I think that's enough for one day. You really know
[cdb]how to make me work up a sweat!
You kept me on my toes as well, Caspar. Thank you.
Hey now, you'll never have to twist my arm to get
[cdb]me to train. Just shout when you wanna go again!
Oh, and we should invite Raphael next time!
The muscles on that guy are something else!
I'll keep that in mind. I often have trouble finding
[cdb]people to spar with.
No surprise there. Not like folks are lining up for a
[cdb]chance to knock the emperor's teeth out.
You seem to have no problem coming after my teeth.
Sometimes I think you're trying to kill me.
What? No! I mean, I only do it because I know you
[cdb]can handle it, right?
Look, just don't say anything to Hubert, OK? If he
[cdb]finds out we're sparring, he'll have me cut into pieces
[cdb]and dumped into the nearest river for sure.
He already knows. I convinced him that I need the
[cdb]training if I'm to stand on the front lines.
Well, that's a relief. So, uh, why do you, by the way?
Fight on the front lines, I mean.
You're an incredible fighter, but the Empire would be
[cdb]in deep, deep trouble if anything happened to you.
And it's not like you're after the glory like I am.
Shouldn't you just hang back and send us orders
[cdb]from some distant hilltop?
Seems like it goes pretty hard against that
"rationality" thing you're always talking about.
Caspar, lecturing me on what's sensible? I must
[cdb]be dreaming.
But yes, you're right. It's not entirely rational.
See? I'm a thinking man sometimes!
That's not to say I don't have a rational reason.
My presence on the front lines improves morale,
[cdb]and my skill betters our hope of victory.
So long as I don't fall in battle, taking the field is the
[cdb]smartest thing I can do.
Right, sure. So what's the un-rational part?
The emotional side. I can't stand the idea of
[cdb]remaining safe while friends and comrades alike risk
[cdb]their lives for our cause.
You're all out there on my command, taking lives
[cdb]from others and giving your own in return.
It doesn't seem fair for me to do any less.
Except that you're the emperor.
And I say the emperor should help.
Hey, I get it. You wanna get in the dirt with the rest
[cdb]of us to pull your weight, right? You and me are the
[cdb]same in that way.
A dreadful suggestion, but I'll allow it.
Aw, come on! You should be happy!
Here I thought we were completely different people,
[cdb]but it turns out there's a little Caspar in you after all.
You know, I can't even imagine you lording over us
[cdb]from far away.
You work best when you're down in the mud with the
[cdb]rest of us, sending chumps flying.
If there's a little Caspar in me, perhaps it's time to
[cdb]put a bit of someone else in you.
Someone with manners, perhaps?
Ugh, the M word? No thanks. You know all that
[cdb]politeness would only hold me back.