link Edelgard volume_up
You know, I don't believe I ever asked your feelings about this war.
link Edelgard volume_up
On the surface, it must seem as though we took Fódlan's fragile peace in our hand and shattered it into a thousand pieces.
link Shez volume_up
What, is it deep conversation time now? Where'd that come from?
link Edelgard volume_up
It's merely that we've never discussed the matter. And you are in a fairly unique position amidst this all.
link Edelgard volume_up
I thought you might be able to provide some perspective on how an outsider views the actions Adrestia has taken.
link Shez volume_up
The way I see it, you just did what you had to.
link Shez volume_up
You talk about peace, but it's not like people weren't already getting slaughtered for dumb reasons.
link Shez volume_up
I mean, pick your poison. If it's not greedy bandits ransacking your town, it's tyrannical nobles razing each other's land in search of more power.
link Shez volume_up
So sure, people will die in the war, but the reforms it'll bring will save at least as many innocent citizens. Maybe even more.
link Shez volume_up
Honestly? I think the whole thing's one big, ugly mess. I mean, look at how many innocent lives it's costing us.
link Shez volume_up
Still, I know this wasn't just some spur-of-the-moment decision. You gave it a lot of thought, and this was the best path you could find forward.
link Shez volume_up
So who really cares what little old me has to say?
link Shez volume_up
I dunno. Don't think I really feel too strongly one way or the other.
link Edelgard volume_up
You have nothing to say? Nothing at all?
link Shez volume_up
That's how it goes when you're a merc. War, peace, doesn't matter—my job's the same either way.
link Shez volume_up
It's just money in, blade out. All there is to it.
link Edelgard volume_up
I suppose that's one way of looking at it.
link Shez volume_up
It's like you said. I'm in a unique position here.
link Edelgard volume_up
Meaning you would've answered differently were you not a mercenary.
link Shez volume_up
Uh, yeah. If I was a farmer, for example, I'd be hounding you day and night to end the war.
link Shez volume_up
Sure, you say you're gonna bring this "bright and beautiful future," but am I really gonna suffer for years, maybe even decades, waiting for it?
link Shez volume_up
The stuff you're doing now—enlisting my farmhands, trampling my fields, destroying my crops—just doesn't make it worth the wait.
link Shez volume_up
But you know the toll it's taking on your people, yet you choose to press on with the war anyway. So you've gotta have a good reason, right?
link Edelgard volume_up
Yes, of course. You certainly don't mince words.
link Edelgard volume_up
Is it the years of mercenary work that made you this way, or have you always been like this?
link Shez volume_up
Yeah, I think it just kinda comes with the territory. I've been at this a long time—and lost more than my fair share of friends over the years.
link Shez volume_up
Not to mention all the horrible things I've done just for a fistful of gold.
link Shez volume_up
Pretty sure it's who I am. It was just me and my mom growing up, you see.
link Shez volume_up
We lived in a village, but for whatever reason she liked to keep to herself.
link Shez volume_up
So, I guess it rubbed off on me. I learned pretty quick not to get attached.
link Edelgard volume_up
Is that so? I would be interested to hear more.
link Shez volume_up
Trust me, it's not as interesting as it sounds.
link Edelgard volume_up
Who says it has to be? Interesting or not, I'll have you tell me one of these days.
link Shez volume_up
If you say so. Just promise not to freak out when you realize how boring I am, OK?
link Edelgard volume_up
Do I seem like the type of person to "freak out" about such a thing? Perhaps don't answer that.