The third quarterly conference of Iveritus, the entirety of the Seraphiel Empire Knighthood, was scheduled to commence on the 5th dier of the 12th mensith, which was the current date. The emplacement of the gathering was within the confines of the great hall inside the Nachezen palace.
Mikhail, who was known for being punctilious, emphasized on having the exact and unified composition of having 3 vice-commanders and 105 officers per order. Forthwith, there are 26 vice-commanders and 1037 officers who're present at the elevated cushioned benches surrounding the hall, awaiting for the nascence while on their feet.
Concurrently, the enormous circular council table, created from the toughest of timbers, situated at the centre of the hall already had eight knights occupying the chesterfield seats bordering it.
The participants of the early congregation promptly ingressed the venue at the 5th Tuor even though the conference would not begin until the clock hits the 1st Noven. As a form of discipline in every assemblage, it's instilled in their systems to arrive earlier than the higher-ranking officials.
A booming thud, followed by an ear-splitting screeching that came from the hinges of the gigantic brass doors, caught the attention of all the people in attendance. When the aperture was exposed, it flaunted the timely entrance of Duke Iophiel Cynan, Khamael Percival, and Marquiss Israfel Morholt. They subsequently sauntered towards their seats, occupying the spaces beside them to remain in the standing position.
The other knights shadowed the actions of the three as they faced the opened doorway.
"A salute to the Grand Cordon of Iveritus. Gratu Zavirnos Gratu Lhex, Hons uft il Herschen." Iophiel duly commanded the assembly to welcome the advent of Mikhail Percival.
Mikhail congruously showed himself afore the entry, serving as the cue for the Rounds to do an Ervieli salute along with the rest of the knights. Without delay, Percival traversed the short distance en route his spot, the farthest point on the circumference of the table from the passageway.
Only when he landed, some seconds past his initial arrival, did he acknowledge his subordinates.
"Averscha zak Mordun. At ease."
Mikhail assumed the Knight Commander title strictly in the company of the Knights of the Round Table. Withal, he should be addressed as the Grand Cordon before the presence of Iveritus. Ergo, whenever he's the Grand Cordon, the ten Rounds who had their own knight order would gain the Knight Commander rank.
After the moment that Percival seated himself, the knights followed suit.
"Any absenteeism?" The Grand Cordon asked right away to start their meeting.
"All three vice-commanders and nine adjutants of my order opted to stay in the north-eastern border, My Lord," Haniel responded while she's reading the report that was given by a representative of the absent officers of Atlas.
Mikhail nodded, sans facing the woman, as he picked up the fastened parchments on top of the table.
"What's the status of your order?"
"Atlas is still at a stalemate with the remnants of the rebel army. Upon investigating their movements, we discovered that the Havram Republic is supplementing the rebels with their forces."
"I see. Anything else?"
"We also suspect that Viscount Suma is attempting to make a deal with the aforementioned nation. As you're aware, My Lord, Atlas was stationed in the Suma fief for the time being. I'm perturbed that the Viscount would use his citizens as hostages." The Duchess uttered her sentiments with a visage that did not reflect the urgency of the situation. In fact, she had this indifferent tone that made the issue seemed as if it's dismissible.
Well, seeing that the individuals in the upper echelon of the hierarchy took their participation in a possibly 5-hour long session, it was evident that these leaders were confident that their underlings were more than capable of dealing with matters among themselves.
It went the same for Haniel who belittled the strength of mere remnants of a once prosperous army. She spoke of the problem simply to inform Mikhail, and not that she was asking for aid.
"If that is proven to be true, immediately capture Viscount Suma and bring him to me," Mikhail said his verdict but did not offer any help, much to the delight of the Duchess.
He's assured that Haniel will be able to deal with the rebel army soon.
"Noted, My Lord." The female knight replied as she nodded.
Mikhail then looked around to determine if there was someone else who would answer his first question, meeting the gaze of Israfel in the process.
"Israfel, do you have anything to say?"
