The days continued to go by and empire of Ettenheim began to grow more restless over the situation. After all the most well defended city on the continent had suffered a brutal attack that resulted in the loss of thousands of lives.
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Although the army itself was largely unaffected, Victoria Vonstein lost a good number of relatives and comrades that night and so her anger hadn't dwindled in the least.
As soon as she had managed to stabilize her city's affairs and ensured no traps were left she began to actively seek permission from the emperor to launch a war. She wasn't alone in this regard as the head of Lovitz family, Issac Lovitz also wished to go to war.
Although the territory that had been attacked wasn't all that major, the amount of labor they lost was astounding. What really left the man concerned was the fact that the airship seemingly vanished without a trace and so he worried that it still lingered around in his lands.
Issac's vote carried a lot of authority as he was still the emperor's consultant. Emperor Kritoph was a stubborn and arrogant man but he did often heed Lord Issac's words since he had served as his father's consultant as well.
Despite these two major figures actively pushing for a war it was yet to be decided as the other families needed to state their opinions, including some outside the big six. This was because many of Ettenheim's resources weren't completely monopolized by the emperor and so even if they went to war, they would need the full cooperation of as many powerhouses as possible.
…
At this time, Aron and Lady Rose were landing at the airship docks of Galos City. There wasn't much the two could do in the days that passed except listen to the information that came in about the current state of affairs.
"If we can get Galos Academy on board the chances of a war erupting would be much higher." Lady Rose reminded as the two currently walked side by side in one the airship's halls, making their way towards the deck.
Much of the crew had already disembarked but the two had delayed to converse a little longer because they wouldn't have much time to met casually once back in the city.
Lady Rose had a bigger role to play this time around and she'd be quite busy with the higher ups whilst Aron had his own idea on how to go about things.
"The way things are you should be able to get Lady Uva on board and use the leverage we have against Belle to get her support as well. Given what happened to the Lovitz family it's likely Yohan will support the decision too." Aron speculated and received a nod from Lady Rose.
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"Yes it's highly possible but we shall see." She replied without any optimism in her tone. Aron didn't know it but just like him she had long began to think of scenarios to follow incase they failed to get Galos Academy on board. "I suppose we shall."
Nothing more needed to be said on the matter as the two ascended the stairs and soon made their way to the deck where they descending platform was.
This time around the arrival of the two wasn't met with any sort of welcoming party. For Aron he of course didn't even expect to receive one but it was a bit odd that a grand mage wouldn't at least receive a carriage to take her upon arrival.
Lady Rose was an oddity to begin with so he didn't bring up the matter, the two instead just casually made their down in silence before proceeding into the city.
"We may part ways here, I'll inform you if anything comes up." Lady Rose suddenly came to a stop just as they came into the city and opted to separate paths. It didn't seem odd considering the lower business district and the academy were in opposite directions so the two were bound to split anyways. "Alright, I'll do likewise." Aron gave her a nod in agreement before turning to walk away first.
However just after walking a few steps a voice called out to him. "Wait!"
Aron turned his head with a brow raised as this wasn't Rose's voice calling out to him, rather it was Juliet who was also making her way into the city with Anastasia by her side.
He waited for the two to get close to him before replying. "Yes?" in an inquisitive manner. The dual stood only a meter away from him in what looked to be a very odd scene. Anastasia in particular looked very uncomfortable being around the two of them.
"It's nothing important, I just thought we could walk together and chat idly." Juliet suggested rather bluntly, but it was this nature of hers to speak her mind that it was both easy and hard to converse with her. "I don't see why not." Aron replied with a neutral expression on his face as he turned to continue walking in the direction of the lower business district.
"The Vonstein crisis, what do you think about it?" Juliet didn't mince words and directly asked what was on her mind. Anastasia however couldn't help but frown at this. 'What is she trying to do?'
Given that the two had been together, she worried that Aron may think she was conspiring against him with Juliet. The last thing she wanted was for his attention to be on her, for now all she hoped for was that he would relax and assume she's obedient so that she could carry out a plan to solve her issue and rid herself of him.
"I think we're lucky to have survived though I'm curious why elves would attack so suddenly. I honesty still feel it was a ploy to take my life." Aron stuck to the role of the victim and the manner in which he spoke made it seem exactly that way, going as far as to frown in displeasure upon bringing up the topic.
