Hey everyone! This chapter was originally going to be a looooot longer, like probably 20k words or something like that, but I decided to get this first part out first to hold you over while I finish up the battle at Remire.

Be warned, there's a lot of words here without much plot progression, but there's an abundance of important things here. Hope you all enjoy!


"Problem?" Edelgard's brows knitted together, her jaw tightening. "You're referring to Remire Village, are you not?"

"That is part of it, yes." Hubert nodded, stepping further into the room. "But that's not the whole picture."

Edelgard recognized that expression on Hubert's face. That annoyed frown, those cloudy eyes, the way he chewed on his bottom lip. It was the same expression he would adorn whenever Edelgard bested him in chess, as rare as that was.

"Out with it, Hubert. I do not have all day."

Her tone was probably harsher than she had intended, as it was hard to not let her emotions regarding her aide seep into it. Given Hubert's raised eyebrow, she was probably correct.

"You are still angry with me," he stated, his eyes moving up and down her rigid form.

"Is it all that surprising?" Edelgard huffed, crossing her arms. "You went behind my back and acted without my approval. I believe I am justified to be 'angry.'"

"I see," Hubert hummed, nodding once to himself. "Then perhaps what I'm preparing to tell you will clear up any misconceptions of my actions."

"Misconceptions?" Edelgard frowned, confused.

"Yes. I am well aware that you hold a grudge towards me due to your flawed belief that it is due to my meddling that Monica is here."

"Is it not?" She challenged, cocking an eyebrow.

"It is, but I fear you misunderstand my intentions behind it," Hubert replied. "While it is true that I harbor no goodwill towards your relationship to our professor, that is not the reason I did what I did."

Edelgard's frown deepened. Now she was truly lost. If that hadn't been his intent, then for what possible reason would he-?

Her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her.

"It seems you are finally catching on." Hubert smirked. "I wanted to gauge their reaction to it."

Hubert began to pace around the room as he spoke, his hands clasped behind their back.

"It is no secret that Byleth poses a great threat to Those Who Slither in the Dark. He is everything that they fear. He is their greatest weakness."

Hubert stopped in his tracks, angling his head towards his highness.

"I needed to see how they would react when that fear was brought to their feet. While the professor is their greatest threat, you are their greatest tool. They would move heaven and earth to ensure that you would not be swayed by our professor."

Hubert snorted, shaking his head.

"And it seemed their initial response was to slip Monica into our midst to be their eyes and ears, driving a wedge between you two in the process. We can all see how well that worked."

"I see…" Edelgard mumbled, her brow furrowing. "And why couldn't you tell all of this to me sooner?"

"While you are skilled in numerous things, repressing your emotions is not one of them." Hubert scowled. "If I wanted to observe them under the cover of secrecy, I could take no chances. If they realized that you were in the know, it could have muddied things."

Edelgard pursed her lips. There was truth to what he was saying. While she tried her best to remain stoic in the face of their task, it had been proving harder and harder to hide the heart she bore on her sleeve.

"Fair enough. In light of what you have revealed to me here today, I suppose I can excuse your prior insubordination."

"Thank you, Lady Edelgard. Your generosity knows no bounds." Hubert bowed. As much as he tried to hide it, the relief was rather evident in his eyes. It was hard to stay annoyed with the man that time and time again proved his loyalty. And while his methods weren't always so appreciated, more often than not, they were in her best interests.

"You said Monica was their initial response," Edelgard continued. "Then does Remire Village have something to do with this?"

"Yes. I believe they are escalating matters." Hubert's face grew grave. "Using their supposed 'experiments' as a convenient excuse, I believe they are trying to lure us out."

Edelgard nodded. That made sense. Remire Village was close by, and it'd be a safe assumption to wager that Rhea would send Byleth and the Eagles to protect it. And if what he said was true, and they truly wanted to dash any hope of the professor joining her cause, then whatever they were plotting with Remire Village would no doubt be a great step towards that goal. Byleth was already connecting the dots. Once he discovered her identity as the Flame Emperor, then pieced together her connection to Monica and her kind, there would be little hope left of him siding with her. Not when he saw whatever atrocities her uncle had no doubt unleashed upon the innocent people at Remire Village in her name.

They had to put a stop to this. She had to put a stop to this. Not only for the dozens of innocent lives that would be lost at Remire, but for the thousands more that would be forfeited were Byleth to stand against her.

Hubert lowered his head, turning his eyes to the floor. Given his silence and the way his brow had creased, she assumed he was debating on whether to continue.

"However, given their telling choice in using Remire for their staging area, I am beginning to think that their true aim isn't to break you two apart."

"What do you mean?" Edelgard tilted her head to the side. There was something regarding the small village that she wasn't privy to, clearly.

He sighed, raising his head once more to meet her gaze.

"I believe it is the professor himself they're after."

"…That would be a logical conclusion," Edelgard ground out, her fists unconsciously clenching at her sides. "I would be lying if the same thought hadn't crossed my mind."

The simple thought of harm befalling her professor was enough to elevate her heart rate. Inadvertent as it was, if her uncle and his ilk laid a single hand on Byleth, the blow would pierce her chest as if she were the one that hurt him.

And yet… hearing this new information was hardly a surprise to her. Truth be told, she often considered the possibility that her uncle would one day try and dispense of Byleth. She thought her insistence for them to leave him be might stave off his attempts, but it seemed that would only work for so long before Arundel tried to do away with the threat Byleth posed.

