Rhea strode through the hallways, briskly passing by a swarm of students and priest. All turned their heads to briefly stare at her passing, something Rhea had long grown accustomed to. But there was a subtle shift in the long familiar movements. In past holidays at the Imperial capital, Rhea would share the adoring looks of Enbarr's populace with the emperors, both waving atop parade floats or the palace's grand balconies. Even within Garreg Mach, Rhea could always feel eyes wander toward her whenever she passed. But now they slid off her like so much water falling down a rooftop, Rhea's presence only mildly noteworthy.
Byleth did not pay any attention to the many looks directed towards her or to the Sword of the Creator at her side.
Rhea was unsure how to feel about the change. On one hand, it was a nice change of pace not to be the center of attention. On the other-
"Oh, hey, Professor!" Cyril's voice sprang up from behind a column as the two turned into a deserted passageway. "I was asked to deliver this to- Oh, hello Lady Rhea!"
"Cyril. A good afternoon to you." Rhea pursed her lips. The boy was holding a note- high quality paper, from the look of it. "What do you have for the professor?"
"Someone asked me to give her a note." Cyril handed it to Byleth, who quickly unfolded it and began to read. "Said they were too nervous. Dunno why…"
Rhea felt her lips thin. "And who was this…young…?"
"Didn't catch her name, but she said something about being payed-"
Byleth crumpled the note and threw it into a nearby trash bin. "Thank you, Cyril. I'd ask you to use your discretion for any future notes sent your way."
Cyril paused. "You mean I should…"
"The same discretion you use for any notes aimed at Lady Rhea, please."
"Oh. That makes it easy. No problem." Cyril gave a thumbs-up to Byleth, before giving a polite half-bow to Rhea as he walked away. "Lady Rhea."
"Thank you, Cyril." Rhea eyed the discarded note. Byleth walked ahead into a more crowded passageway, and again eyes instantly turned her way. Rhea followed, and many young eyes did not shift away from her granddaughter.
Rhea's feelings on the shift in attention was much more concrete. Rhea strode forth quickly, wrapping her arm around Byleth's, who looked up at Rhea, but offered no resistance.
"Come along, professor. We have kept Seteth waiting long enough." Rhea strode quickly, and people moved out of the way.
"It's the same attention half the noblemen give you." Byleth's voice was dull, but not inattentive.
"And I've had years to train them how to behave." Rhea muttered.
"As have I." Rhea looked back to Byleth. "I set my boundaries. Give them time. They can be taught and retaught."
"I-But-" Rhea bit her lip and let out a hiss. "A young woman your-" Byleth did not roll her eyes. Rhea hissed again. "-Should know better. We will discuss this with your father."
Rhea felt slightly alarmed that she couldn't tell if Byleth was smirking. "But before that, we have a conversation with Hanneman."
What little emotion that was present on Byleth's face disappeared. Or perhaps it had never been there.
After one final rounded corner, the two had arrived at the meeting room. Seteth's clipped drone whispered through the door, a few scattered murmurs inserting themselves between his pauses. Rhea smoothed out her robes, pushed a few stray hairs back into place, and opened the door.
"-And unless there are any other objections at this time to next year's proposed balance of resources…" Seteth barely looked up from his papers as Rhea and Byleth found their seats among the other faculty and staff members. Manuela shifted uncomfortably, eying a flask at her belt every so often. Hanneman nodded away, his eyes glossy and distant, no doubt thinking of his newfound Signs. Alois shouted out his support now and then to Seteth's dull chagrin. Aelfric remained a picture of professionalism, clean shaven and tired sunken eyes hidden well.
Ten minutes passed, and Seteth cleared his throat. "…And now that the budgeting is out of the way, we can move on to student welfare, now that the archbishop is here. Aelfric, would you like to lead us? You mentioned a problem you wished to share."
He nodded. "Thank you Seteth, and I very much appreciate your generous forwarding of foodstuffs and clothing. Many children will rest easier tonight." Seteth nodded back. "I am certain you all have at least heard of Abyss in your time here at Garreg Mach-" a few mutters and nods were passed around the table. Rhea gave them no mind. "-But now that we have Lady Rhea's blessing, I would ask you all to keep an open mind. I have been tutoring a number of underprivileged youths for some years now, who have dubbed themselves the 'Ashen Wolves.'
