0. Did you manage to find Ferdinand and his troops?
1. No, but I spotted tracks that suggest they fled toward Garreg Mach.
2. No, but we found some tracks that indicate they fled [cdb]in the direction of Garreg Mach Monastery.
3. So they've given up on the southern route, and are [cdb]making their way back to the Empire by circling [cdb]west. It won't be easy to catch them now.
4. I'm just relieved that Ferdinand is still alive.
5. I must admit, I am too.
6. Yeah, same here. I just wish we could've caught him, [cdb]though. Knowing Ferdinand, he's gonna think the [cdb]only way to redeem himself is by attacking us again.
7. Well if he does, I'll just chase him away. I'll send [cdb]that guy packing as many times as we need!
8. I'm more worried about Jeralt and his mercenaries.
9. I'm more worried about Jeralt and his mercenaries.
10. I'm with you on that.
11. Right. Ferdinand would've never escaped if Jeralt's [cdb]people weren't covering him.
12. I suspect this won't be the last we see of them. We can't let their smaller numbers lull us into a false [cdb]sense of security. That's a surefire way to get beaten.
13. On the bright side, we've taken down most of what [cdb]was left of the Imperial army's invasion force.
14. I think it's fair to say the Alliance has officially made [cdb]it to the other side of this crisis. Great work, [cdb]everyone!
15. May I ask what our next move is, my lord?
16. Well, as you know, the Empire is currently locked in [cdb]battle with the Kingdom of Faerghus.
17. With fronts to the east and the west, the Empire is [cdb]stretched thin. They've been forced to divide [cdb]their army.
18. I'd be curious to hear what my favorite mercenary [cdb]thinks. What would your next move be?
19. As the brains of this duo, I'll take this one. The answer couldn't be clearer. Attack the enemy's [cdb]homeland.
20. Suggest fortifying the borders.
21. Suggest invading the Empire.
22. First off, I'd fortify our borders. Then we could rally [cdb]the Alliance army and prepare for what comes next.
23. First off, I'd fortify our borders. Then we could rally [cdb]the Alliance army and prepare for what comes next.
24. OK, that's the exact opposite of what I told you. I'm hurt that you place so little faith in me.
25. That would only serve to put us in the same position [cdb]as before, playing defense against the Empire. Now is [cdb]the time to go on the offensive!
26. We should cross the Great Bridge of Myrddin and [cdb]mount an assault on Empire territory. If we move in [cdb]now, we'll have a real shot at winning.
27. We should cross the Great Bridge of Myrddin and [cdb]mount an assault on Empire territory. If we move in [cdb]now, we'll have a real shot at winning.
28. Exactly what I was thinking! We should seize the [cdb]initiative and strike before the emperor and Count Bergliez can muster a response.
29. I agree. They attacked us first, so we're fully justified [cdb]in a retaliation.
30. What's more, if we can claim House Bergliez's [cdb]farmlands for ourselves, then the Alliance should [cdb]be sitting pretty for a century to come.
31. Um... Isn't Count Bergliez known for his incredible [cdb]strength?
32. But isn't Count Bergliez supposed to be [cdb]incredibly tough?
33. He may be Adrestia's mightiest warrior, but at the [cdb]end of the day, he's still just one man.
34. The Empire's invasion of Leicester has failed. That crack in their armor is just the opening we need [cdb]to strike.
35. If victory means peace for the Alliance, I'm all for it! I won't lose to this count, no matter how tough he is!
36. I'm sure if we don't take this opportunity, it won't be [cdb]long before the Empire regroups and attacks us again.
37. I don't approve of this at all. Surely the Alliance army [cdb]is already exhausted from fighting multiple battles.
38. So many of our soldiers are wounded. We should give [cdb]them time to rest and recover.
39. If our attacks were to somehow fail, then the Alliance [cdb]would be plunged right back into crisis.
40. And need I remind you, the next time the Empire [cdb]knocks on our metaphorical door, we will not be able [cdb]to employ the same tricks again.
41. We won't fail. I'll handle Count Bergliez myself, and I [cdb]will vanquish him.
42. But Holst, can you really afford to be away from our [cdb]territory for so long? Almyra could strike at any [cdb]moment!
43. My, this conversation's certainly gotten heated. Do I [cdb]sense another roundtable meeting in the works?
44. Seems like this kinda decision would need one of [cdb]those conferences, huh?
45. Seems like this kinda decision would need one of [cdb]those conferences, huh?
46. That's how it goes around here, yeah. I guess we'll [cdb]just have to table this discussion until then.