I know you're right but... I had to at least try. I hadn't wanted to admit to the sorts of... things he'd allied himself with.

[Those beasts that had tortured Lysithea and done horrid things he could hardly recall. Still in league with them after all these years, or at least willing to use them to gain more political power. But he does smile faintly at Claude, grateful for the attempt at easing how hard he was being on himself. Even knowing how insurmountable a task it was, it doesn't make his failure any less devastating.]

Claude it had been ages since we last saw one another... [What does him being fine... a year ago? more than? have to do with things as they were in the present? He frowns, looking a bit dejected when Claude gets to that last question.]

So battle came to Derdriu after all. No, I wasn't there. I remember being at the bridge, trying to keep Father's attention on the Southern border rather than meddling with your plans. I had little choice in the matter, I took the field there to defend the bridge against the professor and the other Lions. I tried to convince Ferdinand to walk away, to come back to Derdriu before the battle even began. I-

[He shakes his head again, rolling his eyes at himself.]

I was such a stubborn fool.