AN: Don't own anything.
The carriage barely bounced as it rode over one of the well-maintained roads of the Adrestian Empire. Dark curtains prevented Shirou from looking outside and kept anyone from looking in. Not being able to look outside frustrated the amber-eyed boy. He wanted to look out at the world he's never seen before. To get a close-up view of the faraway places that had always been out of reach since he ended up in this world and was kidnapped.
The issue was spies, or at least that's what Hubert said when he refused to let Shirou uncover the windows. The black-clad teen had covered the windows a view minutes after they left the palace, citing the spies watching them, but he still thinks it's too dangerous to uncover them now that they were away from the city.
Ironic, considering the fact they were all riding in an expensive-looking carriage by themselves. If people wanted to kill Edelgard, then they were missing a golden opportunity with her being essentially alone. Though these roads are apparently very safe, so there's no need to worry about bandits or anything.
"Are you going to spend the entire trip looking out the window?" El asked from beside him.
"Not all of us are used to traveling," Shirou grumbled. He turned his eyes from the covered window to his friend.
"Be that as it may, we can't risk people spying on us," El explained why they couldn't uncover the window for what felt like the third time.
"I know that… but how much longer is this trip going to take?"
"The camp is at least two days away," Hubert answered. "We obviously wouldn't be staying in our carriage the entire time, but it will be a few hours before we stop."
"I can wait until then," Shirou said while slumping slightly.
"Complaining or dwelling on what can't be changed is a waste of effort," El commented. She then leaned forward toward Shirou. "Why don't we discuss something more prudent."
"Like?"
"Is there anything you want to see? It is the first time you've left the capital," Edelgard inquired. There was an obvious interest in her voice.
"A wyvern," Shirou sat straight up in excitement. He may have seen one from afar, but not up close. What did it feel like to ride them? To fly in the sky?
"Wyverns aren't as exciting as you think," Hubert said. "They lack elegance. Pegasuses are far more graceful and worthy of one's attention."
Shirou had heard that Pegasuses were flying horses or something, but he didn't know they were a real thing in this world. And they must be sort of common if Hubert expected him to know what they were.
"Aren't you afraid of heights?" El asked Hubert.
"That doesn't mean I can't appreciate their majesty," Hubert smiled and looked up at the roof of the carriage. He must have been imagining the winged horses.
Shirou's internal image of Hubert as a scary mage took a massive hit. The red-haired boy couldn't take someone who fantasized about riding horses but didn't because they're scared of heights seriously. "Do you want help with that?"
"No, I needn't any help with my fears from you," Hubert responded with a shake of his head. A small hint of what could be embarrassment was in his voice.
"Well, if you ever want help, then I'm here," Shirou made sure the black-chad teen knew he would help. He could even learn how to ride wyverns while Hubert got over his fear of heights.
"Of course, you'd offer to help," El stated with a shake of her head before looking down. Her body language grew teary as she thought about something Shirou wasn't privy to. Her longing-filled gaze turned towards the covered window. "I've never flown on a Pegasus or Wyvern. I can only imagine what it's like to fly through the sky unburdened by the world."
"Flying away into the sky wouldn't change anything, though. Life up there might be nice for us, but it would mean leaving everyone else in the dirt," Shirou solemnly commented. His eyes looked towards the covered window as well now. The outside world may have been just on the other side of the carriage, but it still felt so far away.
The princess of the Adrestian Empire hummed a sad note in agreement. Any desire to talk faded from the pair.
Edelgard took a sip of cold water, helpfully provided to her by Hubert. The liquid soothed her dry throat.
They were now arriving at the nobles' camp. So, she had spent the last few hours lecturing Shirou on noble etiquette and how to present himself in a situation.
"Shirou, come to me if you get into any trouble at all," Edelgard warned her friend while the carriage was stopped. The carriage driver was providing proof of their identity to the gate guards. Hubert gave her permission to partially uncover the window for a short time so she could get a look at the camp.
The camp was guarded by Imperial soldiers and surrounded by a temporary barrier made of wood. The gate seemed kind of unnecessary, given how far away the fighting was. Edelgard wondered if it was there to make the nobles feel safe or help them pretend to be soldiers – making them feel like they were fulfilling their noble duty without putting their lives on the line.
The next emperor of the Adrestian Empire couldn't stand that her citizens were dying while these people weren't doing anything about it. Yet, at the same time, she had a strange thought.
She hadn't met or talked with any of the people here, but she wondered how many were here because they had to be. As nobility, they were called to fight even if they didn't want to. Their ability to choose was stolen from them due to the family they happened to be born into.
If there were any people like that here, then they were victims in Edelgard's eyes. Those who were here to play war and treat this target as an opportunity, on the other hand…
Edelgard remembered Hubert's latest report on the war.
The invaders had attacked the Viscountry of Nuvelle, which was located on the Empire's westernmost coast. It was a land made wealthy through its marine trade with the island nations of Brigid, Dagda, Albinea, and the like. The capital city Nuvelle contained the biggest port in the Empire – if not Fodlan – allowing more goods to pass through there than anywhere else –
– thus making them a valuable target.
Brigid and Dagda were island nations, so any armies they sent would have to be via ships. Destroying Nuvelle will cripple the Empire's navy and cut off a major supply line. With it gone, the Empire would have almost no way to prevent the invaders from sending reinforcements or defending coastal areas from invasion.
