Chapter 43: Visiting the underground

Claude's boot tapped rapidly against the floor as he stared across the camp.

It was – for lack of a better word – a ghetto. The people living here were filthy and very clearly struggling and yet that didn't seem to dampen their spirits in the least. Although he wasn't going to stray too far from the area where Yuri had told them to wait. He wasn't that stupid.

The fight itself had been...somewhat chaotic. Teach had managed to virtually pull them all through the entire situation, even when the red haired girl suddenly summoned worms from the ground.

Which he admitted was mildly terrifying but he had seen much worse. Still, it boggled his mind that there was an entire underground town here that had remained secret. Not that he doubted that Rhea didn't know about it. The woman was well-informed about a great many things she failed to reveal, there was no chance that she didn't know about this place in the least.

That however, raised more questions than it did answers. For instance, why she would allow this place to exist to begin with and why the people of Abyss were so convinced that Rhea – the second coming of Seiros, as some would proclaim – would send knights to wipe them out.

It didn't add up in the least.

Humming to himself, he looked around at the people once more before he turned his attention back to the entrance to this location. At this point, he was just waiting for-

"Ah, there you are Claude!"

Shit.

"Hey, Dimitri." Claude turned to him with his normal cool smile, he gestured around them "Pretty spectacular place, right?"

"It is something unique…" Dimitri agreed "To think that an entire town lived directly beneath Garreg Mach and even managed to function freely in such a state of disrepair." he placed his hands on his hips "That even those that find only persecution on the surface could band together and create this place is incredible."

"Yeah…" Claude nodded along, then sighed "Shame they had to in the first place.

Dimitri exhaled, giving an empathetic look "Quite so...regardless, I feel as though it is right we should do all in our power to aid them."

"I'm sure we will." Claude agreed, then tilted his head "What do you think is bringing mercenaries here to begin with? Not to say anything about the people living here but it doesn't look like they have anything that someone with enough wealth to hire mercenaries would want."

The blonde boy frowned in thought, raising his hand to cup his chin "Indeed. It is quite the mystery to me as well. From what our new companions have told us, this has been going on for some weeks now." the frown deepened "And to say nothing of what they think of the Church."

"Ain't that a strange thing." Claude nodded his head, furrowing his brows "Seems a little contradictory of them to have a place like this when you consider all the Seiros Teachings."

"That is because things rarely play out at face value." Claude smirked at the voice of Edelgard, the woman approaching the duo with an unusually anxious expression on her "And it more certainly does not bode well for the image of the Church if some of the claims made here are indeed accurate."

"We are not aware of the full story as of yet, Edelgard." Dimitri pointed out "From what I have heard and seen, some of these people were criminals at some point or another."

"Oh?" Edelgard raised an eyebrow at him "So they are all criminals now?"

"No!" Dimitri's eyes widened as he rushed to correct her "That is not it at all...I am merely suggesting that we should hold off on judgement on either side until more facts become available to us."

"But you can agree that for such a place to exist directly beneath Garreg Mach is most disturbing?"

"You heard Lady Nuvelle." Claude remarked "They have a benefactor above ground letting them live here. Considering it is directly beneath Garreg Mach…" he trailed off.

Dimitri and Edelgard blinked at him "You believe someone in the Church aided in the creation of this place?" the former inquired with an intrigued expression "But their opinion of the Church-"

"Means that it wasn't the Archbishop." Edelgard realised "Likely another, especially if there is some tension between the Abyss and the Church."

"The mystery keeps on growing." Claude joked with a light chuckle.

"On the topic of mysteries, Claude." Edelgard turned to him with narrowed eyes "I don't suppose you have seen Linhardt around have you? He seems to have vanished."

"Linhardt...Linhardt?" Claude cupped his chin and pretended to think about it "Ah, yeah. The green haired guy who always looks like he needs a nap. Haven't seen him." he shrugged "Did you try the Library? I hear he's quite the studious one."

Edelgard gave him a hollow smile "...Very amusing." she drawled out "However, I know for a fact you were speaking to him earlier."

"Really?" Claude raised an eyebrow "And who told you this?"

"Hilda."

Claude stared at Edelgard in silence for a few moments before he looked away to stare at nothing while pursing his lips. "...Damn it Hilda." he quietly cursed under his breath.

"Now that we have gotten past your little act." Edelgard sighed "Where is Linhardt?"

"Oh...you know...stretching his legs." Claude shrugged "That sort of thing."

A sharp knock at the door roused him from his slumber, Goetia's eye slowly cracked open and shifted over to the entrance to his room. He continued to stare at the wooden door for a few more moments before there was a second knock. Releasing a sigh, he slowly sat up and threw his legs over the side of his bed.

He looked at his door for a few more moments before he turned his head to stare at his window.

It was still night-time.

He frowned and looked at the door again before he stood up from the bed, turning his body towards the door and walking over to it. He suspected this had to be important for them to disturb him so late at night. Resting his hand on the door handle, he twisted it before throwing the door open.

Linhardt stared back at him with an empathetic expression.

"Believe me...I understand this pain more than you could imagine." Were the first words out of his mouth as he stared at Goetia, then looked to his right at the Church guard stationed next to the door. Goetia followed his attention towards the man and squinted his eyes at him.

"Sorry, Goetia." Harold apologised with a guilty look "I tried to tell him that it was really early and it was best you get your sleep, but then he said it was really important and that it couldn't be ignored."

Goetia sighed, turning his attention back to Linhardt "What do you need?"

"Your assistance." Linhardt explained "A situation has emerged in which we need your help."

