link Annette volume_up
No... My uncle?
link Gustave volume_up
My own brother... I feared as much.
link Dimitri volume_up
I'm afraid so. Among the rebels are Houses Mateus and Gideon...
link Dimitri volume_up
And all the other western lords from whom I've stripped power. They appear to have appointed Baron Dominic as their leader.
link Mercedes volume_up
I'm so sorry, Annie. What could he be thinking?
link Shez volume_up
But he's one of the least significant nobles in the region. Why would they give him that role?
link Shez volume_up
But he's one of the least significant nobles in the region. Why would they give him that role?
link Rodrigue volume_up
House Dominic may be a mere barony at present, but they're a storied family whose lineage traces all the way back to the Ten Elites.
link Rodrigue volume_up
Centuries ago, when the wise King Klaus passed beyond the veil of death, he did so without naming a successor to the crown.
link Rodrigue volume_up
And so, the three regions of the Holy Kingdom— Faerghus, Mach, and Leicester—were divided among the three royal princes.
link Rodrigue volume_up
House Dominic chose to side with the prince ruling Mach, who was eventually defeated by the forces of Faerghus.
link Rodrigue volume_up
Leaving the once vast Dominic territory to be whittled down, meted out to the neighboring lords.
link Annette volume_up
I know they held a grudge about that in the past, but surely it's ancient history at this point.
link Annette volume_up
Tons of people from House Dominic, my father included, have devoted their lives to serving the royal family.
link Annette volume_up
It makes me wonder if my uncle's heart is really in this fight.
link Gustave volume_up
As they stand now, House Dominic lacks the influence and might necessary to defy their surrounding lords.
link Gustave volume_up
So when pushed to join the uprising, they would've had little choice but to go along. But that lack of strength might just be the key to our victory.
link Dedue volume_up
How do you mean, Gustave?
link Gustave volume_up
If we could only convince my brother to change sides, the western territories would lose their leader.
link Gustave volume_up
And if we were to follow that up with a decisive victory against a demoralized army, it would likely cause their military effort to collapse entirely.
link Rodrigue volume_up
Perhaps, but it'll be difficult to pry the baron away without first eliminating those surrounding him.
link Dimitri volume_up
Indeed. If nothing else, we'll need to turn the tide of war in our favor if we ever hope to empower the baron to defect.
link Dimitri volume_up
For now, we must consider how best to break through their front.