Chapter 407: The The Central Army Of Athrimir is created
The Knights of Matsumoto stood in front of the palace, their faces showing different degrees of expression. Some of them wore calculating looks, some looked hopeful, and some could not hide their bitterness. Their world had been turned upside down overnight when their Company Captains went to Akatsuki, and now it's changing again.
Tiber stood to the side and watched all of this with sharp, dark eyes. He was feeling some complications as well. All his life, he had always liked the way he was mostly in the shadows; even his power is a reflection of this.
He loved to support from behind, but now, Vale was directly pushing him forward.
He sighed as he watched Vale's straight back, his hair an untamed darkness that fluttered with winds of its own. His red eyes rested on everything he looked at with an almost invisible weight.
He looked down on the Knights below without saying anything for a while. Beside him, just a step behind, stood Slya, Valtor, and Eryndor. The Flagbearers.
The two Master Knights gave their response as expected; they wanted to build what Vale wanted.
"Knights of Matsumoto." Vale's voice carried easily without him raising it. His voice was like a blunt sword.
Tiber's eyes narrowed as well. This would be the first time Vale would be capturing enemy forces, and it might set the tone for the future. He began to study the expressions of all the Knights, easily picking out those with scheming looks.
"I am now the Lord of this city and its surrounding territories. I own it through true might and by the complete destruction of all of your Master Knights." Vale didn't hide the arrogant smile that came to his face.
As expected, the Knights grumbled among themselves, but not one of them raised a serious objection. And Tiber understood why. Matsumoto was built on the strong above the weak; their Company was a perfect mirror of this, where your rank is easily determined by how much power and influence you can control. The same was how they chose their Company Captains.
"Since I am the cause of all of your Company Captains' defeat and death, I am now the Company Captain of all the Companies." Vale waited for the silence to settle. "If you disagree, speak now."
Tiber's eyes scanned everyone quickly. The majority refused to meet Vale's eyes. Others looked at Tiber and Slya, trying to place their importance within the pecking order.
Only a very few looked straight at Vale. And out of all of them, only one man spoke, his voice filled with his own arrogance. "Lord Vale, we have all heard of your strength and are in no doubt of it. I, for one, am willing to follow you! But I must know, since there are two Errant Knights up there with you, do I have a space there as well?"
Tiber was surprised to hear that, and he wasn't the only one. Even Vale showed it slightly as he curled his lips into a smile. "What an interesting question. What is your name?"
The man took a step forward. He was a big man with defined muscles, and he seemed to be in his forties. "I am Xuehan, My Lord. And I was the captain of all Errant Knights under former Company Captain Kaelthorn."
"Why do you think you deserve a space beside me here?" Vale asked with all seriousness.
"And why not? If two Errant Knights can accompany you, why can't I?"
Vale nodded with a smile. "That's quite bold of you."
Then he dismissed him with another look without saying anything else to him. Vale faced the Knights once more. "You, all of you, will join my forces. If you do not want to, you have five minutes to make your decision. After that, you will be subjected to my rules and law."
Everyone instantly tensed, even Xuehan. Even those that stood with Vale at the palace dais. Because they all knew the importance of the moment. Only Vale seemed casual in his stance.
Nobody said anything. And Tiber did not think it was because they all would actually love to join the Athrimir, but because of fear. But he really didn't mind; fear also works.
After those five minutes, Vale nodded, then he clapped once, the sound echoing like stones colliding. "I welcome you all into my forces. My faction and my clan. I will introduce some of my important core members.
"Flagbearer Valtor. Flagbearer Eryndor. Flagbearer Slya....Athrimir. Strategic Commander Tiber Athrimir.
"From now on, there is nothing like Company. Nothing like mercenaries. You are all now under the command of The Central Army Of Athrimir."
The Central Army Of Athrimir is the name for all forces under Vale Athrimir and would be the umbrella under which every other force will grow. Even the Flagbearers will be under this, as they would all technically be subjects of The Central Army Of Athrimir. The Flagbearers and every other force would be like divisions of it.
And the sole absolute Commander of this is Vale Athrimir.
Vale turned to Tiber. "Strategic Commander of The Central Army Of Athrimir, Tiber Athrimir, will be in charge of the dividing of the forces. I hope you all make good choices. Have a good evening, warriors!"
It took them a while in their confusion, but the Knights began to slam their fists against their chests as they bowed. Even those around Vale followed, bowing low until Vale disappeared into the palace.
Silence returned to the surroundings, and all eyes subtly turned to Tiber. Everyone understood that Tiber was now the second in command beside Vale himself. It was a thought that brought him both joy and a lick of fear. It was a responsibility that was welcomed and yet feared at the same time.
Even those around him found it quite awkward, and that was because Tiber is an Errant Knight! Shouldn't Vale have given that kind of power to a Master Knight?
He took a step forward and nodded, his expression showing no reaction to his inner thoughts.
'....I need to show my strength...'