Randolph witness the Emperor Personal Guard carrying the steel coffin of the Emperor out of the palace "The Emperor Death...I wonder how her majesty is feeling now," he muttered

Dimitri looked outside of the palace. At the front gate where he saw at least thousands or more citizens of the Empire gathering outside while the soldiers attempted to keep the crowd in check alongside being on the lookout for possible assassins

Edelgard meanwhile waited in her seat until a knock was heard from her door "Come in," she replied which opened to reveal Judith alongside a Royal Guard

Judith examined the room then at Edelgard while the Royal Guard bowed before leaving and closing the door

She stared at Judith who kept a calm look on her face. Edelgard stood up and extend her hand forward "Welcome...Hero of Daphnel. What brings you here to Enbarr?" Edelgard asked

She smiled at Edelgard before shaking her hand "It's nice to meet you face to face...your majesty"

Edelgard sighed "Please, drop the formality. So, let me get straight to the point. Why are you here?"

"Where is Claude?" Judith asked with a straight face

"I..." she looked away from Judith as Edelgard took a deep breath "I..." However, she got cut off when Judith raised her hand

"The boy is gone isn't he..." Judith sighed as she stared outside of the window "Your reaction gave it away,"

Edelgard nods "I am so sorry...we should have stuck together instead of..."

She shook her head "Your Majesty, you shouldn't blame yourself. In fact, Claude wrote this letter a while ago just in case if..." She hesitated for a moment "He didn't make it," Judith revealed a letter that has the seal of the deer

"Wait...you knew that he was going to die?" Edelgard asked with a frown on her face

Judith shook her head once more "No, he just...prepared for the worst."

She took the letter within Judith's hands and open it. Edelgard stared at the letter

'Dear Edelgard and Dimitri

If you are reading this letter...please forgive me. It looks like, I left you guys all on your own. If that the case, I am sorry. I won't be able to complete my dreams of finding lost knowledge alongside exploring outside of Fodlan. But hey, don't cry. It would ruin your beautiful eyes Edelgard and your handsome face Dimitri.

I was afraid of the possibility of dying at any moment as we learned our painful lesson from Ashe and Marianne's death is that. Not everyone will be able to complete their dreams...their future. Thankfully my own plans of uniting all of Fodlan together have been changed into you Edelgard and Dimitri. So please, read this last part carefully as it's my final wish.

Don't you dare give up and please...make sure that you are going on the right path,'

Edelgard lowered the letter to her side "Claude..." she looked at Judith "Thank you, Hero, of D..."

Judith cuts her off "Judith is fine with me. Just take it easy, your majesty,"

"Thank you for being concerned. It brings some life into my mind," Edelgard sat back down

"No problem, your majesty. Now, if you excuse me. I need to head back to Alliance at haste," Judith turned around, opened the door and left

"I understand...ride into the winds Judith," she muttered as Edelgard when into the bathroom and took a shower

------------------

Dimitri got a sudden knock onto his head as he started to struggle against himself "No...that not true, these are just...visions,"

-----------------

Dimitri slowly walked up to the defeated Emperor whom shield and axe have shattered into pieces, her armour plates are torn, as she struggles to stand up due to the blood lost

He stared at Edelgard before offering his left hand while keeping his spear by his right hand "El..."

Edelgard stared up at Dimitri while the bright light shines through the throne room

Both of them stared at each with Dimitri smiling at her. In return, she smiled back at Dimitri but that when she pulled out a dagger and tossed it at Dimitri right arm

But that when Dimitri thrust his spear right into her chest

Dimitri frowned under his breath before withdrawing the spear out of her chest causing her corpse to fall over. He then pulled out the dagger and examined it "El...you fool," he muttered as Dimitri was about to lay the dagger near Edelgard corpse but for some reason. His hand refuse to obey his command. Dimitri examined the dagger once more before sheathing it away

He then turned around to exit out of the throne room but before he made his exit to the cheering soldiers outside. Dimitri took one last look at Edelgard corpse and the throne room "...you shall be buried under my blessing." said Dimitri, as he turned back around and never, looked back

------------------

He exited out of the throne room and took a seat within the garden as Dimitri tries to relieve his mind

A voice was heard beside him"Hey, are you alright?" A young girl asked

Dimitri turned towards the young girl "Huh? A young girl?" He stared at the young girl for a moment "Why...why do you feel so familiar?" Dimitri asked

She had a confused look on her face "Huh? What are you talking about? I never saw you until now. Anyway, my name is Fleche and I was just asking. Are you alright?" Fleche asked

He nods "...yea, I am fine. I am just exhausted that all,"

Fleche frowned "Sorry but your face tells a different story. After all, my brother has talked about you during your first time here,"

"Your brother?" he examined Fleche's face more closely "Wait...Fleche. Your Randolph little sister?" Dimitri asked

She nods "Yep, I have heard that you have fallen in love with her majesty," Fleche smiled at Dimitri

He pats her on the head "That true. Let me guess, you eavesdropped on his convenience with Ladislava?"

