[Converting people to Meridian by force had never been something that Liem had considered either, when they were all beneath the Tree. It had seemed unclean to him, to resort to such methods in order to claim victory. What did it say about those who were willing to rob others of their own agency in order to get their way? What did it say about the cause they fought for? During that interminable period in the Oracle chamber, with Zenith whispering in his ear, he hadn't felt confident enough in his own righteousness to assert his will over others.

He'd talked to them, instead. To look for trade partners. To try to understand other people's points of view, and to try to persuade them to see his. But despair had weighed too heavily on him; he couldn't claw his way back into the light.]

Well…

[He glances up, thoughtful, at the immense body of the tree above their heads. Is he mad? At John? The question hadn't even occurred to him until now.]

A little, I suppose. I think it's more accurate to say I've formed an uncharitable opinion of his character, now.

[He can't really be too angry. He was the one who ultimately let himself be swayed, after all. That was why Hayame was angry with him, when he left.]

I don't think it was personal. We'd never even spoken before that interaction. He was probably just looking for someone vulnerable to convert.