link
Byleth, Lorenz, Hilda, Claude, Cyril, Judith enter the scene
link
Lorenz
volume_up

Claude. It is time for you to explain. Why are you so close with an Almyran general?
link
Hilda
volume_up

Hey Claude... Can you explain something? How is it that you know that guy from Almyra?
link
Claude
volume_up

Well, he did quite a bit for me when I was younger.
link
Lorenz
volume_up

When you were younger... So, before you joined House Riegan. How and where did you meet him?
link
Lorenz
volume_up

There aren't many opportunities to meet a general from Almyra in Fódlan...
link
Hilda
volume_up

OK, but...there aren't many opportunities to meet someone from Almyra...
link
Claude
volume_up

If that's what you believe, it's only because that's what you've been led to believe.
link
Claude
volume_up

After all, we have Cyril here among our allies, and he was born in Almyra.
link
Cyril
volume_up

Hey, now. Don't drag me into this.
link
Claude
volume_up

There's a big, wide world outside of Fódlan, and it's overflowing with different places and cultures.
link
Claude
volume_up

You think interacting with outsiders is odd, but isn't avoiding contact with the outside world far more unnatural?
link
Lorenz
volume_up

Don't change the subject, Claude. To the people of the Alliance, the Almyrans are—
link
Claude
volume_up

It's true that there's a history of hostility, but why should that mean we're doomed to remain hostile forever?
link
Claude
volume_up

The Almyrans aren't monsters. Just look at Cyril! Does he look like a monster to you?
link
Cyril
volume_up

Hey, what's that supposed to mean?
link
Claude
volume_up

The Almyrans aren't monsters. You saw it for yourself, didn't you? If you just give them a chance, you'll see that they're people.
link
Claude
volume_up

Right, Teach? What did you think when you met Nader?
link
Claude
volume_up

Ha! I'll tell him you said that. And I'm sure that if all of you got to know him, all of your preconceived notions would change too.
link
Claude
volume_up

I know you guys, and you aren't the type of people to reject someone without trying to get to know them.
link
Hilda
volume_up

But...how did those Almyrans even get past Fódlan's Throat?
link
Hilda
volume_up

I doubt my brother would just let them pass without saying anything...
link
Claude
volume_up

About that... I actually made sure your brother met Nader in advance.
link
Lorenz
volume_up

What?! Lord Holst met with an Almyran general?
link
Hilda
volume_up

Oh, so that's why you were so interested in my brother.
link
Hilda
volume_up

But wait, they're supposed to be bitter enemies! They've fought each other several times before!
link
Claude
volume_up

I know. It was a big gamble.
link
Claude
volume_up

But rather than having me try to convince them myself, I knew it would be easier to just have them meet.
link
Claude
volume_up

They were taken aback at first, but sure enough, they hit it off. They were even drinking to their newfound brotherhood before parting.
link
Judith
volume_up

It makes sense. If you take the greatest heroes away from the battlefield, of course they'll get along.
link
Hilda
volume_up

Fighting one minute and drinking together the next... Men are so weird!
link
Claude
volume_up

Ultimately, someone's bloodline has nothing to do with the friendships they forge.
link
Claude
volume_up

Relations between the Alliance and Almyra is a matter we'll tackle in the future.
link
Claude
volume_up

Still, I want to take this opportunity to make one thing clear to all of you.
link
Claude
volume_up

After we defeat the Empire, I intend to tear down the walls that separate Fódlan from the outside world.
link
Claude
volume_up

I want to let people and goods come and go freely, and in doing so, eradicate prejudices about the outside world.
link
Cyril
volume_up

Huh?!
link
Lorenz
volume_up

Would it even be possible to achieve such a thing? It directly contradicts the Seiros tenets.
link
Claude
volume_up

Does it? I'm not so sure.
link
Claude
volume_up

In any case, I'm prepared for the inevitable protests and criticism. New ways of doing things are always met with resistance.
link
Claude
volume_up

During our time at the Officers Academy, all of you overcame the barriers of birthplace, status, and ideology.
link
Claude
volume_up

Having gone through so much with all of you, I have no doubt that, in time, you'll understand.
link
Hilda
volume_up

I guess there were a lot of different people there. People we wouldn't have met through the normal course of our lives.
link
Claude
volume_up

Duscur once opposed the Kingdom, but there was someone from Duscur there. Brigid once invaded the Empire, but the Brigid princess was there.
link
Claude
volume_up

We ate at the same table as those people. Sure, sometimes we didn't get along. But other times, we helped each other out.
link
Claude
volume_up

Can we really draw a definitive line in the sand and say one group of people is all good, and another all bad?
link
Claude
volume_up

If I can realize my dream, Fódlan will be reborn. The old age will end and we'll welcome a new dawn.
link
Lorenz
volume_up

But, if—
link
Judith
volume_up

Save your objections for another day, Gloucester boy.
link
Lorenz
volume_up

Ugh...
link
Judith
volume_up

I think everyone understands what you're saying. It just may take some time to accept it.
link
Judith
volume_up

That said, there are more pressing matters to discuss. Our next step is to invade the Imperial capital, right?
link
Claude
volume_up

That's right. I'm sure Edelgard is eagerly awaiting our arrival in Enbarr.
link
Claude
volume_up

Reinforcements from the Alliance lords should arrive soon. Let's make sure we're ready to greet them.