I was put strongly in mind of the C.S. Lewis quote, "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive." This was a well-done exploration of that idea. I liked the little hints you put in of the Halflings' culture - and the use of *halflings* as an "enemy" faction was an unusual and effective choice as well! In terms of your exploration of the theme, I think it might have had more impact if your narrator had *not* had that moment of realization at the end. The reader is quite capable of understanding the brutality and dehumanization in play here without that, and its inclusion leaves things feeling a little too pat, a little too neatly wrapped up in an unchallenging bow. In any case, it was a good read and a powerful piece.