Round Robin Story Debate - RD. 1, Logic vs. isallannoyyo

A dull thud resounded through Ito’s head, pierced by an intermittent gabble of sounds. Words, words being said to him. Honour and fealty... service... Hevellians. To make a decision of such magnitude was a matter for a sound mind, not for a muddled mind. How had he come to this? Would he die here and now, or serve the Hevellian monarch, and betray his people? Was there another way? He couldn’t disobey - that would be to forsake his honour. But to obey... that would be to go against all his teachings. Frederick, Alfray, he would be slaughtering such men.All possibility of weighing anything up was beyond Ito. The room blurred slightly before his eyes. But he had to say something. Finally, a response formed, seemingly intuitively.“I, I will uphold my loyalty to the crown, to the King of Delmar,” said the deferential Ito. A slight grin, perhaps malicious (although Ito could not tell) passed over the king’s face.“A good choice Ito. You will be rewarded for your service. Guards, escort Ito to his quarters and let him rest awhile. I want him cleaned up, and given a full briefing before he goes out.” A pair of guards suddenly appeared, their brisk pace barely audible.“Yes your majesty,” said the guards forming up behind him. Ito turned, and walked out of the hall. Now the corridors approached, and Hevellian activity could be seen. Surprisingly though, there seemed quite a number of Pirehas residing in the balance, apparently at the Hevellian beck and call. Ito wasn’t bothered to speculate in the slightest. He turned into a corridor, it’s carpet speaking volumes of former Pireha glory. In the distance was a Pireha warrior, a man with a striking appearance – sleek, tall, but well built. And behind the welcoming smile, Ito knew well that he was a man of intelligence and cunning. “Desco!?” spluttered Ito.“Ah, Ito. Welcome. It is good to see another Pireha joining the king’s service. The Hevellians can do very well with a few upstanding Pireha as examples. Of course, those who join of their own accord, are well rewarded indeed.”“Whatever do you mean? And where were you when Delmar fell?”‘Ito, I’m the King’s Champion now! After the pyrrhic victory of the former crown, I helped the Hevellians break through a side gate and overrun the city. I then helped the Hevellians butcher that former idiot on the throne. He deserved to die. Now, I reap the rewards, and their sweetness is beyond description. I have so many things that I desire – wine, women, wealth and more. And you can have such things Ito, over time.” “But why, why betray your own people Desco?” Desco chuckled.“Ito, I served the crown for many years. I rose as high as you, and duelled even better. But should I have laid down my life when the Hevellians came? It was a hopeless defence! And more to the point, foolish. The Hevellians have so much to give. Their technology, their ways... mixed with the best of Pireha, can benefit us so much. Far better than dying Ito.”“I didn’t die.” Desco chuckled again.“Yes, I know. Just left to die on a desolate battlefield, before drinking to oblivion for a month. Yeah, you’re doing great Ito.” Drunk and disorderly. How had Ito come to it?“Where do I rest Desco?” “This way...” Desco began walking.---------------------------------------------Ito felt great.He had cleaned himself up, had a mission, and was ready to serve. And those benefits Desco spoke of... perhaps they would be very nice indeed.First though, he had to meet his acquaintances. Likely in their tea shop playing a game of shogi, while discussing important matters. Not exactly a hard task. Gripping his shining sword, Ito stepped out into the bustling streets of Delmar, the gentle sun blinding him temporarily. He hadn’t been outside for a month. The sweet air, the aroma of flowers and the temptation of hot food from a stall. Imprisonment for his country? Could it really be worth losing all of this.Weaving his way through the busy cobblestone streets, Ito glanced around at every opportunity. It was surprisingly peaceful. Hevellians and the Pireha seemed to be mingling together - no violence, no distrust. Truly, the very centre of Delmar was a great place. He kept walking, until he was near the outer suburbs, which seemed to have a lot of Pirehas, and few Hevellians.There was a thunderous crash as an armed Pireha swordsmen was thrown into a wall, crushing a stall. The woman at the stall screamed. At that moment 2 groups of swordsmen began hacking away in the middle of the street. One swordsmen threw a knife, which barely missed a fleeing citizen. Pandemonium raged as citizens scrambled to flee the scene.A squad of Hevellians guards burst in, surrounding the duelling groups. Swiftly, they had the groups restrained, and the citizens had returned. A group of young Pireha women hugged the guards, tears running from their eyes.“You saved us from the savages,” cried a lady. The guard smiled heartily.“Please, it’s all in a days work Madam. But it is nice to hear thanks from one such as yourself.” He smiled again. His face then drew serious as he turned to his men. “Men, let’s be off with these hounds!”Ito was glad to be away, and grateful for the Hevellian intervention. Finally, he was outside a welcoming tea shop, and could glimpse shogi boards inside. He smiled at the doorman.“Isagi, good to see you!” he beamed. Isagi broke from his impassive face, just a little.“Ito, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company?”“I’m just here to reminisce with some friends, remember some good times, and play a game of shogi against Robre.” Isagi’s face retained just the hint of a knowing smile.“No, I meant where have you been? You were last seen dragged to imprisonment, to that Hevellian monarch. What’s happened Ito?” His face grew colder, sharper. Ito began to get nervous.“Just a small incident Isagi. Nothing happened.” “Don’t lie Ito.” Suddenly, a group of people seemed to be glaring at him. The whole world of his former friends eyeing his suspiciously. He couldn’t take it, the destruction of all former trust.“Alright! The King asked me to quell an assassination plot you’re planning! I would have been killed otherwise! Just, just let me keep up appearance, and I can help you!”“No.”“What? Why not?” He grabbed Isagi’s collar, eyes wide open. Isagi thrust him onto the pavement. Armed swordsmen appeared next to Isagi. Behind Isagi, was a wisened figure, a man of great knowledge – Iroh. He spoke.“Why not? Because you chose to serve a Hevellian monarch.”“It was on the fealty of the ring! I would have died otherwise!” Ito’s voice cried out from the rough cobblestone, looking up at the seemingly towering figures above.“Your death would have been honourable. You might just have slayed the king yourself. And the ring? Only applicable for a Pireha, not a Hevellian. You showed dishonour Ito, and the ways of a traitor when you accepted your mission. Yet another good man corrupted.” “How many have been corrupted. I saw Desco, the King’s Champion, and a bustling palace...” Iroh looked sternly at him, before his face turned mournful.“You have no idea, fool!” he shouted, his voice laced with anger. “Do you know what’s been happening in the month you were a drunkard? The Hevellians have been recruiting upstanding Pireha like yourself. They have been young, alluring Pireha ladies to be seen publicly adoring the Hevellians. There’s a great deal of corruption, all to create a false image – manipulation of the mind. Have you seen the centre of Delmar? Seemingly a paradise, and seemingly of the Hevellians. Did you notice violence on your way here? The Hevellians have bought out many Pireha and are paying them to act as savages, who can only be quelled by the ‘wonderful’ Hevellian guards. All of this, all of these illusions are helping destroy all Pireha life, all Pireha traditions in Delmar. We are becoming like them by the minute. And you fell for them.”“I, I...”“Leave!” shouted Iroh.Ito scrambled away.