Throne of Knowledge/Script

White Clouds

Pegasus Moon

Throne of Knowledge

Narration

Pegasus Moon

The northern lands are enveloped in a bitter cold, and frigid winds are carried across the sea to the south of Adrestia. When feather-white snow falls on Fódlan's Locket, the fort looks as delicate as a pearl. However....beneath that snowy blanket, her Throat is more treacherous than ever.

Event: True Identity

Audience Chamber | Daytime

• Seteth: Rhea, please talk to me. What are you hiding? What is the meaning of how that one looks? It is almost as though...
• Rhea: As I said, there is nothing of which to speak. For now. At the end of this month...
• Seteth: I read Jeralt's diary. I happened upon it in his room.
• Rhea: What?
• Seteth: In it, he stated the reason for his departure. The baby thought to have died in the fire...has returned to us. Jeralt realized that you had done something to the child and decided to flee. What did you do to that baby, Rhea? Nothing...questionable, I hope?
• Rhea: Seteth, enough. They will be here shortly. No more, I beg of you. I will take our dear professor to the Holy Tomb. There...I should be able to see our dearest wishes to fruition. When I was young, I hear her voice there... I'm sure of it.

(Knock on the door)

• Rhea: You may enter.

(Door opens and Byleth joins them)

• Rhea: I have been awaiting your arrival, Professor. Now that you have received sacred power from the goddess, there is somewhere you must pay a visit to at once. You must go to the Holy Tomb so that you may receive a divine revelation from the goddess.
• Byleth's Choices:
  • Choice 1: The Holy Tomb?
  • Choice 2: A revelation?
• Seteth: The Holy Tomb is where the goddess sleeps. This monastery was originally built for the purpose of protecting that hallowed temple.
• Rhea: Only a select few know of it, but there is a legend about Seiros and the Holy Tomb. Saint Seiros, the first soul to be gifted power from the goddess, received her revelation there. She was told it was her sacred duty to save the people of Fódlan, and that she must use her power wisely in order to lead them. The words that were handed down to Seiros from the goddess will likely fall upon your ears as well.
• Seteth: Prepare yourself to go at once. There, may you find out why you were blessed with such power.
• Rhea: There will be a ceremony at the Holy Tomb. It is then that you will receive the goddess's revelation. You may share this mission with your students.
• Byleth Choices:
  • Choice 1: Do you think it wise to bring them into this?
  • Choice 2: A mission? Now?
• Rhea: It is said that when Seiros received the revelation, she had holy warriors by her side, protecting her. Your students, who have followed you and fought alongside you through the darkest of times, are well suited to stand by you for the ceremony. Of course, as the leader of the Church of Seiros, I will be by your side as well.
• Byleth Choices:
  • Choice 1: Strange...
  • Choice 2: Isn't that too dangerous? (Relationship with Rhea up)
• Rhea:
  • Choice 1 response: The occasion is too significant to be missed.
  • Choice 2 response: The Holy Tomb is a sacred temple that is sealed off from the rest of the world. There is nothing to fear.
• Rhea: Even if something were to happen, I am more than capable of protecting myself.
• Seteth: Much has changed, but your duty has not wavered. Steel your mind for the ceremony, and prepare your students well.

(Byleth nods)

Event: Deep Underground

Blue Lions route

(The scene fades in to the Blue Lions group, along with Flayn, at the Cathedral)