Now, I have done my best to keep them properly fed and out of trouble. And for the most part, they behave themselves well. But…" Aelfric looked at Rhea, before his eyes fell downward. "It has come to my attention that several young…gentlemen have come to Abyss in an attempt to woo…I believe the name they have given Hapi is ' the worm girl.' She expressed her desire for me…" He coughed politely. "To ask you to…" His mouth twisted, half amused and half admonished. "…Remind them of her disinterest."
Manuela sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Poor girl, I've been there more than once-" A snort did not go unheard by Rhea's ears. "How many boys have returned more then once? Anyone in particular?"
Aelfric coughed again. "Hapi…did not mention them by…proper name. just that there were seven boys repeating the offense in the past week. And one girl."
"I had feared revealing her would come to this." Rhea sighed. Seteth nodded.
"The students will be reminded what behavior is unacceptable. Professors, I will visit each of your classrooms to give a speech on the matter."
"That is more likely to make the offenders try harder." Hanneman mused. "Especially the privileged nobles. Being told to not seek out a powerful Crest will just make them want the girl more."
Alois frowned. "Aye, it's a sad truth. The young have a bad habit of hearing a no as maybe."
Alois' downcast face gained a wistful quality. "Though, I suppose it doesn't always go as badly as this will. When I was training under Captain Jeralt-"
Hanneman snorted. "You're too charitable, Alois. The students should know better."
"I know, I'm just saying, young people do stupid things, and I was once young!"
"Yes. What foolish things young men pursue." Rhea murmured.
Rhea looked down at the burning red eyes of her fifth, who spat his words. "I know what's best for my woman, archbishop."
Her eyes drifted to Aelfric, who was intently studying his paling knuckles. "All of you, please make it clear that I will not tolerate any harassment of this Hapi girl."
A few heads turned, but all nodded to Rhea. "If you have no other major concerns, Aelfric…" He looked up from his hands, blinking, and then nodding. "We can move on. I have seen that all our students are making their expected growth, but this has already been a turbulent year. I would like to know about our student's well-being." Her conversation with Edelgard had been…disconcerting. "Alois, how do the Blue Lions fare?"
"Oh, of course." Alois straightened in his chair, smiling. "Well, they are mostly holding up just fine. Though I've been talking to Ashe a fair bit. Lonato was his father, you see…" His smile faded as he tugged at his collar. "It's been hard on the lad, you know. Prince Dimitri too. A sad state of affairs, when they have to kill their countrymen…" Alois sighed. "I fear Faerghus will be bloody even after the prince takes the throne. And none of this is helped by the fact that we are going after Gautier's disowned child this month. Sylvain is putting on a brave face, but I have a hunch that it's..." Alois wore his heart on his sleeve. "It's going to be a hard year for these kids."
"What about Dedue?" Byleth asked. A few heads turned her way.
"Huh? What about him?" Alois' brow furrowed. "He's a bit quiet, but Dedue's a bright lad. Good on his feet, strong like an ox! He's the cream of the crop among the men I've met from Duscur…" Alois' voice trailed off, and the room grew a bit more still. He coughed. "Well…The lad doesn't seem to want to make much of the whole…situation." Alois' eyes narrowed. "I've seen some of the staff harass him, but no matter how much I discipline them, there are always more jeers for the poor lad." Alois turned to Rhea, his expression hardening. "Lady Rhea, could you do something about this? The clergy and knights are more likely to listen to you."
"Ah…" Rhea sensed Byleth's eyes train at her. "Yes, of course. The goddess despises unjust hatred. I will make an announcement at the next service."
Alois smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Lady Rhea! That should be a big help. One word from you should clear everything up!" Rhea stopped herself from sighing at Alois' declaration. She looked at Byleth, who met her eyes, waited a polite moment, and looked elsewhere.
Rhea chewed on her lip. "Hanneman? What of the Golden Deer?"
"Hmm? Oh they're fine. Nothing to report, archbishop."
Rhea blinked. "Really?"
Hanneman's mustache wiggled. "Well, there are the standard angsts of children becoming adults, and a few more-" He coughed. "Personal issues, but I doubt I could tell you anything their parents don't."
"I see." Rhea turned to Manuela. "And the Black Eagles?"
