by Lilac Tue Jul 17, 2018 4:19 am
"That's already what Stahlmin does," Saki said blankly.
She was referring to how Gwyn would want to the country to be led. Her voice was far from the high-pitched and happy one earlier, and her curious expression had turned into a hard and stoic one. Saki had just finished adjusting her gauntlets and had raised one in the air as she examined it in the light.
"Stahlin used to be a monarchy, but it's now led by a consulate," she said matter-of-factly. "But just because there's no harsh ruler doesn't mean there aren't people without their own objectives. And just because the first people you select don't have their own self-interest doesn't mean who the people decide to foolishly support the next time around are the same. I mean, look at Stahlin now: Sure it's not ruled by a corrupt tyrant, but the consul is heavily focused on siding with one party or another. Meanwhile, policies are too lenient to business-owners and harsh on the working class, and just because there are less harsh Walpurgis policies doesn't mean there isn't discrimination towards the Walpurgis because of the culture people grew up in and because of the threat of Moira forming."
The golden furnishings on Saki's gauntlet seemed to shimmer like fire in the sunlight. The Enkidu lowered her arm down and pushed herself off a little too forcefully off the bench. She didn't look at either Marshall or Gwyn, but she continued to speak.
"Everyone has this stupid idea that their ideal is what's best for everyone," she said. "But guess what: No two people agree on the exactly same thing, nor do two people agree exactly on how something is supposed to be ruled. And no one is immune to developing their own self-interests. So when people finally start getting angry and try to shove their ideals on how things are supposed to be run and no one agrees, you know what happens? It gets bloody."
Upon saying the last word, there was now an apparent anger in Saki's voice. She clenched her gauntlet-covered hands tightly.
"Do you know why so many Enkidu left their hometown?" she asked. "It's because a bunch of clans decided: Hey, this isn't how this place should be run. I have a better idea. And now everyone's fighting, and homes are being destroyed, and citizens pit themselves against one another because they think a person disagreeing with them doesn't want what's best for the land. Maybe you'll be able to make a land for yourself, yeah, maybe you'll even win a war if you're lucky. But that never ever means it's without a cost, and that it'll ever stay that way."
By this time, Saki's words were already being spat out like venom. She paused for a moment, and sighed.
"People are just stupid that way," she said.
Loading her gauntlets with ammunition, the girl glanced temporarily at Gwyn. Whatever light Saki had in her eyes was gone, and now left her with a hollow expression.
"You better finish gearing up. The battle's supposed to start any minute now right? I'm gonna go find my friend now."
And with that, Saki left the doctor and Gwyn.