The tanned man continued to stare at him "And...why am I supposed to aid you?"

"We found a city underneath the Monastery." Linhardt revealed instantly, earning a surprised stutter from Harold and a blink from Goetia. "There's even a library filled with a great deal of old documents which were removed from the original." he frowned, then looked at Harold "Please don't reveal that to Seteth."

"I-I'm still surprised about the whole underground city part." Harold admitted, looking between Goetia and Linhardt "T-that's a thing? How did I not know about this?"

"How did it slip my attention?" Goetia remarked, frowning in thought then looked at Linhardt "You say it is beneath the Monastery?"

"Yes." Linhardt nodded his head "Which relates to why we need your help." he went on "The people who live there-"

"People live there-!?" Harold sputtered in shock "Underneath the Monastery?"

"Yes." Linhardt winced at the volume, turning to the man briefly "Please try to keep it down, I would rather not try to wake anyone else up."

"Ah...right." Harold nodded "Sorry."

The boy turned back to Goetia "As I was saying, the people in the city are being assailed by mercenaries, clearly they're looking for something but Abyss-"

"Abyss?" Goetia blinked "Why is it called Abyss?"

"I don't know." Linhardt shrugged "As I was saying, we need help in dealing with the mercenaries and considering how outnumbered we are…" he gestured with his hand "...Claude suggested we send someone to go and get you and I saw it as a perfect opportunity to get some clean air."

Goetia stared at him for a few moments, then looked towards Harold expectantly.

"You're technically not allowed to go anywhere without Church supervision." Harold pointed out, then shifted his head from side to side "But if I were to go with you…" he trailed off meaningfully.

"...So you seek me out just to cull some thugs?" Goetia clicked his tongue "...What are they searching for?"

"Who knows." Linhardt frowned "I doubt they're after the documents and books – despite how interesting I find them – but there doesn't appear to be anything else of interest." raising his hand, he cupped his chin "However, considering the existence of this place remained a secret that even some of the Knights did not know out." he pointedly looked at Harold "Then perhaps there might be something of interest buried there."

"Perhaps…" Goetia admitted, pursing his lips then sighing. He looked away for a few moments. Even if it had been barely over a week since his 'imprisonment' he found himself with a strange feeling of dullness within him. The routine of his work at the Library was causing him to feel a great deal of boredom for lack of a better word.

There was a complete lack of willingness to do anything as of late, there was no motivation for his work. He exhaled and looked back to Linhardt. Even if it meant that he would more than likely be participating in butchery once again – he had no issue provided it would achieve something – however this was another request for help.

Even if it was Von Riegan.

"...Very well." He sighed, then looked at Harold "I am going down with him to this city."

"I'm coming too!" Harold quietly exclaimed, then coughed into his hand "For...um...supervision...purposes." he looked left and right "Naturally."

"Fine." Goetia agreed easily, then looked at Linhardt "How do we gain entry to this place?"

Linhardt grimaced slightly, "It is...not very pleasant."

"You sent him to collect Goetia!?" Dimitri hissed at the Golden Deer in a hushed voice, looking around before turning back to Claude with an expression a mix between frustration and disappointment "What were you thinking?"

"That we could use some help." Claude raised his hands in surrender "He's a very useful guy and I thought a place like this might interest Sparkles?"

"A ghetto?" Edelgard gave him an incredulous face "That is what you believe will intrigue him?"

"I was thinking more about the treasure trove of secrets that are currently around here." Claude replied with a shrug, then looked to the side "Also felt it would be good for him to get out of that library for a little while. Get some…" he trailed off, giving Abyss another look over before his expression turned slightly strained "Freeeesh air?"

Edelgard and Dimitri stared at him with equally blank expressions before the former let out a sigh while the latter cradled his head in his hands.

"Claude...He is not allowed to leave the Monastery." Dimitri slowly explained "What would you call this?"

"We're technically just under the Monastery." Claude explained, placing his hands on his hips "Loopholes are funny like that. Especially when you get to exploit them."

"He's under surveillance." Edelgard picked up the argument "I am almost certain there are guards stationed outside his room as some of the last Knight's in the Monastery, how do you suppose he will get past them?"

Claude shrugged "Maybe he can just hypnotise them or something. Linhardt said it was in a lesson."

"Claude." Dimitri frowned at him "Take this seriously. Not to mention that the Professor explicitly told us not to wake him because she would rather avoid him getting into more trouble with the Church. Dragging him down here to a place which they may or may not have qualms about while he is in an already tenuous position might not be the best idea."

"Pfft." Waving his hand, Claude let out a small noise "Well...what the Church doesn't know, can't hurt Sparkles."

"And how will you explain it to the Professor?" Edelgard tilted her head, giving Claude a mildly interested look as he seemed to pause for a few moments. Blinking several times before he slowly turned his head towards her.

"I...was thinking about…" He trailed off, rolling his lips and raising his eyebrows up while staring into nothing "...How...happy they'd be to spend time together?"

"Ah yes." Dimitri gave him a flat look, then gestured to their surroundings "Truly. This is the most romantic setting available to us."

Snapping his fingers, Claude pointed at Dimitri with a slightly cringing expression "I'd ordinarily be very happy you're developing a deadpan sense of humour but in this instance I can't say I'm a fan."

"Claude." Dimitri stared at him with annoyance "You've gone against the express wishes of the Professor, not to mention how the Abyssians will react to Goetia." he leaned in, dropping his voice to a low whisper "They hold great dislike for those employed by the Church and are clearly already sceptical of us. Goetia – despite his current situation – is employed by the Church."

