video - A plea from a knight

[panzersoldat]

[The video opens to a familiar older man. It's the one from before that was talking about his armor. He looks worried and also utterly serious]

Hello. I know things are really bad right now, but I need to ask for a favor. There were people listed. Solder 76. Ana Amari. Jesse McCree. They have been labeled terrorists. But I swear to you on my honor as a knight that they are innocent. I've known them for years. I know the measure of their character. This thing...they would not have done this. It must be a misunderstanding. So please don't try and harm them. I know they are good people and this is all a mistake.

I tried to get into contact with them but they aren't answering me. I am aware that others will be looking for them. So I just want you to give them this message from me if you see them.

Tell them Reinhardt believes in them. If you see them, tell them that running will only make them seem guilty and that I know they aren't. I know that in my heart. If they turn themselves in, I am sure that their side will be heard and that justice will weigh heavy on their sides. On the side of truth.

And tell them that no matter what, I am on their side. I believe in them and that they'll do the right thing.

Thank you.

[ The feed cuts off again]

Comments

[shikomizue]

[how noble, to fight a war and still be able to speak of a greater good and of protection

he's never been so benevolent]

Maybe the lives they targeted aren't so innocent.

[panzersoldat]

They didn't target these people! And in the war, they didn't target innocents either! And even if they had, this is not their style. Not their way. I know how they fight and it is not like this. This must be someone else. Someone who has a beef with this city and it's people and have used my friends. It's the only answer!

[ But the longer they are on the run the harder it's getting to believe. ]

[shikomizue]

I know how wars are fought.

No one comes out innocent.

Being used doesn't absolve someone of guilt for their actions, it just means they're weak.

[guess who has no pity for these fugitives its this guy]

[panzersoldat]

They are anything but weak. And I will fight for them. Just as I would fight for anyone else who had been used in such a way. Even someone as unpleasant at you.

[shikomizue]

Don't bother, I won't need it.

Is that what you fight for? The weak?

[panzersoldat]

Of course. I am a knight. I defend the helpless. I protect the innocent. I uphold justice. I fight for the welfare of all and will not stand to see tyranny or villainy harm those that merely want to live honest and full lives.

[shikomizue]

And what do you get out of that?

[panzersoldat]

Nothing but the knowledge that I did the right thing. I don't do this for personal gain. I do it for honor and what's right.

lmao thanks for the icon da

[shikomizue]

So

Nothing.

Honor and what's right are meaningless when you're looking over the graves of your dead friends.

Maybe you'll learn that soon.

[panzersoldat]

I've already done that. I've buried so many friends. And losing them only makes me want to do more. They died so that the world could be better. I honor their memory by continuing to fight the good fight. So long as there is even one of us, justice will be done.

[shikomizue]

Did the world get any better when they died? Or are you just trying to wash their blood from your hands?

[panzersoldat]

I know I can't wash that away. I know that. The blood I have spilled. My own and the blood of my enemies. The blood of the allies I failed to shield. That is all on me and I accept that responsibility.

But I can say that yes, even if it was just in a small way, a small part of the world did get better. They sacrificed everything. They died and an entire country still exists because they refused to give way. There are towns and there are children who laugh and play. There are people and omnics living together. Germany is whole and strong because they held the line.

I am the last of them and I would do them a disservice if I did anything less. We are knights. We live as knights. We dies as knights. That is just how it is.

[shikomizue]

They died protecting a country that used their lives as stepping stones, and your idea of honoring them is to allow yourself to simply be the next in line.

Sounds more like a country that should be destroyed, to me.

[panzersoldat]

They died so that others might live. They gave their all so that the country they loved and the people within it might have a future. I know of nothing more noble than that. And it's the least I can do to be even a shadow of those great men.

[shikomizue]

You don't seem like someone who aspires to only the least of what you can do.

You've never once considered revenge?

[panzersoldat]

This is true. I try my hardest to give my everything, regardless of the situation.

Revenge? On who? We won the war. There is no need for revenge. Only for us to keep being the example that there is still justice. That there is still someone who cares for the people when all others stopped.

[shikomizue]

I can tell.

If you won, then surely you know some people don't share such a high opinion of your 'justice'.

Perhaps you should consider revenge - by way of taking precautions against it.

[panzersoldat]

It is true some don't and those that harm others, those that hurt the innocent and ignore the laws, they will be punished. The hammer of justice falls heavy on the wicked!

And should those who seek revenge against me for what I do, I say bring it! A knight will not run from a battle!

[shikomizue]

At least you enjoy a fight.

[there's nothing else redeeming about this idiot]

No way to get through a war without some bloodlust, eh?

[panzersoldat]

I do at that. There is nothing that gets the blood going like a hard fought battle

This is unfortunately true for me. I know some that came through still peaceful and kind. But I am a knight and my battle is not yet over. So long as there is injustice in the world, and so long as I can still move, I will fight.

[shikomizue]

Whatever reason you use, it's still bashing in in some skulls.

[panzersoldat]

It is. And in my case, literally. When all you have is a hammer, the rest of the world is a nail.

[shikomizue]

[He'd appreciate that metaphor more if he hadn't just suffered the current conversation.]

We'll have to watch out.