"It's only common sense that Those Who Slither in the Dark would want the professor out of the picture." Hubert nodded. "Are you aware of what that village means to him?"

Edelgard shook her head. Outside of the bits and pieces she was able to put together from what Byleth had shared with her, she knew very little of the enigmatic mercenary's past. She had often considered trying to delve deeper, but always hesitated in doing so. It felt wrong trying to dig into Byleth's past without his knowledge.

"How could you? Even I know very little and I've spent the better part of a year trying to gather information on him." Hubert frowned, as if the very thought annoyed him. "The only thing I've uncovered besides his tales as a mercenary, was that for a brief time, he and his father used to reside in Remire Village."

Edelgard's eyes widened. If that were true, then Hubert was right. It was no mere coincidence that her uncle and Tomas would decide upon the small town to test their experiments.

Hubert looked her up and down, his eyes narrowing as he saw the anguish on her face.

"What do you intend to do, Lady Edelgard?"

"Is it not obvious?" She blinked, frowning at the question. "We'll accompany the professor to Remire. We have to put a stop to this, Hubert."

"Do we?" Hubert raised an eyebrow. "I only told you this information because I grew tired of hiding it from you. I only wanted it in the first place to better serve you. Monica has used up her worth, and soon, I shall deal with her. With her gone, there is no need to implicate ourselves any more than we already have."

Edelgard's frown deepened.

"What are you suggesting?"

"That once Monica is dealt with, we do nothing. We can continue playing along with this little charade as dutiful students if that is what you wish, but this is an ample opportunity to get the professor out of our hair. Your uncle is not the only one he poses a threat to, Lady Edelgard."

"What?" Edelgard gasped, insulted that he would even suggest such a thing. "Are you honestly advising me to let things run its course?"

"Yes. I am," Hubert answered bluntly. "In your infinite wisdom, you have already blatantly informed Byleth that we are plotting something. What do you think he will do when he realizes that we were the ones behind Flayn's kidnapping? That we were the ones behind the massacre of Remire Village?"

"We weren't!" Edelgard snapped. "And mark my words, I will punish those responsible. Severely."

"True, we were not," he relented. "But that's how it will play out."

Edelgard lowered her head, her fingernails digging into the cloth of her gloves as she coiled her hands back into fists.

"I implore you to reconsider your stance," Hubert persisted, taking a step towards her. "I humored you before, but Byleth is all but a lost cause now. It is foolish to continue trying. We must eliminate him. If not that, then simply allow them to do it."

"I will do no such thing."

"Why?" His question was quiet, his head shaking in disbelief. "Why are you trying so hard to cling to this idiotic hope? I do not understand. Why must you continue down this path, knowing full well it could bring you to ruin?"

"Because…" Edelgard murmured, her teeth grinding in her mouth.

"Because? Because what?"

"Because! I… I…"

Edelgard closed her mouth, swallowing back down the words she couldn't bring herself to utter. They constantly sat at the tip of her tongue, begging to be released, but each time something inside of her refused to let them out into the open. How could she possibly speak those three words when she hadn't even fully accepted them herself yet?

What had once been a quest to strengthen her own power with a valuable ally had now morphed into something else entirely. Now, it was only a wish to keep the man she cared so deeply for by her side, as selfish as that goal was. Byleth laid claim to a large portion of her blackened heart, that much she could not deny. It was a wonderful, freeing, yet terrifying realization. Edelgard wasn't emotionally equipped to relinquish that last bit of control when she finally allowed herself to speak those three words.

"I will go to Remire Village, and I will put a stop to whatever they have done," Edelgard muttered, closing her eyes as she fought back her rampant emotions. "I only ask that you continue to support me, Hubert. I cannot do this alone."

Hubert's usual scowl softened into a less threatening frown. He sighed, hanging his head.

"I will do as you wish, Lady Edelgard. I always will." Hubert paused, his brows twitching as he watched her. "…And consider this the final time I will bring up this matter."


Byleth moved with a purpose through the monastery's halls, Jeralt right on his tail. Much like his father, his hand never strayed too far from the sword strapped to his waist. Feeling his fingers grasp its hilt was the only small comfort he had in the wake of this troubling news.

"Remire Village…" Sothis mused quietly in his ear. "That was what he said, was it not?"

Byleth glanced at his father, sparing Sothis a nod in response.

"You and your father spent a lot of time there," Sothis remarked. "This is troubling news, indeed."

His hand tightened around his sword in response. The muscles in his shoulders tensed.

Remire Village, unlike many of the other settlements Byleth and his father had stopped in, held some importance to him. The first few years of his infancy were always a mystery to Byleth, but the one thing he did know was that Remire had been something of a hometown during those early years. Until the tender age of three, Remire Village had been where he and Jeralt called home. Byleth didn't have many memories of his time there before Jeralt had formed his band of mercenaries and the two took to a nomadic lifestyle, but he was rather fond of it nonetheless. Unlike most of the people he came across, the people of Remire had been fairly kind. They were some of the few that didn't treat Byleth as an oddity or the Ashen Demon he was so well known for. To them, he was simply Jeralt's little boy. And while their job took them all across the continent, Remire Village had always been a place the two had returned to. It was only because of their brief visit this year that Byleth had even met Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude in the first place.

To hear that such a place was in distress was enough to elicit rage from Byleth's still-heart. Time and time again he and Jeralt had driven off bandits from Remire. This time would be no different. Whoever was foolish enough to prey on these innocent townsfolk would soon taste swift retribution, just as the others had.