Edelgard raised her hand to cut Dimitri off "No...perhaps it is different." her eyes darted around "I've noticed some here from places all across Fodlan and beyond. I believe I spotted several Duscrians...or Alymrans."

"Foreigners." Claude smiled at Dimitri "And Sparkles isn't really a traditional type of Church employee, let's be honest."

"...Fine." Dimitri nodded "I will grant you that much. But it does not change the fact that when the Professor finds out-"

"Find out what?" The three paused as one, their heads slowly creaked as they turned towards the voice with equally strained expressions.

Byleth stood a few feet from them with her hands by her sides and a slightly tilted head, her eyes scanned each of them before they landed on Dimitri, the boy visibly grimaced at the sudden attention being directed at him. "What happens when I find out what?"

Dimitri coughed into his hand "Well...Professor…" he struggled to find his words for a few moments before he composed himself and gave her a calm smile "...I am certain Claude can explain it better than I."

Claude's expression faltered as he stared at the Prince with a look of pure betrayal "This right here…" he gestured between the two of them "...This is why the Alliance seceded from the Kingdom."

Byleth's head turned to Claude, the boy shifted his body to face the Professor before he put on his best smile "So Teach...funny story..."

"That's the hole I found the other day!" Harold exclaimed as he pointed at the hole in question, Linhardt having led them to the entrance. "I was talking about it to Boris. I was saying how it looked like it was getting larger and-"

"And this is the only entrance to Abyss that you are aware of?" Goetia interrupted the man, turning to Linhardt with an unblinking expression.

Linhardt begrudgingly nodded his head "Unfortunately so."

"Who else is present in Abyss?" Goetia turned to Linhardt, the boy blinked before he replied.

"There is Dimitri, Edelgard, Claude, The Professor-"

"Byleth." Goetia elaborated "Good. That simplifies matters."

"Does it?" Harold blinked at the man "Because I don't see ho-"

"I said I didn't want to disturb him." Byleth stared down at Claude with her usual stoic expression, for the Golden Deer that only made the dressing down he was receiving much, much worse. Considering the fact her voice was absolutely toneless. "I made it clear not to wake him."

"I know." Claude raised his hands "But that was when we thought this was just an exploratory venture to find some dastard sneaking through the Monastery grounds late at night." his hands lowered and he gestured around "Now we're in an underground town with a large detachment of Mercs on their way and not a lot of good fighters...With most of the Church Knights away – and with the lack of trust for the Church in Abyss – that left us with only one person with enough power to help us and is relatively neutral."

Byleth stared at him with a blank expression in dead silence for a few seconds. Claude felt sweat begin to form on his brow as the woman's eyes continued to drill into him.

"Y-you know...he might say no." Claude hastily added on "A-and really? Even if he does come down here, are you really going to turn away his help?"

Byleth took a single step closer, causing Claude to lean back slightly as she seemingly towered over him, staring down into his eyes. Claude's own darted from side to side before they landed on Dimitri and Edelgard, the boy sending a silent plea towards them. The duo responded by suddenly finding the ceiling and floor respectively interesting to look at.

"I believe it has been quite long enough. I trust that you have found Abyss to be the most remarkable..." The voice trailed off, the attention of everyone slowly shifted towards Constance. The blonde girl remained stationary as she beheld the spectacle in front of her with a puzzled expression "I confess some mild befuddlement at this situation...is it some strange surface ritual for Teachers and Students to be so close?"

Byleth stepped away from Claude and turned her attention fully to Constance "What?"

"Your closeness with the young Alliance boy?" The girl gestured to Claude "From an outside perspective like myself, it would appear quite intimate." she tilted her head "Am I incorrect?"

"Yes."

"Hah!" Claude barked a laugh "Zero hesitation. You'll hurt my feelings, Teach."

Byleth gave him a look which prompted him to take a step backwards.

"I...see?" Constance frowned then shook her head, her expression shifting slightly to its original almost smug form "Regardless of this distraction, I trust you have been here long enough to see the value that Abyss offers to those of us less fortunate than yourselves."

"Quite so." Dimitri nodded his head "It is certainly...unique."

"Exactly!" Constance beamed "Now then, Yuri has asked that you meet with him to discuss the situation further. Once again, I must thank you for your assistance in thi-"

"-w that would help in the…" A confused voice echoed out directly from the left, once again attracting everyone's attention to the voice. Only for those present to widen their eyes in surprise.

Space itself looked as though it had been torn open like fabric, glowing rippling lines revealed the forms of Goetia, Linhardt and a Knight of Seiros stood directly behind the tear on a patch of grass, a sudden rush of the night hair hit them all square in the face earning a slight shiver from those present. Goetia lowered his hand as he stared at those assembled. "It will be enough." he explained to the knight before he walked through the tear and stepped foot into Abyss.

The man took a single look at his surroundings before his eyes narrowed and his lip curled downwards slightly. "...Linhardt."

"H-hmm?" the boy jolted out of his seeming reverence of the spell before he fixed his full attention on Goetia "Yes?"

"...This is a slum."

"Did I not mention that?"

"No."

"Ah...I see." The boy frowned before he examined the divide between where the halls of Abyss ended and the outside world began "...Is this some form of teleportation magic or-"

"Step through or I will close it."

"Alright, alright." Linhardt raised his hands in surrender, giving an exasperated sigh before he gingerly walked through the tear. His boots clattered against the brick floor as he looked around, then turned back to see the Knight still frozen in shock. "Are you coming?"

