The Three Houses of Hyperdimension

A Fire Emblem: Three Houses & Hyperdimension Neptunia Crossover Fan Fiction

by Derald Snyder

Episode 26: Investigation, Day 1

"So, th-the victim was y-your father?" Rei said to Caspar.

"Ha! If anyone was the victim, it was that Flame Emperor!" Caspar exclaimed. "My dad clobbered 'em but good! That guy should've run when they had the chance!"

"F-Flame Emperor...?"

"A masked man- or woman- that's been involved in shady affairs surrounding the academy, not long after I was hired," Byleth elaborated. "When I was talking with Edelgard in detention, before we went to visit her father, she told me that their fighting style seemed exactly the same as hers."

"Wait, exactly the same?!" Caspar gasped. "I'll bet you that guy was trying to frame Edelgard all along!"

"Indeed, given that his cronies in the most recent attack were dressed like Adrestian militia," Ferdinand concurred.

"They did seem to be evenly matched, from what I saw," Sothis noted.

"The problem is proving that it was a frame-up," Linhardt spoke up. "Since the Flame Emperor was rescued from their police escort by the Death Knight, we have no way of proving that they aren't Edelgard, aside from eyewitness accounts in the Holy Tomb- which any decent prosecutor could work around."

"Yeah, no-one's gonna take the word of a ten-year-old kid," Sothis deadpanned. "And as for Miss Rhea, they'll just say that she's biased and doesn't want to believe one of her beloved students could do such a thing..."

"But we saw Edelgard in the Holy Tomb!" Ferdinand protested. "And that Yuri was the one who brought her there!"

"But Yuri is a known scoundrel, and he would likely avoid a courtroom like the plague," Byleth countered. "Again, Edelgard's alibi on the night of the attack is likely our best bet at getting her acquitted..."

"Then I'll ask her about th-that when we v-visit her in p-prison," Rei nodded. "Anyway, I'd like to talk t-to B-Bishop Rhea a-and the headmaster myself, j-just t-to c-cover our b-bases..."

"You appear to have difficulty with speaking properly," Petra noted. "I know this all too well, being from a foreign land with a different language, though your problem is being quite different from mine."

"Oh trust me, when she gets on a roll in court, her stutter goes away fast," Sothis pointed out. "Though she kinda tends to slip into her old villain persona when she does that..."

"Eh-heh-heh... it c-can be useful for g-getting reluctant witnesses t-to loosen their lips," Rei chuckled nervously.

"Oh, so your pronunciation problem is a deliberate tactic to be fooling suspects into thinking you are not threatening, before you scare them by acting like your villain days. I have gained understanding," Petra nodded.

"J-just don't go villain on any of us, p-please!" Bernadetta pleaded.

"I only d-do that t-to those who d-deserve it..." Rei sighed and sweat-dropped.

April 15

Garreg Mach Military Academy

Headmaster's Office

"Headmaster, Lady Rhea, this is the lawyer I've hired to represent Edelgard at trial," Byleth made introductions. "Miss Ryghts, this is Headmaster Seteth and Bishop Rhea."

"Hello, it's v-very nice t-to meet you," Rei bowed from the waist. "I-I hope you won't c-condemn me because of my horn, B-Bishop..."

"There's no need to worry, Miss Ryghts," Seteth answered in Rhea's stead. "The professor here has told us about your efforts in defending his student in Lowee City that was accused of attempted murder..."

"Yes, it gladdens me to see that you have realized the error of your ways, and now walk the right path," Rhea nodded, though her smile seemed slightly forced. "That being said, we're still a little on-edge from the recent attack on our academy, so do keep that in mind."

"Right, Professor Eisner s-said th-that your school was on lockdown a-at th-the t-time of the attack on C-Count Bergliez," Rei responded. "Our b-best bet at p-proving Miss Edelgard's innocence seems t-to be th-the fact th-that she c-couldn't leave the academy th-that night..."

"That is correct," Seteth nodded. "Both students and staff had to obtain express permission from Lady Rhea and myself to leave the premises. Professor Byleth himself had to do so in order to have Edelgard leave to see her ill father. And I am willing to swear an affidavit to that effect, if you wish."

