Destroying the Akuma isn't to hurt Emma-O. It's nice to deny him even those relatively inconsequential assets, of course, but that's not the point. The point is to destroy them so as to not send a message of weakness. We can't let it be known throughout the supernatural community that you can pull this kind of shit, act against us and our people in such a blatant manner, and expect to come out of the exchange not only alive, but having received medical care for your trouble.
Michael and his fellow Knights only have the ability to be insanely merciful and holier than thou because their backers have the biggest metaphorical and metaphysical swinging dick in existence.
The Knights leave you alive? Great, you can go on to keep doing petty, evil shit for the lulz, but you better not fuck with their families, because there's always an Archangel waiting to take you to smite town. We don't get the same backup, not for the people who we've already taken under our wing, or our friends and loved ones who aren't out parents and siblings.
These creatures targeted our people, so examples must be made. Not just for Emma-O, but for everyone who will eventually learn of this encounter.
Message of weakness? WE just permakilled a Minister of Hell in 1v1 combat.
The problem is not about strenght, its about judgement and trustworthiness.
Strength is not enough on its own. Neither is restraint. We need to exhibit both.
Its not just mercy. Its also pragmatism.
People are that much more likely to surrender to you when they can if they dont think you will stab them when they are helpless and in your power. Otherwise they will fight to the death and to spite.
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Lesser akuma are slaves.
Their opinions dont matter to the Yama Kings who send them, and they are relatively easy to replace.
Killing them isnt going to affect a Yama King's willingness to toss more into the fray.
The real damage we did here was killing the greater akuma, because THOSE are hard to replace.
Letting it be clear that surrender allows the mooks to live means that next time, the next set might break an ankle, or intentionally take injury so as to be taken prisoner and save us the trouble of having to run them all down before they can do damage.
As opposed to working in spite.
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Dude, Shiro was tortured to death three or four years ago. In this city.
The White God and his agents have limits as to what they are willing to do, even for their Knights. The Knights are not merciful because of their backing, they are merciful because its their calling, the right thing to do, and its brought them success.
And the consequences of letting them go, not with a slap on the wrist but actually healing them?
It tells others that you can freely attack Molly's people and she will let them go, no questions asked, worse, she will heal them and let them go.
I reiterate, we do not have the capacity to stop them from harming others, harming themselves, or stop Emma-O from pimp slapping them.
This is not just about sending a message but also actually helping them and others. Because killing them WILL bring them peace. We literally do not have any other way to end their suffering and preventing others from suffering.
See above.
The consequences mean that a non-zero fraction will consider sandbagging if they are sent to Chicago again, or have to face Molly again, as word gets round. That they will exploit any room in their oaths and instructions, like Eiko did.
There's a reason why kindness and ethics are deadly weapons against those who consider it a weakness.