And despite this, the nobility is doing nothing to help them because House Nuvelle doesn't have any ties to the other houses. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they are the most politically isolated family in the Empire.
From what she knew of the house, it carried a secret that it kept hidden even from the Imperial family, and whatever it is has turned the clan to reclusiveness and secrecy. They even forbade marriage with other houses to maintain these mysteries.
Edelgard couldn't help but wonder if their secrecy or refusal to marry outsiders drove a wedge between House Nuvelle and the six noble houses specifically. It would explain why they weren't warned of the invasion despite Duke Aegir's prior knowledge.
The Imperial Princess felt a wave of repugnance assault her stomach at the idea, yet she didn't dwell on it.
According to current intel, the city of Nuvelle will be destroyed within a matter of days – long before her group could get there, even traveling at max speed.
The only reason the city managed to survive even now is probably that Brigid and Dagda don't want to risk incurring massive casualties from attacking a powerful city.
Yes, the only factor Edelgard could see in Nuvelle's favor was that Brigid and Dagda had to cross the sea to attack. They can't risk pointlessly wasting lives when they don't yet have a foothold in the Empire, as reinforcements will take too long to arrive.
Instead, they launched two smaller land forces to initiate a land blockade on Nuvelle, while their naval forces did the same to the city's port. A massive material-based trade city like Nuvelle wouldn't have the food supply to endure a complete blockade without being negatively impacted.
The Imperial Princess was willing to wager that the invaders would attack soon, once the city started suffering from food shortages but before they became truly desperate.
Edelgard leaned back from the window and let the curtain cover it again. Her expression was cold as stone as she did so.
"Don't worry about me," Edelgard heard Shirou say. Her chilled expression was met with his smiling face. The Imperial princess could instantly tell he was trying to cheer her up. "Hubert wants me to listen in on the commoner servants and soldiers, so I probably wouldn't be bothered by nobles. And I have your advice to help me if they do."
The Hresvelg smiled in turn, hers a bit more subdued than his. Some of her worries faded away and were replaced with a sense of calm.
"Just refrain from being too overconfident," Hubert said to Shirou with a grimace and almost sinister aura. "This is Lady Edelgard's first public appearance in years, and I wouldn't see it ruined by a careless mistake."
"And if it is?" Shirou shot back while crossing his arms. One of his eyes was closed while the other was side-eyeing Hubert.
"Then only Lady Edelgard and myself will be riding off to war," Hubert responded as a cruel smile formed on his face. He seemed to take joy in the poorly-vailed threat.
Meanwhile, Shirou didn't seem to feel threatened by Hubert. On the outside, he looked like he was glaring at her retainer, but Edelgard sensed he wasn't angry at him.
Edelgard von Hresvelg felt reassurance at seeing the pair get along. If her two allies get along, then maybe there wouldn't be anything to worry about.
The sound of something wooden sliding rang out from the front side of the carriage. Edelgard's eyes fell on the slide the carriage driver must open if he needs to speak with his passengers.
"Your Majesty, we're at the camp," a rough older voice informed them from outside the carriage.
The Imperial Princess sighed before mentally preparing herself for what was to come. Her eyes flickered to her two companions.
"As royalty, you should have your own space, Lady Edelgard," Hubert subtly told her she didn't have to worry about dealing with people as soon as she stepped out of the carriage.
Shirou didn't say anything, but there was a longing gaze in his eyes. His desire to see the outside world was boiling up to the surface. Yet, his left hand was tightly squeezing his seat. It was almost like he was nervous or even scared of what lay outside the carriage.
The carriage door was opened by the driver.
Edelgard sent Shirou a quiet glance of support before standing up and exiting the carriage. She looked at the bowing carriage driver as she did so.
He was an older man with rough hands and was wearing clothing befitting someone serving royalty, but something about him bothered her.
The young girl's eyes flickered from the man to her surroundings. Now that she was out of the carriage, she could hear the sounds of people all around her. The area in front of her was empty besides a large tent befitting royalty and a second smaller barrier like the one around the camp surrounding it.
From one point of view, it would look like extra protection for the royal family, but Edelgard saw it differently.
Instead of protection, it felt like she was being isolated from everyone else.
Edelgard's feet touched the rough ground. The sun's heat surrounded her, warming her. Her nose picked up the smells around her, most prominently the stench of nobility. Their expensive and high-class scents all but drowned out the natural smell of nature.
Hubert walked out next, followed by Shirou. The latter seemed ok on the surface. His eyes darted around, taking in every detail, but it was impossible to tell if curiosity or nervousness drove them
The carriage driver got back onto his vehicle and drove it behind the tent. Edelgard figured there must be a place to store it behind the large tent.
She turned around and looked at them. "I trust you know what you need to do?"
"Yeah."
"Why, of course."
The Imperial Princess nodded as well and turned towards the gate separating them from the nobility. She buried all her emotions behind a stoic mask to prepare herself for her next task. She was the one who would be the next emperor. These nobles were the ones who power and support she needed to court until she consolidated her power to the point she wouldn't need them.
Shirou wandered through an almost empty part of the noble's camp. He was now on his second or third hour of scouting the camp and hadn't heard anything interesting yet. All the commoners were working tirelessly and not talking. The nobles didn't seem to talk about anything interesting either.
