“Fools! Your idi­otic game of sol­diers is damn­ing not just you, but all of us! What do you expect to gain? Wealth? Power? It will all amount to nothing.

“On behalf of the Black Rose Com­mit­tee, I am offer­ing you a chance to redeem your­selves. Free your­self of your so-called allies, for it’s they that stand to ben­e­fit from the war, at least for now. There’s not even that in it for you. Pledge alleigance to us, and pull your sol­diers back from the front. If any army dare attack you, be it Red or White, we will defend you.

“Don’t ask how, or why. It doesn’t mat­ter. All that mat­ters is that the war ends now, and in a man­ner that ensures you will be alive when it is over. Can any­one else guar­an­tee you that possibility?

“Exactly.”