"Do not let your anger cloud your vision," Sothis reminded him. "You will not be doing those people any favors if your head is not clear."

Byleth took a deep breath, calming himself. As always, she was right. Sothis often was.

Thank you, Sothis.

It was moments like these that he was truly thankful for her presence. She always had a way of getting him back on the right track, even if those ways were somewhat annoying at times. He wouldn't know what he'd do if Sothis hadn't been there to be the voice of reason.

Reaching the door to the archbishop's chambers, Byleth pushed it open and stepped inside.

Immediately, he was met with a dozen gazes. Rhea stood beside Seteth at the back, with a handful of the Knights of Seiros behind them.

However, the most surprising presence had been Shamir and Manuela. He thought Shamir was still on an assignment, while he assumed Professor Manuela was still enjoying the festivities. What they were doing here, he had no clue.

"Byleth."

Rhea somehow found the wherewithal to smile as her vibrant green eyes met his. She looked so very relieved to see him.

"I apologize for pulling you away during your meal."

"It's fine." Byleth replied flatly, his eyes darting back and forth between Rhea and Seteth. "My father informs me Remire Village is in trouble?"

"Yes. It pains me to assign such a disturbing mission to you during such a blessed moment in time." Seteth frowned, lowering his head. "But we have gotten reports of abnormal occurrences there."

Byleth's brows twitched.

"Abnormal occurrences?"

"Indeed. The knights tasked with patrolling that area have uncovered… some terrible information."

"What are you saying, Seteth?" Jeralt asked impatiently.

Seteth looked to Shamir, nodding for her to go ahead.

"While most of the academy was busy with preparations for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, the Knights of Seiros have been patrolling the nearby area and the closest settlements to Garreg Mach. With the archbishop and most of the church away from the monastery, it isn't unheard of for some opportunistic bandit group to try something," the fellow mercenary explained. "Three days ago, the knights reported disturbances in Remire Village. Its citizens seemed to be afflicted with some strange disease. Restless movements, fits of violence, becoming bedridden or even impossible to wake."

Byleth's eyes narrowed at the 'fits of violence.'

"And with symptoms that varied, there are only a few possibilities," Manuela clarified. "It's either a mixture of poisons or magic. And dark magic, at that."

"If what you say is true, it is unlikely it would be some kind of infectious disease," Jeralt agreed.

"It doesn't end there," Shamir continued, shifting to her back foot as she crossed her arms. "The knights I sent to investigate have yet to return. That was two days ago."

"Then we don't have much time," Byleth said, turning his head to Seteth. "What are my orders?"

"With the captain's assistance, we need you and the Black Eagles to head to Remire Village and put a stop to whatever is transpiring there," Seteth replied. "Time is of the essence, but we cannot charge into this recklessly. We have no way of knowing what might await-"

"Unacceptable."

The room grew quiet, all heads turning to Byleth.

"Byleth?" Rhea's head was tilted to the side, her expression concerned. It was unlike the professor to be openly insubordinate. In fact, this had been the only time he had outright disobeyed a direct order.

"The Eagles will take no part," he spoke, his commanding voice leaving no room for negotiation. "I refuse to work them to the bone. They need their rest. Father and I can go alone."

This would be their fourth assignment in the span of two months. They've nearly worked every second of every day. They're just coming off of the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, as well as the long march home. They must be exhausted, hungry, and stiff. Byleth wouldn't willingly lead his students into an unknown battle while they were so out of it. A tired, weary mind led to injury. He wouldn't be the cause of their pain, no matter how important this mission was to him.

They needed a break, just as they needed today's feast. Byleth didn't want to be the one to drag them to what might very well be a bloodbath when he could handle the ordeal himself.

Jeralt scratched his head, his eyes moving back and forth between his son and the two church officials.

"He has a point," the father sighed, clearly displeased with his son's way of making it. "The kids just came off a week's march; they're probably in need of a warm meal and a cushiony bed. If we're going to do this, we need to leave right away. There's no time to wait for them to recoup."

Seteth frowned, but made no moves to rebuke their statements. He simply looked to Rhea, waiting for her decision on the matter.

The archbishop continued to examine Byleth, her troubled expression never changing.

"Will you at least accept a battalion of our knights to escort you there?"

"I'm sorry, Lady Rhea, but I cannot." Byleth shook his head. "Father and I need to travel fast. If what you say is true, then Seteth is right; there is no time to waste."

Byleth glanced at Shamir, who had been watching the exchange play out quietly without interrupting.

"Although, if it is acceptable, I would like to take Shamir along. She excels at fighting in unknown territory. Her talents could prove quite useful."

Byleth feared he would need more strength than just he and his father could muster for the battle ahead. While the pair was incredibly strong in their own right, he was no fool; as Seteth said, they had no way of knowing what they were getting themselves into.

"I don't object." Shamir nodded, sparing a glance at Rhea. "If that is what the archbishop wishes."

"Very well," Rhea sighed. "I would ask you to reconsider, but it appears you've made up your mind on the subject."

"I'm more than willing to offer my services as well," Manuela said, flirtatious as ever. "After all, I owe you my life, Professor Byleth. In fact, I bet we could manage the mission all by our-"

"No need," Jeralt interrupted. "The three of us can handle it."

"Don't be too hasty, Father. Professor Manuela is skilled in healing magic. Given what might be waiting for us, it'd be prudent of us to take her along."