"If the gossip mill is still functioning, you should have all heard about Edelgard by now." Manuela ran her fingers through her hair. "She's been…I wouldn't say depressed, but she has withdrawn into herself. The girl still keeps up with her schoolwork, meets and even exceeds expectations, but she barely says a word in class these days." A narrow frown formed. "I've asked my other students, but they're just as confused as I am." Manuela let out a huff. "And then there's Hubert! The boy hardly ever shows up to class, and I can almost never find him around campus!"
"Yes. I spoke to Edelgard earlier today." Rhea held her hands together. "From what I can gather, she…" Her lips pressed thin. "Given the empire's recent political turmoil, I can only imagine the stress of being the heir to the throne is…" Rhea closed her eyes for a moment. "Immense." She sighed. The girl had a look that no child should ever have to wear, "Let us continue to offer what support we can, as well as to the young Vestra. I can only imagine he is also part of whatever haunts Edelgard."
Everyone nodded, and the discussion moved on to other topics. Hanneman confirmed that the Golden Deer were preparing to take care of some bandits near Gloucester territory. Seteth showed Manuela a letter requesting an escort for prisoners marching from Enbarr to Lord Arundel's estate. Aelfric confirmed Constance von Nuvelle's eagerness to seek Duke Gerth. With that, the meeting concluded, and everyone stood up and began to trickle out of the room.
"Hanneman? Could you wait a moment?" Rhea called. Hanneman turned, already halfway out of his chair, before nodding and sitting back down. All other attendees had exited the room, save Byleth and Seteth who remained at their seats.
"I have been informed that you have made a breakthrough in your research. Something about Signs?"
Hanneman's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes! Quite right! I had been meaning to inform you when my research had progressed further and more working prototypes have been made, but what I have accomplished with- uh-" His mustache wiggled, and Hanneman did a poor job of hiding where he was looking. "T-that is to say, some people- I mean things might wish to remain-"
"Rhea and Seteth know I am from the future." Byleth said. Hanneman deflated.
"Oh. Well. If your grace knows that, I suppose everything is in order." Hanneman coughed. "With Byleth's help, or perhaps more accurately, guidance, I have found a way to create small artifacts that will allow the wielder to use the power of any Crest- though slightly weaker than minor Crests. If perfected, this invention will completely revolutionize the world! There would no longer be a need for the infernal Crest system, no more need for those cruel arranged marriages, no more-"
"I want you to stop." Rhea's tone was firm. Hanneman's breath caught on his throat. Seteth's expression was stoic, though a grim tug played at his lip. Byleth looked on impassively, as always.
"I-but-what-I-" Hanneman's face danced with emotions, going from to confusion to rage to distress and back again. "What?" He breathed out.
Rhea allowed herself to loom over the room, even as she sat in her chair. Her Wilhelm's tutoring had been impeccable. "What you are doing is a danger to the world. If knowledge of this spreads, chaos will reign."
"I-" Hanneman sucked in a breath. "I-" His hands clenched into fists. "Archbishop, I cannot allow you to do that!" He stood up, breathing heavily and leaning over the table. Rhea did not shift. "I have the key to ending the Crest system! A quickly creatable artifact that will put everyone, be they common or noble birth, on an even playing field! I can't allow you to-" Hanneman exhaled in an out, breathing deeply. He locked eyes with Rhea, soul alight in his eyes. "If it comes to this, and I cannot create the Signs with your approval, I will tenure my resignation immediately."
Rhea allowed herself to loom. "You feel that strongly?"
Hanneman breathed in, hot and fast. "Yes. I do. I lost my sister to the Crest system. I have the power to make certain no one else ever has to." He swallowed. "And so far, you have given me no reason to not create them."
"If I may." Seteth said evenly. "How are you planning to distribute these Signs?"
"Distribute?" Hanneman blinked. "I- what does that have to do with anything?"
"Distribution decides who actually receives the Signs. A noble with foul intentions could easily stockpile shipments to build his own forces. A group of bandits could steal some and wreak havoc on an unsuspecting county. A black market would most assuredly arise to launder pilfered Signs." Seteth crossed his arms.
Rhea was stern. "Not to mention, this would give three nations who already have a tenuous grasp of peace another reason to fight." She glanced to Byleth, who remained impassive. "not to mention that the Crest bloodlines have thinned through the centuries. It is quite possible that they will simply fade away." She could only hope that humans would no longer be able to abuse Sothis' gift to her children one day. "these Signs will only fan the flames, concentrating power in those with the wealth to collect and horde them."
