#this bluff

Literally wouldn't be surprised if the reason Fubuki opted to demand Lato in this way was because he knew from his own spy reports about the Haures incident and so knew Finley was controlled at all times by his most panicky elements and putting pressure on was a surefire way to get the Central Country to do literally whatever he wanted with minimal risk on his part.

I'm losing it.

I WANT to like this guy but so far he's just demonstrated an ability to say words and a near total inability to follow through. You could make a case for his situation in Episode 2 (even when he couldn't properly maintain control of his own kangaroo court), but this is turning into a fool me once, fool me twice sort of a relationship. Finley. Finley, please.

(Especially when he has the audacity to start off the chapter making demands of the butlers to prove themselves to him when it's like, my good sir, you're entirely in the right to be unsure about these new additions and no one's blaming you for it, but let's not pretend that you are not also on thin ice with us and have far less demonstrated ability to prove yourself a reliable ally in turn. You tortured one of us, my guy. Having to play lip service to the established historical ties between your house and the demon butlers is all well and good, but don't pretend that it must follow that it be real, come on now. You gotta earn that. This is why Lucas keeps undermining you every time you turn around.) (I do appreciate the character and worldbuilding realism that his automatic kneejerk reaction to these situations is bread-and-butter corporate/political power games, namely in trying to grab and maintain the upper hand by acting like his approval is the only one that matters and making people scramble for it, but like. Uno reverse, buddy. Two can play at social engineering.)