Time Skip - A week
The day that the Headmaster had announced had arrived. In a short time the General Vridil Willehalm and his 8000 men will pass through the city gates. The city is in high spirits as bakers, butchers, craftsmen, jewelers and even priests gather in the town square to sell all sort of commodities such as religious symbols, weapons, food, desserts, toys and their services to their fellow civilians and the coming soldiers. The College itself has called off all schedules and allowed the students to have unsupervised access to the city as congratulations for their hard work. Many students who had saved their allowance or have many wealthy connections had tossed aside their robes to go on long shopping sprees and others had set up their own stalls for sell trinkets, and some act as street performers to earn a bit of Crown. The townsfolk had also set up many different activities for the festivities such as apple bobbing, archery, ball toss and more adult activities such as Beat the Dwarf, fruiting caged prisoners and gambling on knife fights.
The walls are sprawling with militia running around, getting into their position and trying to pull a good impression for the arriving general and on the walls is Headmaster Arnest, who for the day thrown away his title of Headmaster to carry the title of Province Governor and the head of House Rando, Theu Rando. The two watched the horizon as they can see the marching soldiers a ways off.
"8000 soldiers Governor? I must admit I am rather disappointed. I was hoping the Empire can muster 20000 at the very least." Commented Theu
"8000 fine men and women able to stand against all that will be thrown against them. It will be more then enough to create a foothold within Stalia. If I recall, your House has a garrison of 10000 do you not?" Replied Governor Arnest
"Yes. 10000 elite warriors, all trained for decades from the age of 10. All have weapons and armor forged from the finest smiths and enchanted by the brightest mages and all are willing to die should I command it. What does this army have that my garrison does not?" Theu asks
"....We stand united under a single banner. That of the High King's. This army is the work of millions of hands joining together to keep their families safe and the families of those beyond. What you consider an army of 10000 elite warriors, we call an army of indentured slaves. They know only battle and therefore can only do battle. This army of 8000 men, soon to be 10000, are forged from fathers, mothers, heroes, beggars, criminals and priests all willing to fight and die. They know the risks and know why they fight. What better army then one of created from the willing?" Replied the Governor
"Hmm...you have made a good point Governor." Replied Theu. "Perhaps I should hold my tongue until I know the true scope of the Empire's might."