"Yes, that would b-be very helpful," Rei agreed, pulling out a paper from her briefcase.

*Headmaster's Affidavit has been added to the Court Record.*

"Um, also, bishop, I was t-told b-by Sothis th-that you and E-Edelgard fought off th-this Flame Emperor t-together...?" Rei inquired next.

"Edelgard saved my life," Rhea clarified. "If not for her, that vile fiend would have sent me to join my dearly-departed mother..."

"S-so c-can you also s-swear an affidavit th-that they were t-two separate p-people?"

"Most certainly, I can," Rhea nodded.

*Bishop Rhea's Affidavit has been added to the Court Record.*

"One more thing," Rei said, "i-is th-there anyone who c-can verify exactly w-where Miss Edelgard was at th-the t-time of the attack on C-Count Bergliez...?"

"If it was late at night, everyone should have been asleep except the night shift guards," Seteth shook his head. "And I'm not certain how reliable their testimony would be..."

"...Perhaps Hubert might know," Byleth pondered. "He's closer to Edelgard than almost anyone. If anybody would know the answer to that question, it would be him."

"Eh? But I d-don't recall meeting Hubert w-with the other B-Black Eagle students," Rei responded.

"That's because he's currently sitting in detention for skipping class too many times," Byleth said bluntly. "I should give you fair warning: his demeanor can be a little... off-putting, but he's absolutely loyal to Edelgard."

"Um, okay... I guess we'll speak t-to him next," Rei said somewhat nervously. "Anyway, thank you very much f-for your cooperation," she bowed to Seteth and Rhea.

"I only pray that you are successful in clearing her of these charges," Seteth said. "If she is convicted, the academy's reputation will likely suffer greatly; perhaps even be closed down altogether. Both Lady Rhea and I would prefer that does not come to pass..."

April 15

Garreg Mach Military Academy

Detention Hall

"Ah, so this is the infamous Rei Ryghts," Hubert observed with an amused smirk. "You are a bit smaller than I anticipated... it's hard to believe that you once nearly leveled Planeptune City along with the rest of the nation."

Rei couldn't help but swallow from intimidation. "W-well, I d-don't actually remember d-doing any of th-that, which is why the j-jury f-found me not guilty b-by reason of insanity... s-so I was j-just exiled t-to Lowee City instead of b-being imprisoned."

"Ah, that would explain a few things," Hubert nodded. "Hmph... to think that you of all people would be Lady Edelgard's best hope of salvation... fate truly does work in mysterious ways."

"Speaking of Edelgard," Byleth cut in, "we need to confirm her whereabouts at the time of the attack on Count Bergliez. Would you happen to know that?"

"Hmm... to my knowledge, she was sleeping in her room, like most of the other students, including myself. Of course, I tend to be a light sleeper, in case her nightmares grow too intense..."

"N-nightmares...?" Rei gasped.

"Yes, she is plagued with constant nightmares, stemming from past trauma," Hubert elaborated. "However, that is irrelevant to your case. That being said, have you been told about Edelgard's stated motive for attempting to murder Count Bergliez and Duke Gerth?"

"Not really..." the lawyer shook her head. "A-are you saying she d-does have a p-possible motive...?"

"It was back when Lady Edelgard and I were both still ignorant children," Hubert began. "Edelgard's father, Ionius von Hresvelg IX, who was the governor of Adrestia province at the time, attempted to consolidate all power to the governor's office. However, several nobles disagreed with the governor's mandate, and rebelled, eventually forcing him to resign in disgrace. 'Twas a major factor in him being reduced to the broken shell of a man currently sitting in a nursing home, awaiting death. And one of the nobles who rebelled was my own father, Marquis Vestra." His face darkened at the memory.

"And D-Duke Gerth and Count Bergliez were two others?" Rei pressed.

"Correct. There was also Duke Aegir, Ferdinand's father; Count Herving, the Chief Magistrate, who is Linhardt's father; and Count Varley, Bernadetta's poor excuse of a father. And the one who led the insurrection was Volkhard von Arundel, Ionius' brother-in-law, who is the current governor of Adrestia."

"S-so why t-target Duke Gerth and C-Count Bergliez specifically?" Rei asked next.