Cathedral
Daytime

• Dimitri: A revelation from the goddess... To think we'll have the honor of attending such a historical event.
• Dedue: I hear the archbishop will accompany us to the Holy Tomb.
• Ingrid: If something happens to her, all of Fodlan will suffer. We must protect her at all costs.
• Dimitri: This may sound mad, but perhaps we don't have to worry so much about that. Lady Rhea has said before that she is capable of protecting herself. I have a felling that is true. I thought it was a strange thing for her to say. and beyond that, her movements bring to mind a great warrior with an extensive military background.
• Byleth's choices
  • Choice 1: Who is Rhea, really?
  • Choice 2: If so, we have nothing to fear.
• Dimitri: I wonder. Mind it's also possible that I'm way off track. Regardless, perhaps we should brace ourselves for anything.
• Ashe: I never imagined attending a ceremony for real revelation.
• Mercedes: I wonder what the ceremony will be like. I'm so nervous. I'm not ready for this.
• Felix: There's no chance for battle unless something goes terribly wrong, right? How boring.
• Sylvain: If you keep saying things like that, something bad is bound to happen.
• Annette: (to Flayn) What's wrong, Flayn? You look like you have something on your mind.
• Flayn: Who, me? No, it is nothing. May we all see this through to the end.
• Dedue: (to Dimitri) Your Highness, I will protect you no matter what. (noticing something is wrong) Your Highness?
• Dimitri: (sighs)
• Byleth's choices
  • Choice 1: Lost in thought?
  • Choice 2: You haven't seemed like yourself lately...
• Dimitri: Hm? Ah, I suppose you could say that. Nothing to worry about. It's about time for Lady Rhea to arrive. Let's all steel ourselves for whatever may occur at this ceremony.

(Byleth nods, and the scene fades out.)

Golden Deer route

(The scene fades in to the Golden Deer group, along with Flayn, at the Cathedral)

Cathedral
Daytime

• Claude: You're going to receive the godess's revelation at the Holy Tomb? That's news to me. I did not see that coming.
• Hilda: Lady Rhea's going too, right? I hear it will be well-guarded, but it is that really okay?
• Ignatz: If Solon's allies are still around, it's certainly true that we don't know when or where they may appear.
• Leonie: I don't know what type of place this Holy Tomb is, but we should be cautious.
• Raphael: If something happens, we'll have to take matters into our own hands.
• Hilda: What do you think, Professor? Is it really okay for Lady Rhea to attend?
• Byleth's choices
  • Choice 1: I'm worried.
  • Choice 2: It's encouraging.
• Claude: Leave it to our fearless leader to shrewdly factor in Rhea's fighting ability. Your bold, Teach. I love it. Well, the truth is, we won't know what's going on until it happens. All we can do is stay on our guard and play it by ear.
• Lorenz: That's quite enough babbling, Claude. There is nobody more unfit for a holy ceremony than you.
• Marianne: Um, divine punishment won't strike us for setting foot in the Holy Tomb, right?
• Lysithea: Good grief. Why are you always so negative? (to Flayn) Hm? Flayn, is something on your mind?
• Flayn: Who, me? No, it is nothing. May we all see this through to the end.
• Claude: It still doesn't make sense to me. A goddess was living inside Teach, right? But now there's a ceremony to receive a revelation or whatever. How could that be necessary anymore? There must be another objective. (sighs) It's pointless to speculate about it now. We'll know the answer soon enough. There isn't any danger for us students, but... be careful, Teach.

(Byleth nods, and the scene fades out.)

Event: The Holy Tomb

Black Eagles route

(The scene fades in to the Black Eagles group at the Holy Tomb, with Rhea accompanying them.)

Holy Tomb
Daytime

• Rhea: Are you surprised, Professor? This is the Holy Tomb.
• Edelgard: To think there was such a vast space beneath the monastery all this time. It's hard imagine that any of these enormous contraptions are of this world. (pauses and says nothing, which is displayed as "...")

(The scene fades out. Footseps are heard)

• Rhea: This is where the goddess who created this world was laid to rest, along with her children.

(The scene fades back in, with Rhea standing next to Byleth)

• Rhea: It is said that our creator, the goddess Sothis, sat upon this very throne. Professor, do you recognize this throne?
• Byleth's choices
  • Choice 1: I do. (Relationship with Rhea goes up)
  • Choice 2: I do not.

• Rhea: So long... I have waited so very long for this day. Sit upon the throne. I have no doubt you will be gifted a revelation from the goddess.

(Byleth walks away from Rhea, and a CG image of Byleth sitting on the Throne of Knowledge fades in)

• Rhea: Well? (pauses as nothing happens) It was supposed to be but a step away. What could possibly be missing?
• Edelgard: (offscreen) Stop right there.

