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| ===Chapter 14 - Outbreak of War===
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| The next week went by in a blur as the Königsfeld Academy of Magic prepared for war.
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| King Leopold von Drachenlanzen of Weichsel had evoked the Writ of Universal Conscription, calling for 'General Mobilization' in the name of the Holy Father. Using this first stage of Weichsel's Fourfold Mobilization system, the standing army would quadruple in size as Landsknecht professional soldiers were augmented by reserves and young militia. But senior militia and garrison troops were conserved to act as both a home guard and as seed units for a second stage 'Full Mobilization' should the crown require. Furthermore, Noble Reiter units, formed by drafting the magic-blessed nobility, would supplement the professional Weichsel Cavalry that consisted of noble spellsword knights and their retainer troops.
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| Last but not least, 'General Mobiliziation' reduced the cycle of officer training from four years to three. As the end of the year already drew near, High Command declared that not only fourth year student cadets will be required to join the campaign, but the third years as well.
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| It was the worst present as the holidays approached.
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| The Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie had responded to the military buildup in the south by beginning a partial mobilization five days ago. But their spies grossly underestimated both the readiness and the sheer scale of the Caliphate's invasion. News from the borders claimed that Cataliyan soldiers marched across in the hundreds of thousands, pouring over the southern mountain passes in three separate army groups. Hopeless to stop the approaching juggernaut, Lotharin border forces fell back across the front, seeking to regroup with reinforcements at second line fortifications.
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| They left four undefended Duchies in their wake.
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| Three, technically. Duke Guy of Avro-Calent refused the general retreat order. His proud three-layer concentric castle, which boasted the strongest fortification in Southern Rhin-Lotharingie, was simply bypassed by the Cataliyan vanguard forces. Rear army units then surrounded the castle and bombarded it nonstop for three days, followed by a nine-hour relentless assault which seized the citadel from its exhausted defenders. In the end, the Duke's bravado and 'glorious death' not only failed to halt or even slow down the invasion, but cost the Lotharin defenses three thousand precious seasoned troops.
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| The entire war could not have come at a worse time, just as winter was beginning to seal the Northern Lotharingie Mountains under ice and snow. Even Weichsel's coastal Margraviates found it hard to mobilize as yet another cold front swept in from the North Sea.
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| But the King and his Marshal had no choice. This was the first war against the Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie since signing the defensive military alliance treaty. Failing to uphold the agreement would not only invalidate their coalition in the eyes of the world, but also risk condemnation from Weichsel's only ally within the Holy Imperium of the Inner Sea.
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| Ever since Ferdinand I, the founding King of Weichsel, allowed himself to be crowned by the Pope, the small nation in the north has maintained the confidence of the Holy See, serving as a bastion of Trinitian might against the barbaric pagans of the north.
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| Papal appeasement was Weichsel's foremost deterrence against Imperial aggression, especially after hostilities during the War of Imperial Succession. Tripling Weichsel's landmass had been worth the papal condemnation it earned them that time, but King Leopold could ill afford another.
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| So the army gathered outside the academy's stone fortifications.
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| The Königsfeld Academy of Magic was one of fourteen rallying points within Weichsel. Every day, more forces arrived outside the curtain walls, setting up camps as they awaited fresh orders from above.
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| Companies of swordstaff infantry marched in from nearby villages. Battalions of arbalest troops gathered from neighboring towns. Even several hundred cavalry rode in from the nearby counties and baronies who paid direct fealty to the king.
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| By Saturday morning, the entire area surrounding the academy had grown into a new settlement of tents, palisades, ''Instant Cabins'', and simple watchtowers. Inside this makeshift town lived more than three thousand troops, awaiting orders to march west.
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| Without enacting 'Full Mobilization' and stripping Weichsel's defenses bare, Pascal estimated that his nation should be able to muster a total force of fifty thousand -- a mere fragment of the Caliph's might.
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| <nowiki>----- * * * -----</nowiki>
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| "I have ''never'' seen someone so bad on a horse."
