Back for more? So am I.
Chapter 15 – Coffin Duty (Blue Sea Moon)
The 26th of the Blue Sea Moon arrived faster than the Black Eagles had thought. It was finally the day of the Goddess' Rite of Rebirth and, they hoped, the time had come to catch whoever it was threatening the monastery. An extensive search by the many students had led to the conclusion that whoever had made the false assassination letter was likely targeting the Holy Mausoleum, the burial tomb of Saint Seiros. The Knights had left it lightly guarded, as they had been diverted to protect Archbishop Rhea from the assumed attempt on her life.
Unfortunately, the Black Eagles were to be shorthanded in the Holy Mausoleum. Edelgard and Hubert had been recalled to Enbarr on important business, while Linhardt and Ferdinand had to remain in other parts of the monastery in case their hunch turned out to be wrong. That left only Dorothea, Bernadetta, Caspar, and Petra to join Byleth.
It was to Byleth's surprise, then, that as she and the others entered the cathedral that they were met by Dimitri and Claude. They were accompanied by Felix, Annette, Dedue, Leonie, Hilda and Marianne.
"Teach, figured we'd find you here," said Claude.
"Claude, Dimitri, what are you doing here?" asked Byleth. "Weren't you supposed to be guarding the perimeter?"
"Judging by the group you have with you, Professor, it seems you are of the same mind as us," answered Dimitri. "You believe that whoever wrote the letter that Lord Lonato was carrying is after something in the Holy Mausoleum. Am I correct?"
"Yes, you would be. However, you were all given your assigned duties to patrol the monastery grounds. Did you clear this with Professor Manuela and Professor Hanneman?"
"You needn't worry about the perimeter, Professor. Ingrid, Sylvain, Mercedes and Ashe all have that covered."
"Same with Lorenz, Lysithea, Raphael and Ignatz," said Claude. "Dimitri and I talked it over a few days ago. Don't worry about–"
"You didn't answer my question," Byleth interrupted. "Do Hanneman and Manuela know about this?"
"Not… quite…" Claude answered sheepishly.
"Claude!" Dimitri said in a scolding tone. "I thought you were going to tell them!"
"Hey, do you think they would've let us if I had?" Claude said with a shrug. "Persuasive as I can be, I don't think anyone would've been able to convince them to let us go off on what could very well be a wild goose chase."
Taking this moment to break up the boys' argument, Dorothea said sweetly, "Well, then it's a good thing for you two that Professor Byleth is here to supervise this 'wild goose chase'." Turning back to Byleth, Dorothea added, "Am I right?"
Byleth could only nod with a sigh.
"Oh, I hope we don't actually run into any trouble," said Hilda. "I'd like for this all to be one big hoax and for nothing bad to actually happen today."
"Well, I'm up for some action!" said Caspar. "Come on, guys, let's go already!"
"Go where, exactly?" said a stern voice that turned everyone's heads.
To their dismay, Seteth was heading right for them with Flayn in tow.
"You all seem a mite too relaxed for my liking," Seteth added. "The Goddess's Rite of Rebirth is about to begin. Professor Eisner, while we are in the Goddess Tower, we are relying on you to secure the locations that are lacking in defense. Do you understand?"
"Of course I do, Seteth," answered Byleth.
"Do you? Then why is it so many students from all three houses are gathered here, in the cathedral, rather than being out on patrol?"
Byleth hesitated to answer. She had to be careful with her words or Seteth could ruin the whole investigation. She had already tried getting permission to investigate the Holy Mausoleum from him, but he had been adamant about their orders.
Before she could think of something, however, Flayn said, "May I let you in on something, Professor? My brother can be a bit… callous. He told me that he was concerned about you and hinted that perhaps you would be better off patrolling a coffin!"
Dorothea had to restrain herself from snickering at this, especially when a flustered Seteth said, "That was said in jest, Flayn. And in confidence. Please just remain by my side and do not cause any more trouble." Recomposing himself, he turned back to Byleth and said, "As a Professor, you would do well to remember that it is your duty to guide your students down the path of righteousness."
"Of course," Byleth answered curtly.
"Please excuse us, everyone," said Flayn. "We shall see you again after the ceremony has concluded!"
Seteth and Flayn then took their leave, much to the students' relief.
