Interlude 2: Petra
"And that is the end of my report, your-I mean, Lady Edelgard," Hubert says with a bow. His face has been looking more and more tired the past couple of days. Then again, from what he just told us, I doubt it could look any different.
"This…is going to put a massive halt to all of our plans, isn't it," Linhardt says bitterly and sighs. "All that work, practically wasted. What a poor use of my time…"
Petra frowns.
"I am not of understanding. What is a coup?" Shit, I forgot that Petra still hasn't mastered the Fodlani language.
Everyone waits for a couple of seconds before Caspar suddenly smacks his forehead.
"Guys, does anyone know how to translate that into Brigid?" He asks. "Professor Robin isn't here anymore."
It is then I realise that this is the first time that Petra has come back since the attack on Garreg Mach six months ago.
Well, this isn't good. I just hope that-
"Petra, dear, it means a violent removal of a person in power," Dorothea supplies. Thank whatever person I need to thank that Dorothea's here.
Petra nod her head before her eyes suddenly widen.
"Wait! Dimitri got…couped? Is that the past tense?" I nod in response, and Petra continues. "Then- How did this happen? What's going to happen to the Archbishop?"
"That we don't know," Hubert says dryly. "What we do know is that Cornelia, the person responsible for the coup, is an Agarthan."
The dropping of the true name of the Slitherers causes the atmosphere in the room to darken.
Caspar's face hardens, no doubt playing the scenes that we saw in my Uncle's estate. Ferdinand grimaces, his grip tightening. Dorothea sighs, a fire being lit in her eyes. Petra frowns, a look of disdain slowly spreading across her face.
The biggest change in expression is Lysithea. Before, she had a contemplative look, and a serious gaze in her eyes. Now, a snarl reminiscent of a hungry beast is on her lips, a look of pure, unfiltered hatred illuminating her features.
I sigh a little on the inside. In the beginning, I always thought of Professor Robin as a mediating influence. He was able to calm the hottest heads and inspire the colder hearts. He was able to temper Caspar into a fearsome warrior and a respected leader who could not only act independetly, but fall under a chain of command. He was able to raise Bernadetta into a fearsome Bow Knight, respected by many, feared by all, even if she still had some social anxiety issues. I'd say he would have solves that too, if we were given a couple more years of time.
The first time I ever saw Professor Robin loose his calm was when we found a laundry list of all the evil deeds that the Slitherers have done.
"I see…I can't say I'm too surprised. Still, this is a lot more than what I expected. The punishment for this atrocity has been raised. I swear on my life, not a single person complicit with this will survive."
I shudder a little bit. Even to this day, his rage causes a small well of fear to pop up in my chest. Professor Robin had never acted like this. Whenever he got mad at us, he still had a little light in his eyes, as if he was scolding children. When he said that, though, his eyes flared up. It might have been my imagination, but his eyes turned red for a slight moment.
When I had revealed the truth about My Teacher's creation, however…that had been true anger.
"Is that true, Rhea? That By is simply a container for Sothis? That she was never supposed to have a normal life, that she was created to be a vessel?"
When the Archbishop had replied in the affirmative with a sneer…
"That… By, stay behind me. Rhea, I will not stand for this. I always had suspicions, but to have confirmed them like this? You are no better than the Grimleal, Rhea-no, Immaculate One. I gave you the benifit of the doubt, but you still think this is the best way forward? No more…No more! I will not willingly subject another to my fate! I reject my fate, I reject her fate, I reject fate itself!
Professor Robin then proceeded to throw a massive pillar of flame bigger than Agnea's Arrows, multiple shots of lightning each more powerful than a bolting, and a version of excalibur that seemed even more powerful than Lysithea's.
Of course, the Immaculate One was not killed by that kind of magic, but something approximating fear appear in her eyes.
I didn't see what happened next since My Teacher carried me out of the room as the chamber collapsed around us.
I shudder. What kind of person is Professor Robin to be able to strike fear in one of the Children of the Goddess?
"Edelgard? Are you alright?" Linhardt frowns at me.
I blink a couple of times. Ah, my mind has wandered a bit too far, hasn't it?
"My apologies, the reminder of our biggest enemy has brought up some…unsavory memories," I try. "What are we discussing now?"
