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, unless given authorization by me. 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.
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Arc of Chaldea
FanficJaune Arc is the sole Master of the Chaldea Security Organization and after dealing with the singularities, he finds himself transported back to Remnant. Witness his struggles as he attempts to safeguard two worlds.
