Guardian Moon-The Unearthed Secret

Byleth followed her husband to see what he meant. She gasped when she saw the checklist Khalid found.

Create portals to other worlds to gain access

Desecrate the worlds' holy sites

Sever their ties to the divines

Establish them as sites to Belerager

The world will have no choice but to submit to Belerager

Khalid let out the breath he was holding in. "Now we know what their goal is. I already guessed that, but it's still something else to see it written down in their formal plan."

Annette joined them and grabbed the data. "We need to inform Lady Rhea right away."

They all ran back to Garreg Mach. Annette handed Rhea the information they gathered. "This was at Fódlan's Fangs. It appears to be their master plan."

Rhea examined the papers herself. "Thank you for bringing this to me. It appears that we need to need to protect our holy sites. I already suspected as much, and already ordered some surplus knights to be on alert. Now I must double that order."

Inigo suggested, "We should check up on Darios. His world is extremely out of the loop. Our enemy may sense that they're easy targets strike them."

Cichol inquired, "Is the portal Sothis opened to get there still intact?"

Catherine checked and then came back. "No. How strange . . ."

Morgan hypothesized, "Those Belerager people must've closed it somehow!"

Caspar's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Do you mean that there are traitors within Garreg Mach?"

Catherine crossed her arms. "I'll ask Alois to look into it, but I don't think that's the case." She left again to talk to the Captain of the Knights.

Linhardt asked, "How's Professor Hanneman's research going? Did he make any strides in understanding Agarthan technology?"

Mary chastised, "Linhardt! We need to focus on the portal issue!"

Linhardt lazily stretched. "Yes, I know that. I was still on the subject. If the remaining members of Those Who Slither in the Dark joined up with the remaining Grimleal, and so forth, and seeing as how advanced Agarthan technology is, I was thinking that their machines are behind this."

Mary self-deprecated, "I'm an idiot. I should've realized that was what you were going with."

Dimitri scolded, "Do not talk about yourself that way. You are very intelligent."

Rhea headed off to get Hanneman, who eagerly leapt at the chance to explain his research once the two got back. "Now that I understand how viskam work, I devoted my time to studying the titanus machines! I asked Lady Rhea a few questions about the golems the Church has, and the titanus seems to be very similar."

Nowi asked, "Did you figure out how to create any portals to other worlds?"

Hanneman vigorously shook his head back and forth. "Alas, no. I don't think that I'll be able to figure that out for a long time."

Nowi pouted. "But how are we going to go visit Darios?"

Suddenly, a heavenly figure materialized before them. "It is now my turn to assist you in great detail."

Sophie recognized her immediately. "Ashunera! Hi! I'm so glad you're here!"

Ashunera smiled sweetly. "Hello Sophie. I will create a portal to another world for you. However, this one does not lead to any world you've been to before."

Felix scowled. "What for?"

Sylvain snapped, "Felix! That is no way to talk to the gorgeous goddess!"

Ashunera ignored Sylvain's flattery. "There is a way to unlock the power to open and seal portals to other worlds beyond the gate I will create. You will no longer need to rely on other factors."

The goddess outstretched her arm, and at her fingertips, a portal appeared. "I recommend staying here a bit to resolve any personal business before embarking on this leg of the journey. I will remain here like Sothis did, so please come to me with any questions."

Cynthia exclaimed, "But I thought you know everything! So can't you just answer them all now?"

Ashunera chuckled. "I could, but we like to give humans a lot of choices, even if we could save time by going with what they'd pick anyway. It lets them know that they have freedom."

Once the meeting was adjourned for the day, a messenger approached Ferdinand. "Sire, a letter from Advisor Crebbin for you."

Ferdinand took the envelope. "Thank you." He retired to his room to read its contents. When he read it, his jaw practically dropped to the floor.

To His Imperial Majesty Ferdinand von Aegir,

Sire, I have previously brought up concerns about your affair with the songstress, but your merciful and kind nature allowed you to overlook her obvious faults and unworthiness to become Adrestia's empress.

Various merchants at the monastery confirm that you are still blinded by her snare. I trust that you recall our conversation about her escorting a nobleman to various high function events. Your generosity knows no bounds, milord. I cannot recall a time in the nation's history where an emperor was willing to court an unclean woman.