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| Kaede lay flat on the ground as she ignored Pascal's scathing remark. This was her third practice session with a mount, and she still almost fell off twice during only a prolonged canter. Then the white war steed went into a full gallop, and only Pascal's ''Air Cushion'' spell kept her from injuring her back.
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| Among ''his'' kendo friends back on Earth, Kaede's coordination and reflexes had been mediocre at best. It was yet another reason ''he'' preferred the meditative and gradual forms in archery over the rapid assaults and reactionary parries of swordplay. Coming to Hyperion and adapting to a new, smaller body hadn't helped her any in attaining better control over her muscles... or lack thereof.
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| At least her period had ended. The first two practice session had far less pleasant results.
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| "She's not ''that'' bad. You should have seen Gerd when he first learned how to ride. That guy was a true sack of potatoes -- makes one appreciate how far he's come."
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| Parzifal had tried to encourage her every time he came by to see Ariadne, who offered Kaede what pointers she could. Unsurprisingly, the pegasus knight was not only the best rider in not only her year, but the entire academy as well. The Manteuffels weren't literally raised in the saddle like their nomadic ancestors; but having rode a pony since she was four, it wasn't far from the truth either.
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| "Excuse me for not being born ''noble''," Kaede retorted as she stood back up, rubbing her painful behind.
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| The ''Air Cushion'' softened the landing enough to prevent injuries, but there was still some impact. Combined with all the ups and downs in the saddle, it made Kaede's butt hurt -- not quite a place used to it.
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| The horsemanship problem was hardly a new one. Even during the pre-industrial eras of Earth, cavalry was predominantly a noble occupation, for only the wealthy could afford to grow up accustomed to any proper steed. Many farmers had horses and mules as well, but a docile, plow-towing animal was far different from one bred for the military.
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| As for Kaede, she had never even petted a pony before, let alone ride a galloping stallion.
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| "Again?" she asked, watching Pascal whistle the horse back around.
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| "No. Dinner is almost upon us, and that was already your fourth try this session. Give your backside a rest already."
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| Kaede quickly put her hands away. She wasn't aware it had been that obvious.
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| "Nobody is going to become good in just a few days. Only a ''prodigy'' would be foolish enough to expect that, and your own horsemanship is hardly worth bragging about..."
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| Ariadne added her cutting words with a serene smile as she walked over from the wall Parzifal and her had been leaning against. Her delicate fingers extended back to cup her waist-length hair, a pink waterfall swaying between two sides in the castle courtyard's strong crosswinds.
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| "--Besides, isn't hanging onto a canter enough? Not like she's going to join a thundering charge, even in the very unlikely scenario that you did."
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| With the reins back in his hands, Pascal's turquoise gaze was still examining Kaede as he began his reply:
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| "I was hoping she could act as my courier should the opportunity arise. The telepathic link grounded in our familiar bond would allow me to communicate with command directly through her -- exceedingly useful given how normal ''Telepathy'' spells cannot function in a battlefield full of clashing ether. It would be a good reason for her to come with me."
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| "I thought mages often brought their familiars along?" Kaede puzzled.
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| Thankfully, her own hair was long enough that she stuffed its end into her belt pouch. With most of her time spent reading, Kaede didn't usually mind the sheer length of her canary-white hair, which reached all the way down to her thighs. In fact, she rather enjoyed how soft and comfortable it was. But it was also rather annoying on windy days when she came outside.
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| "Yes; and in most other cases, I would not worry about it," Pascal answered. "But bringing a ''girl'' from my household does raise questions -- and not the kind of rumor good for unit morale."
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| Smiling as he watched Ariadne from behind, Parzifal strode up to his beloved and put his arm around her shoulders. As though treating a precious jewel, his hands carefully brushed her hair back into place. After receiving an appreciate smile from her, he turned his gaze towards Pascal:
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| "Oh right, congratulations are in order, although it was quite expected after your promotion to Captain: now you're also the youngest person to command a Noble Reiter company."
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| 'Reiter' was one of the few military terms Kaede knew from German history -- one of the first cavalry in Europe who raised firearms to the status of primary weapons. The fact her familiar bond's 'translation' feature picked this word in specific meant that the magic actually tried to match Weichsel's language to her specific knowledge.
