June 14, 1869.
Prince Constantine presided over the first military conference of the East African colonies.
The officers and staff led by Arman and Sivert sat on opposite sides of the conference table. Due to Arman's advancing age, his health and energy were declining.
Although Arman was only in his fifties, he had endured much hardship on the European battlefield. Constantine had also served in the Prussian army, but their experiences differed greatly; one was on the frontline, the other in the rear. Thus, Arman, in his early fifties, seemed even older than Constantine, who was nearing seventy.
However, the more Arman appeared to be like this, the more Ernst valued him, and was more at ease entrusting him with the East African army.
The worse his health, the less ambitious he became. Arman indeed was like this. He didn't even know how many good years he had left, and it wasn't bad to muddle through for a pension based on his seniority and rank in the East African army.