"What to do next," Caspar nods. "With most of the Kingdom's nobility answering to Cornelia, Dimitri presumed dead, and the friends that we used to know disappearing every single day, it throws a wrench in our plans."
"I doubt the boar is dead," Felix snorts. "That animal has the tenacity to match Professor Robin's intellect."
"Still, it changes the game entirely," Hubert folds his arms. "It makes any further actions very dangerous."
Petra frowns.
"This is not a game, Hubert. This is war,"
"It's a expression, Petra," I respond. "It means that it has changed the situation."
Petra makes a face that says oh and nods.
"Furthermore, it casts doubts into our own assumed success in eradicating the vermin,"
Yuri suddenly appears behind Hubrt, his smooth voice shocking everyone in the room. Ugh. While it has been extremely useful, I still cannot help but feel anger towards Professor Robin for his decision to teach Yuri and Petra Pass.
"Holy shit!"
"Eeeeaaaak!"
"Yuri! Don't do that, you'll give me a heart attack!"
"AAAAAH!"
"Whaaaha!"
A cacophony of surprised voices follows Yuri's appearance. The only people who don't make a sound are Hubert, who takes a deep breath, Linhardt, who's probably used to Professor Robin doing the same thing to him, and Felix, who just snorts.
Oh, and me, of course. I did not make a cute scream, no matter what Dorothea says.
"Yuri…how nice of you to…join us…" Hubert folds his arms. "I was under the impression that the Abyss had you occupied for the time being?"
Yuri shrugs.
"I've finished the things that I need to do. It's been a month, and a lot can happen in that time,"
"What exactly is it that you needed to do?" Hubert narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Can't tell you, unfortunately. Not my secret to share," Yuri chuckles a little before walking towards a empty area of the room and leaning on the wall.
Considering he dropped Professor Robin's favourite way to get out of a conversation, all of us are at different levels of irritation.
"And why is that? Who's secret is it to share?" Hubert says, unrelenting in his pursuit of answers.
"That would be Sir Salador's. Good luck finding him," Yuri grins. Salador…that name is so familiar, why can't I remember where I heard that?
"I will," Hubert snorts. "What are your ideas, Yuri?"
"Me? You're asking me?" Yuri puts a hand on his chest. "I thought you didn't trust me?"
"Neither of us trust each other, Yuri. However, I trust Professor Robin, he seemed to trust you, and you seemed to trust him, so I have to give you the benefit of the doubt," Hubert grits his teeth.
Yuri chuckles.
"It seems we are more alike that we first thought, Hubert. Personally? I'd look into our own nobles. The Seven were in their claws, and I would be stupid to think that the would not try to entangle more of our nobility in their slimy hands," He folds his hands across his chest.
"Um…I thought that…Professor Robin dealt with them all?" Bernadetta speaks up. Huh, a rarity.
"Even the Professor admitted that he couldn't possible have gotten them all. That's why so many of his contingencies are on their return," Yuri shakes his head. I give Linhardt a look, and he nods in response.
So Yuri isn't lying there. But why would he know these things?
"So you're telling us that we need to investigate some of the more…suspicious members of the Imperial nobility?" Hubert folds his arms.
I sigh. This was originally a situational report, and it's becoming a discussion on our future moves. Thankfully, all of the black eagles, save the former Ashen Wolves, are here anyway, so I suppose it isn't that much of a deal.
"No. I'm asking you to help me with that investigation," Yuri shakes his head.
"Oho? You're asking for my help, Yuri?"
"Hubert! Don't use that attitude!" I snap back. Yuri has saved our lives so many times, and we have saved his. There really isn't a point in distrusting him.
"I am sorry, Lady Edelgard," Hubert bows slightly. Ugh, I'm going to beat that out of him. Eventually.
"So…is that a yes?"
Hubert sighs.
"It is indeed. I will assist in your investagation. The Imperial Guard has proven itself a hudred times over at this point," Hubert sighs. "I have to give Professor Robin more credit there. At first, I thought he was some sort of hack, but the minute you give him a army, he turns into the man he tells you he is."
