Before long, a familiar figure entered the hall.
Velin turned to look at him, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he nodded in greeting.
Yalinauron Belfas, Legion Marshal of the Seventh Army Corps, slightly bowed in response before taking his seat in the eighth position on the right.
Less than ten minutes later, eighteen legion marshals and eighteen deputy marshals had arrived in the hall. They stood in two rows, awaiting the arrival of Archbishop Cyrus and Archbishop Gerard.
"Click—"
The bronze doors slowly opened. Four Soul Intent High-level Temple Knights clad in silver armor marched into the hall in neat formation. Reaching either side of the doors, they simultaneously struck their right fists against their chests, their fists clanging against their armor.
The thirty-six legion marshals seated on both sides of the long table rose together and lowered their heads slightly in respect.
The hall was utterly silent. Other than Velin, everyone silently counted the approaching footsteps.
Three steps, then a pause—the ancient entrance cadence of the Church of Dawn.
The instant the footsteps stopped before the seat of honor, everyone turned sideways and bowed. Their voices echoed solemnly through the hall. "We welcome Archbishop Cyrus and Archbishop Gerard."
Cyrus took his seat. Once Gerard had also sat down, he addressed the thirty-six people present. "Sit."
At his command, everyone straightened and took their seats in unison.
A Soul Intent High-level Dawn Priest stood at the left side, serving as the recorder for this meeting.
The four Soul Intent High-level Temple Knights rose together, withdrew from the hall, closed the bronze doors, and stood guard outside.
A holy barrier activated, instantly enveloping the entire hall and sealing it off from the outside to ensure the duty-report meeting could proceed without interruption.
"This meeting is both your duty-report