[ This is a serious conversation and one he'll treat as such, but just for a moment, when Steve shoots him that smirk? It's too difficult to resist grinning right back and that's just what Claude does, and then a bit wider again at the mention of counteracting the rumors. ]

Noted. I did once spend the better part of five years deliberately manipulating a nation with rumors and the like, so I'm sure I can think of some way to go about this.

[ No small task given in the Alliance he'd had considerably more resources at his disposal and any number of lords to send reeling this way or that with some carefully chosen words. But: there's no lack of contacts here either when Claude made them for the purpose of having them to call on someday, and what better time than now?

Something to think about. He sets it aside to continue listening to Steve while leaning back contemplatively in a picture of casualness that's anything but with what's said which sends his mind going through one thought after another. None of which are particular good when it comes to what aims the Free Cities might have since much like Steve's said, he also believes it's just a matter of time. ]

I suppose it's an understatement to say once again this can't mean anything good for what the Free Cities hopes to do or what the aftermath will be. If they've been working on this quietly all along then there's still a larger plan to uncover yet since the military has plenty of power here with goals to gain more yet. Unless Thorne also has something waiting for their next strike.

[ A statement which might be true, but one he certainly hopes isn't even as escalation seems impossible to avoid. ]