0. Our war with the Alliance has gone on long enough? That's what Minister Bergliez said?
1. Yes, although he didn't say so begrudgingly. It was [cdb]almost as if he had come to respect the Alliance [cdb]and its leaders.
2. The Minister of Military Affairs, admiring an enemy [cdb]of the Empire? I cannot say that pleases me.
3. The emperor alone has the discretion to decide when [cdb]to bury the hatchet with a foe...and when to bury it in [cdb]their back.
4. That foolish warhorse has always caused nothing [cdb]but trouble for me. You and the emperor should be [cdb]prepared for more of the same.
5. Heh. Then we shall continue to rely upon our Minister of Domestic Affairs to keep him in check.
6. I assure you, that man only ever pretends to listen to [cdb]what I say.
7. But I will grant that if nothing else, his intuition [cdb]rarely misses the mark.
8. Therefore, Your Majesty, I would urge you to seek an [cdb]armistice with the Alliance.
9. I must confess, the same thought occurred to me [cdb]when I heard that Ferdinand had failed to capture Derdriu.
10. Perhaps it's time we focus the entirety of our armies [cdb]on the Kingdom front, and cease our attempts to [cdb]conquer the Alliance through military means.
11. Hm, yes. Through military means.
12. When an opportunity presents itself, send an envoy to Claude. Assuming he doesn't fall to the Almyrans, [cdb]that is.
13. He made short work of one of our armies. He will not [cdb]lose to Almyra.
14. We should inform Minister Bergliez of your [cdb]decision at once.
15. If he catches wind that the Alliance forces are [cdb]struggling, he may well charge off to fight Almyra [cdb]himself.
16. I hardly think he would do something so... On second [cdb]thought, who knows what that man would do.
17. Minister Hevring, I shall leave it to you to compose [cdb]the missive. Please write what you must to ensure [cdb]the count doesn't do anything rash.