At least none of the nobles had noticed him or tried to talk to him. Being ignored made it easy to eavesdrop on them.
The boy turned a corner and wiped so sweat from his brow.
His home city of Fuyuki City was named Winter Tree for a reason. It was named after its longer-than-average winters and colder climate. Even on the warmest day in the hottest month, the temperature would only reach a high in the upper twenty degrees celsius.
The climate in the Empire was much more Mediterranean. It was much hotter.
Shirou had no idea how the nobles were able to handle the heat so well. He felt like his black clothing was a heater trying to steam-cook him. His only solace was that he knew he couldn't die from dehydration – at least, he didn't think he could. The two weeks his experimenters kept him from drinking any liquids made him think so.
He would still need to ask El where he could get water later.
The amber-eyed boy spotted a well-dressed man collapsed in a chair a few meters from the corner he'd just turned. The noble was seated on the side of the pathway where he wouldn't get in anyone's way. A powerful scent of alcohol streamed from the man like a raging river. There was a spilled drink on the ground below his hand.
Shirou stopped before the blacked-out man. The guy looked like any other person despite being a noble. It would have been impossible to tell he was noble if it wasn't for his location and clothing.
The Emiya couldn't understand what made this man any different from others. He understood the idea of nobility, but he couldn't understand how people were able to place themselves above others.
How could someone sit around drinking while other people were suffering? Especially when those in danger were people you were supposed to protect?
Shirou wasn't naïve enough to think everyone would also do what's right – he didn't when he failed to protect those in need… When he ran away during the Fuyuki fire to save himself instead of others…
Yet, he still hoped people would do the right thing. He trusted them too. Even after everything that happened to him, he still believed people were naturally good.
The way those scientists and that man seemed to gleefully tear into his body wasn't enough to change that. The screams of all those who cried to be saved didn't change that.
All they did was further cement his beliefs.
He needed to atone for his sins to all of them. He would become a hero who could save everyone and create a world where they could fulfill their dreams.
Instead of despising the man who sat around drinking and partying, Shirou looked past that. He would make a world where the people suffering could be like this man – free of concern and tears.
The only one he had to blame if that didn't happen was himself.
The hero looked down towards the ground in front of the noble. His mind drifted back to the screams of those burned alive before him and those of the experiment's other victims. Each one was a desperate yell born of a desire to live.
He didn't have the right to happiness. He should exist solely to answer those tormented screams.
That solemn resolution brought a calmness to his heart. Edelgard had ensured he'd never have a heart of steel. For better or for worse, no matter what others do to him or what he does to others, he would feel it. The only choice now was how he would handle those wounds and emotions – both good and bad.
The smallest of smiles crept its way onto Shirou's face.
He couldn't deny or run from the pains of the past or future. All he could do was prepare himself to handle them as best he could –
– by smiling through the pain and finding joy despite the suffering.
El enjoyed seeing him smile and being happy, so that couldn't be the wrong path. After all, how could making someone happy ever be wrong?
Shirou took one last look at the random noble before resuming his walk through the camp.
He directed his amber eyes towards the darkening sky as he began his walk.
The day would be ending soon.
He figured dinner would be held in the camp's mess hall shortly, and El would be there. Shirou had no plans to go there, though. His presence would do more harm than good, and he wasn't even hungry.
Shirou did hope El or Hubert would save some food for him. He wanted to see what real food in Fodlan tasted like and maybe learn some recipes.
The idea of learning new recipes from an entirely new world left Shirou feeling eager to learn. The sooner he learned, the sooner he would be able to make El happy with his cooking. If he could make Kiritsugu smile with his cooking, then his closest friend would be a cakewalk.
Shirou was pulled out of his food thoughts by the sound of yelling.
The Emiya followed the voices until he could see the group. The group was standing in what you could describe as a walkway or street, depending on your viewpoint. On each side of them were rows of small temporary buildings. Shirou was hidden out of the group's sights by one of these buildings.
The group was made up of three people, but one was clearly not a friend of the other two.
Two of them were dressed in clothing that marked them as commoners, and their well-built physical appearances were more fitting for commoners than nobles.
The other one was a noble. The way he looked at the two commoners as if he was superior to them left no doubt about his status in Shirou's mind. The amber-eyed boy was almost reminded of Duke Aegir.
The one doing the screaming was the noble, who seemed to be tearing into one of the commoners.
"Admit you were trying to steal from me, you thief!" the blue-eyed noble yelled at the tops of his lungs.
His voice was loud enough to make Shirou flinch from down the street.
Shirou was coming in too late to know if the nobles' accusations were true or not, but he still felt compelled to try and step in somehow.
He always hated bullies who terrorized those weaker than them. The noble before him almost felt like an adult version of those bullies he'd fight with because they were picking on girls.
Before Shirou could do anything, a knight in literal white armor walked up to the group from the other end of the street.
Shirou decided to remain hidden and watched what happened next. Hopefully, the knight will stop the fight, and he wouldn't have to get in trouble.
"Ah, a knight of Seiros!" Shirou heard the noble yell once again. "This commoner tried to steal from me! I order you to punish him!"
"I- I understand," the knight hesitantly answered. His tone made it seem like he didn't want to do what the noble said, but that hesitation faded as he turned toward the supposed thief and his friend.
