[ ryouma doesn't have regrets exactly, he's just gotten comfortable; his work as a counter guardian was different. those were assignments. paperwork. ryouma hasn't had to make the life and death decisions he is now since way back and it obviously feels a lot uglier when you're playing the long game. still, ryouma started this, so he will see this through. ]

Well, what can I say? That's living money! It's—... well, I suppose they just call those "investments" now, huh?

[ but "living money" is so much cuter, in his opinion. the amusement in his expression is brief, however, because this all brings to mind the more pressing issue behind his goals. it's a familiar worry that is strangely bittersweet. he did not miss those times when the fear his country would no longer exist in the future would keep him up at night, but ryouma also recognises that he was at his best back then. it kept him focused. he could probably use a little of that clarity right now... ]

What happened a few months back can't happen again. I'm sure there was a lot more goin' on behind the scenes, but the other factions can't go along thinkin' they can just roll over us that easily. They don't respect us, which is why they thought they could march in and take away people's homes and livelihoods. If I'm bein' honest, I'm willin' to do whatever it takes, assumin' our people are comfortable with it.

[ because he's not about to force anyone to do anything they don't want to do.

otherwise, the sense he's gotten recently — what with his power being restored to him and all — is that things aren't going to descend further into chaos for the moment, so it's time to build back stronger while they can. ]