Lord Lonato led Rowe's troops, the count himself staying further into the back and only giving commands. The knights of Count Rowe's territory, fortunately, seemed more upstanding than their leader—or, if nothing else, some felt strongly enough about Rhea that they may fight with the Empire regardless of their lord's allegiances.

The rebelling troops hadn't made any more than a dent in the Silver Maiden's defense; Edelgard imagined they were closer to a nuisance than an actual threat. Still, with her numbers to help them, they could manage to make some progress. She just had to hope they might still be able to catch those inside unaware.

No one from inside Arianrhod immediately came out to fight them. That gave both sides time to prepare, and her army had enough people to slowly surround the fort.

For the sake of secrecy, Count Bergliez only sent word when he left Myrddin. Edelgard was willing to assume, however, that he was close—maybe a day or two out, at this rate. Because of that, she considered them ready to start the attack.

She turned towards the army to give her order; the soldiers themselves were mostly those she brought with her, with some of Lonato's men and a few of Thales's mages mixed among them. Hubert and Monica stood to either side of her.

"We're prepared to begin fighting," Edelgard announced. "We don't need to take Arianrhod today—we just need to weaken their defenses and make as much progress as we can. You're only required to kill anyone who doesn't back down; if they head deeper into the fort or go north, let them be for now."

There was some agreement, and they went about their final plans. Edelgard looked back to Hubert and Monica.

"I want one of you to watch Cornelia," she said. "We know she's one of Thales's, but for now she seems to be playing the role of a court mage."

"Have they given you any updates on their plans?" Monica asked. She was one of the few people that knew the 'mage unit' weren't Arundel's, and as such Edelgard opted to tell her anything that was required.

"Still nothing," Edelgard replied, shaking her head. "But that doesn't give me any reassurances. I can't imagine she'll be a complete help."

"I can keep an eye on her," Hubert offered. He cast something like a glare towards Monica. "Provided you could watch Lady Edelgard in my stead?"

Monica nodded. "Of course, if Her Majesty has no protests."

They both looked to her, yet with different expressions—Hubert's being neutral, whereas Monica seemed to be silently pleading for Edelgard to accept.

She knew, regardless of her answer, they would still insist; they both wanted to be there in case something similar to the Holy Tomb occurred and she was caught unaware. She was both thankful she had people who genuinely cared, yet also found that attention to be unwelcome.

Edelgard simply murmured an agreement, and Monica gave her a thankful smile while Hubert left to find the best way to observe Cornelia. Edelgard and Monica, then, made their own preparations towards the battle, and Edelgard gave the final order when they were all ready.

The Imperial army had the fortress city surrounded, barring a few points in the north and south. All they had to do for now was to instigate a siege and try to lower the amount of supplies and men inside the fortress. Although Edelgard commanded them, she stayed near the back like she had at Myrddin.

They didn't see many soldiers; anyone from the Kingdom that wanted to avoid fighting moved deeper into the city, not outside of it. Those inside Arianrhod only dispatched however many troops they thought it would take for the Empire to fall back, yet it wasn't hard to break through them. Edelgard still moved at much as she could without Monica protesting. She wanted to see everything happening—wanted to make sure she wasn't caught off guard.

"Some of these soldiers are from the academy," Monica noted. They were behind a line or two of soldiers, so they didn't fight any of the Kingdom's troops. She gestured to a group that just came out to fight the Imperial forces. "That's Felix—the others were in last year's class. I thought I saw some from my first year, as well."

"It's possible others are inside, and the students are the ones coming to greet us," Edelgard replied. "Or perhaps they assumed Rodrigue's leadership is enough to make up for it."

The students were…a mixed bunch—it was like that in the Black Eagles, at least. You had those that worked hard, others that did nothing, some who barely passed any assessments; maybe that's why these soldiers seemed inexperienced. Certain students did better than others. The Imperial army was similar, yet here it looked more reminiscent of partially-trained militia than an army.

Edelgard watched the soldiers ahead of them fight Felix's group. They were some of the better fighters—a few of her soldiers had some trouble, but after a bit of time the group retreated. When they went back into the fortress, they made an opening.

"Keep going inside," Edelgard told the troops around her. "Make sure we aren't cut off and keep moving forward."

Cautiously the Imperial army entered Arianrhod. Monica made quiet mention to Edelgard staying further back, closer to the gates, and Edelgard agreed for now. She could still watch the battle progress from here; some mercenaries realized a gate was open and came in as well, not quite with the same care as the main army.

The fighting went on for another hour or two, and Edelgard kept watch on how it unfolded. The soldiers inside did seem a bit more capable, but they still appeared to rely on Rodrigue's command.

Someone came up behind her. With only a small recollection of the Holy Tomb, she turned—Cornelia stood close by, scowling.

"Here I thought I might be able to catch you unaware," Cornelia mused.

Monica turned and frowned. "You're the Kingdom's court mage?"

"Yes, yes, we don't need to go over all that," Cornelia replied. Edelgard took out her ax, and Cornelia took a step back. "You're not even trying, are you? That hurts, little emperor."

"I don't have patience," Edelgard said simply. "Either leave or actually fight—life or death. I'll give you the option."

"You really are something if you think you could kill me with that." Cornelia gestured to her ax and Monica. "But, as per your generous offer, just let me say one thing before I depart."

Edelgard did not step forward nor put away her weapon; Monica similarly stood ready to attack if necessary. Cornelia smiled coldly.

"I'm sure you've wondered it, so I'll answer it now," Cornelia said. "You look nothing like her. Your mother was so…moldable. She would listen to anything I told her. But you? You're much stronger. I'll leave it up to you to decide if that's good or bad—just don't mix the two like your stepbrother and I daresay you mightmake it through this."

In another second, Cornelia disappeared. A moment passed, then someone came to report that Rodrigue, Felix, and most of the Kingdom troops had left—exactly how was unclear, but for now it seemed they had the Silver Maiden.