Letter From Hataya Minotsu, Ambassador to Talsia

Brother Kateo,I hope the warmth of spring finds you well as it drives away winter’s chill.I write to you of two minds, for I have news both great and terrible. I have once again obtained valuable information from the Sacred Knights of this land. Seeing as they are not officially affiliated with Talsia, I greatly appreciate their indulging my inquiries. One cannot doubt their sincerity in wanting to protect all from the threats of demons and Malice.That brings me to the main point. It seems the Twenty-First Demon King was stronger than any of his predecessors. Not only did he display new abilities, but victory against him was obtained by the thinnest of hair’s breadths. I am told the Hero of Balance struck the final blow just seconds before the Demon King would have completed his invocation of the Final Release, and the Hero paid with his life.I am sure you can see why this has me so conflicted. The Demon King’s growing stronger is dangerous. How many thousands died to this one’s wrath? How many more will to the next? It is a terrible thing.Yet it also means that we are right. I know, of course, that I am not meant to take satisfaction in such things, but I cannot help but feel a twinge of validation.These Ysugians are blind to the truth, of course. I have told you before that I have immense respect for the Sacred Knights. Such an organization is a wonderful thing, and it is full with many upstanding individuals whose mastery of motomancy boggles the mind. We could stand to learn much from them.Unfortunately, it has also gotten them far too fixated on martial might as the answer. I am told the Demon King displayed abilities that may neutralize motomancy if allowed to progress in subsequent cycles. Their answer to this is to research ways to fight such an ability. Maybe they will succeed. Maybe they will fell the Twenty-Second Demon King as well, and the Twenty-Third. But if each is stronger than the last, how long before one simply invokes the Final Release before anyone realizes what has happened?We know better. We are right. The Demon King cycle cannot continue, and, just as the Way of Wisdom teaches, violence cannot end it. We must find another way, for no one else will.May your path be bright,Hataya Minotsu, Ambassador from Kirimoto to Talsia.