Part 43: Goon Playthrough - Part 43

Of course.


I think you want to serve the Prince more than anything else in the world. You told me yourself that it is everything you ever wanted. And as for the nature of that service, well, times do change. Maybe knights of olden times should move to another arena?


That's the point. I'm not so sure about my skills as a courtier. I'm not a politician, Cinders.




I don't think I'll be making up my mind yet. This is simply too new. There's something else too. I always thought about myself as a man of duty and honor.


You might've mentioned that in our conversations, yes.


That's exactly how important it is—it was for me. But now that I am given a new duty, I have trouble accepting it. And I think I know why.


You do?


Yes, it's because I'm not a man of duty at all. I'm a man of the sword, and that's what has been making me so devoted to Royal Service. But once it's gone, I'm not so good at taking orders from the Prince. It wasn't honor that kept me at his side. It was pleasure. I was doing my duty because I was enjoying it.


Which, I'm guessing, is a bad thing?




Duty and honor stem from discipline and self-sacrifice, not preference!


But doesn't fun make things, well, funnier?


Apparently, yes.


Besides, you're obviously very good at being one thing: a warrior.




Manage to lie all the time?


Manipulate others, yes. I was never good at it and I seldom tried. It's just not who I am.


I think that condition's called 'moral backbone' and it's only curable with money.


I don't care about money!


Then I'm afraid you'll have to live with it and hope it won't be terminal. Congratulations. We've just determined that you have a heart. It may mean only one thing: you are a man of ideals.


A man of ideals would accept his Prince's offer without a second word. No, I'm not him. I'm what you said—a relic! A knight stuck in his little fantasy world where duty is pleasant and no one is ordered to lie. I want to follow my code which tells me to obey. But I can't obey because it means I'd have to break another kind of code. But it may all be just a front, because apparently I only do things for fun!




The situation isn't easy, but you shouldn't complain about the choice you were given.


I wasn't complaining.


Yes you were, dear Captain. Even though it is not so bad: you know all you need to know to make up your mind. On the one hand, you can put your duty first and let go of your morals, or honor as you like to call it. On the other, you can hold true to your values but lose the role which defined you. The choice is clear and simple: which weighs more in your mind—duty or honor?


You said it yourself, it is duty that defines me.


Yes, but roles change and the same is true for definitions. I'd say you put quite the defence of morals, just a minute ago. So I think that your honor, your morals are what really define you.


Thank you. For your words. You gave me more than I expected. It does seem clearer now.


I'm glad to have helped.


Maybe it is indeed time for me to end this kind of living. Perhaps my mission, my family's mission, is over. Maybe I should just live, find myself the right woman and focus on being a good man?