"Well, Duke Gerth isn't exactly capable of defending himself in a fight, which would make him an easy target," Hubert mused. "It's possible that the Flame Emperor was targeting him specifically, but Count Bergliez happened to be in the right place at the right time to intervene, thus leading to the failure of the assassination attempt."

"That sounds consistent with what Caspar heard from his father," Byleth nodded. "Also, Edelgard was planning to run for governor herself in the future..."

"Indeed, and the prosecution will likely argue that she was attempting to dispose of those who had deposed her father, so history would not repeat itself," Hubert concurred. "Of course, Lady Edelgard had no intention of doing such a thing... at worst, she would use her power as governor to strip the nobles who rebelled of their titles and property... by the book, so to speak."

"I see..." Rei nodded to herself. "Well, thank you v-very much f-for giving me the p-proper context, so I d-don't get blindsided in court..."

"Of course. By the way, are you going to be visiting Lady Edelgard in prison?" Hubert asked.

"Of course, so she can sign th-the p-paperwork," Rei responded. "And also, t-to get her side of th-the story..."

"I see. Please give her my regards then," the sinister student requested.

"Certainly. Speaking of which, we should p-probably hurry to the j-jail b-before visiting hours end," Rei said to Byleth.

"All right, I'll get the car started," Byleth agreed.

"And just how much longer am I sitting in detention, Professor?" Hubert asked.

"Until suppertime tonight. I was originally going to keep you another day, but due to the circumstances... If the trial starts tomorrow, I know you'd want to be able to at least sit in the gallery and give Edelgard emotional support."

"Indeed. I thank you for your consideration, Professor," Hubert bowed in gratitude.

April 15

Adrestia Detention Center

Visitor's Room

(Looks like we made it just in time...) Rei thought as she observed the clock. (Fifteen minutes before visiting hours end...) She and Byleth sat down in front of the glass, watching as Edelgard was escorted in, still dressed in her school uniform. (Her hair is so white...!)

"Professor. It's good to see you again," Edelgard greeted as she took her seat. "And... are you who I think you are?"

"Y-yes ma'am, Miss Edelgard. Rei Ryghts, attorney at law, a-at your service," the lawyer bowed briefly.

"We don't have much time, Edelgard," Byleth interjected. "We need you to sign the legal paperwork, and to confirm your whereabouts on the night of the attack on Count Bergliez."

"Right, I understand," she nodded. "But there's not much I can tell you... I was asleep in my room that night. There was a strict curfew enforced due to the lockdown..."

"Right I already spoke with th-the headmaster about that," Rei nodded. "But Hubert s-said th-that revenge might b-be a motive the prosecution uses in th-their case..."

"...Ah. So he told you about the Insurrection of the Seven, did he?" Edelgard comprehended. "I can certainly understand the prosecution using that argument... but I was still a child when that happened. It's nonsensical to hold a grudge for that long..."

"But Hubert said th-that you might strip those nobles of th-their titles when y-you b-became governor..." Rei pointed out.

"Only those who are provably corrupt, like Duke Aegir," Edelgard insisted. "There's no reason for me to target Duke Gerth or Count Bergliez... in fact, I once said to Caspar that his father is not somebody I would want to meet in a dark alley."

"It does seem suspicious that Duke Aegir was waiting for us at the nursing home," Byleth interjected. "Almost as if he was looking for an opportunity to arrest you without having to deal with the increased security at the academy..."

"I would not be surprised if he was somehow conspiring with the Flame Emperor to frame me," Edelgard sniffed. "Of course, he's probably covered his tracks well enough for us to be unable to prove it..."

"Excuse me," the guard interrupted, "visiting hours are about over. If you need Miss Hresvelg to sign paperwork, I should give it to her now..."

"Oh, right, of course. Thank you, guard," Rei said as she opened her briefcase. "One more thing... does your trial start tomorrow?"

"Yes, Duke Aegir said it would be getting underway as soon as my lawyer arrived," Edelgard nodded. "I hope you'll be prepared to defend me on such short notice..."

"I-it's more the rule th-than the exception with me..." Rei admitted as she handed the paperwork to the guard.

*Episode 26- End*