Manuela beamed at Byleth's vouching for her, but it was unnecessary. He was simply speaking the truth. Of all the mages here, Manuela was perhaps only second to Lady Rhea in her ability to use Faith magic. She would be of great use to them if the citizens of Remire Village were gravely wounded, or if one of the three got injured themselves.

"So be it." Jeralt shrugged, not putting up much of a fight. "I'll let you take the reins this time, kid."

Byleth blinked, his eyes widening. This was perhaps the first time Jeralt had ever allowed Byleth to run an operation that he was present in. Byleth had run countless assignments and missions on his own with their mercenary troupe, but never had Jeralt surrendered the leadership duties to his son when both of them were present. Whenever the two tag teamed something, it was usually his father that led them. Having Byleth take that responsibility was a first.

"Please be careful, everyone. While it is important we tend to the citizens of Remire Village, I do not wish for any of you to succumb to injury as well."

Rhea's voice was frail, fraught with worry. And though she was speaking to the entirety of the little group Byleth had thrown together in a moment's notice, it was he her gaze had stayed on. Those green orbs, clouded with emotion, never left his.

It was… comforting knowing how much she truly valued his safety. It brought a calmness to Byleth's raging heart.

"We will… Rhea." Byleth bowed. "If you'll excuse us, there are things we must discuss before we set out."

"Of course." Rhea returned the gesture, clasping her hands together in prayer as she lowered her head. "May the goddess watch over you all."

Byleth nodded, motioning with his head for the others to follow as he made his exit from the archbishop's chambers.

Once the four had made it out of the room, Byleth turned to Shamir and Manuela.

"Shamir, could you wrangle up some horses for us? We need to move quickly. Walking there will take far too long."

"Alright." Shamir nodded. "Anything else?"

"Enough supplies for at least a three-day trek. There's no telling how long this could take."

"Very well. I'll wait for you at the stables."

Shamir nodded once more, then left without any further prompting. Byleth was thankful for her quick action. The fellow mercenary was always very self-sufficient, no hand-holding required. She'd make for an impeccable ally.

"Professor Manuela, you should inform your class that you'll be away for a few days." Byleth turned to the older woman next. "It wouldn't be good if the week started and their professor was nowhere to be found."

"Oh, already taking charge, are we? I like it." Manuela covered her giggle with her hand. "But you make a fair point. I'll go inform Claude."

Manuela winked towards Byleth and Jeralt's general direction as she left, giving the two a wave as she walked by.

Jeralt frowned as she watched her leave, looking as if he didn't know how to react to the seductive professor.

"Father, I should go do the same," Byleth said, eyeing his father. "Edelgard and the others are probably wondering what happened."

He didn't relish the thought of informing her of his discussion with the archbishop. Edelgard would most likely protest to him going to Remire without the Eagles.

But, it was better this way. As much as he wanted to bring them along, he couldn't risk it. While Edelgard herself was probably more than fine, it was the ones with weaker constitution he worried about. Linhardt, Bernadetta, Dorothea, Lysithea… They didn't have nearly the stamina as her or say, Caspar and Felix. Pair their worn-out bodies with their tired minds, and that was a recipe for disaster.

Byleth wasn't exactly operating at full capacity, either. If something happened to one of them and he couldn't prevent it… He'd never forgive himself. With this smaller group of better rested, more experienced allies, they should be more than capable of dispelling whatever threat had fallen upon Remire Village.

"Hold on. There's something I need to discuss with you first."

Byleth raised an eyebrow as Jeralt beckoned him to follow along.

"What is it?" he asked as he fell into step with him.

"Not here." Jeralt shook his head. "I'll tell you when we reach my office."

"I wonder what your father wishes to tell you if it must be done in private," Sothis mused. "Most curious indeed…"

Byleth frowned, ignoring his spike in blood pressure. It must have been something of importance if Jeralt didn't want anyone overhearing it.

It was a short walk to the captain's office; it was really only hundred or so feet away.

Placing his hand on the knob, Jeralt looked up and down the hallway before pushing open the door. Byleth followed in behind him, closing it for him.

"Look, I know we don't have the time to really get into this right now, and it might not be the best occasion to discuss this," Jeralt began, his brown eyes darting all around his office space before landing on Byleth. "But there's something I have to speak with you about before we head out."

"Okay…" Byleth replied slowly, his lips curving into a frown. He didn't like the sound of this already. "What is it?"

"I'm not saying this is likely," his father prefaced, resting his hand on his hip. "But if something were to ever happen to me, I need you to search this room."

Byleth's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat.

"W-what?" Was the only response he could croak back.

"Every corner, behind every shelf. I'm going to leave something for you, understand?

"Why are you speaking like this?" Byleth asked, his voice hoarse. He barely even registered Jeralt's instructions.

"Ever since the Rite of Rebirth, I've been looking into these recent events, trying to find out who among us is pulling the strings," Jeralt replied, his expression grave. "Strange groups have been seen around Garreg Mach, and elsewhere too. There was an incident where some knights investigating these suspicious strangers… turned up dead. And now, we've got this whole situation in Remire. I've got a bad feeling about it all."

Byleth licked his suddenly dry lips, the lump in his throat doubling in size. Of course he wouldn't be the only one to draw these same conclusions.

"That's why…" Jeralt hesitated, lowering his head.

Byleth had always thought of his father's brown eyes as warm and welcoming, always with a hint of that token fatherly sense of humor, even if Jeralt was never one to crack jokes. But now, they adorned a look that Byleth had never witnessed on his father's face before-

Weakness.

