link Claude volume_up
Everyone here? Then let's get right into it. We have to figure out exactly where we stand in this war.
link Claude volume_up
As you all know, the Empire has taken the Great Bridge of Myrddin.
link Claude volume_up
The Imperial army now occupies what was formerly House Phlegethon territory. House Gloucester has surrendered to them as well.
link Lorenz volume_up
Doubtless an agonizing decision on my father's part.
link Claude volume_up
House Ordelia, to the east of the bridge, has also vowed not to take up arms against the Empire.
link Lysithea volume_up
We had precious little in the way of arms in the first place. You have my deepest apologies.
link Leonie volume_up
You don't have to apologize, Lysithea. Count Ordelia did what anyone would've done.
link Raphael volume_up
And now Lorenz and Lysithea can't even go back home.
link Claude volume_up
That's not all. After the battle, the Imperial army crossed Gloucester territory and attacked Garreg Mach.
link Claude volume_up
Rhea and the rest of the Central Church have apparently fled to the Kingdom for sanctuary.
link Ignatz volume_up
Then I suppose none of us will be able to visit our old school anytime soon.
link Marianne volume_up
I hope no one from the church was hurt...
link Shamir volume_up
There's no point in worrying about it now. But they're all tougher than you think.
link Claude volume_up
Now that the monastery has fallen, the front lines are rapidly expanding north. It won't be long before Derdriu is within their reach.
link Claude volume_up
And if our capital falls, the Alliance goes with it. We have to stop them there, no matter the cost.
link Lorenz volume_up
That all sounds well and good, but how large of an army will you even be able to raise at this point?
link Marianne volume_up
I don't think House Edmund will be able to send more troops. I'm sorry.
link Lorenz volume_up
Which means House Goneril is the last of the Five Great Lords upon whom we can rely.
link Lorenz volume_up
House Goneril may be the only one of the Five Great Lords upon whom we can rely.
link Hilda volume_up
I'm not so sure the combined forces of Houses Riegan and Goneril will be enough to hold off the whole Empire.
link Claude volume_up
We'll just have to work with what we've got. And let's not forget the Hero of Daphnel.
link Shez volume_up
Uh, who?
link Shez volume_up
Uh, who?
link Lorenz volume_up
He speaks of Judith, the head of House Daphnel. She was once counted among the Five Great Lords.
link Hilda volume_up
We can definitely count on her. It helps that she seems to really like Claude for some reason.
link Leonie volume_up
But we can't expect much from her in terms of sheer numbers. Any chance the Kingdom could send troops?
link Hilda volume_up
That said, I don't know if her numbers will be enough. What about the Kingdom? Maybe they could send some troops.
link Claude volume_up
I doubt they'll have any to spare. They've just started engaging the Empire themselves, over in the west of Faerghus.
link Claude volume_up
And besides, I'm not sure how much we can really trust them. I still have no idea what's going on in Dimitri's head.
link Shez volume_up
Well, we have an idea of how big our army's gonna be, if nothing else. What's the plan?
link Shez volume_up
Well, we have an idea of how big our army's gonna be, if nothing else. What's the plan?
link Claude volume_up
I'm still working that out. For now, all we can do is hold our ground and fight with everything we've got.
link Raphael volume_up
You can always count on me! And my muscles!
link Claude volume_up
Thanks, Raphael. That unfounded confidence of yours is like music to my ears.