"Wait"
Just as Aron was preparing to leave with Evanora, Juliet called out to him and caused him to stop and turn around. "Yes?" He inquired with a brow raised while everyone looked towards Juliet wondering what she was thinking.
"I'll be forming a team for exploration instead so I'd like you to join." She said blankly and brought surprise to everyone present.
"Juliet what do you mean by this? You're the eldest child of the Lamarck family, if you don't compete then it's no better than humiliating your grandfather's legacy." Brutas yelled out with great anger, not because she asked Aron to join but because she was backing out from fighting. Without Juliet their group's chances of winning against other groups became slim, however she didn't care.
"I mean just that, rather than fighting pointlessly I'd prefer to explore and seek out ways to grow stronger. What use is a title in the face of raw power? Did a title protect your mother or brother? No, but if they were stronger they'd still be alive today." Juliet uncaringly added causing Brutas to clench his teeth in anger but utter no words.
"I only have one question Aron..." Henry lowered his head seemingly at a loss of what to do now. "What will you do if you encounter hostility during your exploration? It's very unlikely the elves will just allow you to move freely in their territory." Henry asked and caused all gazes to shift to Aron.
"I'll destroy any inhibitors that get in my way no matter the race. If that's fine with you Juliet then I have no problem joining your team." Aron replied without hesitation and Evanora followed along. "Evanora will go where Aron goes." She added while crossing her arms like Aron had done.
"If Aron's going then count me in." Jin added with a smirk while giving Aron a thumbs up.
"Me too!" Lucas suddenly exclaimed while still wearing a complex expression on his face. "I don't want to kill people who haven't wronged me in anyway… I'm sorry for not considering this sooner Mirai." Lucas added apologetically but only received a nod from Juliet.
"I'll go wherever the money is better." Scarlett shrugged uncaringly as she didn't really care about the details and only wanted money.
"We'll all go as one group… if we can make big enough discoveries then that too should account for something." Henry added in a low tone. It was hard for him to do this but he was left with little choice and the others knew this because none of them argued with him to say otherwise, even Brutas.
"Interesting, then I'll take my leave and await instructions on how we'll move forward." Aron added before walking out with Evanora, he didn't see the need to linger around and further discuss pointless topics. He also wanted to avoid playing any key role that would cause further attention to be on him.
He'd have to wait till much later to take an active role in the matter, if he brought out the map too soon for example they'd obviously have to compete with other groups as he was sure it would get leaked.
For now all he could do was hope this team of Juliet's came together solidly. If possible he could even use the opportunity to take Ariel along with the other elves, should anything drastic occur they at least had a good number of hostages or sacrificial pieces.
…
After leaving the meeting Aron didn't exit the academy grounds but instead went towards the library which was only a a few hallways away.
Once there he casually let himself inside with Evanora in toll.
"What brings you here?" Immediately upon entering they found Lady Rose leaning over the receptionist's desk with many pieces of parchment before her.
"I was within the area so I thought it'd be best we update one another on how things are progressing." Aron replied while casually making his way over to her. "Evanora just followed." Evanora raised her hand and added but only received a side glance from the stoic Rose.
After this the two began to update each other on where they currently stood. Aron informed her of the matters concerning the teaming up with Henry and others and the decree which by no surprise she also received.
On her end she confirmed with him that if indeed a war was sparked them Galos Academy would take an active role. Once information was shared the two then focused on how to put to use their current variables to draft an optimal path on how to proceed.
"I don't think much needs to change, I already have a reputation for showing disinterest in both academy and Ettenheim's politics so refusing to take a vanguard role won't draw suspicion." Lady Rose added while gently caressing her chin in thought as she looked at Aron and awaited his addition.
"The same could be said for me, us choosing to be explorers in this situation aligns with the character we've portrayed to others so at the very least we won't be seen as rivals for the titles. We can let both sides weaken each other while we focus solely on checking out the ruins I mentioned." Aron gave his take and Lady Rose gave him a nod to show acceptance.
Aron and Lady Rose's plan had reached a juncture where they thought it impossible to fail. It was only a matter of choosing the most optimal way of doing things whilst avoiding making unnecessary losses, the path they sought was one in which they would reap the most benefits.
"That settles that then, I'll inform you once more information is relayed to me. Have a good evening." Aron prepared to leave but received an odd glance from Rose. "Good evening? Since when do you say such unnecessary words?" She asked with genuine perplexity on her face.
"Is it not an accurate way to end conversation?" He asked in reply causing her to just stare at him before showing him a small smile. "You're really an odd one but at the same time you're hmm what's the word?"
At this moment Evanora raised her hand and felt it was her moment to shine as she gave Lady Rose's rhetorical question an answer. "Fascinating." She said with absolute confidence despite her ever sleepy expression.
"I was being rhetorical little one." Lady Rose replied with furrowed brows at being misunderstood but only received a confused look from Evanora. "Ritoe Rico?" Lady Rose could only sigh at this and shoo them away.
…
And so the the days began to pass with everyone seemingly on their toes making preparations for the supposed war that was yet to be publicly confirmed.
Those who had received the decree wasted no time in trying to build alliances and recruit people to their side, after all it wasn't merely the top seats that were up for grabs.
Almost all attractive positions within the Empire could now be earned through the war. Those who had something to lose would fight to protect this while those who had something to gain would fight to earn it. This meant every single capable organization, family or group would actively help in the war, reducing the amount of effort the big families would have to put up.
This scheme was truly a devious one and many could see right through it but even so what choice did they have? They couldn't complain about unfairness since even the Emperor's seat was up for grabs nor could they ignore what was at stake.
A scheme that left people with very few options and targeted the greed of human beings. This was the simple yet genius method of Issac Lovitz that didn't spare even the greatest of powerhouses from acting.
This was great news for most people of the second generation but terrible for those belonging to the third as they lacked experience, power, allies and so much more. This lead to most third generation groups working together to avoid being completely destroyed by the second generation.
For Henry this was good news in a way as it was far easier to recruit capable third generation individuals to join their side.
It took four days of near endless preparations and negotiations but Henry had finally finished making all the necessary arrangements and was ready to set off with his newly formed group that could rival most second generation powerhouses.
Finally on the fifth day the war was publicly announced and it was time for them to set off….
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