"If something were to happen to me, I need to know that you'll search every nook and cranny of this room. Am I clear?"

Byleth didn't reply. He had never once entertained the possibility that someone as strong as his father could possibly die, but now that he had, it left him feeling terribly hollow. The thought of Jeralt's mortality terrified him in ways that no monster or beast ever could.

For years, Jeralt had been the only person in his life to show him any love or any kindness. For years, it had been just the two of them travelling the country together. The rest of the mercenaries didn't matter, nor did their grizzly tasks, because… well, he had his father. He always had Jeralt. Byleth wouldn't be the man he was today if he didn't have Jeralt guiding him each step of the way. If he were to lose the only family he's ever known, a large part of him would die as well.

"Please, don't speak like that," Byleth whispered, his voice on the verge of cracking. He didn't want to be confronted with this possibility. He didn't want to face the truth that one day, Jeralt would die. The truth that this sturdy pillar that always held him upright might one day cease to exist.

"Am. I. Clear?"

Byleth turned his eyes to the ground, nodding just once.

Jeralt sighed.

"Good."

A hand slapped him on the arm. Hard. It forced him to lift his head to see his smiling father staring down at him. It was as if whatever request he just made hadn't happened at all.

"Don't get me wrong, I have no intention of dying. And don't take this the wrong way, but…" Jeralt's smile grew as he watched his son. "Seeing you looking so worried about my well-being makes me somewhat… happy."

"Obviously I'd be worried," Byleth scoffed, shaking his head. "You've never spoken like this before. What else would you expect?"

"I don't know, I guess I just expected it to roll off you like water off a duck, as always." Jeralt shrugged, still grinning in the face of his son's obvious annoyance. "I didn't expect you to nearly break out the waterworks."

"I wasn't going to cry." Byleth glared at him. "I was just… upset, is all."

The booming sound of his father's laughter caught Byleth off guard. It wasn't often he heard such a noise come from Jeralt.

"Given the circumstances, laughing probably isn't very appropriate." Jeralt's laughter deteriorated into a chuckle. "I just couldn't help it. This place really has changed you, you know that?"

Byleth's brows raised momentarily before he reeled in his surprise.

He certainly liked to think so. Byleth never really cared for the man he once was. It's not like he hated who he had been before coming here, but… he certainly preferred Professor Byleth as opposed to the Ashen Demon.

And he knew, deep down in his heart, there was one woman in particular he had to thank for such great change.

"Well, you better scurry off to your students," Jeralt said, slapping him on the shoulder once more. "I don't envy the task ahead of you. I wager the princess isn't going to take the news very well."

Byleth frowned, his thoughts lingering on Edelgard. Yes, he imagined she wouldn't. Telling his class that he would be going to Remire without them would probably be a tougher battle than whatever waited for him at the village.

"You're right." Byleth nodded, his eyes staying on Jeralt. "Meet you at the stables?"

"You got it, kid."

The professor spared his father one last look before he turned to leave.

As he walked through the door, he could feel Jeralt's eyes dig holes into his back.

"Who knew your father could talk like that?" Sothis remarked in his ear. "I must admit, even I had a difficult time believing what I was hearing."

Byleth remained silent as he walked through the monastery halls. He had just gotten the thought out of his head. He didn't want to consider it again.

"…Are you alright, Byleth?" Sothis asked when he didn't respond.

He stopped midstride, closing his eyes as he exhaled slowly through his nose.

"Let's just worry about Remire Village, for now."


It only took around five minutes for Byleth to get across the academy and back to the classroom. He probably would have gotten there sooner, but thoughts of his conversation with his father had weighed him down.

"Have you considered how you might break this to them?" Sothis asked. "They will not be pleased."

"I'll think of something," Byleth mumbled as he rounded a corner. "Besides, I'm their professor. If nothing else, I'll simply order it."

Sothis hummed to herself.

"I would advise against that. Ruling through force never helps matters. If you order them to stay behind, it will cause strife between you and them. Who is to say they will even follow your orders?"

Byleth chewed on his bottom lip as he walked. She was right, of course. In a perfect world, he would prefer to not have to utilize his authority over them, but things were rarely perfect.

As he rounded one last corner, the Eagles' homeroom was within view.

Edelgard and Hubert were standing in front of the door, their backs turned to him.

Byleth stopped walking. Neither had heard his footsteps.

"Byleth? Why have you stopped?" Sothis sounded confused before she realized what he was up to. "Oooh, I see. You wish to hear what they are discussing. I approve."

He didn't reply, nor did he move. He only continued to watch Edelgard and Hubert converse.

"You look unwell," Hubert addressed her. "It's because of what we discussed, isn't it?"

"Don't speak of it aloud," Edelgard dismissed him. "The professor will return soon."

"You can't change what happened." Hubert shook his head, ignoring her warning. "For now, all we can do is use this to our advantage."

"I know that. I also know that I must steel myself to ascend the Imperial throne."

Her tone was harsh; cold, even. But Byleth could hear how brittle it sounded. Even from this distance, he could tell how distraught she looked.

He suddenly felt very guilty for eavesdropping.

What am I doing?

Byleth shook his head. He trusted Edelgard. He didn't feel the need to eavesdrop on her conversations just to verify that those feelings he held towards her were correct. He knew they were. This wasn't necessary, and in fact, it was wrong. Did he have such little faith in his emotions that he had to resort to such underhanded, deceitful tactics?

He walked forward, making no attempts to mask his steps.