"Not true! I do not intend to hoard this knowledge like a greedy king! I can spread my methods far and wide, to make certain that we never have to deal with such a problem. And people are suffering now!" Hanneman slammed the table. "I cannot simply wait for 'future generations' to lose their Crests if I have a solution now!"
"And what does our expert have to say on this matter?" Seteth noted dryly. Byleth turned to face him. "You have lived centuries into the future. What path is the correct one?"
Byleth shifted in her seat. Hanneman leaned forward. Rhea felt her breath slow.
"There is not a 'correct' decision." Byleth said evenly. Everyone held their breath, and she continued. "While the blood of Crests thin, they will never truly disappear. They will skip generations, sometimes be greater or lesser, but never disappear." Byleth locked eyes with Rhea. "Crests will simply be part of Fódlan forever."
Rhea glanced at Seteth. Their eyes met. His expression was as indescribable as Rhea felt. "I see."
Byleth spoke again. "As far as distributing the Signs…" her fingers drummed against the table. "They are a tool like steel or sails. They can be used for great good, or terrible cruelty. The Sign of Blaiddyd can give someone the strength to haul a quarry singlehandedly, or allow them to crush bones without effort. The Sign of Indech can give you the speed too seed a field in half a day, or cut a purse before anyone notices. And on and on and on."
Byleth took another breath. "But the Signs will find their way into everyone's hands, one way or another. Umbral Steel, the stuff they are made of, is organic and renewable. Monsters have a bad habit of refusing to go extinct, and dragging villages down with them." Byleth's lip twitched oddly. "Still I cannot help but have pity for their lot."
"Yes." Rhea muttered. Once human, unable to control the spilled Nabatean blood, cursed forever to inflict the rage of a dead nation upon the world. "Goddess have mercy."
"If we were to allow the Signs to spread, the world would be much like it is now. People would fight. People would work together. They would simply be…" Byleth ran her hand through the hair that covered her ears. "…stranger."
"So what is to be done then?" Seteth mused. "You told us of this science project a week ago, and Rhea and I are of similar minds."
"I still refuse to believe the status quo is acceptable." Hanneman declared.
Byleth was quiet for a moment. "Whatever choice we make will fundamentally change the world. Sometimes this decision has been made in months." Byleth glanced at Hanneman. "Other times years. I can offer no easy solution. One day you will hate yourself for being weak enough to release the Signs. Another day curse that you had not the strength to spread them to the masses. It is…" Byleth breathed in, and a terrible emotion gripped her voice. "We will be allowing the world something great and terrible. Too needed to hide it away, too deadly to let it free. We-" Another terrible breath. "Whether I bring it up to any of you or not, I always curse myself."
All were silent after that. Rhea tried to speak and failed. Eventually she turned to Hanneman, who was staring down, expression unreadable. "We should-" Rhea bit her lip. "Hanneman, I think we should all…try to contemplate what stands before us."
Hanneman nodded slowly. "Archbishop." With barely a sound, he stood form his chair and retreated from the room.
Rhea looked back at Byleth, who's eyes gleamed dully. "Is this choice truly so terrible?"
Byleth waited a moment to respond. "You have already made the decision many times over."
Rhea blinked. "I have?"
"You have held back the technology for centuries. This decision is much the same."
"What?" Rhea stood up. "If this is the same, we cannot allow these Signs to spread. If the humans become more like the Agarthans, that will only lead to more tragedy and destruction! We must-"
"Rhea." Seteth said evenly. "It's not that simple. It never was."
"Yes, it is." Rhea felt her nails dig into her palms. "You saw the destruction the Agarthans wrought. And what the humans already do with our brethren's power is-" She scoffed.
"The Agarthans made cruel decisions that led them to their fate. We can guide the humans to something better." Seteth stood up, pushing in his chair. "Simply forcing them to shun progress is not the way."
"I've been trying to lead them for a thousand years. Still they war with each other, and not even the Goddess can sway them from wrong." Rhea stared down at Seteth. He did not flinch.
"Endless complexity." Byleth sighed. Rhea and Seteth turned. "There will be no easy answers to this question. Instead let us focus on something simple." Byleth exhaled once more, and a clarity returned to her eyes. "Shambala. It will be difficult, but it can be conquered, and from what Seteth has told me, we should be ready in two months. Now, about Edelgard's trip to Lord Arundel…"
Thanks to Dox for beta reading!
Taking Hanneman's ending to the logical conclusion based on what NG+ gives us is an experience.