"...Y-yeah…" Harold gulped, walking through the tear while staring up at it. The moment he walked through he spun around and gawked at the spell as it slowly closed itself shut, sealing away the greenery and night sky and leaving behind only the interior of Abyss. "...Holy teleporting knights…" the Knight whispered out in shock.

Goetia pointedly ignored him as he continued to examine his surroundings, red eyes dismissively scanned whatever forms he could see before they fell onto Constance. The blonde woman still staring with her eyes wide and her mouth slightly agape at the spot where the spatial door had been before her attention slowly travelled to Goetia.

The man stared at her with his usual blank expression before he turned to the students "Is the entire location like this?" he inquired, raising his left hand to gesture at their surroundings.

"...Yes." Byleth nodded her head, looking entirely unshaken by the strange display "For the most part." her lips thinned "Why are you here?"

Goetia tilted his head "Because I found myself curious how a location such as this was able to elude the Church for so-"

"Goodness gracious me!" Constance blurted out extraordinarily loudly, causing everyone to wince at the volume, the girl raised her hand to point at Goetia "Who are-How did-I-" she gulped then managed to finish a complete sentence "I, Constance Von Nuvelle, demand that you reveal your identity to me post-haste and reveal your intentions at once!"

Goetia opened his mouth to reply before her hand shifted from him to point at Harold, the man still staring at the ground where the rift had been.

"You need not waste your breath!" She exclaimed "He is all the proof I need!"

"Hm?" Harold turned around to find the blonde girl pointing at him in an accusing manner, putting on his best smile, Harold strode forwards and bowed slightly. It would be wrong of him to let a little surprise get in the way of good manners after all. "Greetings! I am a humble Knight of Seiros and might I say what a pleasure it is to make your acquaintance, Milady."

The woman seemed flabbergasted for a few moments before shaking her head "You will address me as Lady Constance Von Nuvelle or Lady Nuvelle! I shall accept no substitutes!"

"My apologies Lady Nuvelle." Harold apologised with an earnest expression "It's just the knight has been a big surprise for me is all. Sorry if I forgot my manners."

"Well…" Constance straightened herself out "It is quite alright that you have remembered your due respects to one of the noble class such as mysel-" she cut herself off before giving the man a suspicious glare "I see your games clearly! You intend to lull me into a false sense of security with your flattering comments but I shall not be deceived so easily!"

Harold blinked several times under his helmet, fidgeting slightly "I...huh?"

"Constance?" A gruff voice called out through the corridor as the large form of Balthus entered the room "What the heck are you screaming abo-" he cut himself off the second he caught sight of Goetia and Harold, his eyes narrowed at the pair "Who the Hell are they?"

Goetia once again opened his mouth before Constance cut him off.

"I can reveal their intentions to you dear Balthus!" she announced "That one is clearly a spy for the Church to...do nefarious things to the people of Abyss!"

"H-huh?" Harold paled slightly and looked up at the much taller man in surprise as he fixed his attention on him "W-wait...I...er…"

"That right?" Balthus took a single step forward.

"No." Goetia stepped forwards, meeting Balthus' glare with one of his own "It isn't."

"Says you, pal." Balthus loomed over him. "But a couple of new arrivals I don't remember seeing suddenly showing up doesn't exactly bring out the best in me."

"The implication that there is a 'best of you' is dubious." Goetia answered back "I came to this slum out of curiosity and at the request of Von Riegan." Balthus and Constance's eyes shifted to the tanned boy who was whistling and looking away from them before their attention returned to Goetia "He is here-" he nodded behind himself to Harold "-because I require Church supervision. Up until a few minutes ago he was as ignorant as to the existence of this...town as I was."

Balthus stared down at Goetia with narrowed eyes before he shrugged and took a step backwards. "Alright then." he agreed easily, turning to Claude and giving the boy a shake of the head "You should have told us you were sending for help. Although I guess if you were bringing a Knight along…"

"Umm...Actually it was just supposed to be Sparkles." Claude offered as way of an explanation as he gestured at Goetia "I don't know who the other guy is."

"I'm-" Harold raised his hand before Constance cut him off.

"For now, I suggest we bring this to the attention of Yuri." Constance suggested, giving both Goetia and Harold a once over "I for one would like to hear his opinion of our newest guests. Although further assistance in our current predicament is always welcome."

"Happy to he-"

"Even if it would have been more beneficial to us to have been informed." Constance sent a slight look at Claude – once again cutting Harold off – before she turned back to Goetia. "My apologies. I have been remiss in my duties as a noble and neglected to properly educate you on my status. I am-"

"Constance Von Nuvelle." Goetia interrupted her, earning a brief flash of surprise from the girl as she was cut off mid-sentence "I am Goetia. Assistant Librarian at Garreg Mach."

"Well I-" Constance cut herself off "Assistant?" she blinked at him several times "You...are not even the full Librarian?"

"No."

"B-but...but that spell!" She gestured at the ground "You just...how...wha-"

Goetia swiftly ignored her and looked at the larger man "I assume this 'Yuri' is the designated leader?"

"Pretty much." Balthus nodded his head "Come on." he gestured down the hall "I'll take you to meet him. He'll probably want to meet you too."

Goetia followed after the man, Harold soon joining him as the pair ventured forth further into Abyss.

Byleth watched them leave before she turned to Claude and renewed her staring at him "We will discuss this later." she spoke, then swiftly followed after Goetia and Harold. Claude winced as he turned to see Edelgard and Dimitri giving him unimpressed expressions.

"What?" He shrugged, "It'll work out...trust me."