"Those preparations are going well. We…" Hubert stopped, angling his head to the approaching Byleth. "Someone is coming."

When Hubert turned fully to look at him, he didn't look the least bit surprised. Granted, they had been expecting Byleth, but he didn't seem shocked that it would be Byleth of all people to interrupt them.

"Professor Byleth." Edelgard dipped her head in a greeting. "Do we have our orders?"

"Yes." Byleth nodded, his eyes moving back and forth between the two. He wished they didn't feel the need to continue this charade around him, but there was nothing for it. Given the fact he had just spent a few seconds eavesdropping, he wasn't entirely sure he even deserved the entirety of their trust. "I would rather brief you with everyone present. Are the Eagles still in the mess hall?"

"No." Edelgard shook her head. "I took the liberty of gathering them all once you left. They're waiting for us inside."

"Then let's not waste any time."

Byleth slipped between them, opening the door to their classroom and stepping inside.

True to her word, the Eagles were all conglomerated in a loose circle, seeming to be discussing the events of the feast to pass the time as they waited.

"Ah, Professor! There you are."

Dorothea was the first to notice him. She smiled brightly at him as he entered.

"Edelgard told us we have a new assignment," Felix said, crossing his arms.

"Yes and no," Byleth answered, his stern expression faltering. "Lady Rhea did task me with investigating some troubling matters regarding Remire Village, but…"

"But, what, Professor?" Lysithea murmured, frowning as she spoke. She was quick to pick up on the indecisiveness hidden in Byleth's tone. "What's going on?"

Byleth scratched his eyebrow, sighing. He truly did not enjoy this opportunity.

"The Black Eagles will be staying put. I, along with my father, Shamir, and Professor Manuela, will be going to Remire alone."

The class grew silent in the wake of their professor's news.

The first to speak, unsurprisingly, was Edelgard.

"I respectfully decline that notion."

"I am in agreement!" Petra added. "Wherever you are going, we are going, Professor."

"T-that's right!" Bernadetta nodded shakily. "Y-you can't just leave us behind!"

"It wasn't a suggestion." Byleth glanced at the house leader, then turned to the rest of their upset faces. "Neither is it open for debate."

"What gives, Professor?" Caspar asked. "Why're you doing this?"

"The situation there is dire. If we are to make it there quickly, we must leave tonight. That means going without sleep and subjecting you to what will most likely be another trying battle."

"What's your point?" Felix shrugged, looking equally displeased. "This is what you've trained us for."

"It may be," Byleth relented. "But I won't put you through a long march, a grand mock battle, another long march, and then a fight where your lives will be on the line, all in the span of a week. It's too much."

"Maybe you should let us decide that for ourselves instead of making the decision for us," Lysithea fumed. "You always talk about how we're a 'team.' It seems rather hypocritical to go around deciding these things on your own."

"I have to agree with Lysithea. Though, I would not have worded it so harshly." Ferdinand nodded. "We are a team, Professor. A noble team! We work together through thick and thin, no matter how worn our bodies might be."

Byleth frowned. He expected them to fervently disagree with him, but not to this extent. Even the sleepy Linhardt looked rather insulted by Byleth's decision.

Edelgard placed a hand on his shoulder.

"…Byleth."

His eyes widened at the name she so casually called him in front of their entire class.

"I understand that you are simply worrying about our health," Edelgard spoke softly, her grip tightening on his shoulder. "We all do."

Byleth glanced at the class. They all nodded along.

"But in times like these, isn't it better to have someone else to rely on? So we can support and guide each other through such darkness?" Edelgard continued, her eyes daring him to challenge her on that. "Remire Village clearly holds some importance to you. We, as your students- no, as your friends, only wish to support you."

"Yeah!"

Byleth turned his head towards Bernadetta, who had stepped forward from the group.

"I-It's only because of you that I've had the courage to leave my room for a bit each day. I'm… I'm so grateful for that, Professor." The recluse smiled, not disturbed in the slightest by all of the eyes that were now on her. "Let me repay that kindness!"

"Bernie…" Byleth mumbled.

Ferdinand was the next to step forward.

"In fact, before you arrived, we were all discussing how well you have led us. I would like the opportunity to repay that leadership as well."

Then Petra.

"Your guidance is without parallel, Professor," Petra talked slowly, stumbling slightly over the difficult words. "Let us continue being guided by you."

Flayn stepped forward, her head tilted down to the clasped hands at her waist.

"Thanks to you, I have had the opportunity to experience much." Flayn smiled through her words. "Please allow me to offer you my gratitude once more by accompanying you to Remire Village, Professor. I wish to help all I can."

"I know I give you a hard time," Lysithea began meekly, her eyes glued to the floor. "But I really am pleased to be in your class, Professor; you truly bring out the best in us. Like the others said, it's our turn to return the favor."

"Whatever would we do without you?" Dorothea giggled. "So, please, don't leave us behind, Professor."

Byleth lowered his head, narrowing his eyes as he stared at the stone floor beneath him. Each word spoken with such love and admiration for him felt like a tiny hammer slamming against his chest, threatening to cave it in.

"You are something special, my teacher."

He raised his head, only to be met with the smiling face of Edelgard.

"Allow us to help you as you've helped us."

Byleth searched her eyes thoroughly, but they did not waver. If his heart had a beat, he was sure it would have stuttered looking into those pale, striking, purple eyes of hers.

