Somewhere in Gloucester Territory
link Erwin volume_up
I fear I may have miscalculated, my son.
link Lorenz volume_up
How can that be possible, Father? We have the enemy surrounded.
link Erwin volume_up
Yes, and they have yet to give a damn.
link Erwin volume_up
Time grows short, and soon Edelgard's reinforcements will descend upon the Alliance.
link Lorenz volume_up
Then we will hold them off at the Great Bridge!
link Erwin volume_up
And they will find another way.
link Erwin volume_up
If they manage to take even one of the Airmid River's crossings, they can break through our ranks.
link Erwin volume_up
And while that may not spell immediate defeat, it will dash any hopes of Count Bergliez's surrender.
link Erwin volume_up
Eventually, Edelgard's army will wash over the land. And then, my son, we will be defeated.
link Lorenz volume_up
Speak plain, Father, I beg of you. What does this mean for House Gloucester?
link Erwin volume_up
Do not fret, Lorenz.
link Erwin volume_up
This was a leap of faith we had to take to better our territory's fortunes.
link Erwin volume_up
When Claude came to me with this offer, I determined the reward to be worth the risk.
link Erwin volume_up
If the gambit fails, so be it. All it means is that our house will have to swear allegiance to the Empire.
link Lorenz volume_up
Edelgard will never settle for such. She will demand... Oh, Father. No!
link Erwin volume_up
I am proud of you, my son. You have grown into a man strong and wise enough to lead our house.
link Lorenz volume_up
Is there nothing that can be done?
link Lorenz volume_up
What of your dream to claim the Alliance leadership from House Riegan?
link Erwin volume_up
It is your house now—you determine our path.
link Erwin volume_up
Besides, when the dust finally settles from this war, there may not be an Alliance to lead.
link Lorenz volume_up
So I am to submit to the Empire and carve out as big a place for our family as I can? Is that it?
link Lorenz volume_up
You would have me put an end to the Leicester Alliance?!
link Erwin volume_up
Perhaps my praise of your wisdom was ill-advised.
link Erwin volume_up
You get ahead of yourself, Lorenz. We bend the knee only if we lose—not before.
link Erwin volume_up
And as you said, we may yet be able to drive back the emperor's reinforcements and win the day.
link Erwin volume_up
Always think two steps ahead, my son. Be clever. Survive. That is the lesson I seek to impart.
link Lorenz volume_up
...
link Erwin volume_up
I had best go prepare for my final battle as Count Gloucester.
link Erwin volume_up
However this plays out, look for a way for our house to prosper and seize it, Lorenz. Seize it!
link Erwin volume_up
That is how Erwin Fritz Gloucester fights, and it is how you must fight as well!