Understandable. If you had interfered in our client's work overly much, a contract for your death may've crossed our table at some point. It wouldn't have been anything personal, though... much like how our previous skirmishes weren't personal. It's a business, at the end of the day.
[Byleth's tone wasn't apologetic or shamefaced - just frank and to the point. Yuri being a mercenary himself likely understood: if you were paid to eliminate your client's enemy, there was usually no malice attached to the deed, just professionalism. At least, Byleth felt no animosity or malice towards those he was paid to kill.]
And the war that engulfed Fódlan was profitable work for us mercenaries. Saying that...
[He let out a rueful huff.]
...taking that contract with the Empire forced me to experience the bitter taste of defeat for the first time in a long while, thanks to Shez. He truly is my equal on the battlefield.
[The only one Byleth had actually felt genuine fear for on the battlefield. Shez came so close to besting him multiple times - as himself and under the thrall of Arval - that Byleth couldn't help but have a tinge of admiration in his otherwise even tone.]
no subject
[Byleth's tone wasn't apologetic or shamefaced - just frank and to the point. Yuri being a mercenary himself likely understood: if you were paid to eliminate your client's enemy, there was usually no malice attached to the deed, just professionalism. At least, Byleth felt no animosity or malice towards those he was paid to kill.]
And the war that engulfed Fódlan was profitable work for us mercenaries. Saying that...
[He let out a rueful huff.]
...taking that contract with the Empire forced me to experience the bitter taste of defeat for the first time in a long while, thanks to Shez. He truly is my equal on the battlefield.
[The only one Byleth had actually felt genuine fear for on the battlefield. Shez came so close to besting him multiple times - as himself and under the thrall of Arval - that Byleth couldn't help but have a tinge of admiration in his otherwise even tone.]