He sighed and scratched his head. It felt like a mistake to give in this easily and this quickly, but their kind words had truly moved him. Byleth had always hoped he had done a decent job at teaching them, but hearing them openly speak of their trust for him, as well as how he had affected their lives for the better… Well, it was more than he could have ever hoped for. His resolve didn't feel nearly as strong as it did before he had come here.

"I cannot say I am surprised," Sothis giggled in his ear. "If you truly wished to go without them, you would have simply left without informing of this situation, would you not? You are far too easy to read, Byleth."

"Fine, fine. You win." Byleth threw his hands in the air. "Go grab your overnight supplies and meet me at the stables in thirty minutes. I'll have Shamir acquire some more horses."

"Thank you, my teacher." Edelgard smiled at him, then turned to face the rest of the class, her expression hardening. "You heard the professor. You have your orders."

The class nodded in unison, setting out to do as they were told.

"I never had much of a chance, did I?" Byleth groused, glancing at Edelgard and her retainer.

"Lady Edelgard can be quite stubborn when she wishes," Hubert remarked, brushing his bangs out of his eyes. "You should have known better, Professor."

"I suppose I should have." He smirked at the rather smug looking princess, who seemed awfully pleased with herself.

"We'll have time to idly converse later." Edelgard ignored the duo, her smile disappearing. "We should focus on the coming mission, for now. Did the archbishop give you any more information about what's happening in Remire?"

"No." Byleth shook his head.

"What about the knights?" Hubert questioned. "I assume the church would have sent some to investigate."

"They haven't reported back. For now, we expect the worst. All we know is that the townspeople seem to be afflicted with some disease that affects their mental state. We assume it's by design. Magic or poison is most likely."

Hubert and Edelgard shared a glance. It was far too obvious to go unnoticed by the professor.

"I see," Hubert mumbled, his hand pinching his chin as he considered Byleth's words. "If what is happening there is by design, there must be someone pulling the strings."

That was exactly what his father had said. Even the same terminology.

His eyes subconsciously moved to Edelgard to gauge her reaction. She was still listening to the two intently, her eyes closed as she digested their words.

"There is the Death Knight, of course," Hubert continued, seemingly unaware to Byleth's reaction. "And the mysterious mages who were implicated with the Western Church. They showed up when Flayn was kidnapped as well. And now there is another strange occurrence near the monastery…"

It was rather curious that Hubert neglected to mention the Flame Emperor in his list of possible suspects.

Before Byleth could open his mouth to question him on it, Edelgard spoke.

"Do you believe that all of these incidents are connected, Professor?"

Byleth turned to Edelgard. She was watching him closely.

Their earlier conversation was still fresh on his mind. He wondered if the same held true to Edelgard. Was this another one of her hints? Another breadcrumb she was leaving him so he could eventually piece it together himself? Or was it a genuine question?

He wasn't sure this time.

"I can't say," Byleth replied. "There might be a connection, but if there is, I can't grasp it."

He kept his response purposefully vague. Truly, he did believe there was a connection. If that connection somehow involved Edelgard, Hubert, or Monica, was yet to be determined. But he knew there was something there.

"That is the logical conclusion." Edelgard nodded, her expression faltering for a moment. "But I'm not so sure."

"Oh?" Byleth raised an eyebrow.

"It certainly appears that all of the events surrounding the monastery are connected by a single thread. However-"

Byleth was quick to clock Hubert's head tilting towards her, his eyes flashing with some emotion the professor did not understand.

"I think it's possible that it may just be a result of different motives overlapping. Remember, Professor…"

Edelgard continued her speech undisturbed, her purple eyes never leaving his.

"If you think of people as simply enemies or allies, it may be impossible to grasp the truth. Do you understand?"

Byleth's eyes widened. With the way she emphasized her final question… She was trying to tell him something. Something subtle, hidden behind her words. He was sure of it.

There was no evidence to support her claims. There was no evidence pointing to a separate party. Both he and his father came to the same conclusion that one, singular target was behind these events. So, why would she suggest that there were two motives overlapping? How could she possibly know that?

…Unless, she was one of those motives… Unless she knew full well who was behind all of this and wanted to assure Byleth that she had nothing to do with it. She spoke clearly of enemies and allies… Taking into account their previous conversation, was she trying to suggest that if he considered her and Hubert to be the enemies behind Remire, he wouldn't be able to realize that there was another, more foul group deceiving him?

But if that were the case, it meant she knew full well who was behind this and did nothing to prevent it. Was it because she couldn't? Or simply because she chose not to?

He didn't know the answer. The fact that he didn't know the answer was beginning to worry him.

However, he trusted her. Until proven otherwise, he would continue to trust her.

"I understand." Byleth nodded, staring long and hard into her eyes. "I trust what you're saying to be the truth."

Edelgard visibly deflated, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"Good. That's… good," Edelgard sighed. "Then, Hubert and I should go and gather our things. As you said, we want to reach Remire Village as soon as we are able."

"Very well," Hubert replied, his eyes never leaving Byleth. "We shall reconvene with you at the stables, Professor."

"Don't be late."

The two nodded their farewell before they turned to leave.

Byleth watched them go, his lips twisting into a frown as his blue eyes followed their retreat.

He trusted Edelgard. He trusted her. He didn't want to believe she could be behind all of this. She wasn't behind this. She couldn't be behind this. Byleth trusted her words to be the truth.

But… if she wasn't behind this, who was? And what part did she play? How did the Flame Emperor fit into all of this?