The amber-eyed boy froze in disbelief for but a moment. He had trouble believing someone would accept the noble's words without even questioning the other witness.
Shirou's conscience wouldn't let him stand there while someone else suffered in front of him. He took a step forward –
– only for a hand to cover his mouth while another pulled him back.
Shirou tried to struggle. A profound terror grabbed his heart as hard as the hand covering his mouth. Memories of being helpless as he was tortured by Duke Aegir replayed in his mind like it had just happened.
The humiliation of being too weak to do anything. The pain of having his body shattered and shredded. The unending terror of having your person used as a plaything without being able to resist.
All those raw emotions surged up. Unyielding. Unstoppable.
"Did you perhaps forget you're not supposed to get into trouble?" the identity of a voice that should have been familiar didn't register in his mind. Instead, Shirou tried to thrash around more, doing everything in his power to escape, but to no avail. "Tsk, why must you choose now to be troublesome."
Shirou fought as he was forcibly pulled away from the nearby people.
His breathing grew frantic.
Something in Shirou's mind just wouldn't let him calm down and think logically. It was almost like a switch had been pulled within his head. One that sapped him of all his self-control and reason.
"This should be far enough," the voice said before releasing Shirou. The boy tumbled forward yet still managed to stay on his two feet.
Shirou frantically turned to look at the person who dragged him away. His body was tenser than a wooden board.
"Enough, I'm not the enemy," Hubert spoke without his usually evil flair. Shirou's eyes widened at the sight of the familiar teen. His mind worked to process what had happened. The tension in his body slowly faded, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Hubert?" Shirou asked with a shaky voice. His body was just as shaky, and he unconsciously made himself as small as possible.
"Who else would I be?" Hubert answered dismissively. "My original goal was to step in and prevent you from making a scene with a well-connected noble, yet it became something so unpleasant."
Shirou looked up at Hubert as he walked toward him. The tortured boy flinched as the older boy stopped in front of him.
"Your reaction is so odd. I don't think it would be wrong to say there's something more there," Hubert extended his hand to Shirou, offering to help him up.
Hubert's hand was well within reach, but Shirou couldn't take it. The idea of touching his hand made him feel uneasy, much less actually doing it.
"Ah, I understand," Hubert said while retracting his hand. "Looking back, I don't think I've seen you physically touch anyone of your own volition other than Lady Edelgard. Tell me, you wouldn't happen to fear being touched? There's no need to feel ashamed if so."
The question caused Shirou to pause. It was true that he dislikes being touched, and the thought of it since that day puts him on edge… but that didn't matter right now.
"It doesn't matter," Shirou spoke while trying to stand up from the ground. He brushed his anxiety and panic to the back of his mind. "We need to go help that person–"
Shirou was cut off by Hubert using his covered foot to knock Shirou back down when he was standing up.
"It seems you still haven't fully come to your senses; let me repeat myself from earlier then. The noble you're trying to stop is well-connected, and getting on his bad side could possibly sour Lady Edelgard's chances of allying with quite a few nobles," Hubert's face settled into an unamused frown. Despite that, some tiny crumbs of understanding and frustration were hidden with the scowl. "Furthermore, helping that person, as you put it, is impossible for you."
The boy frowned. He didn't want to mess up any allies El could gain, but he couldn't ignore someone in need. All he needed to do was…
"I am not saying your desire is incorrect, but your capabilities simply don't match your ambition," Hubert took a step back from Shirou. "As you are now, there is no way for you to help that man without hurting Lady Edelgard's position. Which is something I think you know."
Shirou contemplated Hubert's words.
If that noble is as connected as Hubert said he was, it wouldn't be a good idea to make an enemy of him. Doing so would make it harder to save people in the future. And it wasn't like the commoner was going to be executed.
The best way to protect everyone was to turn a blind eye to injustice.
Shirou knew Hubert was correct, but he didn't want to accept it. He wanted to be a hero that could save everyone. He needed to keep his promise. Yet, keeping it required him to break it.
Shirou's body slumped as his anger left him. He knew what he had to do even if he didn't want to.
And it was all because he was too weak.
"I do," Shirou answered just loud enough for Hubert to hear him. "But you'll make sure that guy is ok?"
Hubert brought his hand to his chin. "Possibly, assuming you calm down, that is."
Shirou nodded and got off the ground. He didn't want to leave a person to get hurt by injustice, but he had to look at the best path to free the world of pain and tears.
That was his punishment for his sins. His way of atoning.
"I'll hold you to that," Shirou said with a frown, which quickly morphed into a questioning stare. "And were you following me?"
Hubert appeared as soon as he almost got into trouble. Either Hubert was following him, or he just happened to be in the same area. Shirou found the latter option unlikely, given his impression of his older companion.
"How unexpectedly astute," Hubert both praised and insulted Shirou in one breath.
"Didn't you say you had your own job to do?" Shirou questioned. "I thought it would be something more important than being a creepy stalker."
"Putting aside my 'creepiness' for the moment, I was fulfilling a crucial task – observing you while ensuring you don't get in Lady Edelgard's way."
Shirou lowered at Hubert. He couldn't tell what the black-clad teenager was thinking, but he knew he didn't like it.
"Do you not trust me or something?" Shirou bluntly asked Hubert.