"...Can I return to the Library now?" Linhardt asked as he crossed his arms "And avoid being disturbed preferably."

Constance blinked as she realised what had occurred before she turned to face the retreating group "Wait one moment here! I demand an explanation as to how you remain only an assistant!" she called out as she chased after them "And inform me as to what spell you used!"

Claude watched her before his lip twitched upwards slightly "...Guess Sprinkles might have a little competition." he joked to himself, shaking his head in amusement before he sighed "...I'm probably going to have to explain myself as well, aren-"

"Just get moving, Claude." Edelgard remarked coldly, the boy flinched before he proceeded forwards.

Goetia continued to scan his surroundings intermittently as he moved through Abyss, following after the large and rather boisterous young man as he did so. His cursory examinations of this place revealed to him that it was exactly what he imagined it was.

A slum.

There was quite literally nothing special about it aside from its location. Which made it all the more remarkable that it existed to begin with. Rhea – in his few conversations with her – enjoyed controlling people. He could discern that much, it was a comfortable explanation as to how she was so taken with her role of Archbishop and how swift she was in delivering judgements.

And yet a woman who resonated control allowed this place to fester directly beneath her pillar of social hierarchy was astounding to him. Either gross negligence on her part or it had been created by someone who held a great deal of sway over her opinions. Either way, it was a bizarre contradiction from what he had seen.

Not that it changed much of anything, festering ghettos existing near supposed beacons of civilisation was about as human as he had seen them get. The reign of Solomon had been no different. For all of the fool's power and governance being hailed as wise and just, people still starved and died every single day under his rule. A man who could control everything.

His lip curled slightly in remembrance. That...was not a memory that enraptured him. Quite the contrary, it repulsed him as much as this place did.

"How many live in this place?" Goetia asked, he could have discovered it very easily but the mere thought of using his abilities just to determine how many lived in this squalor disgusted him.

Balthus gave out a thoughtful hum "...Couple hundred. Might be more." he shrugged "Abyss is a big place and we get more arrivals every now and again. Some people leave but most just stay here."

"And the reasoning for their stay?"

"Surface ain't all that nice." Balthus explained "Most here are just running from something and need somewhere they can live without fear of being hunted. Some get persecuted and others just don't have anywhere else to go."

A camp of criminals – former or otherwise – vagrants and the oppressed.

"Might not be the prettiest place in Fodlan-" He would get no argument from Goetia "-but its home. People find a life here."

That puzzled him more. He'd seen these places thousands of times over and yet the odd determination of the residents to push forwards and keep on living despite their horrific circumstances just frustrated him. It still did. Was there ever a point in these people's lives when they found themselves sitting in a damp, mouldy, cold hovel, eating stale bread where they just wondered why it was they desired to keep living?

"I think it's…" Harold struggled to find the right words for a few moments before he sighed "Sorry...it's just a big surprise to me is all…"

"Don't sweat it." Balthus waved his hand "Church is ashamed of us being here so it doesn't come as that big a surprise they don't talk about us all that much." he paused for a few moments before he continued on "Although, I'd probably stick close if I were you...some of the people here have a pretty big grudge against the Church."

Harold paused for a few moments, his head swivelling left and right as he noticed that he had become the centre of attention for nearly everyone in the vicinity. The man gulped loudly before he quickly sped up to rejoin the others "Ri-right."

The trio passed through another doorway into what looked like a study room, similar to that of one of the classrooms in the actual academy but webbed up.

Goetia noted the violet haired boy sitting in one of the chairs with his feet lazily resting atop one of the desks, the boy's eyes flashed towards them before fixing themselves on both himself and Harold to his left, particularly him as intrigue coloured them.

"Balthus." The boy nodded to him, then gestured over to the pair "What manner of interesting guests have you brought to visit me?"

"Couple of new arrivals from the surface." Balthus explained "Apparently Claude sent up someone to get help and-" he gestured to Goetia and Harold "-here we are."

"Rather fast." The boy replied with a quirked lip "But...I suppose if we're already in the business of asking for help. What's a few more hands?" swinging his legs off the desk, the boy pushed himself off the ground and to his feet "I'm Yuri." his eyes darted between the two of them "So...is it the goodness of your heart that brings you all the way down here or something else?"

"I was curious as to the existence of settlers living beneath the Monastery and investigated."

Yuri raised an eyebrow and gave Goetia a faint smile "I wouldn't call us 'settlers' per-say...but alright. I suppose that is something to be a little curious about as recent events have demonstrated." placing a hand on his hips, he titled his head slightly "So who do I have the honour of addressing anyway?"

"Goetia. Assistant Librarian."

Yuri stared at him blankly for a few moments before he blinked "Alright. I was not expecting that answer but we've already got a few curious students amongst our ranks right now." he frowned "Although I suppose you will excuse me if your job title does not inspire confidence in your abilities."

"Your confidence in my abilities is irrelevant." Goetia curtly replied, tilting his head slightly "As recent events have demonstrated, not everything that is seen represents the entire story."

Yuri's lip morphed into a faint smile "No. I suppose it isn't." his eyes turned to Harold before they dulled "And I suppose the Church caught wind of this and decided to send an errand boy to-"

"Um…" Harold raised his hand nervously "Sorry to interrupt but…" he nodded to Goetia "I'm actually here because of him."

Yuri's brow furrowed "Why?"

"It's a funny story." Harold chuckled "He's actually forbidden from leaving the Monastery at the moment and he's not allowed anywhere without supervision from at least one trained Knight. Preferably two but Boris went to bed early so it's just me."

