Chapter 1
The bountiful continent of Fódlan, founded by the divine Goddess, has long been a land desired by those in power.
With natural resources aplenty and temperate weather suitable for both crops and livestock, country borders are oft disputed and redrawn by force.
At present, three main territories lay their claim to Fódlan: the militaristic Adrestian Empire in the west, the pious Holy Kingdom of Faerghus in the north, and the mercantile Leicester Alliance in the east.
In the center of the continent lies the Church of Seiros, a neutral territory whose congregation helps maintain a fragile peace between the nations.
The date is Imperial Year 1185, Lone Moon.
In Adrestia, a most significant coronation heralds the start of a new, uncharted era.
It is one that will embroil the people of the land in conflict and bloodshed.
Leaders will be slain, civilizations will be wiped out, and cultures lost to history.
And yet… perhaps the faint gleam of hope lives on, even in the face of insurmountable despair.
This memoir is a record of that fragile, fleeting glimmer.
May it help pave the path to a brighter future for all.
- Memoirs of the Great Fódlan War
It was an auspicious day.
At least, that was what Edelgard thought might be the common sentiment of the Council and the people as she climbed the steps of Enbarr Castle's grandiose audience chamber. She wasn't so sure herself. The morning had come like any other day, with the peeking of the sun's rays over the horizon and flocks of birds calling to one another amongst the trees as though nature's various fauna orchestras were having a tussle. She'd gone about her morning routine as always, clothing and preparing herself efficiently without delay. After a minimalist breakfast and a pinch of small talk with her abigails, she was out of her chambers and making her way to the throne.
But today was not to be just any other day. Taking care to adhere strictly to court etiquette, her footsteps were slow, regal; the clack of her steel boots on stone and the clink of the ceremonial axe strapped to her side reverberated through the wide hall. She felt the eyes of hundreds of soldiers and nobles at the back of the chamber boring into her back, scrutinizing her every action. She hoped that she wasn't shaking.
Once she reached the top of the staircase, she came face to face with her father seated upon the throne. His gaunt silhouette made it appear as though the throne itself dwarfed him. It was a far cry from his appearance in his prime from years prior, and she couldn't help but let her measured expression drop slightly in pity. As she dropped to one knee in deference and the stamp of the guard's salute echoed through the hall, she spotted out of the corner of her eye that he was smiling at her warmly. It soothed her spirits somewhat as the court speaker by the throne began reciting the introductory ceremony.
Edelgard found her thoughts wandering as the man droned on with the flowery and long-winded narrative that traditionally accompanied such occasions. She wasn't one to pay much attention to them. Some time later, her attention suddenly came back to focus as she heard the question that prompted her to respond.
"Edelgard von Hresvelg. Do you solemnly swear that you will defend Adrestia against all threats, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the Empire, that you will take this obligation freely without reservation or evasion, and that you will well and faithfully execute the duties of the crown?"
She looked up and responded immediately, without hesitation.
"I do. I shall use my reign to lead Fódlan to a new dawn and achieve peace for all. "
The speaker stepped back, and the emperor rose laboriously from his throne. He looked down the steps and called out to seven men present at the front of the crowd, separated from the rest and flanked by their own guards.
"Nobles of the Adrestian Council. What say you to this motion?"
It was a formality, she knew. Power had long been consolidated in the Council's seven nobles, and the throne no longer held absolute power as it once had. Each of the seven men stood up one by one, calling out a clear "Aye" until all were standing. The head of the group - a stout man with balding hair - smiled thinly.
"The Council is unanimous in their support, Your Majesty."
The emperor did not bother dignifying the man with a response, instead turning back to Edelgard. He removed the golden circlet upon his head, placing it on her own. It was an unfamiliar weight to her - rather uncomfortable, she thought. He pulled out an ornate dagger from within his robes and held the blade to his forehead. He drew a slight cut, a red line trickling down his face, and brought the blade to the circlet, smearing the inlaid red jewel with blood.
"Then by the covenant between the red blood and the white sword, and by the double-headed eagle upon your head, under my authority as Emperor Ionius von Hresvelg IX and that of the Adrestian Council, I hereby pronounce Edelgard von Hresvelg the new emperor of Adrestia."
Edelgard turned and rose, standing rigidly in front of the assembled soldiers and nobles who erupted in a deafening roar.
"ALL HAIL EMPEROR EDELGARD!"
"GLORY TO ADRESTIA!"
The cheers reverberated in Edelgard's ears, and she glanced from face to face of those in attendance, drinking in the identical rapturous gazes that seemed to congeal the individuals into a crowd of fervor. It was unsettling. But for the decree that she was about to make, it was just what she needed.
She cleared her voice, though no one could possibly hear amidst the din, and waited several moments for the clamor to die down before speaking in a clear, powerful voice that echoed through the hall.
"Over a thousand Imperial years ago, Adrestia was founded from a divination of the goddess and the blessing of the Church of Seiros. And for over a thousand years, Adrestia has served as the stalwart protector of the holy values espoused by the Church - those of freedom, justice, and integrity. Time and again, invaders have crept through our borders aiming to destroy those values, and each time, we have fought tirelessly against such insurrections and prevailed.
