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Thank you, Claude. I owe you a great debt.
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Yeah, we really saved your skin. Though I'm sure you would've preferred to have us in your debt instead. Must really chafe having the shoe on the other foot.
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And what is that supposed to mean? If all you plan to do is mock me, then perhaps I'll not honor the debt after all.
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Hey, it was just a joke. Just something Lorenz said. Nothing for Your Imperial Majesty to worry about.
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...
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Jokes aside, do you have a minute? Eager as I am to get back out there and chase down our enemies, we need to talk.
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If you insist. What is it?
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Right now, the Federation and the Empire are fighting together against the Kingdom.
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But honestly, I have no desire to see Faerghus in ruins. I'm only after the Central Church.
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At this point, though, wouldn't you say the two are one and the same?
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I'm not so sure. When Dimitri decided to grant sanctuary to the Central Church, he really wasn't in any position to refuse.
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If he had, the chaos that ensued would've torn Faerghus apart.
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But what if things are adding up differently now? It's clear the war will drag on so long as he continues to shelter them.
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Besides, the Federation's Eastern Church and the Empire's Southern Church are both operating independent of Rhea's influence.
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The Central Church must be looking like a pretty heavy burden to Dimitri right about now.
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And hey, it's not like the Kingdom wouldn't still have the Western Church.
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Perhaps. But the archbishop has far more influence in Faerghus than anywhere else.
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Even if Dimitri has changed his mind, I doubt those around him would be open to the idea.
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The fact remains that the Kingdom has yet to show any sign of severing ties with the Central Church. They stand beside them even now.
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This is just a theory... Well, actually, it's more like wild speculation...
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But what if the reason Dimitri tried to take Garreg Mach was because he wanted to distance himself from the church?
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By facilitating Rhea's return to Garreg Mach, he could be trying to set the stage to break away.
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That's an interesting theory. Do you have any evidence to support it?
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Not really. But that's the impression I got when I saw Dimitri on the battlefield.
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To be honest, it didn't even occur to me before now.
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We were so determined to take down Rhea in that battle, we never spared a thought for Dimitri's motivations.
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I see. Had it occurred to you sooner, you would've had quite the decision to make. About whether to leave me for dead, I mean.
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After all, if the Central Church was really leaving the Kingdom to return here, abandoning me would've been the expedient choice.
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Oh, come on, Edelgard. Sure, we've had our differences, but that doesn't mean I want you dead!
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Hm. I'm happy to hear you say that, even if it is a lie.
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You wound me! It's the honest truth, from the bottom of my heart.
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So you say. No matter. You should continue to do as you see fit.
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And I will do all I can to bring this war to an end.
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Sounds like a plan. Let's end this war. Right now, that's all that matters.
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I will pursue the Kingdom's army westward, conquer Arianrhod, and take control of Faerghus.
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And I'll go north, after the Knights of Seiros. I'll defeat Rhea and dissolve the Central Church.
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Let us hope the paths we walk continue side by side.
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And don't forget that you owe me for today, Edelgard. If our paths do collide, I'll expect to see that debt repaid.