Out of sheer embarrassment, Marquiss Morholt was reluctant to speak. The reasoning behind the absence of his subordinates was something that would earn the ire of his associates. Howbeit, it would be eventually brought up, so he went ahead and responded.
"My Lord, one vice-commander and four officers from Prometheus were imprisoned due to misdemeanour. They are notorious for corruption and sexual harassment among the ranks. Thus, upon the discovery of their crimes, the other two vice-commanders enacted an arrest on the suspects 18 diers agone." Israfel recited a replication as if he just memorized a passage from a book.
Mikhail disliked a phraseology as such. Hence, he called out the Marquiss for it.
"Israfel, why are you speaking as if you have no knowledge of their activities? Your very reputation comes from the organization of your knight orders. Then, what does this incident convey about your leadership?"
It was common for Mikhail to reprimand his subordinates on any occasion. Although, one should take into account that he does it purely for the sake of wanting his comrades to reflect on their mistakes, less out of spite. Israfel understood this tendency of his commander, readily accepting of his mishap.
"This might sound as an excuse, My Lord, but I departed the empire a mensith ago and had only returned a dier prior to this conference. Admittedly, it's a mistake of mine to be oblivious of my knights' debaucheries. I apologize for the disconcertment that this news has caused. I will be more vigilant in monitoring the activities of Prometheus." The Marquiss articulated his apologies as genuine as he could whilst bowing his head.
Mikhail stared at Israfel, trying to determine if it's appropriate to discipline someone who wasn't directly at fault. In the end, he deemed that no punishment was needed.
"That is enough. Lift your head, Marquis Morholt. I will forgive you just this once, so heed your words."
"I express my gratitude for the favour that you've granted me, My Lord." Israfel stated ahead of straightening his posture.
With that issue out of the way, Mikhail perused over the documents in his grip, scrutinizing each page with utmost care. Nobody dared to make a noise in the window of dormancy.
Once the Grand Cordon finished his task, he shifted his eyes from the parchments towards the people across the room, travelling from person to person.
"The minor reports will be discussed later. For now, the war with the Estrama Empire is our main agenda. I'll assume that the knight orders which were appointed to engage in this war have long completed their preparations. I won't tolerate any failures."
It was a clear warning from the battlefield perfectionist, Mikhail. Even supposing that they're free from guilt, the reasonable threat managed to drench their feet and hands with pools of cold sweat, albeit mentally.
In the 1115th aethras, 46th dier of the 5th mensith, Emperor Atticus Seraphiel ascended to the throne. It hadn't been a full aethras after he became an Emperor, yet he already orchestrated 6 wars ever since the beginning of his reign. With that statistic, it was safe to say that Iveritus was brimming with battle-hardened warriors. They feared the wrath of Mikhail more than the war itself.
"This war is quite different. It's apparent that we will win if we decide to invade their nation, so they struck a negotiation with His Majesty. The Estrama Empire requested for a head-on battle at the Plains of Rephtry on account of their weaker forces."
He halted his speech to sough a deep breath. Simply remembering the conditions presented by the enemy empire embittered Percival.
"If we emerge as victors, then the Estrama Empire is ours. However, we'll have to pay four times the amount of war damages if we lose. In addition to that, half of our western territory will be ceded to them. Nonetheless, what they desired the most was something that should happen under no circumstances."
Fright was instantly ostensible on the Grand Cordon's visage as he recalled the menacing demand of the Emperor.
'Mikhail, the instant you suffer defeat, I will coerce you in marrying Iophiel's lonely grandmother. The madame loves young men after all.'
His spine shivered upon the thought, strengthening his passion to dominate the victor's pedestal. Beholding his expression, the Rounds quickly wondered of the specifics. To their relief, Mikhail resumed his announcement shortly, but not before slamming his palms on the wooden table.
"We better win. Why? Because the Emperor is utterly sickened of the enemy's last condition. Estrama's ruler obligated His Majesty to ask their crowned princess' hand in marriage."