Chapter 229 - 30-32

Chapter 30: Rude awakening

He remained sat at the desk of the library for hours, making not a sound as he read through book after book relating to his side study of the official history of Fodlan. It was less to satiate his curiosity and more to distract himself from everything else which was happening at the time.

The reveal of Lysithea's state of health had dragged up some...memories of his time before coming here. None of them were ones he felt like dwelling on in any meaningful way. If only because he knew that if he started he would never be able to stop and he would drive himself into a self-destructive argument regarding Mash's choice. By all accounts she should have chosen to accept his offer, yet she did not.

And now he was faced with someone of a similar condition.

Suppose he did cure her of her affliction and remove the Crest, it would ultimately change nothing but the number of years she would live. What was a change in but a few numbers? He would merely increase the amount of time for her to make any meaningful decisions in her life before she inevitably met the same end. Whether she lived for another ten or another hundred years, she would still die all the same.

But even with that knowledge, he hadn't been able to stop himself from acting when he became aware her life had been in danger. The same basic principle applied, whether she died on the battlefield or of natural causes it should have been of little personal consequence to him. Yet…

Perhaps he had taken some small liking to her. It wasn't unusual, he had encountered a similar thing with Mash. It seemed that Lysithea's and Mash's similarities continued to build although they were still few and far between.

It also seemed that there was something happening to him as well.

His own feelings on that particular subject were mixed.

His vision gradually returned under a blurry haze, his entire face felt numb as consciousness returned to him. In truth, he felt more tired than anything else, as if he had just woken up from a long nap.

A weak groan escaped him as he attempted to move, he felt a hand push down on his shoulder and force him to still himself. He was on a bed, that much he could make sense of although he still couldn't see that much, everything looking like odd shapes and any sound that was present came off as little more than a muffle.

"...fes..r!" He could just about make out a call for someone as he tried to focus his vision, weakly trying to free himself of the grip around his shoulder to little avail. "...amn it. Don't….ove….ki…" the voice continued to speak, sounding as if it were directed towards him. It was definitely feminine but a little on the rough side.

Eyes blinked repeatedly as his vision cleared, making out the general shape of Catherine as she stood over his bed, staring down at him before looking back across the room "He's waking up here."

"Yes, yes." That was Professor Manuela's voice "I heard you the first time but he's not the only one having a rude awakening. I've just had to convince the little deer Lysithea that this is not the afterlife."

"Pretty shitty afterlife." Catherine grumbled before she sighed, looking back down at him and pursing her lips "Hey...kid…" her manner of speech was awkward at best and jilted at worst. As if she wasn't quite sure what to say "How...how are you feeling?"

"...Tired…" Ashe weakly managed to groan out before moving his head as best he could, his muscles in his neck were still protesting so he winced as he moved "Where…?"

"Infirmary at Garreg Mach." Catherine supplied "You were out will all the other injured but we moved you here with the other students who got a little roughed up. Although it was just you and the other kid we were kinda concerned about."

"Wha…" Ashe winced as he felt another headache coming on "What...ha…"

"Ah…" Catherine winced, turning away from him and reaching for something. Ashe cringed as he faintly heard the sound of wood being scraped along the ground before coming to a halt near his bed as the knightness dragged a stool to sit on. "What's the last thing you remember?"

Ashe racked his memory, scrunching his face up in thought. He was at the battle on the mountain, they'd managed to fight through the fog and make it to a clearing where they encountered Lonato. "T-the mountain…" he croaked, Catherine nodded her head. His eyes shot wide "L-Lysithea!-"

"Is fine." Catherine cut him off "None of you kids ended up dead." a frown soon came to her face "Church Knights were less lucky but you should let us worry about that. Anyway, girl's safe and Lonato is…" she trailed off.

"...He's dead…" Ashe asked in a quiet voice "Isn't he?"

"...Yeah." Catherine replied "Yeah, he's...um...dead."

"...Can I…" He swallowed "Can I see him?" he furrowed his brows in confusion as Catherine froze like a deer in the sights of a hunter, then watched as her expression turned into a grimace before she looked away "What?"

"That...that's not a good idea, kid." She flickered her eyes away from him "It...it ain't pretty."

"Oh…" Ashe slumped into his bed, looking up at the ceiling "Alright."

"Listen...kid." Catherine reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner, although she looked more uncomfortable than he felt "I'm...you have my condolences about Lonato."

"...Thanks." Ashe whispered, still looking at the ceiling "My...my brother and sister…?"

"We've got a battalion of Knights marching into Gaspard." Catherine replied "You're brother and sister are gonna be fine. It's just to look for evidence of if Lonato was working with anyone, its not an inquisition."

"Okay…" The boy nodded his head "Did...did you kill…"

"Lonato?" Catherine shook her head "...No. Just, he's dead kid...better leave it at that." she slowly pushed herself to her feet "I'm gonna let you have some rest, got some stuff I need to sort through with the knights." she turned away from him and made her way of the infirmary but not before stopping and sending glance to Manuela. "Take care of him."

"I will." The woman looked up from her papers and sent a knowing look towards Catherine "You shouldn't feel as though you're responsible. That mess with Christophe-"

"I know." Catherine grunted, pulling the door open "But that kid's...It's what Christophe would have done."

"Hmmm." Manuela hummed in response as Catherine shut the door behind her. The physician looked towards the far end of the room where Ashe was still lying on the bed. The quiet sounds of sniffling had her let out a small sigh before she walked towards the end of the room, peering around the curtain to see Ashe's cheeks a puffy red with tears leaking from his eyes.

The boy noticed her and froze "S-sorry…" he sniffed "I'm going to ruin your pill-"

"None of that." Manuela waved her hand, moving back across the room and picking up a small cloth before pacing back over to his bed and placing it on the table next to his head. "Crying is a good melody for a bad mood."

"R-really?"

"Well..I've found it worked wonders for me." She shrugged, then sent him a half smile "Be sure to dry your eyes."

"...Thanks."

The door at the far end of the library opened up, Goetia's eye opened up slightly before the other one soon followed. His eyebrows rose in mild surprise as to the person who strode through the door. Leonie stared at him for a few seconds, frozen on the spot before a steely expression came to her face and she marched across the room towards him.

The ginger girl came to a stop at the foot of his table and stared down at him with a complicated expression on her face and her hands on her hips "So…" she began "...How are you?"

Her response was only one of his eyebrows lowering, eliciting a mildly annoyed grunt from her "Don't look at me like that! I hear you're suppose to ask people how they feel after these kind of things."

Goetia remained silent as she huffed and threw up her arms "You could at least show some reaction about it. Have some pride-"

"Pride?" Goetia repeated the word in a blank tone of voice "Pride in what?"

"Well...you saved our lives, saved Lysithea and that Ashe kids life." She explained "Helped put down the rebellion...that might be a good place to start."

"Did you come here to ask if I felt pride in my actions?" Goetia replied in a bored tone, Leonie scowled before she slowly shook her head and let her arms fall to her side.

"No...Lysithea is awake now." She watched his reaction, only noticing a slight twitch in his hand and nothing else "...Really? Nothing?"

"I knew she would recover." Goetia dismissed "Therefore being surprised or having a positive reaction towards her awakening would be pointless." he looked back down at his desk "Was there anything else?"

"Yeah...where in the shit were you?"

"...Excuse me?"

"You heard me." She growled, slamming her hands on his desk "Everyone was there, Captain Jeralt, Alois, heck even Seteth turned up!" she exclaimed "All there fighting, doing our best and barely winning…" her eyes narrowed "Then you show up and resolve the entire thing in what...three minutes, less?"

"Your point?"

"M-my point!?" She recoiled from him before scowling "My point is that you could have come with us from the start!"

"I could have, but I didn't want to." Goetia replied in a calm tone of voice, then looked up at her before she could continued on "Would you leap at the opportunity to solve any and all problems in Brigid?" she went silent and tilted her head "Or in Almyra?"

"That isn't the sam-"

"Yes it is." He cut her off "Ignoring the commonly held belief that Almyra's are savages. The problems of Almyra or Brigid are likely of little interest to you."

"Well...I'm not in Almyra or Brigid right now."

"No...no you aren't." He admitted "But suppose you were, would you be so willing to raise your sword to aid people you have no true connection to?"

"...I would." She affirmed "Because you know what? It's the right thing to do."

"Then I must compliment your mentality in that you are so readily willing to slaughter strangers in the name of strangers." Was his simple reply, she bristled but he cut her off "I have been living within Fodlan for a little more than several months, and while the Church has been more than fair in accommodating me, that does not give them the rights to demand that I kill in the name of belief's which I do not hold."

"But all those knights-"

"Were expected to lay down their lives for the Church." He scoffed "From my perspective, A Church I have no real interest in was facing a rebellion from a Lord who's son they had executed without a trial. Even if I did care enough to act, which side sounds as though it is the correct one from your perspective?"

