The Veiled Triumph of Pessimism [Erchanhardt, Yugiri]

An allied conference in light of a great war unequalled. A promise that the leaders of Earth would offer better for the future, that they would unite in to the benefit of the people. Erchanhardt was not known for his sense of humor, but he could not help but have to hold back laughter at the idea. He wondered if anyone involved were so aware of the repetition, or if they even cared.

It was no small comfort, at least, that he still traveled with one person who understood him. And who, he could say with absolute confidence, understood his stance on this matter better than likely anyone else could. So he strode through the streets of Moscow, watching the people come and go with joy in their eyes. They, at least, could not be held in any low regard. These people deserved a moment of respite.

"Well, Yugiri. Here we are, in this grand festival called by the leaders of the world. You already know my thoughts, but I am interested in hearing yours."

To simply call the war over and finished so soon, to accept a retreat as the end of the matter... To say it did not sit right with him would be an understatement, to put things as lightly as possible.

Yugiri was not in cat form, contrary to the fact it had been growing on her of late. Instead she was wearing what would probably be best described as a streetwear look designed by Kite Tubo. Some big shot in Japan that had started to make a name for himself in the fashion scene, not that the disgraced girl cared or anything but apparently it had a bit of prestige to it so it fitted her. Clothes that looked mundane but had a bit of prestige behind them, they reflected her.

"It's kind of sad. When I was growing up I always thought humans were deserving of pity but now it's almost pathetic. People so afraid of fighting they'd rather take this transient victory and call it a day like they have no sense of pride, hoping maybe this little win won't just lead to postponed destruction."

She sighed. Almost disappointed at how low people would sink in her eyes, if someone scorned her she would not accept it. The only time that was not the case was when Abalia did not merely beat her, she destroyed her. That was the difference though, she was just wrong in that case and pathetic.

That's why Abalia's response was perfect, people didn't seem to get the idea. Don't fight your opponent to win the battle and call it a day. Fight your opponent to make sure they'll never think of hitting you back again. That woman really was everything she wished she could've been once upon a time.

"That's how I feel about it. People are stupid, they don't know anything about forethought or actually making their opponent fear them. They just expect to be left alone like children and fools who don't want to acknowledge reality."

Maybe she spoke a bit too loud, some people surely were looking at the dark-skinned girl and her giant of a companion now.

"It is in their nature, to hold these victories high. Few of them have any power to alter the course of these wars, fewer still even understand the true nature of them. This is not their failing. It is the failing of those who lead them into such a life."

Erchanhardt did not speak as loudly as Yugiri, but he certainly did not speak quietly, either. He naturally disagreed with her assessment, but that was not something that especially bothered him. It was natural.

"They have been told the war is won, and what reason have they to believe otherwise? In an ideal world, surely they would be able to see that such a thing is far from the case, but they have no context for this knowledge. Even if we were to explain to them that they still have much to fear, that there is ample chance for counterattack at any moment, the knowledge would only serve to cause them fear. Those who must be most entrusted with that knowledge are those who surely already know. And, yet, they do not seem to be the ones who are acting in accordance with that knowledge."

Looking into the sky for a moment or two, Erchanhardt said a quiet prayer for the world. He suspected they would need it, along with a great deal more.

"Reality is cruelest of all to them, for even if they acknowledge it, they can do nothing with the knowledge."

She gave him a look. Thinking about his assessment, it made sense. People in the Rukongai never cared about stuff nobles cared about. They were pretty powerless anyway so it made sense to focus on what they could do in their life rather than what they'd like to do if they could.

"Yeah, well then it's the people in power's fault then. They're stupid because they can impact how things could be, they shouldn't lie to people to make them feel better in the short term."

She said with gutso while opening an eye to actually look at his expression and judge it but otherwise still walking forward with total confidence. Walking really had become easier, although she still had days where it was painful--those were the days she absolutely insisted on riding on his shoulder in cat form.

"What'd you do if you were in charge anyways?"

