Blood of the Eagle and Lion

We secured the win in our first skirmish, but the next battle is a different matter.

The Empire will come after us with everything it's got. Even so, the ultimate victory will be ours.

And I'm not just saying that! I've made ample preparations to ensure our victory.

It's my rule to never leave victory to chance. You can't rely on the protection of the goddess.

With your power and my schemes, I should be able to plot a direct course to victory.

We captured the Great Bridge of Myrddin, but the fight has only just begun.

Enbarr, the Imperial Capital, lies far to the south, beyond Gronder Field.

And waiting for us on the way there is the entire Imperial army, with twice as many troops as us.

We had better brace ourselves.

I seem to lack the skills required to grieve for the dead.

If someone has passed, even someone dear to me, I could stand about and wail or get on with my life.

While I'm at it, that whole idea that we must speak well of the dead? I don't understand that either.

If I didn't like them when they were alive, then why pretend to do so when they are no longer here?

After we cross the Great Bridge of Myrddin, we'll be in my father's territory.

We actually crossed it five years ago for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. Remember?

Ugh! This is terrifying! What am I gonna do? I gotta get a grip...

So the campaign continues, does it? Well, allow me, as a professional recluse with ten years of experience, to volunteer for, um...staying behind.

Oh, who am I kidding? The fighting won't stop until we've defeated Edelgard, will it?

Or until we lose, I guess. But there's not much use in thinking about that.

The Great Bridge of Myrddin was considerably better fortified than it was five years ago...

The bridge was full of soldiers...and they all died.

And Ferdie was there. We killed Ferdie, Professor, he used to be our friend. Do you remember those days?

The Great Bridge of Myrddin was considerably better fortified than it was five years ago...

The bridge was full of soldiers...and they all died.

Nobles who are changing allegiance, again and again. I do not have understanding for that.

How can you trust if treason comes with ease? How can you be calling yourself a noble?

I do not have understanding of the reasoning...

So, the boar prince is dead. Decapitated, I hear.

I haven't seen the severed head myself. Perhaps he's still alive and leading that army...

Either way, a major battle awaits us. Try not to die. I'd be annoyed if you did.

If we defeat the Imperial army at Gronder Field, what will our next objective be?

I guess we won't have much choice but to try to take Fort Merceus, on the far side of Gronder Field.

It's probably too soon for us to be thinking about that, isn't it?

I'm sure it's already occurred to Claude though.

The time's come to fight the Empire, huh? Wow, it's shaping up to be quite the battle.

And I've got no problem with that, but that mystery army really worries me.

There's no indication if they're friend or foe... Who do you think they are, Professor?

Well, whoever they are, I hope we can avoid fighting them.

So, we're finally going to set foot in the Empire... I'm starting to get a little nervous.

We already fought Ferdinand at the Great Bridge of Myrddin, but...

I guess there's a good chance we'll be fighting more old friends from here on out.

So, we're finally going to set foot in the Empire... I'm starting to get a little nervous.

I guess there's a good chance we'll be fighting more old friends from here on out.

Claude seems filled with confidence, but I wonder if everything really will be OK...

The Imperial army might be hiding the emperor, and the troops headed south might belong to the old Kingdom.

I'll be honest... I'm incredibly uneasy about all of this. But at this point there's...no option but to move forward.

I've cut all contact with my family since joining this fight.

Were I to see soldiers of the Galatea Family amidst the host flying the royal family's banner... I... Well.

All chance of reconciliation with my father would end there. I do not know if that is the right path.

But, the fact is, I've come this far. There's no time for second guessing. Not anymore.

House Gloucester has changed its allegiance and joined the faction that is against the Empire. The Alliance will thus remain united.

But thanks to this latest ploy, my father is more suspicious of Claude now than ever. If such a thing is possible.

Ordinarily I might credit his helpful posture toward us to his devout faith in the Church of Seiros.

But it is clear to me now that this is nothing more than a shrewd calculation on his part. He is only thinking of his position.

We are in the clear for now, but please bear in mind that the Alliance is never an entirely stable union.

I gotta say, it's tough to keep the fighting spirit alive when you recognize your enemies on the battlefield.

It's like when we were fighting before... I saw Lorenz and wasn't sure what to do with myself.

Just because we're fighting someone doesn't mean we gotta hate 'em!

That's probably the worst thing about war. Win or lose, I still get a bad taste in my mouth.

I gotta say, it's tough to keep the fighting spirit alive when you recognize your enemies on the battlefield.

Just because we're fighting someone doesn't mean we gotta hate 'em!

That's probably the worst thing about war. Win or lose, I still get a bad taste in my mouth.