"Well, the Church-"

"Who claimed that Lonato's son was a traitor to the Kingdom and had him executed without presenting any evidence or even holding a trial? Yes, I'm sure that was a widely accepted conclusion for all those who lived within the Gaspard region." His eyes narrowed at her "Do not get so conceited in assuming that my help can be demanded like some common sellsword or lackey. If and when I choose to act, it will be because of my own reasons."

Leonie cringed and looked away from him before suddenly pausing and staring at him differently "...Is that why you stepped in after Lysithea and the Professor got hurt?"

Goetia froze before his lip curled downwards "...It would have been unfortunate if they died. I had a personal connection with them, unlike the Church. Therefore I was more invested in acting on their behalf, if only marginally."

"Marginally?" Leonie raised an incredulous eyebrow "If fire and brimstone is marginal, then what is you when you're completely invested?"

"Was there anything else you wanted to say?" Goetia asked, pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head. Leonie bit her lip before sighing.

"No...Although you probably should see Lysithea." She said as she turned away from him and made her way to the door.

Goetia watched her depart before he let out a heavy sigh and leaned back into his chair, closing his eyes.

This was far too troublesome for him.

"Assistant Goetia. Your presence has been requested for a meeting of the Church staff."

And it seemed as though he was going to be present for continued trouble.

The door opened with a subtle creak as he stepped into the room, a majority of the other members of staff were already present, namely the Professors, with the notable exception of Byleth, as well as Jeralt, Alois, Catherine and Shamir. Tomas wasn't present yet, however that was just as likely due to old age than anything else.

"Goetia." Seteth's voice called out to him from the other end of the table "Thank you for joining us, the meeting will begin once Professors Eisner and Jeritza arrive as well as Head Archivist Tomas."

Saying nothing, but still giving a quick nod, he moved across the room towards an empty seat placed at the far end of the table, there was no one sat near him for two spaces on either side. Pulling himself closer to the table, the chair let out a small groan as it scraped along the stone floor before ceasing.

Eyes scanning the other staff, he noticed that Alois still had a rather noticeable bruise on the left side of his face although didn't appear to be in any further pain. Catherine avoided looking at him and Shamir had her eyes closes looking as though she was attempting to meditate.

"Hear you stepped in at the battle at the Mountain pass." Jeralt's voice cut through the silence, prompting Goetia to turn his head to stare at the man. The mercenary Captain's expression remained blank as he went on "Also heard you took down most of Lonato's loyalists."

The eyes of the room slowly shifted to Goetia. The man remained silent for a few seconds before answering "I did."

Jeralt released a grunt as he leaned back into his chair, no longer dressed in his usual armour he instead had a simple tunic on with a noticeable bulge under his shoulder where bandages were pressed into his wound. "Heard you also saved those brats."

"...Yes."

"...Good job."

Goetia raised an eyebrow at him, the man looked uncomfortable. Likely due to the fact that he wasn't used to giving praise. Indeed, Goetia's own face soon mirrored his with its own breed of discomfort. Very quickly becoming obvious that neither of them had much experience with giving and receiving thanks.

Their rescue came in the form of the door opening up again, this time a tall man stepped through. A white mask covering the top half of his face and long blonde hair done up in a pony tail at the back with twin bangs extending down the front of his head from either side. His clothes were a beige coloured smart tunic with a steel pauldron on the right side of his body.

The man scanned the room before noticing the empty seats and slowly making his way over to them, passing by Goetia as he took the second seat furthest left from him so there was still a noticeable gap between the two men. After sitting down, the man turned his head slightly to look Goetia up and down before he turned away without saying a word.

Goetia didn't mind it that much, red eyes turning back to the door just in time to watch Byleth enter. The girl froze for a split second upon making eye contact with him before she carried on. Moving across the room and sitting down on the right side of him although there was still a single seat gap between the two.

It wasn't long until Tomas hobbled into the room "Apologies, Archbishop." the old man croaked with a faint smile on his face, closing the door behind him "I fear my age is catching up with me."

"It is nothing to apologise for, Tomas." Rhea replied with a soft tone "We would be more than willing to have the clergy or one of the knights aid you in getting up the stairs." the way Catherine looked at the table as the woman said that very much indicated she'd rather it not be her.

"Now that we are all present." Seteth slowly rose from his seat at the head of the table, seated just to the left of Rhea who was sat in the middle "We can move onto the agenda and why you are all here." he placed his hands on the table "As you all are aware, and for those that might not be." he looked in Goetia and Byleth's direction "The Goddesses Rite of Rebirth is coming up this month and the Monastery will be opened to the public."

His head turned to Catherine and Alois "We've recalled some of our knights from the far most installations in order to bolster security for the occasion."

"I'll see to it they're put to good use." Catherine nodded her head, an uneasy look crossed Seteth's face as he reached into his pocket and slowly removed a small slip of paper from it.

"I fear as though they will be needed." He placed the slip of paper on the table, his expression grave as he cast his eyes about the room "This was retrieved from Lord Lonato, the contents of which are deeply disturbing."

"How so?" Catherine asked, leaning forwards in her seat and resting her arms on the table.

"It details a plot to assassinate the Archbishop."

Catherine shot to her feet, her face set in a murderous glare while others reactions were more subdued. Mainly due to realising that the feasibility of such a scheme made it very unlikely. The target in question kept her look expressionless as her eyes briefly scanned the room.

"That seems...quite far fetched." Hanneman piped up, a frown on his face "With Lord Lonato dead and his rebellion put down, who could possibly be left to mount such an attack."

"Ordinarily?" Seteth raised and eyebrow and shook his head "I would have dismissed it as nonsense but still gone ahead with security as a precaution, however...recent events have made it clear that there are other threats to the Church which were in league with Lonato, or possibly the instigators of." his eyes made contact with Alois, Shamir and Jeralt in a meaningful way. The three grimaced and slowly nodded their heads in acceptance.

"I see." Hanneman nodded his head, cupping his chin in thought "You believe there may be a third party involved?"

"Those who stand against the Church are insidious." Rhea spoke up for the first time, her voice set in a low tone of barely restrained anger "And they often cower in the shadows like the heathens they are. It is why we must be vigilant in these times, as we do not know who might harbour such blasphemous thoughts." her eyes, very briefly, flicked over to Goetia and lingered there for a touch longer than usual before they turned back to addressing the room.

Goetia raised an eyebrow, clearly he was missing some information here. Unless someone of the same skill-set as Siegfried was leading the assassination mission, he very much doubted that Rhea was in that much danger.

"Quite so." Seteth nodded his head "Lonato was still a minor Lord and the weapons he had collected for his troops are quite unlike anything I have seen before. We've since collected and had them melted down, after the clergy confirmed that they had been enchanted with magic."

"Truly?" Hanneman widened his eyes "From what I heard their enchantments were quite impressive."

"The works of Heretics should not be praised, Professor Hanneman." Rhea replied coldly, before her eyes softened "I realise that your academic mind would leap at the opportunity to study them, however they were far too dangerous to be allowed a continued existence."

Hanneman sighed and nodded his head "I understand, Archbishop."

"I assume that this threat is going to be treated much more seriously then?" Jeralt asked, earning a nod from Seteth.

"It is indeed. The Knights will begin regular patrols around the Academy and the town of Hillfar at the base of the Monastery." He turned his head towards the Professors "In addition to the knights, your students will also be running patrols on the day of the Rite of Rebirth in order to ensure the safety of the Archbishop, considering that we will both be within the Goddess tower for the duration of the event."

"What is to stop the Assassin simply teleporting into the Tower?" Goetia asked, earning the attention of the room.

"Your concern for my safety is appreciated, Goetia." Rhea replied in a smile that didn't reach her eyes "And you need not worry about such things, the tower is secure enough to prevent such measures from being taken."

'A bounded field then?' Goetia hummed to himself 'Impressive.' it was still a high level Magecraft bordering on magic, then again. He was living in an Age of Gods level world, so it was to be expected that they would have some measure of blocking it.

"On the topic of security." Seteth went on, fixing Goetia with a serious expression "I was reading over the report of the Golden Deer mission log. According to the students you set up what you called a 'Bounded Field' in order to detect the approaching Demonic Beasts?"

"I did." Goetia nodded his head, then gave a quick nod "You want me to set up bounded fields for security." a statement rather than a question, he could tell what Seteth wanted when the man nodded his head in affirmation. "Setting up simple ones to alert you to hostile intentions would be simple enough, I assume you wish them set up around the Tower?"

"If possible." Seteth replied, then paused before raising an eyebrow "I had assumed you would require more convincing?"

"I am an employee ensuring my employer is not killed." Goetia replied in a dismiss voice "It is common sense, my personal scepticism about the likelihood of a successful assassination aside."

"You're confident." Shamir raised an eyebrow at him in questioning "Think the Archbishop isn't in danger?"

"You think she is?"

