Silver Snow
Chapter 7: Parting
"Professor… Kill Edelgard at once."
While the archbishop's words did not surprise her, Edelgard was taken aback at the sheer vehemence behind them.
Ironically, her teacher seemed equally, if not more stunned. He glanced briefly at Rhea, as though uncertain of whether he had heard her correctly or not. The idea that he still cared for her brought a sliver of warmth to Edelgard's heart.
That was not to say that the professor had shown her much in the way of mercy. Just as she had expected him to, her teacher had opposed her and promptly engaged her in battle. In fact, she could not remember ever seeing him fight as fiercely as he had against her.
Was it because of her identity as the Flame Emperor? Was it because he had felt personally betrayed? Perhaps, she thought sadly, it was because she had been indirectly responsible for the death of Captain Eisner.
Regardless of his motives, the professor had torn through her forces with the wrath of a raging storm. Like a mighty wave of the ocean, the Sword of the Creator had crashed into her forces, sending them sprawling in every direction.
A shiver ran down Edelgard's spine at the comparison – she had never expected to be likening her teacher to the sea.
She had never expected to grow to fear him, just as she did those cold, murky depths.
And so, the Emperor of the Adrestian Empire looked up from where she knelt, forced to the ground of the Holy Tomb with a powerful wave of magic.
Edelgard was no fool, nor did she hold any grand, delusional notions of her future. Unlike many of her peers, she fully expected to have to lay down her life for her cause. Yet, this was not the end she had envisioned for herself.
To think that she would be executed at the hands of her teacher; the very hands that had once saved her from an untimely demise. And not only that, but before even having the chance to bring about her revolution.
She was a failure.
"Edelgard…"
The newly crowned emperor blinked, surprised to hear her name, rather than the sound of blade meeting flesh.
"My teacher…" she replied, meeting the professor's disappointed eyes. She was convinced of her cause, but the sight that greeted her would nevertheless wrench her heart.
She could endure the archbishop's murderous countenance. To some extent, she could even weather her teacher's disappointment. She would have preferred his support, but the idea that he would stand against her was one that Edelgard had prepared for.
To see her entire house, however – every single one of the Black Eagles and beyond – regarding her with varying degrees of disgust and disbelief, was nearly enough to make her break down in tears.
Even Bernadetta, the notoriously cowed member of her house, eyed her with nothing but distaste.
It was perhaps for that very reason that Edelgard welcomed Rhea's next, cruel decree. The archbishop seemed to have grown tired of her teacher's indecision, and at the very least, it would give her something to focus on; something to help regain her composure.
"She is a danger to all of Fódlan." stated Rhea; her usual serenity nowhere to be found. Her emerald eyes were alight with rage; the beast Edelgard knew resided within only moments away from rearing its ugly face.
"Such a rebellious heart cannot be allowed to keep beating."
The professor showed no reaction to Rhea's words, expect for a small inclination of his head. His hands tensed around the legendary sword, but if he had any intention of striking her down, it was well masked.
Edelgard slowly stood up, and at that, her teacher finally raised his weapon. His eyes never left hers, however, and he appeared to move at a deliberately slow pace.
When it finally sank in, she almost gasped.
He was stalling for time, doing his utmost to give her a way out. For better or for worse, the Ashen Demon never hesitated. For him to do so now – it had to be a ploy of some kind.
And a successful one, she thought in amazement, when Hubert suddenly materialized to her right.
Knowing that it was quite possibly the last time she would ever see him, Edelgard made sure to take in the professor's features down to the last detail. She could not help but notice how similar in appearance her teacher had become to the archbishop, and even Seteth and Flayn, who stood only a short distance away. For some reason that realization had eluded her, and now that she finally recognized the truth, she could have laughed.
Of course he would stand against her. It seemed she was a fool after all, for thinking anything different, even in her wildest dreams.
"I will withdraw, for now…" she announced, just as Hubert grasped hold of her arm. Before he could warp them both away to safety, however, a nearly inaudible whisper escaped her lips.
"Thank you, my teacher. For everything."