"Speaking of which, Linhardt, what should we do now?" I turn towards the green-haired boy. In the past month since he took up the mantle of Tactician, I've realise the young man's talent in tactics, and have been depending on him for a while now.
He thinks for a moment before replying.
"We need to know where Claude stands in all of this. Before, we were going to go through the Alliance because they would not listen to our arguments. Now, however, we have enough proof to show that the kingdom has been taken over by a Agarthan. I doubt Claude would want one of them on his border. I doubt that he would say no to a joint invasion of the Kingdom," Linhardt proposes.
"You would have us working with Claude?" Hubert scoffs. "As if he wouldn't stab us in the back the minute we finish fighting."
"I know that. We all do. Which means we're prepared for it. The only reason betrayal are so dangerous is that the betrayee doesn't see it coming. We can see it coming," Linhardt folds his arms and stares at Hubert with a stare that Professor Robin used to use whenever Sir Jeralt or My Teacher wouldn't go with his plans.
Hubert practically wilts under his gaze.
I chuckle slightly. Professor Robin has taught Linhardt well. He seems so different now…
"...If you say so…" Hubert sighs.
Linhardt smiles.
"I'll be drawing up plans. I'll be in my room," With that Linhardt leaves, marking the end of the future preperations as a whole.
I sit down, looking at the journal in my hands.
I frown at it, willing it to stop mocking me.
It refuses, and I sigh, disappointed.
I've been reading My Teacher's journal ever since I got my hands on it. It seemed to mock me, teasing me with tiny pieces of information on My Teacher's lover. A little bit of information there, a little bit there. All I've managed to piece together is that Professor Robin was a tactician, served in Ylisse, and had something call the Fell Dragon stuck in him, that he killed said Fell Dragon, and had a profound impact on My Teacher's childhood. All of this I either already knew, or could put together.
Though, the fact he was the avatar of a dark god by force I did not know. That explains his hatred of Rhea messing with My Teacher. That definetly sparked some back memories in him.
Still, it told me nothing about who Professor Robin was. It did tell me a bit of the relationship between My Teacher and her lover, even if it was a bit out of date.
Oh! That entry mentioned that Petra had conversations with Robin. She must know something about him!
I rush out to find the Princess of Brigid.
It doesn't take me long.
She doesn't slack on her training, and she's at the training field, practicing her swordplay. It's beautiful, in a way. After the show that he showed all of us during the mock battle, she used to stick to Professor Robin like well…a robin chick, if we're using bird metaphors. Even this long after Professor Robin fell down into that chasm she still waking up at the exact same time every single day to practice the exact same length of time. I have no doubt that she did the same thing when she was in Brigid.
The young swordmaster darts in toward a dummy and strikes thrice before pulling back. I wince slightly. All three strikes would have found gaps in my armour should she have been striking at me. I silently thank the gods who are benevolent that Petra is on our side.
"Petra," I walk into the training field. "Good to see you after all this time, isn't it?"
I try to give her a smile.
"Ah! Edelgard. You surprised me," She does a little bow.
"There's no need to do that, Petra," I wave her off. "Plus, you heard me the minute I turn the corner into the hallway. I wouldn't be able to "
Petra smiles sheepishly.
I snort.
"You've picked up a lot of bad habits from Professor Robin, haven't you?" I sigh. The Professor was very infuriating when he wanted to be. Honestly, I'm expecting him to just appear behind me and laugh, then going through everything wrong with my thought process and slowly getting me to come to the correct conclusion.
Petra frowns.
"I am not calling- I mean, I do not call it a bad habit," Petra says with a slightly bite in her words. "Professor Robin has saved us many times by paying attention, and it has saved me many times too."
I stay silent. There's nothing I can say to that.
"That is true. I apologize, Petra. I did not mean to offend you,"
"Offend? Ah-" Petra yelps a little bit. "I am not being offended, Edelgard. I just-"
She sighs again.
"I suppose I am missing the Professor more than I realise…" She shakes her head. "I was never of thinking this would happen. The Professor…he was always saying that death may happen at any time. But…the two of them…they protected us from that."
She puts her sword down.
"Do you need to sit down?" I ask her. It looks like I was wrong. She was not keeping up her practice in his memory, she was doing so to hide her grief.
"Yes…" She nods.
