The moonlight gently fell from the cathedral's grand windows, contrasting with the bright glow of the candlelight illuminating the room. The shadows of the heirs flickered across the pews, spilling onto the backs of the Western Church members standing before Rhea.

"You can't do this!" One shouted. "We have done nothing wrong!"

Rhea fought down her exhaustion. This month had been emotionally exhausting, and preparing and performing the Rite of Rebirth always took its toll. "Disturbing the Rite of Rebirth with your dark deeds was criminal enough. Do not add deceit to your sins. Take what little honor you have left, and offer your lives in atonement."

"No!" Another cried out. "We were wronged! It's a conspiracy!"

"The goddess would never forgive our execution! We fight for her light!" A third added.

"Monster! You've already killed so many of our fellows! Are you not satisfied?"

"This concludes the investigation. Take these lost souls out of my sight." Rhea nodded to the guards, who marched away, prisoners in tow.

After they left, Rhea deflated, allowing herself a sigh. "The good work never ends…" She turned to Shamir, who still stood at attention. "Where is this…Hapi girl?"

Shamir's voice remained clipped and professional. "She's up in your office. Aelfric's with her."

Rhea gave a small nod. "I see. Thank you for your service, Shamir. We will discuss our visit to the Western Church as well as the investigation and removal of their bishops in time."

"Lady Rhea." Shamir nodded back, and departed after the prisoners.

Seteth grumbled. "I shall be off, then. I'll try and coordinate what else needs to be put away after the Rite."

"Oh?" Rhea raised her eyebrow. "You do not plan to come and question the girl?"

Seteth grunted. "I'll get my answers from Professor Eisner, she apparently taught the girl how to control the beast." With that, he stalked away, pausing in the pews to share a look with Byleth, who stood next to the three heirs, the Sword of the Creator glowing faintly at her side. After a moment, Seteth gave a harrumph, and exited the cathedral.

Rhea swallowed down a sigh, before making her way towards the group. "I would like to thank you and your classmates for apprehending these villains. I shudder to think what would happen if the thieves had managed to steal the Sword of the Creator from its hiding place."

"No worries. All in a night's work." Claude said. "But I have to know- what was the sword doing in a tomb, of all places? And how come Teach can use it?"

"I will have to consult the histories to answer that." Rhea looked at Byleth. Byleth stared back.

"It doesn't have a Crest stone." Edelgard murmured, her eyes fixed on the blade. "How can she use it without a Crest stone? And where…"

Rhea's lips thinned. "Another conundrum to ruminate upon. For now, I think it best you three retire for the evening. You've had an exhausting fight."

Edelgard looked up, startled. As though she hadn't even seen Rhea. "Ah. Yes, Archbishop."

Dimitri said nothing, and bowed his head. Claude gave a short laugh.

"Yeah, I guess we did. Good evening, your grace."

The three were slow to move. Claude stepped casually, but could not hide his nervous jitters from Rhea. Edelgard moved slowly, and her eyes swung from Rhea to Byleth to the Sword of the Creator and back again. Dimitri turned to Byleth, but did not take any more steps towards the door. Byleth expression gave no answers. Rhea pressed her lips together. "Princess Edelgard, Prince Dimitri, is something the matter? Do you need healing?"

"Ah. No, thank you, archbishop." Dimitri said quietly.

Edelgard looked away from Byleth. "It's nothing you need concern yourself with, your grace-"

"The students have concerns and questions about the Western Church members' fate." Byleth said. All three of the lords turned to her, eyes wide.

"Is that so?" Rhea said. "Then please, ask your questions."

"What, really? Don't you…" Claude brow shot up. "…Don't you have a dozen and one things to do before sunrise?"

Rhea locked eyes with Byleth. "I do, unfortunately. But your professor raises…" Rhea bit her tongue and furrowed her brow. Clearly, Byleth knew something. "Your peace of mind is important to me."

"Alright…" Claude spoke up first. "Just for clarity's sake, why exactly did you order them killed?"

"They all came to Garreg Mach with intent to rob graves. From Saint Seiros herself, no less." Rhea scoffed. "Such heresy alone would be enough to pass judgment on these villains, but they also attempted to slay you three and your classmates when you went to stop them. Killing children is appalling, and must be punished accordingly."

