☀️ Arselia and Akonia

—Curious, I haven't heard this interpretation before. I think I'll remove the possible options for resolving the conflict with minimal bloodshed, other than the two described above, so as not to seem too clever? And when I talk about oppression, I'll mean the worst and most truthful option, not like the subjugation of my homeland by an empire, otherwise it won't be fair. —The blue flame in the black knight's eyes flickers for a moment.

—Let's look at it from the perspective of a representative of this very oppressed nation; for simplicity's sake, let's consider him a patriot. Perhaps my country is harmful to the environment, and hatred towards its people is quite justified. Maybe the world would be better if we remained only in the pages of history. But for me, all of this—my homeland, family, friends, love—is far more important than any reasons or consequences, any distant powers and their people. Could I restrain myself from the heart-consuming hatred if I witnessed the systematic extermination of my people every day? Revenge is a cruel and insidious feeling, but it is often presented as a good thing, especially if it is justified by a suitable motive. For every one of our people, we will bury a hundred of yours, and so on.

—But let's move away from human matters and look at the world around us: isn't the survival of the fittest the main foundation of evolution, on which all of divine creation rests? How many hundreds of different species have been wiped out by battles with each other, including humans—simply because one side had an advantage that could completely eradicate the opponent? It's all Anu'sh's will; otherwise, this wouldn't be the norm in the wild.

—And there remains only one way back, the very "high-minded" path that this person's friends choose. It is the path of betrayal, loneliness, sadness, and hope. The belief that all human lives are equal, that violence will only lead to more pain and suffering, until this fateful cycle closes in its apex. But the problem is that this is not a righteous path either, but a thin thread full of vice. And its victims and their suffering will not disappear; they will simply be stretched out over a slightly longer period.

—And what is the result? Essentially, it all comes down to a very superficial choice: "Are you willing to kill a thousand to save your love?" Or "Are you willing to kill your love to save a thousand?" And that means there is no good solution to this problem. If you think with your mind, you will choose the second option. If you think with your heart, you will choose the first. And I... —The knight fell silent for a moment, hesitant to finish this unexpected monologue. —You'll probably be disappointed in me, but I once faced a similar choice, though not involving genocide. And if reason had prevailed in me, neither you nor I would be here now.