(The CG image fades out. The scene fades in to Edelgard and Hubert, who are accompanied by Metodey and a contingent of soldiers from the Adrestian Empire)

• Metodey: (laughs) Don't move, any of you. If you move, your lives will be forfeit. Thank you ever so much for guiding us this far. The Imperial army will now take possession of everything in the Holy Tomb. (snickers)
• Dorothea: What's the Imperial army doing here?
• Ferdinand: Wait! Does he work for the Flame Emperor?
• Linhardt: So the Flame Emperor's connected to the Empire. I never thought that possible.
• Bernadetta: Edelgard, did you know about this?
• Edelgard: Yes. In fact, I gave the order. I am the Flame Emperor.
• Hubert: I guess that's the end of play-at-school, Lady Edelgard. I mean, "Your Majesty".
• Metody: Get to work, everyone! The Crest Stones belong to us now! And take those filthy bones, too.

(The scene fades to black, where footsteps are heard. The scene fades back in.)

• Rhea: Insolence! You will atone for the sin of tramping on this holy resting place. (to Byleth) Professor, destroy these villainous traitors who dare dishonor our creator!
• Caspar: Wait! What's the meaning of this, Edelgard?
• Petra: (in disbelief) You... made use of us? Why?
• Edelgard: I'm sorry, my teacher. I cut this path, and now I must follow it. My friends, I ask that all of you stay back. It is not my intention to fight you. (to her troops) By order of the Adrestian emperor, Edelgard von Hresvelg, I command you to collect the Crest Stones! If anyone attempts to stop us, kill them!

Blue Lions route

(The scene fades in to the Blue Lions group at the Holy Tomb, with Rhea accompanying them.

Holy Tomb
Daytime

• Rhea: Are you surprised, Professor? This is the Holy Tomb.
• Dimitri: Incredible. To think such a vast space has been hiding beneath the monastery all this time. I wonder what powers that giant mechanism that decends beneath the ground.

(The scene fades out. Footseps are heard)

• Rhea: This is where the goddess who created this world was laid to rest, along with her children.

(The scene fades back in, with Rhea standing next to Byleth and Dimitri behind Byleth)

• Rhea: It is said that our creator, the goddess Sothis, sat upon this very throne. Professor, do you recognize this throne?
• Byleth's choices
  • Choice 1: I do. (Relationship with Rhea goes up)
  • Choice 2: I do not.

• Rhea: So long... I have waited so very long for this day. Sit upon the throne. I have no doubt you will be gifted a revelation from the goddess.

(Byleth walks away from Rhea, and a CG image of Byleth sitting on the Throne of Knowledge fades in)

• Rhea: Well? (pauses as nothing happens) It was supposed to be but a step away. What could possibly be missing?

(The CG image fades away to in game footage of Dimitri and Rhea standing in front of where the throne is. Dimitri, feeling something isn't right turns around hastily.)

• Dimitri: Halt! Revealyour self!

(The scene fades out. The scene fades in to Metodey, accompanied by the Flame Emperor and a contingent of soldiers from the Adrestian Empire)

• Metodey: (laughs) Don't move, any of you. If you move, your lives will be forfeit. Thank you ever so much for guiding us this far. The Imperial army will now take possession of everything in the Holy Tomb. (snickers)

(The scene fades to the Blue Lions group.)

• Dedue: Why is the Imperial army here?
• Ingrid: This can't be. How did they get into Garreg Mach?
• Sylvain: Even the Flame Emperor is here. That can only mean--
• Felix: The Flame Emperor is connected to the Empire. What do you know.

(The scene fades to the Flame Emperor and Metodey's group.)

• Dimitri: I never imagined you'd have the nerve to return here. What are you after, Flame Emperor?
• Flame Emperor: Is it not obvious? The Holy Tomb contains great power; the power to rule all of Fodlan.
• Dimitri: And to attain that power, you'll trample anything that stands in your way, just like you did in Duscur!
• Flame Emperor: I had nothing to do with that. (to their troops) Quickly, retrieve the Crest Stones! Kill for them if you must.

(The scene fades to black, where footsteps are heard. The scene fades back in.)