"I believe you are not working with Arundel and his mysterious compatriots, but as Lady Edelgard's shadow, I mustn't leave anything to chance," he crossed his arms and explained. "Even with the best of intentions, you could still end up hurting or betraying Her Majesty. It is my duty to make sure that doesn't happen."
The amber-eyed boy's glare slowly faded. He didn't feel like his companion hated him or wanted to antagonize him. All Hubert wanted was to protect El and see her goals fulfilled.
His every action – even killing that girl in the dungeon – was done for her sake. Hubert held an unshakeable loyalty to El, which compelled him to do things he didn't want to.
Shirou couldn't bring himself to hate Hubert or his actions if they came from such a pure place. He knew he was a far worse person and had done crueler things.
"I get it. I'll just have to prove I can be trusted," Shirou spoke without a hint of sadness or negativity. In their place was excitement and an indomitable will to prove himself. He was determined to prove himself beyond a shadow of a doubt.
"We'll see if you can," Hubert answered simply.
The Imperial Princess sat at the end of a long wooden table situated in the camp's mess hall. A delightful aroma filled the area from the no doubt first-class chiefs hired to cook for the noble camp. They were probably hurryingly cooking just out of sight in preparation for dinner.
Edelgard almost envied them. At least they weren't being swarmed by nobles trying to talk to them or play politics.
From the moment she entered the common area, she had been surrounded by nobles.
Even now, the table she sat at had been filled with nobles of varying ranks and families. The more prestigious and high-ranking nobles naturally sat closer to her, while the lower-ranked ones sat further away – or at different tables, waiting for their chance to move to this one.
Most of the nobles came from either the Hresvelg or Aegir territories, and Edelgard could easily see the differences between the two.
Nobles of the Hresvelg territory have closely served under her family for countless generations. The thousand-year-old loyalty of these nobles wasn't something that could be discarded or forgotten. They may want to create a relationship with her for their benefit, but Edelgard could feel their genuine respect.
Those of Duke Aegir's land didn't have that respect. Edelgard sensed knives behind their smiles and words. They sought to use her for their own benefit and nothing more.
"Your grace," an Aegir territory noble at least forty years older than her called out. "I heard you spent several years in Faerghus. What are your thoughts on it?"
Edelgard frowned and quickly formulated a response. "Its summers were nice, but their winters were cold. Even the warmest winter was colder than anything I've experienced here."
The Imperial Princess took caution to not say anything too favorable or critical of the Kingdom of Faerghus. Doing one or the other would make it seem like she was giving her stance on it. If she did that, she'd attract nobles with a similar view to her side while pushing away those with the opposing viewpoint. Edelgard would need to see which was more beneficial before giving any statement.
"Of course, I am curious to know if you encountered your mother while you were away?" The noble asked a second question before anyone else could say anything.
Edelgard subtly clenched her fist at the mention of her mother. Everyone knew that she was missing and that no one knew where to even begin their search for her.
The noble only brought it up to insult and get under her skin. It was probably his way of getting back at her for avoiding his question.
"Unfortunately not," The Imperial Princess answered as emotionlessly as she could. She wouldn't let the nobles get to her no matter what.
"You shouldn't be surprised; the Imperial Princess's mother was just a consort," a second older noble spoke up. "The Emperor must not care enough to search for her – unless there is some other reason?"
Edelgard visibly frowned in displeasure.
She could barely remember anything about her mother, but she did have stories of her. Ones she clung to. The tale of her mother and father falling in love for the first time upon setting eyes on each other gave her hope.
She believed that her father would have made her his main wife if he didn't have a political married beforehand. So, hearing them slandered angered her more than the subtle reminder of her father's powerlessness.
Yet, Edelgard did her best to keep her composure. Getting angry wouldn't do anything.
"My mother may have been a consort and not my Lord Father's main wife, but I am the next heir to the throne. It is in your best interest to remember that," an eerily calm-looking Edelgard informed the two low-ranking nobles. She was not at all angry. Not one bit.
The Imperial Princess couldn't outright condemn the nobles, but she wouldn't let them walk all over her.
The pair of nobles understood her words' underlying threat and shut up. The cowards were too scared of the mere possibility she could one day punish them for continuing to insult her.
Fear.
They would do whatever it took to fill their greed and satisfy their vanity but were slaves to fear.
Edelgard found that disgusting but useful. It wasn't something she wanted to use, nor would she consider it unless absolutely necessary. But the people at this table are different.
Nobles claim they're above commoners because they're blessed by the goddess and that their crest grants them divine authority. A belief backed up by The Church of Seiros teaching that nobles are responsible for protecting commoners.
Despite that, Edelgard could tell these nobles had no interest in doing that. They wouldn't risk their lives to save the people they claim need their guidance.
If they were capable of putting their lives on the line for their people, they wouldn't be scared into submission by a veiled threat from a girl decades younger than them.
The elites like them weren't people she could ever trust, but she would use them. The weak nobles who abuse innocent lives would serve her one way or another until she goes strong enough to scatter them to the wind. She just had to endure until then.
"Your Highness, are you saying you've been selected heir over your siblings?" a noble from the Hresvelg territory asked her.
Memories of her siblings' death emerged from the depths of her mind. Their twisted bodies and dying pleas…
Edelgard shoved those memories back down before they affected her. She instead focused on the fact that they didn't know about her siblings' death.
Duke Aegir must have been hiding that from the world for some reason.
