be with us.
8. ...
9. On the other hand, slaying the leader of Jeralt's Mercenaries is certainly a feather in our cap.
10. That group has harried us time and time again. Dare I hope that without their leader, they will [cdb]simply fade away?
11. ...
12. I'm sorry, Leonie. I know I was supposed to leave him [cdb]for you.
13. I'm sorry, Leonie. I know I was supposed to leave him [cdb]for you.
14. Don't worry about it. He didn't exactly give you a [cdb]choice. Besides, I wouldn't have been strong [cdb]enough to beat him.
15. That's my fault, not yours. It is what it is.
16. Leonie...
17. Leonie...
18. We may have slain their captain, but the remaining [cdb]mercenaries could be out there, planning their [cdb]revenge as we speak.
19. And the Ashen Demon is still alive, right?
20. Sure, we took out their captain, but some of his [cdb]mercenaries got away. They might try to take [cdb]revenge against the Federation later on.
21. And the Ashen Demon is still out there, right?
22. We can't afford to underestimate that one. The Ashen Demon seems to possess some sort of Crest.
23. A Crest? What's a noble doing working as a [cdb]mercenary?
24. Just because someone has a Crest doesn't mean [cdb]they're a member of the nobility.
25. Anyone who can trace their ancestry back to one of [cdb]the Ten Elites, no matter how distantly, can manifest [cdb]one.
26. Yeah, we definitely can't let our guard down. There were even people who claimed they saw the Ashen Demon's hair spontaneously change color.
27. I don't know exactly what we're dealing with, but we [cdb]should work under the assumption that the Ashen Demon has some kind of special power.
28. It seems our path is ever fraught with danger.
29. Dear Goddess, please guide us through these [cdb]troubled times.
30. ...
31. We might not know what lies ahead, but we have to [cdb]press on regardless.
32. Not only for Leicester, but for those we've lost [cdb]as well.
33. I feel so helpless. If only I'd been better...
34. I feel so helpless. If only I'd been better...
35. There's no reason to lament your skill. You did all you [cdb]could.
36. The Ashen Demon may have escaped, but you got rid [cdb]of their captain.
37. There's no question you've grown—and next time, [cdb]the Ashen Demon will fall.
38. But that won't bring Judith back.
39. But that won't bring Judith back.
40. You must view her as a necessary sacrifice. This isn't [cdb]the first time death has taken someone from you.
41. Think back on the past.
42. Insist this time is different.
43. I guess you have a point. When I was a mercenary, [cdb]losing comrades was just part of the job.
44. I guess you have a point. When I was a mercenary, [cdb]losing comrades was just part of the job.
45. I mean, I'm still a mercenary. But for some reason I [cdb]can't shrug it off like I used to.
46. I mean, I'm still a mercenary. But for some reason I [cdb]can't shrug it off like I used to.
47. I had no idea you cared so much. All the more reason [cdb]to finish what you started.
48. You can still make this death mean something, [cdb]and I can give you the strength to do so.
49. This isn't the same thing. These people aren't mercs, [cdb]selling their lives for a handful of gold.
50. This isn't the same thing. These people aren't mercs, [cdb]selling their lives for a handful of gold.
51. Judith sacrificed herself to protect someone she cared [cdb]about. That's not something I can shrug off so easily.
52. Judith sacrificed herself to protect someone she cared [cdb]about. That's not something I can shrug off so easily.
53. Well, you can still make this death mean something, [cdb]and I can give you the strength to do so.
54. Now cheer up! Seeing you sad like this makes me...
55. Makes you what?
56. Makes you what?
57. Yes, it makes me very...something. Tight in the chest? Anyway, stop frowning at me. I don't like it.
58. No matter what anyone else tells you, I'm the closest [cdb]ally you have.
59. Remember, we're partners in destiny.