The Ashen Wolves: Fame, Money, and generally not caring

Alright everyone, it's everyone's favorite residential basement dwellers. I'm a little (read: very) biased towards Constance myself, but that's really because I love the Ojou type characters a lot. However, Yuri is a lot of fun to write when focusing on his sarcastic side.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem, nor its characters.

"2,498… 2,499… and 2,500 pieces of gold from those suckers from the Golden Deer house. Put it all together, we've got 25,459 pieces of gold from Garreg Mach alone." Yuri leaned back in his chair. "Now, considering my men have got bets all over the continent, we can expect some big money to come along."

Balthus gave a hearty laugh. "Haha, we will be rolling in the dough afterwards! How do you get these bets going for you anyway?" Constance shook her head at her fellow acquaintances' lack of thought. "It's because he stacks the bets for him, so he will never lose."

"Bingo. Can't lose if you rig it from the start. I had some of my rogues each call out a large sum of money for the Black Eagles, and made sure that it was the highest pot. And behold; we are getting quite the profit out of it."

"So what would have happened if they lost?" The three of them looked at Hapi, and Constance gave some thought about it; they really did not think about the possibility of their Professor losing. Yuri shrugged. "Eh, just pin it on Balthus; he's got enough debt, what difference does more make."

Balthus chuckled. "Heh, apart from Yuri being right, are we really going to doubt the guy with the Sword of the Creator was going to lose?" Constance smiled; he was right after all. Professor Byleth was a special person; not only did he wield the King of Liberation's own sword, but he had delivered a most spectacular show at the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. Constance found it remarkable that she was able to see such a thing with her own eyes, even as she was sent down here.

Although, she would lie if she hadn't said it could have been a better experience. If Constance had stepped one foot out of her umbrella, she would have had her shift in personality, so the rest of them had to make sure that she had the damn thing on her at all times. Also, they had to stay hidden from everyone else, due to the going out of Abyss without permission from Lady Rhea or Seteth. Finally, the damn carriage they were in barely had any room for them to squeeze in and hide, due to Balthus taking up all of the room. While they were fortunate enough to be in the same cart as the Professor, Lady Edelgard and her servant Hubert were there too, and if Yuri was to be believed, then Hubert was very fond of making people mysteriously disappear.

However, the thing that bothered her was that she was not on the battlefield. She was the scion of House Nuevelle; she deserved to be on the battlefield with Her Highness and the rest of her Adrestian compatriots. But she was stuck down here, all because of her House falling to ruin.

… And it doesn't help that she kept taking books from Seteth's inventory of banned books.

"Well, look who's here!" Constance left her thoughts as she saw the Professor himself walk into the makeshift classroom they had. The teacher had smiled at the sight of them. "Hello everyone. Thought you guys might be a little hungry." He set down a basket full of food before; fine bread, aged cheese, roasted meat, cakes, cookies, assortment of fruits, and-

"Wait, why is there a bottle of wine?" All of them raised their heads to Balthus in response to Hapi's question. "... Look, if there is an opportunity for some free wine, I don't want to miss it." Yuri shrugged. "Fair enough."

Constance herself was excited to see the many foods before her; the Abyssians usually got the scraps of the Monasteries mealtimes, so it was welcome to see some finer food for a change.

"You know," Yuri started after they had finished eating. "I can recall how we met like it was yesterday. Perfectly honest day, nothing out of the ordinary." Hapi raised an eyebrow at Yuri's statement. "Honest and you don't really go together." Balthus took in a hard breath. "... Yeah, she's got a point. We didn't really just say 'hey, let's be friends'; we kind of broke into his room."

"Hey! Breaking and entering is low-level thief stuff; an amazing kingpin such as myself doesn't stoop that low."

…

Garland Moon

"You know, for someone whose entire career is built on breaking and entering, this door is pissing me off." As Constance could see from the dark, Yuri was onto his sixth lockpick that night, unheard for the Savage Mockingbird.

The four of them were currently outside of the new Professor's room, trying to pick the lock to his door. While doing this so late at night has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages. Like the annoyed look on Hapi's face. "You know, I really don't like staying up this late Yuri-bird. Hurry up or I will sigh."

"I'm trying here! Oh Goddess, who changes their door lock the minute they get here? No one changes their lock!"

