The next day Seteth found himself within the Archbishop's quarters. It was one of the few places where the he, Rhea, and Flayn, could speak as family instead of using the false personas they had adopted for so many years. This room was a brief respite for the constant vigilance they needed in order to protect themselves and maintain order within Fodlan.

"Has your excursion to the Rhodos Coast gone well?" Rhea asked.

"The apostates invading the land were dealt with and there was little damage to the site itself." Seteth spoke plainly but also courteously. Though they were family he had difficulty relaxing around her or even Flayn for that matter. He was never a particularly lax man even before the massacre. The death of his wife and the years he spent fighting for his family's sake had perhaps exacerbated that trait.

"I am glad to hear that you wife's grave remains undisturbed," his sister replied. "Though I only knew her for a short time, I could tell that she was kind and caring person."

"She was" Seteth replied wistfully. He let himself that brief moment of recollection before straightening his back. Both he and his sister were calmed by the other's presence, but they never quite allowed themselves to relax completely. "I should also inform you that we were waylaid by bandits on the march back to the Monastery."

"Were you hurt?" Rhea asked

"No, they were dealt with quickly with only minor injuries at best, though we did spend some time making sure to stamp out whatever dissidents we could."

"Apostates, criminals, murderers, and thieves. Their numbers seem to grow despite the succor the Church has provided across the land. No how much we guide them; humans still seem prone to the same mistakes time and time again." Rhea's face seemed serene, but the fury in her eyes was clear to him and anyone else unfortunate to be on the receiving end of her wrath.

"They live short lives. Though we remember the lessons of the Goddess, their children and their children's children may not," he replied calmly.

"Then they must be reminded, harshly. See to it that all who forsake the goddess's teachings meet their end by the blade."

Seteth sipped on his tea, having since gotten used to Rhea's rather bloodthirsty tendencies. He was the rational one among the two of them, or at least that was the role he had given himself. There were times where he had to caution her over her emotions and some of the hasty decisions she made.

The Nabateans were ancient; a result of their long lives. For them, memories that were but a thousand years past seemed fresh even today. This was once considered a blessing, but perhaps now it could also be considered a curse. The death of his wife on the battlefield and the slaughter of their people was still as vivid in his head as the day he had witnessed it with his two eyes.

Rhea too had suffered in the war especially from seeing their mother murdered in cold blood. That was why he was able to understand her pain and suffering. Why he was able to accept how closely Rhea could delve so closely into madness. It was because he would've likely ended up like her if not for Flayn.

In the end the three of them were family and they were all they had at this point. He had chosen to serve Rhea and accept her for what she was.

"How have his students progressed?" Rhea asked, clearly referring to Byleth. "I would imagine he has more than fulfilled the role we have given him."

"They have progressed well under his tutelage," Seteth admitted with a nod of his head. "Though this year's students are talented in their own rights, there is no denying that the Professor contributed to their growth. There are many that might prove capable of serving us once they graduate."

"I've received quite a few candidates from our faculty this year." Rhea gestured toward the small stack of papers upon the table. "To offer their students positions within the church. I was meaning to go over with them with you today."

"Let us start then," Seteth replied. He had read and memorized the documents before he had handed them to Rhea. "I would not suggest Lindhart be allowed a position in the Monastery," he told her, already prepared to reject Hanneman's recommendation

"Why would you say that?" Rhea asked. "According to Hanneman he has shown a remarkable mind and great fervor toward research. He is a part of the Empire, a people with a long history of serving the Church faithfully. Hannemen has also stated that he would likely be willing to throw his own noble title aside should we provide adequate incentive."

"His fervor towards the research of Crests seems all consuming for him. He cares about little else, even the consequences of his actions. And there will be consequences should he continue prying into the secrets of the Church," Seteth informed her.

"Can't you keep him in check?"

"For the time being, though I suspect that he has already found a way into the forbidden sections of the Monaster."

"Shouldn't we expel him then?"

"It is a suspicion at most. I can't under good conscience punish someone without proof, but if he did it do as I suspect then he is also skilled enough to hide all evidence of his misdeeds. The most I could do was lecture him over his slovenly ways. He is elusive like Claude and it frightens to imagine the possibility of the two working together."

"Wouldn't someone of such intellect and elusiveness work be of great use to the Church? Despite such risks?"

"He is a man fully devoted to his interests. And though those interests might align with ours for now, how long will it take before something else draws his curiosity? Secrets that must never be allowed to see the light of day. He is too dangerous to keep around."

"In that regard isn't it dangerous for him to be left unchecked? Under the Church we could monitor his movements and dispose of him if he ever does become a threat." Rhea spoke with an air of casualness, as if she was suggesting changing the drapes of her bed rather than planning the killing of one of their students.

