link ??? volume_up
Hey, did you hear? We rounded up the last stragglers from House Kleiman.
link ??? volume_up
Yeah, and brought destruction raining down on one of their villages in the process.
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Of course, it was partially their fault for mustering an army, but...I can't believe His Majesty would allow such meaningless slaughter.
link Shez
...
link Arval volume_up
Something on your mind? If you object to their idle gossip, it would behoove you to speak up.
link Shez volume_up
No, it's just... I don't really know what Dimitri was thinking, either.
link Shez volume_up
It's almost like he's built a wall around himself. Ever since the day he killed his uncle.
link Dimitri volume_up
My apologies, but could I ask you to join Gustave in keeping an eye on things here for the next few days?
link Shez volume_up
Sure, you going somewhere? Kinda surprised Dedue and Rodrigue aren't joining you.
link Dimitri volume_up
The two of them recently departed for Duscur. They have their own duties to attend to.
link Shez volume_up
Then why don't I join you? I've got more free time these days than I know what to do with.
link Dimitri volume_up
Offering to work during your well-deserved time off is not as praiseworthy as you believe it to be.
link Shez volume_up
You're one to talk.
link Dimitri volume_up
I suppose you have a point. Very well, I'll take you up on your offer. The journey will not be a pleasant one, but your assistance will surely prove valuable.
link Shez volume_up
I was wondering where we were going. This is the village that was wiped out during our recent battle.
link Shez volume_up
Hold on, you're not planning to bury the dead by yourself, are you? That's not really a job for a king.
link Dimitri volume_up
Perhaps not, yet a resting place is all I am capable of offering them now.
link Dimitri volume_up
Were it possible, I would not have let this village lose a single brave soul. I never intended to see them incinerated by the all-consuming flames of this war.
link Dimitri volume_up
But as the one who authorized our battle strategy, I alone am culpable for their deaths.
link Shez volume_up
It's not like you made the decision lightly, though. You discussed it for hours with Rodrigue and the others.
link Dimitri volume_up
Even so, no means can possibly excuse these ends. No amount of justification will bring back the lives that were lost here.
link Shez volume_up
True. And no matter how hard you fight for a better outcome, there's no guarantee you'll actually achieve it.
link Shez volume_up
But there's nothing more you could've done. You did your best, Dimitri. No reason to regret that.
link Dimitri volume_up
Could you truly face those who have lost loved ones—parents, siblings, children, friends—and proudly declare you did your best?
link Dimitri volume_up
No. I cannot shut my eyes to the cruelty my actions have wrought.
link Dimitri volume_up
Yet if I do not claim this battle and its aftermath to be just and proper, my soldiers will lose faith in me.
link Dimitri volume_up
How long must this horrible cycle continue?
link Shez volume_up
Don't be like that, Dimitri.
link Shez volume_up
I'm sure people will understand if you just tell them the whole story.
link Dimitri volume_up
There's no need for that. This burden is mine to bear, and mine alone.