Byleth ended up going to Jeralt's Mercenaries first. After a brief explanation of her situation, and Jeralt recommended she stayed put. She specifically asked if they could go to the Empire when their current job was over—considering the situation and the chance that the Empire would require soldiers, Jeralt agreed.
Jeralt didn't want her to fight—knights were looking for her, and he wasn't willing to take any chances—so she remained in the mercenary's camp while the others worked. Sothis complained of boredom, but they could at least hold conversations.
She didn't realize how much she adjusted to the monastery's constant, distant chatter until she sat in the forest with only Sothis for company. The area seemed so lifeless in comparison.
The mercenaries didn't return until the sun started to set, and Jeralt gave some orders before sitting down next to her.
"We just wrapped up that job," he said, picking up a stick to poke at what remained of the previous night's fire. "We're free to head out to the Empire in the morning, just keep that sword hidden. You wanted to go straight to Enbarr, right?"
"Yes. Edelgard should be willing to hire the company, even if we don't immediately see any battles."
"That's the girl you fought with last time? The new emperor."
Byleth nodded. They had enough time to finally catch up; she told him most of what happened while she was at Garreg Mach, hearing stories about Jeralt's jobs during those months in exchange. By now, her father knew about as much as she did, but he still asked clarifying questions when needed.
Jeralt entertained some conversation—somewhat teasingly yet proudly talking about how she managed to befriend an emperor, maintaining a positive financial outlook if Edelgard really did hire them. Especially if the war continued, they wouldn't have to worry about jobs for a while. He joked that he'd have to thank Edelgard—and a few of the knights, to some extent—for getting Byleth to smile more as well; he mentioned recognizing emotions in her expression or tone that he had never seen her show before.
As promised, they left the next morning at dawn and went south. Byleth stayed out of sight when she could, and kept the Sword of the Creator close but hidden. The closer she got to Enbarr, the more she wondered how she would explain her choices—she knew it would be brought up at some point.
When they arrived at the capital itself, the mercenaries spread out and left Jeralt and Byleth to actually ask for a job. They were let inside the palace with nothing more than an introduction from Byleth and a brief show of her sword.
"Edelgard must have asked them to look out for you," Sothis mused. "You'd best prepare a good reason for saving her life in the Holy Tomb, if you still don't wish to explain everything."
One of the guards led them into the palace after Jeralt explained what they came for. Byleth expected to be guided towards whoever was in charge of soldiers or supplies, but instead the guard stopped in front of a certain door and knocked.
Edelgard responded. "You may enter."
The guard gave them one final look, then left. Jeralt opened the door, revealing an office area; Edelgard sat behind the desk, alone but wearing some armor, visibly surprised when she noticed them.
"Byleth." It almost sounded like a question, and she showed some kind of relief in the form of a little smile. Edelgard returned to a neutral expression when she nodded towards Jeralt. "And that would make you the Blade Breaker, if I'm not mistaken?"
"You're right," Jeralt replied.
"I don't believe we ever officially met. I am Edelgard von Hresvelg, the new emperor of Adrestia."
Jeralt chuckled. "So I've heard. My kid's said a lot about you."
Byleth cast him a small frown, partially so she wouldn't have to see Edelgard's reaction. He recognized some emotion that she didn't, offering no more words while Sothis gave her own teasing remark.
"My, my. Your father does not mince words."
She sighed, knowing she couldn't protest. Byleth looked back towards Edelgard instead, who had opted to look down at the papers on the desk in the silence.
"I thought you might want the extra soldiers," Byleth said, attempting to explain her father's comment. "Jeralt's Mercenaries are available for hire, if you have the funds."
"It would be reassuring to have one of Fódlan's best mercenary companies fighting alongside the Empire," Edelgard mused, smiling somewhat. Her smile faltered and fell when she continued. "I will warn, however, that the Empire is currently working with the same mages that have been causing trouble for the past year; you…might already know this."
"I do, to some extent," Byleth admitted. It was one of the first things she considered back in the Holy Tomb, before she used Sothis's power. "…They're the ones that destroyed Remire."
"Yes, they were." After a second's pause, Edelgard quickly added, "But I swear, once the Central Church is dealt with, those people will face judgment. Their crimes would not go without punishment, we simply require their resources for the coming war—as soon as that war is over, our attention will turn towards them."
Byleth gave her a small smile; Edelgard's expression changed when she saw it, a certain kind of urgency becoming reassurance, and she partially returned the smile.
"I know you must have good reason," Byleth said. "I won't ask for what that reason is—you can tell me on your own time, if at all—but I know its there."
"Thank you," Edelgard replied. A bit louder, speaking more to Jeralt, she continued, "It's possible that same group may not take kindly to Byleth, due to certain circumstances. There's only so much I can do to keep them away, and I can't guarantee the safety of anyone in the company."
"I'm trusting the kid on this one," Jeralt said. "She wants to fight alongside you—if she's happy andwe're getting paid for it, all the better. Everyone knows to keep an eye out for danger at this point."
Byleth frowned at him again, but Edelgard carried on.
"Count Hevring is in charge of mercenary contracts," Edelgard explained. "Just continue down the hall, and you should be able to see him. Let him know that I sent you; it shouldn't be too difficult to arrange agreeable terms."
Both mercenaries murmured some kind of agreement, and they turned to leave. Byleth made it to the door before Edelgard spoke up, a bit hesitant but firm.
"Could you stay behind a moment, Byleth?"
She glanced at Jeralt for approval, who nodded and walked down the hall. Byleth looked back towards Edelgard.
"I want to address it now, while we're both here," Edelgard said. Her expression changed into a kind of confusion. "Back in the Holy Tomb, you…recognized me. You knew who was behind the Flame Emperor's mask. How? I always thought it would be Dimitri or Claude—maybe Manuela, or even Rhea—that would identify me, not you."
Byleth fell silent upon the memory. The first time, the Flame Emperor had fell and the mask shattered—that was how she knew the figure was Edelgard. She just didn't know how to say it without spending hours trying to explain everything—that she dreamt of a girl and of fighting, that said girl was now literally a voice inside her head, and that the girl had powers that Byleth could use—without sounding insane.
Edelgard watched her for any signs of an answer. Her expression slowly changed, from curiosity to a frown.
Byleth gave a partial truth, if only to end the quiet moment. "It's hard to explain, but let's just say that I saw the Flame Emperor without the mask."
"Vague," Edelgard noted. Her expression softened after a moment, however, and she almost smiled again. "But I'll accept that for now. Thank you for talking with me."
Byleth nodded her acknowledgment, and turned to leave again. She took a step out the door when Edelgard spoke up again, albeit quietly.
"And…thank you for coming back. I look forward to having you as an ally."
(A/N: Fun fact time! Mini Shepherds is the longest fanfiction I've written and posted…now with the exception of this one. Mini Shepherds ended at 46 chapters. Her Revolution is only halfway through story-wise at this point.)
