The following day, news of the Galos Academy's stance should a war arise had begun to spread like wildfire. The topic of a war brewing was one that was already the focal point of many conversations being held all over Ettenheim, so any new piece of information that arose with relation to that topic was bound to be discussed greatly.
Thus far not much had passed so it remained within the confines of Galos City.
Aron, who hadn't left his residence since arriving the previous day, had only received this information from Khalifa who managed to sneak into the city thanks to Aron's help.
For someone like him who had long taken note of as many security measures as he could this was an easy feat. After all if things ever went badly he would need to escape and break past the runic formations.
Currently he was seated in his study near the fireplace with Khalifa behind him with her head lowered. "Lastly the Arch-Mage will be leaving to discuss the matter of war in Ettenheim's capital along with the other major figures, that's all I've managed to find out. Whether or not this is true I cannot be sure as I have no contacts within the city." She explained to Aron who didn't look bothered by this.
"That's fine, there's only so much you can do. For now just keep lurking and gathering whatever information you can." Aron understood she had no links within the city and so he didn't bother faulting her for the lack of information, her presence still proved to be advantageous and that was all that mattered.
In the first place he hadn't given her much detail aside from monitoring and gathering information. The reason Aron chose to be so vague was to not reveal his true intentions.
Khalifa was a smart individual in her own right and could likely deduce some things but with no concise answers she wouldn't jump to conclusions. Given the oath she made there wasn't much reason to not tell but at the same time there was no reason to, in such a case Aron would always prefer the former.
"As you wish." Khalifa accepted the instructions without inquiring for more or adding on. Assassins were tools and she gladly accepted this role, a tool doesn't give opinions nor go against its owner so why would she add on anything unnecessarily.
Her dedication to her role and principles was something he found interesting. Whenever he met an individual with a unique set of beliefs or mannerisms Aron couldn't help but show vague interest.
Having only been introduced into a functioning society recently still left him rather inexperienced in regards to intelligent races that could display greater emotion, communication and more complex functionality.
"Alright then, you may go." Aron gestured her away and she gave a bow before doing so silently.
'Seems Rose's task proved to be far simpler than we anticipated. In that case I should also-' As Aron was pondering the door to his study swung open and he turned around to find a sleepy looking Evanora standing there.
Khalifa always moved silently so he could already guess it was this odd girl. "Aron has guests." She delivered blankly before waiting for a response.
"Alright." Aron didn't say much in response and just stood from the sofa before the two made their way outside the manor together to see the guests who stood right outside the property's gate.
Even from afar it was easy to recognize these faces that had come to see Aron. Jagu, Jin, Claudia and the rest of what used to be the Sovereign faction had all gathered outside his residence waiting for him.
When they finally saw him making his way towards them many felt mixed emotions. After seeing the trouble he faced after taking sole responsibility regarding the ruin information they couldn't help but feel they owe him an apology.
If it weren't for him their lives along with those of their families may have been in great danger. Riya had taken it upon herself to gather everyone for the sole purpose of apologizing and thanking him for what he did for them, as well as to see if he was okay.
Claudia showed the most relief seeing Aron in one piece after everything they believe he went through according to the rumors.
"Is there something you need?" Upon reaching the boundary of the gate Aron plainly asked what their purpose in coming there was, although his tone was rather casual so it didn't come off as rude especially since most knew him to be this way.
"I, along with everyone else would like to apologize for everything-" Riya had stepped forward and wanted to apologize but was cut off by Aron before she could go on. "There's no need, whatever has happened in the past holds no relevance now." Aron replied as he found the whole thing unnecessary, if this was all they came for then he was better ending the conversation and sending them away.
"Then why not reform the faction and.." Seeing that Aron didn't look upset or hateful over what happened, Riya hoped she could make an appeal but once again Aron cut her off. "As it stands a faction will only serve to bring problems for both you and I. You already have a foundation, funds, ability and experience together so you don't need me to form a faction".
Aron replied factually and cut off any hopes Riya and the others held about forming a faction with him. They could understand the risks involved and see the reasoning behind his words but it still felt rather disheartening to hear. Although their time was short, Aron had treated them well and brought them to new heights so they were reluctant to just leave.
"We understand. Thank you for everything you've done for us, if you ever need us please let us know." Riya muttered in a low tone before showing Aron a smile and turning away along with the rest of the faction and leaving.
Only Claudia, Jagu and Jin remained. "I told her it wouldn't work, that aside you don't look like someone who almost got convicted of murder and survived an explosion." Jin sighed before facing Aron with an awkward grin.
"The circumstances were just in my favor, did you come to just confirm that?" Aron turned to the remaining three and wondered if that was what they were curious about but Jin shook his head while Claudia couldn't even meet his gaze.
"No, that was just personal curiosity, that aside there's something we'd like to talk to you about… preferably in private." Jin's relaxed expression turned serious as he said this and had Aron raise a brow towards him. "Come in then."
Aron turned and gestured for them to follow without bothering to acknowledge neither Jagu nor Claudia's presence as they didn't say a word.
The reason for this was although Jagu acted normal in front of everyone else he still largely now feared Aron greatly. He was among the few people who knew Aron was either equal or greater than Grand Mage level which in Pesia was peak tier four.
As for Claudia, it was simply because she didn't know what to say to him. She knew full well that his decision to disband the faction was the most logical but what she wondered was why he couldn't just tell them so or why it bothered her so much.
…
The group soon made their way inside his home before gathering in Aron's living room. "Alright then, what is it that you'd like to discuss?" Aron didn't bother to take a seat like the rest of the group and just stood there and asked.
Jin leaned back into the sofa in a relaxed manner before glancing over at Claudia who soon cleared her throat and got ready to speak. "I came here to ask if you could sell me the Sovereign manor and all Sovereign related gear since it technically belongs to you. It would be a waste to see the foundation we've built go to waste and so I've decided that I will properly found my own faction alongside Jagu and Jin here." Claudia spoke clearly and formally similar to how she spoke the first time she had met Aron.
Despite things not going how she imagined she couldn't allow such an opportunity to slip by. After all she'd get nowhere worrying about factors she couldn't control.
These words of hers weren't what Aron was expecting and in truth he hadn't even thought of how to use the resources belonging to the former Sovereign faction. "That's fine, aside from my airship I have no problem selling you everything else" Aron pondered very little on the matter before granting her an answer.
He and Rose were already on a different path and he couldn't imagine those resources would come in handy, rather they would only go to waste so why not rid himself of them.
"…Right, well then I'll prepare the necessary documents and come see you later to close the agreement." Claudia hadn't expected Aron to answer so easily as the resources the Sovereign faction held were close to being comparable to any other top tier faction that had been around long enough.
Aron's thought process however was simple, what Claudia saw as valuable was something Aron knew he could acquire very easily. Right now he no longer needed those physical assets so he didn't hesitate to agree.
"That's fine." Aron gave Claudia a nod and she soon stood up seeing that he wasn't going to ask anything more as he seemed very detached from the conversation. "Well then we'll be taking our leave, no need to see us out." Claudia spoke a bit more coldly before standing up and leaving the living room first, followed by Jagu who felt very uncomfortable being near Aron.
Only Jin who had been initially relaxing stood up and yawned before turning to Aron. "I could have left that woman to do this on her own but I needed to deliver this, from an elf named Ariel. Oh and if you never need anything, don't hesitate to ask." Jin said rather vaguely before passing an envelope to Aron and walking away.
After everyone had now gone, Evanora who had been silent the whole time stood next to Aron and gazed at the envelope in his hands before muttering. "Fascinating."
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