People thought they could stay out of it, or convince both sides not to fight, despite negotiations being repeatedly attempted. But then it turned out that the real cause was that one person was in charge of both sides, and he wanted to kill everyone.

[But the most recent mission...]

Last time, a man wished for power, fame and glory. But what worked was reminding him of why he wanted those things in the first place- and bringing in his mother to scold him.