Shamir gave a small shrug and a 'touché' like expression on her face. She didn't think that an Assassin would find much like either, if their goal really was assassinating the Archbishop. You typically didn't leave plans detailing your entire mission just lying around for anyone to find.

"Regardless of whether or not the Archbishop is in danger." Alois interrupted "It is best if we treat this situation as seriously as possible, so as we are not caught flat footed again." he smiled across the table at Goetia "And I don't think I thanked you earlier for lending a hand to the students."

Dead silence permeated through the room. For all but Goetia and Byleth as Sothis came into existence and burst into laughter. Earning a twitch of the eyebrow from the former Beast.

"...I did it again, didn't I?" Alois rhetorically asked before his head fell into his hands "I am so, so sorry."

"It's fine." Goetia replied.

"Its hilarious." Sothis chuckled, wiping an imaginary tear from her eye "Lend a hand...although you did one better and gifted your whole arm!"

"If we could get back on track." Jeralt grunted, pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head "How many knights are we gonna expect?"

"There will be eighty patrolling the Monastery on the day of the Rite." Seteth rattled off "The town itself will have double that, provided the roads are good and the reinforcements can make it hear on time."

"Well...brats did alright on the battlefield." Jeralt rubbed his brow "I'm sure they can handle a little lookout work." looking across next to him, he nodded towards his daughter "Right, kid?"

"They will be fine." Byleth nodded her head.

"I have every confidence in you and your students, Professor." Rhea responded in an almost motherly tone, which earned itself a mild twitch from Jeralt and slightly narrowed eyes from Goetia. Not that the woman noticed either of them.

She obviously was aware of something, Goetia figured. She'd become almost enamoured with Byleth's progress immediately and always seemed to show a preference for her above other Professors as well as some bizarre confidence. It meant she was aware.

"We will meet again to formulate our plans over the next few weeks as the Rite of Rebirth approaches." Seteth spoke as he stood up, the others in the room taking that as their own cue to stand up as well. "I will personally come and visit each of you in order to check up on your progress. Remember, the safety of the Archbishop is at stake. No mistakes can be made."

There were several responses of affirmation as Goetia made his way to the door, only to pause as he felt a hand come to a stop on his shoulder. His head slowly turned until he could cast a glance at his back.

Byleth slowly retracted her hand from his person as her expression turned the slightest hint of apprehensive before returning to its usual blank look. Sothis floated over her shoulder and into Goetia's face as she quickly assumed a stern face.

"I think we should have a talk." The Goddess spoke.

"We've received word from Solon." Thales spoke as he walked into the room "They have taken the bait."

"As was expected of them." Lemegeton responded "My presence on the battlefield ensured that they would have taken the wild claims far easier than they would otherwise." 

"Yes...although I question the logic of revealing yourself as a threat to them."

"It is your place to carry out my directives, not question my logic." The figure turned around and levelled a pointed look in Thales direction "However I have left enough evidence to implicate the Western Church in this matter. Even if we fail the retrieve whatever lies within the Tomb, we shall still be rid of one obstacle."

"...Very well." Thales grunted, sounding more than a little aggrieved at the manner in which he was spoken too "Was it necessary for you to take to the field?"

"It was. I needed to examine the effectiveness of the Mystic codes first hand in order to determine where improvements could be made." They paused for a few seconds "One of the Phantasmals took to the field alongside an individual with mixed blood. Far purer than those of your experiments."

Thales raised an eyebrow "A pet of that creature?"

"Perhaps. For now, he shall remain an exception from future plans until I can properly examine him." He turned away from Thales and looked back at his table "Ensure Kronya understands that implicitly."

"She would never dare do something as stupid as break her cover." Thales scoffed, then realised who he was talking about before a dismissive scowl formed on his face "However, it would be best if she does fully understand her mission."

"Good." Lemegeton grunted.

"I don't need a lecture." The sneering voice of Kronya came from the hallway, the pale skinned girl leaned against the crook of the door frame "As if those blind maggots could find me out."

"...I refuse to entertain her stupidity." Lemegeton responded "You educate her or I will simply find another."

Thales growled and sent a sharp look in the girls direction, prompting her to wince and look away as the Agarthan marched over to her and roughly dragged her down the hallway "Your stupidity is not appreciated." the man hissed at her "We have waited too long for our revenge to have you spoil everything with your ego."

"I don't see why we're talking orders from that thing." She replied with a scowl "Its not better than those creatures. Just using some puppet to bark orders at us."

"It is a partnership, you fool." Thales growled "One which had brought us more progress in the year than we have achieved in decades." they paused, looking over their shoulder before coming to a stop "You still answer to me, not to them. That is the only reason you are still alive." he narrowed his eyes at her, causing her to flinch "Remember that well. He is more important to our goal than you are."

"I...understand." Kronya muttered under her breath, avoiding eye contact with Thales as he continued to stare at her before he looked away.

"Good. I will not remind you a second time."

Chapter 31: Piercing the veil

Indigo eyes locked onto Red eyes for a few seconds following Sothis declaration, Goetia pursed his lips before giving a curt nod. Turning away from Byleth and making his way to the door, the pair quickly exited the room all the while ignorant to the looks they were receiving from the other members of staff in the room.

From their perspective, Byleth had pat Goetia on the shoulder, looked into his eyes and then the pair had quickly left without saying a single word.

"Well~" Manuela chuckled lightly "Perhaps Claude was onto something."

"Onto what?" Jeralt raised an eyebrow at her in suspicion, the woman hummed to herself and looked away from him, all the while maintaining a knowing smirk on her face.

"Manuela please." Hanneman rolled his eyes "Whatever Professor Eisner and Goetia get up to in their free time is no concern of ours. They are perfectly free to pursue a relationship without you spreading gossip."

Catherine snorted "Looked less like a relationship and more like a secret conversation."

"Yes." Shamir drawled "So secret that even they themselves could not say it." the woman made her way to the door "Whatever, its not my problem anyway." with that said, she quickly departed as well.

"Its not all that surprising." Alois nodded sagely "My wife and I can hold non-verbal conversations as well." he paused for a few seconds before his eyebrows rose up his forehead "Still, it took us quite a few years to get to that stage, to think that they could reach that point so quickly." a boisterous laugh quickly escaped his throat "As expected of the Captain's daughter! She managed to skip so many steps."

Jeralt's head slowly turned in the direction of Knight before the man spoke in a low tone "Alois...stop talking."

"Hm?" The man paused before he snapped his fingers in realisation "Ah yes, how silly of me. Goetia hasn't even asked your permission to court her yet has he?"

Manuela coughed into her hand to hide away her laugh, doing a very poor job as she was swiftly glared at by Jeralt before the man's eyes fell back on Alois "Alright, first thing. They aren't courting I doubt either of them realise what love is-"

"I can help-"

"No." Jeralt swiftly cut Manuela off, earning a pout from the woman "And secondly none of this 'permission' nonsense. I'm not some stuffy noble who demands purity of blood or whatever." he grunted making his way to the door "...Although I would appreciate a heads up."

The door slammed shut behind him.

"...Well." Alois clapped his hands together "Same time next week?"

Seteth's head fell into his palms.

"Telling you, something must be happening." Claude affirmed to Dimitri with a knowing expression as he leaned against the wall "All of the Professors got called out, heck even Sparkles was summoned."

"Claude, it is just as likely it is a staff meeting." Dimitri tiredly replied, rubbing his eyes before fixing his Golden Deer counterpart with a pointed look "Not everything relates to a secret meeting."

"Do you actually believe it is a staff meeting so soon after the business with Lonato?" Claude asked with a raised eyebrow before he pursed his lips "How's Ashe doing by the way? I got a glimpse of his...fight with Lonato before Lysithea rushed in."

Dimitri cringed before he let out a sigh "Ashe is...still in the infirmary. He's putting on a brave face but I can tell the ordeal has shaken him severely. The loss of a parent is difficult to endure." he looked back at Claude "How is Lysithea? I heard she suffered a rather grievous injury."

"She did." Claude sucked air through his teeth "Then Sparkles showed up and healed her before he went...you know." Dimitri nodded his head in recollection. He very much doubted he would be forgetting that display of anger any time soon.

"But to answer your question." The Prince returned to their original point "I confess that perhaps there may be more going on than we are aware of-" he held up his hand when he saw Claude's expression light up "-however, that does not mean that we should instantly be suspicious."

"I'm not being suspicious." Claude replied innocently "I'm just saying that perhaps its best to be aware of some of the big things going on I mean." giving a quick shrug, he gestured to himself and Dimitri "You and me are going to be quite important to Fodlan pretty soon, not to toot my own horn-"

"Perish the thought."

"Very funny." Claude rolled his eyes "But regardless, we are going to be a little important so it might be best if we took a more active roll. I mean fighting isn't everything that a leader should do...politics is there as well."

"Ah yes…" Dimitri cringed "The most tiresome battle, if I am led to believe. Not one I am looking forwards too. As I understand it a sharp mind is required to participate in that particular field."