"No, no, I understand that, I just wanted to know why you didn't keep them alive to provide testimony." Claude said.

"Ah. I see." Rhea pursed her lips. "The Western Church came under the threat of an assassin's writ against me, and this is hardly the first time the church branches have quarreled with each other. Suffice to say, I already know everything they could tell me, not that they ever would."

"I suppose that's fair enough reasoning." Claude added mildly.

"It is no trouble. Is there anything else I can clarify for you?" Rhea smiled softly.

Claude gave a practiced half-grin back. "No, I'd say my curiosity ends there tonight." The Riegan heir's fake smile looked very much like his grandfather's did- if Rhea recalled correctly, it was the same face Oswald gave her after asking Rhea to explain what was considered an acceptable time for lights out in what room when practicing magic. A month later, Oswald had been found with a young lady in one of the private study rooms pretending to practice holy magic and actively studying things that would send Seteth into a fit.

Dimitri gave a small nod, but nothing else. The prince of Faerghus' silence was likely political prudence. After all, the Western Church was heavily involved in Faerghus' politics. It was proper for him to keep out of such matters until he claimed his own place on Fhirdiad's throne. It was good to see a prince so restrained- Rhea had seen many kings and nobles strung up later in life over matters they had shouted too loudly in Garreg Mach's halls.

Edelgard was peculiar. Her eyes kept darting between Byleth and Rhea, as subtly as one could. The girl was nervous about something, but Rhea could not quite place it- perhaps it was simply due to her post-battle nerves. Though the girl had expressed interest in the Sword of the Creator and all the questions that raised.

Edelgard cleared her throat. "Archbishop, I was wondering, is it truly the church's place to hand out such a punishment?"

Rhea blinked. "Who else would?"

"I thought a magistrate or some other government body would take care of such matters."

Rhea gave a shake of her head. "No, there are no such people in Garreg Mach. This fortress, and much of the nearby land, does not belong to any of the three nations, and is under the direct stewardship of the church. As archbishop, I have ultimate authority in this part of Fódlan."

Edelgard gave a subtle frown. "But surely, our nations would want to have a say?"

"They would, but generally, so long as the punishment delivered is appropriate, no one raises objections." Rhea paused, putting a loose thread of hair back into place. "In any case, it would make no difference in these rogue's fates. They tried to kill you three, not to mention all of the other students. Their execution was inevitable. It's not unlike the bandits who ambushed you three months ago."

"I only heard mutterings about their fate. Could you remind me what happened to them?" Claude asked in a tone that could be argued to be polite.

"After we interrogated them, and with some back and forth between the church and the nations, it was decided to send them to Lord Arundel of the empire. His lands were closest to where you three were first attacked." Rhea clasped her hands together. "To my knowledge, he had them all hung. I can only hope they found peace in the embrace of the goddess."

Edelgard opened her mouth, before looking back to Byleth.

Byleth nodded. "The archbishop will answer, Edelgard. You need only ask."

Edelgard turned back to Rhea, a question caught in her throat. Claude was leaning forward, a spark twinkling in his eye. Dimitri's expression had grown curious. Edelgard's nervousness had returned- it was strange, whenever Rhea spotted her socializing with the other students or even the faculty, she seemed perfectly composed. But standing before Rhea, the girl couldn't seem to find her voice. It couldn't be inexperience, the girl was heir to the Adrestian throne, and would have undoubtedly been tutored about her future relationship between their two offices, no matter how diminished the relationship had become over the centuries-

"Ah, I understand." Rhea gave a gentle smile. Politics, even a century removed, loomed over their titles. That must be the source of the girl's hesitation. "Please, Princess Edelgard, ask anything you wish. Think nothing of a hundred-year rift between the church and empire. As I said before, I am glad to answer any questions you have."

Edelgard took a breath. "It just seems…that killing people goes against the church's mission of peace."

Rhea's face fell. "Yes. It is unfortunate that such acts are necessary. Alas, some people must be dealt with strictly."