We walk in silence to a nearby bench.
Petra takes a deep, shaky breath.
"Edelgard. During that battle, did you see him?" Petra asks.
I frown. We have not fought a battle side-by-side since Garreg Mach, so she must be talking about that battle. The 'him' must be Professor Robin.
I frown…
Oh…
"I did not…" I shake my head. Even though he was a part of the vanguard, I could not keep track of him. He would suddenly appear, strike someone down, then leave.
"I tried to keep up with him," Petra smiles wistfully. "Edelgard, I am thinking we have underestimated our Professor yet again."
I blink at her and scoff.
Really? She said this after he practically gave us victory during the mock battle on a silver platter when he single-handedly took out the Blue Lions during the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, and when he practically saved Flayn by himself. Sure, each time he had suddenly gain competence that was not expected, but I doubt he could beat that-
"You are thinking I am lying," She frowns. "I am wishing I could show you what he did. He became a monster. I was knowing that he fought in many wars, but seeing him in action…"
She shakes her head.
"Gilbert is only alive because the Professor liked Annette and could not bring himself to kill her father. Cyril is only alive because the Archbishop personally saved him. And then…" She chuckles a little bit. "Professor Byleth tried to charge the Immaculate One, so Professor Robin dragged her off like a little child and scolded her. I was still frightening, though. Neither of them was taking it seriously when Robin was scolding her, but they were still able to fight the Immaculate One to a standstill. She must have realised that they were a threat. "
That is when my blood froze.
"Hmph. That is a funny face, Edelgard," Petra shakes her head again. "Yes, I believe the Immaculate One targeted Professor Robin on purpose. I am not sure if it was because she was furious at his turning after knowing about her experiments with Professor Byleth, or because she was scared of his power, but when she knew the battle was lost, she attack him with wild abandon, trying to take him out."
I shake my head.
"That doesn't change the fact that they both fell down that chasm. Professor Robin always wanted us to 'walk with our own two legs', did he not? We need to keep improving so when they do return, we can show them our success," I smile at her.
Petra seems to realise what I trying to say.
"You truly believe that they will return, Edelgard?"
I snort.
"If there's one thing I know about Professor Robin, it's that he will always show up at the most infuriating moment and ruin everything,"
Petra chuckles a bit.
"Yes. That is sounding like him,"
"Oh! I meant to ask you something, Petra."
Petra tilts her head in confusion.
"What is it that you wish to ask?"
"Well…I found Professor Byleth's journal about two weeks back. I was reading through it, at it mentioned that he talked with you about his relationship with Professor Byleth. I was wondering if he has told you anything else about his life. I'll admit, I am curious about his life. He seems…so mysterious, in a way,"
Petra gives me a look I can't decipher.
"Edelgard, he has a wife,"
"Ah! I didn't mean it like that!" I then blink. Wait a minute…
"Petra, the Professors got married?"
Petra blinks.
"No…? They aren't married, are they?"
"Wait, they aren't married?"
"Well…Professor Robin mentioned that he was married and had children…perhaps he was a widower?"
"He has children?" I blink.
"Yes…?"
"Where are they?" I suddenly perk up.
"I don't know…? He never told me," Petra looks confused.
I sigh again.
"So, Petra, what do you know about our esteemed Professor?"
Petra frowns, and then sighs.
"Edelgard, I am not sure what you think of Professor Robin, but you're probably wrong,"
If I was drinking something, I would have probably spit it out.
"E-Excuse me?"
Petra sighs.
"I am from…no that's not right…From what I am to tell, Professor Robin is a very depressing man,"
"Petra, what are you saying? Sure, Professor Robin can be infuriating, but he has never made someone depressed,"
Petra blinks twice before she sighs.
"Tá droch-ádh orm.." She shakes her head. "I was not meaning that, Edelgard. Perhaps delusional would be a good word? No…Professor was not delusional…"
Petra mutters for a second.
"Petra, are you trying to say depressed? Like, always sad?"
Petra's eyes light up.
"Yes! That is what I am trying to say!" She nods.
"Um…Petra, could you explain? I feel like we are talking about two different people…" I have never seen Professor Robin sad before. Angry, annoyed, irritated, melancholic, sure, but never outright sad.