Both Juliet and Anastasia found it hard to discern if this was how he truly felt from an outer perspective. "I see, well considering the Lovitz region was attacked as well that may not be the case. Regardless it seems we may go to war." Juliet didn't want to push the matter further, one answer was always enough for her but as she mentioned the war one couldn't help but notice a subtle look of excitement in her usually dull eyes.
…
The trio continued to walk together for a little while longer with only Juliet conversing with Aron although not much was exchanged either. They soon part ways at the intersection leading to the business districts and the residential areas.
From here Aron directly made his way to his residence without detours and found no crowd unlike the previous time. What's more from the looks of things it seemed no one had tried to break in. 'A shame.' He thought as he would have liked to test his runes more.
Upon finally entering his manor he found Evanora laying down on the carpet within his study with numerous papers around her. She was currently seriously scribbling on one as Aron approached her while glancing around. "What's all this?" He casually asked not caring about the mess in anyway.
Evanora didn't seem surprised to see Aron, at least on the surface as her sleepy expression remained as unresponsive as it always was. Considering all that had occurred, she seemed to be in her own world where none of it mattered. "Evanora was teaching herself a big word to not be left out." She answered quite honestly before holding up the paper she was scribbling on and muttering…
"Fascinating."
…
A little later that night it quickly became known to many that Aron and Lady Rose had returned to the city. This wasn't especially surprising considering the news of how he handled Gregor Vonstein was already known to numerous people.
However when news first arrived of an attack on the city of Vonstein some had thought he was dead considering no official statement was given by the academy.
While the city began to digest this news and actively discuss it, Lady Rose was seated in a lecture theatre with numerous other important figures of the academy discussing what their stance should be in the war.
Lady Uva wasn't a violent woman by nature and more times that not took a passive role in matters, which is why Aron couldn't depend on her. She didn't abuse her power and obeyed the laws despite being someone well above it, a trait of hers he absolutely loathed as it made her someone easily restrainable despite her power.
The debate itself was a good example of this, if she declared that the academy should help no one had the power to refute her but instead she gathered many parties to give their opinions on the matter and even vote.
"This matter has nothing to do with our academy. We should let the outside affairs handle themselves, our only focus is teaching the next generation not sending them to their deaths!" Lord Triess like Aron had thought was against Galos participating and the argument he put up was quite sound.
He targeted Lady Uva's soft hearted nature and hoped she'd be against sending children to fight to their deaths. But the one to argue against him surprisingly wasn't Lady Rose but Belle.
"The majority of our students hail from this continent, are you asking that we sit by while their families risk their lives in a war? I understand that we shouldn't force children but again the majority of students we have are young adults capable of making such a decision for themselves."
"I already took the liberty of taking a poll and over eighty percent say they will leave the academy to fight if Galos chooses not to participate. I ask you all, wouldn't that now be sending them to their deaths?" Lady Belle argued rather righteously with clear worry on her face which made the members gathered look to support her.
Lord Triess showed her a fowl gaze but she ignored it and instead looked at Rose with a similar gaze but only briefly. 'Using me to argue against this vengeful old man while you enjoy the results, this bitch. Just you wait, a lot can happen in the war.' A helpless Belle thought while trying her best to not let her emotions show on the surface.
Her role in trying to kill Aron was clear and so Lady Rose used this to make her a pawn in exchange for not revealing it. Belle knew that should the information be revealed and confirmed then all her hard work in the academy would have gone down the drain as Lady Uva would undoubtedly expel her.
By using Belle, Lady Rose didn't have to risk exposing herself or Aron directly in the scheme. They still needed to maintain the illusion that they were simple pieces that could help in the war.
After all who could randomly think a grand mage and a commoner harbinger would try taking over Ettenheim.
A direct takeover was possible but then far too many variables would arise. Resistance, loyal subjects, the army and so many more. If Aron and Lady Rose did actually forcefully take over then they'd leave the nation incredibly weak with little to no loyal followers to use against Aethel.
Rather than this it was better to control Ettenheim from the shadows to prevent an already established system from collapsing. Once both parties were ideally weakened, they could reap the most benefits with minimal resistance.
Even Belle who was being used to incite this war could never imagine that their plans were so grand and sinister.
"I see." Lady Uva pondered for a bit before standing up and sighing. The debate had run for quite some time and she had heard enough opinions to reach a decision.
"Galos Academy will actively support Ettenheim should there be a war."
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