We should have-- but we didn't, and that's my own fault.
[He looked up at Kouha quietly, schooling himself in the same patience he had used when he explained Kou's policies to the fallen Alibaba because he knew that someone had to be the calm one here. In the trio of princes that stood to inherit the Empire as the plans had originally dictated, Kouha was the passion and Koumei was the rationality behind Kouen's stern and compassionate leadership.
Kouha was rightfully angry. Koumei would have been as well, if he hadn't been berating himself over his own blindness.]
I had wanted to believe the best of Hakuryuu, like we do for all of our siblings, and it pains me to have to order his beheading to end this wretched war. There's no forgiving him for what he used his Metal Vessels to do to our countrymen, Kouha. They deserve nothing less than a swift and honorable end
[Koumei took a deep breath, steeling himself for the news he needed to drop next:]
With Sinbad making his presence known, the only way for this war to end now is in our loss. Kouen could order us to keep fighting, but I trust our brother's judgement to not destroy our country further.
...but that's all speculation. I don't know what happens next.
[For all Koumei knew, he died with that strike. For all he knew, he survived long enough to see himself, his brothers, and poor Kougyoku beheaded by Hakuryuu as his first act as Emperor. There were too many possibilities that he kept himself up at night mulling over them, to no avail.
The future was unknown, and there was no changing that. All he could do was focus on what he could do in this city, and this world.]
no subject
[He looked up at Kouha quietly, schooling himself in the same patience he had used when he explained Kou's policies to the fallen Alibaba because he knew that someone had to be the calm one here. In the trio of princes that stood to inherit the Empire as the plans had originally dictated, Kouha was the passion and Koumei was the rationality behind Kouen's stern and compassionate leadership.
Kouha was rightfully angry. Koumei would have been as well, if he hadn't been berating himself over his own blindness.]
I had wanted to believe the best of Hakuryuu, like we do for all of our siblings, and it pains me to have to order his beheading to end this wretched war. There's no forgiving him for what he used his Metal Vessels to do to our countrymen, Kouha. They deserve nothing less than a swift and honorable end
[Koumei took a deep breath, steeling himself for the news he needed to drop next:]
With Sinbad making his presence known, the only way for this war to end now is in our loss. Kouen could order us to keep fighting, but I trust our brother's judgement to not destroy our country further.
...but that's all speculation. I don't know what happens next.
[For all Koumei knew, he died with that strike. For all he knew, he survived long enough to see himself, his brothers, and poor Kougyoku beheaded by Hakuryuu as his first act as Emperor. There were too many possibilities that he kept himself up at night mulling over them, to no avail.
The future was unknown, and there was no changing that. All he could do was focus on what he could do in this city, and this world.]