Chapter 12 - Prelude to Terror

8.30.1204 - Monday

Towa would have never imagined herself riding on such an esteemed vehicle such as the Eisengraf, yet there she was on the same train as Prince Olivert and Chancellor Osborne. If she had to be honest with herself, she was still surprised that Prince Olivert and Chancellor Osborne requested her to be their secretary for the conference. From what Principle Vandyke told her, they saw how she handled the evacuation effort in Heimdallr and decided she was the best candidate for the temporary position.

Suddenly as the Eisengraf passed through Celdic she felt someone staring at her from outside her window; it was Rean. Despite it being only for a second, time froze for them as they stared at each other. Once she lost sight of Rean, time returned to normal for her.


Towa was brought back to reality when a red haired man walked up to her. "You must be Secretary Herschel, I'm Secretary Arundel. Nice to meet you. Chancellor Osborne sent me to get you, he wants to have a quick chat."

"Nice to meet you Secretary Arundel. Who am I to deny a request from the Chancellor." Towa said as she got up from her seat. She soon followed Secretary Arundel to the Chancellor's compartment.

Chancellor Osborne, or the Blood and Iron Chancellor as he was known by the people of Erebonia was someone she didn't have the highest opinion of. Most commoners in Heimdallr treated him as some sort of revolutionary due to his status as a commoner who went beyond the social hierarchy to become the first commoner to become the Chancellor of Erebonia. Her family however, were not the biggest fans to put it politely. Her Uncle and Aunt made it clear that they weren't the biggest fans of the Chancellor's obsession with expanding Erebonian territory. She remembered how her Grandfather had once called the Chancellor a warmonger because of his constant rising of tensions between Erebonia and Calvard. It didn't help that her family had roots originating from Calvard. Towa sometimes wondered what her parents would've thought about the Chancellor. It was something she could never figure out herself due to them dying in an accident after attending an International Congress in Crossbell when she was young, and her family rarely ever spoke about them. It hurt Towa when she couldn't tell her family that she would be attending the West Zemuria Trade Conference. Not only because she would be assisting the Chancellor that they disliked so much, but also because the event was being held in Crossbell. She understood their fears, but she needed to go. Even as only a Secretary, if she could help bring some peace to not just Erebonia but Zemuria as a whole without the need for violence it would be worth it in her eyes. Even if it involved cooperating with a man her family hated or going to a place near where her parents died, she knew that it would be worth it if it meant that soldiers around Zemuria could lay their weapons down.

Towa was soon greeted by the Chancellor himself. "Hello Secretary Herschel, please take a seat. Prince Olivert should be joining us shortly."

Almost immediately Prince Olivert entered the compartment. "Hello Secretary Herschel, oh and Chancellor always a pleasure."

The three sat at a table all facing each other, Towa could feel the tension between the other two.

Prince Olivert was the first to break the ice. "Maybe we should start with an ice breaker. Seeing as we all attended or are currently attending Thors, I think it would be best to discuss our times there. Nothing brings people together more than the Thors spirit after all."

"An excellent idea, I am rather curious how the current student body is doing. Who better to ask than the current Student Council President?" Chancellor Osborne said in agreement.

"Not that I'm biased, but I think the current student body is doing an excellent job." Towa answered.

"If I may, how is Class VII doing? I recall greenlighting two new transfers into the class. Hopefully it isn't too much work for their leader to handle?" Prince Olivert.

"Oh Class VII really has done such a good job, and don't worry Instructor Sara has done a stellar job teaching them?" Towa answered.

"I wasn't asking about their instructor, from what I hear one of the members stepped up to the position to be their leader." Prince Olivert clarified.

"Ah yes Rean Schwarzer was it? Do tell us how he's doing." Chancellor Osborne asked.

Towa was taken aback to hear that Chancellor Osborne knew of Rean.

"Well Rean has done a stellar job as leader of Class VII. He's always going above and beyond to help not only me but the whole town. I couldn't ask for a better underclassman." Towa told them.

"I see, looks like my concept for Class VII has gone on quite well wouldn't you say Chancellor Osborne?" Prince Olivert said.

"So it would seem. Say isn't Class VII in the middle of one of their Field Studies at this moment?" Chancellor Osborne asked.

"That's correct. They're being given a tour of Garrelia Fortress right now." Towa answered.

"I do hope it inspires some of them to pursue a future in the military. Rean Schwarzer certainly has potential to be a great soldier." Chancellor Osborne commented.

"That's high praise coming from you Chancellor Osborne. Especially considering your military background." Prince Olivert noted.

The idea of Rean or anyone in Class VII for that matter joining the military didn't sit well with Towa.

"Speaking of future pursuits, Secretary Herschel, would you be interested in joining the Intelligence Division after you graduate?" Chancellor Osborne asked.

"Chancellor Osborne if I may, I don't think now is the best time to be asking Secretary Herschel such a thing. I'm sure her head is filled up with thoughts of schoolwork and boys already, and let's not forget the conference. She'll start looking into her own future when she's ready, not when someone tries to force it upon her." Prince Olivert interrupted.

The tension Towa had felt previously was starting to feel heavier.

Suddenly Secretary Arundel entered. "Sorry to butt in. Chancellor Osborne, someone wanted to talk to you privately via Arcus."

"I'm on my way, best of luck with the conference Secretary Herschel. Be sure to think over my offer. Prince Olivert, give Mueller my regards." Chancellor Osborne said as he excused himself.

"Speaking of Mueller, I should probably go meet with him now. Farewell Secretary Herschel, try not to get pressured by the Chancellor. Give Rean my regards." Prince Olivert said as he also excused himself.

Towa sat alone in the compartment by herself processing the conversation that just happened. She wasn't sure what to think of Chancellor Osborne's offer. She knew there was no chance of her actually working for Chancellor Osborne. She would never betray her family like that. But Chancellor Osborne was right about her graduation being near, and she didn't really have a plan. She wanted to do something that could bring more peaceful solutions to Erebonia and its neighbors, but she never figured out how she was going to do that. She could become a politician, but she feared she'd only get caught up in the tangled webs of corruption that many young politicians face when entering the political sphere in Erebonia. Military was out of the question. Maybe she could become a teacher and hope to inspire future generations to pursue a more peaceful future. She also heard about many NGOs opening up around Erebonia, maybe she could tour around Erebonia and meet with them and see if they're the right fit.

Towa tried pushing those thoughts to the back of her head, she couldn't be focused on the future. She needed to focus on the present, and make sure the conference went as smoothly as possible. Especially since Rean, Crow, and the rest of Class VII were all doing their best to help Erebonia. She couldn't fall behind. She quickly went back to her compartment for a quick rest, she had the feeling the conference would take a lot out of her.