• Rhea: Insolence! You will atone for the sin of tramping on this holy resting place. (to Byleth) Professor, destroy these villainous traitors who dare dishonor our creator!

Golden Deer route

(The scene fades in to the Golden Deer group at the Holy Tomb, with Rhea accompanying them.)

Holy Tomb
Daytime

• Rhea: Are you surprised, Professor? This is the Holy Tomb.
• Claude: That mechanism for decending underground back there... What powers it? When I tried to come by myself, it wouldn't even budge.

(The scene fades out. Footseps are heard)

• Rhea: This is where the goddess who created this world was laid to rest, along with her children.

(The scene fades back in, with Rhea standing next to Byleth and Claude behind Byleth)

• Rhea: It is said that our creator, the goddess Sothis, sat upon this very throne. Professor, do you recognize this throne?
• Byleth's choices
  • Choice 1: I do. (Relationship with Rhea goes up)
  • Choice 2: I do not.

• Rhea: So long... I have waited so very long for this day. Sit upon the throne. I have no doubt you will be gifted a revelation from the goddess.

(Byleth walks away from Rhea, and a CG image of Byleth sitting on the Throne of Knowledge fades in)

• Rhea: Well? (pauses as nothing happens) It was supposed to be but a step away. What could possibly be missing?

(The CG image fades away to in game footage of Claude and Rhea standing in front of where the throne is. Claude, feeling something isn't right, turns around.)

• Claude: Sorry to disturb you when you're distressed, Archbishop, but it seems some uninvited guests have arrived.

(The scene fades out. The scene fades in to Metodey, accompanied by the Flame Emperor and a contingent of soldiers from the Adrestian Empire)

• Metodey: (laughs) Don't move, any of you. If you move, your lives will be forfeit. Thank you ever so much for guiding us this far. The Imperial army will now take possession of everything in the Holy Tomb. (snickers)

(The scene fades to the Golden Deer group.)

• Ignatz: The Imperial army? What are they doing here?
• Lysithea: So, they knew we were heading to the Holy Tomb and followed us here.
• Hilda: Hey, who is that standing next to the angry guy? Could that be--
• Claude: The Flame Emperor. I see. So you've been allied with the Empire from the beginning.
• Leonie: What are they doing here? What do they hope to gain?

(The scene fades to the Flame Emperor and Metodey's group.)

• Claude: There's only one goal for grave robbers like these, right, Flame Emperor? You're hear to steal the treasure that rests within the Holy Tomb.
• Flame Emperor: For a fool, you catch on quickly. Those Crest Stones will be ours. That infernal power, which is masquerading as a medicine but is truly a poison, will plague this world no longer.

(The scene fades to black. The scene fades back in to the Golden Deer group and Rhea.)

• Rhea: Insolence! You will atone for the sin of tramping on this holy resting place. (to Byleth) Professor, destroy these villainous traitors who dare dishonor our creator!

Battle: Conflict in the Holy Tomb

Metodey

(With anyone)

• Metodey: I'm told it's fine to kill those who resist. Now then, how shall I cook you?

(When defeated)

• Metodey: Wait... No! I was just following orders! I just... Graaargh!

Flame Emperor/Edelgard

(With Byleth, Blue Lions or Golden Deer Routes)

• Flame Emperor: You are the one person I did not wish to make an enemy of...

(With Byleth, Black Eagles Route)

• Edelgard: Professor, I will make no excuses. Thank you for wall that you did for me. In truth-- No. Let's leave it at that.

(With Dimitri)

• Dimitri: Do not try to say you have forgotten... Do you know just how many people died in Duscur?
• Flame Emperor: Why bother with this? Stay silent and fight.
• Dimitri: So you want to turn your eyes away from the lives you have trampled? Dastard! You are a monster. The lowliest beast I have ever known.

(With Claude)

• Claude: So, you're the fabled Flame Emperor? Go ahead and enlighten me. What are you planning to do with the Crest Stones? What did you use Flayn's blood for? Who's Kronya? Who's Solon?
• Flame Emperor: Silence. There is no need for you to know.
• Claude: Is it that mask that's to blame for your courtness? If so, maybe I should rip it off and ask again.

