The meeting with the eight captains was not as difficult as Konrad had imagined. He had thought he would need to engage in a fierce debate. Yet in reality, there had been none at all.
He stated that he believed the matter was inappropriate, then carefully explained every reason to the captains in full.
For instance, he had no experience managing a legion, and arbitrarily appointing new officers would create many problems—he had expected them to argue their case, but the captains said nothing.
"If this is your will." After the meeting, Van Cleef, the First Captain who had remained in the room, said as much.
No matter how Konrad tried to persuade him, he refused to drop the honorific. Because of this, he had become the only person in the entire legion to address Konrad Curze with one.
"The meeting is over. Aren't you going to argue with me at all, Van Cleef?" Curze asked in surprise.
"What does an objection have to do with the meeting being over?" The First Captain frowned, genuine confusion appearing on his fierce face.
"After all, you were the one who informed me that you were collectively resigning. The first time we met, you told me about it. No matter how I tried to persuade you, you refused to back down."
"At the meeting just now, after I finished speaking, you were also the last to vote in favor. So I had reason to believe that you were actually considering your brothers' feelings. That is why I kept you here alone."
Konrad Curze smiled, his hands resting properly atop one another on the table. Then he waited for Van Cleef's answer.
"."
His First Captain remained silent for a long while before speaking.
"In truth, Primarch, I was merely considering your words. I