0. You know, I don't believe I ever asked your feelings [cdb]about this war.
1. On the surface, it must seem as though we took Fódlan's fragile peace in our hand and shattered it [cdb]into a thousand pieces.
2. What, is it deep conversation time now? Where'd that [cdb]come from?
3. It's merely that we've never discussed the matter. And you are in a fairly unique position amidst this all.
4. I thought you might be able to provide some [cdb]perspective on how an outsider views the actions Adrestia has taken.
5. Praise the Empire.
6. Criticize the Empire.
7. Try to stay neutral.
8. The way I see it, you just did what you had to.
9. You talk about peace, but it's not like people weren't [cdb]already getting slaughtered for dumb reasons.
10. I mean, pick your poison. If it's not greedy bandits [cdb]ransacking your town, it's tyrannical nobles razing [cdb]each other's land in search of more power.
11. So sure, people will die in the war, but the reforms [cdb]it'll bring will save at least as many innocent citizens. Maybe even more.
12. Honestly? I think the whole thing's one big, ugly [cdb]mess. I mean, look at how many innocent lives it's [cdb]costing us.
13. Still, I know this wasn't just some spur-of-the-moment [cdb]decision. You gave it a lot of thought, and this was the [cdb]best path you could find forward.
14. So who really cares what little old me has to say?
15. I dunno. Don't think I really feel too strongly one [cdb]way or the other.
16. You have nothing to say? Nothing at all?
17. That's how it goes when you're a merc. War, peace, [cdb]doesn't matter—my job's the same either way.
18. It's just money in, blade out. All there is to it.
19. I suppose that's one way of looking at it.
20. It's like you said. I'm in a unique position here.
21. Meaning you would've answered differently were [cdb]you not a mercenary.
22. Uh, yeah. If I was a farmer, for example, I'd be [cdb]hounding you day and night to end the war.
23. Sure, you say you're gonna bring this "bright and [cdb]beautiful future," but am I really gonna suffer for [cdb]years, maybe even decades, waiting for it?
24. The stuff you're doing now—enlisting my farmhands, [cdb]trampling my fields, destroying my crops—just [cdb]doesn't make it worth the wait.
25. But you know the toll it's taking on your people, [cdb]yet you choose to press on with the war anyway. So you've gotta have a good reason, right?
26. Yes, of course. You certainly don't mince words.
27. Is it the years of mercenary work that made you this [cdb]way, or have you always been like this?
28. Say it's the work.
29. Say it's just who you are.
30. Yeah, I think it just kinda comes with the territory. I've been at this a long time—and lost more than my [cdb]fair share of friends over the years.
31. Not to mention all the horrible things I've done just [cdb]for a fistful of gold.
32. Pretty sure it's who I am. It was just me and my mom [cdb]growing up, you see.
33. We lived in a village, but for whatever reason she [cdb]liked to keep to herself.
34. So, I guess it rubbed off on me. I learned pretty quick [cdb]not to get attached.
35. Is that so? I would be interested to hear more.
36. Trust me, it's not as interesting as it sounds.
37. Who says it has to be? Interesting or not, I'll have you [cdb]tell me one of these days.
38. If you say so. Just promise not to freak out when you [cdb]realize how boring I am, OK?
39. Do I seem like the type of person to "freak out" about [cdb]such a thing? Perhaps don't answer that.