Title: フレスベルグの少女〜風花雪月〜 (The Young Girl of Hraesvelg ~Fuukasetsugestu~)
Vocals: キャロ (Caro)
Release Date: Jul 26, 2019
WARNING: Explanations of this song contain major spoilers for Fire Emblem: Three Houses. I was gifted this game by my coworker and holy crap, this game played with my emotions in a way I would have never expected. After finishing all possible routes of the game, I’m honestly shocked at how masterfully this game manages so much foreshadowing without giving it all away. Do yourself a favor and don’t spoil this game if you haven’t played it yet.
The main theme of Three Houses has two versions, one in English and one in Japanese. The English version, titled Edge of Dawn, is really good in its own right and contains many of the same references and foreshadowing. The Japanese version, titled the Young Girl of Hresvelg, makes it clear who the singer is: Edelgard von Hresvelg. There is also a special version in Japanese found in Caro’s singles album, which contains a section not yet found in English.
Fuukasetsugetsu is an expression concept that is translated to “Seasons of Warfare” in the English OST, translating literally to “Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon”. The phrase originates from an old Chinese poem as an expression for the four seasons. A poet named Shao Yong wrote:
“虽死生荣辱，转战于前，曾未入于胸中，则何异四时风花雪月一过乎眼也。”
“Even when life, death, honor, and dishonor all fight each other in one place, we never take them seriously, so then what is the difference between them and the four seasons: wind, flower, snow, moon?”
The poem liken the fleetingness to the tragedies of war to the passing of the season. Wind represents summer, flower represents spring, snow represents winter, and moon represents fall. The names of each path in the game also corresponds to a season: Claude’s is Verdant Wind, Edelgard’s is Crimson Flower, the Church’s is Silver Snow, and Dimitri’s is Azure Moon. I believe this is the first Fire Emblem game to have such a poetic Eastern title and the writer mentioned that they were inspired by Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Seasons of Warfares differs from piano ending version, which will be marked in blue.
yoake no te wo tori
takaku habataku hi made
yasuragi no yosuga ni
mi wo azukete furueteru
- 夜明けの手を取り
- 高く羽ばたく日まで
- 安らぎのよすがに
- 身を預けて震えてる
- Until the day I take
- the hand of dawn and fly high away[1]
The Dawn in both versions appear to refer to Byleth. In Japanese, Hand has many meanings including “weapon”, “method”, or “help”.
Edelgard must take Byleth’s hand, either in support or by disarming them to fulfill her goals.
At the end of Church route, when Byleth is about to execute Edelgard, in the Japanese version she says “at least let it be by your hand”.
In the English version, “I fear the Edge of Dawn knowing time betrays” can be taking metaphorically and literally, as Byleth wields the Sword of the Creator. - I’ll be wavering as I entrust myself
- to a connection of serenity[2]Edelgard is scared as she entrusts herself to Byleth, her connection to tranquility. The wavering in her previous line is most likely her fear of Byleth going against her.
- Reach for my hand, I’ll soar away
- Into the dawn, oh, I wish I could stay
- Here in cherished halls, in peaceful days
- I fear the Edge of Dawn knowing time betrays
sutendo gurasu wo tooru hikari
gin no shokudai kirameite
naranda egao wa minna mabushikute
jibun no ibasho ni hodasareru
- ステンドグラスを透る光
- 銀の燭台きらめいて
- 並んだ笑顔はみんな眩しくて
- 自分の居場所に絆される
- Light shines through the stained glass
- and the silver candlesticks twinkle[3]
A reference to the cathedrel at Garreg Mach monastery. - The smiles around me are all so radiant
- I’m glad I found the place where I can be me[4]
Edelgard has the time of her life at the monastery bonding with the other students, relaxing away from the duties of becoming Emperor, asking her classmates to address her casually.
She is grateful for her time at the monastery and returns for the reunion even in the Church Route, though she doesn’t expect anyone to come.