(Anyone else, Blue Lions and Golden Deer routes)

• Flame Emperor: You wish to interfere? Then your life is forfeit.

(Anyone else, Black Eagles route)

• Edelgard: Despite what I said, I have no intention of killing you. So why not stand down and get out of my way?

(When defeated in the Black Eagles route)

• Edelgard: So the end has come...

(When defeated in the Blue Lions route)

• (Flame Emperor grunts. Cue the FMV "Loathing")

(When defeated in the Golden Deer route)

• Edelgard: So the end has come...

• Claude: Is this some sick joke? The Flame Emperor is actually Edelgard?!

Movie: Loathing (Blue Lions route)

(Note: This movie only plays in the Blue Lions route)

(The scene fades in to the Flame Emperor's mask on the ground, having been knocked off of them. Dimitri is looking down on the ground. He starts dementedly chuckling, then proceeds to crazily laugh while Byleth looks at Dimitri with a concerned expression.)

• Dimitri: Is this some kind of twisted joke?!

(The camera cuts to a closer shot of the unmasked Flame Emperor, who is actually Edelgard herself, guarded by a squad of soldiers. Dimitri brandished his lance and step's on Edelgard's Flame Emperor mask, breaking it. Byleth tries to stop Dimitri as he approaches Edelgard, but is pushed away by him.)

• Dimitri: I've been looking for you... I will take that head from your shoulders, and hang it from the gates of Enbarr!

(Dimitri charges toward Edelgard, and her troops charge towards Dimitri to stop him, but Dimitri uses his lance to knock back 4 of them, and then proceeds to throw his lance toward Edelgard's face. She gasps, but the lance barely misses her face and whizzes past her shoulder. Dimitri continues beating up more Imperial soldiers with a crazy look on his face.)

• Imperial Soldier: Stop right there!

(Dimitri stops the soldier and grabs his face, and then possibly crushes it off screen. Dimitri looks at the camera, with his eyes completely dull and blood on his face. He makes a sinister snicker as the scene fades out.)

Event: Fateful Farewell

Black Eagles route (If the player chooses "I must kill Edelgard.")

• Rhea: You have disappointed me, Edelgard. To think that a descendant of House Hresvelg would dare betray the holy church...
• Edelgard: So it is my teacher who stands in my way. I always knew it would come to this...
• Rhea: Professor, kill Edelgard at once. She is a danger to all of Fódlan. Such a rebellious heart cannot be allowed to keep beating.

(If the player talked to Edelgard earlier in the chapter and did a certain event, the player is given two choices: "I must kill Edelgard." or "I must protect Edelgard." The player chooses the former)

• Edelgard: I will withdraw... for now.

(Hubert teleports besides Edelgard)

• Edelgard: Come, Hubert!

(Hubert and Edelgard teleport away)

• Rhea: To flee is futile, wicked girl! The Church of Seiros will raise it's entire army against you, until you have been captured and punished! You have defiled the Holy Tomb, dishonored the goddess, and humiliated your brethren. That crime will never be erased, even if you burn in the eternal flames and spill all of your blood into the goddess's soil! (to Byleth) Come, Professor. Let us return and decide upon our next course of action.

(Byleth nods, and Rhea leaves.)

Black Eagles route (If the player chooses "I must protect Edelgard."

• Rhea: You have disappointed me, Edelgard. To think that a descendant of House Hresvelg would dare betray the holy church...
• Edelgard: So it is my teacher who stands in my way. I always knew it would come to this...
• Rhea: Professor, kill Edelgard at once. She is a danger to all of Fódlan. Such a rebellious heart cannot be allowed to keep beating.

(If the player talked to Edelgard earlier in the chapter and did a certain event, the player is given two choices: "I must kill Edelgard." or "I must protect Edelgard." The player chooses the latter. Byleth walks away from Rhea.)

• Rhea: You... How dare you!
• Edelgard: (in shock) My teacher, I... Thank you. But are you certain that-- No. Now isn't the time for discussion.