"Oh? In that case I'm overqualified." Dimitri gave him a deadpan expression, earning an amused smile from the boy "Still...I trust you see my point."

"As much as I might dislike being kept in the dark." Dimitri allowed him that small victory "I trust that the Church will see fit to inform us of anything which they believe is vital and if this meeting is as important as you claim, then I suspect we will be made aware soon enough."

Claude pursed his lip and hummed to himself before he slowly nodded his head "Yeah, you're probably right still...I like to be aware of things as they happen rather than be told later on."

"I'm sure you do."

The pair fell into a comfortable silence before Claude's face slowly stretched into an amused grin "So...that Black Eagle girl looked pretty worried about Ashe."

Dimitri let out a heavy sigh "Claude…"

"Just saying." The boy raised his hands in surrender "What was her name again? Petra...she's from Brigid I hear as well…"

"Claude." The blonde Prince pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head, although there was a faint smile on his own lips "Not everything is as you see."

"Very exotic."

"Claude!" Dimitri snapped, although the now visible smile on his face rather ruined his attempt at cutting off the conversation "She was only concerned for his health."

"Of course." Claude gave a sage nod "Its important to facilitate cross house relationships."

"And just because she also visited him in the infirmary-"

"Oooooh~" Claude's grin became catlike "Willing to make a bet?"

"No." He received an instant denial and a flat look in response "I am not going to make bets on the romantic relations of our classmates and faculty. Ashe is in need of company and if Petra is willing to provide it I see no issue, besides I still am not entirely convinced that the Professor and Goetia-"

"Is that them walking together now?" Claude cut him off, looking over Dimitri's shoulder and towards the apartment complex behind them.

"Hm?" Dimitri looked over his shoulder and spied the pair walking together as they made their way towards the rooms. "The meeting must be over then."

"Come on." Claude nudged his shoulder "Lets ask them what it was about."

"Claude." Dimitri sighed and walked after the boy to try and stop him. He needn't have bothered, both Goetia and Byleth froze in front of the latters room door. Byleth opened the door for him and ushered the man inside before closing the door behind her.

Dimitri stood rooted on the spot while Claude was comically frozen with one leg raised in preparation for taking another step. The Golden Deer leader slowly lowered his leg and turned his head towards Dimitri, biting his lip and forcibly holding back a laugh. Dimitri sighed at his expression, slowly shaking his head.

"So...what were you saying about Teach and Sparkles?"

Dimitri suddenly found himself very tired.

And more than a little amused.

Byleth gently closed the door behind her, turning to see Goetia stood at the opposite end of the room facing her. His expression remained blank even as Sothis manifested herself to the right of her.

"So...you helped." Were the first words out of the girls mouth. She watched Goetia purse his lips slightly before he composed his features.

"...I did." He eventually answered.

"All that talk of not helping?" Sothis hummed to herself as she floated around "What was that all about?"

"I hadn't planned on acting at all." Goetia responded "It was not until certain conditions became apparent that I-"

"Your little student got injured and you got mad."

"...Crude." Goetia scoffed "But...not entirely inaccurate." he paused and then narrowed his eyes at Sothis "Of course my aid would not have been necessary if you did not exhaust yourself so quickly."

Sothis frowned at him "Are you...saying its my fault you had to get off your backside and help?"

"In part." He replied instantly "If you hadn't tired your host out then I wouldn't have been forced to act and break my own word."

"Ah, so you regret helping do you?"

Goetia's eyes burned, glowing bright red for a few moments. Byleth tensed, awaiting him to explode in another display of anger like before. However, just as swiftly as his eyes burned with light did they dull themselves.

"I…" He muttered to himself, looking away from the pair and pulling out the chair in front of Byleth's desk and sitting himself down in it. "I...do not know." he admitted, his voice sounding far more quiet.

Sothis squinted at him, he almost sounded like a child with his admission.

"You don't know." She parroted, floating in front of him and causing his eyes to look up from the ground and focus back on her "Are you happy that your student is still alive?"

Red eyes flickered away from her for a few seconds as Goetia's expression became strained before it went lax "Lysithea's continued survival is...it would be unfortunate if I were to lose an investment so early."

Sothis rolled her eyes and looked at Byleth, waving a hand at Goetia "He's almost, if not more, difficult than you."

Byleth herself frowned, moving over to her bed and sitting down in it, crossing her legs she looked at the side of Goetia's face. He was still looking towards Sothis however his eyes briefly flicked over to her before moving back to the ground.

"Thanks." She spoke, that elicited a response from Goetia, he looked up and towards her with a raised eyebrow "For helping. Would have been in trouble without you."

"Yes...most likely." Goetia replied.

"This is where you're supposed to say 'you're welcome'." Sothis muttered to herself before throwing Goetia a knowing look "But that would be far too much to ask of you right now, considering even getting you to admit you feel good you helped is like pulling teeth."

"How did you know we were in danger?" Byleth asked, tilting her head.

Goetia remained silent for a few moments "Lysithea...I attached a mystic code to her wrist. It would monitor her health and inform me of any sudden changes. I ignored all previous loops as her health remained consistent until-"

"Until she got hurt." Sothis surmised with a look of enlightenment "I didn't have the power to rewind time. She gets hurt but you don't seen time reversing anymore and then you come running?"

The glare he levelled at her was worth it for that remark, she felt anyway. It was a little rewarding for her as this was the most emotion she had seen him display aside from anger. There was a confusion about him now as if he were uncertain about things. Oh, he was still as emotive as a rock. It wasn't as if he worse his emotions on his sleeve but after spending enough time with Byleth and being privy to one impassive mask she believed she was getting the hang of reading subtle expressions.

"Again, I wouldn't have been forced to step in if you were more powerful." Goetia sniped back at her "You would do well to practice your ability to ensure I need not put myself in a position again."

"Are you really that upset about helping?" Sothis asked.

"...I don't want to." Goetia replied "I don't want to have to step in every time humans do something to themselves." he looked away "In moving to save you I forced myself out of the role of observer and while it did prevent you all from dying the first act upon my arrival was to simply massacre everyone who wasn't affiliated with the Church."

Sothis paused, her expression changing into one that looked almost pitiful "None will lament the passing of human life more than I." parroting his words back to him earned a scoff but nothing else. "I see. You didn't want to go because you knew you'd have had to kill if you did."

"And I'd gain nothing from it." Goetia continued "I am not adverse to taking life when necessary but what did I truly gain from killing those men?"

"Everyone's safety."

"For how long?" Goetia sneered "The students will continuously face danger considering their upbringing as Nobles or officers of the academy and the responsibilities expected of them will likely lead to more clashes." when he got no answer he went on "If I am to act as a protector to them then I would be forced to continually appear just to cut down their enemies."

"Do you regret helping?" Byleth asked.

"In this particular instance?" Goetia sighed "The benefits outweighed the problems. I had greater attachment to you and Lysithea than I had to Lonato and his people." he paused for a few moments "In truth...I am concerned that my behaviour might mirror someone elses."

"Who?"

An ugly sneer came onto Goetia's face "Solomon." he spat the name "A man who would have seen the danger of the rebellion months – if not years – before it happened and done nothing. Who would have watched you all march off to battle and done nothing and who would have simply let you all die while he held but a cruel look on his face because that is who he was. An observer so distant that even I could not match his independence from the world."

He looked to Byleth "Could you imagine it? Having the understanding of the world at your fingertips and with the power to prevent tragedies you do nothing?" slumping back into his chair he looked at Sothis "So...yes. I helped you...if only because Solomon would never have lifted a finger."

Sothis tilted her head "You don't need to kill everyone who tries to hurt them...you can just teach them to defend themselves better."

"So instead of myself killing humans I allow my teachings to do the work for me?" Goetia countered.

"The why are you teaching anyone your spells?" Byleth cocked her head in confusion, the man looked to her briefly before he sighed.

"I was selective in who I taught." He explained "And only those who approached me. You are unlikely to kill anyone who in some part did not deserve some manner of retribution, Leonie is eager to follow in the footsteps of your father and again is unlikely to become a distant murderer if she uses my spells at all. Mercedes is only being taught to heal and Lysithea-" 'Won't be alive long enough to use my teachings.' he cut himself off before he let that slip "...She wanted to learn and has little interest in combat."

"So…"

"How do you suppose the Church would utilise my knowledge?" Goetia asked "Punishing 'heathens' of which I myself am and perpetrating their current Caste system. Although perhaps their prejudice is small mercy that they would not consider the teachings of a foreign heretic like myself useful." he paused for a few moments before he went on "The moment I begin intervening I have taken control of human development. Their society no longer adapts in a natural way and I have begun brute forcing change. It ceases being natural. It is no longer the result of human ingenuity but rather the 'guiding hand' of another." he pointedly ignored mentioning that Rhea was doing something similar however the religion of there was a clear difference between himself and her. Rhea, despite everything, originated from this world. Everything she did was in accordance with the natural progression of Fodlan's history.