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| Unlike the professional 'Weichsel Cavalry' which used a combination of polearms, ranged weapons, and spells, the entirely aristocratic Noble Reiters were cavalrymen who served only as artillery-mages. Their lack of proper combat training reflected in their poor ability to hold out in a close encounter.
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| Therefore, 'Reiter' was rather appropriate, not to mention far less confusing, than its literal meaning: horse-rider.
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| "Thanks," Pascal answered a bit awkwardly, clearly still not used to this new relationship. "Do you know which unit you are being assigned to yet? I presume you will be taking a healer's role with the Knights Phantom."
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| "There's not enough new Knights Phantom to form another company, and new medical squads are only formed on a company-basis," Ariadne said dejectedly as she leaned into Parzifal's shoulder. "Our modus operandi is too different from any other unit to work together, so we're being added to bolster the ''Black Lancers'' company once we link up with the King's forces coming from Königsfeld."
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| "Hence they offered me to pick any company from your battalion, since they're short on healers for the medic squads again. What do you think, Captain Sir von Moltewitz? Am I good enough, or do you still think I'm too boring?"
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| Parzifal glanced away at the last second, and Kaede wondered if he regretted impulsively poking that old wound the moment his words left his mouth.
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| But if anything, it was Pascal who looked more uncomfortable, his prideful mask leaking just enough humility to identify as mildly apologetic:
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| "I would be ''honored'' if you joined me."
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| The two men looked back upon one another, and turquoise gaze met aquamarine before each of them nodded in silent recognition and agreement with the other.
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| "Well, I'll inform the good Major this afternoon then. Not to mention, this also solves our other problem with bringing Kaede."
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| Both Pascal and Kaede stared at Parzifal for several moments. Neither could figure out the meaning behind his words before the two of them spoke at once:
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| "How?"
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| "Easy," the healer's aquamarine eyes almost sparkled under his brown bangs. "Medical supplies."
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| ''Oh right, walking Blood Bank of Samara,'' Kaede remembered.
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| Facing the grinning Parzifal and the giggling Ariadne, her wispy response came out completely flat:
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| "Oh ha ha, very funny."
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| Meanwhile, Pascal looked even less amused than his familiar:
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| "Fair warning: if she faints, I am holding ''you'' accountable."
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| After dropping the horse back off at the stables, Kaede followed Pascal back to the dorms because he wanted to "deal with something first."
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| Thus she sat down on the bed and took out a tome to read while he finished whatever errand he had.
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| Except that he stood staring at her.
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| "What is it?"
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| "I received something from the postmaster for you today."
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| Pascal spoke with a not-serious, not-joyous, not-angry, but oddly peaceful and gentle expression as he handed her a wrapped parchment scroll. He then turned the chair at his work desk around to face her before sitting down on it.
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| ''Why would someone send something to me?''
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| Kaede frowned as she took the scroll. Rolling it over, her eyes widened at the black dragon crest of Weichsel on its official wax seal. Her small hands almost fumbled in their rush to unwrap it, pulling it open before her gaze began to read across line by line.
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| "''By the powers invested in me by His Majesty King Leopold Karl-Wilhelm von Drachenlanzen, I hereby recognize and certify Miss Kaede Nika Suvorsky, member to the noble household of Sir Karl August von Moltewitz, Landgrave of Nordkreuz, as a resident of the Kingdom of Weichsel, with all the rights, privileges, and duties of...''"
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| Kaede couldn't continue anymore as moisture invaded her eyes and blurred her sight.
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| ''I can't believe it.''
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| "This... this is..." her dry voice choked out.
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| "It is an official certification of residency in the Kingdom of Weichsel, personally signed by the Department Chief of Immigration from the Ministry of the Interior. As long as you abide by our laws, this residency will turn into lawful citizenship after ten years of either living within Weichsel's domains or serving the interests of Weichsel on foreign soil -- which will certainly be the case when you travel with me."
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| ''Residency... it's been only... twenty-two days since I came to this world!''