(Hubert teleports besides Edelgard and Byleth)

• Hubert: Words cannot properly express my gratitude, Professor.
• Rhea: So, this is the choice you have made. You are just another failure. Your presence soils this Holy Tomb and disgraces my brethren. I will not allow one who would lend our enemies strength to wield the power of the goddess Sothis! I have passed judgement! And now, I shall now rip your chest open, and take back your heart myself!

(Rhea glows green and the scene fades to a CG image of Rhea's dragon form, the Imaculate One)

• Hubert: (chuckles) That must be the Immaculate One...
• Edelgard: Yes. The monsters that have controlled Fodlan in secret for far too long... Rhea is their leader.
• Hubert: There is no time to waste. Your Majesty, Professor, we must escape while we still can.

(The scene fades out)

Blue Lions route

• Edelgard: ... (angry sound)
• Dimitri: Before I break your neck, there is one thing I must ask you.
• Edelgard: Stay out of my way.
• Dimitri: I don't recall giving you permission to speak. Answer my question. That is all you have left to do. Flame Emperor...no. Edelgard. Tell me now. Why did you cause such a tragedy?
• Edelgard: ... (distressed sound)
• Dimitri: You killed your own mother, and yet you haven't even had the decency to stop and consider the reasons behind your actions. Have you?!
• Edelgard: I already told you. I had nothing to do with that.
• Dimitri: Ha! It was foolish to think I could reason with a lowly beast.

(Two Imperial soldiers rush in front of Edelgard to protect her from Dimitri.)

• Imperial Soldier: Your Majesty! Now!
• Dimitri: You are a monster...

(As Dimitri kills the two soldiers offscreen, Hubert teleports besides Edelgard)

• Edelgard: Come, Hubert!

(Hubert and Edelgard teleport away. Screen blacks out)

• Rhea: To flee is futile, wicked girl. The Church of Seiros will raise its entire army against you until you have been captured and punished! You have defiled the Holy Tomb, dishonored the goddess, and humiliated your brethren. That crime will never be erased, even if you burn in the eternal flames and spill all of your blood into the goddess's soil.

(Scene in the Holy Tomb returns with Byleth and Rhea)

• Rhea: Come, Professor. Let us return and decide upon our next course of action.

(Byleth nods, and Rhea leaves)

• Dimitri: Ngah...
• Byleth:
  • Choice 1: Are you OK?
  • Choice 2: I can't believe it. Edelgard...
• Dimitri: We weren't able to defeat her.

(Dedue approaches Dimitri)

• Dedue: Your Highness...
• Dimitri: I will kill Edelgard. With my own hands. I swear it! (Calmly to Byleth) Let's return to the monastery, Professor. It is clear what must be done.

(The scene then fades out)

Golden Deer route

• Rhea: You have disappointed me, Edelgard. To think that a descendant of House Hresvelg would dare betray the holy church... (to Byleth) Professor, kill Edelgard at once. She is a danger to all of Fódlan. Such a rebellious heart cannot be allowed to keep beating.
• Edelgard: I have achieved my objective. I will retreat. Farewell, Professor. If we meet again, it will be on the battlefield.

(Hubert teleports besides Edelgard)

• Edelgard: Come, Hubert!

(Hubert and Edelgard teleport away)

• Rhea: To flee is futile, wicked girl! The Church of Seiros will raise it's entire army against you, until you have been captured and punished! You have defiled the Holy Tomb, dishonored the goddess, and humiliated your brethren. That crime will never be erased, even if you burn in the eternal flames and spill all of your blood into the goddess's soil! (to Byleth) Come, Professor. Let us return and decide upon our next course of action.

(Byleth nods, and Rhea leaves.)

• Claude: I'm not exactly on friendly terms with the princess, but I do have a few questions for her. Edelgard said that the Crest Stones represent power. That means she knows how to use them. She almost certainly knows other secrets of Fódlan as well... Once things calm down a bit, there's a lot more that Rhea needs to tell us.

(Byleth nods)

• Claude: I just hope there's still time. I have this strange feeling... that history is being written. That an age or anarchy is upon us. Let's hope I'm mistaken.