"You know, we wouldn't be in this mess if someone hadn't gone up here to begin with." Balthus' comment torched Constance, with how true it was. If Constance had not gone up for a few minutes to retrieve a plant from the greenhouse, she would not have dropped her notebook. A notebook with some… very illegal things.

"Alright, well the door isn't budging no matter what tools I use. Apparently it's using a lock I've never seen, so I'm going to have to take some measurements, and get something similar and come back-"

"No! We have to get that book right this instant!" If the Professor was to read that book, then he would report the findings to the Church and the people of Abyss would be in trouble because of her.

"Woah, take it easy Coco. It's just a book."

"Yeah, it just contains your research and stuff. Don't see the prob-'' It then suddenly dawned on Yuri, who had suddenly looked at Constance intensely. "... So, what's in that book we don't know about?"

… Oh no.

"Coco? What's wrong?"

Oh no.

"Can't be as bad as me trying to start a fight club back in my school days."

Ohnoohnoohnoohno.

"It's nothing illegal right?"

"... Autopsy reports." Everyone stared at Constance in disbelief; Constance, the self-proclaimed high noble, performed something that was going to get them all killed, just because of her intense magical research.

Yuri's eyes twitched at the hypocrisy presented before him; she chastised him for his less than unsavory deeds, yet she performed one of the things that would get Lady Rhea to put them all to death. And even had the audacity to record her findings. "... Oh for the love of- Balthus, kick open the door before I yell at the poor lady."

"Should've had me do it from the beginning boss." Note to self: the Professor's door is strong against lock picks, but falls easily to Balthus' kick.

Hapi whistled as she looked inside the now open room. "Wow, this place is not as exciting as I thought it would be." Constance shared Hapi's disappointment, albeit for different reasons; she was expecting them to have to search high and low for it, but it was sitting on the desk that was right in front of them.

Constance looked at it dumbfounded. That was easy; far too easy. Usually, there was something that would put a damper in their plans, but there was not-

'Oh, that might actually be a very big problem.'

"Well that was easy. Now we just got to head on out here, make a quick stop at the kitchen, grab some grub, head back down, eat and drink, go to sleep, and pretend th- He's right behind me isn't he?"

Constance nodded slowly, as did the rest of them. Standing behind Balthus was the man of the hour himself. Honestly, Constance did not know whether the new Professor was simply angry, or he always looked like he didn't give a damn, but either way, he had a rather terrifying look.

"... I haven't seen any of you around here." He looked behind them, at his desk. "I take it that the notebook is one of yours?" Constance nodded. "Mine to be specific."

"Hm. Then go on, take it."

… Huh? Yuri had also shared her confusion. "Wait, so you are going to let us go, even after breaking into your room? Not going to report was to Rhea, and have the Abyss searched high and low by the Knights?" The Professor just kept staring, yet Constance felt he was confused by what Yuri was talking about (granted it was hard to tell). Constance sighed. "Well, we can't let it end on that, can we? I suppose we can invite you down in Abyss and talk over things, surely."

The Professor raised an eyebrow. "Abyss?" And the rest was history.

…

Constance sighed happily, reminiscing about that day."Yes, that was a very interesting time." Yuri looked at her. "Interesting? We almost got killed because of you! If the man had the slightest inclination to hand that book over to the Church, then we wouldn't be here right now. Hell, they would make sure that we didn't exist."

Byleth softly smiled. "Well, the past is the past; it doesn't mat-"

"Hey boss, I've got something to report." Constance and the group turned towards their residential Gatekeeper, only they called him the Abysskeeper since there really wasn't a gate down here to begin with. However, he had guests with him too. Three highly esteemed quests to be exact.

"These three were snooping around here and got caught in the traps that were set, thought you would like to see them." Yuri whistled. "Well, lookie who we have here." Constance had to admit, the chances of seeing those three down here were remarkably low. Lady Edelgard herself, heir to the Adrestian Throne, being here is certainly a surprise.

It's her retainer that Constance, and Yuri also, was worried about. House Vestra was known for being a rather shady house; something that Hubert von Vestra not only exemplified, but took up to lengths that should have not been necessary. Bribery, assassinations, missing persons… You name it, he had probably done it, and he was proud of it.

The other wa-

"Ferdinand?!" Her dear friend from childhood? She had thought she would never see him again, yet here was, grown into a fine man.