Fleche nods once more "Yep! Ladislava visited our home lately and challenged Randolph to a chess match," said Fleche

Dimitri smiled "Let me guess, Ladislava won?"

She smirked "My brother made a stupid mistake that cost him the game,"

"Oh...so he was close to beating her?" Dimitri asked

"Yea, sadly that single mistake caused him to lost the game," Fleche replied

"Understandable...as we are all acceptable to mistakes. Not everyone is born perfect," Dimitri sighed and looked up at the sky

"Hmm...true." she then noticed something "Oh, sorry I have to go now. It was nice chatting with you," Fleche waved Dimitri goodbye before leaving him alone

Dimitri waved back as he watches Fleche disappear around the corner "Again...why does she seem familiar?"

------------

Shamir entered her room, set the bow to the side, closed the door and lay onto her bed "...fight what you believe in..." she muttered

"Alright, Professor. I grant your final wish," said Shamir as she stood up and started to prepare

--------------

Catherine continued to investigate the tower "Any leads?" Catherine asked the Church Soldier

The Church Soldier shook his head "Nothing yet. It's still too dark to tell, please forgive us, Lady Catherine,"

She frowned as Catherine placed her right hand onto her face "Dam...I guess, I will have to face Rhea wrath on my own," Catherine sighed and looked at her Thunderbrand "We don't have much time left...if we don't find the Professor within an hour. Call off the search," said Catherine

The Soldier bowed "Yes, Lady Catherine," said the Soldier before leaving her alone

"Dear Goddess please have mercy on me," Catherine muttered under her breath

--------------

Ladislava entered her office and took a sigh of relief but time waits for nobody as a knocked was heard from her door

"Enter!" Ladislava ordered in a plain voice

The door opened revealing a young soldier who appears to be very young around his middle 10s while processing brown hair and has a bit of a tan on his skin most likely due to working under the sun for long periods of time

He closed the door behind him "Umm, yes madam. I got a report," said the Soldier as he nervous hand her a scroll marked by the Royal Seal of the Eagle

Ladislava took the scroll and examined the soldier "You there, how old are you?" Ladislava asked

The soldier continued to be nervous "oh...umm...18 madam, why did you ask?"

She examined him once more "You must be one of the fresh recruits and let me guess...you lied about your age to enlist within the army. Is that correct?"

"No, madam. I didn't lie about my age. I just enlisted on my choice," the Soldier replied while trying to keep a brave look on his face

Ladislava sighed as she set the scroll aside onto her desk "Just stop...your nervous voice gave it away. So tell me...what is your real reason for enlisting?" She then turned back to the soldier

He sighed in defeat "...please don't discharge me. Please don't," he begged

She tit her head "We shall see. First, your name,"

He placed both of his hand behind his back "Will...I know, they named me after Emperor Willaim,"

"Alright Will. Next question, tell me your real age."

"...14," Will looked away from her

She frowned at his age "That is awfully young. How did you manage to get in? Was it due to your height or did you bribe the recruitment officers," Ladislava asked

He shook his head "...neither madam, I just said that I was 18 and they let me through without any problems," said Will

Ladislava covered her face with her right hand "They turned a blind eye...I need to investigate these officers after this." she muttered before lowering her hand to her side "Anyways, next question, why did you join the army?"

Will sighed "It's for the pay. I need it to...." Will just stopped out of nowhere

Ladislava looked at the young soldier "Let me guess, it's about your family or what left of it. You need the money to support your younger sibling," said Ladislava

"...that is correct. I need the money to support my younger sister," His eyes were filled with sadness as sorrow

She pats him on the back "I understand your troubles but it still doesn't excuse you lying about your age. You do understand the punishment for lying about your age...is that correct?"

Will bit his lip and looked away "y...yes, I do..."