Event: Whispers of War

Black Eagle/Church of Seiros route

(The scene fades to the Audience Chamber, where Seteth is addressing the other Black Eagle students.)

Audience Chamber | Daytime

• Seteth: Edgelgard and Hubert have disappeared. They will surely return to the Empire. The knights have been dispatched to search and investigate. If there is any movement, we will know. We cannot ignore the possibility that there will soo be open hostilities between us and the Imperial army. When that happens, are you prepared to fight your own? If you wish to return to the Empire, I will not stop you. That is your choice to make.
• Ferdinand: If Edelgard is acting afoul, then we have no choice but to strike her down.
• Caspar: It's up to us to stop them! We have a war on our hands!
• Linhardt: I have no interest in fighting, not even for her. And yet--
• Bernadetta: How are we supposed to decide just like that?
• Dorothea: Edie, Hubie, I'm sorry about this, but... I'm siding with the professor.
• Petra: Her doings are wrong. It is our duty to make everything right.
• Seteth: I am sure you all have much on your mind. I encourage you to confer with your professor and make a decision. You have until the fighting commences. (to Byleth) Professor, I am depending on your strength for the safety of Fodlan.

(The scene then fades out and goes to a location in the Empire, where a CG image of Edelgard rallying imperail troops fades in)

Imperial Palace (Enbar, the Imperial Capital) | Daytime

• Edelgard: The leaders of the church have misused its creed to fulfill their true desire - to rule the world. They have fooled the people of Fódlan. Long ago, they divided the Empire to create a Kingdom, and then, divided that Kingdom to create an Alliance. They did all of this to make the masses bicker amongst themselves. They caused instability in order to reinforce their own authority. They gathered gold and lived in extravagance. How? By preying on the devotion of those who wished for the goddess's salvation! Those corrupt hypocrites cannot lead Fódlan to true peace! Their foul belief system must be torn asunder so that true wisdom may finally prevail! And so, I have decided-- by order of the Adrestian Emperor, Edelgard von Hresvelg-- the Empire hereby declares war on the Church of Seiros!

(Audio of troops cheering plays as the scene fades out. The scene then fades back to the audience chamber, where Seteth is with Byleth.)

Audience Chamber | Daytime

• Seteth: I cannot believe it... Let us recount the situation as it stands, Professor. After you returned from the Holy Tomb... the Adrestian Empire declared war upon the Church of Seiros, as well as our allies.
• Belyth's choice: Declared war?
• Seteth: Edelgard demanded her own father relinquish the throne, and then assumed the position of emperor. She has deemed the Church of Sieros to be an evil of this world, and is calling upon the people of Fódlan to help her tear it down. I must discuss our response to this declaration with the archbishop after the knights return from their investigation. Until then, watch over the students. See that they remain calm.

Blue Lion route

Blue Lions Classroom | Daytime

• Felix: So... He's finally shown his true face. The same Dimitri I've seen once before–a beast who loves spilling blood.
• Ingrid: You're wrong! I'm sure of it. There has to be an explanation...
• Sylvain: I knew he'd been carrying the burden of that tragedy. I understand his thirst for revenge. His family and closest friends...all massacred right in front of him. But...it still doesn't add up. There must be more that we don't know.
• Mercedes: That's true. Dimitri didn't come unhinged until after the Flame Emperor was unmasked...
• Ashe: You don't think...there's some connection between those two...do you?

Imperial Palace (Enbarr, the Imperial Capital) | Daytime

(The scene then fades out and goes to a location in the Empire, where a CG image of Edelgard rallying imperail troops fades in)

• Edelgard: The leaders of the church have misused its creed to fulfill their true desire–to rule the word. They have fooled the people of Fódlan. Long ago, they divided the Empire to create a Kingdom, and then...divided that Kingdom to create an Alliance. They did all of this to make the masses bicker amongst themselves. They caused instability in order to reinforce their own authority. They gathered gold and lived in extravagance. How? By preying on the devotion of those who wished for the goddess's salvation. Those corrupt hypocrites cannot lead Fódlan to true peace. Their foul belief system must be torn asunder so that true wisdom may finally prevail! And so, I have decided-- by order of the Adrestian Emperor, Edelgard von Hresvelg-- the Empire hereby declares war on the Church of Seiros!

