[Yuan thought that might get approval. His exhalation is a little like laughter in turn.]

[It also tells him Dirk is not paying all that much attention to them, which is something of a relief.]

I made the decision longer ago than that.

[He's declining to specify exactly how long, but by the time he went to Kratos, his mind was made up. Mostly.]

I would have-- but I kept thinking there must be another way. And while mana leaving the body and death usually coincide, they're not quite the same condition.

Trying it became an easier choice to make when it became clear Lloyd would be capable of wielding the Sword.

[All this is in a sort of casual, dry undertone, Yuan trying to still keep Dirk a little bit out of this while explaining to Kratos.]