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| Kaede had never applied for citizenship herself, but even she knew that such changes in status usually took years, months at the very least. She had already resigned herself for being completely without rights and reliant upon his protection for the foreseeable future...
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| "How did you get this so--"
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| "The process normally takes at least two years. But since high government positions may only be legally filled by military officers who retired into the reserves, my family has plenty of contacts within the ministries..."
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| Pascal was totally unabashed. To him, using back-doors for personal affairs like this was his ''right'':
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| "--Some bribery also paved the way, of course. But I saw how shocked you were over this when the headmaster first mentioned it. Given that particular worry, expediency became an urgent need."
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| ''Even so, he must have started the weekend after I came...''
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| Kaede felt the wet warmth of tears streak down her cheeks as her glassy eyes continued to gaze upon the scroll. Her fingers were almost shaking as she slowly closed the thick parchment back into a roll.
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| She finally let out the breath she had been unknowingly holding. Her hands brought the certificate close to her chest, protectively clutching what was easily the most precious item Pascal had given her since coming to this fantasy realm.
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| Yet in hindsight, it wasn't his best present to her. More precisely, it was merely a representation of the rest:
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| In a land where she had absolutely nothing to her name, he had given her a warm and secure place to call home.
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| It was easy, so easy to consider this his obligation, as Pascal was the one who tore Kaede from her past life by summoning her into this world. But she knew that few individuals placed in such circumstances would have taken the same position or invested the same effort for her sake.
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| It may be his responsibility, but it was a responsibility he took in full measure and upheld even without being asked.
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| "Thank you..."
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| Kaede smiled back at Pascal through her blurry gaze. Her hand reached up to wipe away the tears, but even then she had trouble clearly making out his countenance.
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| "--I can't even begin to describe... but... this really, ''really'' means a lot to me. Everything..."
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| The wetness in her eyes wouldn't stop coming out, a small yet steady stream that her hands kept clearing away.
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| "--I know I should give you a hug or something at least in gratitude over this, yet I can't even stop crying here..."
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| Thinking back, Kaede had never felt more glad that she picked his side, never so assured that she made the right decision when she joined the assassination scheme against him for his protection. Yet she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt over her brief indecision. Even back then, when she chose whether or not to partake in his murder, he had already started his work to help her feel at ease.
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| ''I could have done so much wrong...''
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| Wordlessly, Pascal stood up from his chair, walked over to the bed, and wrapped both of his arms around her thin shoulders.
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| She could feel his protective warmth as he pulled her into his chest.
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| "The hugs are free," he commented in that odd joking tone of his.
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| Still buried in his chest, Kaede couldn't help but crack an unseen smile:
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| ''Such inappropriate timing.''
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| She didn't even have the urge to hit him this time.
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| After nearly a minute, Pascal pulled back and looked down into her glassy eyes. His fingers reached up to carefully wipe them away, as though brushing aside delicate beads of pearl.
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| "As much as I enjoy how huggable you are, we really should go down for dinner. Otherwise, Ariadne and the rest are going to believe I am bullying you over today's practice."
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| Kaede couldn't help but smile back at him:
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| "Then you better help me clean this up first. Otherwise, they'll ''know'' you've been bullying me."
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| As Kaede followed Pascal into the main keep, they found Professor Albert waiting for him with a stern, almost grim expression:
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| "Sir von Moltewitz, please come with me for a moment. There is something private I must inform you."
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| Kaede tilted her head slightly as she looked at Pascal, whose poker face went on instantly.
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| "Go join Parzifal and the rest for dinner. I will be there shortly," he told her before following his advisor into the dark hallways of the stone keep.
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| She hesitated for a minute before leaving. Something about Pascal, about the entire situation just didn't feel right. But at the same time, it didn't do her any good to wait there.
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| It turned out to be the first time Kaede walked into the great dining hall by herself.
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| The tables were almost full, with as many older nobles as there were younger. All the new faces were aristocrats from the army gathering outside. Most of them wore standard Weichsel military uniforms, but some were dressed quite flamboyantly.
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| She received plenty of odd stares on her way. Some were merely curious, presumably over where her master was. Meanwhile others held her in contempt, disgusted over how the familiar girl could be allowed to stride unescorted across noble grounds in her proud bearing, as though she deserved to eat there.