"Constance?! Is that you? It's been far too long. We should really have a cup of tea later, I have many questions." Ferdinand nervously chuckled. "... As soon as I get out of this predicament."

Edelgard raised an eyebrow. "Constance? As in the missing heir to House Nuevelle?"

Hubert smiled. "Well that solves one missing person."

"Yeah; one you didn't have any part in." Yuri looked over the three of them, rather irritated that he had not only students from above, but the most important of Adrestian nobles to boot. "What the hell are you people even doing down here?"

Edelgard sighed. "Well, it's quite the story. You see…"

…

"What the hell are you doing this time Ferdinand? The Professor went to bed." Ferdinand turned to Edelgard and Hubert. Edelgard had just gotten done with the feast and such, so she was just headed up to her room, with Hubert ever at her back. "Hm? Oh it's just you Edelgard. I was just coming back from the Dining Hall after leaving my handkerchief there, and I noticed how there seems to be a tunnel here."

"That's ridiculous Ferdinand, we've been here for months, we wou-"

"Actually, he's right for once, Your Majesty. Look for yourself." Edelgard walked where Ferdinand was, and was surprised to see a tunnel, right before her eyes. "... So how did we not see it up until now. Anyone?"

"Nothing I can think of really. It is incredibly peculiar that this suddenly appeared in the open, as if it was put there in the middle of the year, yet they treat it as if it was entirely there, hoping no one would notice. Although, that would just be me bemusing how I didn't notice it beforehand. As much as I am curious about where this leads, it is probably best to wait for the Professor's approval."

"Agreed. It jeopardizes Lady Edelgard safety to go in there as is. If we had at least the Professor, then we should be fine to go. Besides, your girlfriend would be worried if you aren't in your bed tonight anyway."

Ferdinand blushed at that. "I assure you, Marianne is merely a friend of mine. We do not feel that way towards each other."

"Hm, keep telling that to you-"

"Oh no." Edelgard crouched down, picking up the object she had seen. "This is the Professor's pendant! I gave him this on his birthday! There is no way he could have dropped this! He must have been taken!" She had remembered Professor Byleth's birthday like it was yesterday, probably because it… really was not supposed to be all that memorable to be honest. It was another regular old day for everyone, yet Edelgard was still ready to make it special for him. Granted, she didn't come to terms with her own feelings at this point, but she did acknowledge that Professor Byleth was special.

The problem was that the man just didn't really understand the whole celebratory aspect of it. Yes, he understand why people celebrated it, and yes he did understand receiving gifts as part of it (his own father had given him something after all), yet he didn't understand why Edelgard was making a big deal out of it, nor did he understand why Edelgard wanted to have a party with the rest of the house to celebrate it. In the end, she had settled with a letter written on the behalf of the Black Eagles, and a pendant in the shape of the twin-headed eagle of Adrestia, the very one she held in her hand right now. The Professor's response to all of this was… very him.

"I don't understand it, but thank you Edelgard. I can tell this meant a lot for you. I will try to wear this as best as I can."

"... No offense to Your Majesty, but that does not make sense. His room is right next to this thing, meaning he could have simply dropped it, and if anyone would be kidnapped without a struggle, or in general, it would not be the Pro-"

"We have no choice but to go in after him!"

"Ok, Edelgard, I think we should calm down here. I mean, we should at least get one of the other Professor's to he-"

"There's no time for that. We must move now!" And so she ran in.

"... She's going to get us killed one of these days, Hubert."

"Just shut up and follow her."

…

"Alright, let's see here, by the time that by watchman found you, Ms Prim and Proper was in a net, the hitman got hit with an automatic freeze staff after going after her, and Mr 'Won't Shut Up' was chased by 3 rabid dogs. Not going to lie, I don't remember putting in that last part."

"You didn't. I led them down here. Thought it would be funny if they did something like that." Yuri shook his head at Hapi's dangerous idea. "Now that I have to deal with that later."

Byleth sighed. "While I do appreciate you three coming to look for me, I can assure you that I am perfectly okay as you can see." Constance chuckled. "Indeed he is. I find it very amusing how the Emperor of Adrestia herself would be so worried over her own teacher."