"But today I stand before you during a time in which the Church does not stand for integrity. A time in which the Church does not carry out justice for the sake of the people. We are now witnessing a time in which the Church executes those who speak out against them! A time in which the Church hunts those who possess the relics they desire! A time in which the Church demands gold in exchange for the so-called 'salvation' they claim to provide!
"Those who lead the Church have fallen sorely from their creed and turned a once holy institution into a monstrous hierarchy of greed and corruption. They are unfit to lead Fódlan to true peace. As proud Adrestians, we have the responsibility to tear asunder their foul system so that true wisdom may finally prevail!"
Edelgard looked down slightly to meet the eyes of the seven nobles at the forefront.
"And so I stand here today as Emperor, ready to face the Church with the full might of the Adrestian Empire. What say you, men of the Adrestian Council?"
The seven nobles each stepped forward in succession and called out "Aye," one after the other once more. It was a cold motion, like the mechanical movements of an automaton. Edelgard's expression tensed for a brief moment, then turned resolute as she looked back into the sea of soldiers and nobles. She drew the ceremonial battle-axe from her side and thrust it into the air above. Time seemed to slow as she gazed upon the expressions of those in the audience; rather than the unanimous awe and pride she had observed earlier, she now observed hints of worry and fear. That was to be expected, and she did not hesitate in finishing her decree with a powerful, authoritative voice.
"Then under my authority as Emperor Edelgard von Hresvelg and that of the Adrestian Council, the Adrestian Empire hereby declares war on the Church of Seiros!"
For a second time that day, the audience chamber was set into a thunderous roar.
Garreg Mach Monastery was an idyllic place of worship, elevated high amongst the mountain peaks which gave it an air of isolation from the outside world. On a usual day, the congregation and students from the Officer's Academy, which was built within the monastery, would go about their routine in a relaxed manner. Prayer and study upon one of the many grassy hills shrouded in mist was commonplace. Many a student and faculty could be seen hiking throughout the day. Today, however, Chancellor Seteth strode through the grounds at a brisk pace. Climbing the stairs from the reception hall to the Archbishop's audience chamber, he threw open the doors to the advisory room and was met by none other than Archbishop Rhea herself as well as his own daughter, Flayn. They bore surprised countenances in contrast to his grim expression.
"Chancellor. What is the matter of such urgency that we were summoned from morning prayer?"
Seteth took in a deep breath, bracing himself before replying.
"Your Grace, we have just received a letter from one of our own in Enbarr. Edelgard von Hresvelg has ascended the throne of Adrestia. Her first decree as Emperor… was to declare war on the Church of Seiros and to release a manifesto to nobles across Fódlan inviting them to join her cause. Our scouts have located the position of the advancing Imperial Army from Fort Merceus. Assuming that they are headed straight for Garreg Mach, we have little more than… half a moon till they arrive."
Flayn gasped, and Rhea narrowed her eyes in response to the sudden news.
"Insolence," she whispered in a growling breath. "I cannot fathom that the Adrestrian Empire would embark on such a violent course of action."
"Your Grace, we need to evacuate the students, faculty, and civilians from the monastery as soon as possible," Seteth spoke in a level tone. "We cannot ensure their safety if this place is to become a battlefield."
"But… what of the students from Adrestia?" Flayn asked worriedly.
"Indeed," Seteth replied darkly, "The Officer's Academy here at Garreg Mach has molded them all into capable, adult leaders. Valuable generals… in times of war."
Rhea took a short breath, closing her eyes, before shaking her head.
"The Church, when founding Garreg Mach, committed in its charter a duty to remain neutral in times of war between nations. The students of Adrestia deserve a choice in which path they will take in this coming conflict. Let them return home."
Seteth bowed slightly.
"Thy shall be done, Your Grace. I will gather all those present in the reception hall."
Seteth left the advisory room with the same urgency as when he had entered. Flayn's eyes looked after him hesitatingly, but she did not stop him.
"Rhea… has it really come to this?" Flayn walked up to a window and looked out over the far-reaching horizon, distant lands visible from the monastery's position atop the Oghma Mountains. A flock of birds flew by gaily, soaring into the sunset.
"Will there be war… once again?"
Rhea sighed.
"Such is the course of gods and men, it seems. Never satisfied with their current situation, they are constantly grasping for more, chasing a fleeting dream."
In the hall of gathered nobles in the capital of Fhirdiad in the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, a moment of silence was broken by a clear voice, a ringing statement from a woman in burgundy robes at the back of the room.
"I object!"
The words echoed through the hall briefly before fading. There was silence once more.
The recently crowned King Dimitri, an imposing black-plated and blue-caped figure, turned to her from the center of the hall, an eyebrow raised in response.
"Royal Archsage Cornelia. The Royal Court acknowledges that you have voiced dissent to the motion that the Kingdom provides aid to the Church of Seiros. You may state your grievances now."
Cornelia bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Your Highness." She took a deep breath and looked around the hall, taking in the surprised, confused, and occasionally hostile expressions of the assembled nobles. "Those of us gathered here - barons, counts, and dukes alike - have all received a letter from Enbarr."
