An Extra’s POV

Esme ended up building strongholds for the people in those settlements and teaching them a few things they could use to develop their lands.

She aided in their agriculture, helped to defeat the Monsters that terrorized them, and solved a lot of their crisis; both internal and external.

The process was long and arduous—hence the reason for her late arrival.

"You should have seen them, Rey. They looked so miserable…"

To say his heart ached upon hearing all about what Esme witnessed would be an understatement.

"I… always thought I was helping all of humanity by siding with the Alliance. But, I guess I was wrong." He mumbled.

"I was only helping some."

"Yeah. From what I heard, the Alliance doesn't even bother with these small regions. I find that to be very distasteful." Esme's face darkened even further as she frowned.

"The people in charge here… I despise them."

"Is that why you barged in and caused such a commotion? You didn't care about them?" Rey chuckled as he sat on the bed, right beside her.

"It's not funny, Rey. The people out there were suffering greatly, yet the Alliance that's meant to be aiding humanity sat by and did nothing!"

"No, Esme. You're being a little too shortsighted." Rey sighed, finally settling in on the bed, crossing his legs as he sat up.

"What?"

"We still have insufficient information to blame the Alliance for the suffering of those people."

"Did you not hear a word that I said? Those people were—!"

"I did. I heard you quite well. And I understand that those people have been through rather unfortunate times."

"Then—!"

"It, in no way, means the United Human Alliance is at fault here." Rey sighed.

The United Human Alliance was—at its core—an amalgamation of different countries and cultures. When the war of the Dragons came, they gathered their strength together to fight.

"So it only follows that the Nations you saw were excluded from the amalgamation—either of their own accord, or due to their inability to reach the standards of an alliance."

you talking

the United Human Alliance is doing nothing

"Y-yeah. I mean…"

currently fighting in the war against the Dragons?" Rey asked, his tone as calm

"…"

Perhaps because she already

get. It makes no logical sense

to the very people she saved—the ones who suffered before her eyes—as the

"Re, you—"

of how the Alliance abandoned them, or how they were helpless against the might of the Dragons, while the Alliance was better off. They said all those things, presenting themselves

tell a story that suited their narrative. As long as Ingroup bias existed, the way their perspective would be

reason why the Alliance would abandon those people unless, for some reason, they refused to be a part of the

think of a few

of resources or military power. It's possible that they wouldn't have much of governmental control within the Alliance, and even their highest leaders would

rather cling to the ultimate power they had as the

in hell than become a

so, Rey. I can see their Alignments, rememeber? I also know when someone is being

Alliance, and they refused. The people were perhaps fed another narrative, which passed around

leaders were

that has such insecurity and crisis, it's possible that the previous leaders who were approached with the deal

fell silent

not as headstrong about her views

she rescued were perhaps not as innocent as she thought. And even if some were, if the narrative they fed her was wrong, then the Alliance was not the enemy she thought

course, there's a chance that I'm wrong. After all, the Alliance could have some hidden motives I am unaware of. There's also the fact that they hid the information about those other Nations

were uncooperative, and the Alliance itself was in a crisis, it wouldn't make any utilitarian sense to divide

group that was actively

it leaves a bad taste in my mouth…' His eye narrowed a

United Human Alliance in front of Esme, he didn't like the fact that he was made unaware of the plight of these

was where his logic clashed

existence is to combat the great evil that is the Dragon Scourge. I'm not saying the framework is perfect. No, it's far from that. There are many unsavory parts about them. Still… we can't blame them for every misfortune that has befallen these people." He concluded as he placed his hand on

But, Rey, the solution I offered them was

figured that out as well. The damage that had been done to these people for over a decade

she barely spent a week in each settlement, so it

the fault of their leaders that they weren't able to join the Alliance and enjoy its benefits, I don't want

hands on

don't want

met once again—a mix of red and

They both smiled.