No. He mustn't go down that road. Edelgard had given him no reason to distrust her. While she didn't speak her answer, she still confirmed his suspicions. Besides, how could she possibly be behind whatever was going on at Remire if she had been with him for the better part of two weeks? They didn't even return to the monastery until this evening. How could she orchestrate this attack on Remire Village while she was away at Gronder?

This wasn't her.

"I wonder when those two might finally bring you in out of the dark?" Sothis pondered aloud. "The little one you are fond of is awfully brazen to so openly continue with her veiled words in light of what has happened."

"She'll tell me when she's ready," Byleth reassured her. Though, part of him wondered if those words were more for his sake than hers.


The smell of fire, blood, and burnt flesh tainted the wind. The cries of the innocent comingled with the animalistic howls of the crazed filled the air. The orange and yellow lights from the growing flames danced across his sunken eyes. As he watched the growing pillars reach higher and higher into the sky, the clouds of black smoke spilling every which way, he smiled.

Tomas stood in the center of this hell he created, his hands resting on his cane as he surveyed the carnage like one might watch an opera. With a content grin, he examined the destruction he created. He was enraptured in this symphony of chaos, its music tickling his ears. What a wonderful melody it was.

The townsfolk cried for help. They begged for him, anyone to save them.

He wouldn't, of course. He simply watched on as their lives were stolen from their hearts, their sanity stripped from their minds. Husbands killed wives. Mothers killed sons. Brothers killed sisters. What a sight it was to witness these strong, familial bonds shatter as if they were nothing but fragile glass.

"How goes the experimentation?" The shadow behind him asked. It was a man's voice, but whatever humanity may have remained in it had long since vanished.

"It's well underway," Tomas replied, licking his dried lips. He was too engrossed in the display to turn away. "It's still in its early stages, but the results seem promising."

"Good."

There was a rustling of burnt leaves and grass as the voice stepped closer.

"The preparations for our other goal are nearly complete. The Death Knight is at your full disposal."

"Excellent." Tomas cackled. With the Death Knight's aid, their plans coming to fruition were all but a certainty. This impending battle at Remire was only the first domino to fall. "And you're sure the professor will show?"

"Of course. By now, word of our deeds here would have reached Garreg Mach. It won't be long before they send their forces, with the professor at the front of them."

A hand latched on to Tomas's arm, forcing him to turn.

Arundel's cold, lifeless eyes leered into his.

"If you are too blatant, he will catch on. He must piece it together on his own, otherwise this will all be for naught. Understand?"

Arundel's tone was cold as ice, his hand tightening into a vice grip around Tomas's frail arm.

"Of course, Thales." Tomas bowed his head. "Your wish is my command."

"It is a command."

Arundel relinquished his hold on Tomas's his arm, nodding as he stepped back.

"What shall I do about the Flame Emperor?" Tomas asked, ignoring the pain that shot up and down his forearm. "She is sure to be with him. She will not approve of our methods."

"Irrelevant." Arundel shook his head. "Whether she realizes it or not, this is all for her sake. A blade without its edge is worthless."

Arundel scowled, his eyes narrowing to slits.

"And if you spill even an ounce of that precious blood, I will have your head. Are we clear?"

"Of course." Tomas stooped into a bow.

"Good."

Arundel turned his back to the librarian.

"Do not fail me, Solon."

A pillar of purple light fell upon Arundel's body, transporting him away from the scene.

Solon turned back to the massacre he had caused, his hands coiling around the handle of his cane.

It wouldn't be long now.


And there you have it! Like I said, we don't ACTUALLY reach Remire with this chapter, but there's so much set up for things to come I couldn't possibly fit everything I had planned into one single chapter. It'd probably take me another week to finish this single chapter had I not posted this part early.

Anyhow, lots and lots of things going on in this one. As you can see, I decided to bump back Jeralt's "search my room" speech to this chapter, as it felt more fitting given the tone of Remire Village. I also tinkered with the "Trust in the Professor" scene to fit this particular chapter. Also, I'm throwing Shamir and some more Manuela into the mix. They're always great, and I personally love Shamir.

But, more importantly, the other shoe finally drops with Hubert. While, yes, I think it's due to Hubie that Monica is at the monastery (I just don't buy his "I'll take matters into my own hands" line if he wasn't going to do anything with it in the plot), I don't think he'd go through with it if he didn't think there was a clear benefit to it. Testing the Slitherer's response to the fast growing relationship of Byleth and Edelgard seems like something Hubert would do, then once he got the information he needed, he'd tie up loose ends. If any of you remember some of the monastery dialogue later on, the game does hint at the fact that Hubert was planning on killing Monica before things went to hell (again, also up for interpretation). I'm kind of tying that all together here. Let me emphasize, this is just opinion! I just personally like what it adds to the story.

And while I think Hubert would love it if Byleth really joined them (because as he says, Byleth poses the greatest threat to TWSiTD, who he absolutely hates), and perhaps even a small part of him believed Edelgard could actually do it, he's pragmatic enough to realize that after this, there would be zero chance Byleth would. Haha, if only you knew Hubie.

This chapter and the coming ones are what I truly believe are some of the most important to Byleth's character. If Crimson Flower is all about Edelgard, White Clouds is 100% about Byleth. I don't want to give away the whole thing, but definitely expect heavier focus on Byleth's development as things play out. Not to say I won't continue writing Edelgard POVs, but lets be real, these coming chapters are extremely Byleth focused.

Welp, that's all for now! Next chapter we'll conclude Remire Village and all the fun that entails. See you all next time!