Martyr
For years after the war between Ylisstol and Plegia, Robin wanders the castle in the night, usually when they’re remembering the truth. The truth being that they could have easily saved Emmeryn.
Before the battle, Robin had built at least 5 plans to save Emmeryn. The plan to break the pegasus knights loose and have them grab her was the one judged to have the greatest chance of failing. Then Robin thought things through.
If Emmeryn lived, the war would continue, and grow bloodier. Emmeryn wouldn’t lead a war, but rather, would look for peace at every opportunity. She was noble, dedicated in her purpose, and… truly… naive and stubborn. The truth was that Emmeryn was an excellent leader for peacetime, but her ideals and beliefs almost completely fell apart in wartime. Almost.
As Robin thought about it, there was one scenario where Emmeryn’s beliefs could lead to the end she wanted. One scenario where Ylisstol would fight to end the war, but not butcher the Plegians. One scenario where the Plegian soldiers would lay their weapons down voluntarily, until only the Mad King was left. One scenario where the world would see how dedicated Emmeryn was to her beliefs.
And so, to prevent a lengthy war, to limit the fighting and death that Emmeryn would have hated, Robin made the most ruthless play possible. A play that, even now, makes the tactician thank the stars that Emmeryn hadn’t been more than an acquaintance. Had Emmeryn been a friend, Robin doubts that such a ruthless plan would have even been considered. Sacrifice the pegasus knights. Put Emmeryn in a situation where the only victory was sacrifice. Show the world what kind of people the rulers of Ylisstol and Plegia were.
Admittedly, the Risen had been a surprise, but, not an entirely unwelcome one. And the plan went off without a hitch. Robin was sorry, of course. Sorry that it had been the best way to victory, to save the greatest number of people. Sorry that Chrom and Lissa had to feel that agonizing pain. Which is why the tactician would never tell a soul. This was one secret that Robin would carry to the grave.
Perhaps, in the future, scholars would study what happened, and realize what had happened. Would Robin be painted as a monster for being so ruthless, or would the tactician be hailed as farseeing? Who knew.
But, that was part of being a tactician. Robin did what Chrom wouldn’t, couldn’t. Considered the possibilities, even if Robin usually discarded the most ruthless stratagems. In fact, the only time Robin had had the choice of being ruthless or not and chosen ruthlessness had been with Emmeryn. Still, it all worked out. After all, thanks to Robin’s interference, Emmeryn wasn’t merely a ruler, or a memory. She was a martyr. Well, Robin did have a reputation for unusual strategies. This was just one more. The most powerful weapon the tactician had ever wielded. A martyr.