Sighing thankfully, Dorothea said, "I'll need to remember to thank Flayn for that save. Well then, shall we, everyone?"
"Come on, everyone," said Claude. "Time to get things underway."
"Hopefully this will all be for naught," added Dimitri. "But be ready in case we run into trouble."
Everyone nodded to this and began to follow the two leaders. However, Dorothea stopped after a few paces and turned to Byleth as she said, "Oh, shoot!"
"What is it?" asked Byleth.
"Today's also your birthday and I forgot to bring the gift I bought for you! Oh, and it's too late for me to go back and get it from my room."
"There will be time for that later. Let's just focus on the task at hand."
"I know, I know. But hey, isn't it strange that your birthday is on the same day as the Goddess' Rite of Rebirth? I know it's just a coincidence, but–"
"Hey, Teach, aren't you coming?" interrupted Claude.
"Sorry!" Dorothea shouted back to Claude. "We'll be right there."
The two women made their way toward the others, catching up as they reached the entrance to the Holy Mausoleum. A winding staircase led deep inside the cathedral, with only a few lit torches providing any illumination.
This, of course, made it almost too much for Bernadetta to handle.
"Oh, I dunno about this…" Bernadetta whimpered. "What if whoever's down there is waiting to ambush us? We'd be doomed for sure!"
"Calm down, Bernadetta," said Annette. "Professor Byleth will be with us."
This didn't seem to assuage Bernadetta's fears, and she continued trembling as she followed behind the others into the darkness.
…
It was once they reached the Holy Mausoleum itself that Bernadetta truly lost her nerve. The crypt was indeed filled with people, several wearing mage robes while others sported the uniforms and weapons of the Western Church. They were being led by a mage in black wearing a crow's mask, who stood next to the sarcophagus of Saint Seiros.
"AHH! Enemies! They're here! I knew it! Someone HELP MEEEE!"
Bernadetta sprinted off like a rabbit back up the stairs before anyone could try to stop her.
"Bern, wait!" Dorothea shouted, but the purple-haired girl was long gone by then.
"Stay focused, everyone," said Byleth. "Bernadetta will warn the Knights."
Across from them, the dark mage hissed and said, "Those Central Church dastards have spotted us…" Turning to his subordinates, he ordered, "By me some time while I open the seal on the casket!"
"I'm on it," said one of the soldiers, readying his blade.
Byleth drew her own sword at this time. Unfortunately, since she had broken her old one at Magdred Way, she had been forced to take a low-quality iron sword instead. It wasn't nearly as strong as her old steel blade, but it would have to do.
"Alright, guys, let's get in there and take them down!" shouted Caspar as he readied his axe.
Caspar immediately rushed out to attack, prompting Petra to shout, "Caspar, do not be rushing ahead!"
Caspar ignored this as one of the Western Church soldiers thrust his lance at him. With a smirk, Caspar dodged the clumsy strike and brought his axe down on the soldier's back, downing him with a single blow.
"Haha! You all see that?!" Caspar cheered proudly. "Come on, let's get them!"
He turned back to see the others had dispersed to engage the Western Church intruders, but Annette was looking at him with an expression of fear on her face.
"Huh? Come on, Annette, fight's this way!"
It was at this moment that Leonie then shouted, "Caspar, behind you!"
Caspar gritted his teeth as he spun around, expecting a soldier to be barreling down on him. But upon seeing his opponent, his eyes widened in surprise.
Looming over him was a knight clad in pitch black armor atop an ebony steed, also clad in similarly black barding plate. The knight's armor was an array of wicked spikes that covered him head to toe. His helmet was in the shape of a demonic skull with two long horns and glowing red eyes. In the knight's right hand was a long black scythe that he held like an axe.
For a moment, Caspar was stunned by the sight of his opponent, but he quickly regained his enthusiasm and shouted, "Ha, you look tough! You wanna piece of me?"
Caspar then rushed at the knight, swinging his axe overhead. The knight countered with a masterful slash of his scythe, and Caspar howled in agony as the scythe cleaved straight through his axe and left a large gash across his chest. Caspar was sent flying to the ground, his expression a painful grimace.
Annette's eyes widened with horror.
"CASPAAAAR!"
Oh look, they don't have Lysithea with them and it's on Maddening difficulty. That's gonna be a challenge.