"Yes, it very much is. I have seen many a kingdom fall because their people have realized they are being led along by the nose. But those were in times when the average man was, in body, no different from his king. It would be nearly impossible for a modern man to rebel against his oppressors. It is a tragedy."

Erchanhardt carefully considered Yugiri's question as they walked, though he could not help but glance in her direction now and again. There was, perhaps simply because of his own nature, a sense that he needed to keep an eye on her, just in case. He did, after all, worry after her now and again, whether he particularly wished to or not.

"I believe that man cannot understand the weights of the world unless they have the ability to decide their own fate. A leader should protect their people, yes, but they cannot simply have the truth handed down to them. Men cannot become strong through the efforts of anyone but themselves."

Yugiri looked at him. Coolly looking around while pouting, she switched to a cheeky grin. Giving him a smug look from the side of her eye.

"You know, that doesn't really answer what you'd do."

She emphasised. Being very much a woman of practicality. She was obviously one to press him for more action, the great leader of humanity; Erchanhardt and his list of things he would strive to achieve as that leader.

He could only laugh quietly in response to her question. He supposed she was correct, he had given her no firm answer. Meeting her glance with his own, he continued on, more detailed than he had been prior.

"A return to the old ways. A king whose authority reaches all corners of the domain, and yet who gives jurisdiction over these things to those below him. In turn, these nobles offer authority to governors, governors to mayors, and mayors, by nature of simple vote, to the people. A body which may take authority when necessary, but which is checked by its own constituency."

Erchanhardt shrugged, then, offering Yugiri a small grin of his own. It was an expression he doubted he had worn much before knowing her.

"Well, I have hardly spent so much time as to create some sort of formalized framework for this idea. But I believe that in a position of authority, one must to their best to give the people enough responsibility that they are able to grasp the weight of the world if they so choose."

"Ah so monarchy... Like Soul Society huh? Except I guess not doing what those Tsunayashiro did. That was kind of awful."

She sighed, dropping that spicy secret ancient soul society history on him. Probably one of the few that were privy to it.

"Mmmm. Gotcha. Yeah, monarchy is pretty good. Although I think Abalia is doing alright with democracy, but I don't know. Too many cooks in the kitchen will lead people astray and not have any direction."

"Many a monarchy has proven far from ideal for the people below it. I would not act as though simply placing a king into his place would immediately solve all problems."

Erchanhardt did take note of Yugiri's reference to the Soul Society's past, but it was almost a passive sort of thing, not something he immediately thought to himself would be worth looking further into. It was simply knowledge now resting in the back of his mind.

"I think there is a certain moral nobility to the ideals of democracy, if not in the ultimate outcome of it. The premise that all men may offer their stance in the world, and that the nation would change according to the whim of its citizens, is, promising. But it does not account for the truths of reality, nor consider the stance of those who simply do not wish to engage in the greater political sphere. It is tragic, in that sense."

"Yeah but who cares if it's a beautiful idea. If it doesn't work then it's not worth it."

She continued, her words conveying her pragmatic nature while her hands wrapped around behind her head casually. It was a strange blend, her words being more reminscent of her nature before her fall from grace but her body language having fully accepted the casual nature of her new life.

"Well, I don't know what I'd do. Before I guess I had a plan, but that all fell apart and there's no point thinking on failed things. It was just the dream of a dumb confused kid anyway. I'll make something better."

There was a bit more to it which she was aware of and didn't add in. It just wasn't relevant she thought to go on a tangent about the type of person she used to be.

"Well yes, I wonder about how many people in the Rukongai actually will care to get involved or well, I guess I am being a little too narrowly focused on where I'm from aren't I? Do you think the people of this realm want to influence things though? Can people of such broken and divided views and cultures even achieve that?"

This world, multiple countries had people growing up under organisations deemed evil and unfit to inhabit the world. Who was to say democracy could really work if those newer generations wanted to keep the world they had grown up in? People weren't really good at changing in her book.