Edelgard's face had become a bright red, matching that of a tomato growing in a vineyard. "I mean, well, uh, of course I was, you see, I wouldn't - "

'Oh, the poor girl has a crush on her dear professor. How amusing'. "... Ohohohohoho!"

"Oh great she's doing the thing."

"What? Seeing the Imperial Princess stutter over her own words is a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness. I would like to have my full amusement before it's over." Constance, however, had ulterior motives; blackmail. If Edelgard did not want the entire Monastery, nay the whole Empire, to know that she had stumbled into a simple trap, all just to rescue her love, the ever famous Professor Byleth, then she would simply have to promise to restore House Nuvelle, and it replace become greater than Berliez, Hevring, or even, dare she say it, Aegir. "Well, now that this is all water under the bridge, I suppose -"

"No it isn't. We still have not dealt with HIM." Constance looked at where Yuri was pointing at. Or rather, who in this case.

'Oh yes. That one.' Hubert von Vestra was standing there, smirking at the fact that he was now the center of attention. "Who? Me? I don't know what I have done wrong."

Yuri pulled out a knife and held it to Hubert's throat, yet Hubert was not startled or even moved. It seemed he was more amused than anything. "Don't play dumb with me. You have a little habit of making some people disappear. Half of the known people missing on the damn continent could be traced back to you. I can't exactly let you loose without some precaution, especially if it involved her Highness getting a scratch."

The situation was tense to say the least. Even the Professor was wary of the scene before, hand on the hilt of his sword.

Edelgard chuckled. "I assure you, Hubert may look suspicious, but he would never do something such as-"

"Only half? Could have sworn I had done far more than to just receive a half. Then again, those are only the reported ones."

Edelgard looked at Hubert, shocked. "... Excuse me, what?"

Ferdinand had visibly gulped at hearing Hubert's confession. "Edelgard, maybe it's time to recognize that Hubert is insane. Or paranoid, but I think that falls under the same field."

Yuri chuckled, as if to play off the seriousness of the situation, but Constance could tell that even he was nervous by this. "Guess I was right to do this. Nothing personal; it's just business. Don't want to wake up with a knife in me."

Hubert smirked even more, the edge of his mouth going further upward. "Yes I understand. Although, I have no intention of making enemies with you. If I had those ideas, then I would not tell you about the gold in my pocket."

Yuri sighed. "Hush money. Of course. Balthus, grab it. And for the love of the Goddess, don't gamble it away."

Byleth sighed a breath of relief. "Well, I suppose now that it has calmed down, I can say the good news for you four."

Hapi raised her eyebrow. "Good news? Balthus being debt free? Coco not being weird? Yuri-bird getting us a working toilet?"

"THE TOILET WORKS JUST FINE!"

"Uh huh, you just say that because you don't want to spend money to replace it."

Byleth cleared his throat, bringing out a letter with him. "Earlier this week, the Archbishop had written to me for allowing you four - "

Edelgard stood tense. "Oh my… "

Ferdinand, putting two and two together rather quickly, was visibly excited. "Do you mean that …"

Yuri's eyes widened. "Oh no."

'Oh yes!'

"- to enroll into the Officers Academy under the Black Eagle house."

Yuri slammed his head into the table. "NO!"

Balthus whistled. "Going back to the Academy huh? You know, I already graduated, but getting back in for the kitchen fights wouldn't be a bad thing."

Constance pinched her nose at Balthus' response. "Of course you would say that Balthus. For me though, this is the opportunity that I exactly need for my magical skills. No more going around the Church just to get texts needed for my research; now I can finally just go to the library like a normal person!"

"As long as it is legal Coco. You forgot that part."

"... I'm aware of that part, Hapi. No need to remind me."

Hapi shrugged. "Eh, just making sure you knew. I personally think it would be really amusing to see the chaos before my eyes. Not sure what Yuri-birds problem is though."

"Everything! The class, the tests, the stuck up nobles, all of it. I much prefer to be down here with my rouges instead of up there with those annoying brats."

Byleth frowned, a subtle but noticeable one. "That's a pity. Lady Rhea was having much praise for you too Yuri, saying how you were a model for a leader."

"... Alright, fine. If Lady Rhea is the one saying I will fit, then I do her bidding."

"SIMP!"

Yuri groaned. "Knock it off Balthus."

