link Dedue volume_up
Your Majesty. The Federation army has reached the eastern outskirts of Fhirdiad.
link Dimitri volume_up
Already? They moved more swiftly than I anticipated. Clearly the snows of Faerghus are not a reliable ally.
link Annette volume_up
I was sure this attack would come at the same time as an offensive from the Imperial army.
link Annette volume_up
But from all I've seen at our western front, that doesn't seem to be the case at all.
link Sylvain volume_up
So the Federation army's trying to conquer our capital by themselves? They must think our military's totally incompetent.
link Dimitri volume_up
Well, it is true that the majority of our forces have been divided between the western front and the peacekeeping operations in the north.
link Dimitri volume_up
A situation most likely engineered by Claude himself.
link Gustave volume_up
Regardless, it is preposterous to think that an army of that size could capture every castle in Faerghus.
link Gustave volume_up
Even if they were to defeat us now, their victory would only win them the capital for a brief period of time.
link Rodrigue volume_up
True enough. The lords of Faerghus would converge upon them and retake Fhirdiad with ease.
link Dimitri volume_up
Then that must be part of their plan. If they do not intend to hold the capital, there must be something else they seek to gain.
link Dimitri volume_up
Something that concerns the Central Church, perhaps.
link Sylvain volume_up
That sounds about right. Maybe they're trying to curry favor with Edelgard by destroying the church before the Imperial army does.
link Rodrigue volume_up
Assuming that's true, it would suggest we could avoid a battle entirely if we turned our backs on the church.
link Dimitri volume_up
But doing so would divide Faerghus and lead to even more bloodshed. Is that not the conclusion we reached when this all began?
link Rodrigue volume_up
It was. And that's why we're still in this war today.
link Dimitri volume_up
I understand what you mean. If our involvement needlessly spills even more blood, then our calculations were gravely mistaken.
link Dimitri volume_up
However, the church has saved a great many people. People with no place to go, no home to call their own.
link Dimitri volume_up
The most optimal outcome would be to protect our people, our future, and the church all at once.
link Dimitri volume_up
But if I must choose to sacrifice one of those things, the answer is clear.
link Dimitri volume_up
I will do what I must as the king of Faerghus.
link Sylvain volume_up
...
link Dedue volume_up
Your Majesty, we must act soon if we are to meet the Federation army. I await your orders.
link Dimitri volume_up
I suppose we cannot act without first verifying Claude's true intentions.
link Dimitri volume_up
We must take the field. At the moment, we have no choice but to play the part Claude has written for us in this charade.
link Dimitri volume_up
Sylvain, don't let your enthusiasm get the better of you. If you find yourself too far ahead, fight your way back to us.
link Sylvain volume_up
I don't know what you're talking about, Your Majesty. I've got a much cooler head than you think.
link Dimitri volume_up
Rodrigue, send an envoy to Camulus and arrange for the evacuation of Lady Rhea and the others.
link Dimitri volume_up
And have the Knights of Seiros who are stationed in the capital accompany her. Tell them they are to serve as her bodyguards.
link Rodrigue volume_up
Won't we need them to aid in the defense of Fhirdiad?
link Dimitri volume_up
For now, I'd like them as far away from here as possible.
link Rodrigue volume_up
Understood. If by some chance we do find cause to sever ties with the church...
link Dimitri volume_up
Speak no further, Rodrigue. Not yet. Right now, we fight to defend our capital. That is all.