The loss of Arianrhod meant different things to different people. Edelgard merely took it to mean what Thales and his people were capable of—another item on the list of ways they're powerful, reasons they need to be defeated, things she had to look out for in the future. Hubert opted to take it as a tragic, but necessary evil; he said he could determine where the attack came from, which if nothing else would give them a lead in future investigations. A majority of the soldiers still had a hard time accepting it—and, of course, the ones more familiar with Seiros's scriptures drew parallels to how Ailell gained its nickname.
Edelgard couldn't hide something like Arianrhod, and it seemed unwise to try to keep the cause silent. Some soldiers accepted her explanation of Cornelia's soldiers—others didn't. She felt it was safer to keep them all at the monastery, rather than sending them off to fight. The comings and goings—how many people left, how many people came back—could be more easily tracked there.
It meant pausing the offensive yet again; she hated that she could only do so much, and had to change plans with most inconveniences. She had prepared for a five-year war, yes—but she expected it to be fighting, not a few battles, falling back at some unforeseen setback, then having to fall silent because neither side knew how to proceed.
The only positive aspects of the situation was that they might gain a clue on the location of those who slither in the dark, and this way she could refine strategies for when they could move forward. She couldn't plan for every possibility—or even guess on all the different possibilities—but she could come up with something that can be adapted so future setbacks didn't have as much of an impact.
Edelgard alternated between typical work and strategizing in the Black Eagles classroom. Oddly, every now and then one of her former classmates—even Byleth, on a few occasions—came by to chat or offer help. She wondered if her feelings towards Arianrhod—the frustration, the anger, even if she tried to keep it hidden—worried them, or if they lacked for other things to do because of the sudden downtime.
She was alone now, taking a short break from work to walk around the room. Nothing changed—aside from the desk holding her work, the rest had nothing on them, and the room itself was kept fairly clean—but if she stepped outside, she would hesitate to come back in. Sunlight and a light breeze sounded appealing, but working outside held more chances for interruption.
She kept the door open—then if someone wanted to, they could simply wander in and say greetings—but someone came to it and knocked on the doorframe instead. Edelgard turned, and nodded a small greeting to Hubert.
"Any good progress?" Edelgard asked.
"I believe I may be close, but nothing of note yet," he replied. "Instead, there is some other news. The soldiers from Enbarr have finally arrived; they bring a guest, whose arrival with them came about the same time as the mages giving them trouble left."
He frowned, so she was able to guess who might have come. After a moment, Hubert continued, "Lord Arundel would like to speak with you, when you have the chance. Currently, he is waiting in the monastery's entrance."
It didn't surprise her. She expected the man to pay a visit; it seemed fitting, considering his recent appearances. He only came to taunt her.
"Let him in," Edelgard said firmly. "I'm interested to see if he'll explain Arianrhod, if nothing else."
Hubert nodded and left. While she waited, she gathered any strategic papers and hid them out of side. She wouldn't let Arundel much farther into the room than the door, but she preferred to keep the plans to herself until there was enough to discuss with the war council.
Edelgard stood in front of Manuela's desk when Hubert returned with Arundel. The man only took a few steps inside. He appeared rather arrogant today; no soldier would assume he meant well, being anything but humble after a fort was destroyed.
"Hiding after Arianrhod, are we? I thought you of all people would move past it."
"The soldiers need rest," Edelgard replied evenly.
"I imagine you're a little restless."
"Merely taking the opportunity to catch up on some things I missed." She frowned somewhat. "Now, would you like to give some sort of reasoning, or would you prefer I make guesses based on what I've experienced with your people?"
Arundel gave her a cold smile. "I'm curious—what do you think our goal was?"
"A threat, first and foremost." She had other assumptions—they wanted to disrupt her advance, or merely aggravate her—but she didn't want to give him more hints.
His smile still grew. "At least you're still perceptive. Knowing how easily we can turn something into dust, would you still want to oppose us?"
"I can think of a better question," Edelgard said simply. "Do you think I'm naïve enough to think I would agree with you?"
For a moment, his expression implied 'yes'—then he scowled and it was gone. "Any wise ruler would consider their people's interests above their own grudges."
"You've already hurt my people—several times."
"All for a purpose."
"It isn't a purpose I'm willing to aid." Firmly, she continued, "Our interests and goals overlapped, once, and in the past I needed your strength to help me gain my own. Now that I have that power, I see no reason to continue pretending. I will work against you, just as you've tried to hinder me, whether the agreement technically still stands or not."
"You would send more people to their deaths, just to attempt to be rid of us?"
"They would die for a nobler cause, if nothing else, than if you were responsible."
Her path was already bloody—she knew it would be, and she anticipated it. As long as the blood was spilt with a purpose, those people died for a reason; if she allowed Thales to do as he pleased, those lives would be wasted instead. The sacrifice would mean nothing.
Arundel simply considered it for a moment, then chuckled.
"Very well," he mused. "We lost you as a true puppet the moment you came to Garreg Mach. I only ask that you recall what I've said once before—when we gain something, it's only a matter of time before we have it again. That includes the Empire as a whole. May you drown in the blood of allies you have killed by your actions."
Only a second later, he turned and walked away. Edelgard didn't even give a command before Hubert followed after him.
The threats didn't bother her; they told her to expect aggression. She went back to the strategies, only now she tried to make a few plans for if those who slither in the dark interrupted at any point in the process.