Petra nods.
"He never talked to you about his past, did he?"
I shake my head. A memory tickles the back of my head, but I can't seem to remember. I am getting some residual embarrassment and fear…I wonder why that is.
"I see… The Professor always got sad when he talked about his past,"
I nod.
"Would it be alright if you shared some of what he shared with you with me?" I ask.
Petra nods then frowns.
"Hold on. I am going to get Linhardt,"
"Wait why?" I barely get those words out before Petra rushes out.
I sigh again. I've been sighing a lot today, haven't I?
It wasn't long until I heard the sound of an incredibly confused Linhardt being practically dragged by his collar over.
"Petra- I- What are you doing to me- I- Please, let me wa- Petra!" Linhardt's cries fall upon deaf ears. When he sees me, he locks eyes with me, a pleading look appearing on his face.
I sigh once again.
"Petra, could you please let go of Linhardt? I am sure he can walk here by himself. Plus, if you ever need Linhardt to do something, just ask Hubert to help," I can't help but chuckle as the colour of Linhardt's face pales by four to five shades.
Petra does what I say and releases an extremely confused Linhardt.
"You know, Petra, you could have just asked?" Linhardt takes a couple of moments to calm his breath down. "You could have just said that you needed me to do something and I would have come with you."
Petra folds her arms.
"You were working on something. You never say yes when you're working on something," She shakes her head.
I chuckle. She has a point.
Linhardt sighs, conceding the point.
"What do you need me for?" He moans, scratching the back of his head.
I shrug, gesturing to Petra.
"Táim chun scéal a insint. Ní labhraíonn mé Fodlani go han-mhaith, agus tá aistritheoir ag teastáil uaim," She exlplains. At least, I think she's explaining. I tried to learn Brigid, but I just could not understand it. I did catch aistritheoir, though, which means translator. I think.
Linhardt takes a deep breath and sighs.
"Petra, I'm not sure I can do that. Tá m-mo theanga an-dona," Linhard frowns and then mutters something to himself. "Ní féidir liom an teanga a labhairt go han-mhaith…is that right?"
Petra nods.
Linhardt's face brightens.
"Yes! I knew that…Ah, let's not get into linguistics…" He chuckles. "Anyhow, are you sure about this?"
Petra nods.
"You have translated many things. You have experience,"
"I suppose I do…" Linhardt sighs. "Well then, let's get started."
He sits down on the bench between me and Petra.
"Níor inis an tOllamh Robin dom faoina shaol, ach faoi na daoine ar bhuail sé leo," Petra begins. She then tilts her head a bit after Linhardt shoots her a questioning glance. "D'iarr Edelgard,"
Oh, I know that word! That means me! Wait, what about me?
"Edelgard," Linhardt sighs. "Why are you asking about Professor Robin's life in the first place?"
"Hey! You're not the one asking questions here! You're just a translator!"
"Fine fine…she said that Professor Robin didn't tell her about his life, but about the peoples he met…no, people he met?"
I frown. Well, I guess that's better than nothing.
"Bhí an duine amháin seo ar thaitin leis labhairt faoi," Petra continues. "Crom is ainm dó."
"There is a person that he would always talk about. Chrome is his name?" Linhardt looks back at Petra. "I'm guessing that's from Archanean since it's a name that Professor Robin said. Is that transliterated or localized?"
Petra just looks confused.
Linhardt sighs.
"Chrome it is. I'm so sorry, Chrome, if that's not your name,"
"Bhí sé ina ecsalta na Exaltacht ar Ylisse-"
"Um, Petra, what is ecsalta or Exaltacht? I have never heard those words before,"
Petra frowns.
"I am believing that ecsalta is a title. Exaltacht is the nation ruled by that title. I never asked him about it,"
"Ugh. This is going to make my life so much more difficult…" Linhardt groans.
"Why is that?" I frown.
"Because I'm trying to translate something from Archanean from an incomplete translation from Brigid. That's not ideal at all. I'm probably going to corrupt something, and I don't want to do that," Linhardt grumbles. "For now, his name is Exalte Chrome of the Exaltedom of Elis. That's the best I can do."
