With the battle for Qualinost and control of the Alliance on the line, Krynn's Vanguard found themselves in a very precarious situation, surrounded on both sides and separated from their allies. With a few clutch spells from Big Bob and their new ally Armantaro, with a Stone Wall and a Scatter spell that flipped the battle to their side. This created a smaller area for the enemy to reach them and a choke point in their favor.
A few exchanges passed, and Claude flew in to try and end things quickly. He had a somewhat pleasant echange with Edelgard before he was eventually whittled down and conceded. With the party choosing to spare Claude and let him live, ever the opprotunist, he took off sweeping Hilda with him, and Nader retreated along with the rest of his forces to from wherever they came with a couple of the ships still in tact.
Krynn's Vanguard took their new victory, although not taking all the prisoners they wanted, and set up an encampment in Qualinost, commandeering some of the unoccupied buildings for shelter. During their time after the battle, Volkhard Von Arundel, Edelgard's uncle, came and explained that he would be overseeing the Qualinesti Territory and it's administration and dissolution into the Empire alongside Count Leopold Von Bergliez, Caspar and Randolph's father. After some questioning, the party couldn't tell what Arundel was hiding, but it was obviously something. Without being able to meet him, they could only assume that Count Bergliez is loyal to the Empire and has no ill intentions as he wants to see both of his son's succeed as they hold high rank within the Empire both militarily and politically. It was also revealed that Count Bergliez is the Minister of Military Affairs and focuses on that front while Arundel is more the diplomat, hence why they are working together on the effort. With it getting late, and not much more info to be gathered, Krynn's Vanguard and the remaining forces of the Imperial Army took to their temporary quarters and took a well deserved rest. For this is only the beginning.