Whatever reason that traitor had to keep it secret didn't matter. It worked to her benefit since explaining the mass death of her siblings wouldn't do her any favors.
All it would serve to do is make the Imperial Family look weak.
"Yes, I am the one that shall succeed my father," Edelgard announced to all the nobles in the area. She observed the reactions of every noble she could.
Most of them seemed even more interested in gaining her favor than before. Not a single one attempted to hide their greed.
"Then have you selected your Royal Guard?" another noble asked from a couple of seats down.
Edelgard frowned. "No, but I plan to have Hubert von Vestra makes a list of potential candidates for me."
All members of the Imperial family typically have at least one personal guard, but the Emperor and his successor had far more. Personal guard positions to the Emperor or their successor are among the most valuable titles in the Empire. Not only is the Emperor's life in their hands, but those in these positions have a direct line to the Imperial Family. They gain access to their lord's secrets and have a chance to influence them.
Thus, it's a position sought after by those who are loyal to the throne and those who want to exploit it with equal ferocity.
She would have to trust Hubert to make a list of people she could appoint as she wouldn't trust any recommendations coming from these people. After all, they were the ones who came to court favor with a member of the royal family on the off chance it could help them. How could she expect any of them to make a submission not motivated by their greed?
"Then I think I'll pass a recommendation on to him," the noble answered in turn.
Edelgard held back a frustrated sigh.
The noble completely missed her disinterest in his recommendation.
The Imperial princess suddenly felt very tired, which was made worse by the barrage of questions she knew the nobles were about to launch.
El reluctantly straightened her back and prepared herself for several more hours of dealing with nobles.
Shirou sat on the bed Hubert had told him was meant for El's servant. It was off to one side of the tent meant for the Imperial Princess, far away from said princess's bed situated in the middle of the tent.
After his talk with Hubert, the pair had made their way back to the tent. Luckily, the guards let them both in because they had arrived with El beforehand and left the gated-off area together.
The boy's eyes turned towards the entrance of the tent as he heard a rustle.
"Is El going to take much longer?" Shirou asked Hubert as he entered the tent.
Even though the sun had set, El hadn't returned to the tent yet. Hubert eventually decided to go check on her while Shirou waited in the tent. The latter didn't want to risk going into an area full of nobles; thus, the former was trusted with investigating El's location.
"No, she should be here in a few moments," Hubert answered before quietly bringing his hand up to his chin. Something had caught his attention, but Shirou didn't know what.
"What's bothering you?"
"Nothing, I just received some troubling information," Hubert stated while shaking his head. "We can discuss once Lady Edelgard arrives."
Shirou accepted Hubert's reasonable answer and decided to ask a different question. "Did you make sure that man was ok?"
"Of course, I am nothing if not a man of my word. A white mage will heal the man's hands while he sleeps," Hubert explained.
Shirou let a sigh of relief. He may be responsible for the man's pain, but at least it wouldn't last that long.
The boy from another world sent Hubert a thankful glance. The black-clad teen didn't have to heal the man or promise to do so. He did so because Shirou asked them to. It was an act of either kindness or concern.
"The one that broke the man's hands was the knight, right?" Shirou continued after a few moments.
"Unfortunately, so. A few knights of Seiros have been ordered to guard the nobility," Hubert's frustration leaked into his voice as he spoke. "They will do whatever their masters order of them without a thought of their own."
"You know you sound like a complete hypocrite," Shirou pointed out. El's loyal retainer claimed to do whatever his master needed and was even willing to kill someone begging for their life if necessary. So, it was strange to see him condemning people for blind loyalty.
"How so? I am anything but a mindless servant. If Lady Edelgard suggests something foolish, I will stop her. The knights of Seiros are so blinded by their dogma they can't even do that. They're fools plain and simple."
Shirou quietly absorbed what Hubert told him. He could see his companion's point and didn't see any reason in disputing it. The Church of Seiros wasn't something he had any desire to protect or defend in the first place. Especially since everything he knew about it from El and Hubert made it sound terrible.
"I guess I get that," Shirou admitted to Hubert while leaning his head back.
"Get what?" an extremely familiar voice asked as its owner entered the tent.
Shirou perked up upon hearing Edelgard's voice and turned to look at her.
She looked absolutely tired. Her shoulders were slumped as low as the ocean water during low tide. Dark bags seemed to magically appear under her eyes in real-time.
"The knights of Seiros," Shirou answered before explaining the situation with the noble to Edelgard.
El's shoulders slumped in anger the more he explained. Her eyes were filled with a wave of indigent anger at the weak's oppression for the strong's sake. Shirou was used to the look after having seen it countless times before.
"Don't worry about it, El. Once you become the emperor, you'll be able to pass laws to punish them!" Shirou comforted her from the bed.
"If only things were so simple," El sighed, but there was relief within it. The Imperial Princess walked towards the bed Shirou was on and sat next to him.
"You're going to be the emperor, right? All you need to do is sign it into law," the ambered-eyed boy said. His hand found itself holding El's hand. The familiar warmth of the other's hand was a comfort to both of them.
"Making laws to regulate and control the Church's actions would require far more than a piece of paper," El said without elaborating further. She unconsciously tightened her grip on Shirou's hand.
"We can discuss the Church at a later date. We have a more pressing matter to discuss – one that can't wait," Hubert unapologetically interrupted the pair's conversation. "It is about Duke Aegir's latest plot."
