- So Holst's leading the soldiers' drills himself, eh?
- And everyone looks to be way more into it than usual.
That's Holst for you, all right.
- My ears are burning, my lord.
- Holst! Well, what a surprise. I was just watching your
[cdb]drills.
- Everyone looks so spirited—probably because they
[cdb]know you're keeping an eye on them.
- So the soldiers aren't so enthusiastic with others?
- Training is only meaningful if it emulates true battle.
Without tension, it's little more than exercise.
- We'll need to improve our methods at once.
- Let's cut them a little slack. It's not like they're all
[cdb]goofing around when you're not there.
- It's just that everyone gets a tiny bit more excited
[cdb]when they get to see you in the flesh.
- You're Leicester's living legend—the powerful warrior
[cdb]who accomplishes feats of undaunted heroism without
[cdb]even a Crest to help him.
- And they get to train and fight with you? Seriously,
[cdb]it's probably the biggest thrill of their lives.
- Ha! You have quite the gift for flattery.
- But someone like me is nothing when compared to
[cdb]the Ten Elites.
- Of course, I wouldn't walk away from that fight
[cdb]empty-handed. Even unaided, I bet I could take a
[cdb]limb or two before the end.
- If you can keep up with the Ten Elites, I'll need to
[cdb]invent some even more impressive flattery.
- But I meant what I said about the troops. Honestly,
I feel the same excitement just standing next to you.
- Then it was worth my coming here.
- Still, I believe that you inspire far more trust and
[cdb]enthusiasm than I do.
- The Alliance would never have come together like
[cdb]this if that weren't the case.
- If only it would have. A little solidarity would go a
[cdb]long way for us.
- Anyway, thanks again, Holst. It's much appreciated.
- I'm just doing my job as the heir to House Goneril.
- All I do is for the sake of the Leicester Alliance.
- Though even more importantly, Hilda stands at your
[cdb]side. That alone is enough to keep me near at hand.
- It sounds like I need to thank Hilda instead, then.
- It couldn't hurt to do so—but also keep her safe.
- As you know, I've sworn to protect Fódlan's Throat
[cdb]with my very life if need be.
- So if the Almyrans turn their attentions to it, I'll have
[cdb]no choice but to return there at once.
- And if that happens, we'll be right there with you
[cdb]to drive them back.
- Call it a gut feeling, but I suspect their next attack
[cdb]will be a battle that changes Fódlan's fate forever.