"Is that really it?" Edelgard stared with incredulity. "That's your ex-" She coughed, choking down her words. "That's the explanation? That's why the church will go against their own mission of peace and mercy?"

Rhea gave a shallow frown, inkling her head downward. "Unfortunately, yes. Some people refuse to see reason, and as much as I wish for peace, they make violence my only option. I need not remind you the fifth eternal commandment allows such acts if they are the will of the goddess. Trespasses on holy ground and conspiracy to commit murder make the just response quite clear."

"…And the purge of the Western Church?" Edelgard all but muttered.

Rhea stopped herself from snorting. "From what I have seen, the rot plagues both the head and the body of their house. A cleansing must be performed, less the limb grow gangrenous."

Rhea, steadied herself, looking across the three heirs. "In effect, my judgement is not so different from your own actions this evening."

Edelgard's eye narrowed, though her voice remained level. Curious. "What do you mean by that?"

"It's rather simple. You caught these men in an attempt to rob graves. Instead of submitting themselves to judgement and possible mercy, they attacked you and your classmates with intent to kill." Rhea shook her head. "A despicable act, and one punished justly by your blades."

"But that's different. These men have surrendered." Edelgard pressed. "There is no reason to kill them."

Rhea studied Edelgard. The girl had grown bolder. There was an anger burning in her eyes, though her voice was holding a neutral tone. Rhea couldn't place the source of the emotion. Perhaps a particularly pious background? Edelgard had brought up scripture in her questioning. Or perhaps it was the imperial family's hostility towards the central church.

In the end, it mattered little. "Crime must be punished, and the guilty must be given their due. Sometimes an offense is too great to afford mercy." Rhea paused, before giving a soft smile. "Though I am pleasantly surprised by your outlook, Princess Edelgard."

Edelgard blinked, and confusion ruled her face. "What?"

"Your desire to grant mercy to those who have wronged you speaks volumes of your character." Rhea said gently. "When you take the throne one day, such compassion will serve your people well. I will pray for your rule to be as peaceful as we can make it."

Edelgard did an admirable job of not stumbling over her words. "A-ah. My thanks, archbishop." There was something more going on with the girl than her forefather's anger over the church's affairs. Every time Rhea smiled, Edelgard flinched. It was as if the girl feared her like an eagle feared a storm. It reminded Rhea of her Wilhelm on the eve of battle, pouring over maps and strategy, his body tense and prepared to strike at any spy that may lay hidden in their midst, preparing to strike-

Perhaps it was best not to push further for now. Rhea nodded to Claude and Dimitri. "I would offer the same prayers to the two of you, of course."

"I'm flattered, Lady Rhea." Claude's eyes twinkled with a dark humor, as though he were laughing at some private joke. Most curious. Dimitri nodded back, muttering his thanks.

"Is something the matter, Prince Dimitri?" Rhea frowned. "You are quite solemn."

Dimitri flinched, before bowing. "No archbishop, it's just all this talk of betrayal, justice, and the shadow looming over it all-" Dimitri's first clenched and he sucked in a breath. "Forgive me, but I would prefer to keep my silence on the matter."

Rhea nodded in sympathy. "I understand."

"With that, perhaps it is best for us to retire." Byleth spoke up. "Hapi is still waiting for the archbishop, and we will all be here tomorrow to discuss anything else."

Rhea turned to look down at the moon cast shadows. It was very late. "Yes, I believe Professor Eisner is correct. I must bid you three- "

"Oh wait!" Claude snapped his finger. "There was one other thing. The Death Knight that Teach fought- there was something glowing under his armor the same way the sword did. Gramps told me that was how the Hero's Relics showed off their power. Does that mean…?"

Rhea paused, and felt her lips thin. "Yes…yes, that is correct. What you described to me before the trial is most certainly a Relic." Rhea felt her knuckles turn white. "The Rafail Gem, to be precise. It bestows powerful shield magic to any that bear the Crest of Lamine." Rhea turned to Byleth, who stared back blankly. "But an artifact like that should be held under lock and key…" Rhea bit her lip. "The fact that it is in the hand of a rogue is of great concern. I will have to contact the family in charge of its safekeeping for more details."

