Really good stuff going on in this story, I always love to see this level of quality in fanfiction.

so invested in this story. love it!

What I like about these is that they feel like a slice from a show I really wanna watch. The Shepherds being together and just acting like old friends and talking about past escapades is really entertaining.
Not gonna lie, this chapter hit a lot of beats that I wished I had already. Robin and Chrom talking in the inn about where he came from and the Brand, Virion having adventures in every town, Chrom and Sumia’s relationship; this whole chapter made me go “that was good, why didn’t I think of that?!”
Which is par for the course when I read your work, really.
Keep at it.

The bro trip has finally arrived. Yass!

Man, this has gotta be my most favourite chapter as of yet. For 11K words, a hell lot happens. We start with the Chrom, Sumia and Cordelia conversation, which is really good. Nice tender and sweet scene between Chrom and Sumia. We then move on to see Ricken’s self doubts with himself, and how Robin guides him not only with his family issues, but with the time he spends with Maribelle. It’s honestly really fitting to his role as tactician.

And then we get to my most favourite part of it all. Robin telling Chrom of his feelings. Kinda ironic it’s Chrom he’s telling it to, but hey their relationship is on that level. Really good to see Robin’s self doubts on his love for Cordelia, which again is fitting to him. Totally in character for Chrom to splash him with alcohol.

Robin questioning Virion on why he’s philanders so much and then Virion “hinting” he already has that person who is destined to be with is great.

And Robin getting his hair teased by Stahl’s younger brother is bloody hilarious, only made better with Robin panicking and then teasing Virion for his bad fashion sense.

All in all, a damn hella good chapter and I’m really interested to see how the rest of the bro trip goes.

Keep up the good work

The worldbuilding in this story is some top-notch stuff! Take as long as you need, I'm always happy to read this!

Very nice chapter. I knew that the quiet barmaid from the previous chapter would show up again and play a bigger role! Now after what happened here, I expect her and her new friends to start 'discussing' about their captain's relationship with the grandmaster, haha.

Whoo! New chapter! Great chapter. T’was a nice read. Robin and Frederick’s conversation at the start was neat, and Frederick quickly disparaging all of Robin’s self-doubts was nice.

Poor, poor Cynthia. Even though she ain’t there, she would be embarrassed with herself if she heard Cordelia’s statement.

Cordelia’s troubles are perfectly encompassed in the chapter, with the tension existing between all three sections of recruits. Them starting off by not acknowledging each other’s presence, to fighting and then to finally coming around and befriending each other was a really good to see. And Cordelia’s method to have the recruits realise that they need to depend on each other to survive is probably the fastest way to have the method get drilled into them.

And based on Cordelia’s dialogue when she saves Robin shows her deep of the connection she has with him. Imma sit here and wait in anticipation for her to make her move on him and confess.

All in all, a really good chapter.

Nice chapter. Really nice chapter actually. It's pretty much just politics but that's what makes in fun. Out of curiosity, how much do you buy into the fan-theory that Chrom's father started the Crusades because he found out that the Anti-Christ aka Grima's vessel was born?

Wow, this was a heck of an opening chapter! Cards on the table, I’m completely fandom blind here and I may have missed a few things...but there was just something so entertaining, yet so moving about how you built up the two main characters as well as the state of the kingdom as it stands. Both of them seem to have tragic backgrounds and the way that was slowly revealed was well done. But the thing that struck me the most was how this appeared to be mirrored in the recent history of the nation and there was a sense of everyone trying to find a way to move past what has occurred. The balance you struck between humorous banter/antics and deeper introspection/conversations worked incredibly well despite not really knowing what these emotions related to and I liked how their separate scenes played against each other leading into their first run-in. Right now I’ve got that out, I should talk about the actual chapter!

[It was a day to remember, that mid July haze. The entire city had become festival grounds for Ylissean and Feroxi alike. Joy, relief and jubilance danced wildly among the people of Ylisstol. The War with Plegia had finally ended. Soldiers were once more reunited for their families, hopefully never to part again. A new man sat on the throne of the Halidom, ready to carry on the role that his departed sister had left vacant all too soon.
...
And there Robin stood, grumbling and glowering next to the groom in question.]

I loved this sequence. Even the writing matched the sweeping movement from a celebrating kingdom narrowing down onto the groom-to-be and his joy and then swinging right to focus on the actual main character. I liked how you weaved in the tragic aftermath through “hopefully never to part again and the departed sister” but they’re hints in there rather than overwhelming notes - it matches the tone well and sets up Robin’s introduction brilliantly.

