Joining Forces

To think we'd get into a scrap here of all places.

We're lucky we all made it out alive.

I'm sorry for involving you in this.
I can see why they call you a hero.

Don't worry about it. In this day and age, it's a miracle I've been unscathed this long.

Well, that's ancient history.

Anyway, long time no see, Professor! Are you still watching this boy's back?

Can you quit calling me a boy in front of everyone? I'm the leader of the Alliance now. It's not proper—

Not proper, is it? Says the leader who has neglected Alliance territory for years.

If you're really the "Master Tactician," you should go back to working quietly at whatever little desk you do your planning on.

Ugh, don't call me that either. Who even came up with that nickname?

It's a perfect title for a boy who loves crafty schemes as much as you do.

You should be grateful to the professor. On your own, you'd look like a scoundrel of a leader.

Hilda

Haha! Claude's usually so flippant, but even he gets overwhelmed when Judith is around!

Lorenz is alive & recruited
Else

As expected from the leader of the prestigious House Daphnel. Her dignity is beyond compare, even if she is no longer one of the Five Great Lords.

The Five Great Lords?
The prestigious House Daphnel?

The five most influential lords of the Leicester Alliance. They hold the voting rights at the roundtable conferences.

House Daphnel used to be included among their ranks, but division from within has hastened their decline.

Their vote has since been passed to the emerging Margrave Edmund.

Thanks for the exposition, Gloucester boy.

Boy?! I will not—

Now, to business. There were some unexpected interruptions, but I've brought soldiers and supplies, as promised.

Thanks, Judith. I'll gladly take them off your hands...

Hold your horses, boy. You're misunderstanding.

These soldiers are precious to me. I made them what they are. I'm not about to loan them out to someone.

No? Then why did you come here?!

What I'm saying is that I'll be joining your army.

You're going to fight the Empire with the Knights of Seiros, right? Fight for Lady Rhea? Not without me.

That's admirable and all, but we still don't know for sure if Rhea is in the—

Oh, she's there. A witness saw Lady Rhea being dragged off by the Imperial army after the battle five years ago.

Alois is alive & recruited
Else

Alois

Are you sure your source is reliable?!

Knight of Seiros

Are you sure?!

One of my own saw it happen. I'm certain.

Alois is alive & recruited
Else

Alois

It seems we chose wisely when we decided to fight against the Empire.

Knight of Seiros

So we were right in our decision to fight against the Empire.

But you're the leader of House Daphnel. Is it OK for you to leave your territory unattended?

And what about you? Is it OK for you to leave the Riegan territory unattended?

That's... I've left it in the hands of a reliable retainer and—

And I've asked that retainer to watch over Daphnel territory as well.

Wait, wait, wait... You just up and decided to get my retainer to do that without even asking me? No respect, this one...

What retainer?

Oh? You haven't met him yet, Professor? His name is Nardel.

He strikes me as a really special individual. And he's quite handsome too!

So that's your definition of handsome?

No objections, then? Good. That settles it. House Daphnel is now yours to command.