>>5380182In the short time you’ve known Hilda, you’ve grown fond of her. Something about the pink-haired beauty reminded you of Dorothea, whom you missed just as much as Ashe. As she’s escorting you towards Claude’s study while your bodyguards remain behind, you strike up conversation with her.
>“So then, what have I missed? How are things fairing here in Derdriu and the Alliance?”“Well, they’ve certainly been better.” She frowns. “The fighting hasn’t reached the Alliance, but everyone’s acting like it’s only a matter of time. Morale in the city is at an all-time low, and those Orthodox guys aren’t really helping. Right now, the Pro-Imperial faction is playing nice, but Claude thinks we’re at the point where if we slip up even once, they’ll use it as a pretext to launch an attack over the Great Bridge of Myrddin. If that happens, it won’t be long before the Alliance is in total chaos, just like the Kingdom.”
>“It’s only natural to be stressed at the prospect of civil war. I’ve seen first-hand what’s happened to Faerghus. Towns and villages razed, bandits and thieves every way you turn, brothers forced to fight each other. It’s very ugly.”“Claude’s doing his best to keep up appearances. Making us look a lot stronger than we really are. I think if it weren’t for him, Edelgard and Hubert would have had their way with us a long time ago. I just worry he’s pushing himself too far.”
>“If anyone could match those two devils in a game of wits, my gold would be on Claude.”“You think so?” She asks you. From the look on her face, she’s thought about this a lot. “You must have interacted with those two a lot back at the academy. Are they as good as they seem?”
>“We didn’t interact as much as you’d think. I wasn’t exactly in the ‘in-crowd’ of the Black Eagles. Still, they’re certainly very capable of planning ahead and keeping things under control, that much is certain. Though, I have my suspicions they’re receiving some substantial help.”“I see…” She pouts. If she’s expecting you to clarify further on who exactly you mean, she’s sorely mistaken. “I just wish we weren’t so alone. With the Kingdom on the verge of collapse and the Knights of Seiros scattered, it feels like we’re the only ones left standing up to those jerks. When’s something good going to happen?”
>“Hopefully as soon as Claude thinks of it.” You stop in front of the Alliance leader’s door, which Hilda opens to announce your presence.“Yoohoo, your royal majesty! Blair’s back, and she’s here to see you.”
“Ahh! Just the moody Pegasus Knight I was hoping to see! Please send her in.” You hear Claude say from within.
“I’ll leave the two of you to it. The last thing I want to do is sit in on some boring debriefing.” She smiles. “Glad you’re back safe, Blair. Don’t be a stranger.” She departs, allowing you entrance into Claude’s chambers.
