(Spoilers for Black Eagles Chapter 12)
It’s time I told the truth. Edelgard decided. My lies have only made things worse before now. Perhaps… Trusting in my teacher is the right thing to do.
“I can’t tell you here.” Edelgard said, looking around. “Take me somewhere private. Your room is nearby, is it not?”
Her teacher nodded. His miniature student in hand, he walked over to his bedroom.
Byleth shut the door behind him. Stepping over to his desk, he held his hand close to the surface, next to his journal. Taking his cue, Edelgard stood and stepped off his palm.
Desk number four… She thought as she looked around. I think I preferred being in his hand.
“All right, then.” He said, taking a seat nearby. “Can you tell me now?”
Edelgard hesitated. She had already made her decision, yet she could not help but doubt. She felt afraid, but not of the size of the giant. It was rejection that she now feared the most.
No, I have to tell him. She thought. I’ll hold out my hand. Maybe he’ll reach back, and if he does, he might do it again…
“Have you ever wondered if there is a hidden, darker side to the Monastery?” She asked him. “I have. Its huge, sprawling structure holds many mysteries, numerous hidden chambers that few have seen, even though so many people call it home.”
“I think everyone has thought about that from time to time.” Byleth agreed, encouraging her to continue.
“I often wonder… What sorts of secrets are hidden in these walls? And I can’t help but think something sinister could lie beneath. Do you remember what happened to those people from the Western church, once they were brought before the Archbishop?”
“They were executed.” He recalled. “Without any real questioning. I guess that never sat right with me.”
“I’m glad you understand, my teacher.” Edelgard smiled. Is it too much to hope that he might actually…
No, I’m getting ahead of myself. “I think that there may be people within the Monastery that don’t have goals aligning with our own.” She continued. “To that end, I decided to investigate on my own, to avoid suspicion.”
Her teacher nodded.
“Naturally, I was drawn to the Holy Tomb. It’s an important chamber to the Church of Seiros, and few have ever been allowed inside. I believe it’s possible that important secrets are housed within, secrets that could be dangerous to us, and even to Fodlan.”
Byleth’s brow furrowed, but he allowed her to continue.
“I have to find out. However… Getting inside proved difficult. It is under constant guard by the knights. I enlisted Hubert’s help, and he… Suggested a certain spell.” She paused, a bit embarrassed by where her story would go next.
I can’t stop now. I’ve told him too much already…
“At my request, he used a spell of reduction on me. My logic was that by shrinking myself down to ten centimeters tall, I could get past the guards undetected, and explore the Holy Tomb. Hubert was to carry me there, however… We were separated. By stable duty.”
“I thought Hubert was acting strangely. Last night, when I came to get him…”
“So you noticed.” Edelgard nodded. “I was on his desk at the time.” She looked down to the table, feeling more than a bit of heat.
Trying to distract herself, she continued. “Hubert left me alone. I didn’t think I could wait for him, so I…”
“… I lost my balance and fell. Then I landed on your head, and… Well, here we are now.” Edelgard finished.
“That was… Quite an adventure.” Byleth said, having listened in silence to the rest of her tale.
“I admit, things didn’t exactly go to plan.” Edelgard said. “But there’s no changing that. I can only keep moving forward.”
I somehow… Feel much better now. Edelgard thought. I suppose it was the strain of keeping it all to myself, but… What now?
“So, when you shrank the second time… That was from using your crest?” He asked.
“I believe so. When Hubert used his spell on me, it felt similar to using a crest.” She said.
“Hmm…”
“Now that I have told you everything up until now, there’s something I must ask you.” Edelgard stood, facing her teacher. Fear twisted her heart, but she forced herself to stand with dignity. She had to muster her courage and see him as an equal, despite his size, otherwise he might never agree to her request.
“Will you help me? You said you share in my curiosity about the hidden side of the Church. With your assistance, I could find the answers you seek.”
The moment of truth. What will your decision be, my teacher? She thought with a gulp.
Her professor thought carefully before answering, leaving her in a moment of dreadful suspense.
“I’m not sure there is anyone with ill intent in the Church.” Byleth said at last. “At least, I don’t suspect anyone I know of harbouring such desires.”
“I see…” She felt a pang of regret hearing those words.
“However, you might be right about something dangerous being housed in these walls.” He said. “This place is so old, there could be anything here. We should find out, and if the others aren’t forthcoming, well… That means your approach is the best.”
“S-so you’ll help me?” Edelgard asked, hope welling up inside her.
“Yes. I know you wouldn’t do something like this without a good reason, and I trust your judgement. Also, I don’t think you’ll hurt anyone by doing this…”
“Thank you, my teacher. I am so glad you understand.” She smiled.
So he does have doubts about the Church as an entity, but not the people… She thought. Interesting. He’s halfway there. When it truly matters, and I reach out again, will he agree with me then?
“You never fail to surprise me.” He said, scratching his head. “I never even imagined you’d end up shrinking.”
“You’re full of surprises yourself.” Edelgard pointed out. “I can never predict what you’ll do next. But enough about that for the moment. We should discuss what to do next.”
“In truth, I was ready to give up on my mission.” Edelgard admitted. “I was just aiming to get back to Hubert and restore myself to normal. But with your help, perhaps I can get inside the Holy Tomb after all.”
“I may be faculty, but I’m not one of the knights.” He pointed out. “I can’t get in.”
“True, but you could certainly make things easier for me. Perhaps you could act as a distraction and allow me to sneak inside.” She mused.
“That sounds dangerous. I know you’re often on the battlefield, but this is something else entirely.” He said.
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m sure I can manage.” She insisted. “Although Ferdinand found me, I’m smaller now. It will be much easier for me to get in undetected.”
“That’s not what I meant. If there really is something dangerous in there, you won’t be able to defend yourself.” He pointed out.
“If that were the case, then I would only need to escape. That will be trivial at this size.” She nodded, affirming to herself that she was right.
“Well, it’s your decision. As your teacher, my role is to guide you. Whatever you decide, I’ll lend you a hand.” He said.
“Thank you, my teacher. Your understanding and assistance… Mean a lot to me.” After losing Hubert many hours ago, she had finally found someone genuinely willing to listen to her instructions.
“I don’t know where Hubert went.” She told her teacher. “I would have thought he would look for me through the night, but… Hm. Maybe he has another reason keeping him away.”
“I’ll help you look for him. I’m sure I can figure out where he went.” Byleth offered.
“Maybe it would be best to find him first. However, I am keen to get this over with, and it’ll be dangerous roaming the Monastery with me for too long…” She shivered slightly as she remembered her confrontation with the bird.
“We could also wait until nightfall. You should have an easier time getting into the Holy Tomb then.” He suggested.
“A good point.” Edelgard carefully considered her next move…
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