If you are still trapped by her advances, this piece of information should make it clear why this Dorothea Arnault is ill-fitted to be your partner. It pains me so to inform you of this sire, please forgive me, but the man she agreed to accompany was none other than your father, Duke Aegir.

Indeed, you are with a woman who has dated your father. Your father was a kind and just man who fell for her wicked spell. Please do not hold this against him; rather, blame the songstress. Again, I am truly sorry that I had to bring you this revelation. However, I pray that this will bring you to your senses about that woman.

May Sothis guide you,

Advisor Crebbin

Bile formed in Ferdinand's throat. He rushed to the bathroom and got sick in the trash basket. A few minutes passed, and he recovered. He asked a knight to summon Dorothea to his room.

Ferdinand fanned himself with a novel about Adrestia's history while he waited, his mind whirling at ninety miles an hour. Images of Dorothea and his father plagued him. A knock on the door halted the noxious pictures. He opened it to find a puzzled Dorothea. "What's wrong, Ferdie? You look so pale."

He handed her the letter. She read its contents, and an expression of pain flickered on her face. "I should've known this would happen. When we met, Crebbin had it out for me. He told me that if I didn't stay away from you, he'd end our relationship."

Ferdinand's limbs felt like wood. "So-it's true then?"

Dorothea was too ashamed to look into his eyes. "Yes. The man I escorted to various functions was Duke Aegir. Your father paid for my tuition at Garreg Mach."

Ferdinand sighed. "This is quite a shock. I'm going to need some time to think. I don't know if it's healthy to continue seeing each other."

She found the confidence to meet his gaze. "I see. I'll give you some space." Dorothea left him and went to her own quarters. She punched her pillow. "Argh! I knew it was too good to last. That advisor just had to ruin everything! I was going to tell him. I just . . . needed to find the right time."

Dorothea walked over to the fishpond to stare at the colorful fish. Streaks of pink and blue filled her vision, and it was a small comfort. Someone sat down next to her. "Hey."

She looked up and saw Bernadetta. "Hi Bernie."

Bernadetta guessed, "Ferdinand troubles again?"

Dorothea's eyes widened. "How'd you know?"

"Heh. Well, the only thing that really gets to you is when you're feeling insecure about your relationship. What happened?"

"He found out who the nobleman was."

"But I thought he overlooked the past?"

"He did. But then this happened."

"The man's identity upsets him more than what you did. That's really weird."

"It was his father."

Bernadetta's face twisted in disgust. "Duke Aegir paid to have a young woman be his date to a bunch of fancy events? That is so gross! It was before, but this is just extra ick! He was with someone his son's age. You could've been his daughter."

Dorothea hugged her knees. "Pretty much. When Ferdie found out, he said he 'needed some time to think'. That's never good."

Bernadetta stood up. "That's it. I'm going to fix this." Before Dorothea could argue, she went right into Ferdinand's room. "Hey. I heard about what happened."

Ferdinand sat down. "I need to digest this."

Bernadetta pointed out, "Your father's to blame. He purposely picked her because he knew she couldn't say no! If she did, after her career ended, she'd be on the streets as an old woman! He preyed on her!"

Ferdinand said hotly, "I know that! It's just so strange. I don't know what to do in this situation."

Bernadetta softened. "It's definitely a lot to take in. But please. Don't ruin your and Dorothea's happiness because of your father's sins. Both of you deserve better. If you love her, you stay with her."

Ferdinand remained pensive. "Am I even allowed to stay with her after something like that?"

Bernadetta encouraged, "Of course! Talk it out. You can do this, Ferdie. I believe in you."

He smiled. "Thank you for the pep talk. I think I'll do that now."

Ferdinand found Dorothea by the pond. "Hello. I spoke with a wise woman who offered me advice. She said that if I loved you, I'd find a way to talk it out with you, no matter how big the problem or how strange it gets. I know I love you, so I suppose my only option is to discuss it with you."

Dorothea giggled. "Aw. That's so sweet. I love you too. Would it make you feel better if I told you that I hated every second of it?"

He thought about that for a moment. "Yes, actually."

"I hated every second of it."

It was Ferdinand's turn to chuckle. "I'm glad. Bernadetta was right. I would be a foolish man to let you go. We love each other. That is all that matters."