Edelgard was offered a shield by one of her Generals but she refused instead she kept on using two-handed axes as it gives her much more power behind her attacks as she carries her Greataxe by her side 

They walk down the steps alongside the rest of the student that came to this field trip with Claude talking to Lysithea and Dimitri talking to Dedue as it appears that they are explaining the situation at hand. Dedue seems pretty shocked while Lysithea face is filled with hope 

The carriage was outside waiting for them alongside the Imperial Guards that escort them here 

Randolph was waiting for them while Ladislava and the rest of the Wyvern Lords/Falcon Knights got up on their mounts and took to the skies 

The rest got their weapons before entering the carriage 

Edelgard got in first, then Dimitri, then Claude and finally Randolph 

"Randolph is the messenger pigeon been launched to Fort Merceus?" Edelgard asked as Randolph nods 

"Yes, Your Majesty, it has been launched and the troops stationed at Fort Merceus should be prepared for our arrival," said Randolph 

"Alright...so, all we can do it just wait until we arrive at Fort Merceus then we can move towards Hrym mountain alongside the Imperial army...we must not let a single one escape," said Edelgard as she tightens her fist while looking at Dimitri and Claude 

"I agree...we must kill every last one of them...we must not let these beast roam free," said Dimitri as Claude eyes when wide towards Dimitri 

"Whoa...Dimitri calm down now...we don't what to lose you due to your own reckless," said Claude as he looks away at the window staring at the Imperial Guards escorting them 

"Your Majesty, are you for sure that...you won't wield a shield?" Randolph asked with a concerned look on his face 

Edelgard nods "Yes, a shield makes it impossible for me to wield a two-handed axe, I had enough of hiding so now...I just focus on offensive power," said Edelgard with a straight look on her face 

"Edelgard...even so having a shield might save your life," said Claude as he joins in with Randolph being concerned for Edelgard alongside Dimitri 

"I have to agree with Claude...what if you face Archers or Crossbowmen?" Dimitri asked with a worried look on his face 

"Gambeson armour and even so, I rather not be restricted by heavy armour," said Edelgard as she looked outside at the window 

"So...are we still going to fight against the Church of Serios?" Randolph asked as he straightened himself 

Edelgard sighed and took a deep breath as everyone is staring at her. She looked at Randolph then at Dimitri and Claude "Dimitri...Claude...if I declare war against the Church of Serios will you follow me or will be against me?" Edelgard asked as her voice is filled with doubt and worry

"...it up to you Princess...if you what to declare war against the Church of Serios then...as long as you do the right actions...I stick with you," said Claude as he leans back with a sigh 

"Same with Claude...just promise me that you will do the right thing within your heart," said Dimitri as Edelgard looked away 

"I promise...once this is over and prepared...I shall give Rhea one chance as promised...if not, we shall declare war against the Church of Serios," said Edelgard as she sighed once more while looking outside at the window 

"Your Majesty, just remember that we shall fight by your side no matter what," said Randolph as he pats Edelgard on her right shoulder 

Edelgard turn towards Randolph "Thank you, General Randolph, but for now, let us focus on dealing TWSITD," Edelgard looked away towards the window 

Claude nods towards Dimitri in which Dimitri obeyed as he moved closer toward Edelgard as he extends his hand 

"Edelgard...the weight of all this responsible...is it crushing you?" Dimitri ask as he grabs Edelgard hand 

Edelgard sighed and looked at Dimitri with sorrow looking eyes "Yes Dimitri...all this weight, it crushing me...I am fine with taking up the responsibility of becoming Emperor in the place of my father but...declaring war? It a completely different than just becoming Emperor...if I declare war...generals and soldiers will die fighting and innocent people are going to be caught by the flames of war...the flames of war in which I am starting in my name...these generals, soldiers, and people will be dying under my name," said Edelgard as she looks down onto the carriage ground 

Randolph looked sadden by the sight as he just stares at Edelgard while Claude pats Edelgard on the back 

"It fine Edelgard, we are all here for you...to make sure that you are guided to the right path," said Claude as he smiles at Edelgard 

"Yes, just remember that you are not alone...you have us...you have me Edelgard...remember the time we spend during the ball?" Dimitri asked as he smiles at Edelgard 

Edelgard smiled at Dimitri "Yea...I do, thank you...thank you two for backing me up...I don't know what would happen to me if...," Edelgard shakes his her head "Nevermind...it all under the rug...for now let just focus on the future," Edelgard smiles at the two 

"Hey? What about me?" Randolph asked as the three lords started to laugh "What? Did I say something funny?" 