Constance smirked and approached Edelgard, who was visibly still trying to process this news. Ferdinand quickly reached out his hand for a handshake. "It is wonderful news to hear that you will be joining the Empire in Black Eagles house again Constance. I swear, us two will be the shining beacons of nobility."

"... Yes, we will." While Constance was eager for a chance to catch up with her old friend Ferdinand, she had still harbored a grudge towards House Aegir for their role in the demise of House Nuevelle. It might be hard for her to look past this. Nevertheless, it was still great to see her old friend, still high in spirits as they shook hands.

Constance turned her head towards Edelgard. "Looks like the Scion of Nuevelle will be gracing your house Lady Edelgard. It would be wise to have plans ready for the return of House Nuevelle for when we are out of the Academy, for my house will rise from the ashes as a phoenix reborn, stronger than ever. OHOHOHOHOHOHO!"

Edelgard sighed. "I suppose the Black Eagle house now has four of the most insane individuals possible."

"What makes you say that, Lady Edelgard."

"One is a crime lord, one is constantly searched out by bounty hunters, one is simply disinterested in everything, and the other is… her."

…

Byleth was happy with himself for getting the four of them out and about. He had felt very bad about how they had to virtually stay down there forever, so he thought this was a good opportunity for the four to have a chance to have a life they truly wanted.

"Are you sure about this my teacher?" Byleth looked at Edelgard, who had a concerned look on her face. "I am. Why do you ask?"

"It's just that our class has been growing at a great rate. I worry about your abilities to teach and effectively monitor our progress with so many of us in the class now, and how detrimental it could be to your health."

Byleth could feel a smile forming on his face; he didn't exactly understand how or why they form, but he liked it whenever they would appear. "I don't mind it. I'm kind of glad about it. I see it as more people who appreciate me for being me."

Edelgard had a soft smile on her face from hearing that. Byleth also didn't understand it, but seeing Edelgard smile always gave him a good feeling. "If you say so my teacher. Just know that, no matter what, I will always cherish the moments here with you. Speaking of which… " Edelgard had pulled out what appeared to be the pendant she had gifted to him on his birthday. "You dropped this outside."

"Oh, I didn't even notice. Thank you. I know it seems weird, but having put a weight on my shoulders. But not in a bad way though. I don't get it, but I don't mind it either." Edelgard chuckled. "I'm glad you feel that way. I would be glad to hear about these individuals, mainly the ones who aren't Constance, as it is my responsibility as house leader to know their strengths and goals, and I was already aware of Constance before coming here. I hear that one can call monsters by simply sighing." Byleth nodded. "Of course."

As they walked out, they could see the sun rising on the horizon.

Yuri yawned. "Damn, we were down there for that long, or were you guys originally partying for that long? Can't believe it's already morning. Good thing Rhea gave you guys a day off right? I guess that means we should hurry up and - uh oh."

Byleth raised his eyebrow. "What is it Yu- oh." He forgot about that. The one crucial thing he should have mentioned to Edelgard, or the entire group should have mentioned. The very important thing.

Edelgard looked at them confused. "What is wrong?"

Hapi turned to Constance. "Coco, are you feeling alright?"

"Don't mind me. I am merely horse dung on the side of the road in the presence of true individuals, each bearing the ability to be spared by the Goddess, while said Goddess doesn't even count me among those she has smited, passing me over to never notice me. And when she does acknowledge me, she looks at me disgust and spits on me. With - "

Ferdinand, with concern on his face, approached Constance. "Is she okay? She was certainly … quite the opposite down below." What was once the proud Constance, who had stood proud, tall, and stern, with her haughty laugh and sharp eyes, was a depressed individual, who had looked pathetic, standing with a slouch and fiddly, with only a voice and dread and eyes of defeat.

Balthus rubbed his head. "Yeah, this is normal. It might take time to get used to."

Byleth looked onto the scene, realizing that this might be difficult then he realized.

Yet he wouldn't have it any other way.

Did you guys miss me?

We finally have an updated chapter. Yay. Now time to be on hiatus forever again.

I still have ideas though, they will just take some time to come into fruition.

The next chapter: Count Gloucester is actually a chad?

Yeah, originally Chapter 4 came out before Three Hopes. And then Three Hopes happened. Next chapter will see this man be absolutely based.

Until next time.