Annotated 45-11
Pre-Thanskgiving FB: A special message for our American readers: tomorrow, let’s all gather round, share food and drinks, and tell others what we’re thankful for, with a special emphasis on family. You know, like Taro’s doing!
“Oh, I won’t be a child forever” is a beautiful line. It’s honestly almost too beautiful for Taro, who is not normally blessed with that much foresight. It’s more of the kind of line his father might have delivered, when he was Taro’s age.
More in line with Taro-as-we’ve-presented-him is his “What will befall the nation” argument and his insight, albeit limited, into the chain of command. This is speaking Ardaic’s language, and it’s enough to give him pause.
The detail of Dad Iwatani’s affairs becomes a little more important here. Any bastard kids who could claim Iwatani blood might threaten Taro’s plans if they were older than him and/or officially recognized.
I’m still not sure I follow Taro’s “reasoning”. He acts as if Iwatani’s plans were the only way to deal with the World Rebellion, but I’m sure Ardaic knows they’re not, and has severe doubts if Taro would be able to contribute anything to them.
If Taro was taken to some “orphanage” and the Heads of Houses were reinstated, Gastonia should have a much better chance of dealing with anything. So what is it that convinces Ardaic not to oppose Taro here?
Does he actually think that Gastonia would fall to the “Savage races” unless Taro saves them? I find that hard to believe. Taro’s arguments cannot make sense to anyone except those parts of the public who believe everything Bedard is printing. But the conclusion that Taro was Gastonia’s only chance would of course change quickly once Taro was removed from power.
It would make more sense if Ardaic attempted to use Taro as a figure head to prevent the remaining heads of houses from fighting over who would be the next king but it does read as Ardaic going into full lackey mode and act as if the little psychopath is as smart as he thinks he is.
Ardaic s/could have just forced a glass of juice down the little monster’s throat, given as an Altruist he’s no stranger to neatly cleaning up loose ends for the greater good.