บท 169: Karstinogen
Karston de Gramont, or better known currently as King Gramont grumpily glances around his entourage which accompanies him as he led his army towards the Tristain Academy. "Idiots." he lets out under his breath as he watches his Generals and other underlings try and manage the rather slap-dash army he'd conjured him.
He knew abruptly marching on the Tristain Academy without properly stabilising the capital city was a foolish idea, but he also knew that doing nothing and waiting on his laurels would have him and his new country absorbed into either Gallia or Germania.
In all honesty, he was just acting on emotion at this point. This had all started when his son Guiche had been murdered, his sudden distancing from the Valliere family and the Princess after the girl had taken up the youngest Valliere as her attendant had been the precursor to all of this.
And then his son, Teiter. His most competent, if arrogant son, had been murdered by his selfish fiance, sending him into a rage and yet again causing his emotions to flare... And now he was King of a doomed land, surrounded by enemies with no peace in sight.
He still had one son remaining, one which he'd had sequestered away at the Gramont estate to keep him safe from the war and any other attempts on his son's lives. If only his wife hadn't perished after birthing Guiche, he may have more options... But now, he's only left with this one.
He firms his jaw and looks forwards as he spots the top tower of the Academy, wondering if Osmond would renounce his oaths or if he'd be forced to fight. Karston didn't want to admit it, but Old Osmond scared him, he was alive long enough to remember just how respected and feared the man's name was, his accomplishments in both academic magical pursuits and combat weren't anything to be sniffed at. Even if most of his Generals forgot about the old man, Karston certainly hadn't.
"My Lord! We approach the Academy! What are you orders!?" some nameless person asks and Karston pauses.
"We will make camp a good distance from its gates, and have the Headmaster come to us to relinquish the foreigners he holds. If he doesn't we'll make him surrender... And if that fails, we'll be forced to siege the place." Karston states.
Truth be told, there were only around four thousand soldiers here, many of their numbers had been split off and sent to go reinforce the borders, but his Generals were under the impression that they were not needed to siege the Academy if such a thing came about.
"Idiots." he finds himself muttering again, and wonders if he'd become known for the phrase by the time he was laid to rest.
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Headmaster Osmond was well aware of the impending threat headed his way. Were he not familiar with Tabitha's true personality, he'd have thought that she was involved with them due to her coincidental return yesterday.
Regardless, he'd already called for a faculty meeting and was sat in front of all the teachers and other staff members in the school to discuss the impending disaster. He takes a drag of his pipe and looks at each of them, specifically Professor Colbert who might be the only one with proper military experience amongst them. "My apologies for calling you all so suddenly and interrupting your classes, but it appears that we may be in a bit of a pickle." he states, causing to send curious glances his way.
"And what might this 'Pickle' be, Headmaster?" Mrs Chevreuse asks somewhat worriedly as Osmond hadn't ever looked this worried before... Even the break-in by Fouquet of the Crumbling Dirt hadn't caused this big of a reaction.
Osmond closes his eyes and clears his throat, "Well, I have just learned that the new King, Lord Gramont, has decided to take hostage our foreign students in an attempt to sway their homelands from invading..." he states, causing a few people to sputter in indignation and anger.
"He can't do that! What about the reputation of the Academy!? The student's safety is assured, and no outside politicking or strong-arming should be able to alter the way this institution functions!"
Colbert shakes his head, "I doubt King Gramont will see it that way, our track record concerning his own son wouldn't endear him to us." he admits, causing a few to go silent.
"You think this may be a play for revenge? For his lost son?" one faculty member asks, pale.
Colbert shakes his head again, "I doubt it, but reasoning with him seems like an impossibility at this point."
Osmond nods, "Considering he was currently marching here with an army, I suspect that your correct in that, Jean."
"I... I need to use the restroom." one of the female faculty members stammer out before quickly leaving, though, judging by her haste, she wouldn't only be leaving this room.
"So, what do we do?" Mrs Chevreuse asks, wondering what, if any options they actually had.
Colbert shrugs, "We fight, simple as that."
"B-but we'll stand no chance!" she quickly retorts, not believing for a second that they'd survive an army assault... She herself had only recently been defeated by a boy transformed into a chicken! Such a thing doesn't inspire much confidence in oneself...
Osmond solemnly looks around the room and lays his pipe on his desk, "I will not force anyone to remain if they do not wish to defend the Academy. However, anyone who wishes to stay out of the fighting, I would ask you to leave to keep you from harm."
"B-but this is where we live! And our contracts-" one person starts but Osmond sends a hard look at them.
"Your contracts are void if you refuse to protect the students." he firmly states, "I cannot guarantee anything, not even your safety. But I promise I will do my best to protect this Academy, even unto my last breath."
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