(A/N: This starts the war chapters! While I tried to make as unique/interesting as I could, I plotted out the course of the war using Crimson Flower and Scarlet Blaze as examples so there will be overlap with canon. Also I'm assuming that Claude's grandfather is still alive; Three Hopes is weird in saying he died with Raphael's parents several years prior, so until I click through cutscenes in Houses to prove otherwise I'm assuming Hopes is wrong. Also also: chapter theme naming : P)

A full month was spent searching the monastery for any passageways, but they only found Abyss; there weren't enough people to warrant any kind of concern, and a few were even willing to join the Imperial army. A small force stayed behind at Garreg Mach to ensure its safety, and the rest separated to wherever they were needed.

Edelgard didn't know for how long, but they returned to Enbarr in the Harpstring Moon. If they needed to return to Garreg Mach, Gloucester and Phlegathon assured them they wouldn't face any resistance; for now, she trusted their word. There wouldn't be any reason for the Alliance to attack the monastery, other than confirming which side they chose, and they could be fought back easily enough.

She sent out troops, but didn't want to take any large risks. Faerghus and Leicester were waiting for the Empire to move first—any early battle of the war will have to be through her order. Edelgard wanted to give the Alliance time to properly respond; roughly half of it was against her, while the other half agreed to support her. If the nobles could all choose one or the other, her job would be easier.

When they returned to Enbarr, Edelgard had Hubert send out another letter—considering he wrote it, she didn't doubt it was threatening, but essentially it reminded the Alliance lords of why the Empire was fighting, and what would happen if they stood against it. She hoped it would be enough to get some sort of official statement out of them.

She stood over the makeshift war table in one of the previously-empty rooms of the palace, both her and Count Bergliez silently considering their options, when someone knocked on the door. Hubert opened it, spoke a few words, then closed it again with a letter in hand.

Edelgard looked at him. "Has the Alliance responded?"

"It seems so," he agreed. He opened the letter, scanned its contents, and reported with no amount of surprise. "Essentially, Duke Riegan still insists they remain neutral. There's no acknowledgment of any faction that believes strongly either way."

She nodded her thanks and turned back to Count Bergliez. "We've gotten our answer, then. Do we have anything planned?"

"I can lead my army through," he offered. "We shouldn't have any trouble getting past the Great Bridge, thanks to Count Gloucester's cooperation; from there, we can head straight to Derdriu and give them a more…personal reminder. They shouldn't have enough soldiers to obstruct us on our way there or support the capital without leaving key points undefended."

"How long will that take?" Edelgard asked.

"One or two months. The greatest threat to time would be if someone tries to send little groups out to fight us, but it wouldn't be too lengthy of a battle."

"How soon could you head out?"

"By the end of the week, if it pleases Your Majesty."

"It does," she replied, nodding. "I don't want to risk the Alliance helping the Kingdom when we go west. If you can manage to keep casualties to a minimum, we can still offer to hold negotiations before engaging in any major battles."

Count Bergliez bowed. "I'll gather up the men, then. We'll be gone as soon as we can and maintain some communication as we march."

Edelgard glanced at Hubert as the count started to leave.

"Send word to my uncle and ask for some of his mages to meet Count Bergliez's troops at Myrddin," she said.

Hubert nodded, and both of them left. The only way she could explain Thales's soldiers was by making up a 'mage unit' within Arundel's personal army. For now, no one's questioned why they seemed to come and go without any reason, or why they seemed to appear right where they were needed. She would leave that reasoning to the man himself, if he ever bothered to explain.

Thales fell relatively silent after the war started. A part of her was glad she didn't have to maintain those monthly reports and lead a war at once—even if her attempted murder hasn't been addressed since, either. All she saw of that now was a small increase in visible guards and undoubtedly one or two others watching without her complete knowledge.

Edelgard continued to stand at the war table, in her mind creating a plan for how things will progress. Count Bergliez would march through Leicester—attack and capture Derdriu, if possible and necessary, and if he couldn't then she would go personally with the former Black Eagles. Whether or not they held a small campaign in the Alliance depended on if they were willing to stay neutral, either helping the Empire or doing nothing at all.

She looked to the other side of the map; the Kingdom would naturally come next. They were still looking into where the church may have hid—it must be near Fhirdiad, but Rhea did well at keeping the exact location a secret—but until then, they'd have to make some progress. It would take too long if they waited for Rhea and the Central Church to strike first; she may have committed some kind of 'transgression' against the goddess for choosing her path, but they didn't want to instigate conflict.

The first step was hers, and the known world would follow after and make the path bloodier. She still paused to consider it; sending former classmates—friends, in some cases—as well as complete strangers into war. For some, dying for this cause could be their greatest goal—for others, it would be a waste of excellent talent.

Her thoughts only led to the same conclusion she decided on when this path was first set out for her. Too much time, energy, and lives were already spent for this conflict—to the pursuit of corrupt ideals and in the pursuit of removing them.

So, even if Edelgard had to take the first step, she couldn't question it or hesitate. It was far too late to change things now, and even with bloodied hands and feet she would continue. Either the world reached its new dawn towards a better future, or she died trying to end this long night.