A Trust Earned/Story

A Trust Earned - Opening

Ranulf	...And with that, you're all caught up on the situation here in Askr.
We haven't been here long, so there hasn't been time to gather as much intel as I'd like...		Lethe
Caineghis	What you brought is good enough to inform how we proceed. Your keen eyes and ears have served us well.
It's an honor to receive your praise, Your Majesty.		Ranulf
Caineghis	Of course. Thanks to you, I've reached my decision. We laguz of Gallia will fight side by side with the Kingdom of Askr.
As you command, Your Majesty.		Lethe
Ranulf	Right. The Order of Heroes has wide popular support, which shows the Askran royals must be good people.
Indeed. And beyond that, I sense no ill intentions from their summoner, 【Summoner】. But perhaps most importantly, the Greil Mercenaries who arrived before us have given the Askrans their trust.		Caineghis
Ranulf	Right. That, more than anything else we've found, proves that the people of Askr are worthy of our trust.
...		Mordecai
Lethe	What's wrong, Mordecai? Does our king's decision not sit right with you? Now's the time to speak up!
No, no. It is not like that. Mordecai agrees Askr needs our help.		Mordecai
Ranulf	Hm...

A Trust Earned - C

Sharena	Ranulf! Lethe! Nice work out there, you two! I could see the focus in your eyes across the battlefield!
Oh, that? Just you wait, Princess Sharena. You haven't seen anything close to a serious Gallian yet!		Ranulf
Lethe	It's true. When our king joins the vanguard, our foes tremble so much, you can see their weapons wobble!
Well, I'm glad you all are on our side! Even Mordecai's fighting is incredible, which I hadn't expected...		Sharena
Ranulf	Hm. I know what you mean. Hey, Lethe... Have you noticed Mordecai acting strange since we arrived in Askr?
Yes... I'm not sure what, but something seems off with him.		Lethe
Sharena	Huh? R-really? But he seems so kind... Surely there's nothing wrong with that, is there?
Well, with Mordecai...the gentleness can be a problem. Let me put it this way... He closes his eyes when he strikes an enemy. He feels others' pain—even his enemies'. That's just how he is.		Ranulf
Sharena	Oh... So he's a gentle soul...
There's a chance that whatever is bothering him now is a result of that gentleness too...		Ranulf
Lethe	No use talking about it if none of us know anything. I'm going to go ask him directly.
Hey—Lethe! Wait a minute!		Ranulf
Lethe	Ah, there you are, Mordecai. I need to ask you... Is something worrying you about this place?
...		Mordecai
Lethe	You've been in loads of battles back home, so what reason could there be to hesitate joining the fight now?
I am not...scared to fight. Mordecai is...sad. Sad that fighting is in this place too... Does every world fight? Does the fighting end?		Mordecai
Lethe	...
When Mordecai came to Askr, my heart leaped to be in a new world. But fighting never ends here either...		Mordecai
Lethe	So that's what's been bothering you since we arrived, then, huh? I see...
...		Caineghis

A Trust Earned - B

Caineghis	Mordecai. Day after day, you perform your duty magnificently...
Please... I need no praise.		Mordecai
Caineghis	Mordecai... I believe things are as you fear... As long as people exist, war will rise up between them.
...		Mordecai
Caineghis	Nevertheless...deserting, abandoning one's responsibility, cannot ever be tolerated. We cannot give in so long as we have our fangs, our claws, our strength, and our pride... Those with strength have a duty far more important than doing no harm—the duty to protect.
Hm... Duty...		Mordecai
Caineghis	People here are risking their lives in a fight against forces they do not truly understand... We cannot stand by and allow justice to be undone. We stand on the edge of despair. But perhaps we can keep from falling in by clever use of fang and claw... If it is possible to find such a way forward, Mordecai, you are the kind to find it.
Your...Majesty...		Mordecai
Caineghis	We must fight now so that someday the fighting can stop—before the world tumbles into despair.
... I hate fighting. But...I hate when friends get hurt more. Mordecai will fight.		Mordecai
Caineghis	Never let your kind heart grow hard, Mordecai. It allows you to see much others cannot. That will be a strength in the struggles to come...

A Trust Earned - A

Sharena	Amazing work today, Mordecai! You took on a whole front by yourself!
Thank you, Sharena... Alfonse, was anyone hurt?		Mordecai
Alfonse	No, everyone is safe and unharmed... and much of that is thanks to your efforts today, Mordecai. Thank you. I know Gallia has no connection to Askr, and I feel awful for involving all of you...
You did not make us fight. We want to help. That is why Mordecai works hard. I want to. I want to help Alfonse, Sharena, 【Summoner】... All of you. You are all Mordecai's friends. Strength is for protecting friends. Mordecai will protect at all costs.		Mordecai
Sharena	Oh, thank you, Mordecai! That makes me so happy to hear... I think of you as a close friend too!
Ah, Mordecai! Are you back in your usual spirits? Your eyes look like they've brightened up a bit.		Lethe
Ranulf	Oh? So you've been keeping a close eye on Mordecai too, then, have you, Lethe?
Of course I have! I'm his superior, aren't I? It's my job to be concerned!		Lethe
Ranulf	OK, OK! I didn't mean anything by asking, Lethe! Don't let your tail get ruffled, all right?
I am...sorry to worry you. Mordecai is fine. Thank you for your concern.		Mordecai
Ranulf	I understand what worries you here, Mordecai. But trust me—if this could be solved without war, it would be. The thing is...if you don't fight when you need to fight, you cannot keep peace safe from threats.
Yes! I agree with that as well.		Alfonse
Caineghis	As long as there are people, there will be conflict. But...if people are the cause of the conflict, they can also put an end to it...though it may take some effort. Those who possess strength must not fear using it when they must. Our duty is to ensure a bright future!
Hear, hear!		Alfonse

Scenario
Reason to Fight ←		A Trust Earned		Power's Den →
Caineghis	Lethe		Ranulf		Mordecai

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