To: Emperor Edelgard von Hresvelg of Adrestia

From: International Military Tribunal of Fodlan

Regarding: Verdict & Sentencing of Byleth von Eisner (in Absentia).

This letter is to inform you about the decision reached by the court.

Tribunal Representatives:

1. Annette Fantine Dominic, Royal Justicar of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus

2. Duke Ferdinand von Aegir, Prime Minister of the Adrestian Empire

3. Seteth (pres.), Cardinal-Legate of the State of the Church of Seiros

4. Marquesa Marianne von Edmund, Plenipotentiary of the Leicester Alliance

5. Qin Han, Circuit Attendant of the First Rank, Magisterial Empire of Morfis

6. Tristão al-Granada, Donatory Captain of the Dagdan State

7. Bran Gudrunsson, Syndic of the Tribal Cantons of Sreng

8. Aretas IV Macneary, King of Brigid

9. Delilah bin Nader, Vizier of the Kingdom of the Almyrans


Count 1: Conspiracy to Wage Aggressive War

Specific Charge: Strategic oversight of the "Coup of the Pegasus Moon" in Adrestia, 1181

Verdict: Guilty

Votes for: Church of Seiros, Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, Empire of Morfis, Kingdom of Almyra, Tribal Cantons of Sreng, Dagdan State

Votes against: Empire of Adrestia, Leicester Alliance, Kingdom of Brigid

Abstentions: none

Count 2: Crimes Against Peace

Specific Charge: Declaration of War against the State of the Church of Seiros, 1181

Verdict: Guilty

Votes for: Church of Seiros, Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, Empire of Morfis, Tribal Cantons of Sreng, Dagdan State

Votes against: Empire of Adrestia, Leicester Alliance, Kingdom of Brigid

Abstentions: Kingdom of Almyra

Count 3: War Crimes

Specific Charge: Starvation of civilian personnel during siege of Garegg Mach Monastery, 1181

Votes for: Church of Seiros, Empire of Morfis, Tribal Cantons of Sreng, Dagdan State

Votes against: Empire of Adrestia, Leicester Alliance, Kingdom of Brigid

Abstentions: Kingdom of Almyra, Holy Kingdom of Faerghus

Verdict: Guilty

Summation:

Guilty on all counts.


Dissenting Opinion:

Count One:

To the so-called dignitaries of this tribunal, I would submit to you that the "coup" on your Pegasus Moon was for the Brigidians a night of great celebration. To try such a thing in a court is as sacrilegious to us as trying the Flame Spirit for giving humanity fire to cook our meat, or the Water Spirit for wetting our throats when we thirst.

After this "coup" the occupying armies of the previous Emperor, Ionius, left our archipelago.

After this "coup" my granddaughter, heir to the Kingdom of Brigid became not a hostage, but a free woman.

After this "coup", I was misled and reacted accordingly. This professor of my granddaughter, the accused Byleth, is a man I met in the aftermath of such an error.

To meet a man unarmed who has wronged you is the measure of pacifism in my country.

He did so. And then, this man took my hand in comradeship after such wronging.

He dined in my lap that night as a son.

I simply ask the tribunal this: what man planning a war withdraws an occupying army from his enemy's land? And then extends a hand in friendship? This count is silliness to me, as much of the trial seems to be. The Green-Hair speaks of this man in the words: "Twisted Wings of a Would-be Hegemon". What Hegemon breaks the chains of vassalage and approaches those states in friendship instead of lordship? Methinks that the Emperor's Wings are quite twisted, if her goal was hegemony. In this, Green-Hair is right in his words, if not in his intent.

If Byleth is forever remembered as a criminal in Fodlan, rest assured he will be remembered as a hero in Brigid as long as a Macneary rests on our coral throne. I will see to it, as well as my granddaughter – who holds him in the highest esteem as teacher and family.

Our loyalty remains – to Adrestia, their current Emperor Edelgard, and the late Byleth.

Aretas IV Macneary

King of Brigid


Dissenting Opinion:

Count Two:

As an individual present at the confrontation in the Holy Mausoleum, I would remind the tribunal that the first offensive act of that engagement was – again – not initiated by Marechal of the Empire Eisner, pursuant to witness testimony 3B.

This testimony was delivered by an Alliance noble who specifically declared her house's neutrality in the wake of the conflagration there and was parlayed to safety by the Adrestian Empire in a diplomatic effort led by myself and Marechal of the Empire Eisner during Emperor Edelgard's retaliatory siege.

