1. I've returned, Father.
  2. Hm, yes.
  3. Father, between your feigned betrayal and surprise [cdb]attack at the Great Bridge, your leadership in this war [cdb]has been nothing short of exceptional.
  4. However, I must ask why you felt it necessary to [cdb]exclude me from your plans! I could've assisted you, [cdb]had only I known your intentions.
  5. No. If Derdriu had fallen, House Gloucester would [cdb]have remained a loyal vassal to the Empire.
  6. There was no need for you to share the stigma of [cdb]that betrayal. I wanted your hands to remain clean.
  7. You are, after all, the heir to the noble House Gloucester.
  8. Father...
  9. But I will tell you this. Claude von Riegan is [cdb]dangerous. In this matter, I allowed him to inveigle [cdb]me into going along with his scheme.
  10. And what was borne of this plan of his? Much of our [cdb]domain became a battlefield, its citizens exposed to [cdb]considerable peril.
  11. That seems a small price to pay considering all we [cdb]have gained.
  12. An Alliance leader who dismisses any amount of [cdb]suffering is unfit to bear the title. I am convinced that Claude will never understand this.
  13. Now, that is not necessarily...
  14. Listen to me, Lorenz! I am done obeying that [cdb]reckless child.
  15. You cannot mean to secede from the Alliance.
  16. No, of course not. I intend to yield my title.
  17. What?!
  18. Claude may be the one to save our Alliance, but I [cdb]refuse to serve under him all the same.
  19. You, however, are much more adept at dealing with [cdb]his particular style of leadership. Would you not [cdb]agree?
  20. You are proposing I become head of this house? Are you certain?
  21. Lorenz... My son. I have long forced you to uphold [cdb]my own ideals.
  22. That too ends today. Going forward, you shall act in [cdb]accordance with your own beliefs.
  23. My only stipulation is that you never forget your duty [cdb]to protect the commonfolk and always consider their [cdb]best interests.
  24. You have my word. I stand both honored and [cdb]humbled to accept the countship of House Gloucester.