Post-War Responsibility (3)

    In this page of the manga, Colonel Mustang is reflecting on his duties as Major in the war, and as his role as the "Hero of Ishval". Immediately in the war, he sees his responsibility to protect his fellow troops and countrymen, even feeling guilty about those he could not save. 

    Mustang reflects on this once more when talking with his close friend and fellow soldier, Maes Hughes. Mustang expresses his ideals of ending senseless bloodshed and protecting those weaker than himself, ironically after ending the lives of so many Ishvalans weaker than the companies of state alchemists. This sparks a plan in his head to become the next leader of Amestris, taking the place of Fuhrer Bradley. The title "Fuhrer" here also is a clear representation of the oppressive authority the king of the nation has over its people and those it wages war against, being the same title as that of Hitler.

   

Mustang sees a clear duty to better his nation and their militaristic policies. But, once again, Riza Hawkeye serves as a foil to mustang just a few pages later. Instead of focusing on changing the policies and protecting those below herself in her own country, like Mustang is occupied with, Hawkeye is instead focused on the senseless war crimes and bloodshed they brought to Ishval.

On the next page, Hawkeye contemplates the implications of the genocide committed, and the weight of that on her own soul. She requests that Mustang use the flame alchemy powers, which he learned from a sigil inscribed on Hawkeye's back, to burn off the very sigil that provided his powers. She hopes this will keep any future alchemists from learning Mustang's destructive flame alchemy, preventing any genocide of this magnitude in the future.

However, Mustang is not ignorant to the war crimes and atrocities Amestris ordered them to commit. When he becomes a Colonel, after the war, he makes Hawkeye his assistant. He knows she has good morals and ideals that will balance his own, and he plans to have her keep him in line. Despite his faults, Mustang still wants to change the system that allowed these horrors to happen, rather than resigning to the "just following orders" excuse. However, he must hatch his plan carefully and quietly, as the Fuhrer is watching him close. Mustang has the ambition to change the country of Amestris--from the very top.

Pages 9 and 10 are right after Hawkeye finishes telling Ed about the events of the Ishvalan War of Extermination. Hawkeye tells Ed about many of their goals once Mustang seizes power. Here, Hawkeye says that even her and Mustang, who would be in the utmost position of power, will be tried for war crimes along with the other Amestrian forces that wrought havoc on Ishval. This is a fairly noble ambition, especially since a transfer of power like that will leave the leadership position very fragile. Mustang letting himself be tried in court could very well prevent the people from following his rule. But they want justice either way. This is a concept built from Hawkeye's own ideals, but Mustang is following them just the same. This is a major point of redemption for Hawkeye and Mustang, although it does not absolve them of their crimes--which they remain fully aware of.

While fighting the main villain of the story, Colonel Mustang has his eyesight taken from him. While he is in the hospital, he resigned to give up command of their new government, as it would be extremely difficult for him to lead being blind. However, a character who was hired by the government for human experimentation in Ishval, mainly creating philosopher's stones, appears with the last one left of its kind. Dr. Marcoh suggests Mustang use this stone to regain his sight so he may make things right for Ishval. Symbolically, this symbol of their destruction will be used to help Mustang fix those problems. While the sentiment is nice for Mustang to want to fix these things, many fans are torn on Mustang's use of this philosopher's stone. After all, the Elric brothers, once they learn the stones are made from the souls of humans, vow never to use one to regain their original bodies. So, it is fairly problematic to some fans for Mustang to use this stone for personal use, even if it is out of concern for the people of Ishval. Dr. Marcoh's proposal, to use this as a bargaining chip for Mustang to help Ishval, is problematic itself as well. This brings up the idea of the "White Savior" complex seen many places, especially after wars. It is true Dr. Marcoh has real concern for the people of Ishval, but he also has a personal stake in the matter, wanting to atone for the sins and war crimes he committed himself in Ishval. Does he really mean well, or does he just want to soothe his ego? Is what he wants for Ishval truly what the country needs? The story leaves the political arc at this stage, asking important questions about the logistics of reparations for war crimes and helping foreign nations rebuild without introducing imperialism and stifling another culture.