She withdrew a parchment letter from within her robes and held it up for all to see.
"Within this letter contained a declaration of war against the Church of Seiros, citing a multitude of incidents committed by the members of the Church."
Cornelia turned to a young man in the crowd, freckled with moppy gray hair.
"Might I add that one of those incidents involved House Gaspard of this Holy Kingdom, in which young Ashe lost his father, the late Lord Lonato… who was mercilessly killed by the Knights of Seiros for speaking against the Church's doctrines."
She turned to another young man among the nobles, one with flamboyant red hair.
"Or that young Lord Sylvain's brother, Miklan Anschutz Gautier - though disinherited from the house - was also put down by the Knights of Seiros for wielding the Lance of Ruin the Church claimed to have holy rights to."
Sylvain Gautier grit his teeth as though the news pained him. Ashe Ubert, from across the room, also looked downcast with regret. Though they felt the urge to stop Cornelia from speaking further as soon as she made mention of their names, in order to save the good name of their respective houses, they ultimately could not as they realized that her words rang true.
"But let us put these incidents aside for now. Also present in the message was a manifesto detailing Emperor Edelgard's intent to establish a new social order - one free from the influence of the holy Crests."
Cornelia paused for a moment, motioning to the audience with her arms.
"When I came to this country, your people were suffering from illness. Who was it that was able to cure the epidemic with an unparalleled knowledge of magic and medicine?"
She folded her arms back towards herself.
"It was none other than I, one who did not possess a Crest - and who was unable to advance in the research institutions of Adrestia because the whims of the Church saw that I did not deserve an arbitrary brand of magic at birth! Only through chance did I find myself in the territory of House Rowe in this Kingdom, studying illness and ready to cast away the epidemic that swept through the land."
She raised her right arm, palm outstretched south - towards the direction of Enbarr.
"And so I say to Emperor Edelgard's proposal - I concur! If Adrestria finds that its role in Fódlan is to create a new order in which those who do not bear an emblem of a corrupt Church can receive the same opportunities, the same possibilities in life as those who do, then I shall follow Adrestia - and if the Kingdom holds any gratitude for its continued survival, it should likewise find itself allied with the Empire against the Church of Seiros!"
Her words had reached a booming forte, and Cornelia found herself breathing heavily in the silence as she finished her speech. She withdrew her arm, bowed, and stepped back slightly. The nobles of the court began to murmur amongst themselves. King Dimitri, for his part, crossed his arms and looked as though he were deep in thought.
"I am in agreement with the archsage," spoke a man's voice near Cornelia. The noble who had spoken, Count Rowe, stepped forward.
"The Empire has long been at the forefront of advancing science and medicine. Without Adrestian research, we would be unable to experience the benefits of the many salves and concoctions imported from across the border. And of course, as the archsage has recounted, the Kingdom was on the verge of collapse before she was able to quell the pestilence with Adrestian knowledge. The Kingdom owes a great debt to Adrestia... one that should not be paid back by allying with her enemy."
"Coward! You are nothing more than a craven coward," another noble from across the room shot back. Cornelia recognized him as the Count of House Galatea.
"You do nothing but drag House Rowe's name through the mud. Let us not forget, your territory was once on Adrestian soil until the fort at Arianrhod was constructed. Once the Silver Maiden was complete, you conveniently sought to ally with the Kingdom for a greater title of nobility once you were well-protected from Adrestia. And now that war is on the horizon, you quake in fear of the enemy at your doorstep? Never have I witnessed such cowardice! You are a sham of a Count!"
Count Rowe reddened in response and raised his voice to reply. Other nobles began hurling insults and shouts of "Heresy!", devolving into a mess of voices until the room was an uncontrollable commotion of clashing yells-
A deafening boom rippled through the room and all the voices went silent.
Dimitri raised his lance, which he had planted into the ground. The nobles stared in awe as the stone tile from where the haft had hit the ground now possessed a considerably sized crack.
"The Royal Court shall not tolerate petty quarrels," the king rumbled in a low, threatening tone.
A deafening silence filled the hall once more, as those gathered dared not oppose the king.
Yet Cornelia was, once again, the first to break the stillness.
"I apologize, Your Highness, for having expressed such provocative views. But know that I yet stand by them."
She raised her chin slightly. "My convictions have not wavered."
At that moment, a slender blue bird flew in through the window and dropped a furled piece of parchment into the hands of the Royal Court Mage, who untied the seal and glanced at its contents. The mage immediately strode to Dimitri and passed the parchment to the king, who studied it briefly.
Dimitri closed his eyes for a moment before speaking out in a clear tone.
"My apologies, Archsage Cornelia. But it is too late. The enemy is en route to Garreg Mach Monastery and will arrive, by their estimate, in half a day."
Gasps rang out around the hall. The king planted his spear back into the ground with his right hand and raised his left.
"By royal decree of the throne of Faerghus, I, Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, hereby declare that the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus shall ally itself with the Church of Seiros and therefore will engage in war with the Adrestian Empire. The Royal Court shall field no opposition."
Dimitri turned to Count Galatea.
"Send out the Galatea Knights at once. By now, it will be far too late for anything else."