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| Thankfully, nobody approached or stopped her.
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| "Where's Pascal?" Cecylia raised her curiosity first as Kaede walked up to Parzifal's large group.
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| "Professor Albert stopped him along the way to tell him something."
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| Parzifal and Cecylia had managed to save them two seats, so Kaede sat down and waited, her eyes kept peeled at the entrance.
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| She was slightly surprised when she overheard that Cecylia had been assigned to the same battalion as Pascal, leading the 'Public Relations' section directly under Battalion Command.
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| After several minutes, Kaede watched as Professor Albert entered the hall, but with no sign of Pascal following him.
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| The senior administration professor that served as the de-facto headmaster of the academy's educational role then turned towards a table and pulled out an open chair near the entrance. But before he would sit down, his gloves reached up and touched his throat for a split second.
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| "May I have your attention please."
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| Despite his polite words, his magically amplified voice did not speak them in the tone of a request, but as an order.
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| Kaede had already heard the rumor that the King had offered Professor Albert von Marienfeld a restored generalship and the position of commanding officer over two brigades. But the professor turned it down, stating that the nation's immediate needs were of no greater importance than its long-term survival, for which it must have capable officers and administrators. A protracted war with the Caliphate will only increase the demand for officers upon the Königsfeld Academy, therefore his greater duties were on the teaching floor, not the battlefield.
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| The entire dining hall soon quieted down. Even the nobles not under his position fell silent in respect and courtesy.
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| "Before we offer our nightly prayers to the Holy Father, I have two announcements to make. I ask you all to brace yourselves, for neither of them bear pleasant news."
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| Kaede's stomach twisted itself in knots as she anxiously awaited the bad news that almost undoubtedly involved Pascal.
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| "First, His Holiness Pope Vigilius has recognized the late Duke Guy of Avro-Calent a martyr of the faith and canonized him as a saint..."
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| It was an obvious backhanded slap towards the Emperor of Rhin-Lotharingie, who gave the order for a general retreat from the Lotharin-Cataliyan borders. But what came next was far, far worse as Professor Albert continued in his stern but grim voice, with only a barely detectable trace of sour disapproval:
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| "--Distressed by the loss of the helpless and the faithful to infidel hands due to the ungodly cowardice displayed by Emperor Geoffroi of Rhin-Lotharingie, who performed no deeds yet basked in sin over the past decades in his greed against the pious people of the Holy Imperium and even against the Church itself, it is with great sorrow that Pope Vigilius hereby excommunicates Emperor Geoffroi Jean de Gaetane from the Trinitian faith, for he is now clearly beyond the grace of the Holy Father..."
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| Hushed murmurs began across the hall as people discussed where the war would turn to now, or how King Leopold could possibly aid a heretical ally using an army mobilized in the name of the Holy Father.
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| But Professor Albert warned about ''two'' pieces of ill news. The canonization of a new saint, as political as its motives were, simply wasn't unpleasant enough.
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| "Second, I regret to inform you that tragedy has befallen our own Kingdom of Weichsel. On this morning, during a trip out to inspect the Capital's outlying defenses, Field Marshal Sir Karl August von Moltewitz, Commanding Officer of the Weichsel Military Forces and Landgrave of Nordkreuz, plus his staff and bodyguards, were cowardly ambushed by unknown assassins. Reinforcements from Königsfeld did not arrive in time to intercede, and the entire group has been confirmed to be dead."
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| This time people didn't even try to stay silent. Conversations erupted across the dining hall like wildfire, fueled by the war anxieties everyone had built up over the course of the past week. Some individuals even began shouting matches as their arguments flared...
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| But Kaede had already stopped paying attention.
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| She only waited long enough not to be an embarrassment to Pascal in the eyes of the gathered nobles. He would need his dignity more than ever in the coming days. But the moment Professor Albert finished and the hall erupted into chaos, she pushed back her chair and began striding towards the entrance.
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| There was no way Pascal was coming here.
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| It was also the first time Pascal broke his word.
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