Yuri and Balthus stared at him in silence.

"Actually...n-now that I say it aloud it isn't that funny." Harold muttered as he looked down at the ground.

"I stand corrected." Yuri turned his attention back to Goetia and gave him a wider smile "I think you'll fit into Abyss just fine. We're always welcoming wayward people with nowhere to go."

"I am content where I am." Goetia replied, Yuri shrugged in response.

"Suit yourself, but the offer remains open." The man leaned back and sat on the desk behind him, crossing his arms "So. I assume you've been informed of our situation?"

"Your living space has been under siege from mercenaries for some time and you require information as to why they are continually attacking." Goetia surmised "Unless you would prefer to just eliminate them all."

Yuri shrugged "Either or is fine with us. We just need the people of Abyss safe." the boy commented before he gave Goetia a piercing stare "So...are you here to offer your help or were you just stopping by for a little once over?"

Goetia opened his mouth to reply before a hand clamped down on his right shoulder, he looked in the direction of the limb and found Byleth staring at him for a few moments before she looked at Yuri. "A moment." was all she offered before she span Goetia around and pushed him out of the room and around a corner.

Harold watched them leave before he fidgeted on the spot.

"Now then sir, you will explain-" Constance rushed in only to cut herself off when she noticed that Goetia wasn't in the room. The woman widened her eyes and looked around "wha-where did he disappear to?"

"Um…" Harold pointed past her "The Professor took him away for a private chat."

Constance's face scrunched up before she exhaled, composing herself and dusting out her dress. "It would be most rude of me to interrupt their private moment. Therefore I shall remain here and await their – preferably expedient – return so that I might discern the strange spell that the most unusual visitor used."

Balthus sighed "Been here five minutes and he's already got Constance on his tail...certainly a record."

"Oh really?" Yuri hummed "Must be another magic caster then. Another chance for House Nuvelle to reclaim its noble status then?"

"I will have you know that it most assuredly is." Constance remarked with a confident tone of voice "I need only discern how I might acquire such a spell and what others he might have. Considering his appearance, I assume him to be a foreigner?" she directed the question to Harold.

The man jolted before nodding his head "Yes, Lady Nuvelle. He's from across the sea or so I've heard. A couple of the Knights think he might be a former noble or something."

"Well, he certainly doesn't talk like a commoner, that much is certain." Yuri mused "...I wonder how he got his hair to look like that."

"So it wasn't just me seeing it?" Balthus let out a sigh of relief "I thought someone accidentality slipped some of those mushrooms in the stew again."

"Perhaps a spell to entice the eye." Constance hypothesised "It is most certainly an eye-catching feature"

"Is there some reason why we must speak privately?" Goetia inquired as he hastily set up a muffling field around them to hide their conversation – and convince passer-bys to ignore them entirely – turning his body to face Byleth. Then Sothis as she manifested behind the woman.

"What are you doing here?" Sothis asked immediately, Goetia raised an eyebrow at her in response.

"Because Linhardt arrived at my door in the early morning hours and informed me of the presence of a habitation beneath Garreg Mach and on a whim I decided-"

"Not that." Byleth cut him off, the woman's lips pursing ever so slightly "Why are you here? If the Monastery finds out-"

Goetia frowned "You think I fear the judgement of Rhea? I acquiesced to her demands as a punishment upon myself for my actions. Not because I lived in fear of her."

"So what?" Sothis leaned in closer "You decide to just do it all again? You aren't allowed to leave the Monastery-"

"Without supervision." Goetia agreed "I have not left the Monastery. I am beneath it and I have supervision in the form of Harold. I am still adhering to the restrictions imposed on me."

"In word, not in spirit." Sothis dismissed "And you know that as well. What if this sets her off?"

"What if it does?" Goetia narrowed his eyes "Her arguments of wanting to ensure the safety of students ring hollow with the presence of this camp filled with the criminals resting just beneath the Monastery. Aside from that, what concern is it of yours?"

"We didn't want you to come!" Sothis admitted.

Goetia blinked once at her, his expression shifting to surprise before he looked at Byleth, the woman nodded in response.

"You…" Goetia began, his tone puzzled "...did not want me here?" his eyes betrayed a sliver of confusion "For what purpose?"

"To avoid trouble." Byleth replied, staring into Goetia's eyes "Already in enough trouble with Church. Didn't want to drag you into more."

Goetia stared at Byleth and then at Sothis before back at Byleth, his eyes narrowed with irritation "You think me some child in need of protection?" he bristled.

Sothis released a tired sigh "No. It is just after the last instance where we came to you for help it didn't…" she trailed off, looking away with a hint of shame.

"Didn't work out well." Byleth continued on "The Church apparently doesn't like Abyss. More can go wrong."

"In an effort to avoid me being inconvenienced, you decided that ignorance was the best option available for you?" Goetia frowned "I did not ask for your protection nor is it desired from you. Any choice I make to interfere is mine and mine alone and I do not need your approval to act upon them."

Sothis glared at him. "We were only trying to keep you safe, oaf." she huffed back "The last time you went blundering into a situation where people were in need of saving it ended up with you virtually imprisoned in the Church while this one got away scot-free." the Goddess floated past Byleth and into his face "So I'm sure you will excuse us if we try to keep you uninvolved in a situation where you might participate in aiding those who the Church might have an actual dispute with."

Goetia remained silent for a few moments before he replied "...I did not request for you to act on my behalf nor did I desire it."

"Tough." Sothis huffed "Although if this is how you treat people trying to keep you from getting into trouble, then perhaps this one should not bother in the future."