(Audio of troops cheering plays as the scene fades out. The scene then fades back to the audience chamber, where Seteth is with Byleth.)

Audience Chamber | Daytime

• Seteth: I cannot believe it... Let us recount the situation as it stands, Professor. After you returned from the Holy Tomb... The Adrestian Empire declared war upon the Church of Seiros, as well as our allies.
• Byleth: Declared war?
• Seteth: Edelgard demanded her own father relinquish the throne, and then assumed the position of emperor. She has deemed the Church of Seiros to be an evil of this world, and is calling upon the people of Fódlan to help her tear it down. I must discuss our response to this declaration with the archbishop after the knights return from their investigation. Until then, watch over the students. See that they remain calm.

(Byleth nods)

Blue Lions Classroom | Daytime

• Dedue: Professor. The Empire has declared war on the Church of Seiros.
• Sylvain: We knew this day would come, sooner or later.
• Annette: What's going to happen?!
• Byleth:
  • Choice 1: Don't worry.
  • Choice 2: We need more information.
• Ingrid: We can't afford to be optimistic. It's entirely possible the Kingdom will be invaded.
• Sylvain: Settle yourself, Ingrid. We need to carefully consider our options.
• Ashe: We can't just act rashly. That will only make things worse.
• Dedue: One we've ascertained the situation, we must return to Fhirdiad. Your Highness...
• Dimitri: ...

(Dimitri says nothing. The scene fades out.)

Golden Deer route

(A CG image of Edelgard rallying imperial troops fades in)

Imperial Palace (Enbarr, the Imperial Capital) | Daytime

• Edelgard: The leaders of the church have misused its creed to fulfill their true desire - to rule the world. They have fooled the people of Fódlan. Long ago, they divided the Empire to create a Kingdom, and then, divided that Kingdom to create an Alliance. They did all of this to make the masses bicker amongst themselves. They caused instability in order to reinforce their own authority. They gathered gold and lived in extravagance. How? By preying on the devotion of those who wished for the goddess's salvation! Those corrupt hypocrites cannot lead Fódlan to true peace! Their foul belief system must be torn asunder so that true wisdom may finally prevail! And so, I have decided-- by order of the Adrestian Emperor, Edelgard von Hresvelg-- the Empire hereby declares war on the Church of Seiros!

(Audio of troops cheering plays as the scene fades out. The scene then fades back to the audience chamber, where Seteth is with Byleth.)

Audience Chamber | Daytime

• Seteth: I cannot believe it... Let us recount the situation as it stands, Professor. After you returned from the Holy Tomb... the Adrestian Empire declared war upon the Church of Seiros, as well as our allies.
• Belyth's choice: Declared war?
• Seteth: Edelgard demanded her own father relinquish the throne, and then assumed the position of emperor. She has deemed the Church of Sieros to be an evil of this world, and is calling upon the people of Fódlan to help her tear it down. I must discuss our response to this declaration with the archbishop after the knights return from their investigation. Until then, watch over the students. See that they remain calm.

Golden Deer Classroom | Daytime

• Claude: I heard what happened, Teach. The princess... Well, the emperor now. She really did it, didn't she? The lords and dukes of both the Kingdom and the Alliance have been called out, and now have to choose between the church and the Empire. The seed of conflict was always there, and now we find ourselves in the middle of a war that will tear Fódlan in two.
• Lysithea: The Empire is rash, but I never thought it would come to this.
• Leonie: How could something like this happen? I hope everyone back home is safe.
• Hilda: I'm sure it's mass confusion at home right now. My brother must be worried sick about me.
• Byleth's choices:
  • Choice 1: Only time will tell.
  • Choice 2: Let's calm down.
• Claude: You're absolutely right, Teach. I'm sure a lot of us are worried about our homes, but... all we can do now is prepare for battle... and tread carefully.