I would draw the tribunal's attention to the following primary documents submitted by both Cardinal Seteth and myself regarding these negotiations:

-Appendix 114a-d

-Appendix 193j-p

-Appendix 301b & c

Finally, I would state that the prosecution's argument regarding the nature of war declaration is also incorrect in nature. Emperor Edelgard's manifesto did not declare war – it simply identified an already present state of war between Adrestia, Faerghus, and the Church of Seiros. My argument throughout this individual count has been accused of ignoring Emperor Edelgard's supposed intent to prosecute an offensive war against the current states of Fodlan. Does such an argument even matter if she did not declare an offensive war in the first place?

As I have stated, the blame falls squarely on Archbishop Rhea.

I would illustrate these points further, but as I am currently on campaign, I would simply proffer the tribunal record as a defense of that previous statement. The proof lies there.

To reiterate the thoughts of King Aretas, the results of this trial will not impact the forthrightness of the Professor's heart in every effort. I, as Duke Aegir, owe him my life, as does the Emperor, along with all those in the Empire who value basic humanity and decency. The Duchy of Aegir will forever honor the man you deem a war criminal.

Ferdinand von Aegir

Prime Minister of Adrestia,

Duke of Aegir.


Dissenting Opinion:

Count Three:

Had I not been informed by my current liege, Claude von Riegan, Grand Duke of Leicester, that an individual who I cherish so deeply, Professor Byleth, would be accused by representatives of the Goddess for such untrue and evil deeds, I would not have assumed the title that follows my name. Even today, I am not sure that I deserve it.

But in the capacity of this trial, as representative of the Alliance, I am unafraid to wear it on the behalf of a person whose presence was a sunlit clearing to me in a forest of darkness.

I was present in the monastery of Garegg Mach for twenty days as a representative of the Leicester Alliance. Some might call my position inside those walls that of a pampered hostage. At first, I was heartbroken that a person dear to me would raise a sword against the Goddess. In my heart, I knew that such a decision could only lead to torment.

During those days I watched silently as horrifyingly selfish and petulant decisions made by Archbishop Rhea and Cardinal Seteth spiraled out of control into a disaster for so many innocent people and animals.

At one point, I was even declared insufficiently neutral, arrested, and imprisoned.

My last free evening during the siege was spent crying in my old dormitory as Cardinal Seteth ordered Knight Captains Gilbert and Alois to massacre and devour the animals of Garegg Mach in order to fortify the starving garrison for a sally against the Empire. I attempted to shelter as many as I could before the dorm was broken into by the Knights of Seiros.

Just outside the walls was a caravan of dried meat and grain from Gronder, which the Empire had arranged for civilian relief. Cardinal Seteth refused to accept such a gift due to fears that it could either be poisoned, or offer Imperial troops access to the monastery.

I spoke on behalf of the Professor, Emperor Edelgard, and Ferdinand that night in an audience with Cardinal Seteth, stating that I believed they would do no such thing. I was then confined to a oubliette without sustenance until the Professor and Ferdinand negotiated for my release.

During those days left to die, I had made peace with myself and the goddess, believing that such a fate would be acceptable as it would free those of their burdens to look after me.

When I saw the faces of Professor Byleth and Ferdinand after my release was arranged, I knew what a terrible mistake I had made in such an assumption. Even today, I ask the Goddess for forgiveness – my hubris in the darkness of that dungeon was unimaginable.

I speak for myself and my liege, Claude von Riegan, when I say that I protest at the idea of such a trial occurring in the first place, and will do my utmost to ignore the findings of this tribunal should Professor Byleth ever be found. The safety I found in him, and in members of the Black Eagle House, is a happiness that I will carry with me for the rest of my life – even though my responsibilities carry me elsewhere. That safety is one that I will endeavor to return to him whenever I can.

Marianne von Edmund

Marquesa of the Margravate of Edmund

Plenipotentiary of the Leicester Alliance


Sentence:

If in the course of the Coalition's occupation of Adrestia, former Marechal of the Empire Byleth von Eisner is captured, he is to be handed over to the Church of Seiros, currently headquartered in Fhirdiad, for immediate execution. All Imperial nobles are expected to comply with these conditions upon conquest of their seats.

If any other member states locate Byleth von Eisner in any of their territories in the future, the same directive holds true.

If the dead body of Byleth von Eisner is found within the territories herein, his body is expected to be handed over to the Church of Seiros for disposal in accordance with Church custom.

Signed,

Seteth

Consul, Term 1181-82

International Military Tribunal of Fodlan


To: Seteth

From: Emperor Edelgard von Hresvelg of Adrestia

Regarding: Verdict & Sentencing of Byleth von Eisner (in Absentia)

If.

Yours Truly,

Edelgard