Goetia slowly directed his attention to Byleth, the woman stared back at him for a few moments in silence before she spoke up "Wanted to keep you out of trouble."

The tanned man rolled his jaw for a few moments before his expression relayed honest confusion "...Why?"

Sothis peered at him closely before she released a barely amused scoff "That you need to ask why anyone would wish to do something on your behalf without asking for it is telling." she sighed "Very well. Either help or don't. I have already made my argument." she looked down at Byleth out of the corner of her eye.

The Mercenary remained silent before she looked away for a few moments "...Sorry. Should have informed you. Can help if you want. Your choice." she looked back at him "If we're caught. Will take blame myself."

Goetia scoffed, "The Archbishop is unlikely to do anything to you."

"...Still take blame."

Goetia looked away from her, fixing his attention purely on the wall "...You can go." he waved his single arm, gesturing for her to leave. Byleth remained silent, giving only a nod in response before she walked past him and soon left the field.

Goetia remained stationary, staring at the wall before he released a breath.

It didn't make sense why she had done that. She'd purposefully treated him as some pitiful child to be kept ignorant for their own good. He had little to fear from the likes of Rhea and even if it was a slum, he would have at least wished to be kept informed of this place for the very fact it existed.

Had it not been for Von Riegan, he would have remained ignorant as to this location. Something he at least had to credit the boy with.

She'd kept him ignorant, believing herself to be acting in his best interests. It was a laughable notion that she could even understand what his best interests were. The arrogance was astounding. Even with all that, he felt that same burning anger born of frustration within him.

And something else. Something less hideous. He couldn't place it in the least but for the time being he would just stand here and think.

Once again.

He found himself assailed by stubborn humans…

So why did these disgust him less?

AN: Welcome to Abyss, Goetia and Harold.

Poor guy can't introduce himself to anyone except for Goetia. He's a real charmer though. And Three Hopes revealed he kicks major ass too.

As for his role here...we'll have to wait and see.

Anyway...Last Chapter was just an introductory one if some people were wondering why it was so close to Canon. Also setting up Byleth not informing Goetia in order to keep him mildly safe from Rhea in the event it didn't pan out so well.

But enough about that.

Onto the Omake!

Omake: Truth behind everything.

"If I'm being honest, I've always found you intimidating." Dorothea spoke with a perfectly calm voice while Seteth stared at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Very well…" The man slowly replied "I...suppose I cannot help that. Although I only feel the need to become harsh when I feel the opportunity for real improvement is eviden-"

"I also sometimes want to call you daddy just to see how you react." She continued on, smiling at him as the man froze mid-sentence, his jaw still open and his eyes fixed on her "You just have this domineering aura about you that is actually a pretty big turn on. If it weren't for the fact you're obviously Flayn's father I'd probably go for you."

"...Beg pardon?" Seteth got out in a strangled voice as he stared at the student with a strained expression.

"Yeah...Big daddy Seteth." She giggled to herself before biting her lower lip "Well. You were just passing by and I thought I'd tell you how I feel. I hope you enjoy the rest of the day." she bowed her head, turning away from him and walking off "Oh!" she turned around "Before I forget! I really think Flayn could do with advice on how to be a proper lady so if you ever think she needs help then feel free to let me know! I'd be happy to play a big sister role...for you as well if you're into that sort of thing. I don't judge."

"Wha-"

"Bye!" Dorothea soon ran off, leaving Seteth stood alone in the halls of the Monastery.

The man blinked several times before he shook his head in confusion, he didn't think the students had gotten drunk. Although he wasn't prepared to dismiss the possibility just yet.

The man shook his head and soon began to walk through the corridors of the Monastery. Unfortunately, he soon began to overhear other conversations as he continued on.

"It's just…" Catherine's voice sounded out around the corner "Do you think its because of the way she dresses?" the woman asked with genuine curiosity "I mean, I'm dubious about her but those tights really bring out her thighs, you know?"

"Hm." Shamir hummed in response.

"It might also be the breasts." Catherine then wondered "Maybe its because hers are bigger than mine." she frowned "Or the hair...it might also be the dead fish look she always has on. Maybe if I stared at Lady Rhea like a trout on a grill she'd try and take a bite of me instead."

Seteth's eyebrows climbed up his forehead at that particular comment, the man slowly turned his head to stare at the two women as they continued on.

"I'm more afraid of opening up to someone emotionally in case they end up dying." Shamir replied as she twirled a knife in her hands "I just don't want to set myself up to be close to someone in this line of work in case either I die or they die. That's just not good for anyone."

Catherine nodded her head "...Maybe I'm just too muscular?"

"I don't mind."

"Yeah...but you're also a merc so I'm personally biased about you." Catherine mumbled "...Would you be open to dying your hair green?"

Seteth tuned out the rest of the conversation, his brows furrowed as he quickly – and quietly – sped off down the hallway and into the open. The man quickly looked around and noticed more of the students and staff involved in conversations with eachother.

The topics of which were far more open than he considered appropriate for public discussion.

"It's just...I'd feel really guilty if I thought about hurting him." Bernadetta quietly whispered to herself "I mean...he's still my father but I just don't really see him as such...I feel like whatever I do I'm always going to be a disappointment to him." she sniffled "So I don't want to go out...I just...whatever I try I'm never going to be good enough...I'll always be some worthless girl in his eyes...even if he's stopped shouting at me now."

Hubert stared down at her before he sighed "...I'm going to have your father killed."

Bernadetta cracked a small smile "That's actually very terrifying...but thank you."