Ladislava sighed as she when back to her seat "Normally, you would be sentenced for breaking Military code verdict two. But for now...stay inside my office," she points at the chair across from her "You may take a seat,"

"Y...yes, madam," Will sat across from Ladislava as she opened the scroll and examined it

She examined the scroll a solid min before closing it and grabbing a blank scroll alongside the ink and quilt

Will didn't say anything as Ladislava wrote something within the scroll "Will...listen closely as right now I am giving you a choice to leave the army with full payment and without any punishment," She pulled out a small pouch of gold coins "So, make your choice. Your freedom or your new promotion," Ladislava pass the scroll to Will

Will examined the scroll "A promotion to...secretary to...Commander Ladislava...you want me to become your personal secretary?" Will asked with a surprised look on his face

"Yes, you are way too young to be at the frontlines. So that why I am moving you to a 'safer' position," Ladislava replied as she leans back a bit on her seat

He frowned as Will continued to examine the scroll "How much is the pay for secretary?"

"Good enough to support an entire family if...you do a good job that is," Ladislava assured Will

"...Alright, I rather stay here then back to the dirty streets," said Will as he attempted to hand Ladislava the scroll back but she shook her head and hand it back

"Not yet, first, do you know how to write?" Ladislava asked while remaining concerned

"Umm...yes, madam. I can write my own name," Will grabbed the quail and the ink in which Ladislava passes the scroll to Will

"Good, now sign here," she points at the bottom of the scroll

Will obeyed as he started to sign within his name and hand it's back to Ladislava

Ladislava examined his signature in which she appeared to be disappointed "No last name?" Ladislava asked while pointing at the bottom of the scroll which only has Will name on it

"I am sorry Madam. I...I can't fill that one out," Will replied who started to become nervous once more

She frowned but sighed as Ladislava set the scroll down "Alright if you have any problems or troubles. Free feel to ask," said Ladislava as she wrote her own signature onto the scroll

"Yes Madam, I will do my best,"

Ladislava smiled at Will "Good, now hand this in within your company commander and prepare to move...as you will be getting your own room,"

Will stood up and bowed "Yes Madam, I shall take my leave," but before He could leave will was hand another scroll

"I nearly forgot, can you hand this to her majesty at once?" Ladislava asked

He nods and grabbed the scroll "Yes Madam," said Will before leaving her office

She smiled at the sight of Will leaving the office but after that. Her face transformed back into a frown "...How many lives will we have to throw away?" Ladislava asked once more while looking outside of her window

-----------------

The Teenager charged forth thrust her spear towards Marianne who simple step out of the way to avoid getting hit

Marianne then countered her spear by knocking it away with her Silver Sword by drawing it out

She frowned as the Teenager quickly reacted and prevented herself from being wide open by quickly doing a wide kick across forcing her back

"Dam...that was close," muttered the Teenager as she straightens herself "I underestimated you. I didn't know that you can wield swords as well as magic,"

Marianne frowned at the teenager "Just because I wield magic doesn't mean that I can't defend myself in close combat,"

"Wait...I never saw you carrying that sword before...how did you manage to...?" she got cut off by Marianne who tossed her silver sword right pass her head which landed right onto the stone wall before crashing down onto the stone floor

"Keep yourself focus, you can't afford to look away during a fight," Marianne replied with a harsh voice within her words

"S...sorry, let just continue," said the Teenager before spinning her spear around

She sighed in disappointment "She needs more training..." Marianne muttered as she prepared a spell with her left hand

"I got you now!" she thrust with all of her strength but to no avail as Marianne drew out another silver sword parrying the thrust

"To predict," she replied before moving her blade right in front of her neck "And there you go...you are dead," said Marianne before withdrawing her sword

"Dam it!" she frowned and lowered her spear "I lost...I can't believe it, you wield two swords?" the teenager asked

She shook her head "No, I just used a little trick...nothing more," Marianne replied as the teenager noticed the sword on the stone floor disappearing into blue dust

"I see...you used magic but..." she got cut off

"Magic can do many things if...you know how to wield it. It can even surprise the most knowledge of mages," she smiled as the phantoms bowed before one of them handed her a candle then they just disappeared into dust

"Just how powerful are you?" The teenager asked while examining Marianne

She chuckled under her breath "Not as powerful as my Professor who taught me everything,"

"Everything? You mean...how to wield magic, swords, etc?"