"The Rafail Gem…" Rhea saw a genuine glow of curiosity shone through Claude's face. "If I recall my history, that's the one Relic that's stayed in the Empire's borders through thick and thin for the past thousand years, correct?"

Edelgard's brow had narrowed and her hands had moved behind her back. Her lips pressed together. "Yes. Though the family that guarded it has wasted away. I had not heard anything of the gem in years."

Claude clicked his tongue as his eyes glinted with calculation. Dimitri's face was lost in a haze. Edelgard continued to simmer. Rhea grimaced, but looked ahead.

"Rest assured that the church will waste no expense in tracking down this villain. If there are any other details or subjects you wish to discuss, please bring them to my attention. But for now, I must ask you to return to your dormitories. It is well past curfew, and your professor and I still have much to do."

The three lords nodded or bowed. Rhea sighed, and walked to the cathedral's doors, Byleth quickly falling in behind her. They walked quickly over the bridge, silent as they passed the small army of knights running back and forth across Garreg Mach in search of any more conspirators hiding in the gloom. Entering the main hall found guards standing at every doorway, rigid and immovable, ears perked for anything suspicious. The two took to the stairs, climbing quickly. Once they had reached the mid-level of the staircase and a pretense of privacy could be maintained, Rhea stopped and whispered.

"You always find the Sword of the Creator tonight?"

Byleth shrugged. "I have a flair for the dramatic. I plan to keep it, unless you have objection."

"No. I will give a proclamation I imagine you have heard many times." Rhea snorted. "Along with your recent exploits, I can't imagine what this will do to your fame."

Byleth nodded. "Flayn reads through marriage proposals I receive. She's been trying to trick Seteth into thinking they're for her. She promises to set him off when you are present."

Rhea smirked. "That would be quite the sight. I'll have to give Flayn my th- wait." Her eyes narrowed. "You are being accosted with marriage proposals?" Rhea's lips thinned. "From whom?"

"Experience tells me prejudicing you against any stupid children or their stupid parents ends poorly."

Rhea stared down at Byleth. "Do you plan to use that excuse often? Do you think I will reach down and pluck off their heads, granddaughter?"

Byleth sighed. "I deal with it in much the same way you deal with your horde of unwanted suitors over the centuries. Polite disinterest."

Rhea frowned, but didn't comment further. There were other, equally important points to go over. "Who is the Death Knight? Which noble has to die?"

Byleth, expression was stone. "No noble. He is a bastard child, forsaken by his father."

"His name?"

"Emile. He wanders the nations, looking for battle."

Rhea's fist clenched. "Why did you not tell us he had access to the Rafail Gem?"

Byleth huffed. "He usually doesn't."

Rhea bit her cheek. "We will discuss your blasé attitude towards details later, again, granddaughter."

Byleth sighed, and Rhea responded with a glare. Byleth bit her lip and nodded.

"My apologies, grandmother."

Rhea sniffed, smoothed out her dress, and continued upward. Arriving at her throne room, she quirked her eyebrow at one of the guards. He nodded in turn. Rhea pushed open the door and calmly walked in, and then turned to her office, knocking.

"Aelfric? Are you two there?"

There was a flurry of hushed whispering, before the girl's voice crept though the door.

"Nowhere else we're allowed to be, your Holiness."

Rhea blinked. She could hear Aelfric pleading behind the door. After a moment, Rhea gently pushed the door open.

The girl had the same dark skin and red hair she had when Rhea had first placed her under protection. The same coloring Timotheos had, the same gentle eyes and calm demeanor her lost apostle held. Rhea had wondered if she might be distracted by the girl's resemblance to her long-gone lover, like how the children of her Wilhelm always made her see his eyes and hear his voice even centuries later.

The girl's attitude quickly cured Rhea of that delusion.

"-Please Hapi, don't give such a poor impression- " Aelfric stopped as heard Rhea enter. His robes were wrinkled, and the start of an unkempt beard was growing under drooping eyes. He stood next to the girl, who had placed herself atop a sofa, her feet resting on the table. A puddle of dust lay across the furniture, slowly growing with each swipe the girl gave her clothes and hair. A small bundle of towels sat untouched next to the couch.

