"Gold is always valuable and appreciated, especially Sawa's," Char says. "My people survive, and yours thrive, thanks mainly to trade."

He pauses, apparently considering his next words carefully. "However, there are other things to consider here. Zeon can't live off of coastal trade without friendly ports on the mainland, and our mutual acquaintances on the land side of the Rift have a vested interest in taking that trade away from us. A simple expansion north of Britain and some intimidation of smaller kingdoms to the west, and Amestris could starve my kingdom economically. Which, might I remind you, the mainland powers have tried to do before," he adds, referencing the mess of tensions that eventually resulted in the One Year War.

"More important than gold is land, is what I'm saying. I don't have the resources to take land for my own, and Sawa doesn't have any I can use - nor would I ask for an entire province in return for my sister, as dear as she is to me. What I ask for is simply a treaty guaranteeing the independence of Hirawyr from both Britain and Amestris until such time as I can begin administrating it. I know it's an unorthodox request, but I really do believe it benefits the both of us."