They continued their discussion until they heard a loud gate being opened by a pair of Gigas Knights as Ladislava landed inside the fortress and when straight towards the carriage as Randolph exited out alongside the other lords 

The Fortress is filled with troops lined up with all of their equipment and appears to be prepared 

Ladislava bowed "Your majesty, we arrived and the troops are ready for your command," said Ladislava 

The troops line themselves up in a battalion which sizes at least 10x5 beside the officer who stands in the middle in front ordering the whole battalion

Edelgard leads the way of inspection of the troops. The troops line up from their different class like how Paladins are separate from Heros, Warriors, etc. This is the same for the other classes who are lined up in orderly fashion. All of them lined up in stand easy unless the new Emperor comes to inspect them or if they are next to be inspected they will stand at attention. In which the officer leading the battalion would guide the Emperor through the battalion 

The inspection took at least an hour-long while Dimitri, Claude, Petra, Ferdinand, and Hubert prepare themselves for battle alongside Dedue and Lysithea after they been told the truth about going to war against TWSITD by Dimitri and Claude 

Onto the Wooden Stage, Edelgard raised her Axe forwards towards the Amyn Mountains as the entire army started to move towards the Amyn mountains

Edelgard stared at the dozen of troops leaving through the front gate

"It begins now...we just declare war against TWSITD...no more being the puppet...now...let go and assist." Edelgard nods to the two Generals "Ladislava you are in charge of the north alongside Claude Von Riegen, Randolph I am leaving the western part of Hrym Mountain to you also Prince Dimitri shall assist you. Treat them as if they were my orders! I handle the South, remember that time isn't on our side. We must defeat them before they unleash a Javelin of Light on our homes, I wish the best of luck," Said Edelgard as Ladislava and Randolph bowed 

"Yes your Majesty, We shall not fail!" Ladislava turns toward the filers "Hurry up you slowpokes we must not waste a single second!" shouted Ladislava as she got into her Wyvern 

"I understand your Majesty, we will allow Enbarr to fall into a wasteland by those monsters scum," Randolph when towards the foot soldiers "Double time! Heck...Triple Time! We must not waste a single moment even if we must do a long march!" shouted Randolph as he when with the foot soldier while Ladislava flew off with the filers 

She quickly turns toward Claude "Claude, you be assisting the assault in North...I have heard that Almyrans can use Wyvern...so Claude...ready to fly?" Edelgard smirks at Claude 

"Well, Princess...I can...just leave to me," said Claude as he picks up one the Wyvern and easily tames it "I got this...hey Lysithea I am going to need you so..." Lysithea interrupts him 

"I know...I cover your back Claude just keep it steady," said Lysithea as she got the Wyvern as they both flew off alongside Ladislava 

She turns toward Dimitri "Dimitri, I need you to assist Randolph on the assault in the West...can I depend on you?" Edelgard asked in which Dimitris 

"Yes, we shall..." Dimitri turns toward Dedue "Dedue! Let go!" shouted Dimitri as he alongside Randolph 

"I will make sure his Highness does not come to harm," said Dedue as he follows behind Dimitri 

Edelgard turn towards the mounted units as they mounted up and started heading towards South of the Amyn Mountain alongside Hubert, Petra and Ferdinand 

----------

The new crowned Emperor of the Adrestian Empire Edelgard has silently declared war without the Church of Serios permission alongside personal reforms and purge within the higher nobility of the Empire. Lord Arundel wasn't present within the court itself 

At Fort Merceus the Imperial army has quickly gathered and mobilization into a strong and effective force of over 800,000 soldiers alongside the 5,000 Imperial Guards send from the Capital

Once Imperial scouts confirmed Hubert report that TWSITD has positioned their main base within Hrym Mountain without wasting any time Emperor Edelgard quickly planned for a quick assault to disable the Javelin of Light before it can launch into the air  

Their movement from Fort Merceus to Mountain Hrym will be disguised as a massive military exercise/movement 

The plan for the massive three-way assault is underway as they will strike in the North, West and South 

The North will be lead by General Ladislava and Claude Von Riegen who are in command of over 100,000 filers

The West will be lead by General Randolph and Prince Dimitri who are in command of 400,000 troops 

The South will be lead personally by Emperor Edelgard herself will be in command of over 300,000 troops and 5,000 Imperial Guards with Reinforcement arriving from nearby lands of the Empire

After a long exhausting journey with the help of the supply trains, they arrived at the Hrym Mountain in just two days as they dug into their assigned position. They stood to stand easy as they prepare for the assault, after one long rest at the raise of the dawn for the third day. The assault onto Hrym Mountain shall begin 

The Battle for the Hrym Mountain is about to begin