- Faint lights pass through colored glass in this beloved place
- Silver shines, the world dines, a smile on each face
- As joy surrounds, comfort abounds, and I can feel I’m breaking free
- For just this moment lost in time, I am finally me
chikara no shirushi ni
kogasareta
sugao wa kamen ni
kakushita mama de
- 力のしるしに
- 焦がされた
- 素顔は仮面に
- 隠したままで
- But having been burned
- by the emblem of power[5]
Edelgard is the last surviving member of her family due to experiments by Those Who Slither in the Dark to forcefully put the Crest of Flames into the Imperial lineage.
She swore to destroy the crest system from society entirely, even if it meant working with those who experimented on her. - I still conceal my true face
- beneath a mask[6]
Edelgard disguises herself as the Flame Emperor to conceal her identity. At the beginning of the game, the Flame Emperor hires Costas to kill the lords
but is attacked herself since Costas doesn’t know her real identity. Byleth saves her life, possibly triggering Edelgard’s affection towards them.
- Yet still I hide
- behind this mask that I have become
- My blackened heart, scorched by flames
- a force I can’t run from
na mo naku saki yuku
chiisana hana no you ni
anata no yokogao
itsumo miageteitakatta
- 名もなく咲き行く
- 小さな花のように
- あなたの横顔
- いつも見上げていたかった
- Like a tiny nameless flower
- ready to bloom
- I wanted to always be beside you
- looking up at your face[7]
Edelgard greatly looks up to Byleth, not only as the wielder of the Sword of the Creator, but also as someone who sympathizes with her and offers support and guidance.
She refers to Byleth in text as 師, which is also pronounced “sensei”, but conveys more respect to the master/teacher.
She asks Byleth on multiple occasions about whether they would support her if something where to happen.
- I look to you like a red rose
- Seeking the sun no matter where it goes
- I long to stay where the light dwells
- To guard against the cold that I know so well
shizukani sugiyuku
kono mitasareta hibi ni
subete wo wasurete
tojikomerareteitakatta
- 静に過行く
- この満たされた日々に
- 全てを忘れて
- 閉じ込められていたかった
- Silently, those wholesome days
- came to pass
- I wanted to forget about everything
- and keep it locked in[8]
In their A support, Edelgard tells Byleth that she would likely become a cold and ruthless leader without them.
In their route together, Edelgard shows more restraint, mercy, and regret than the other paths where she is the enemy.
- As I live out each peaceful day
- deep in my soul, oh, I know I can’t stay
- So I wish I could hide away
- hold tight to what I love, keep cruel fate at bay
ame ni utareru ishidatami
nureta senaka wo oikakeru
furimuku hitomi ni tomadotte
tsugekaketa uso nomikomu
- 雨にうたれる石畳
- 濡れた背中を追いかける
- 振り向く瞳に戸惑って
- 告げかけた嘘飲み込む
- The stone road is struck by rain
- as I chase your drenched back[9]
Edelgard is indirectly responsible for more and more atrocities that turn Byleth away from her.
For many the turning point was the death of Jeralt, one of the few times it rains in the game. - Puzzled by the eyes you looked back at me with
- I swallow the lie I made for you[10]
Shortly after Jeralt’s death, Edelgard reveals herself to Byleth in the Holy Tomb. She has no idea whether or not Byleth will choose to join her or know, but assumes the worst.
- As the rain falls on the path, I chase your shadow
- I don’t feel a single drop, or the ground below
- Then you turn to me and I stop before I know
- And the lie upon my lips I let it go
kanau hazu no nai yakusoku wa
kanashii shoujo no negai dakara
- 叶うはずのない約束は
- 悲しい少女の願いだから
- After all, a promise that will never come true
-
is what this sad girl wishes for[11]
Edelgard wishes more than anything that Byleth would join her cause, and tries multiple times to convince them.
However, she will continue on her path with or without them.