"It's no trouble. I've been considering killing my own father for several years now."

Seteth wasn't sure how he was supposed to respond to that, turning away and finding himself staring at Caspar and Raphael speaking with eachother.

"It's just...they say milk is really good for your bones, right?" Caspar stated "So if I just eat the bones of my meat, then I've bypassed the process of drinking milk."

Raphael stared at him "...You're a genius!" the man exclaimed loudly "I've never thought of that. All these years I've just been eating meat by itself to strengthen my muscles when I could have been eating bones to strengthen...well...my bones!"

"I'm glad you agree with me because I thought that idea was stupid for a moment." Caspar chuckled "But if you say it's genius then it must be true! I heard you Golden Deers were all pretty out of the box thinkers anyway."

"Is that because my head looks a bit like a square?" Raphael frowned "...Does that mean I'm inside the box thinking?"

"...I have no idea."

Neither did Seteth.

The man picked up his pace, soon breaking into a jog as he hurried past everyone. They were all speaking whatever they wanted without any filter at all.

He suddenly stopped and frowned "...Goetia." he realised with narrowed eyes. Spinning around, he marched past Leonie and Lysithea as he made his way towards the resident mages room.

"It's just that my age is a bit younger than the other students." Lysithea fidgeted "What if he just sees me as a little girl? I'll graduate from here and be expected to marry and he's...you know...just different from everyone around me but he's also my teacher so I don't know if that would be weird."

Leonie waved her hand "I wouldn't think too hard about it. I'm genuinely worried that if I ever got intimate with someone I would just imagine Captain Jeralt in their place….I say worry but really it's more of a fantasy." she frowned. "It is a little awkward that their daughter is here though."

"...That's just disturbing."

"Goetia!" Seteth banged on the door with his fist "Open this door right now and explain yourself?"

The door swung open as the tanned man stared at him "You're here about the truth serum that was leaked into the air. Don't bother asking how I know, I just do." He stepped aside "The cure will be ready in an hour but I've been avoiding the others for concern of what I might reveal to them."

"You were also affected?" Seteth asked as he stepped into the room, Goetia closed the door behind them.

"I was one of the first victims." He revealed "I accidentally spilled some and broke the bottle. My window was open and the gas just blew into my face before it ventured outside. It was an act of embarrassing stupidity which I am deeply ashamed of. It almost rivals the time I was bested by Fujimaru Ritsuka."

"Who?

"A young Japanese boy who was assailed by multiple women who harboured deep romantic interests towards him after barely several weeks of conversing with him. However most of them were Berserkers or starved for attention so I dismiss that as simply a product of their nature rather than actual feelings. He was a remarkably dull boy with no outstanding qualities whatsoever."

"What?"

"And now you're puzzled. It means I will have to explain everything from the beginning."

"There's no need for that." Seteth raised his hand "I believe I will manage."

"Good." Goetia sighed "Because there are several women who belong to Solomon's harem which as I think back on in my current condition elicit strange feelings from me." he grimaced "The Caster of Sheba was the closest I had to a mother but she was the only human I ever trusted and now that I am victim to mortal hormones I am compelled to admit she was a very attractive woman. However, I am concerned that this means I have an Oedipus complex."

"Did...she give birth to you?"

"No."

"Well then…"

"Ah, so that makes me more in line with David then." He nodded, then hummed "Solomon is dead and marriage vows are annulled at the point of death. He's not coming back and I am effectively piloting a copy of his body…." he frowned "This line of thinking disturbs me greatly so I will abandon it."

"...Please do." Seteth gave a nod of his head "...Have I been affected yet?"

"Yes." Goetia admitted "But you are often honest anyway so the effect is barely noticeable."

"Your somewhat blunt nature is surprisingly comforting at the moment." Seteth remarked, then blinked "I see what you mean."

A knock at the window turned both the men's attention towards it. The frame creaked open as Byleth climbed in, the woman stood to her feet and faced the duo. Sothis soon appeared over her shoulder.

"What brings you here?" Goetia asked, "I thought you would be away."

"I'm just here to see what mess you've caused this time because I personally find them very amusing and one of my only sources of good entertainment." Sothis replied without missing a beat "Also I'm sometimes very jealous of Rhea's body. I feel a little cheated that she gets to be so tall and fleshed out while I'm little."

"I'm certain there's a fetish for that."

"I am not comforted in the slightest."

"Who are you talking to?" Seteth asked, looking at the empty air where Goetia was staring.

"A Ghost."

"I'm not a Ghost!" Sothis huffed "I'm alive!"

"And yet you are incapable of touch and only myself and the person you possess can see you." Goetia shrugged, "You're a ghost."

"I sometimes want to punch you really, really hard."

"I know." Goetia sighed "...I've been punched by Heracles, your fists would be akin to mosquito bites." he turned to Byleth "And?"

Byleth stared at him in silence for a few moments "...I feel like you're actually submissive and that gets me going a little bit." she remarked.

"...I was technically a summoned familiar, thus I can be called submissive towards a Master in a sense, but I have long since-"

"Can I be your Master?"

"...I want to say no but a smaller part of me wishes to say yes and the two are in conflict."

"Say yes."

"I suddenly want to leave." Seteth turned around, opening the door only to find Rhea on the other side of it.

The woman looked over Seteth's shoulder at Byleth "If I sprinkled glitter in my hair would you pay attention to me? Also, can I call you mother?"

"...I am slowly losing the desire to live and wish that my only concern was that time you kept those demon tentacles in the Library."

"As am I." Goetia agreed.