>>124699470It's not really about Ashley's preferences. It's that this is a war and the kids have placed themselves in the middle of a battlefield amidst warbeasts and soldiers. And the reality is that in war and in the stories and deaths of characters it isn't always a hero or villain who kills people.
We'd all prefer if a character was dispatched by another named character when the time comes but the circumstances of Uaid, Matty, and Jivi meant that they could easily and realistically caught a random bullet fired by nobodies. And they're still at incredible risk after this fight because even as we speak Crescian reinforcements are on their way with knowledge there's an Aldish incursion on their lands, which means more tanks and constructs are en route.
Think about it, this has been one of the first times these characters have placed themselves in a situation where their opponents have every incentive to kill and ask questions later. Up until now they've only dealt with the police and criminals who are inclined to take hostages. It's entirely reasonable they could've totally fucking died here if it wasn't for the fact that Uaid, a soul made of pure happiness, suddenly learned to fight a war machine out of nowhere.
