Edelgard and Claude met again at the start of the new year. The other Alliance's four great lords—or the people standing in for them, as was the case for everyone but Riegan and Gloucester—were at Myrddin as well. She took that to mean they finally made a decision. Claude specifically asked to talk with her without the others.
"Thanks for your patience while we went over everything," Claude said. "We had our own shift in leadership, alongside most of the others not quite agreeing with everything their representatives would decide." He let out an almost-humored chuckled. "Didn't expect you to come immediately once I said we were decided, though. I heard your father died just a few weeks ago."
"I'd rather make progress than stand still, no matter the circumstances," Edelgard reasoned.
"You don't want to stand still for a week or so? The war isn't going anywhere." He paused for a moment, then admitted, "Actually, never mind, I don't think I've seen you ever take breaks. Even back at the academy you were always working or training, even after seeing some of the worst things first-hand."
She assumed he meant Remire. Silence fell for a few seconds before Claude spoke up again.
"Anyway. The roundtable's come to a decision—I just want to ask you a question."
"Go ahead."
"First things first," Claude said, any joking tones fading, "I'm not asking this as the new Duke Riegan, or on behalf of the roundtable—and I don't want you to answer as Emperor Edelgard, or from the Empire's perspective as a whole. I just want Edelgard's opinion, not the emperor's or the Empire's. Will you still answer?"
"It depends on the question," Edelgard replied evenly.
Claude nodded. "Right. Again, just between the two of us, before there's any kind of agreement—what are you after? When you say you want a revolution, what is it that you want to change?"
"It took you longer to ask than I thought," Edelgard admitted.
"I wanted to find a good time," Claude replied. "I haven't heard much aside from what's publicly known—the Central Church misusing their power in some way or another. I just feel like it runs deeper than that."
She considered it before elaborating. She chose to be honest; it would be better to try to trust him if the agreement was finalized.
"My immediate concern does lie with the Central Church," Edelgard said. "There are certain things I can't overlook."
"Such as?" Claude prompted. "I would appreciate it if you could be a little less…vague."
"It comes naturally at this point. Would it be better to say that I don't agree with all of the church's teachings?"
"That at least explains what the 'certain things' are, even if the specifics aren't said. What policies are you hoping to change?"
"They preach the strength of Crests—something meant to save lives, but has more commonly led to the loss of them. Reliance on something people can't control just causes problems in both short- and long-term situations. Insistence on nobility—family inheriting titles instead of those more capable—is another issue."
"I've noticed you've already made some progress on that last part within your army."
"Yes. My goal is to have them renounce the system—let those actually leading choose, instead of age-old traditions that no longer suit the world—or else kill the people still insisting on it."
Claude almost chuckled, but it only held a small bit of humor. "Well, I'm glad I decided fighting with you would be better than against you." The smile fell again. "And that group you mentioned earlier—the one that destroyed Remire. Do you know what they're looking to achieve?"
"When I first came across the group, they promised to help my ambitions—but while I've grown to only focus on certain deeds, they focus more on the entire church."
"Any idea why?"
"The goddess did their ancestors an injustice, at one point. They were willing to help me because I shared that belief."
"Past tense?"
"…There was a time when I assumed anyone who followed the goddess must be weak; they couldn't live on their own without unnatural faith towards a being they wouldn't know until they're dead, if then. That idea was theirs—his. I had the opportunity to meet believers who proved my ideas wrong—my own professorfollows the goddess, but knew it was up to her to change and grow. I re-evaluated and chose only to fight against the people and doctrines that would hinder that change and growth in others."
"That's…actually surprisingly admirable of you."
She cast him a frown. "You expected it to be selfish?"
"In my defense, during the academy you never really seemed like a huge people person," Claude said, falling back to a joking tone for a moment. Once it fell, he continued. "But thank you for letting me know; I understand your motivations now, and that's all I needed. You'll be pleased to hear that the roundtable—both the actual lords and their stand-in heirs—agreed to the terms we discussed last time. If you're ready, we can make it official by the end of the day."
"That would be preferable, yes."
"Let's head out and keep history going, then."
Edelgard nodded, and short preparations went to getting everything ready.
She did believe this decision would be the for the better—and be more fruitful than an arrangement with people who have more actively tried to harm her efforts.
