#mentioned sothis

My opinion on this should be as obvious as it is irrelevant. I can voice my concerns to Byleth as much as I’d like, but it’s ultimately their decision. I can hardly dictate who they can and cannot marry, my reservations aside.

Reservations that I have explained to them, of course. But the decision had already been made by then. So long as they are happy and being respected as an individual, I have no urgent contention.

I- ......What?

Oh! Is this a joke? Ah! I see. Of course you are not serious. Afterall it is a rather silly thing to say. Hehehahaha...

Ha...

Not high, I assure you. Regardless, it’s vital to review how Those Who Slither in the Dark have manipulated others.

They prey on existing delusions of worth and glory, as they did with Ludwig, or they target trusting natures and uncertainties about society, as they did with Christophe. With so many centuries between my time and the original incident, along with extensive rewriting history and censorship, it’s impossible for me to say which is the case for Nemesis. It’s not impossible that he was told just enough information to send him into a vengeful rage against Sothis. That appears to have been their method in convincing Dimitri that Her Majesty was behind the tragic events that claimed the lives of his family and close companions.

I’ll admit, I was not fond of the connection at first. While it explained the lurking second self beneath I sensed those years ago, it was not an overly promising explanation.

Still, in time, I came to view the situation differently. On occasion, I indulge the notion that Byleth was sent to us by a rival of the goddess to bring her low. While my views on Sothis are complex, it is possible to envision that she detests what became of her name and legacy.

What about her? I would approach any goddess with suspicion, although it is only right to afford someone their own opportunities to tarnish my opinion of them.

It sounds as though it would not take her long. I cannot imagine there is an outcome yielded by the eternal torment of these three souls that could not be achieved with less vicious means. Decidedly by someone with godlike power.

Hm. An interesting proposal. 

It’s feasible it may have happened already, but on the theory that it was driven by lack of rest and not the divine... I’ll speak in hypotheticals.

Her absence would be the first order of business to address. When she attributed divine status to herself, she agreed to oversee this world. She encouraged delusions of the masses that she was all-seeing, all-powerful and would govern them fairly.

Meanwhile, the strong exploited the weak. Those in power oppressed those who lacked the means to defend themselves against that injustice, and even operated within her institution to do so. The Knights of Seiros have shielded more tyrants than they have ever subdued. In her neglect, the goddess failed to properly lead this world. And those oversights place the responsibility of governing on those like Her Majesty, who will use their power wisely for the benefit of all.

...As a child, I was frightened at the prospect of meaningless threats such as divine punishment. The manner in which this was made apparent as a falsehood was nothing less than a devastating tragedy layered upon another loss so severe, I cannot put it in words. And that, as horrific as it was to me at the time, is but one example of the goddess’ ineptitude. There are those who lost everything and more than they ever knew possible, suffering fates worse than death. All for not being born in a position favored by the church’s zealots. Her church.

Such a gross abuse of power is ordained by its nature. 

In short, I imagine the meeting would go poorly. I would appreciate the opportunity to bring her low in person, however. I may only manage to relay a fragment of the pain her religion has visited upon humanity, but... Heh. We must all begin somewhere.