>>5493859The Professor, always a woman of few words, simply nods. Despite the years passing, she looks the same as she always has. Her hair still sports the same stark shade of green that you recall it taking after the battle with Solon. She’s covered in blood, most of which is the enemy’s rather than her own. The look on her face is one of…boredom? Perhaps that might be stretching things. But she looks as though she’s in her natural habitat. She shows no signs of being worn down by the oppressive heat or even the fighting. To her, this all appears to be second nature. She nods her approval towards Judith, before looking towards you. She studies you for only a quick second, before raising her eyebrows and opening her mouth.
“Blair? Is that you?” The Professor move towards you and gives you a hug, staining your armor in blood. “It’s been so long. You look great.” She says, with barely a trace of emotion.
>“T-thanks…Professor. Y-you too.” You return the gesture, feeling Judith drilling a hole through the back of your head. The woman must think you an utter fool at this point. The moment abruptly ends when a soldier with the Knights of Seiros yells out in alarm, alerting those around him.“The Dukedom’s soldiers are gathering for another attack! They’ll be here shortly!”
“I see you still ride a Pegasus.” The Professor says after letting you go. “Are these your soldiers as well? Take them and head around the enemy forces. I’ll attack them from the front, and we can catch them in a pincer.”
>“Ahh…yes, we can do that…” You aren’t used to the Professor speaking to you as…an equal? Perhaps that isn’t the right word, but you can tell from her tone that she wasn’t ordering you around. Rather, she was able to quickly deduce that you’ve taken a leadership role and was offering her own suggestion to you, as another army commander. “Are there any other Black Eagles with you?”“Yes, but we can discuss that later.” Byleth says. “For now, let’s get ready to move out. Before the lady you arrived here with gets any more agitated.”
You leave Judith behind to stand with the Knights while you once more take to the skies. Observing the battlefield, it’s clear to see that the Dukedom is in utter tatters. The archers that had previously been camped across the river of lava have fled, likely looking to get away before your winged units picked them apart. Up ahead, Gwendal’s banner seems to be getting closer, though at this point in the battle, this attack seems more akin to a suicide rush than any actual maneuver. The Knights of Seiros stand strong, ready to take on the oncoming attack while you and your soldiers begin moving across the valley. You recall Ashe’s plea, asking you to spare as many of the Dukedom soldiers as possible.
>A): Flank the Dukedom’s soldiers, slaying every last one you can>B): Flank the Dukedom’s soldiers, offering them the opportunity to surrender 