Marianne nods in agreement "Yes, sadly my Professor has forever departed from this world,"

The Teenager gave a sorrow look at Marianne "Oh...so you must have felt lonely just...staying here,"

She sighed as Marianne opened the door "No need to feel sorry, rather you should be concerned about yourself and...your classmates,"

"Hmm...that might be true but I am also concerned about you. How long have you been living here?" the Teenager asked

"I will not answer that," Marianne replied as both of them entered the room which is filled with darkness

"Man...this must be a huge room. How do you live in this...darkness for goddess knows how long?"

She smiled at the teenager "It's normal for me,"

----------------

Edelgard exited out of the bathroom wearing a red towel above her chest. She sighed as Edelgard when to her closest and wore her undergarments before wearing her black dress and covering her face in a black veil

She then exited out of her room where Edelgard noticed Dimitri within the garden "..." she slowly walked up to Dimitri "Dimitri...are you alright?" Edelgard asked

"Yes, I was just chatting with Fleche earlier but more importantly. Are you alright?" Dimitri asked with a concerned look on his face

She looked away and sighed before looking back at Dimitri "If you what my honest opinion...no," Edelgard replied

Dimitri placed his hand onto Edelgard's shoulder "...I understand, I had the same feeling when...our father died during the Tragedy of Duscur,"

"We both experienced pain of losing someone close to us but yet...It's like I lost everything within this world," Edelgard look away from Dimitri and examine the flowers within the garden

"True, the feeling of loss can easily...blind you into the wrong path. Claude might be gone but...please, Edelgard let us respect his wishes of uniting all of the Fodlan once this war is over,"

"...yes, we shall," She kept on looking away from Dimitri "All of this weight...all of the blood and souls...I...I don't think I am strong enough,"

Dimitri embraces her "Edelgard, remember our vow within the goddesses tower. You don't have to burden yourself with all of that weight...you are not alone," said Dimitri

"Thank you...now if you excuse me," she separated herself from Dimitri embraces "I need to attend to my people," said Edelgard

"Please do...please do," he replied as Edelgard slowly walks away from him

----------------------

Meanwhile

Will knocked onto the door "Your Majesty...your majesty?" he sighed as Will slowly opened the door "Your majesty?" he examines the room and realized that his majesty is nowhere to be found

He started to panic as Will just started running through the hallways until he noticed Edelgard leaving the garden

"Wait, your majesty!" he shouted in which Dimitri step in

"What is it's?" Dimitri asked with a frown on his face

"A letter, for her majesty. Please, I need to give to her at once!" shouted Will

Dimitri examined the letter "Thank you, I can handle the rest." before grabbing the letter out of Will's hand

"If...if you say so...sorry may I ask for your name?" Will asked while being nervous

"...Dimitri, what is your name?" Dimitri asked back at Will

---------------------

Isbeil finished off a bandit while the rest started to flee into the woods

She frowned at the sight of woods while Lyla grabbed her shoulder "Hey...are you alright?" Lyla asked with a concerned look on her face

Isbeil nods "Yea, I am fine." she turned to look at Ingrid

She dismounted from her mount "Listen up! The bandits have fled into the woods. Stay at the eyesight of each other and remember your training!" shouted Ingrid as she was to advance into the woods but that when a group of bandits appeared

They all raised their weapon but strangely the bandits just drop their weapons while running

"Help! Help!" shouted the bandits which confused the students

Ingrid raised her hand "Halt! Surrender yourself at once!"

The bandits raised their hand in the air but soon a roar was heard within the woods in which they started to run once more

Her eyes when wide alongside Isbeil whos breathing started to become heavy

"Miss Ingrid, what should we do now?" Dusek asked while pointing to the bandits who are still fleeing

Ingrid bit her lip before slapping her mount away "Let them through...we are about to have bigger problems on our hands," Ingrid replied as a Demonic beast tore through the woods

"What is that thing?" Lyla asked with a surprised look on her face. The other students were surprised as they prepare themselves besides Isbeil whose eyes are still wide at the sight of the beast

Isbeil started to tremble at the sight "No...no...no..." she muttered

"This is a Demonic Beast, remember it well as this fight is not going to be easy," Ingrid switched to her Mithril Spear "Stay behind me! Let me get his attention!"

"Yes, Madam." Dusek looked back at Isbeil who sank into her knees "Hey...Isbeil...are you there?"

