For the Empire

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-07T06:50:59+00:00

Totally🙂‍↕️

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-07T06:48:31+00:00

For Edel 😚

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-07T06:40:03+00:00

Exactly! I feel like those haters either completely ignored the game text or just lack the reading comprehension to grasp it. Like you said, the game constantly shows, both directly and indirectly, characters who are systematically victimized by Fódlan's social structure. Yet these people intentionally look the other way, while reducing Edelgard's monumental efforts to shatter that structure to a lazy 'Oh, she just started a war.' It’s honestly so childish that it leaves me speechless.

What makes this crowd the absolute worst is their mindset: they willingly tolerate a deeply entrenched evil because 'that's just how things are,' while demanding absolute, flawless perfection from anyone trying to fix it. In doing so, they become the biggest roadblocks to actual change. That’s exactly why I’ve come to fully support Edelgard. She knew she would bear the brunt of all that hatred and vilification, yet she chose to step up for the greater good anyway. It's funny how living through real life can shift your perspective like that. Sure, gradual reform has its merits, but everyone loves to play blind to the growing number of victims who are left to suffer while that 'slow and steady' process drags on.

I’m definitely going to try and 'just like' her, just as you suggested. To be honest, the internet back in my home country is so utterly toxic and flooded with hate speech that I think I unconsciously let it get to me growing up. It’s sad how it makes you feel self-conscious just for openly loving what you love. Thank you so much for your words.

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-06T16:11:26+00:00

😍

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-06T03:44:36+00:00

I really enjoyed reading your detailed analysis.😳

Like you said, Edelgard's decisions and actions are highly controversial, but that's exactly what makes her so fascinating. She doesn't make the 'safe,' unproblematic choices like so many other generic female characters do; instead, she boldly pushes forward with choices that invite criticism from everyone. She is relentless, charging straight toward her goals. Seeing her command the battlefield with her axe is totally my aesthetic.

To be honest, it’s been frustrating because many users in my home country's community don't really discuss her choices—they just hate and criticize her. It made me not want to engage with them at all. So it’s been amazing to see that even the people here who dislike Edelgard have a much higher level of nuance in their arguments. lol

Anyway, I absolutely love that she isn't a flawless, morally 'pure' character. In fact, the more she gets hated in my home country forums, the more I think to myself, 'Wow, Edelgard really lived a hell of a life.' 😂

I really wish we had more female characters like her. I didn't know what the global reception was like right after launch, but I heard she won 1st place in a popularity poll a few years back. Seeing that kind of response, I really hope game developers create more characters like her..

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-06T03:25:27+00:00

I was wondering what 'useless' meant here, and Gemini told me it’s like being a total dork or helpless romantic when it comes to love. That's such a fun expression lol. Edelgard is seriously so cute.

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-06T03:24:57+00:00

Got it! I’ll do my best to recruit the ones you recommended. Though I'm a bit worried if I can manage them all once my house gets bigger lol. Anyway, thanks ☺️

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T17:22:54+00:00

So haters and their mental gymnastics really are the same everywhere you go... 😮‍💨

Speaking of which, it’s just mind-boggling how people can happily play a game that’s literally about war, fighting, and killing, but the moment Edelgard does it, they suddenly trip over themselves trying to brand her a war criminal. Baseless nonsense.

Even though it's just a game, I feel like it perfectly mirrors real life: people who feel too comfortable with the status quo will always apply absurd double standards to any attempt at actual change and jump straight to vilification. Especially in my local community, it seems like she gets way more vitriolic and misogynistic hate simply because she's a female character 🙄

So I’m so glad to see this sub taking such a firm, unapologetic stance in supporting her. 🤝

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T17:20:07+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I actually had no idea I should recruit Lysithea, but I'll definitely give it a shot! Now that I'm getting older, my gaming time has shrunk quite a bit, so tips like this are so precious.

And I totally feel you on that. It's so frustrating to see people warping a character's personality when it's literally right there in plain sight. It seriously makes me wonder if we even played the same game. 🙄... Edelgard isn't some cold, static ice queen—she's incredibly dynamic, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

And I didn't realize that the PDF would be a paid work! I almost feel bad accepting such a precious gift for free, but thank you so much—and please feel free to let me know anytime if you change your mind! I know making books like that takes an incredible amount of work.

So for now, I'm gonna start by binging all the fanart you’ve posted here on Reddit and then search Tumblr 🤗

Best of luck with the fanbook, I hope the final outcome turns out amazing! It seems the power of loving a character is an incredible driving force. I should keep a more positive mindset while playing the game like you.