Seteth remained composed, though he had to suppress the urge to flinch at Rhea's suggestion. "I wish to avoid unnecessary bloodshed if possible. Though dangerous, what he does isn't due to malice towards us and our people."

"Then we'll have to keep a close eye on him to make sure that that isn't needed. What of Manuela's recommendation?" Rhea aske.

"Academically I have no issue with offering a position to Dorothea. However, she would easily reject our offer should a wealthy enough suitor appear before her."

"Her ability to charm men can be of great use to us, but it is not a particularly heavy loss if she were to go elsewhere. Offer a suitable position for her and we'll see what the fates decree."

"As you say."

"And what of Shamir's suggestion?"

"Cyril has always shown an intense devotion towards you and the Church. He would never betray you, of that I am certain, and his skills in archery have been praised by Shamir."

"Then we'll have little issue offering him a position among our most devout once he reaches a suitable age."

"Can we also provide for him should he ever finds something else that he desires? It is the least we could do for his service." Also, though left unsaid, Seteth would prefer it if he'd find something else to live for aside from Rhea.

"Of course, the faithful must be rewarded. And now onto the last of our recommendations. What do you know of this Lysithea that Catherine suggested?"

"Lysithea has incredible skill in magic for one of her age and has shown to have potential with the blade. She would be a great asset among our ranks."

"You sound quite hopeful of her."

"I have seen her skill firsthand on the Rhodos Coast… and have willingly confided Flayn and mine's secret with her."

For once Rhea look shocked. "It is surprising to see you confide in someone else. She has gained a considerable amount of your trust."

"She saved Flayn. I owe her dearly for that," Seteth admitted. "But even if I put my personal feelings aside, she has fought valiantly for the Church and has faithfully kept the secrets that I have given her. She has more than earned the responsibility I have given here."

Rhea's eye twitched as she continued to read. It was but an instant, a very subtle cue that very few apart from Seteth knew how to read. "It says here that she has two Crests."

"She does," he admitted

"There is only one group apart from us capable of imbuing a person with blood of our people."

"I can assure that there is no love lost between her and our enemies. Like us, she has suffered because of them. The loss of her family and the experiments they put her through has given her enough motive to see them all destroyed."

"A common enemy," Rhea observed. "But according to this report her lifespan has also been drastically reduced as a result of her experiments. Five years at most, hardly any time to make use of."

"It is because of her lifespan that she works as hard as she does." Humans had naturally short lives, some even shorter than others, but it was because they were so fleeting that they were determined to act and progress. Lysithea was perhaps the most apparent proof of that. "If we were to assist her then there is much, she could achieve even with the limited time that she has."

Rhea closed her eyes, a sign that she was considering his words. He patiently waited until she opened her eyes five minutes later.

"Our enemy is elusive, but perhaps her will to act as you have stated might be what it takes to flush them out. We shall aid her in her hunt, provide her the information and resources she needs to bring them down."

"I believe that there are better ways to utilize her," Seteth suggested instead. Though he wished to see their enemies brought to justice, he wouldn't do it at the price of Lysithea's future. She deserved some measure of peace and happiness with the time that she had remaining. "She has also shown an ability to lead and teach. Offering her a position as Professor or giving her a position among our mages would make full use of her skills."

"I'll leave it to you then to see where she can contribute the most. And what motivates her? Will she accept a position, despite being a noble of the Alliance?" Rhea asked.

"Her house has fallen into disrepair and she has no desire to retain the title. She does not seek to rebuild but rather dissolve it. So long as we provide comfort and security to her people and her parents, she'll be more than willing to work with us."

"It has been a long time since the Church has annexed lands in Fodlan. Wouldn't the Alliance disagree with such an intrusion?"

Rhea was right to think this. Of the three nations, the Alliance had always been the one whose allegiance could be questioned the most. They valued their independence and wouldn't take kindly to an excursion from the Church. Even one with the purpose of providing humanitarian aid.

Fortunately, Seteth had already planned for that. "Rather than annexing the land we can split it and distribute towards the families that have consistent support of the church."

"Which would ensure a stronger foothold in the Alliance." Rhea put her hands on her lap, clearly pleased by his suggestion. "That will do… quite well indeed."

"Then we shall proceed as such." Seteth carefully rose from his seat and bowed to Rhea. "I shall continue with my work. There is much that still needs to be done."

"I shall not keep you." Rhea promptly stood up, much to his surprise. "Perhaps I should take a walk myself."

"Are you certain that's a good idea?" Seteth asked.

"I've been needing some fresh air. Besides, I should take the chance to personally speak to some of our hopeful candidates," Rhea said with a serene smile.