I see… No, I really don't. There's a reason why I couldn't learn Brigid (or any other language for that matter), and my inability to comprehend these things is rearing its ugly head. Ugh.
"Please continue, Petra," Linhard gestures to the girl on his right.
She nods.
"Dúirt sé liom go bhfuil Chrom ar cheann de na fear-claidheimh is fearr go raibh a fhios aige," Petra continues. "Is rialóir cineálta cóir é, agus thug sé rathúnas do Ylisse."
"He was telling me that Chrome is one of the best swordsmen that he ever knew. He is a kind and just ruler, and brought prosperity to Elis," Linhardt translates.
Petra then taps her chin.
"He said this part in Fodlani for some reason," She says with a frown. "I am unsure if he meant it to be something important, or he did it on accident."
"What did he say?"
"What made Chrom special was his ability to trust people. He would never turn someone else away if they wanted to help, and he would never refuse to help someone," Petra tries to imitate Robin's voice. She…she's trying her best.
"Hold on," I interrupt Petra before she can continue. "What is this person's name? Chrom or Chrome?"
"Professor Robin said Chrom,"
I blink a couple of times and then I reach into one of my pockets and produce the journal that Professor Robin left behind.
"Linhardt, is it this Chrom that Professor Robin wrote here?" I flip open to the first page and point to the only scrawl that is visible.
"I…Yes, I think so…" Linhardt nods. "That would make sense…especially if…hmmm…" Linhardt mumbles something that I cannot understand.
"Petra, is that all he said about this Chrom person?" I ask the Brigid girl. She nods.
"The Professor was not of very much openness. I asked him many times about his past, he only talked about Chrom once," She replies. "He did talk many times about his wife, though."
"Oh? Would you tell me about this-"
"Your Majesty! Lord von Vestra requests your presence within the war room at your earliest convenience!" A soldier runs up, sweating and panting,
I sigh. Usually, when Hubert needed me for something, he would come personally. The fact that he sent a messenger means that it is incredibly urgent, yet he is unable to come personally. This is decidedly not good.
"I'm sorry Petra, perhaps another time?" I sigh.
"Do not worry. I enjoy our talks together, Edelgard," She smiles brightly.
I return the smile, something in my chest melting as I do so. I…don't remember being this affectionate.
No King rules alone. A King is not great because of their power or prowess, but of how beloved they were as a King. Remember, Princess Edelgard von Hresvelg, that you cannot and must not stand alone. Share your highs and seek support during your lows and they shall do the same for you. Together, you will be greater. You all will be greater.
Professor Robin's words ring out in my head once again. I can't remember when he said that. My memories tell me that it was during the aftermath of my assault on the Holy Tomb, but my gut says it was after that first mock battle yet my heart says he was always been saying this.
Not that it matters, not really. Even if I originally rejected it, I've embraced it now. No longer will I walk down this path alone. I have friends to help me walk it.
Perhaps this is why I want to find out about Professor Robin's past. How did such a man get to where he is now? And more importantly, what did he give up?
I shake the thoughts out of my head. That's not what I'm here for. The story of Professor Robin can wait until later.
Pushing open the massive oak doors, I take in a deep breath-
And it immediately catches in my throat.
Sitting in chains and covered in a thousand scratches and wounds is a man I never thought I'd ever see again in a place that was not the battlefield.
Someone who was so similar to Professor Robin and yet so different.
"...Claude?"
He has the gall to turn to me and give me that infuriating smile.
"H-Hello, Your Imperial Majesty. I-I've found myself in..ah…quite the unfortunate situation,"
AN: Hello there, Acardia here! Sorry for the late upload, I was in a competition over the weekend so I didn't have the time to post until now. Hope you like this interlude. I have to ask, would you like the next chapter to be an interlude, or hurry with the Paralogue and the Xenologue so we can get back to the main story? The choice is yours.
There was a review, so I'm going to answer it here.
I'm a Nobody. Who Are You: Yuuup. Ah, languages and Byleth's inability to read the room, two things that just happen to go wonderfully together. I'm loving writing Robin with Byleth, it makes things so, soo, soooooo fun. Thanks for the review!
I'm halfway done with the next chapter, it'll be out by next week. See you then!
Acardia out!