Shirou couldn't help but shiver at Duke Aegir's name. Phantom pain rang throughout his body.
Duke Aegir was lying in his gold-encrusted King-sized bed. His pillowcases were similarly golden and red – a gaudy color scheme shared across every object in his room.
The Duke exclusively possed the finest of things. His bed was imported from Morfis – the metropolis of magic – and had an enchantment place on it to keep its user cold on the hottest of nights. The clothing he wore was made of the softest silk. He drank only the finest nectar.
Could there be any man greater than his magnanimous self?
No. Of course not.
There wasn't a person alive capable of reaching his heights. He stood at the principle of nobility – of people.
The prime minister of the Empire quietly looked into the empty space filled only with the material. His bed was empty except for himself. The room was silent except for the sound of his breathing.
His son used to visit him every night before he went to bed, but ever since he'd led the insurrection against that foolish emperor, he'd been staying in the Aegir family's palace in Embarr – far away from his son.
The massive mansion had been passed down his family line for over a thousand years and was second only to the Imperial Palace itself. Its splendor was even greater than the Aegir's mansion in their own territory.
Duke Aegir probably used his family's Embarr palace more than anyone else in the history of his house. His forefathers had it built as a display of power and only used it when they were taking short trips to Embarr. Most of the time, they stayed in their own territory to manage it.
Ludwig had to stay here to ensure the uppity emperor didn't get any ideas and fulfill his expanded duties. At least Lord Arundel was taking a part of the extra workload off of him. The man was so efficient that Ludwig wondered if he was even human – and where he hired his assistants from.
The large man frowned as he considered Lord Arundel. That disrespectful princess's uncle seemed to be aiming for the position of Regent. And Ludwig didn't know if he should give the man the job or oppose him.
Duke Aegir didn't linger on that question for long before his mind drifted back to the root cause of all his woes.
He wouldn't have to stay away from home for so long if Ionius hadn't tried to steal power from him. Nor would there be any need for a Regent to control the Empire in his place.
If everything went according to plan, the Empire would be placed back under the control of a better-behaved Hresvelg. One who would know not to defy him or strip power away from their fellow noblemen.
With the experiments the members of the Imperial Family were going through, the new emperor would also be powerful enough to destroy any who opposed the Adrestian Empire.
He and his allies agreed to that plan when the opportunity presented itself to them despite knowing the risks. The most pressing was the likely chance that all the imperial princes and princesses would die and the Hresvelg family would meet its end. A noble family with a longer history than the Aegir House would meet an unceremonious end. The innocent lives of its last generation snuffed out without a chance to resist. Yet, Ludwig saw it as justifiable.
The death of the crestless children wouldn't have weight on his mind regardless of circumstance – they could never be emperor, much less a good one. And those with crest that did die proved their uselessness by dying.
All that mattered was that one child came out perfect.
"Curse that stupid girl," Ludwig muttered while closing his eyes and leaning back in his bed.
Of all the children to endure the experiments, it had to be Edelgard. The one who refused to learn or give into him. The fool who didn't know her place or see that he had her family and the Empire's best interest in mind.
Her life would be so much easier if she just did what he told her and did not make him hurt her.
Maybe she'll finally listen to him after she'd got a taste of the real world.
If the carriage driver delivered the orders as directed to the right person, then she would soon be getting a much-needed wake-up call. At least it will be if the area has her sent to is as savage-filled as he thinks it will be.
Seeing the ugliness of non-nobles should scare her straight and hopefully make her more receptive to the right path – his path.
The Duke smiled as he pictured that foolish girl bowing to him. A willing vessel to be molded into the perfect emperor as he understood it.
The one known to the Adrestian Empire as Volkhard von Arundel walked down the blue-lit hallway of Shambhala.
The underground city was locked away and hidden from the surface, forever kept away from the sacred sun. It stood as the last remnant of the once great society that ruled the world before it was destroyed by the False God.
Arundel's body was surrounded by magical black energy as he walked. More of his body was covered with each step.
The man's skin paled until it was chalk white. His hair grew wilder, and his eyes lost their pupils. Clothing befitting a noble of the Adresrian Empire was replaced with the large black armor of the Priest of Shambhala.
Thales reached his destination as his flesh returned to its natural state. The scowl on his face didn't change even as the door to his meeting room slid open on its own.
Thales's eyes fell on his two fellow Agarthan leaders already seated at a long rectangular table.
On one side of the table sat Cleobulus. The woman was still using magic to make her flesh look like its original owner Cornelia.
Sat across from her was Solon, who had already returned his flesh to its natural state. His black eyes turned towards Thales while his lips curled into an even deeper frown than they were in before.
"It took you long enough, Thales," Solon growled. "My time is too valuable to be wasted because of your whims."
"Oh my, don't be like that. It is so rare for us two to meet like this. We should enjoy it," Cleobulus mockingly said to Solon with her everpresent smug smile.
Thales ignored the two of them and took a seat at the end of the table. "Myson and the others wouldn't be joining us today. Cleobulus, has anything impeded our plans for Faerghus?"
"Of course not. Our script is playing out wonderfully, and those unsightly beasts are none the wiser," Cleobulus explained with the tone one would use when talking about the weather.