Goetia himself was foreign in every sense of the word.

Dictating the lives of humans was something he had no interest in. Sure, he would have granted them immortality in a world where Death did not exist but that would have been where his interference ended. Everything that came after would have been in their hands.

"Do you want to be an observer?" Sothis asked, Goetia stilled.

Did he what?

"I beg your pardon?" He asked, furrowing his brows at her.

"You keep speaking of observing people, but then you point towards this Solomon as an individual you hate." Sothis argued "It seems as though you do no agree with Solomon's way of life and yet you attempted to emulate it, why?"

Because…

Because it was all he was.

He was a ritual for the observation of the Human Order.

That was all he had ever been. There was nothing else he could have ever been. He had changed his directives to incinerate humanity so that he could travel back in time to aid them.

However, no one wanted the help he offered. No one wished for it. They struggled, they fought and they clawed their way through seven singularities and into his temple just so they could reclaim their history.

That was when he had stepped out of his role of observer. A plan three thousand years in the making from the moment he had nestled himself in Solomon's corpse.

If he was not Ars Goetia the Ritual for the preservation of the human order and he was not Goetia, the Ritual for the incineration of humanity…

Then…

What was he?

Sothis watched the moment that something broke in Goetia's eyes, the man's arm went lax and he was staring past her. As if she didn't exist. A frown came to her face as she looked towards Byleth and then back to the man.

"Goetia?"

"Hm?" He grunted in response, refocusing himself and paying attention to her "What?"

"Are you...alright?"

Goetia didn't answer, instead rising to his feet without saying a word and making his way to the door.

"You aren't human." Byleth called out to him, causing him to halt and look over his shoulder towards her "Are you?"

"...I made no effort to hide it." Goetia replied, then looked to Sothis "When did you suspect?"

"Your little display a couple days ago." Sothis replied "At first I though there was something off about you. You felt out of place, like a single cloud in a clear sky. Then when you began throwing your spells around something slipped through." she paused for a few seconds before she sighed and gestured to his physical appearance "Also you have red eyes and glowing golden hair."

"Hm…" Goetia hummed in response, a distant sound "No...I am...not entirely human. Although neither are you."

Sothis opened her mouth to respond before she snapped it shut, blinking at Goetia with wide eyes before a smile slowly came to her face "Fair enough." she admitted "...I don't suppose you know what I am?"

"...You aren't like me." He replied with after a few moments "And what I said was true. I am not from Fodlan."

"Is everyone across the ocean like you?" Byleth asked, Goetia turned to fully face her.

"Does it matter?" Goetia asked "My possible difference in species aside, there is no real way in which this should affect you." he blinked "Unless you feel as though this had brought about a new perspective."

Byleth blinked then frowned "No...you're still Goetia. Thought you might have been like Sothis." she nodded over to the floating girl "But...you aren't."

"You will quickly discover the world is a large place." Goetia explained "And it could just as easily be argued that you are not entirely human as well."

Byleth stared at him, frozen as she tilted her head to the side "Eh?"

"The presence of a crest within you means you have Divine blood." He pointed out "You are technically a Demi-God." which she was. The purity of the blood made it apparent, not to mention the fact she was host to an actual God. It could have been more accurate to call her a Pseudo-Servant given her access to the authority of the Goddess while still retaining her control.

"Oh…" Byleth blinked, then looked down at her own hands and then to Sothis "Does that mean everyone with Crest is like me?"

"In part." Goetia admitted "There are very few pure humans within this monastery, therefore it is not as though my admission is a grand reveal or surprise." he pointed out. Not to mention the fact that the Monastery itself was run by dragons under the guise of humans.

"Well...when he puts it like that." Sothis clicked her tongue and looked away "Although you aren't exactly like them are you?"

"No."

"I suppose that is all I shall get from you for now." The Goddess sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose "Alright fine...I suppose I'm at least content to have figured out one mystery, if only in part."

"Hm." Goetia grunted in response, looking back to the door and opening it up.

"Goetia." He paused at her words "...I hope you find what you want to be."

He offered her no words beside a small hum as he closed the door behind him. Before he could even consider his own place, there was something he needed to do first.

"Thanks again." Ashe bowed his head to Manuela, the woman rolled her eyes as she made her way into the infirmary. After a brief once over of the young man she had cleared him and allowed him to leave.

"If only everyone was as grateful as you when they got injured and came to me." The woman mused with a wry smile before shaking her head "Still, as much as I enjoy having visitors I would rather they not be injured at the time. Make sure you're careful…" she paused for a few moments as her expression turned softer "And not all injuries physical."

Ashe gave her a smile which was so forced that the boy himself gave up on trying to offer one "...Yeah." he replied in a quiet tone of voice as he turned to the door and made his way to it "I know…" the moment he got to within a few feet of it the handle abruptly turned and the door was opened.

The boy froze as Goetia walked through, the man similarly paused as he caught sight of Ashe.

Manuela took note of the silence, looking away from her desk and noticing the standoff between the two. Ashe swallowed before nodding briefly to Goetia and walking around him, the older man stood to the side and allowed him to pass by without incident.

"...I assume he is aware." Goetia spoke out when the boy had disappeared through the hallways. Manuela nodded her head in response as Goetia closed the door.

"So...to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit?" Manuela asked, raising an eyebrow before a flirtatious look came to her face "Are you perhaps in need of more mature company than the Professor?"

The look Goetia gave her was a rather unique one, which gave her the clear message that he was not interested. Not that she minded, it was far more amusing to watch him and the Professor blunder their way through love. Despite her jealously at a younger woman having more success than her, it was still funny to watch.

"I suppose you're here for your own little treasure then." She sighed, spinning around in her chair "She's awake, if you must know."

Goetia turned his head towards the nearest bed, Lysithea lay in it with her eyes forcibly clenched shut so as to not look at him.

"For one who seems to dislike appearing child like, you have a tendency to employ the methods of infants." He remarked.

"I do not!" Lysithea's eyes snapped open as she countered him, then widened her eyes as she realised what she had done and lay back into the bed with a huff "Alright...maybe…"

"Hm." Goetia moved around the foot of her bed and then came to a stop just to her left, looking down at her with a blank expression "Your injuries have recovered well?"

"...Yes." Lysithea gave a curt nod.

"Any further discomfort?"

"...No." She paused, at his continued look she winced "A little sore in my chest."

"You have been in this bed for over a day." Goetia pointed out "You are likely in need of nourishment."

"...Probably." She admitted, then looked away from him "...Get it over with."

She got a blink in response, followed by his brows knitting together "Get what over with?"

"You know…" She huffed, still not looking at him "I...even with your teachings I got injured...you had to save me. I...I would have died."

"You would have." He admitted casually, earning a wince from her and a disapproving glare from Manuela, he pointedly ignored the latter of the two reactions. "What of it?"

"Well...aren't you disappointed in me?" Her eyes turned back to him "All that effort you put into training me and my first actual fight that wasn't random animals and I...I almost died."

Goetia stared down at her for a few moments, pursing his lips and looking away "Do...you want me to be disappointed in you?"

She sniffed "...No."

"Then I am not." He shrugged "That is all there is to it."

"B-but I…"

"Was aware of barely one spell." Goetia replied flatly "To say nothing of your own limited knowledge of Fodlan's magic. Whatever else you claim to be, you are still barely past preadolescence and have rightly pointed out that aside from the encounter with the Monstrous Beasts, you have never been in a true engagement." she said nothing in response "It would be more preferable that you use this as a learning experience so as to better yourself in the case of further encounters."

"So...you aren't...disappointed?" She asked again to confirm, at his shake of the head she felt her shoulders lighten and her head fall back into the pillow. Something quickly occurred to her however "Wait...how did you know I was in danger?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at Goetia.

The man froze and looked away from a few moments before Lysithea widened her eyes "Wait...that bracelet." she surmised "Did...were you spying on me!?"

"...I was only aware of your current condition." He pointed out "And I would have been informed if you were in immediate danger."

"You...did you think I was going to get injured!?" Manuela was now looking rather amused at how uncomfortable Goetia looked, she wasn't wrong. He wasn't exactly sure as to how best he could handle this situation.

"I felt it best to be prepared." He went with "In the event that you were injured-"

"So you thought I was a child in need of babysitting?"

"No...only that I would rather not lose a student-"

"So you didn't think I could take care of myself!"

"That is not what I said."

"It was implied!"

"No it…" Goetia took in a breath "Would you have rather I was ignorant and leave you to die?"

"W-well...no." Lysithea muttered quietly, when he put it like that it sounded much more preferable to be watched rather than left to fend for herself. Regardless of how it looked. She then paused as she realised something "Did the...bracelet tell you anything else?"

"Aside from you being in mortal danger following a stabbing?" Goetia asked, when she nodded her head he remained silent for a few seconds "...No. The information of the Bracelet only provided me with the immediate concerns to your health." it wasn't a lie. "...Why?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.

