>>5635289Scanning your surroundings, you can’t help but feel as if all this celebration and revelry was still very much premature. Despite what these people might think, the Empire was still the strongest military force in all Fodlan. You knew Edelgard and Hubert well. If they’d had their backs pushed against the wall, there was no doubt they’d retaliate hard and with everything they had. For them, losing the war was not an option. Besides, after what you’d seen in Ordelia, you knew that there was still far too much work to do before you could rest with your feet up.
>“Thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather report our findings to Claude and start thinking about where we go from here.”Hildia sighs. “Work, work, work. That’s all you people ever do. Fine, let’s go see him.”
You leave Corrine the task of settling the Blackwings into the city, while you, Lysithea, and Hilda make your way to Derdriu’s castle to meet with Duke Riegan. Even with two high ranking Alliance nobles at your side, getting through the crowd is a difficult task. Each street is filled with people celebrating the end of the cold war between the two factions, and at one point you’re forced to hold onto Lysithea lest she be swept away by the crowd. Eventually though, you make it to the castle and are forwarded in by the guards stationed there. Observing the castle grounds, you notice that several soldiers are running around in a hurry, relaying orders and conducting drills. You’d seen this sort of situation enough times to know that it usually was the precursor to an impending battle.
“Hey you!” Hilda shouts to a guard standing sentry. “Tell Claude that Blair is here to see him.”
You’re led inside to Claude’s study, a place you’d been inside plenty of times before. Much like the last time you were here, the room is crowded with various tomes, maps, uneaten plates of dinner, and other assortments of clutter. Claude, perhaps somewhat uncharacteristically, stands out of his seat to wrap you and Lysithea in a big hug.
“There you are! I hadn’t heard any news from Ordelia in some time. I was actually beginning to worry. I’m glad to see the two of you return in good health.”
“L-let go, Claude!” Lysithea mutters.
>“G-good to see you too. It was a nice surprise to return to Derdriu and find out your plan was a success.”“Oh, come now, could you honestly say it was a surprise?” Claude says with a smirk. “I’m only teasing, of course. I was actually sweating the entire time..But fortunately, thanks to that Professor of yours, I’m once again at the helm of a unified Alliance force!” He stops to ponder for a moment before continuing. “Well, it is unified, right? Were you able to liberate Ordelia?”
