>>718332487
Edelgard still blamed the Church in Hopes, she just was intelligent enough to realize that she could trick the Church into burning their own resources without her needing to waste her own to reclaim Enbarr. It also gave her, Hubert, and Count Bergliez an opportunity to examine how the Knights would deploy to both attack and secure a fortified objective.

Byleth has always been an impeding factor in Edelgard's and Claude's plans because neither of them trust her. It's even possible to permanently miss Claude supports if Byleth waits too long in Houses.

>>716290107
>>716290319
This is why I like Edelgard's character in Hopes more than in Houses. In Hopes, she uses the Knights to help her purge the Slithers out of Enbarr, and then begins plotting to siege the Monastery. She cleans her room before going outside in Hopes.