"W-well...girls don't like being spied on." She huffed, looking away from him. It was a feeble excuse and he knew it. He also knew why she was really concerned but he wouldn't force a confession out of her. He already knew of her condition and she was likely very much wanting to keep it a secret if no others knew of it.

"I see." He nodded his head, then turned towards Manuela "Is she fit to leave the room?"

"Well, she isn't bleeding anymore." Manuela pointed out, then raised an eyebrow "Why?"

"Like I stated earlier." He replied "She is in need of nourishment. It would be best if that immediate concern was dealt with." Goetia looked back at Lysithea "Unless you would rather remain here?"

Lysithea stared at him for a few moments before she slowly nodded her head, looking towards Manuela "...Can I have cake?"

The woman rolled her eyes "Yes, you can have cake."

"Well...I wouldn't be opposed to going to the food hall." She nodded to herself "...Would you be joining me, teacher?"

"...I have not eaten today either." Goetia replied "It would be best to deal with both issues at once." It would also take his mind off other issues he was currently having. Lysithea would, at the very least, force him to discuss more academic topics. The more time he spent focusing on something else, the less time he could spend thinking about himself.

And right now, that was the best solution he could think of.

Lysithea gave him a faint smile and nodded her head "...I do need to get dressed, Teacher."

"Indeed." Goetia stood up, moving away from her and back towards the door "I will await outside...It is...fortunate to see you in good health." he spoke before closing the door behind him.

Manuela snorted and shook her head "I think that's the best compliment anyone is ever going to get from him."

Lysithea agreed, but she didn't mind it that much. It was a very 'Teacher' thing for him to say.

Chapter 32: Distractions from the mind

Waving his hand across the door, Goetia finished muttering the incantation under his breath before he took a step backwards. The symbols glowed across the door frame for scant few seconds before they faded away into the wood work.

Nodding to himself, Goetia turned away from the entrance to the Goddess Tower and back to Seteth, the man stood cross armed behind him.

"So soon?" He asked in surprise, quickly glancing over the tower and towards the door. A minor look of intrigue was present on his face as he advanced on the entrance. Goetia took a step to the side and allowed Seteth to pass him and inspect the entrance to the tower, the man extended his hand and ran it along the door frame where the inscribed words had been "Impressive...I cannot even tell they exist there at all." he looked back to Goetia "And you completed it so swiftly."

"It is only a minor bounded field." The man dismissed "The warding you have within the Tower itself is far more powerful...I admit I was surprised to the extent to which the tower was protected. It is...modest."

Seteth raised an eyebrow at him. Modest. Those had been there since the construction of the Monastery itself and were the most advanced warding spells that he had ever seen and Goetia's only response was to call them modest. Seteth was quickly coming to the conclusion that impressing someone like Goetia was going to be a significant challenge.

It also made him morbidly curious – and perhaps a little afraid – as to what an individual who Goetia referred to as 'impressive' in the magical arts would be like.

"I see." Seteth instead nodded his head in answer before taking a step away from the door and bringing his attention back to Goetia "And it will work?"

"Should someone attempt to enter the bounded field with murderous thoughts towards either yourself or the Archbishop the letters will manifest themselves on the nearest surface and release a significant electric shock." Goetia explained blankly "It is not lethal, as I assume you would like to question such an individual?"

"Indeed." Seteth nodded in affirmation "I suppose there is more?"

"Yes." Goetia nodded his head "It will release a loud noise."

"A...noise?"

"A loud noise." He emphasised "It would be best to alert the guards, it will sound much like the continuous scream of a Monstrous Beast, that is the signal that someone has attempted to breath the tower...in the unlikely event they do."

Seteth gave a grim look "Perhaps it is unlikely...but recent events have made it clear that there are those who stand against the Church with more skill than we can afford to underestimate." he rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out a tired sigh "But I am grateful for your efforts, Goetia. I will be sure to inform the knights that if such a noise does sound out during the Goddesses Rite of Rebirth that they should converge on the tower and apprehend the individual or group responsible."

Goetia nodded his head and turned to leave "If that is all-"

"There is one further thing I wished to discuss quickly." Seteth halted him "I understand you have continued your study on the Demonic Beasts, yes?"

"I have completed preliminary studies, yes." The man nodded his head "Have your knights encountered other Monstrous Beasts or Phantasmals of the similar nature?"

"As of yet, no." Was the reply he received "Not like the one you spoke of at least, the signs of the wolves and birds remain within their usual frequency. Although I will admit some small curiosity. You make a distinction between the two Demonic Beasts, do you now?"

"I do, yes."

"Would they not both be 'Phantasmals' I believe is the word you use?"

"No. The wolves are still only Monstrous Beasts, the lizard I encountered was at the low end of Phantasmal. The distinction is made by the weight of mystery that fuels their existence...what you would refer to as magic." Goetia added on at Seteth's look of confusion "Only the beings of greater magical nature truly ascend to Phantasmal status."

"I see." Seteth nodded his head "And those would be?"

Goetia's eye narrowed slightly at the question "...Frequently on levels equal too or far above the lizard type I encountered. Although they are not limited towards simply being reptilian in nature. There have been numerous instances of other animal types holding Phantasmal status."

Seteth hummed in response "Is that right? What would you say is the highest Phantasmal? in case the Knights should encounter something of its like."

"...Why the sudden interest?" Goetia quizzed, head tilting slightly and eyes holding a suspicious edge to them "It has been well over a month since I submitted my report."

"The paperwork I sort through is often quite large." Seteth replied without missing a beat "I am afraid I only recently had time to read your complete report on the encounter with the Demonic Beasts and I noticed Professor Manuela's was not as well detailed as your own."

Goetia gave a dismissive huff when Seteth mentioned the state of Manuela's report, the green haired man could understand the feeling. While Manuela was indeed a valued member of the Academy and a surprisingly skilled Teacher the woman still had her proclivities which were...trying.

"I see." Goetia had an irritated look in his eyes as his hand came up to rub his forehead in exasperation "Given the situation that followed it is understandable that the report would have become lower on the list of priorities. Regardless, in answer to your question to be classed as one of the highest existence of Phantasmal is no small feat and is not something that would go undetected for very long."

"How so?"

"There was a Phantasmal existence known as Fafnir which was rated among the upper echelons of Phantasmals." Goetia explained, avoiding to mention the type of beast that it was. He wasn't truly in the mood to be dealing with the Church officials being paranoid that he knew what they were. "While not being anywhere near the top, the existence of any Fafnir Type is one that cannot be ignored for long. Considering the weight of its mystery it was – in effect – a walking disaster. The beast would actively breath magical energy and could absorb it from its surroundings much like the phantasmal lizard I encountered but on a much more potent scale."

Seteth's expression darkened "And this beast is where?"

"Dead." Goetia replied instantly "Killed by a wandering Knight."

"They must have been quite the warrior then, to kill something which you have described as quite the fearsome creature."

"Even the highest of phantasmals are not invincible." The man dismissed and turned away "If there is nothing else."

"Of course not, you may go."

Goetia did just that, Seteth's line of questioning was peculiar but he thought nothing more of it. Perhaps the man was curious as to other beings who would fit into the same category of life forms as him. Either that or he was using it as an opportunity to properly categorise Fodlan's Mystic beings beyond labelling them simplistic terms.

Either way, in the end he didn't see how it really mattered to him. There was little that Seteth could do with the trickle of information that he gave him and if they hadn't done anything to better their understanding of Monstrous Beasts and Phantasmals in the last eight hundred years – the first sighting of a 'Demonic Beast' being recorded in Imperial Year 305 – then he didn't see the need to rush them.

He paused, an ugly frown worked its way onto his face.

Did he truly not see a need to rush them? It was mildly irritating to him that they had made such little advancements in magical theory.

No, it wasn't mildly irritating. It was down right vexing. In a world filled with so many mysteries they had done absolutely nothing with their scholarly research beyond make mild examinations into Crests.

And they couldn't even do that correctly. Most of the papers he had read so far had been on 'Theories' about how the Goddess bestowed such blessings upon them in tandem with the Heroes Relics. There wasn't anything of genuine intellect on display in propagating Religious dogma. He couldn't be sure whether the Church had been actively stifling attempts at research or if no one felt the need to better explore Crests.

From the looks of things, Professor Hanneman was not only the foremost Crest Scholar who was actually paying closer attention to the properties that their blood granted them. He was one of the few who was making an active attempt to publish any works of interest.

He had – during his initial readings – examined some of Hannemans works. It wasn't in depth or completely conclusive. However Goetia could attribute that to Hanneman working with limited resources considering the man appeared to be making his own equipment from scratch as no one else appeared interested.

It was…

Shockingly lazy.

Lazy.

Yes. That was it. That was the word he was looking for. Progress in anything in Fodlan was slow and tedious.

