"…To put it in the most pessimistic terms, I would be forced to agree with that," Oliver said.
"Pessimism, is it?" Karstly said, his smile fading. "If you would be upfront with me, and say whether it was true or false, rather than trying to soften the blow for yourself, this matter would go a lot more quickly, and I would be much less likely to grow irritated with you."
"It is a nuanced matter, General, so I have responded with as much nuance as I can give you," Oliver said.
"If we think about it in your personal terms, then perhaps that would be true. If we think about it in terms of my army, it is far from such. You did not return to us with this promise of added strength fulfilled, and so, you have indeed failed," Karstly said.
"I suppose that is the heart of it," Oliver said, dipping his head.
