Chapter 8: Facing the Council
Jaune Arc felt the tension in the air as he stood before the grand doors leading to the council chamber. Marble pillars towered over him, and gold accents adorned the walls, signaling the gravity of the meeting he was about to attend.
Suddenly, his scroll rang and as he answered, the room was illuminated by the familiar faces of Mash, Kiyohime, and a few other servants from Chaldea.
"Master, how are you holding up? We've heard about what happened thanks to Bazett and the returning servants," Mash's voice broke the silence, tinged with concern.
"Should we materialize at Site Beta for reinforcement?" Kiyohime chimed in, her eyes locked onto Jaune's.
He paused, weighing the potential consequences. The added security would be a boon, but more importantly, he could use the emotional support of his friends. "You know what? Yes. Materialize at Site Beta. Not just for defense, but I've missed you all. It'd be good to catch up."
"Excellent," Mash replied, visibly relieved. "I'll coordinate with Da Vinci to set up a schedule."
"As you wish, Master," Kiyohime added, her eyes sparkling with anticipation at being reunited with Jaune. "We'll be there to support you."
Jaune felt a surge of confidence. "Thanks, you guys. I'll need all the help I can get right now."
Just then the grand wooden doors creaked open, revealing a semi-circle of council members and a set of seats for Jaune and his representation. Ozpin was there too, his eyes meeting Jaune's for a brief moment. The weight of the room was palpable.
As he stepped inside, Sherlock and Moriarty flanked him, both of them temporarily setting aside their animosity to defend Jaune. Their presence was both a comfort to Jaune and an added layer of security. Jaune took his seat, arranging his papers and adjusting his uniform. Ozpin's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the double-crescent moons that made up the Arcadian royal crest discreetly embroidered into the fabric of Jaune's uniform. He made a mental note to talk with Jaune privately once all of this was over.
Sherlock rose first, offering a curt bow to the Council. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Vale Council, we realize the gravity of this meeting. Before proceeding with statements or queries, we would like to present this contract for your consideration."
From his pocket, Sherlock produced a roll of parchment that shimmered in the room's light. "This contract is designed to safeguard the sensitive information that will be discussed here today. By signing it, you are agreeing not only to keep Chaldea's secrets but also to refrain from discussing this information with anyone outside of this room. Moreover, the contract provides a layer of protection that will prevent leaks even under coercion or torture."
"How will these terms be enforced?" one councilor finally asked, skeptical.
"By magecraft," Sherlock simply stated, eliciting a round of disbelieving laughter.
Jaune, sensing their disbelief and needing their cooperation, made a decision. "Merlin, could you assist me with this, please?"
With a flourish of golden particles, Merlin, the Mage of the Round Table, materialized before the council. The room went silent in stunned disbelief.
Merlin lifted his staff, its radiant light casting intricate glyphs upon the council table. "Magecraft, or what you might call 'magic,' can bind the terms of this contract. Once signed, breaking the contract would trigger specific repercussions, tailored to prevent leaks."
"The foundations of magecraft lie in the manipulation of fundamental laws that govern our universe. In this case, the contract employs a 'geas' — a magical contract that compels its signatories to adhere to its clauses," Merlin elaborated.
After the contract had made its rounds, each councilor took a moment to read it carefully before signing it, their pens leaving marks that glowed momentarily before fading into the parchment. Ozpin was the last to sign, his eyes meeting Jaune's one final time before committing his signature.
With the formalities out of the way, Jaune stood up, clearing his throat before speaking.
"Very well," Jaune nodded, "In that case, allow me to explain Chaldea's role in greater detail."
"Given that we are all bound by the contract, I believe it is time to reveal the full scope of Chaldea's operations," Sherlock said. "And it goes beyond what one might consider conventional."
Jaune resumed, "Chaldea was formed with one goal in mind preserve humanity as a whole from any threats that seek to disrupt the proper flow of human history or eliminate it completely.
Moriarty took over, "To put it plainly, we deal with Singularities, disruptions in the proper flow of human history that can lead to catastrophic outcomes. These are often tied to Holy Grails, objects of immense magical power."
Sherlock chimed in, "And yes, our capabilities include the summoning and cooperation of what you might understand as Heroic Spirits or Servants—heroes and anti-heroes from various mythologies, legends, and histories, each with unique abilities."
Jaune looked straight at the council. "We are telling you this not to shock or scare you, but to help you understand the gravity of the threats we face, and why our operations may sometimes seem...unorthodox or extreme."
The council members were visibly stunned. Ozpin, however, leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. His mind raced as he pieced together the implications of suddenly having a force of this power appear out of nowhere.
"For the sake of clarity, yes, the beings you saw accompanying me during the breach incident were such Heroic Spirits," Jaune said. "And the abrupt appearances and disappearances you witnessed were abilities unique to servants.
A long silence filled the room before finally being broken by the lead councilor. "This is...a lot to process Mr. Arc. But given the current circumstances, we can't dismiss any of this."
The lead councilor adjusted her glasses, her gaze sweeping over the other council members before finally settling on Jaune. "Considering the gravity of what you've shared, it seems prudent that we gain a better understanding of your organization, its operations, and assets. Mr. Arc, would you be willing to grant the Vale Council or one of our representatives a tour of Site Beta? We'd like to see Chaldea's day-to-day operations."
Moriarty glanced at Jaune, who gave him a subtle nod. "A tour could be arranged," Moriarty said, "subject to appropriate security measures, of course."