And he could change that. He truly could. His own capabilities were as far apart from the 'magi' of Fodlan as this world was to their sun. He could revolutionise the entire system of magecraft if he truly wanted to, unravel the mystery of Crests and advance their understanding of their own world considerably.

Yet…

When he thought about it, he found himself constricted. Like something was crushing his intentions. Any notion he had of attempting to better the people of Fodlan was crushed because it would go against his role as an observer.

However he had already done that when he saved Lysithea. Worse was that he didn't regret it in the least. If he did, then he could have justified himself in never stepping in to aid them ever again. It would have been easier if he regretted saving her life. It would have been so much easier.

But he didn't. That was the crux of the matter. He stepped beyond his own boundaries and acted to spare her life. Not only hers, but the lives of everyone else present that day.

And he didn't regret doing so. No matter how much he wanted to.

It hadn't been the emotion of pure anger flooding him which was intoxicating, it was the act itself. He didn't really have to go. Despite whatever he claimed there was nothing which forced him to go. Acting as an antithesis of Him was part of the reason but it wasn't all of it. He chose to do something. It was an act of free will.

It wasn't like his salvation through the Incineration of Humanity. That wasn't a choice for him either. It was compulsion which forced his hand. An ugliness which he should not – and could not – tolerate any longer. It wasn't as though he chose to enact his great plan. It was that he had no other option but to.

He had a choice with saving Lysithea and the others. And he chose to save her, or at the very least he saved her potential.

That...that was an easier justification.

Yes. She was a rarity. Two crests were not common and the loss of Lysithea would mean he would be losing out on a valuable specimen. He didn't have the same availability with Edelgards time was he did with her. It was more logical to prevent her death.

It was easy to manufacture those reasons.

He felt something crack inside him.

It was so easy to manufacture those reasons to save her life.

So why couldn't any of them feel genuine?

"Welcome back to the land of education." Lysithea's face flattened as she heard the amused voice of Claude ring out through the classroom as she stepped through the doors, despite the light hearted tone of his voice there was a slight undercurrent of relief which was barely audible to her. "I'm sure you've missed it."

"Yes, because unlike some of us." She narrowed her eyes at the tanned boy, leaning back into his chair with his arms lazily resting on the table in front of him "I actually find value in bettering my own mind."

"Hey, hey." Claude raised his hands in surrender and shot her a disarming smile "I read books as well. There's actually this really interesting one I've picked up recently. It's called 'Tale of the Lone Swordsman' its about a travelling man on a journey to avenge his father…" he trailed off as Lysithea shot him the most deadpan expression he had ever seen in his life.

"Is that the one with the guy who slew birds?" Hilda asked, causing Claude's smile to widen as he turned to her.

"Yes it is!"

"I think my brother read that to me once years ago." She rolled her eyes "He and father love that sort of stuff. I once caught him chasing sparrows up and down the garden with a stick trying to hit one."

"That isn't very nice." Marianne's voice carried over from her corner, the girl looking up with a noticeable frown of disapproval before she realised she had spoken aloud and looked away from everyone else.

"That's what I said!" Hilda pointed at the blue haired girl "I mean...he was so loud and he never got close to one but it was still the thought that counts."

"R-right." She muttered to herself.

"Claude." Lorenz voice instantly called over to them with a resigned tone of voice, however resigned it might have sounded it didn't conceal that irritation "Are you truly spending your time reading fantasy novels when you should be using your time to better grasp the responsibilities you will one day inherit." his lip curled "Although given how you usually act I find myself increasingly puzzled as to why I should even offer my opinion-"

"You and me both." Leonie muttered under her breath, Lysithea released a small snort of amusement as she walked past the girl and towards her own seat. It was clear there was no love lost between Leonie and Lorenz and for how often the boy went on about a Nobles responsibility and the importance of 'good breeding' Lysithea was beginning to see it.

Although she had been raised by Nobles so she had a much higher tolerance for such things. Lorenz manner of speech was nothing new to her, even if it was becoming tedious.

"-if you will not even attempt to heed it." The boy finished, completely ignorant to the snide comments being spoken about him.

"We're still young, Lorenz." Claude leaned his head back and turned to the boy "What's wrong with indulging in a little world of imagination."

"'Imagination' does not help one run the Alliance." Lorenz scoffed "And I would have thought that the most recent events would have better educated you on why it is so important to be aware of a Nobles responsibility."

"...You mean about Lord Lonato."

"Exactly." Lorenz nodded his head "He had a duty to see to the well-being of his subjects and now not only is he dead but so are a vast majority of the able-bodied men and women of his territory." the boy crossed his arms in front of himself and took on an unusually serious tone of voice "He ignored his own duties and allowed his emotions to guide his decision making and that has now led the entire Gaspard region into chaos."

"He thought he was getting justice for his son." Claude countered with a small frown "I might not have agreed with the way he went about it at all, but he was still a grieving father."

"And how many grieving families have his actions now left behind?"

"...You're actually a lot more perceptive than I give you credit for."

Lorenz snubbed his nose "That is because I spend my time working to better understanding a Noble's duty. Like you should be doing rather than gallivanting off on whatever flight of fancy next takes you."

"So…" Hilda slammed her hands on the table and leaned forwards, eyes focused on Lysithea "I heard you had a visitor in the infirmary."

The girl blinked at being addressed before she raised an eyebrow in response "Yes, Teacher felt it best to ensure I was recovering." she paused and narrowed her eyes suspiciously "How did you know that he visited me?"

"I have my sources." Hilda deflected easily before a smile slowly worked its way onto her face "I also heard that you two then went to eat together."

"We did, what of it?"

"Ooooh." Claude's smile took on a cat like trait "Is Sparkles melting the Golden Deer's Ice Cream Mage?"

Lysithea widened her eyes in shock before she narrowed them "What did you call me?"

"Everyone calls you that." Claude replied with a blank face "Also your sweet tooth doesn't help matters. It was actually one of the easiest nicknames I came up with."

"I refuse to answer to such a childish nickname."

"Whatever you say Sprinkles."

"What?"

"Sprinkles and Sparkles." Claude joked "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"You-!"

"Claude." Hilda chided him with a flat look "We both know that Goetia is interested in Professor Eisner."

Lysithea did a double take. He was what?

"W-where did you get that ridiculous notion?" She sputtered before a look of incredulity came to her face "We are both students of his, to cross such boundaries would be unprofessional for someone of his caliber."

"...So why did me and Dimitri see them sneaking off into Teach's room together?" Claude tilted his head and asked in an innocent tone of voice. The room seemed to quieten down instantly as the boy found himself the centre of attention.

"Why would they need to be in her room?" Raphael asked with a confused frown as he looked around the room "Maybe he was helping her with something?"

Several heads slowly turned towards the boy. The blonde giant's look of confusion only seemed to grow in intensity "What? Why is everyone staring at me like that?"

Claude looked at the man, his own eyebrows reaching his hairline they had climbed so high, before his focus slowly trailed down to Ignatz who was sitting next to him with a cringing expression on his face and a look that told everyone not to push the subject.

"Hey...Raph." Hilda squinted her eyes at him "Where do babies come from?"

Raphael looked as though she had said something dumb "You don't know? I thought everyone knew?"

"Just humour me for a moment, will you?"

"The stork brings them, duh." He crossed his arms across his chest and answered with an expression of absolute confidence on his face.

"Yes Raphael." Claude nodded with a look of utter seriousness "That is exactly right. Hilda is silly for not knowing such basic information." the girl sent him a pointed look and swatted him on the arm in a playful manner. He chuckled at the reaction and turned his attention back to the still dumbfounded Lysithea. Even she knew where children came from. "So anyway...Teach and Sparkles?"

"It was probably a private meeting to discuss further teaching plans." Lysithea explained away "I will not have you slandering Spa...Teachers reputation with such baseless gossip."

"I wouldn't call it baseless." Hilda shrugged "I heard from Dorothea that those tow have been frequently speaking to eachother in private."

"What did I say, Sprinkles?" Claude smirked "Teacher-in-law."

"I hope he isn't giving her preferential treatment." Leonie frowned as she spoke up, resting her hands on the table "It wouldn't do my competition with her if we were competing from an unfair standpoint."

"She's been a mercenary for years." Claude pointed out with a raised eyebrow "She's already at an unfair standpoint."

"Well...she probably doesn't need anymore." She crossed her arms "Although I suppose it would be expected that someone who was raised by Captain Jeralt would be naturally skilled. That is just how he is."

"Riiiight." Claude slowly nodded his head in response, giving a not entirely convincing smile. "I don't think that you have much to worry on that account. Sparkles doesn't seem the guy to give anyone special treatment."

"That is what makes Teacher so good." Lysithea boasted with a raised chin and a proud smile "He is completely impartial when it comes to teaching. No such nonsense as passing over a potential student because they do not have a crest."

"It is more likely that he does not understand the significance of Crests because of his foreign status." Lorenz dismissed with a wave of his hand.