Thanks to our victory, I've been able to study the Great Bridge of Myrddin at my leisure.

And you know what? It's an astounding structure. So much history there.

Imagine how much time and effort it must have taken to build something that big. Over water, no less!

I hope that someday it will be opened up to the people of Fódlan—a historical site, rather than a military checkpoint.

I trust you and Claude, but I feel uneasy.

If we lose in the next battle, the Empire's army will likely come surging into Alliance territory.

If that happens, my parents won't escape unharmed. They've raised their anti-Imperial flag, after all.

Speaking with you has eased my mind a bit. Just enough, in fact, to put me in the mood for sweets.

I've been praying to the goddess for Lorenz...

We wouldn't have had to fight like that if things were different.

Um, I heard that some unidentified troops have appeared, but...

Apparently they were flying the flag of the Faerghus royal family... Do you think it was Dimitri's ghost?

His country was taken before he ever wore the crown. Surely he must regret that...

Poor Lorenz.

He and I weren't very close, but we were friends.

Claude was saying that our next battle might be in Gronder Field. Is that right?

Reminds me of the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. But of course, that was a very different time.

When it was over, all three class heads complimented each other on their bravery.

And then we had a party. But we can never go back to that, can we?

Claude was saying that our next battle might be in Gronder Field. Is that right?

Reminds me of the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. But of course, that was a very different time.

When it was over, all three class heads complimented each other on their bravery.

And then we had a party. But we can never go back to that, can we?

We might see Edelgard herself leading the enemy in the next battle.

If they're coming out of Fort Merceus, our troops might even clash on Gronder Field.

And those other troops on the march—who knows what they'll do, or what side they'll take?

Not sure how we're supposed to form a strategy with so many unknowns.

Anyway, we've come this far. Let's just keep putting one foot in front of the other and see how far we get.

Each time we press forward, our search for Rhea broadens to a wider area.

I certainly hope we will find at least some clue, but I do suspect I already know where she is.

If I am right, and she is in the Imperial capital, then we cannot save her until we topple the Empire.

The Battle of the Eagle and Lion. Has it truly been five years since then?

Can you recall whether it was before or after I joined your class, Professor?

It was shortly after I joined your class—I remember it like it was yesterday.

When undertaking research, the usual method is to form a hypothesis, then test it with experiments.

Those experiments reveal facts and falsehoods, yet sometimes, they also unveil an exception.

You seem to be that exception when it comes to my Crest research.

Worry not, Professor. Exceptions are what make my work interesting. Why don't the rules apply to you?

I will find out, eventually. I feel it is my destiny as a Crest scholar!

I hear the next battle could be a big one, is that true?

I miss the old days when, if someone got hurt, we'd rush them to the infirmary, and make them well...

But on the battlefield, there's not enough time to help. People die. Professor, don't be one of those!

Word just reached me that the Empire has stationed soldiers in Fort Merceus.

If they decide to dig in their heels and defend the fort, we'll be in a difficult situation.

I hear it's an impregnable keep, surrounded by high ramparts. Taking it would not be easy.

Beyond the Great Bridge of Myrddin, it's all unfamiliar territory for us.

We don't know where Lady Rhea's being held. We ought to investigate all potential locations thoroughly.

The Knights of Seiros will handle the search. We'll report back if we learn anything.

Reconnaissance is becoming more of a risk the deeper we move into enemy territory.

If I don't come back, assume I'm dead.

Don't waste your energy worrying about me.

I gotta keep this place clean, and I mean properly clean, every day. Dust it, sweep it, everything.

You never can tell when Lady Rhea might be back.

Since little Claude became their leader, the Alliance lords haven't been especially unified.

Now, they're suddenly united for a common cause. As a result, the Empire hasn't been able to perform even one successful incursion...

Rather, we're the ones who might get the jump on them. It's incredible. Magical, even.

Maybe his strategic genius was simmering for those five years, and it returned to a full boil once you two were reunited.

Or maybe he always knew he'd meet you again, and he was preparing for that this whole time...

Greetings, Professor! Nothing to report!

I hear we're sending troops to Gronder Field next. Is that what's what?

That whole area is in the territory of House Bergliez. It's famous as the main granary of Fódlan.

If we could capture it, we probably wouldn't have to worry about food anymore! Bread for all!

Things we can't obtain here are likely obtainable by way of the underground.

Are you unfamiliar with Garreg Mach's underground? The place is an absolute paradise for those who can't stay above ground.

Those Abyssian idiots. All they ever do is cause trouble.

We'd best purge the entire underbelly of Garreg Mach.