Sherlock added, "The nature of our work is highly sensitive, as you can understand. We will need to set some ground rules for what can be disclosed and what remains classified during your visit."
Jaune took over. "We have nothing to hide. We want you to understand the true scope of the threats humanity faces, so you can make informed decisions. A tour of Site Beta will give you firsthand experience of what we do and why we do it."
The councilors nodded, murmuring their agreement. The lead councilor stated, "Very well, let's arrange the details offline. We appreciate your transparency today, Mr. Arc, and we look forward to the possibility of future collaboration."
Ozpin watched as Jaune collected his papers and prepared to leave, Sherlock and Moriarty at his sides. His eyes again fell on the Arcadian symbol on Jaune's uniform, thoughts swirling around the incredible revelations of the day and the broader implications for not just Vale, but for all of Remnant.
Da Vinci leaned against one of the desks, her eyes twinkling behind her glasses as she skimmed through a report. "So, according to this, Jaune was able to heal multiple injuries in the Singularity using something called 'Aura'? Fascinating."
Dr. Roman, seated at a console across the room, glanced up from his screen. "Yes, and it's unlike anything we've ever seen. He described it as a manifestation of one's soul, a protective force that can be used for a variety of purposes, including healing."
Da Vinci's eyes lit up even more. "Ooh, imagine the possibilities, Roman! If this 'Aura' is a reliable method of healing, then maybe we can use it to treat some of our injured staff. Maybe even those Master candidates in cryostasis?"
Dr. Roman paused, appearing contemplative. "It's a possibility, but we don't yet understand how Aura interacts with magecraft, or even if it's compatible at all. For all we know, it could be why Jaune lacks magic circuits."
The door to the Command Room slid open, and Jaune walked in. Catching the tail end of the conversation, he grinned. "Did I just hear my lack of magical prowess being discussed?"
Da Vinci turned to face him, a playful smile forming on her lips. "Ah, Jaune! Perfect timing. I was just saying how I'd love to run some experiments on you to understand how Aura works."
"And I said," Dr. Roman chimed in, "that before we get too excited, we should consider that Aura might be the reason you can't use magecraft. It could be like oil and water."
Jaune chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Well, before you go poking and prodding me, you could at least buy me dinner first."
Da Vinci looked delighted. "A dinner date to discuss the intricacies of Aura and magecraft? That sounds positively delightful. I'll take you up on that, Jaune."
Jaune blinked, a little taken aback by her enthusiasm but amused nonetheless. "Uh, sure. It's a date then."
Dr. Roman rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips. "You two have fun. But seriously, Jaune, think about it. Understanding Aura could provide Chaldea with some invaluable tools."
Dr. Roman tapped a few keys on his console, bringing up some graphs and figures. "Ah, here it is. We did some quick simulations based on what we know of Aura and magecraft. According to the data, it seems that they're mutually exclusive."
Jaune arched an eyebrow. "Meaning?"
Da Vinci chimed in, "Meaning you can either have Aura or magic circuits, but not both. They seem to be incompatible energy systems."
Just then, the door opened and several civilian staff members walked in. They had heard rumors about the fascinating subject of Aura and were eager to learn more. Among them was Bracknell, a logistics officer with a keen interest in unconventional phenomena.
Bracknell stepped forward. "Excuse me, your Highness—er, Mr. Arc. I heard you might be discussing Aura? Is it something anyone can learn or acquire?"
Jaune turned to the small crowd that had gathered. "Well, I don't see why not. As long as someone has a soul and doesn't have magic circuits, in theory, I should be able to unlock or grant them Aura."
Da Vinci clapped her hands gleefully. "Oh, this is getting more exciting by the minute!"
Bracknell's eyes shone with intrigue. "A force powered by one's soul that can protect and heal? I have to say, I'm quite interested. Does Arcadia have a Foreign Legion or some equivalent? Because if so, I'd love to be a part of it."
Jaune looked thoughtful. "A Foreign Legion in Arcadia? It doesn't exist yet, but as Crown Prince, I suppose I could make a case for creating one, especially if it would allow us to integrate people with unique skills or abilities like Aura."
Bracknell looked ecstatic. "That would be an amazing opportunity! Learning to harness Aura and serving under an Arcadian flag? Count me in!"
Jaune's expression turned serious, his eyes meeting Bracknell's. "Before anyone gets too excited about joining an Arcadian Foreign Legion, there are some things you need to consider. It's not a choice to make lightly."
The room quieted, sensing the gravity of what was to come.
"You'd be giving up a lot. Your families, your homes, possibly even your future on Earth," Jaune continued. "Arcadia is in a different dimension, separated from everything you know. While it's true that you would gain new abilities and a new purpose, the cost is high."
Bracknell's expression sobered, his initial enthusiasm dimming as he weighed the words. "I hadn't considered that aspect, but it's a fair point. Thank you for being upfront about it, sir."
Da Vinci interjected, her voice softer than usual. "An excellent reminder that every choice comes with its own set of sacrifices. In our excitement over the possibilities, it's easy to overlook what we might be giving up."
Dr. Roman nodded, "Yes, and for some, the price may be too steep. It's crucial to understand both the rewards and risks involved."
Jaune concluded, "If I do end up creating this Foreign Legion, I want everyone who joins to be there because they've made a fully informed decision. I won't have anyone regretting it because they didn't understand what they were getting into."