(A/N: This chapter and the next are a bit shorter compared to the rest, because I can't really merge the next chapter with this one.)
Byleth expected Dedue, Ingrid, and Sylvain to immediately follow after Dimitri. Instead, Ingrid did a small, discreet bow. "I can't truly say I understand what he feels, but I apologize on behalf of His Highness. He hasn't quite been the same after he learned Edelgard was the Flame Emperor…I'm not in the best position to say it, but I believe his welfare has been declining ever since."
It was clear that Dimitri was still within earshot, because he stopped—but he didn't turn back around. Byleth replied to Ingrid regardless, "I knew he has a few personal biases about the Empire, and what he believes Edelgard is involved in or responsible for. It is because of those biases that I must ask a favor of you, however."
"If it involves His Highness, we're all willing to listen," Sylvain said.
"To put it simply, I think it would be best if he avoided Gronder Field," Byleth said. Right about then, Seteth and Claude came towards them. The rest of the Blue Lions were slowly making their way over as well.
"Do you plan to fight there, now that you have taken the bridge?" Dedue asked.
"No; but it's the site of a decisive battle," Byleth replied. "If you go, it's very likely you'll be killed."
Dimitri finally spoke up, still the same distance away as he was earlier. "We've already established that I won't take orders from you. Whether I go to Gronder Field or not is my choice." He continued walking, and this time his guard followed him, giving apologetic glances to their former classmates.
"If I may ask," Claude began delicately, "What was that about?"
"I tried to recruit Dimitri," Byleth said. "He won't join us just yet…but I'm hoping he'll at least stay away from any fighting that might take place at Gronder."
Claude seemed curious for more answers, but must have ultimately decided to instead say, "Well, good job out there. None of the Imperial soldiers noticed I was fighting, so we might still be able to hide a public agreement—at least until I fully unify the Alliance. After that, I don't care if the Empire finds out we're helping each other."
"Fortunately, the Imperial soldiers appeared to be holding back," Seteth added. "None of our soldiers—Knights, Alliance, or Kingdom—were fatally wounded. We can station a few soldiers here to make sure the Empire doesn't try to retake the bridge, then we can return to Garreg Mach and plan our next move."
"I'll be heading back into the Alliance," Claude said. "I need to let the pro-Empire houses know that it's safe to side with the Church. I expect to be back at the monastery before the end of next month; like before, Judith is in charge of the Alliance forces while I'm gone."
"Similarly Dimitri, I'd like it if you didn't go near Gronder Field, too," Byleth said after Claude had already waved goodbye.
The Alliance leader turned back towards Byleth. "Any particular reason?"
"After the battle, you disappear," Byleth explained. "Never to be heard of again. To the world, you essentially died."
"What part of the world?" Claude said. He could tell quickly that Byleth didn't know how to properly reply, so before she could ask he continued, "Nevermind; it's a personal thing. But speaking of personal things, I do know where to get some reinforcements if you're willing to fight alongside people from outside of Fódlan."
"Any and all help is appreciated," Byleth replied.
Claude smiled and nodded. "Great. I'll see if I can contact them and arrange a meeting. This is Fódlan's war, but whoever wins effects everything and everyone else. But I digress—if that's all, I'm going to start heading back." With another wave, he left.
With the conversation drawn to a close, Byleth began assigning soldiers to stay behind to protect the Great Bridge. Most of them were Knights, but a few of them were Alliance soldiers. Lorenz volunteered to act as their general for the time being, and Byleth granted his request.
On the way back, Byleth and Seteth discussed what their next plan of action would be. It would only be a few more months until they're marching into Enbarr…hopefully, by then, they'll have the Alliance and Kingdom's full support, even if it currently seemed unlikely.