"I am not responsible for your plight. She is the one who plays you for the witless fool." His eyes darted to the little girl. In truth, the General would savor performing this task himself. But that kind of battle of wills would be taxing and he needed to save that strength.

So he pushed the hilt of the blade into Kotetsu's chest, urging him to take the weapon. To use it.

"I can see in your eyes that you remember your true life. No doubt it is a miserable one, with the yoke of the Malnosso firmly tightened around it. But it is your life nonetheless. If you choose to live this fantasy, you will die and all hope of ever truly seeing these people will die with you."