Suikoden VI

Chapter Nine: Part One

Note: I'm early this week! There will be a delay next week though, so I apologize in advance.

—

Chapter Nine: Part One

By mid-afternoon the Liberation Army was still hard at work cleaning up HQ in the aftermath of the ambush. Putting out the fires was a priority for the Army, and they quickly went to work putting them all out. It was sunrise before all of the fires were out, leaving thick smoke and scorched earth.

The wounded on both sides were being treated and everyone was fed, but though the Liberation Army had not lost as many soldiers as the Holy Army they had still suffered losses.. So many had died that there was a concern that the Liberation Army would need to resort to a mass grave to bury them all in a timely manner.

Daunte did not know, as it was no longer his decision. While the Army was busy handling matters hr went back to his room to sleep, but got very little when he woke up he was started packing up his things. Arin stood beside the table hugging Kibbeh to his chest, watching Daunte stuff his clothes into a suitcase. "Brother?" He asked softly.

"Yes, Arin?" Daunte responded over his shoulder.

"Y—You really quit?" Arin asked quietly. "You're no longer the leader?"

"That's correct, Arin." Daunte snapped the suitcase shut and set it on the floor. "As leader I failed to detect this ambush. And I failed to convince the Army to spare Sloan. I'm clearly not cut out for this job."

"B-But why?" Arin sputtered. "Why did you spare that bad man? He's done so many bad things!"

"I don't deny that he's done bad things, Arin. But when I touched him the Rune of Restoration activated." Daunte sat down and began rummaging through his desk. "I saw his memories. I've seen other memories of him before now. And I believe with all my heart that had he not been wearing the Black Rune then he wouldn't have done those things. I can't bring myself to kill him when his actions were beyond his control. It's because of the Matron, and because of the Black Rune, that he did those things."

"Really?"

"Really. Remember how Chief Kirkis said that the Black Rune made two people commit evil acts during the Gate Rune War? Caesar told me that they were forgiven for their actions while under the possession of the rune by Master Tir. I thought our allies would understand in the same way, but..." he shrugged stiffly and shoved his paperwork into a satchel.

"...I believe you," Arin said quietly. "You're always right, Big Brother. But did you really have to quit?"

Daunte went still. He sat in his (former) office chair for a long moment as he felt his throat burning. He swallowed hard, the noise echoing in the room. "...I had no choice," he murmured, ducking his head forward. "I couldn't unite the Army behind my decision to spare Sloan. Everyone turned on me, Arin. Even Roen and Felicity, nobody but Caesar supported my decision. And I know that the only reason he supported me was for pretenses to keep a united front at the top of the chain of command. I can't call myself a proper leader if I can't persuade people to follow my ideals, Arin. And I can't call myself a proper leader when my carelessness got my people killed." He swung the satchel over his shoulder and stood up.

"B-But," Arin stammered. "But why are you leaving your room? Nobody's making you leave the Army!"

"That's true, but this room is suited for the Commander of the Army. I'm no longer the Commander." Daunte gathered his two suitcases, taking a moment to admire that he now had enough possession to fill two suitcases and a satchel. When I returned here for the first time, I barely had anything.