"To think we'd encounter a member of the Leicster Alliance attacking Ylisse of all places. Then again, from what we've seen so far with the other three territories, I shouldn't be surprised now." Kendo said.
"Not even our own were spared from this madness it seems." Holst said.
"Sorry were causin' trouble too, and in someplace that's got a lot of memories for you guys." Claude said. "To tell the truth, things were pretty chaotic in Leicester territory even before all this happened."
"What happened?" Leanne asked.
"Well, let's see. You already know about the whole Almyra situation. But after all that happened, lots of stuff led to the Alliance starting to come apart." Claude said. "Unlike Adrestia and Faerghus, we don't take to be leading by any one higher power. All power is equally divided among the five great lords of the region."
"And I take it things weren't going very well." Adora said.
"Honestly, not at all. I'm a very great strategist, they call me the Schemer back home. But my plans…kinda caused a bit of a rift. Most of the distrust came from Lorenz. When the empire invaded Leicester, I had the strategy of feigning Count Gloucester joining the empire willingly to push 'em back, all while keeping it a secret from lorenz." Claude explained.
"And seeing as though Lorenz is in Ylisse now, keeping it a secret was obviously a bad move on your part." Leopardmon said.
"Indeed. You could've at least shared the idea with him since his father was involved." Spade said.
"Claude was willing to do whatever it took to keep Leicester territory from being taken." Edelgard said. "Even if it meant the Alliance falling apart in his hands."
"Sounds just like you, am I wrong?" Hope asked.
"Again with this?" Hubert asked. "Why are you so insistent on demonizing Lady Edelgard?"
"Trust us, Hubert. They're chastising her like this because they don't want to see her end up like… Like Gustadolph Aesfrost, from quite some time back." David said.
"Pardon my curiosity, but who is this Gustadolph?" Dimitri asked.
"A power hungry tyrant who ruled over his country and wanted more by any means. His country, Aesfrost, was a meritocracy." Ace said. "The strong and talented flourished, while the weak and subpar suffered."
"And what is wrong with ruling through merit? At least this way, those who show their worth can actually make a difference in the world." Hubert said.
"There may be nothing wrong with it, per se. But there is a glaring flaw that comes at the expense of the people you're trying to create a new world for." David said.
"What happens to the people who can't measure up?" Mark asked. "Would you…what, enslave them? Make space by getting rid of them?"
"What?! No, of course not!" Edelgard exclaimed. "I would never do that!"
"And what about whatever came after you? Would they think the same as you?" Ace asked.
Edelgard made to offer a rebuttal…but was silent.
"Look, none of us think you're a villain, and you do have a few good points." Mark clarified. "But making a merit-based society isn't going to magically make things better. In some ways, it may even make things worse. You can't solve all the world's problems."
"...What should I do then?" Edelgard asked. "If you say my end goal isn't the way, then what is?"
"The magic word is "compromise"." Mark answered.
"I'm sure that we'll be able to work out something between you and the Church of Seiros that benefits both what you and the Archbishop want for Fodlan." Hope said.
"And well… Once they recover, you can consult your companions for advice if you are having trouble." Lloyd said.
"My companions?" Edelgard said.
"Yeah. you've got way more support than just Hubert and Monica. You have all your other classmates too. Dorothea, Caspar, Bernadetta, Linhardt and even Ferdinand." Hope reminded.
"Yeah, and Petra too. She might be able to help from an outsider's perspective." Scott said.
"Yeah, look to them for guidance if you find yourself troubled. Same for the both of you and your companions." Ace said, directing the last part to Dimitri and Claude.
"Hmm…he makes a point." Dimitri said as they approached the kingdom where soldiers from House Gloucester were attacking.
"Do not let up! Continue the siege!" shouted a man with purple hair, raising his spear as he also had a glowing staff behind his back.
"Lorenz…the boy is right…I gotta clean up this mess." Claude said as they departed onto the battlefield.
"This place certainly brings back memories." Crusadermon said.
"Except today we aren't fighting a mad king." Dynasmon said. "Now here we…" he said before dodging an arrow.
"Sorry…but you won't get close to Lorenz." said a young boy with light green hair and glasses.
"Ignatz too?" Hilda said.
"Not a surprise. He joined House Gloucester as a knight before the war began." Claude said. "Wait…but there could be…" he said, jumping back as someone tried to slug him.
"Come on now…you gotta put your all into it, man." a voice said as a large man with dark hair stood there.
"Balthie?!" Hilda said.
"B too huh? Can't say I'm surprised." Hapi said. "And he's got the Vajra-Musthi."
"Hey, I can't help if I'm fighting for these guys. Merc work is all I can get to pay off my debts." Balthus said.
"So you choose to betray your fellow wolves, you brute?" Constance asked.
"Hey hey, it is not like that at all. I'm just picking up extra work is all. And going with a noble house is good so I can protect my head from all those guys after it." Balthus said.
"Yeah, that's right. I forgot he joined the Ashen Wolves so he could escape from his creditors due to the amount of debt he made." Hapi said.
"In that case, if we wanna get him to our side, we'll just have to turn Lorenz and Ignatz back to normal." Hilda said.
