link Felix volume_up
Pardon my lateness, Your Majesty.
link Dimitri volume_up
You needn't worry, Felix. I know your duties are many. Though I'm afraid we could not wait for you to begin the discussion.
link Felix volume_up
This is about the Empire's declaration of war against the Central Church, yes?
link Dimitri volume_up
Indeed. As you're aware, we have already begun accepting refugees from Garreg Mach.
link Dimitri volume_up
But a few days ago, I received a confidential request from Seteth asking us to protect the higher-ranking members of the church, including Lady Rhea herself.
link Dimitri volume_up
Of course, we'd only meet this eventuality were Garreg Mach to fall.
link Dimitri volume_up
As it stands, we find ourselves quite literally stuck between the Empire and the church. I'm not sure how much longer we can remain neutral.
link Viscount Elidure volume_up
If I might, Your Majesty. Troubling as it may be, I believe it prudent for us to reject this proposal from the church outright.
link Viscount Elidure volume_up
Offering them shelter will only serve to provoke an invasion from the Empire.
link Viscount Elidure volume_up
This matter of the Southern Church concerns me as well, but I believe we have more important matters to be fussing over at the moment.
link Matthias volume_up
Your counsel is much appreciated, Viscount Elidure, but I assure you things are not as cut and dry as you make them out to be.
link Matthias volume_up
The mandate granted to the king of Faerghus and all the lords who serve under him is given legitimacy only by the grace of the church.
link Matthias volume_up
Are we to renounce the very heart of this Kingdom simply because we shudder at the thought of invasion?
link Viscount Elidure
...
link Matthias volume_up
War will always come at one point or another, and some degree of suffering is purely inevitable. You know this as well as I, Viscount.
link Viscount Elidure volume_up
You dare speak of suffering, do you? When the blaze of war will not scorch your lands in the north as it does ours?
link Felix volume_up
I would normally agree that those of us from the northern territories should hold less sway in this discussion.
link Felix volume_up
But if Garreg Mach were to fall, the warfront would not halt in the west.
link Felix volume_up
Your Majesty, what of House Rowe, or Galatea? Or the others in the south?
link Dimitri volume_up
Not a word from Count Rowe as it stands, but I did receive a missive from Count Galatea.
link Dimitri volume_up
It read, "My people are not fools enough to rejoice in the surrender of their territories to invaders."
link Dimitri volume_up
"There is no morality in turning our backs on the institution at the very foundation of our lives. We must support the church as they have supported us."
link Gustave volume_up
Your Majesty, we owe a great debt to the Central Church for their role in quelling the uprising two years ago.
link Gustave volume_up
To not repay such generosity in kind would risk weakening the trust of your vassals.
link Felix volume_up
And if that happens, we might find ourselves right back in the same mess as before.
link Felix volume_up
They lack the Crest of Blaiddyd, but there's no small number of nobles who might crawl out of the woodwork claiming royal blood.
link Felix volume_up
The Kingdom's already seen the turmoil and division such claimants can bring after the death of King Klaus.
link Viscount Elidure volume_up
But Duke Fraldarius! Surely we are better served attempting to head off the very real and imminent war at hand instead of debating hypothetical unrest?
link Dimitri volume_up
I don't want my people to suffer the pain of conflict. But does anyone here really think the Empire will simply stop if we appease their every demand?
link Dimitri volume_up
Suppose we do let the Empire take the archbishop. And suppose we accept this new Southern Church. Then what?
link Gustave volume_up
I imagine the Empire plans to install the bishop of the Southern Church, Count Varley, in Lady Rhea's place.
link Gustave volume_up
I fear I've heard nothing good concerning either the man himself or his teachings.
link Gustave volume_up
They purport to be an arm of the Church of Seiros, but the Southern Church is nothing more than a mouthpiece for the Empire at large.
link Matthias volume_up
In other words, rejecting the Central Church in favor of this new Southern one would be no different from flat out accepting Imperial rule.
link Matthias volume_up
It's hard to say just how they would treat our kingdom were such events to unfold.
link Matthias volume_up
Though I imagine it would involve heavy taxation for the express purpose of bleeding Faerghus dry. And filling the Imperial coffers.
link Felix volume_up
Ngh.
link Dimitri volume_up
Do you have something to add, Duke Fraldarius?
link Felix volume_up
Not really, no. I was just wondering how long we were planning to continue this tedious charade.
link Felix volume_up
The question's simple: do we hand over our kingdom and subject ourselves to Imperial rule, or not?
link Dimitri volume_up
I believe the margrave has been quite clear as to what will happen if we give in to the Empire's demands.
link Dimitri volume_up
We've all been informed of the rapid reformation their region has undergone. Many aspects of which I admire, I'm not ashamed to say.
link Dimitri volume_up
But an old, stubborn land like ours isn't suited for such tempestuous change.
link Dimitri volume_up
Radical new freedoms are not what the people of Faerghus need right now.
link Dimitri volume_up
They need stability. Steady improvement in their daily lives. And real, lasting change can only come from a solid foundation.
link Felix volume_up
Sounds like Your Majesty has made up his mind, then. Just say the word and we'll leap into action.
link Dimitri volume_up
Ahem.
link Dimitri volume_up
The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus will hereby offer asylum to the Church of Seiros. Everyone, sharpen your blades and prepare for the battles ahead.
link Dimitri volume_up
Gustave. Dedue. Make to ride at once. Our intentions must be made clear.
link Dimitri volume_up
Not only to the church and the Empire, but to Count Rowe as well. And all the other lords who failed to answer my summons.
link Dedue volume_up
Understood, Your Majesty.