Byleth & Balthus A

Balthus
I see... By any means necessary, then. Before the war's end.

Balthus
I'm covered. But just to be safe, I need you to check on my mother and Kupala.

Balthus
...

Balthus
Still following me, huh? We have got to work on those manners, pal. Unless you really meant that bit about protecting me.

Balthus
No doubt about it. She's been honing her crazy plans lately. All because I've taken to fighting at your side.

Balthus
She thinks I'm making a name for myself before my glorious return to House Albrecht. Being delusional is her sport.

Balthus
There's little advantage to her going after my mom, but she's unpredictable. Gotta stay vigilant.

Balthus
Guess I haven't talked about her. After her and my pops split, she returned home.

Balthus
Where she's from...it's kind of an odd place.

Balthus
You know the folks who live in the mountains of the Alliance? Heh, guessing that's a no. Few do.

Balthus
Imagine a place with no influence to speak of, nestled in the mountains on the Almyran border. That's Kupala.

Balthus
Well, they're not mountain goats. And it's not like they never interact with the lords of the Alliance.

Balthus
They're incredibly isolated, though. Even their trade relations are remarkably limited.

Balthus
Doubt that'll change. The land lacks resources worth fighting over. Probably for the best, honestly.

Balthus
Oh, but back to my mom. She was different. An exception to the rule in Kupala.

Balthus
She left the mountains, was rescued by my dad, and fell madly in love with him.

Balthus
My birth helped matters, but only a little. House Albrecht just wasn't where she belonged.

Balthus
My dad was in a tough spot. He was obligated to marry a fellow noble and produce a fitting heir.

Balthus
Nobody'd want to live out their days where they're utterly unwelcome. So my mom returned to Kupala.

Balthus
Then it happened. I was enrolled in the Officers Academy at Garreg Mach, and everything changed.

Balthus
During my enrollment examination, they discovered that I bear the Major Crest of Chevalier.

Balthus
My dad decided to resist his family's wishes and make me the head of the house after I graduated.

Balthus
Thing is, the truth of my special Crest was kept a secret, by decree of the church.

Balthus
He couldn't tell anyone about my prized bloodline, so I was forced to step down as the legitimate heir.

Balthus
It was for the best. My Crest was inherited from mountain folk who prefer to keep to themselves.

Balthus
Imagine what would happen to Kupala if it got out. We both know it would destroy their way of life.

Balthus
Too true. I'm guessing the church thought my Crest would cause trouble in Fódlan.

Balthus
But don't get me wrong. No matter what life's thrown at me, I'm no victim.

Balthus
Like I've said, I prefer it this way. I've gotta be free. Even if things were different, I'd still choose this life.

Balthus
But I can't let my mother and her people pay the price for keeping peace in Fódlan. Wouldn't be right.

Balthus
All I can do is make a name for myself in battle and secure enough power to protect them. Failure isn't an option.