The fastest route to the pass to Gerudo Canyon started from the ruins of Gatepost town. It was roughly a day and a half's travel to Outskirt Trading Post, and from there it would be three or four days to the trading post in Gerudo Canyon. The trek through the desert would come after that.

"I'm not looking forward to walking through the hot desert," Sylvain said. The Blue Lions all voiced their agreement.

"We've actually been to Gerudo Desert before," Yuri noted. "The Yiga attacked Dry Wells, a staging point for the trade route between Hyrule and Termina. We helped defend it."

"Why would they be having a staging point in the desert where the wells are being dry?" Petra asked.

"There's a story behind that, but the short version is that the wells aren't actually dry anymore," Hapi said. "There's enough water to go around."

"I should get a better shirt before we go back," Balthus said.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want you getting mistaken for a prostitute again," Yuri joked.

Ferdinand's face turned red. "You were saying about fending off an attack?"

"Yeah, apparently it was headed by some Yiga bigshot, a sniper with a mechanical eye," Shez said.

"That was a tough battle," Linkle admitted. "But in the end, I beat him."

"A mechanical eye?" Annette asked. "I guess the Yiga have really good prosthetics."

"It likely comes of having had millennia to perfect their Ancient Tech," Lorenz suggested.

Kronya interjected. "Wait, do they have, like, mechanical arms and legs?"

"Right, you weren't there when we fought Zimmer and Flagg," Annette said. "Yes, they do. We fought a guy who had almost entirely replaced his body with Ancient Tech."

"I met someone who could use a new arm and leg," Kronya said.

"Robbie's still working on reverse-engineering it," Linhardt said. "It should be ready in a few months."

"Good," Kronya said, thinking of Volga.

"What's the Gerudo kingdom like?" Ignatz asked.

"Imagine being surrounded by beautiful women and world-class wine all the time," Balthus said. "If you don't mind the hot weather, it's a paradise."

"So...somewhere I'm not going to get much out of," Ingrid noted. "Given that I'm not into women and I'm not old enough to drink."

"They also have gladiatorial arenas and fine spas," Hapi added.

"Well, that's something, at least," Ingrid said.

Hubert and Mercedes had realized by this point that they no longer needed to sleep. As such, they were on guard duty all night.

Hubert realized something. "I had forgotten to tell you with everything going on, but I actually do know where your brother is, Mercedes," he said.

"You do?" Mercedes asked.

"Emile is currently acting as a combat instructor at Garreg Mach under the name 'Jeritza von Hrym.' He's one of the Empire's informants in Garreg Mach," Hubert said. He intentionally used the word 'informant' rather than 'spy.' Spies implied conflict, informers did so less. And Lady Edelgard hoped to avert conflict with the Church now. "Sadly, I cannot honestly say he's doing well. He has been rather...unstable. Violent, only just restrained."

"I was afraid that would be the case," Mercedes admitted. "I had hoped he had somehow found peace...but clearly this is the consequence of my failure as an older sister."

Hubert wanted to reassure her that it wasn't her fault, but he couldn't. If it was even partially his fault that Edelgard went through what she did, that meant Mercedes carried some responsibility for her brother's fate, even if his emotional mind wanted to reject the idea, to protest that she couldn't be to blame. "It might not be too late for Emile," Hubert said instead. "Farore said there's a way back to Fodlan for us. You may still be able to help him."

"I pray that you're right," Mercedes said.

As they travelled, Ferdinand decided to speak to Constance. "I am most glad to see you again, Lady Constance."

Constance scowled at him. "A pity I can't say the same. Though I must admit, it does bring me some amusement to know that your house having caused the fall of mine, with you gone from Fódlan, your father's accursed legacy is soon to follow that of House Nuvelle."

"What do you mean?" Ferdinand asked.

"You are your father's only trueborn child, but I know he has no shortage of bastard children," Constance elaborated. "With you out of the picture, each of them will want their part of your inheritance. They'll tear your house down trying to each get the tastiest slice of the proverbial pie for themselves. They'll destroy your father's precious legacy right in front of him. I can't say it's not much deserved."

Ferdinand scowled. "There is a poetic justice to it, if you ignore the common folk who will suffer under the political instability that will follow, and under poor governance from those who do not know and may not care how to meet their needs."

Constance scowled back, but even behind her cloak's myrk, Ferdinand could see that there was a bit of shame in her eyes. "It matters not. There is nothing we can do to change what will happen. For better or worse, House Aegir will fall without you, and there is nothing you or I can do to change that."

Ferdinand sighed. "No, there is not. Still, perhaps there is a reason we are here." He looked around. "The Kingdom of Hyrule, whether we save the survivors or not, ceased to exist when the Great Calamity happened. What the people of Hyrule have now is not a nation, but simply a collection of settlements. Even should we defeat Ganon, it would be easy prey for would-be conquerors afterwards. Rebuilding it into a proper nation will be a difficult task."

Constance nodded, a glint of resolve in her eyes. "I am willing to rise to the challenge. Are you?"

"Of course," Ferdinand said.

"Then let this be our trial of worth as nobles," Constance said. "A challenge where we shall eclipse the former glories of our houses entirely. I am sure I could see the kingdom rebuilt myself, but I am willing to let you and some of the others aid me in this endeavor. For the sake of the people of Hyrule, of course."

"Of course," Ferdinand said with a smirk.

With that, they began planning out the many things that would need to be done.