The Bandit

link Dimitri volume_up
You did well, Miklan. I will remember the deeds you've performed here today.

link Miklan volume_up
Pah. You know as well as I that I only did it for the money. Your money.

link Felix volume_up
What are you playing at, boar? This washed up bandit doesn't deserve to look at our army, let alone be a commander in it.

link Dimitri volume_up
It's a decision I made in collaboration with the margrave. Two years ago, after I ascended the throne.

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I ordered Gustave to capture him, made him swear his allegiance to the royal family, and gave him a unit of soldiers to command.

link Felix volume_up
Spare me the details of how you did it. What I want to know is why.

link Dimitri volume_up
My army was lacking leaders. We needed capable fighters to fill in the gaps.

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As for Miklan here, the margrave himself has instructed him in all manner of military tactics. I've seen his prowess with my own two eyes.

link Felix volume_up
...

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In the centuries since the time of King Loog, Crests and Relics have kept Faerghus safe.

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We've come to depend on that power to protect us from outside attacks—and grown all too complacent in its wake.

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Naturally, we will take full advantage of our Heroes' Relics in the battles ahead with Adrestia.

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But we cannot protect our home with Relics alone. If all who could wield them fell, so too would we.

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The blood of the Heroes is thinner now than ever before. We need men like him among our ranks.

link Felix volume_up
I don't doubt the truth of your words. But that's not the issue here!

link Felix volume_up
Do you really think it appropriate to trust a man barely removed from his life as a brigand with the responsibility of command?

link Ingrid volume_up
Everyone's heard the stories of the elder Gautier brother. How he resorted to banditry and plunder.

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Do you not think our soldiers would object to being led by a man with such history?

link Miklan volume_up
Heh. Command, huh? It's got a nice ring to it, but you should know, I'm just a prisoner.

link Miklan volume_up
My attendants, my aides, my best men... All stooges for the royal family, breathing down my neck every waking moment. All the sleeping moments, too.

link Miklan volume_up
Anyway, now that we're all caught up... I'll await your next orders, Your Majesty, sir.

link Felix volume_up
Let me guess, any means necessary?

link Dimitri volume_up
I won't defend it. Though I do see use in such a man.

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What he did in his time as a bandit was monstrous, I admit that.

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And I deserve no small amount of judgment for giving him command in spite of it.

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But I can't help but wonder. Perhaps his life could've been dramatically different had he only possessed a Crest.

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Same as the uncle I murdered.

link Ingrid volume_up
I understand your reasoning, Your Majesty. Yet he's hurt so many people.

link Dimitri volume_up
What's done is done. Stolen goods may be returned, but stolen lives cannot.

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If the man is unwilling to atone for his wrongdoings, then he will pay for it with his head. If he does wish to repent, however...

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Then what better way to do so than by risking his life on behalf of our people?

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If any among us still can't forgive him, by all means take up your arms and enact vengeance.

link Felix volume_up
I get what you're trying to do, but you still should have talked to us first.

link Felix volume_up
This isn't about who shoulders what blame. It's a matter of letting us know what you're thinking.

link Dimitri volume_up
You're right, Felix. My apologies.