Seteth pulled the mercenaries away from the others while the students prepared for the mock battle. There were people the church wanted to get rid of—more mages and thieves, from the looks of it—and the mercenaries were supposed to help. What actually happened was closer to Byleth helping, with three knights helping her.
It was a small group of mages, fortunately—she knew that if it looked like trouble, at least one more mercenary would have joined—but she was watched the entire time. It felt more like an evaluation than anything else. Notably, none of the knights seemed to have the same kind of observation placed on them.
The pay wasn't promised until after they returned the monastery, but judging from Seteth's expression when they reported back to Rhea, Byleth did what they wanted. She hoped to get some kind of clarification then.
She was called to meet with Rhea one day after they came back; Seteth found her at breakfast and asked her to see the archbishop. Byleth accepted, by now expecting someone from the company to get those who had been at the monastery. She didn't have anything to do while she waited.
Byleth offered a sort of bow towards Rhea when she came in, while Seteth took his spot to Rhea's left. Unsurprisingly, it was the archbishop that first spoke.
"Good afternoon," Rhea greeted kindly. "Thank you for your patience in waiting for the payment to be decided. Seteth and I have come to an agreement—but first, I would like to ask a question." She smiled. "Do you have any mercenary jobs lined up for the immediate future?"
That was a strange thing to ask. "We usually take jobs as they're given to us; it's not something you can plan in advance. Jeralt would know better than I do."
"I see. In that case, child, would you be willing to do a few more things for the church?"
A small frown was Byleth's immediate response. Rhea noticed and continued.
"The other mercenaries from your father's company will receive pay equal to their efforts," she said, "But I have a request specifically for you. You fought excellently each time you've been with the church; you've chosen to protect the students in cooperation as well. I would like to offer you a position in the Knights of Seiros."
"You would be better off looking somewhere else," Byleth tried to protest. "I'm not—"
"You are more than qualified, if that is your concern," Rhea replied, cutting her off. "Or perhaps you're worried about not truly following the goddess? If so, there is no need for worry; there are some knights here that are not even from Fódlan, much less believe in its creator. You are only judged on your deeds, not the name which you do them in so long as it is honorable."
"She seems quite determined," Sothis mused with a small hum. "A negative response may not be a true option."
But Byleth didn't want to accept, either. She knew that Sothis understood that hesitance as well.
"Do I have any room to decline?" Byleth asked.
"I will give you until the end of the month," Rhea answered calmly.
That wasn't even enough time for her to speak with Jeralt and come back—that was assuming Rhea would let her leave, considering how all of the mercenaries were kept inside the monastery aside from their recent 'job.' She didn't know how Rhea would take it if she outright refused, considering how she spoke about Jeralt—a friend who must have been there for years, then left without warning.
She would rather trust her father than a stranger. Byleth was, and always would be, a mercenary; if it wasn't for curiosity—and some other things as well—she wouldn't think twice about it.
But were those feelings—a desire to understand why Jeralt didn't seem to like Rhea, a reason for why that sword glowed red when Byleth had it and why it was never mentioned to Rhea afterwards, trying to determine why Edelgard's power felt similar to hers—truly Byleth's, or did they belong to Sothis? The girl didn't seem to know either.
Byleth thought about it for a minute longer, then made her decision. Jeralt should be able to find someone to fill her spot—worst case scenario, Byleth leaves and just needs to avoid Rhea in the future. Easier said than done, maybe, but it was an option.
"…I'll be a knight," Byleth said, "But I'll be treating it like a normal job. I won't fight if I disagree with the people I'm protecting. If, for any reason, the church wants to fight against someone I don't believe is harmful, I won't raise my sword against them."
Rhea smiled; Byleth wondered, for a second, if her answer had been the wrong one because of it.
"Your conditions have been heard," the archbishop replied, "And I will take them into consideration going forward. I will consider your recent words as your pledge. Please enjoy your time at the monastery; the other knights will be told shortly. You may present the other mercenaries with their pay as well."
Byleth nodded and accepted some money from Seteth, turning to leave after she knew they wouldn't need her. Sothis didn't take very long to try to strike up relevant conversation, but relented after a few failed attempts; the girl still did have the opportunity to talk some after Byleth found a nice place to sit and chat.
