Byleth looked over the ruins of Garreg Mach, and for the second time in his life, he wept.
Several of the others went to comfort him. "It's okay. Let it out," Raphael said.
"Garreg Mach was my home," Byleth said weakly. "My whole life, I felt like I had nowhere I belonged. That no matter where I went, I would always feel like an outsider. But Garreg Mach was different."
"We understand," Ashe told him. "This place was special to all of us. Losing it was tough on us all."
"Thank you," Byleth said. He wiped away the tears and stood tall. "I feel better now."
As they went to leave, however, a small group of Imperial soldiers approached them. The students drew their weapons, but the soldiers made no move to attack.
"We're not here to fight," their commander informed the students.
Caspar recognized the commander. "Uncle Randolph? If you're not here for a fight, what are you doing here?"
"Lord Hubert ordered me to deliver this letter to you if we ever saw you," Randolph said, handing a letter to Byleth. "He was convinced you were still alive somehow, even though nobody else believed you could have survived that fall. How did you survive, actually?"
"Barely," Byleth answered, taking the letter.
Randolph turned to Caspar. "I hope you are happy with yourself, traitor. You abandoned your Emperor, your family, your people. Was it worth it?"
"I did what I thought was right," Caspar countered. "If you don't like it, too bad."
"Well then, by all means, continue to do what you believe is right," Randolph told him. "But you will not be welcomed back into House Bergliez, and when we next meet on the battlefield, I will deliver justice. Lord Vestra ordered that we not engage this time, but you will soon die like the traitor you are."
Caspar raged at the accusation, but before he could get angry, Dorothea cut in. "Traitor? The only traitor here is you. Because of your 'duty,' you betrayed Caspar and your people, in service to a tyrannical warmonger. Caspar didn't force them into this war. You and your brother did."
"You dare-" Before he could continue, the soldier next to him put his hand on his shoulder and shook his head. Randolph turned away in a huff, and he and his men left.
After they were gone, Bernadetta looked at the letter. "I wonder what it says."
"It is probably just some deceptive trick," Ferdinand dismissed.
"Let's find out," Byleth said as he opened the letter and began to read.
To Professor Byleth,
I do not know whether you will ever read this letter or not. By all accounts, no human could survive falling off that cliff the way you did. But you aren't entirely human anymore, are you?
If you are alive, and you are reading this, it means my suspicions were correct. The Goddess is connected to you in some way, and she somehow protected you. Once, when I had yet to understand the truth, I would have hated you for this. But I know the truth behind the lies now, and the Goddess is not to blame for the state of the continent. I cannot even truly hate Seiros, as she was simply left in a situation where there was no right choice. I do blame her for some things, but making mistakes is not the same as having ill intent.
Do not worry about the Archbishop. She is safe. At the moment she is unfit for travel, for reasons I will not disclose in this letter in case you are not the one reading it. However, my Lady and I will continue to ensure her safety.
I wish to meet with you in person, if possible. I will be informed if the letter reaches you. If you are willing to hear me out, meet me three weeks from the day this letter reaches you, at the monastery cathedral. I will be there. You may bring the class if you so choose.
I know you have little reason to trust me or Lady Edelgard. But we want this war to end.
Hubert von Vestra, Imperial Spymaster and Advisor to Her Highness Emperor Edelgard vonHresvelg.
"Like I said, undoubtedly a trick," Ferdinand dismissed. "He probably means to ensure he kills you properly this time."
"What if it isn't a trick, though?" Hilda asked. "If he actually wants peace, don't we have to talk to him?"
"We don't 'have' to do anything," Felix said. "Hubert and Edelgard are snakes. You don't negotiate with snakes. You cut off their heads before they can fill you with poison."
"But is it not our responsibility to bring the fighting to a close if we can do so?" Lorenz asked him.
"That's enough," Professor Hanneman said forcefully. "The letter was sent to Professor Byleth. It is his decision whether or not to act upon it. Professor, what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to meet with him," Byleth told him. "If it's a trap, fine. But if not, this could be our chance at peace."
Hubert visited Rhea the next day. "Good morning, Archbishop. I trust you are recovering your strength well?"
"Quite well, yes," Rhea answered. "I should be at able to travel if need be, though I would not be able to fight at my best quite yet, should the need arise."
"I doubt it will just yet," Hubert assured her. "Regardless, I have good news. Professor Byleth isn't dead."
Rhea looked him in the eyes. "Are you sure? You are absolutely sure that he still lives?"
"I am sure," Hubert told her. "I informed him I wish to meet with him three weeks from yesterday, though I cannot be sure that he will be there."
Rhea sat down, her eyes welling with tears of joy. "Thank you, Mother," she whispered. Turning to the baby in her arms, she said, "Do you hear that, Leraye? Your father is alive, and soon we will see him again."
Hubert wasn't a very warm person. He couldn't be, not for the role he chose to play.
But he would be lying if he said his cold heart wasn't warmed just a tiny bit by the sight.
Odesse was no stranger to killing. Why should he be? Humans were pathetic, inferior creatures. They were meant to serve the Agarthans, and when they served the Agarthans best in death, it was only right that they should die.
But as he witnessed the man burning alive, and the charred corpses around him, he couldn't help feeling disturbed.
"Oh, there you are," the traitor spoke. Odesse felt disgusted just looking at him. "I got bored waiting for you. Don't worry, I won't burn you."
Odesse felt the urge to slay the traitor there and then, but restrained himself. He still needed him. "I received your message. The Fell Star yet lives?"
"Yes. But don't you worry," the traitor said. "I'll make sure you get your revenge on the man responsible for your daughter's death."
"You had better," Odesse spat.
"Kronya," he thought. "My perfect little girl." He had been devastated when Thales had delivered the news of her death, of how the Fell Star had torn the heart from her chest, and when Solon had attempted to avenge her, he too had been cut down.
"You shall be avenged."