[ He had a funny feeling that that was exactly what she was going to say. He isn't sure if he's disappointed or not. Her being here without any use of her magic is a foolish endeavor, he knows that, and a part of him wants nothing more than for her to bow to reason and accept that she has to leave. But he can appreciate her bravery, too, the desire to help others, the desire to get to the bottom of things. It's a desire that Claude shares.

He knows, too, that if it comes down to putting himself between her and danger, he'll do that. He'd be a real piece of shit not to. But she doesn't need to know that, does she? He's always put on his fair share of bravado, has his reputation as a schemer and a coward (he still remembers how disappointed and disapproving Edelgard and Dimitri looked when he turned tail from those bandits, tutting about a lack of courage as though it's meaningful to get your throat cut), but that's only when he doesn't have someone else to care about. ]

I'll be just fine, [ he promises her. ] But I want you to remember one thing, and that goes for both of us: it's never cowardice to run. The only winner in battle is the one who gets to live another day. Nothing more, nothing less.

[ It's more than battle strategy. It's his life philosophy. You can't do anything when you're dead. ]

So if it's looking bad in there? We get out. Both of us. Got it?

[ His speech done, he takes a deep breath, makes sure to put the bulk of his frame in front of Ange, and forges onwards. ]