The students had been officially told about the mission while Edelgard and Hubert were in Enbarr, as Monica reported when they arrived. Edelgard opted to give her a vague explanation on what happened—she knew Monica wouldn't tell anyone else, but she hesitated to say anything outright in case someone else overheard—and advised that she stayed prepared. Monica promised to help however she could.
Rhea still opted to wait until the last week of the month for them to go inside the Holy Tomb. That gave Edelgard more time to prepare; thieves hadn't done well in the past, but she would rather spend their lives than send imperial soldiers. As long as she stayed hidden, it was possible she could still remain at the monastery until the war began—and even if she couldn't, and she returned to Enbarr, the church wouldn't have enough time to properly fortify the monastery.
Everything was finally falling into place.
The house leaders had eaten dinner at least once in every month—not every conversation was productive, but she learned a fair amount about them. She could guess how they would react to her intentions and how they would combat or aid her. Considering it could possibly be her last day here, should someone connect her with the Flame Emperor, she was willing to risk giving herself away if it meant understanding them just a little more.
Edelgard was the one to ask them to come to her in the morning. Naturally, Claude teased and Dimitri looked concerned. They entertained idle, if not wary, conversation until they all finished eating.
"One of the first things we all agreed on," Edelgard said, "Was that we each had a goal that would be furthered by coming to the academy. None of us admitted to it back then, but I'm curious now: what are those goals, in the simplest terms?"
"…There are some things I look to change," Claude replied, surprisingly genuine. "Walls that need to be teared down."
"I aim to provide justice for those who are incapable of doing so themselves," Dimitri added, quieter but still with a certain kind of determination.
"My path holds a little of both," she continued firmly. "We're being told that we will witness history within the Holy Tomb in a matter of hours. There will be more battles in the future, and the victors of those battles will ultimately decide Fódlan's fate—if there's change and justice, as you two wish for. If there's a revolution."
As students finished eating, they began to filter out of the dining hall. Edelgard slowly stood to join them, her time of idling ending.
"On the expedition, when we each said that we had ambitions, there was a silence," Edelgard recalled. "In that silence, I believe we considered the same thing. I'll say it outright, with the 'making of history' being so close—if our goals overlap and our paths cross, I hope it can be without bloodshed."
She left the conversation like that, heading towards the marketplace. Edelgard paused as soon as someone called out to her.
"Could you wait a moment?"
She partially turned, seeing Dimitri come towards her. She expected a questioning on what she said, but instead he took out a dagger—her dagger, she realized—and held it out to her, blade towards him.
"I found this while you were away," he said.
Edelgard offered a grateful smile and nod. "Thank you, Dimitri. I knew I lost it, but I didn't have much time to look before I left." She accepted the dagger, and hid it away like it usually was. Dimitri's expression was barely readable when she looked back at him. "Where was it?"
A few seconds passed before he responded. "…I just happened upon it in the training area. I knew it was yours, so I wanted to give it back to you."
She could tell that at least a part of it was a lie, but she didn't want to linger too long trying to question it. She didn't trust her hired help—nor Thales's mages—to stay put before she was there to command them.
Dimitri looked like he had something else he wanted to say—a statement—but instead asked a question, despite the lack of curiosity. "Why are you heading out in this direction? We all have everything we need; this is supposed to be a peaceful mission."
"There are some guests from Enbarr that wanted to come after hearing about the promise of witnessing history," Edelgard explained. Rhea hadn't been silent concerning her high expectations for today's mission; Edelgard didn't know what Rhea expected, but she did know that the woman was right for once. "I was asked to greet them and show them around the monastery."
He didn't seem to question it, some form of relief actually showing instead of the expected suspicion.
"I'll see you when we go into the Holy Tomb, then," Dimitri said. He offered a small wave, then turned to leave.
She lingered for a moment, then left the monastery. Donning the Flame Emperor's armor, she met with the thieves and mages that were chosen to raid the Holy Tomb.
—
Despite the trip only existing because of Byleth, no one bothered her. No one tried to ask questions, no one tried to strike up conversation, no one looked like they even wanted to. Whether they had just grown more wary of her or Rhea asked them to leave her be, she wasn't sure.
They were set to enter the Holy Tomb two hours after breakfast was served; not every student was on time—Edelgard was notably missing—so Rhea agreed to wait half an hour. After that, she led the waiting students inside, ignoring any comments or concerns about leaving others behind. Rhea smiled the whole way there, and while Seteth and Flayn both came as well, neither looked quite as pleased.
Some students openly murmured their worries about those that hadn't come; Edelgard had reportedly left the monastery, and a few others who were supposed to come had been seen earlier that day or the night before but weren't found when it was time to enter the Holy Tomb. Simply hiding for fear of the promised 'history' could be the reason for some, but despite having no other reason to see something as wrong, Edelgard's absence disturbed a few of the Black Eagles.
Byleth watched Rhea the entire time, trying to figure out what she planned. Sothis remained wary as well. Both of them recognized the throne in the back of the tomb—the same one Sothis sat on whenever they spoke in person. Rhea stopped after coming close to the throne, and smiled at Byleth.
"Please sit upon the throne," the archbishop requested. "Everything will be clear in just a few moments."
She hesitated, but nonetheless did as she was asked. She took a spot on the throne, but nothing felt different.
"…This is a familiar feeling," Sothis admitted, "But I've seen it so often with you, I can't tell if it's a new or old sensation."
Rhea's smile fell the longer the silence continued.
"It should have been so close…" she murmured. "Was I wrong, then?"
She began to say something else, but noise came from the entrance of the Holy Tomb. A group of mages and thieves entered the place, the one leading them taking a step forward, wearing black and red armor.
"We've met once before," the masked figure announced. "I am the Flame Emperor. Give up the Crest Stones and there will be no conflict."
Byleth had never seen the rumored person herself; she stood from the throne as Rhea's expression grew darker.
"These stones will not leave the church's possession," Rhea said firmly.
"Very well," the Flame Emperor replied. He glanced back at the men behind him and gave an order. "Do what you must to collect the items."
Rhea turned towards the students, furious. "Protect the Crest Stones at all costs! These thieves will not leave here alive for their transgression!"
With that command, the students quickly mobilized. Byleth joined the fighting as well, leaving Sothis to contemplate the meaning behind them coming here.