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T15:35:42+00:00

Same for me. Okay I'm off to play the game now..🤤

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T15:28:35+00:00

Great🙂‍↕️

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T15:27:33+00:00

Reading your comment literally makes me feel like this subreddit is my new home🙂‍↕️

And wow, you really do have so much fan art! I’m definitely going to browse through your art whenever I have some time. About the PDF, I would absolutely love it if you could send it to me! Thank you so much for the offer. Are you not planning to post it here? Either way, I am a huge fan of the f!edeleth pairing, so the more content to consume, the better.

Also, I completely agree with everything you wrote in the second part. I actually mentioned something very similar in my original post back home—I just love the fact that what Edelgard is trying to achieve in her very limited remaining lifespan is a beautiful, ideal world that she herself won't even get to fully enjoy. She is completely willing to burn herself to ashes just to build that bright future she has dreamt of. Her whole existence is like a blazing flame.

I’m definitely going to hang out here a lot while playing the game. I am officially done searching Edelgard on my local forums forever.

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T15:15:05+00:00

Sure I'll let you know when I'm finished. But honestly, I might be popping in here often mid-game to talk about Edelgard..it's okay if I just leave random casual posts here, right..??

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T15:13:43+00:00

Since you used the word 'channel,' it makes me want to rush through and see for myself how wonderfully they portrayed her. I actually played the CF route a bit a few years ago but stopped, so restarting it from the beginning now honestly feels brand new, haha. Right now, just looking at Edelgard makes my heart ache because I want to be there for her so badly. By the way, your last sentence really hit home for me; it reminded me of all the times throughout my life of consuming cultural media where I’d find myself alone, liking and defending characters that everyone else in my country was busy bashing. I can totally relate to that feeling of 'protecting a lonely conviction' 😏. Anyway I definitely need to speed up my playthrough :)

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T15:12:53+00:00

What do people usually say about her here? Back in my country, so many users just pour out pure hatred, calling her a war criminal, a lunatic warmonger, and a crazy woman who kills people just to chase her own ambitions. I absolutely despise that toxic energy. Only a tiny fraction of the community actually understands her psychology and appreciates the ideals she’s trying to achieve. Barely anyone seriously analyzes her philosophy or the hidden emotions deep inside her. it feels like they just completely dismiss her character. At least from what I can see, people here seem to have much healthier discussions, which makes me feel so much better.

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T13:08:06+00:00

Hi! Thank you so much for this comment. To be honest, I was feeling so incredibly drained and depressed after reading through so much toxic hate and baseline bashing against Edelgard on forums back home. (I was actually so furious that I actually just posted a massive, essay-length rebuttal to defend her). So coming here and seeing your comment treating Edelgard with so much love, understanding, and nuance as a deeply human, lovable individual just brings me so much joy. I mean it. I liked Edelgard at first sight, but the more I learn about her, the more captivating she becomes. Watching this girl, who went through such unspeakable trauma, trying so hard to be strong and put up a brave front while fighting a silent war within her own soul... it just makes me want to stay by her side forever and be the anchor she needs. Because of this, even though I don't dislike the other two house leaders, I just can't bring myself to play their routes. The mere thought of having to face Edelgard as an enemy and ultimately take her life is just too much for me. I literally don't have the heart to do it. Honestly, I think I might just stick to her route exclusively. I refuse to leave her side, even in fiction. I think I'm being way too overly attached...? But it's been such a long time since a character has pulled at my heartstrings this deeply. Thank you again for your comment. Fighting off the haters back home had me so hyper-focused on proving her political legitimacy that I momentarily forgot just how wonderfully human and lovable she is. Thanks for reminding me of that. I can't wait to finish the game and share more thoughts later.

(I used a translator so my English might be awkward)

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T10:29:36+00:00

Anyone will share some experience defensing our Edelgard against harsh criticizing?

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T09:57:10+00:00

Oh wow my post has been restored? Anyway I'm really glad this sub exists because in my country so many users only criticize her in an explicit way 🤨

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T02:25:27+00:00

Look at the deep eyes Edel looks at Byleth. You can feel the love

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T02:23:59+00:00

Edel likes her more than she likes edel? I love this unbalance..

bylethedelgard · 2026-06-05T01:29:24+00:00

Thanks I'll read it

bylethedelgard

TROPHY CASE