[ No, there's little need for Claude to hide how he feels about this. He already knows Steve's thoughts on the idea of forced enlistment, and if this information came from a general, that means that it carries more than a little weight.

Gripping the small shield with just one hand, both of his arms fling down to his side as he scoffs. ] I wish I could say I'm surprised, but too often this is what happens when things get desperate in wartime. It might not be limited to just us Summoned, either. They could institute a draft.

[ Any able-bodied person over a certain age could have their name called to join the military, with no option to refuse unless they deserted to another faction. That very well might happen. Steve doesn't know enough about the people of the Free Cities to guess if they would simply go along with those orders, seeing it as their duty, or if they would resist. ]

If that does happen, the best course of action would be to try and inspire the people to protest it. Strength in numbers.

[ Would it be enough? Steve's not sure. But he also believes that if the Prime Minister tried to force any Summoned to fight in her war, it would not necessarily end well for her. They're all pretty damn tenacious and not ready to just fall in line. ]