"Archbishop! My…" Aelfric grimaced. "…My apologies, it's just that Hapi has had a…difficult time today."

The girl -Hapi, that was her name- looked up, unconcerned. "Don't mind me, sit wherever you want." She gestured to another couch, also covered in dust.

Rhea arched an eyebrow. Hapi lazily held her gaze. Aelfric fidgeted in the background. Rhea looked down at the mess, and the back up to Hapi, who shrugged.

"I dunno what to say, your Holiness. Fancy stuff has this weird habit of getting dirty." Hapi paused, poking at her lip. "I guess that's why rich people need so many servants. I wouldn't know, being forced to live underground and all."

"Perhaps it's best to go over what we were called here for." Byleth's voice wafted from behind Rhea.

Hapi's head tilted. "Hey Chatterbox. Her Holiness keeping you up after your heroics too?"

Byleth walked next to Aelfric and shrugged her shoulders. Aelfric was biting his lip and his arms hung limply. Rhea's lip curled. "…Very well."

Rhea closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then turned to Hapi, a firm expression on her face. "Hapi, your powers have evolved from simply being able to call demonic beasts to actively controlling them."

The girl blew a stray tough of hair out of her eyes. A bit of dust wafted to the floor. "Sure seems that way."

Rhea's eyes drifted to Byleth. "You taught her this?"

Byleth nodded. Hapi muttered under her breath. Rhea took a breath. "Aelfric." The cardinal did not make an effort to straighten his slouching posture. "You learned this tonight as well?"

Aelfric's hand ran over his chin. He glanced to Hapi, grimacing before he spoke. "I have been…not been made aware of this, no."

Hapi frowned. "You were pretty deep in the bottle for the past few months. I tried to tell you, but it didn't stick."

Aelfric coughed into his fist. "I…Yes, that may have…happened. Once or…twice."

Hapi bit her lip, but offered no comment. Rhea's lips thinned. "Child. Hapi. Does your sigh still summon beasts?"

Hapi's head rolled onto her shoulder. "Dunno. Want me to check?"

Rhea continued to stare down at the girl. "Then the original reason we placed you into our protection has not changed." Hapi rolled her eyes. Rhea turned to Byleth. "Professor Eisner, you have managed to teach this child how to wield her unusual powers in new, perilous ways. Can you foresee a way to remove the danger from her sigh?"

Hapi and Aelfric turned to Byleth, who hummed. "From what I was able to learn, Hapi's Crest is overacting. Somehow, it has latched onto her sigh as a trigger to release all of its power. I have been working with Professor Hanneman on a project that had certain applications, one of which being a partial solution to her problem."

Hapi reached into her pocket, and pulled out a small sphere, showing it to Aelfric. The dull, almost organic sheen told Rhea that it was made of Umbral Steel. Etched onto the trinket was the Crest of Timotheos. "Chatterbox gave it to me. It helps me focus." She turned to Byleth as she placed the sphere back into her pocket. "Thanks for the spare, by the way."

Byleth continued, unperturbed. "With my experience regarding overacting Crests," Byleth's eyes flashed at Rhea. "I can make an educated guess that continued use and exposure to the artifact will help Hapi reign her power under control."

"It took a full minute for Shai to come last time I sighed." The girl said with cheer, before frowning. "Or maybe that was because he was eating rocks."

Rhea bit her lip. The girl's control was far below what Timotheos had managed, but nonetheless impressive. And dangerous. "…Such progress is heartening. I am gladdened by your newfound control."

"Yeah, it only took you three years with me locked up in your sewers to find a cure." Hapi stretched her arms. "So when can I expect a going away party?"

Rhea's expression remained firm. "Unfortunately, you must remain under the church's supervision for some time yet."

Hapi's arms and expression fell. "What." She rocked off the sofa, standing up with narrow eyes. "What gives you the right? You already keep me locked away for my-" a scoff passed through her lips. "-own protection, and now that I have my sighing under control, you won't let me leave?"

Rhea stood unmoved. "Firstly, you do not yet have your power under control. Secondly, your display tonight will have serious repercussions-"

"What, now I'm your property that you get to discipline because I broke apart a few worthless statues that those Western Church guys had already busted up?"