Thales's cold pure-white eyes feel on Cleobulus. He felt no joy or pleasure at hearing their plans were working. The only thing his anger-drench heart could feel was a cold satisfaction.
Faerghus was a powerful nation and the one with the most Heroes' relics.
For the sake of their future plans, the nation needed to be crippled as thoroughly as possible. Fortunately, King Lambert had made many enemies with his reforms and desire to reach the other tribes of savage beasts.
It was child's play to set the stage for his demise. All they needed to do was wait for an opportunity to enact it. An opportunity they would be able to find through Cleobulus's position as a mage serving the royal family.
"By the way, my lovely Patrica misses her daughter so dearly. If the opportunity presents itself, she would do quite possibly anything to see Edelgard again. I say we fulfill her wish," Cleobulus said with a serpent-like smile.
Thales considered the proposal.
Originally, Cleobulus kept Faerghus's secret queen consort from ever learning her daughter was within arms reach to ensure nothing stood in their way of taking Arundel's body and returning Edelgard to the Empire.
The promise of seeing her daughter could be used as leverage to gain a valuable pawn.
"Very well, but don't risk your role being exposed," Thales's deep voice echoed through the room despite talking normally. "And should she prove useful, we may fulfill her request – may her blood serve as kindling for our creation's flames."
Cleobulus let out a dignified wicked laugh. "I would love to see your plan play out. It has been too long since I've had a good show – but while we're on the topic, how are our creations going?"
"My experiments are going well," Solon interjected with the hostile tone of an insulted scientist. "We will soon see our dream realized."
"Really? Then has the girl awakened the Crest of Flames? And how is your research on the boy going?" Cleobulus tried to provoke Solon.
"All the weapon needs is the correct stimulus to awaken the False God's power," Solon answered coldly while glaring at Cleobulus. "As for the other one, its healing factor and resistance to death are beyond any other. Whether it's blunt force trauma, decapitation, bisection, loss of limbs, blood loss, or hunger, all is meaningless to it – thanks to my efforts, of course."
Thales already knew the results of Solon and Myson's experiments.
As the beast was, it was almost unkillable – a power far beyond its station. Both medicines and poisons are useless on it as its body rejects all foreign substances equally. Any wounds are mended by a flood of lifeforce running through its veins.
The source of which was untraceable by Solon or Myson. That man may have been able to isolate the source and extract or duplicate it, but the dead are useless.
Still, even without his help, the mages of Shambhala had over a millennium of experience and the magical knowledge of the most advanced civilization to ever exist. There is no secret a false god's body could keep from them, and the same would be true for lesser beings like the beasts.
They used trial and error until they figured out how to trigger the beast's latent healing and keep it active. Then they just had to modify its soul so that it began to merge with whatever was granting him immortality.
The experiments ended up being more successful than they ever could have expected. Their second great creation has reached the point where even instant death couldn't slay it.
There even lays the possibility of the tool becoming truly immortal in time, but Thales held no interest in it. All he cared about was how the beast would further his plans.
A body full of limitless lifeforce was well matched with one carrying the Crest of Flames. The blood of the former would serve as the greatest catalyst for the latter.
"How intriguing. I may invite him to my humble home and see his abilities for myself," Cleobulus's face twisted into the expression of a vicious viper as she spoke.
"Enough," Thales ordered coldly and without changing his tone. The single word was enough to silence the two and stop their pointless bickering. "There is no place for games when we're so close to fulfilling our eternal desire. Now is the time we must be most cautious."
He would see to the end of the abomination's spawn and the return of his people's glory no matter what. Thales wouldn't let anything or anybody stand in the way of his ambitions.
AN:
Hello.
Another Chapter.
N1: I purposely put the scene with Shirou finding the drunk noble and being dragged by Hubert to juxtapose the extremes of his personality and how his trauma is shaping him. If anyone wants a breakdown of the sources/reason for the way I have Shirou develop, ask.
N2: Two things that couldn't fit into the chapter: Hubert never expected Shirou to find useful information and only told him to do so so he could follow him. And the Agarthan meeting was a general meeting plus a routine status report, plus time to discuss their plans for the current war in the empire.
N3: y'all now have an explanation in the story for how the Agarthans 'hacked' Avalon to work. Now, I don't want anyone else saying they can't do that or how it works. (Which means I'm gonna get people telling me that just to spite me.) The weaknesses of Avalon healing will be shown later.
N4: I plan to update past chapters before the next chapter. Fix things like the way Shirou kills that guy and maybe add a scene or two, plus correct inconsistencies - which happen a lot when some chapters are written in parts of the like month(s), and you end up forgetting what you wrote. Will make a list of things to change and commit to it so I don't fail like the last time I tried a rewrite. Please leave a review if you got any personal gripes you want me to take into consideration.
N5: I believe in the idea/theory Agarthans completely transport their souls to take over their victims' bodies. So, that's what I'm going with in this fic.
N6: The intent isn't to bash the church with that scene. I just want to show its flaws and how it upholds the noble system. This isn't going to turn into a church bad fic or anything.
N7: Shirou has Haphephobia from Duke Aegir's torture and only feels safe being touched by El. The hero who wants to save everybody and loves people can't reach out or touch others. :(
N8: Summer Edelgard and Summer Nifl cleared me out. Being F2P is hard. 2x :(
N9: Ashe best boy.
Have a great day.