It was strange, the way Edelgard’s presence here had offered her moments of respite she had never been able to afford before. She had done so much back in Fódlan, but there was even more to do — and while her mind often wandered to those now unattainable ambitions, she somehow had faith that she’d be able to see them through should she ever return home. “So we do. I predict we could discover more about these relics elsewhere — these informational placards aren’t particularly descriptive. I’ll have to look for something in a library.”
“I do wonder how much of this land’s history has been impacted by those like us. Surely war’s tendency both to forge and break bonds is worth study, though I get the impression they focus on more cordial relations here.” Edelgard’s eyes yet again studied the fine details of these weapons. The emperor hoped dearly that the lives of their owners had not been lost in vain.
She paused before addressing the woman’s comment about her own wartime experience. Perhaps her interest in this exhibit gave her away, but more likely was that the other had her very own experiences in battle as well. “I admit that I am familiar with war. And I’m grateful that mine has been brought to its end, even if I can’t witness the new dawn it has ushered in. I assume your story is similar?”
Robin’s story was impacted a bit different than Edelgards. Her war was fought, her war was won, and she had paid the price. Even if Edelgard’s war had been fought... well she didn’t talk as if she had died for it. Though Robin knew she suffered, it was intrinsic to those colored by a life of war. A life in the lifestream was to be long, sometimes even frightful, but it was the only potential way back home. Here, however, she got to live again, even if it was far from the family and friends she’d forged bonds with. Perhaps she’d have lived once more in Ylisse, and she thinks of that often, but she hadn’t returned. There could be a reason or several to be here instead, to learn about this place and the fellow habitants. Learning seemed like the first step, and so here she was.
“I can see why they might fixate on the more positive, cordial relations. It is not always honest, but it can help build morale, and strengthen internal bonds. It is only if that focus goes to far that people deny any conflict, or need for it, that I would criticize such positive reinforcement.” Robin was always questioning information, as she believed people ought to be. You have to think for yourself, you have to know what it is you stand for, and what you do not. That was her creed.
Offering a nod to the other woman, Robin confirmed. “I fought several wars in my time, and in my last battle, I finally saw the sun rising.” I was done, she thinks, but does not speak aloud. She died, knowing it was the right choice, no matter if the cost was permanent or not. She had looked back, for a moment, and seen the melancholy regret in Chrom’s eyes, and then she looked to the sun once more and steeled her resolve. Offering a reflective little smile to her company, Robin spoke once more, with a hint of wistfulness. “War costs so much... but it’s necessary, no?”
