0. Ah, Sylvain. I was hoping to ask your opinion on our [cdb]recent meeting.
1. Hey, I'm always happy to talk! But if you want House Gautier's take, shouldn't you ask my father?
2. I don't want House Gautier's opinion. I want yours.
3. OK. Well, we were talking about the pros and cons [cdb]of incorporating commoners in the nobility, right? Seems to me like we got it all sorted out.
4. Yes. The discussion primarily revolved around a single [cdb]point: whether those without Crests are actually [cdb]worthy of entering the nobility.
5. I mean, if they're up to the challenge, I don't see [cdb]why not.
6. It's like how you promoted my brother, right? Skill is what matters in the end.
7. Indeed, and the performances of Ashe and the [cdb]commander serve as proof of such.
8. Just don't get carried away, you know? Too much of a [cdb]good thing and all that.
9. I'm sure you realize what would happen to the Kingdom if we lost the power of Crests.
10. Naturally. However, Crest bloodlines are currently [cdb]fading everywhere.
11. People such as Felix who were born with Major Crests [cdb]are the exception in this day and age.
12. Which means Faerghus has two options if we want to [cdb]retain our power.
13. One, we bolster our military and promote prosperity [cdb]while delicately letting the bloodline dance play out...
14. Or two, we admit bloodlines won't last forever and [cdb]create a social system that doesn't rely on inheritance.
15. Neither one would hold up for long, but if I had to [cdb]choose, I guess the first option would be the better [cdb]one for the Kingdom on the whole.
16. Bolstering our military is more easily said than done.
17. Impoverished as our land is, it will be difficult to [cdb]compete with regions of more fertile ground.
18. Hey, do you remember what I said when you talked [cdb]to me about promoting my brother?
19. I told you it was important to keep up appearances [cdb]while we were in the middle of a war.
20. And honestly, I don't have any real objection to the [cdb]way you're running things now.
21. Thank you, Sylvain. I knew you would help me sort [cdb]things out in my head.
22. Ha! I don't usually get into serious stuff like this, [cdb]but I'm glad I could help.
23. Such topics are not beyond your grasp, though. Your complete sincerity is a great strength.
24. That said, you never show that side of you to any [cdb]but Felix and myself.
25. Although I must admit, you were far from sincere [cdb]during our academy days.
26. Ugh, don't remind me. Just thinking about it makes [cdb]me cringe.
27. If you see the error of your ways, it is not too late to [cdb]mend them—or perhaps you require one of my [cdb]lectures, like old times?
28. Pass! You know I've got 'em all memorized anyway.
29. I do hope you realize how much I rely on you, Sylvain.
30. You have so many things I lack. You're clever and [cdb]quick-witted like your father, yet—
31. Yeah, well, I've been jealous of your strength ever [cdb]since we were kids.
32. None of us are perfect, so let us dwell no longer on [cdb]our failings.
33. I apologize for taking up so much of your time, [cdb]though I hope to have similar discussions in the [cdb]future.
34. Looking forward to it! Glad I can always speak my [cdb]mind around you.