>>715075960
>no stakes
Why do people say this? Baltheir does have a stake. Namely Al-Cid. The war effort and the creation of the Manufacted Nethicite was founded on Al-Cid's invention. Which Venat inspired and Vayne capitalized on. Balthier ran away and did his own thing similar to how Fran ran away from the forest. Not to say Balthier could've stopped Al-Cid on his own. But he does feel responsibility towards the nightmare Archades is manufacturing. And assisting Ashe in taking back her country offers an opportunity to amend his perceived mistake. How is that not a stake in the main plot?