0. It's nice Arianrhod fell with little more than a hand [cdb]wave, but it's hardly comfortable knowing the enemy [cdb]is still on our doorstep.
1. Comfortable or no, we must take what few chances [cdb]we do have to rest. Battle will be upon us again before [cdb]we know it.
2. Not to mention the fortress is still a target. I mean, who wouldn't want their very own [cdb]impregnable stronghold?
3. Not to mention the fortress is still a target. I mean, who wouldn't want their very own [cdb]impregnable stronghold?
4. Our spies report that the enemy plans to mount such [cdb]an attack from Arundel land.
5. Arundel, huh? It's been two years since the territory [cdb]came under the emperor's control.
6. The wind carries rumors that Edelgard has been [cdb]keeping Lord Arundel imprisoned in his home [cdb]since then.
7. If it's true, I'll... I'll... No.
8. Were the enemy to strike and the Fortress City to [cdb]somehow fall, our path forward in this war would [cdb]grow exceedingly perilous.
9. The west doesn't face the kind of constant threats we [cdb]do, so there aren't as many strongholds here as in the [cdb]north, right?
10. Basically, though my uncle did say that's started to [cdb]change at least a tiny bit in the past couple of years.
11. In other words, the entire western region of the Kingdom is likely to fall into enemy hands if we [cdb]retreat from Arianrhod now.
12. Indeed. Which is exactly why we must take the [cdb]offensive and restrain this Imperial snake before [cdb]it can sink its fangs into us.
13. Hey, it'll be nice to strike first for once! It feels like [cdb]we've been on the back foot for a while now.
14. Right you are. And remaining on perpetual defense [cdb]would only lead to more meaningless, preventable [cdb]deaths.
15. Remaining on perpetual defense would only lead to [cdb]more meaningless, preventable deaths.
16. Get fired up.
17. Stay calm.
18. Offense is the best defense, I always say. We'll crush [cdb]anyone who has the gall to stand against us.
19. Offense is the best defense, I always say. We'll crush [cdb]anyone who has the gall to stand against us.
20. There you go getting carried away again. Look at [cdb]them, all stunned into speechlessness. Hm?
21. Whatever we decide to do, we need to stay on guard. Jeralt and his mercenaries could be around any [cdb]corner.
22. Whatever we decide to do, we need to stay on guard. Jeralt and his mercenaries could be around any [cdb]corner.
23. Yes, who knows when you might have another fateful [cdb]duel with the Ashen Demon? Hm?
24. Your Majesty! I bear terrible news!
25. Calm yourself. What is it?
26. The convoy escorting Count Rowe to the capital has [cdb]been attacked by an unknown assailant.
27. They've sustained heavy losses, and it seems Count Rowe has gone missing amid the chaos!
28. I see. And these assailants, we know nothing [cdb]about them?
29. Very little, Your Majesty. The survivors claim to have [cdb]been attacked by numerous mages.
30. Mages... No.
31. What's wrong? Do you know who it is?
32. What's wrong? Do you know who it is?
33. You saw the court mage Cornelia during our battle at Fhirdiad, yes?
34. Well, she disappeared almost immediately after. It's likely she has been burrowed away in western Faerghus ever since.
35. Which leads me to wonder if this attack wasn't her [cdb]handiwork somehow. It's merely a feeling, though.
36. I'd like to look into it further if possible, but [cdb]something tells me the Imperial soldiers won't wait [cdb]around patiently while we go off hunting for clues.
37. Perhaps you should send a separate unit to investigate [cdb]while we attend to the Empire.
38. Yes, that would be prudent for now. We cannot afford [cdb]to lower our guard for even a moment.