I really liked this bit in the midst of Robin’s scene - gave a great sense of community - “If one told you that this city had been sacked, you almost wouldn't believe them. Reconstruction was swift, the entire city working as one being to refurbish what was damaged and replace what was lost.”

[His memory before Chrom, Lissa and Frederick found him in that field had sparsely returned, only giving him flashes and glimpses into his shattered thoughts.] - I liked how you phrased this part. Revealing to Robin that he’s being recommended for Grandmaster was really interesting - I’m guessing Plegian is another race (maybe one that has been at war with them in the past?) but the lack of knowledge about his parentage does make those decisions potentially very complicated. Enjoyed the image of Robin slapping his palm across his own face, shaking his head back and forth. I got a good sense of his character by the end of that opening scene.

But if he gave a great first impression, Cordelia’s was gold. I absolutely adored her introduction. I literally copied across the whole passage till “That being said, planning everything for the klutz was still a nightmare” (what a line) to comment on initially. Her first thought in this story being “Why did she do this to herself?” was perfect and what a set-up for a character! There was subtle mentions of her role in the war, what she had lost and the distance from her family on one hand and then the fact she was maid of honour to her best friend who was not only marrying the new ruler, but also the subject of Cordelia’s pinings for “years”. I liked this line - “The Gods had a rather disturbing sense of humor” as well as “Seven hours. Of which will be used entirely to make you somewhat presentable”. The dry humour in her perspective was brilliant, and instantly endeared me to her.

Enjoyed her friendship with Sumia, both the banter and how they approached the awkwardness in suitors. Highlights were the “You mean stole!” being called in from a different room, exchange about Aurora and of course the entire segment about Cordelia’s love life. That was amazing! I particularly loved the "Random letters from secret admirers…" / "Still don't know how they found our room" and the "Mortifying for all parties involved". Ugh, have I mentioned that I love her yet… And once again, those pieces of history are brought in through her thoughts so well. This one stuck out to me - “The memory she relived every night, watching all the women who’d trained her die like cattle”.

I really enjoyed the choice to mirror the two next scenes with each other - the “What do you mean we’re missing the cake!?” with the “Her jewelry isn’t here!?” In both scenes you can see Robin and Cordelia being the person trying to hold the chaos together and both of their characters were great fun here. Liked these bits - “Robin made a mental note, ice sculptures were stupid”, “Dare I ask why I don’t recall authorizing this?” and the fact you referred to something as “a piece of cake” in Cordelia’s scene following Robin’s scene being around the cake being currently missing.

The choice to show Peter before the groups arrived was a good one and the listed qualities worked really well. The whole scene with the two groups fighting it out over the mistaken identities was entertaining and it was satisfying to realise that the chapter had been building up to that interaction - excellent way to introduce everyone and how they fit in together.

Liked this bit, once again giving some context and history to Robin, as well as the kingdom - [Robin himself continued to wallow in displeasure. He had to admit, compared to the smell of blood and iron that he had grown accustomed too in the war, refuse and excrement was a welcome alternative. At least these smells were evidence of the living, not the dead.]

Enjoyed the ending where we finally get to see Robin and Cordelia together (I initially thought they’d both been recommended for the same role so this was good news to me). There was a beautiful respect and friendship here and I was intrigued to find out that they knew a lot about each other’s history and were open about Cordelia’s previous pining about Chrom. The fainting bit was great, but my favourite exchange was this - [“Cordelia, you are without a doubt one of the strongest people I have ever met. Ignoring your skill, you survived events that would have broken veteran soldiers.” / “Sometimes I wonder if I really survived.”] Even if I wasn’t already sold on this, that exchange was wonderful. I’m excited to read some more! This was also a lovely line about the bride and groom - “Two parts of a whole that seemed so natural it was as if they were always together”. Well done, this was a great opening chapter!

I love this story so far! Can't wait for the next chapter!

I'm loving this! Looking forward for the next chapter

How can chapters be so long yet be so short. Anyways great chapter with a some nice humor as well as some more serious insights into the chracters. Just glad you decided to update.

The girls are scary lol

So detailed, and so well thought out. Every character feels so authentic. Best thing I’ve read in a long time.

Also, poor Kellam. The dude has the worst luck.
Keep up the good work!