third_liberator | Holly Heights: Mailbox

So it's not just an excuse...

[ That really doesn't sound fair... He wants to ask so many things like "How can they start a war just on those grounds?" but he's sure the reasons are more complex than that.

In the end, he just shakes his head. ]

Sorry... I shouldn't be asking about all of this.

You have no reason to apologise... The teachings and the religion are to be a peaceful one. My country is also one that intends to keep peace between the other two countries. It's also the Order's duty to uphold the Score.

[Ion's only able to shake his head again.]

But I could not allow the war to follow through.

...So when it came down to choosing between keeping peace and upholding the Score...

[ Ion chose peace even if it seems like he wasn't successful. It feels like a weird disconnect, that Ion's religion would be about peace but the "Score" they follow predicts violence.

But if it had existed for so long and really could predict the future, maybe it was just realistic. ]

...Were you able to see it end?

...It became much more complicated than simply ending a war. There was a great escalation into seeing that the planet would be completely destroyed.

[Granted, Ion has held back on a few details but he isn't here to talk someone to death. Though that may have already been put into motion.]

... That couldn't have been foreseen, could it?

The Score would truly state that the planet would come to an end. But there were many things that were not written in the Score, Tyr, as it was pushed off its track.

......

[ "Happiness," Ion had said. No wonder he wanted another way. Tyr frowned both because he couldn't understand and he didn't want to. ]

Ion...

What was the point of following it if it was already off course? If people knew that...

I may have been the head of the Order but it did not mean that a majority agreed with my opinion. It is more of a matter of what people were wanting to hear and believe.

I see... I...

[ He should have stopped asking a while ago. Things were just getting worse and worse and he knew he had to be dredging up bad memories for Ion.

Reaching over, Tyr grabbed Ion's wrist. ]

It's getting late. [ no it isn't ] Let's have lunch together...

[It had been too much for Tyr, in the end. And this had all been for the sake of trying to help clear his mind for a few hours. He isn't able to muster an apology as he glances down at the hand on his wrist. But he doesn't fail to make eventual eye contact and brings himself to nod.]

I would like that.

[Time to get moving.]

Then let's get going...

[ Leave it to Ion to not call Tyr out on his bad excuse. Although he notices Ion looking down at his hand, he simply loosened his hold as they walked back out of the building. ]

You know...I agree with your opinion...even if it doesn't count for anything here...

[Lunch does not sound as though it is a terrible idea, in the end. It may make the both of them feel a little better.]

You do?

[ Tyr nods and releases Ion's arm. ]

Even if wars are sometimes necessary, they should always be a last resort...something to try to avoid at all costs.

[He is relieved that it did not sound like complete madness to the other.]

...That's right, you said you served in the army. You would be aware of this knowledge, firsthand.

[ Fear not, it didn't. ]

That's right...

[ During a civil war of all things. ]

If I had to do it again...I wonder if anything could have been done differently.

As in the choices that had been made? The idea of getting somewhere at a better time?

[Even if those things may not matter so much they do plague the mind.]

If it isn't a bother that I ask, what was your rank?

[ While Tyr had purposely left all of that vague for their first meeting, Tyr only hesitated for a few moments before confessing: ]

I was the Commander of the Liberation Army... And...that wasn't what I meant... I meant that I wonder if...anything could have been done to end the war without any more fighting...

[ He's almost certain the answer is "no" or Mathiu would have suggested it. Or any of his generals. There probably wasn't anywhere to go but to completely dismantle Scarlet Moon.

It's still a thought that comes to him, though. ]

[For now, Ion stops outside of the church's doors.]

The Liberation Army...

[Things are making sense so easily.]

I can't fault you for having to question the matter in that way. The grounds of war are cruel and sometimes unnecessary. Discussion isn't something that can be used to reason others with...

[He is not sure if he has anymore in mind to say but he does pause.]

It is safe to assume that your army was victorious in the end?

[ At least thinking of the outcome is enough to make Tyr smile a little. If they hadn't won in the end...for one thing, he'd probably be dead along with Ion, and for another, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. ]

That's right... That was a few months ago even before I got here... From what I've heard, it's doing well now.

Anyway, I...don't think there really was any other way about it, yet...I wonder sometimes if there could have been.

[It is then that Ion proceeds to walk once more.]

It's only natural to want to explore other possibilities. You must have only justice in mind.

[At least Tyr has cheered up a little.]

Congratulations.

Thanks...

[ At least Ion doesn't think he's foolish even though he also doesn't know the entire story. ]

My comrades...they were all amazing. I can't really take much credit.

[ He slips his hands back into his pockets. ]

What do you want for lunch? We have a lot of options...

A leader is nothing without others. They must be quite remarkable. But you must not rob yourself of credit, either, as the only could be the same for you. You had to have worked to get where you were. Your comrades have good minds.

[That's how he sees it, at least, with the little he knows.]

There is a Japanese restaurant that I've been interested in going to if that doesn't bother you.

[ Tyr simply nods. There's something to be said about humility, but he doesn't doubt that his comrades are chose to follow him either. ]

Thanks, Ion... Let's try that Japanese restaurant together. Lead the way there.

[If people have the true desire to they can easily overthrow someone above them. But there is no reason for that to be said as it does not come up. For now, they will be walking once again. They will eventually end up to the Pleasure Gate to a building that does not particularly special save for the cats that are wandering around out in the front. Ion makes sure to be careful of them as he works on getting the door open.]

...

[ That's a lot of cats. Do the people leave out scraps for them? He stares at them for a few moments as he follows Ion inside the restaurant. ]

Did someone recommend this place to you?

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