- Cross my heart, making vows I know will be betrayed
- A sad girl’s pleas live only for a breath and then they fade
hakanaku kieyuku
hitohira no yuki no you ni
kazukana omoi ga
anata ni tsutawaru you ni
- 儚く消え行く
- 一片の雪のように
- 微かな想いが
- あなたに伝わるように
- Like a flickering, disappearing
- single flake of snow
- this hazy feeling
- I try to convey[12]
The title of Edelgard’s reunion with Byleth in Silver Snow is “銀雪の如き想い” (Feelings that are like Silver Snow).
Edelgard risks dropping vague hints for the fleeting hope that Byleth will join her side.
Byleth does not reciprocate this in Silver Snow, and her feelings melt away like snow.
- My dearest wish is that you’ll know
- these tender thoughts that only seem to grow
- They are as snow, melting away
- Yet seeking your warmth if only for a day
yasashiku kasaneta
kono te wo hanasanaide
sukima kara
taisetsuna mono koborenai you ni
- 優しく重ねた
- この手を離さないで
- 隙間から大切なもの
- 零れないように
- These gentle hands we hold
- Please, don’t let go
- so that we don’t let spill
- what is precious through the gaps[13]
Edelgard appears to fall in love with Byleth (of either gender) during their time together, explaining how hard she tries to get them to join.
Byleth has to make the difficult decision to support or oppose Edelgard after spending around half a year developing a bond with her.
- Don’t ever take back your kind hand
- lest precious love slip away like time’s sand
- Only we will know all that was lost
- scars that we can’t erase show us life’s true cost
suzu no ne hibiku youna aoi tsukiakari ni terasarete
terasu wo wataru kazu ga hoo no hoteri
samasu made wa kono mama de
- 鈴の音響くような
- 蒼い月あかりに照らされて
- テラスをわたる風が頬の火照り
- 醒ますまではこのままで
- If only we could stay like this
- until the wind, like a ringing bell, blows across
- the terrace illuminated by the blue moonlight
- and awakens the burning in our cheeks[14]
This line vividly paints the confrontation of the Church Route 5 year reunion, where she is somewhat grateful for a moment to see Byleth still alive. She offers Byleth one last time to join her.
Their passions reignite, they realize they are enemies, and the scene ends with their blade at each other’s cheeks.
- The blue moonlight cuts across our sight
- as pure and clear as a ringing bell
- Reaching for us in the night as the wind calms my thoughts,
- I have strung on this terrace, I feel at peace, carried away by the wind’s song
kokoro wo irodoru
itooshii kono toki no
subete wo kowasu tame ni
tobira wo akete
- 心を彩る
- 愛おしいこの時の
- すべてを壊すために
- 扉を開けて
- This lovely moment
- that paints our heart
- Now, open the door
- to destroy it all[15]
By turning away from Byleth at the end of the Church Route reunion, Edelgard has to destroy all of the fond memories that she had with Byleth and her classmates to carry on.
Byleth (the player) also needs to discard whatever feelings they have for Edelgard to cement their decision to kill her.
The English version takes a much gentler approach to this dramatic line.
