[ And that prompts another chuckle from him, just a pair of light breaths pushing past his lips. Every now and then, the juxtaposition of the Ashen Demon's menacing figure and Byleth's softer side still catches him off guard, but this may be the first time he hears the guy ask for mercy for someone else's sake-- in a battle that wasn't even likely to happen, to begin with.

Again, he gets it. And if Byleth needs the added reassurance, then: ]

I don't really make it a habit to throw hands with a buddy's kin if I can help it, y'know. Besides, it would make for a terrible impression as your future co-captain, right?

[ Nevermind that they may have to challenge his actual immediate family in case Jeralt wasn't planning to retire, but the teasing -- and also the sentiment that he's aware these are Byleth's ancestors, in a way -- still stands! ]

Now, let's get this show started! Break a leg, buddy!

[ ... it's meant to be encouragement, a wish of good luck in the way performers do (thanks for the tip, Dorothea) but considering the, uh, enthusiastic nudge to his back -- a shove, it's a shove -- then it could... possibly work as a cue?? ]