"No...please, no! PLEASE!" Isbeil begged as she dropped her weapons and started to panic

Dusek eyes when wide "Isbeil! Calm..." he got cut off when Brian shouted "Watch out!" before tacked him onto the ground where a large rock flew overhead killing some of the bandits

Ariah fired a bolt at the Demonic Beast but it just bounced off harmless "My bolts aren't doing anything," said Ariah before she started to reload her crossbow

Lyla cast a pair of wind blades that land onto the Demonic Beast face but did very little damage "How tough is it?" Lyla asked while the Beast itself tossed another rock at Lyla but she avoids it by rolling to the side

Ingrid charged forth and landed two hits against the Beast face dealing with some damage. The Demonic Beast in return raised his claws. She reacted quickly by backstepping to avoid getting crushed under its claw "Focus on its eyes!"

Ariah obeyed and when on one knee to aim before releasing the bolt. It flew into the air and landed onto the face but once again it just bounced harmless "Rats..." She started to reload once more

Brian got off of Dusek and pulled him up "Thanks Brian for the save," he pats him on the back before looking back at Isbeil

"Mother...mother!" shouted Isbeil which made Dusek eyes wide

"Mother?" he looked back at the Demonic Beast "...I think I got all of the pieces. Brian keeps an eye on Isbeil. It looks like, I have to bring 'it' out,"

Brian bowed "Yes, your highness,"

Dusek sighed as he pulled out stealth coloured in red. He started to pull out the sword which gave out a bright light "Sword of Light, lend me your strength in protecting the weak against this Demonic Beast. As I shall release you from your slumber." His crest started to awaken within him "Awaken yourself, Sword of Serios,"

Ingrid turned around and noticed the bright light which made her eyes go wide

He pulled out the sword from its sheath and raised right in front of the Demonic Beast blinding in its bright light "Miss Ingrid," Dusek nods towards the Demonic Beast legs

She nods back before spinning her spear around and slashing its legs multiple times

Lyla and Ariah were shocked at the bright light "It can't be...he brought a Sacred weapon?" Lyla asked

"It's...beautiful," said Ariah as she continued to stare at the bright light

Once Ingrid brought the Beast down. Dusek took the opportunity as he dashes forth, he then jumped onto its mask, climb up onto it's top before thrusting the sword downwards

The Demonic Beast screamed in pain before slowly disappearing into black ashes where a body of bandit took its place

Ingrid examined the body "Tah...what a fool," she muttered before looking back at Dusek "Dusek, we need to have a little chat...now,"

Dusek sighed and stealth the sword back "Yes, madam." he looked back at Brian "How is she doing?" Dusek asked

Brian examined Isbeil who fainted during the battle "...She fine, you don't need to worry," Brian replied

Lyla when over to Brian alongside Ariah "Excuse me Brian but...was that a Sacred Weapon?" Lyla asked

He nods "Yes, his Highness kept the sword at his side. Just in case if we face a foe too strong,"

"Well...we should be thankful for his Highness. As we would have been in deeper trouble if he hadn't pulled out that sword," said Ariah with a smile on her face

Brian smiled back "Indeed, although he is missing the shield..." he sighed "That reminds me...how is Isbeil?"

Lyla frowned at the sight of her friend "...this is our personal secret but I guess, there no point of hiding it now..." she took a deep breath "Isbeil had a tough childhood. As during their visit to her grandmother grave...a demonic beast came out of nowhere and..." Lyla hesitated

"Oh...I see, that why she...panicked when the Demonic beast came into view," Ariah gave a sorry look at Isbeil

"I am afraid so, my mother was grief-stricken for a whole week once she heard about her friend died," She looked towards the ocean for a moment

"Hmm...what about her father?" Brian asked with a curious look on his face

she lowered her arms "From what I heard. He is still drinking in grief and rarely attends to his duties. That is why she is currently living under our roof as her father can't even take care of her anymore," Lyla replied

"Doesn't she have any relatives?" he asked once more

Lyla nods "Yes, her uncle but is he often busy with work. In fact, he was the one who suggests that she lives under our roof instead of...her father's place,"

Brian stared at Isbeil "I know this sounds rude but what is her father and mother's name?" Brian asked

She gave a dirty look at Brian "...I only heard about their first name but If I remember correctly, it's...Sylvain and Mercedes," Lyla replied

Ariah eyes when wide at the comment while Brian remained stonecold