- Open the door and walk away
- Never give in to the call of yesterday
- Memories that made those days sublime
- These ruined halls entomb stolen time
yoake no te wo tori
takaku habataku hi made
yasuragi no yosuga ni
mi wo azukete furueteru
- 夜明けの手を取り
- 高く羽ばたく日まで
- 安らぎのよすがに
- 身を預けて震えてる
- Until the day I take
- the hand of dawn and fly high away
- I’ll be wavering as I entrust myself
- to a connection of serenity
- Reach for my hand, I’ll soar away
- into the dawn, oh, I wish I could stay
- Here in cherished halls, in peaceful days
- I fear the Edge of Dawn knowing time betrays
Notes
| ↑1 | The Dawn in both versions appear to refer to Byleth. In Japanese, Hand has many meanings including “weapon”, “method”, or “help”. Edelgard must take Byleth’s hand, either in support or by disarming them to fulfill her goals. At the end of Church route, when Byleth is about to execute Edelgard, in the Japanese version she says “at least let it be by your hand”. In the English version, “I fear the Edge of Dawn knowing time betrays” can be taking metaphorically and literally, as Byleth wields the Sword of the Creator. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Edelgard is scared as she entrusts herself to Byleth, her connection to tranquility. The wavering in her previous line is most likely her fear of Byleth going against her. |
| ↑3 | A reference to the cathedrel at Garreg Mach monastery. |
| ↑4 | Edelgard has the time of her life at the monastery bonding with the other students, relaxing away from the duties of becoming Emperor, asking her classmates to address her casually. She is grateful for her time at the monastery and returns for the reunion even in the Church Route, though she doesn’t expect anyone to come. |
| ↑5 | Edelgard is the last surviving member of her family due to experiments by Those Who Slither in the Dark to forcefully put the Crest of Flames into the Imperial lineage. She swore to destroy the crest system from society entirely, even if it meant working with those who experimented on her. |
| ↑6 | Edelgard disguises herself as the Flame Emperor to conceal her identity. At the beginning of the game, the Flame Emperor hires Costas to kill the lords but is attacked herself since Costas doesn’t know her real identity. Byleth saves her life, possibly triggering Edelgard’s affection towards them. |
| ↑7 | Edelgard greatly looks up to Byleth, not only as the wielder of the Sword of the Creator, but also as someone who sympathizes with her and offers support and guidance. She refers to Byleth in text as 師, which is also pronounced “sensei”, but conveys more respect to the master/teacher. She asks Byleth on multiple occasions about whether they would support her if something where to happen. |
| ↑8 | In their A support, Edelgard tells Byleth that she would likely become a cold and ruthless leader without them. In their route together, Edelgard shows more restraint, mercy, and regret than the other paths where she is the enemy. |
| ↑9 | Edelgard is indirectly responsible for more and more atrocities that turn Byleth away from her. For many the turning point was the death of Jeralt, one of the few times it rains in the game. |
| ↑10 | Shortly after Jeralt’s death, Edelgard reveals herself to Byleth in the Holy Tomb. She has no idea whether or not Byleth will choose to join her or know, but assumes the worst. |
| ↑11 | Edelgard wishes more than anything that Byleth would join her cause, and tries multiple times to convince them. However, she will continue on her path with or without them. |
| ↑12 | The title of Edelgard’s reunion with Byleth in Silver Snow is “銀雪の如き想い” (Feelings that are like Silver Snow). Edelgard risks dropping vague hints for the fleeting hope that Byleth will join her side. Byleth does not reciprocate this in Silver Snow, and her feelings melt away like snow. |
| ↑13 | Edelgard appears to fall in love with Byleth (of either gender) during their time together, explaining how hard she tries to get them to join. Byleth has to make the difficult decision to support or oppose Edelgard after spending around half a year developing a bond with her. |
| ↑14 | This line vividly paints the confrontation of the Church Route 5 year reunion, where she is somewhat grateful for a moment to see Byleth still alive. She offers Byleth one last time to join her. Their passions reignite, they realize they are enemies, and the scene ends with their blade at each other’s cheeks. |
| ↑15 | By turning away from Byleth at the end of the Church Route reunion, Edelgard has to destroy all of the fond memories that she had with Byleth and her classmates to carry on. Byleth (the player) also needs to discard whatever feelings they have for Edelgard to cement their decision to kill her. The English version takes a much gentler approach to this dramatic line. |
August 7, 2020 at 6:25 pm
For note #12, I’m pretty sure this is a reference to the Reunion’s title in SS – “Feelings Like Silver Snow”.
August 18, 2020 at 2:12 am
Great find, I updated my interpretation to include this.
March 20, 2021 at 12:59 am
Thank you for your thoughtful words. I got a a lot of food for thought from them!
Thank you again!