The Pact (Golden Wildfire)

link Holst volume_up
Hey there.

link Holst volume_up
Our king has agreed to meet with the Adrestian emperor.

link Holst volume_up
Yes, and you'll be joining us. You're the only reliable bodyguard we could find on such short notice.

link Edelgard volume_up
It's good to see you again, Claude. Congratulations on your coronation as the first king of the Leicester Federation.

link Claude volume_up
What's this? The Empire has officially recognized our Federation? Why Edelgard, I'm touched.

link Claude volume_up
But I did have my heart set on an apology. You launched an unprovoked attack against us, after all.

link Edelgard volume_up
Attack? The Empire merely responded to an invitation from Viscount Acheron of House Phlegethon.

link Edelgard volume_up
Alas, fortune turned against him at the Great Bridge of Myrddin, and he perished in the battle.

link Edelgard volume_up
As a result, we did garrison our army in Gloucester territory for a brief time.

link Edelgard volume_up
But I would hardly call that an unprovoked attack.

link Claude volume_up
Hah! And dead men tell no tales, right? Although I'll grant you that he sold us out to the Empire.

link Edelgard volume_up
Whatever transpired, the Empire and the Alliance did end up at war with one another.

link Edelgard volume_up
And I do not deny that the Imperial army caused harm within Alliance territory. We are prepared to offer appropriate restitution for that.

link Claude volume_up
That works. We'll take tangible resources over insincere apologies any day.

link Claude volume_up
We can hash out the definition of "appropriate" later. Want to move on to the real reason we're here?

link Edelgard volume_up
Yes, by all means. I trust you read my letter?

link Edelgard volume_up
The Central Church must be eliminated before Fódlan can be reborn.

link Edelgard volume_up
Your help would go a long way towards accomplishing that.

link Claude volume_up
Oh, I read it all right. And from a personal standpoint, it's something I can get behind.

link Claude volume_up
But as the leader of the Federation, I can't say the same.

link Claude volume_up
You can't expect the people of Leicester to embrace this Southern Church that you've dredged up out of nowhere.

link Hubert volume_up
I must take issue with that assertion. The Southern Church has a long and storied history in Fódlan.

link Holst volume_up
Nonsense. You hastily resurrected some dusty old sect and appointed the Empire's own Minister of Religious Affairs as its bishop.

link Holst volume_up
Do you honestly expect us to acknowledge such an obvious sham?

link Hubert volume_up
Heh. None of us will shed any tears if you do not. Nor did we truly expect that you would.

link Edelgard volume_up
We do not care where the Federation places its faith, so long as it is not in the Central Church.

link Claude volume_up
So all you're looking for is a little cooperation in taking them down? And I assume the Kingdom's on your hit list too, since they've given them sanctuary.

link Hubert volume_up
I understand the Federation faces challenges of its own. Surely you would prefer a quick return to stability at your borders with the Empire?

link Claude volume_up
Oh? I'd like to hear a little more about these challenges you think we have. But maybe now isn't the best time.

link Edelgard volume_up
Claude, we want stability. The decision is yours to make.

link Edelgard volume_up
Knowing you, I am certain you will carefully consider the costs and benefits, rather than let emotions dictate your decision.

link Claude volume_up
All right, I'm in. Holst, do you feel satisfied with those terms?

link Holst volume_up
Everything looks good to me—I'm especially glad we found a solution to the control of Myrddin.

link Edelgard volume_up
Hubert, I trust you have no objections?

link Hubert volume_up
None, Your Majesty. All that remains is the placement of your seals.

link Edelgard volume_up
Then let us conclude our discussions for now, and go inform the world that Adrestia and Leicester have joined forces for a brighter future.

link Claude volume_up
Sounds like a plan to me.

link Claude volume_up
I, Claude von Riegan, King of the Leicester Federation, hereby swear this pact.

link Claude volume_up
Leicester pledges to work in harmony with the Adrestian Empire, and do everything in its power to secure a peaceful future for Fódlan.

link Edelgard volume_up
By the covenant between the red blood and the white sword that crowns the double-headed eagle...

link Edelgard volume_up
I, Edelgard von Hresvelg, hereby swear this pact.

link Edelgard volume_up
Adrestia pledges to work hand in hand with the Leicester Federation to deliver peace to the land and secure a future for all its people.

link Hubert volume_up
The pact is sealed.

link Holst volume_up
And now it is our job to uphold it.

link Arval volume_up
I'm sure you noticed how Edelgard wouldn't even deign to acknowledge your existence.

link Arval volume_up
How empty does it make you feel, to witness history marching forward without any say in which direction it takes?