Krell Belmont pondered for a moment, then smiled. "You're too kind. Nephi is, of course, deeply sympathetic to and respectful of the Commonwealth's current predicament."
His answer was clearly the product of years of rigorous professional training.
The marshal gave a wry smile. "But you'll have to wait until your country's general election is over before making any concrete decisions, won't you?"
Belmont nodded. "A caretaker government really can't make decisions on major national defense matters. But once the election is over, everything will be fine."
"And your country will need to be at peace at home, too, right?"
Belmont continued to nod, then shook his head. "Your Excellency, domestic peace is actually a relative concept. You should have faith in the Alliance. We can handle more than one major crisis at a time."
"So the Alliance's decision to go to war depends on your country's subjective attitude, not the objective reality, is that right?"
Krell Belmont watched the marshal sitting before him, head bowed and proceeding with great caution. He suddenly felt that the man was rather interesting, not as mediocre as the intelligence department had claimed. He would have to keep observing him.
"Your Excellency, the objective reality is that the Alliance would never stand by and watch the Commonwealth be swallowed up by the Empire."
The marshal seemed to believe him—or perhaps he had no other choice but to believe him. Either way, he smiled and personally poured him another drink. "If I remember correctly, sir, you and our Lieutenant General Yu Lian are good friends."
Krell Belmont stood tall and spoke in a voice that rang out as if he were swearing an oath to the spirit of the universe. "Our friendship is absolutely unbreakable. We're kindred spirits!"
"And now..."
"It's just that his political views