I can hardly believe we're crossing the borders of the Empire to battle their army. I never thought I'd see the day.

You'd never guess from the calm looks on everyone's faces, though... I mean, we're probably all gonna die, let's be honest.

If you don't mind me saying, you don't look like you're in the middle of a crisis either. Oh, um... Perhaps that was a little rude of me.

Hm, actually it's the Great Tree Moon now, isn't it? Not that anyone's in much of a mood to celebrate the new year, of course.

If this mysterious military force is the remnants of the Kingdom, you'd think there would have been the possibility of a united front.

But from what I've heard, that's going to be difficult. Their behavior is very erratic.

If they're clamoring for revenge and death, then it's probably better if we have nothing to do with them.

Since you secured the Great Bridge of Myrddin, trade got a lot easier within the Empire.

Nevertheless, profits are rather thin, compared to how it was five years ago.

You can't be much of a trader unless you're prepared to traverse the whole of Fódlan...

I'm a graduate of the Golden Deer House, but that was a little before your time, Professor.

We won the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. Of course, we mostly have Holst to thank for that.

And now, he's the greatest general in the Alliance. I didn't do so great in comparison...

Edelgard's presence suggests that Hubert is around too.

He is Minister of the Imperial Household, after all.

He's been around Edelgard since they were children. I suppose he must be pretty happy with his current position.

So...we're finally invading Empire territory, huh?

There's not much we can do right now, except pray for deliverance.

I truly believe that we have it in us to succeed.

So, we're finally moving into enemy territory... We can expect the war to get even more intense from here on out.

I'm really feeling the tension now. I have almost no experience with battles of this scale.

Professor... I'll be grateful for your leadership on the battlefield. I know I can trust you!

My rule is never to play my hand if I can't win. That's why I'm here. To win.

This is my life on the line. Don't let me down, yeah?

In the end, I'm the one who decided to be a part of this, so it's my own fault if things go south.

It seems the Alliance has avoided becoming nothing but a glorified battlefield.

I may have cut ties with my family, but I'll admit, I'm still worried about how they're faring...

For now at least, my little bro has managed to keep them afloat. He's a good leader, that one.

Across the bridge is Bergliez territory. It marks the start of our incursion into the Empire.

Worry not. I feel no trepidation as we do this.

Mark how my spellcraft carries us through to Enbarr, heart of the Empire!

We're fighting people we used to know from the Officers Academy.

Guess that's the kind of thing that happens in war, but...still. It's pretty twisted.

It makes me feel so... Oof. Maybe I'll just try not to think about it.

Hey, Professor. How's it going? Making lots of coin?

I'd love to catch up, but I'm super busy right now. Working. For money. You understand.

Hey, Professor. How's it going? Making lots of coin?

I'd love to catch up, but I'm super busy right now. Working. For money. You understand.

There's unrest everywhere these days. All of my fellow merchants seem to be endangered.

I hope things go back to normal soon. People need more to smile about, aside from my great deals.

Abyss? You're interested in that place, are you?

Ancient sprawling remains deep below Garreg Mach... That's Abyss.

Some folks have made their home there. Obviously they all have their reasons and tales to tell.

But only the most enterprising merchant would venture near it. My advice? Avoid going there yourself.

Hey, you. Listen up. I've got something to report.

The Great Tree Moon is finally upon us. It's time to celebrate a new year. We only get so many!

Folks up top don't seem to be in the mood to celebrate though. I hate war...

I used to be a rather important person in the church, but...I am in exile for committing a crime.

I embezzled some money. But it wasn't out of greed!

My hometown was pillaged, you see, and the church wasn't putting in enough to rebuild...

What a pain. What an absolute pain...

What a pain. What an absolute pain...

Concerned, are you? That's nice. A little too nice.

Here's a word of warning—if anyone here asks you for a favor, it's probably just a scam.

I hurt my leg in the last battle. Had to take shelter down here—nowhere else to go.

Be careful up there. All sides are bringing their strongest people to this fight.

Count Bergliez in the Empire, Lord Holst in the Alliance... I'm sure the Kingdom's got someone too.

Ah, I see. So you are Jeralt's child. You so resemble your mother.

I've been gone from the monastery for some time now because... Well, it matters not.

Might I...ask a favor of you?

Do you mind terribly picking up some fresh flowers to place upon your mother's grave?

I am certain she'd be deeply moved to receive a gift from you.

Thank you so much. This is just the type of flower she once loved so dearly.

I can rest easy now.

I must be off. Take especially good care of yourself, won't you?

Please, look after Jeralt. She'd have wanted that.