Claude's smile cracked for the briefest of moments before it returned to its original self and the boy looked at his peer "What's wrong with that? I think that a little fresh perspective is needed around here."

"There is nothing wrong with a fresh perspective." Lorenz countered "However, Goetia has not lived in Fodlan for very long. As such he does not understand the intricacies of Fodlan's social structure. Any perspective he offered – while it might come from a genuine desire to help – would not be entirely well thought through. It is not through any fault of his own." he raised a single hand to stop the boy's question "But he cannot fully understand the ramifications of whatever he proposes. You cannot say that he obviously does not feel the same way, given how he has never made a public comment about anything relating to Fodlan's society."

"So you're saying that because he's a foreigner...his point of view in ignorant form the get go."

"It comes from a place of ignorance and that is through no fault of Library Assistant Goetia." Lorenz replied "It is simply that because he was not raised in Fodlan, he cannot make an educated statement on political matters, so he does not."

Claude stared at him in silence with a look that betrayed nothing before he gave a small shrug "Yeah...I guess not being from here means that he won't know everything about Fodlan."

"Exactly." Lorenz nodded, pleased that his point had been well articulated before he frowned "Where is Professor Manuela anyway? The lesson was supposed to begin fifteen minutes ago."

"Probably a Tavern." Leonie pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Or right behind you, Miss Pinelli." The ginger girl jumped at the voice and span around with wide eyes to see Manuela stood at the entrance to the classroom with a flat expression aimed at her, Leonie grimaced and looked away "And if you must know. I was away collecting the materials for this months mission." she strode into the room and towards the desk as the students all took their seats.

"Sorry, Professor Manuela." Leonie apologised, not looking at the woman so as to hide her awkward expression.

"Hm." Manuela grunted in response "Now then. I assume you are all aware of the sudden increase in activity from the Knights around Hillfar at the base of the Monastery." the students all nodded their head in understanding "There will also be an increase in patrols around here for the next few weeks leading up to the Goddesses Rite of Rebirth, of which all three Classes will take part in."

Claude raised his hand, the woman looked to him and gave a small nod "So...why all the patrols? I know that the Monastery opens up to the public during the Rite but it isn't normally that heavily guarded, is it?"

"Normally, no." Manuela agreed "However there are circumstances which had brought about this change. As the other Professors are no doubt informing their respective classes, after recovering letters from the deceased Lord Lonato's, camp there is reason to believe that there might be a possible threat to the life of the Archbishop during the Rite." she explained, causing eyes to go wide "Yes, I know. Very shocking and disturbing. So we are all going to be taking part in ensuring the safety of the Archbishop."

"Trying to Assassinate the Archbishop in the middle of the Monastery during a public festival seems a little too risky, doesn't it?" Claude pondered aloud, Manuela let out a sigh in response.

"The legitimacy of the threat aside, it cannot be ignored Claude." She replied "Now I have the early details of who will be where during the Rite of Rebirth."

Manuela began to list of names and locations while Claude held a sceptical frown on his face. This felt way too convenient for them. Also it didn't make much sense for him for Lonato to keep assassination plans on him when he was already marching to kill the Archbishop directly.

It was fishy.

"You suspect misdirection?" Goetia surmised as he turned to face the boy.

"That's a nice word." Claude snapped his fingers "Better than distraction." he chuckled to himself "But yes, that's why I think. I don't know...feels way to easy to just find Assassination plans lying around."

"That is usually because assassins do not leave them 'lying about' as you say." Goetia replied with a touch of exasperation "However I fail to see as to why you have brought this to me rather than your own teacher."

"Well, its less embarrassing if I'm wrong and confided my suspicions with you in private first rather than announce them to the entire class." Claude pointed out as if it were obvious with a carefree smile on his face.

Goetia continued to give him a flat look "You are aware I will still be aware of your mistaken hypothesis if you are proven wrong, are you not?"

"Yes, but lets be honest here." Claude smirked "Would your opinion of me really change all that much?"

"No." Goetia answered instantly "However your assumption that the plot to assassinate the Archbishop is misdirection is more likely than it being a genuine assassination attempt."

"Ah! So you do believe me!"

"I said that it was more likely, not that I believe you." He replied in a curt tone "Do you have any suggestions as to what the true aim is of this mysterious group on the Rite of Rebirth?"

"...Not...right now." Claude answered slowly "But I'm sure I'll think of something."

"I'm sure." Goetia answered in a dry tone of voice "However, I am compelled to ask as to whether you expect me to do anything?"

Claude blinked at him before he titled his head "Right now? No." that earned him a blank look from Goetia which seemed to encourage him to continue "I can't exactly ask you to do anything if I'm not sure myself, that would just be embarrassing for both of us. So I'll do some digging...then I'll come back and see if you want to help."

"Hmph." Goetia grunted in response "At the very least you are aware of the possibility that I would say no. Young Pinelli seemed to be aggrieved that I was hesitant to act against Lonato."

"I mean, not everyone does things out of the goodness of their heart." Claude shrugged "People are selfish like that. Although I am grateful you helped, a couple minutes earlier wouldn't have hurt." he joked.

"I will tell you what I told her. I had no true investment in Lonato's conflict until certain...circumstances occurred."

"And that's fair." Claude nodded his head "But if everybody never lifted a finger to help someone they never knew, then the world would be a very dull place." Goetia's eyes flicked to him "Its how people meet. Face it, you didn't know who I was back in Remire and yet you acted to save my life. If you hadn't done that, we'd never have been the close friends we are now."

"We are not close friends." Goetia scoffed before he fell silent for a moment "However...your point is not inaccurate." he muttered, his eyes clouding over and seemingly staring at something else as his lips thinned.

Claude stared at the expression with a small frown before he spoke up "Hey, Sparkles...you alright?"

"...I am not experiencing any physical ailments." Goetia replied in a monotone like voice "If you are so curious."

"Hm...not what I meant but I think I got my answer." Claude affirmed to himself as he nodded his head and turned away "I'll tell Sprinkles and Teach to send you a 'Get well soon' card." he joked as he made for the door.

Goetia furrowed his brow in confusion "Sprinkles?"

"Lysithea." Claude replied with a beaming smile "Sparkles and Sprinkles. I think its amazing, don't you?"

"It's inane and childish."

"I'm not hearing a rejection of the name~." The boy sang as he disappeared out of the library and closed the door behind him.

Staring at the doors, Goetia felt the troubled frown return. He had forgotten. Von Riegan was correct, he had no personal investment in him when they first met and yet he still saved his life. It wasn't as though the boy was anything special, not like Lysithea or Edelgard. There was really no reason for him to get involved at all.

Yet he did.

His excuse of wanting to know why Von Riegan had been there risking his life was flimsy at best. He didn't really find that the answer he received surprised him all that much. It was easier to state that he had saved Von Riegan's life on a whim.

Was that what he had been reduced to? Acting on nothing more than a flight of fancy as a direction for his actions?

Regardless, at least the boy had also provided him with something that he could distract himself with so as to avoid thinking about the topic entirely. He was steadily growing to dislike the manner that it was affecting him. It was an uncertainty that repulsed him greatly and it invaded his mind like a parasite every time he was unable to find something to occupy his time with.

Dismissing those poisonous thoughts, Goetia dwelled on Von Riegans suspicions as he continued to work through his daily routine in the library. He had already set up the bounded field so it wasn't as though he could be accused of being complacent in the face of a threat to the Archbishop.

However it was a novel concept, what manner of alternative goal would one have for entering the Church? Sabotage and theft were the most likely answers. If it was theft, then what would it be a theft of?

If he were to hazard a guess, he would say that the Church did indeed keep something of value inside its walls. It was inevitable and the likes of another of the 'Heroes Relics' would be useful to someone. Phantasmal bones often were. The power they held could not be understated, as most weapons crafted from the bones of phantasmals was often considerable.

It begged the question as to why he should care to begin with. He hadn't immediately dismissed Von Riegan's request but he didn't really have any intention of accepting it right now.

Right now…

It would likely depend on whatever information the boy was able to unravel about where he suspected the actual target was located. At any rate, he doubted that Von Riegan was the only one to doubt the veracity of the claims.

"Professor." Byleth looked up from her desk as Dimitri approached her with a small frown on his face "I have something I wished to discuss with you, it relates to your announcement earlier regarding the plot to assassinate the Archbishop."

Byleth raised an eyebrow and nodded for him to continue.

"With the report of the patrols, it seems as though the Knights will have their hands full in protecting Lady Rhea." His face turned grim "I cannot help but wonder if our enemy is counting on that."

"Misdirection." Byleth surmised "Possible. More than likely as well."

"I fear so as well…" Dimitri nodded his head "I wanted to run the idea by you first, I cannot abide my suspicions that perhaps we might play into the hands of our enemies."

"I'll look into it." She nodded her head before pursing her lips "Good work. Keep looking."

"Of course, Professor." Dimitri gave a faint smile "Although if I have thought of something like this, I have no doubt Claude will as well."