link Claude volume_up
Hey, thanks for coming. Sorry to make you wait, I couldn't get out of there any sooner.
link Shez volume_up
You're looking kinda worse for the wear. Is running the Alliance really that rough?
link Shez volume_up
You're looking kinda worse for the wear. Is running the Alliance really that rough?
link Claude volume_up
Yeah, well, you know what they say. "What doesn't kill you..." But enough about me. How are things with you? Mercenary work keeping you busy?
link Shez volume_up
Hardly. I came to Riegan territory expecting steady work from your house, you know.
link Shez volume_up
Hardly. I came to Riegan territory expecting steady work from your house, you know.
link Shez volume_up
But it still hasn't materialized. How's a merc supposed to make a living like this?
link Shez volume_up
But it still hasn't materialized. How's a merc supposed to make a living like this?
link Shez volume_up
Doesn't matter how much I train my sword arm if there's nothing to swing it at.
link Shez volume_up
It doesn't matter how much I train my sword arm if there's nothing to swing at.
link Claude volume_up
Right, sorry about that. I had a feeling your talents were going to waste here.
link Arval volume_up
Oh, he "had a feeling," did he? Where were those feelings while we were left high and dry for these last two years?
link Shez volume_up
I've been getting by guarding the local inns and all, but I'm at the end of my rope here.
link Shez volume_up
I've been getting by guarding the local inns and all, but I'm at the end of my rope here.
link Shez volume_up
You mind if I move on? I hear there's plenty of work in the south for a guy like me.
link Shez volume_up
You mind if I move on? I hear there's plenty of work in the south for someone like me.
link Claude volume_up
Whoa, slow down there, friend. Why do you think I asked you here? I'm ready to make you an official offer.
link Arval volume_up
And there it is. Just as I expected.
link Shez volume_up
Huh. So war's coming, then.
link Shez volume_up
So war's coming, then.
link Claude volume_up
That's right. The new emperor of Adrestia seems determined to bring a fight to the rest of Fódlan.
link Claude volume_up
And many along our southern border are worried she'll come after the Alliance.
link Claude volume_up
Hence all these meetings to plan our response. Are you familiar with the Leicester Roundtable?
link Shez volume_up
Not much. Just that they're meetings held by some stuffy Alliance nobles.
link Shez volume_up
Not much. Just that it's a council held by some stuffy Alliance nobles.
link Claude volume_up
That's basically it. The Alliance crowns no king, and bows to no emperor. So instead we just have a bunch of meetings when we want to get something done.
link Claude volume_up
Every last detail of Alliance policy and strategy has to be worked out and agreed upon by the Five Great Lords at the roundtable conferences.
link Claude volume_up
Day after day, we go round and round, arguing and bickering over this or that.
link Claude volume_up
And as each of the lords only truly cares about their own skin, we never actually reach a decision on anything.
link Shez volume_up
No wonder you look like you've been put through the wringer. Guess being a noble's not all fun and games.
link Shez volume_up
No wonder you look like you've been put through the wringer. Guess being a noble's not all fun and games.
link Claude volume_up
You can say that again. And while we sit around twiddling our collective thumbs, the Empire and their army could be right on our doorstep.
link Claude volume_up
Nevertheless, I'll find a way to convince the other lords that they need to commit to deploying their troops.
link Claude volume_up
The real problem is what happens after. Armies need commanders, and those commanders need to be exceptional warriors that we can rely on.
link Shez volume_up
You're not gonna ask me to lead Alliance troops, are you?
link Shez volume_up
You're not gonna ask me to lead Alliance troops, are you?
link Claude volume_up
You, my friend, hit the nail on the head. I want you fighting alongside me as one of the Alliance's commanders.
link Shez volume_up
Hold on. I'm not a noble, though—I'm not even a knight!
link Shez volume_up
Hold on. I'm not a noble, though—I'm not even a knight!
link Claude volume_up
Who cares about titles? Isn't this why you came here in the first place?
link Shez volume_up
I came here to help you, as a mercenary. I never thought I'd be commanding troops!
link Shez volume_up
I came here to help you, as a mercenary. I never thought I'd be commanding troops!
link Claude volume_up
Look, you'll be well-compensated for your efforts. And you can do this, I know you can. What do you say?
link Shez volume_up
Hey, if there's money to be made swinging my sword around, I'm there. My coin purse'll be happy about it, too. Plus, it's not like I have anything better to do.
link Shez volume_up
Hey, if there's money to be made swinging my sword around, I'm there. My coin purse'll be happy about it, too. Plus, it's not like I have anything better to do.
link Claude volume_up
I knew you wouldn't let me down!
link Shez volume_up
Look, I'm sure you'll support me, but do you really think the other nobles will trust command of their troops to a merc like me?
link Shez volume_up
Look, I'm sure you'll support me, but do you really think the other nobles will trust command of their troops to a merc like me?
link Claude volume_up
Oh, don't worry about them. So long as it doesn't get in the way of their own personal interests, they won't care one bit.
link Claude volume_up
You have the full support of the leader of the Alliance, and that's all that matters.
link Claude volume_up
I have high hopes for you, my friend. Now then, looks like I've got a contract to draw up.