0. Ah, I was wondering who it was. What fortuitous timing.
1. Did you need me for something?
2. Nothing in particular. I was simply thinking of having [cdb]a little chat with you. Please, do relax.
3. But I already am relaxed...
4. I've heard your background is quite the mystery. And what's more, that you possess some sort of [cdb]unknown power.
5. It's certainly a bold decision for Claude to put [cdb]someone like that in charge of frontline forces.
6. It's certainly a bold decision for Her Majesty to put [cdb]someone like that in charge of frontline forces.
7. I dunno if there's anything "bold" about it.
8. Oh? It seems you do not understand your [cdb]unique position then.
9. Each noble house in Leicester commands its own [cdb]knights, and those knights in turn enact the will of [cdb]their lords through the soldiers in their employ.
10. Typically, wars among regions are fought between [cdb]nobles and the knights in their servitude.
11. But you are no knight, merely a mercenary who [cdb]commands soldiers in fealty to nobody at all.
12. Maybe so, but all my orders come straight from the Alliance leader himself. What's the problem?
13. Maybe so, but all my orders come straight from the [cdb]emperor herself. What's the problem?
14. There is no problem, per se. You excel at what you do [cdb]and fight with true valor.
15. However! Protecting the people of Leicester [cdb]has always been the nobility's responsibility, [cdb]and theirs alone.
16. However! Protecting one's people during wartime [cdb]has always been the nobility's responsibility, [cdb]and theirs alone.
17. Some nobles may feel insulted that they have to rely [cdb]on a simple mercenary of unknown origin.
18. Seriously? But nobles are usually the ones hiring [cdb]mercenaries in the first place.
19. On the other hand, I hear there are more [cdb]commanders of common birth in the Empire of late.
20. On the other hand, it is true that Her Majesty has [cdb]actively appointed commanders of common birth [cdb]of late.
21. Given our current lack of resources, the Alliance [cdb]could serve to learn from them and promote more [cdb]commoners through our ranks.
22. This strategy has proven effective in shoring up our [cdb]ever-dwindling resources. And, of course, the nobles [cdb]have no choice but to obey Her Majesty.
23. Which means there should be no particular reason [cdb]for anyone to resent you.
24. Didn't you just say they might feel insulted? If nobody's getting all hot under the armor about [cdb]it, then there's no problem, right?
25. That said, this does not change the fact that a [cdb]noble's obligation is to protect the commonfolk.
26. Though your exact origins remain unclear, [cdb]you undoubtedly fall into the "commoner" [cdb]category as it stands.
27. Therefore, you are entitled to all the protection [cdb]a noble is compelled to provide. Simply say the word [cdb]if you ever require my assistance.
28. That does sound pretty good.
29. Not gonna happen.
30. Of course. Lorenz. You'll be the first person I go to. Capable guy like you has plenty of sway with the [cdb]other nobles, after all.
31. I think I'll pass. I might be a commoner, [cdb]but I'm a mercenary before anything else. Fighting is what I live for.
32. Y'know, at first I thought you were just coming to [cdb]complain, but you were actually trying to be nice.
33. Me? Nice? To you? Ahaha! My, you are funny.
34. Allow me to explain—I am the heir to House Gloucester. A noble among nobles.
35. My offer of aid was not an act of kindness. It was [cdb]a means to inform you of your place in this society.
36. You would do well to remember the order of things [cdb]here in Fódlan.
37. So you just came to tell me how I'm disrupting [cdb]the order? You are complaining!
38. Most certainly not! Do you really think me that [cdb]small-minded?
39. I've acknowledged your skills, and all I ask in return [cdb]is that you act according to your station. Understand?
40. I should just let this one slide.
41. That logic makes no sense.
42. All right, I'll keep that in mind. For now.
43. Not really, no. I mean, we're at war and you're [cdb]seriously telling me I need to worry about how [cdb]nobles and commoners are "supposed" to act?
44. In any case, my job as a mercenary is to fight, [cdb]simple as that. You're wasting your time if you're [cdb]gonna get all bent out of shape about me.
45. I am not—! Oh, never mind. We shall continue this [cdb]at a later date.