Rhea was slightly surprised. While she didn't know anyone called Shez, she did know Yuri, Balthus, Hapi, and Constance. They had vanished around two months ago, but it wasn't unusual for the four of them to disappear for weeks at a time.
"Where are the six of them now? I hope nothing happened to them," Rhea said.
"No, nothing like that," Zelda said. "Yuri wanted to pay a visit to his mother. The six of them will meet us here shortly."
Rhea nodded, and gestured for them to continue. Edelgard returned to telling the story.
"Did any of that really happen?" Claude asked.
"It's all true, I promise!" Linkle said.
"Are you sure?" Claude asked. "I mean, I've seen some weird stuff in Hyrule, but you really travelled four thousand years into the past?"
"Yes!" Linkle said. "I went to the past, and stopped a civil war. I'm the Lone Wanderer."
"You went to the past, the Twilight Realm, and the Leicester Alliance, the last of which is most likely across an ocean, because if it was west of Hyrule the Almyrans would notice," Claude said skeptically.
"I think it's my compass," Linkle said. "Grandmother said it would take me wherever I needed to go. I'm starting to think it creates spacetime portals or something."
"There's no way," Claude said. "That's absurd, even by Hyrule standards."
"You're back," Ashe said as he walked up to them. Seeing the six others, he asked, "Who are these?"
"New recruits," Link said. "My grand-niece, Linkle, and that's Shez, Yuri, Balthus, Hapi, and Constance."
"Good to meet you all," Ashe said. "Edelgard, I believe Hubert had something he wanted to tell you."
"Is something wrong?" Edelgard asked.
"I think so," Ashe said. "He and Mercedes got back from the Thyphlo Forest this morning with one of the Mini-Slates. He seemed like he was upset about something."
"Mini-Slates?" Constance asked. "Like this one?" She held up another miniature Sheikah Slate.
"Where did you get that?" Edelgard asked.
"The Forgotten Temple. We stormed it ten ago," Constance said. "The Guardians were worthy foes, but my magical prowess proved superior! This device was our prize."
"That's great!" Edelgard said. They had all four keys! She and Lysithea could finally be cured of their dual Crests!
Unless something had happened to the Slate Hubert and Mercedes had retrieved, or…she should find out what Hubert wanted to tell her.
It wasn't hard to find Hubert. He had found a shady spot near the entrance to camp.
"I hear you found one of the Mini-Slates," Edelgard said.
Hubert nodded somberly. "I gave it to Lysithea."
"That's good news, isn't it?" Edelgard asked. "And we found some new recruits for the Company, one of whom has the last Mini-Slate."
"That's good news," Hubert nodded. He didn't seem happy.
"All right, I know there's something you don't want to tell me," Edelgard said. "Is it something you should tell me?"
"Unfortunately, it is," Hubert said with a sigh. "While Mercedes and I were in the Thyphlo Ruins, we were given power that made us immortal."
He didn't try to elaborate. He just looked at her, vainly hoping she would tell him it didn't change anything between them.
But the reality was, it did. Hubert's face fell into despair.
"I'm sorry, Hubert," Edelgard said. "But Adrestia's new order needs to stand or fall on its own, not because it's being propped up by a powerful immortal."
"I could leave after you die," Hubert said.
"Could you? Or would you want to keep protecting the new order in order to protect my legacy?" Edelgard asked. "I'm sorry, Hubert. Should we make it back to Fódlan, we're going to have to part ways."
Hubert said nothing. Edelgard eventually broke the silence. "Whatever happens, Hubert, you're still my best friend. But things can't go back to the way they were now. I'm sorry."
"Then what do I do?" Hubert asked.
Edelgard thought for a moment. "The Nabateans. You and Mercedes should try to help them if you can, but try to minimize their involvement in the affairs of Adrestia as much as possible. I don't want them fighting me on my reforms, and I don't want them trying to go above and beyond to try to help me either. Like I said, the new Adrestia needs to stand or fall on its own."
"Do you think I can persuade them not to involve themselves?" Hubert asked.
"I want you to try," Edelgard said. "Concerns about morality aside, things will be easier if we don't have to fight them. And…you should be with other immortals. With people who won't die and leave you behind."
Hubert closed his eyes and turned away. "So be it."
Mercedes went to see Flayn. "Flayn? Is it hard being immortal?"
"I won't lie, it does have its benefits," Flayn said. "But it can also be very lonely. I've had to bury a lot of friends."
Mercedes nodded. "How do you deal with it?"
"I guess…it's just the way I am. What other option do I have?" Flayn asked. "And it's not like I'm completely alone. I have my father and Great-Aunt Rhea."
"I see," Mercedes said. "Flayn…Hubert and I became immortal last night."
"I see," Flayn said. "And do you see this as a bad thing?"
"He does. Me…I'm not sure," Mercedes said. "I was going to outlive my mother anyway, I don't even know if my brother is still alive, and there's no one else in my life I would want to grow old with."
"But?" Flayn asked.
"But forever is a long time," Mercedes said.
"Yes, it does get lonely," Flayn agreed. "The two of you are welcome to stay with us. I'm sure Father and Rhea would agree."
"Thank you," Mercedes said.