"Very well, sally forth everyone. Just know that I will not hold back, Balthus." Constance said. "Ahahahaha!"
"Uh, Constance, he could easily beat the crap out of you, remember?" Scott asked.
"Yeah, best to leave it to the others, Coco." Hapi said. "Our magic is better used on Iggy."
"Very well then." Constance said. "Ha!" she said as she and Hapi cast their magic on Ignatz as they knocked the archer back into a corner.
"Please, Ignatz…your life is too valuable to throw away. Remember what you want to do with your life." Claude said.
"You…you're right." Ignatz said.
"Even after all you've done, you still think you can look after us, Claude?" Lorenz asked, advancing forth. "Move out!" he ordered as coming to his side were a large man with short blond hair and a young girl with long light blue hair and exhaustion in her eyes.
"Even Raphael and Marianne are here? He sure came prepared to take this place." Hilda said.
"Doesn't matter how many he brings, we're gonna get 'em all back." Holst said.
"Everyone, focus on Marianne. I'll get Raphael back." Ignatz said.
"But you're injured, Ignatz. Even with the weapon advantage, you're still not in fighting shape." Crusadermon said.
"What does weapons have to do with this? This is about reaching out to someone! Not fighting!" Ignatz called out.
"Ignatz is right. Raphael is the closest friend he has." Claude said.
"I'm sorry everyone…but I must do this." Marianne said.
"Ignatz has a point. We can't just bring everyone back by fighting. People have reasons to be here." Hope said.
"Goddess, please forgive me…" Marianne said as she blasted light at the group as they dodged.
"Stop it already, Marianne! We don't wanna fight you either!" Hilda said.
"If you died here, how would that make your brother feel?" Marianne asked.
"Maybe the same way Margrave Edmund would?" Claude replied. "Your father would want you to live, not throw away your life like this."
"But my Crest is a curse, it's why my parents went missing." Marianne said.
"Who the heck cares if you're cursed? Your classmates sure don't." Zephyr said.
"This is why I was so reclusive, it's because I'm afraid of people finding out about it, especially when it would sometimes emerge in battle." Marianne said.
"We know a few…reclusive people too. But it doesn't stop us from relying on them when it matters. Your classmates are doing the same for you as well. They don't see you as cursed. They see you as a steadfast companion. They treasure you for who you are." Omnimon said.
"So stop fighting and come back, for the sake of your friends, and the one who looks after you now." Claude said.
"Oh…all right." Marianne said.
"Raphael…you need to come over to this side as well. Think about your sister. No one would look after her all alone in that inn if you perish today." Ignatz said.
"Dang…that's right. I didn't even think about that." Raphael said.
"Enough! As long as my name is Lorenz Hellman Glouscester…I will see this kingdom fall." Lorenz said as he rode at the group.
"Leave this guy to us." Dynasmon said as he charged in with Crusadermon.
"Why are distinguished ones like yourselves in league with Claude? His actions nearly tore Leicester asunder!" Lorenz said, thrusting his spear at the pair.
"Believe us, we know." Dynasmon said. "We heard all about it from the man himself."
"So he admitted his faults, did he?" Lorenz asked. "I suppose that means he finally understands what costly mistakes he made. I certainly didn't approve myself, having my father surrender, making me think less of our house's name when it was secretly a ruse. What does he think House Gloucester is?"
"We understand. You care a great deal about your house and your lands." Crusadermon said. "But will this make people think more of it? Taking an innocent kingdom?"
"It's what that commander said." Lorenz said. "He said it was the only way to reclaim my house's glory."
"Well, then sorry to say, but he was lying through his teeth. Apologies in advance for what we'll do to you." Crusadermon said.
"Then show me the strength of a knight!" Lorenz said as he went back on the attack.
"Gladly. Let's go, Dynasmon." Crusadermon said.
"As always, we work as one!" Dynasmon said as the two knights met Lorenz head on.
"Go get em you two!" Tsuki cheered.
Lorenz clashed his spear against Dynasmon's claws and Crusadermon's pile bunker shield.
"This battle shows my pride as the next head of House Gloucester! I shan't lose so easily!" Lorenz said.
They continued to clash with the young noble until sending him flying off his steed and onto the ground with their combined might.
"Hoo… That should be all of them in this battleground." Dynasmon said.
"Only ones left in the Alliance are Lysithea and Leonie. Still, with everyone else we've gathered, it won't be long now." Claude said.
"And I guess you'll be coming along too, Balthus." Hope said.
"I sure am. If I knew my employer was being manipulated, I woulda thought more about taking this job." Balthus said. "Dont worry though, Leicester's King of Grappling will make it up to you guys."
"That would only leave the Leader of the Ashen Wolves left for your group." Sakura said.
"Yuribird." Hapi said. "I'm sure he's out there somewhere."
"I mean, Ylisse has a lot of places you guys' remaining friends could've showed up. Ferox, Plegia, Valm… Any one of them would've seemed viable." Leopardmon said.
"Well Ferox is the closest, why don't we start there?" Roy asked.
"It's a stretch…but we may as well give it a shot." Claude said.