Congratulations are in order!

"That was well played, we defeated both Houses masterfully," Edelgard was saying to Byleth in the reception hall. "Our victory though should come as no surprise."

Byleth returned a small smile, and replied, "It was easier than I was expecting. Though we had to change the strategy up a few times, it worked almost perfectly. It certainly helped that Claude's intellect seems to be compensating for one of his own member's," he added, referring to Lorenz charging ahead like a total dumbass.

Edelgard almost let out a laugh at that. "That is true."

"I daresay we owe our victory to Lady Edelgard," Hubert snorted as he approached the group with the other Black Eagles in tow.

"What, you some kind of bootlicker?" Shez asked him, clearly offended. "I'm pretty darn sure that I scored more "kills" than her! Heck, my warping abilities were the main reason she was able to get close enough to Claude to knock him out!"

"Hey, there was enough fighting for one day, no need for us to argue with each other!" Caspar of all people piped up before things could escalate. "Besides, we won, that's what matters!"

"At any rate, I think the primary reason for our victory was the Professor's strategy and ability to adapt," Linhardt yawned. "Edelgard certainly did her part in beating both Claude and Manuela, and letting everyone else focus on the Blue Lions before they could outflank anyone. And of course, the mistakes of our opponents certainly made things easier. Hopefully we'll have enemies that make a habit of making our job easier in the future as well. Oh, and let's not forget Dorothea raining lightning down like not was going out of style."

"Why thank you, Linhardt!" Dorothea said brightly.

"It ultimately came down to us working together and playing to our strengths," Edelgard noted, getting some odd looks. "...what? Is it so odd for me to talk about working as a group? Should I cancel the festivities so we can discuss this topic further?"

"No, no need!" Ferdinand said hastily, unable to tell Edelgard was joking.

Byleth would have stayed to bond further with everyone, when Jeralt came in. "Hey Kid, Lady Rhea wants to talk with you about your upcoming mission at the end of the month."

"Mission?" Byleth asked, not noticing Edelgard and Hubert exchanging subtle, knowing looks.

"Yeah, it's part of the student's education. At the end of each month, certain tasks are assigned for them to do. Best get going."

Byleth nodded and headed upstairs, Jeralt going back towards the barracks. Edelgard and Hubert walked off alone. "You did make sure that the information ended up in the right hands, right?" she asked Hubert quietly.

"Of course, Lady Edelgard. I spoke of which way the bandits went within earshot of the Blade Breaker, as you ordered," Hubert replied. "With any luck, that will ensure it ends up in the Archbishop's hands. But Milady, I must ask, are you certain what you are trying to set into motion is a wise course of action?"

"I am aware it's risky, Hubert, but if we played this just right, then we'll be able to avoid immediate retaliation from them, so long as we are able to pin the blame for our actions on the Church. Our deniability should be plausible enough that they won't suspect treachery on our part prematurely. Even if they do... Then turning on them immediately wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. We did plan for multiple eventualities, after all," Edelgard assured him.

"With all due respect, Lady Edelgard, I think this is reckless. Many of my contingency plans still need preparation. I can only speed things along so much. And... We can't even be certain that Monica yet lives. It's a major gamble, high risk, and not enough reward to justify it, in my opinion, assuming we even manage to get her back from them," Hubert replied.

"I think it's very likely that Monica is still alive. Those people only steal the appearance of their enemies out of necessity. They hate having to wear the faces of mere "beasts" as they call us," Edelgard replied. "And they are also arrogant enough to wait until they need to use that ability. Which means they'll likely be keeping Monica alive until they're ready to have Kronya infiltrate, wearing her face. And I don't care how valuable Monica is, strategy wise in the grand scheme of things. I'm not going to abandon her to her fate."

Hubert sighed. "As you wish, Lady Edelgard. All I can do is hope we don't come to regret this."

"It doesn't matter anyway," Edelgard replied. "The die is cast. What happens, happens."