Rhea's eyes narrowed. "Your display of power was in front of a collection of students, each connected to nearly every powerful family in Fódlan. If they have not already penned their fathers about your display they soon will. You will be accosted day and night to be used as a pawn in their wars. I would not wish that fate on any young woman."

Hapi rolled her eyes. "Please, I can take care of myself. Who do you think you are, my mother? I can handle anything life throws at me."

"Lady Rhea, please." Sitri scoffed. "Plenty of my cohorts are having children. Nothing will happen to me."

"Besides," Hapi continued. "It's not like I don't know how to disappear from sight. It's all you learn down in Abyss."

Rhea's eyes flickered to Byleth, who offered no answer. "My verdict is final. You will remain under the Church's protection."

"Lady Rhea, please be reasonable." Aelfric stepped forward. "Hapi is a young woman, and more than capable of making her own decisions. The burden her power places upon her is great, but so is her sense of responsibility. I can count the times she has broken discipline and sighed on one finger."

"Some risks are too great to take." Rhea said. Hapi's eye narrowed, and Aelfric's face darkened.

"This is just like you. Lady Rhea. This is just like your lip service towards Abyss- "

"Perhaps," Byleth's voice drawled. "I may offer a compromise and solution?"

Rhea's lips thinned. "And what might that be?"

"Hapi still needs training. I can continue aiding her." Byleth nodded to Hapi, whose lip quirked. "Then, after the dust of recent events settle, we can go over her situation in more detail. Near graduation, perhaps." She turned to Aelfric. "And we can bring Aelfric to the meeting in the next few weeks discussing progress between houses to give a budget for his group of students and general improvements to the sewer ways."

There was no such meeting. Rhea ran her tongue across the roof of her mouth. "…That can be arranged." Her eyes narrowed. "But I will insist that a significant portion of that time will focus on your own conduct."

Byleth nodded. Rhea's eyes drifted towards Hapi's pocket. "There will also be serious discussion on the matter of your and Hanneman's pet project." Byleth nodded again, unperturbed.

"That is…something, I suppose." Aelfric sighed. "I will expect you to commit something definite towards Abyss this time."

"Yeah, like laundry services." Another patch of dirt spread across the floor. "And I don't remember agreeing to any of this."

Aelfric gave a soft smile. "One wonders what exactly is keeping you in Garreg Mach if you can travel by giant worm, Hapi."

She smirked back. "Eh. The rest of the wolves are good company. And you still have my back."

A shadow crossed Aelfric's face. "Ah. I…" He coughed, and looked away. "I suppose."

A yawn sounded. Everyone turned to see Byleth covering her own mouth. "If that's all, I'm going to go fall asleep." Byleth looked up at the moon. "It's been a long day, and- " She gestured towards the Sword of the Creator for Rhea. "-After a fight like that, I could use some rest."

Rhea sighed. "I must find Seteth to add Aelfric and the Abyss to the schedule." He would not be pleased with the new workload.

"Yes, well…" Aelfric closed his eyes and smiled at Hapi. "I trust you can make your way back to your quarters, Hapi? I have a presentation to begin organizing."

She gave a mock salute. "You're always working hard for us, I guess I can do that much. See you tomorrow, Aelfric."

The cardinal gave an all too forced smile, a small bow, and then all but ran away. Hapi blinked after him. "Huh, guess he still has a hangover or something. What do you think, Chatter-" Hapi's voice trailed off. Rhea turned, to find Byleth had already disappeared.

Hapi glanced up at Rhea. "I'm not gonna bow." She turned and casually walked out and towards the stairs. Rhea looked down to mess of dust spread across her office floor, and with a roll of her eyes, followed. Nodding to the guards as she left, Rhea turned a corner towards the stairs just behind Hapi. The two made their way down the staircase in silence, before Hapi paused and turned.

"You know, I figured you would have made a bigger fuss about Shai and the mess he made in that tomb or whatever it was."

Rhea's thumb ran over a scaley patch of skin. "So long as the beast is in control, I have no objection to its presence. As for the Holy Mausoleum, you did not damage anything important enough to warrant punishment."

