[Byleth actually started to frown, his lack of comprehension evident. He understood in a way, he did. Mercenary bands occasionally worked together to achieve a singular purpose - but the selfishness of such an action was always stated plainly between parties. They weren't 'alliances', they were 'favours'. Taking a contract for a client wasn't an 'alliance', that was just 'business'. Jeralt made sure Byleth understood that.
"How do I explain... a true ally is like a friend," Jeralt had said long ago. So, Byleth had used that as a handrail. An ally is a friend, and you do not betray friends. It was straightforward and simple, and he was beginning to realise maybe it was too simple. In the face of Claude's explanation, and the realisation that 'alliances' were tainted by that 'noble bullshit', it made Byleth feel more than a little stupid.]
no subject
[Byleth actually started to frown, his lack of comprehension evident. He understood in a way, he did. Mercenary bands occasionally worked together to achieve a singular purpose - but the selfishness of such an action was always stated plainly between parties. They weren't 'alliances', they were 'favours'. Taking a contract for a client wasn't an 'alliance', that was just 'business'. Jeralt made sure Byleth understood that.
"How do I explain... a true ally is like a friend," Jeralt had said long ago. So, Byleth had used that as a handrail. An ally is a friend, and you do not betray friends. It was straightforward and simple, and he was beginning to realise maybe it was too simple. In the face of Claude's explanation, and the realisation that 'alliances' were tainted by that 'noble bullshit', it made Byleth feel more than a little stupid.]
I thought allies were friends...?