"Huh, really?"

Just the ceremonial grave of the Western Church's most recent bishop who's preaching had finalized the west branch's hatred of her. "Yes."

Hapi's lip quirked. "You know, maybe it's the low light of the stairwell, but now that I see you up close…" Rhea waited, unmoving. Hapi's eyebrows furrowed. "I think I saw you in Abyss. As a statue."

Rhea remained stoic, forcing herself too keep even breath. Her first creation's-

-Her first child's statue. The last proof of her existence, hidden away. Now found by this brat. "I doubt that."

"No really, I mean it. I was getting lost, and I somehow found this big statue of lady with a sword and shield who looked just like you. Had this weird inscription at the base that I couldn't read."

Rhea's lip curled. "Abyss is made of the ruins of Garreg Mach's foundations and old temples. What you found is likely an artifact of little importance. Any resemblance is nothing more than coincidence."

Hapi huffed. "Really? Sure it's not your great-great great granny's official statue?"

"Very." Rhea briskly passed Hapi. The subject need to change. "I have accommodated your petty acts of vandalism in my office, and decided to not charge you the outrageous sum it will take to repair the damage you did to the Holy Mausoleum. I would prefer you not connect me to every flight of fancy that catches your eye in the shadows of Abyss." Rhea pointed down the stairs, towards the light. "Come along foolish girl. You've caused enough trouble."

Hapi's eyes narrowed. "So when you want to change the subject the damage Shai did is important enough to hold over my head?"

Rhea's eyes narrowed. "The grave isn't important. The floor is. Stop being difficult for the sake of it."

"Oh I'm sorry, am I raining on your parade?" Hapi cocked her eyebrow. "Am I not being the perfect little prisoner for you?"

"You are being held for your own protection- "

Hapi's eye roll was nearly audible. "Gee, thanks, your Holiness. I'm so grateful. I know, how about I show my appreciation by grinding up that statue you don't care about to dust? That way, you don't have to ever worry about some stupid brat like me ever bothering you about it ag- "

Rhea's fist smashed into the wall next to Hapi head, and stone shattered under knuckles. Shrapnel clung to Rhea's fist, unable to pierce her skin. Hapi's eyes shot open from their narrow stare, looking towards Rhea's arm, before holding her breath and staring at Rhea, too frightened to blink.

Rhea pulled her fist out of the wall, bits of stone and mortar falling away. Her eyes burnt green as she loomed over Hapi, her face a wrathful sneer. "if you so much as try," Rhea spoke with a terribly calm voice, like the peace before the sky came crashing down in a firestorm. "I will kill you." Rhea stepped back, scorn dripping from her voice. "Go." Hapi swallowed, and broke into a nervous trot. Rhea watched her leave before descending the stairs, waving off the guards at the bottom. She looked after Hapi, who nervously peered over her shoulder every few steps, fading into the walls and stonework of Garreg Mach. Rhea sniffed, and began to march towards the front hall. She would have to confer with Seteth, and then she would descend once more to save her first's last work.


Out of sight, Hubert looked to where Hapi had disappeared, and then to Rhea's long shadow cast by the hall's harsh candlelight. He smirked, and slipped back into the gloom.


Thanks to Dox for beta reading!

The western church scene is one of those weird bits in three houses that makes you scratch your head and try and figure out exactly how many rewrites 3H's went through during development- from the general plot structure, you would think a rebelling faction of the church would get a lot more focus, but they more or less vanish from the plot after chapter 4. Yes, they're in Seteth and Ashe's paralogue, but they might as well be bandits. And then they are just around as random encounters in part 2. Go figure.

Also, you might have noticed Timotheos' Crest on Rhea's terrace in game- not sure what to make of it, but might as well roll with it. Rhea ordered that rest built on her balcony for some reason in universe.

Hapi's a weird character. She's one of the only people in your party who has a direct grudge with the church, but the closest she gets to really giving an official the finger to their face is telling Ashe to temper his expectations.

So all in all, Rhea and Edelgard have achieved C support. I guess. Expect more Hapi down the line and more of Claude being a little shit sooner rather than later.

Edited 9/30/2020.