Enatic Clans

"As you know or either not aware of yourself, Sir Clef. Captain Leonis is a no-nonsense leader. To him, our romantic viewpoints are just a hindrance to his plan. Same definition to principled customs. Yours is all pure innocence, Ya Allah. Mine is the preservation of traditions and customs. He said it himself - still upholding traditional values for stability but integrating inventions, however slim the progress, he will gamble." I whisper in close proximity, leaning towards Lord Guan.

"But still… it ain't right," he expresses scorn towards the methods of Captain Leonis, "... you know? He is just doing anything for Fort Quogsagihaxee'e with no regards to his very own soul… that, uhm, you know? That will be burning on Kigal?" I doubt that the captain cares not at all about such trivial matters. He confides himself against the fate of the gods and the goddesses placed on him.

Captain Leonis, together with his naga lover and the head of the on-the-second men, is being escorted by several militiamen while he guides Lord Remer through the well deck.

I answer the query of Lord Guan, regarding the moralities, remarking: "The captain does have a pique towards the said-luxury not. He solely cares about results, know-how, and the collective effort of this fort island. Captain Leonis does not seem to grasp the spectrum of black and white. Never. He believes what works is true. If it functions well or just in a brief sense, then it is right." as I give him a disturbing truth, a partial demeanor of the captain.

"And under his republican vision, he despises yesmen among all of the challenges that he had ever faced or is currently resolving." reinforcing, I point it out assumingly.

"Why? Doesn't it defeat the point when situations seem crucial, he needs swift action?" Lord Guan inquires, his brows curl.

"You as naíve as ever nonetheless, Sir Clef," I huff, planting my hand on my forehead, "Sure, you might be right on that one. However, these kinds of people are parasites. Or very dubious, to speak the least. They are either plotting something or waiting for the captain to misstep for future take over. Yes, Captain Leonis does shy not away from dubbing himself as a leech towards his relationship with the Grand Empire of Inglovia. But that move is purely out of necessity, for the survival of the fort. If his subordinates did that to him - nine out of ten, it is to oust his captaincy of Fort Quogsagihaxee'e." as I enlighten him in the process.

"You've not answered my question, Sir Æ… !" Lord Guan stresses me.

"Right. First of all, we are situated in a republic. A pirate republic. As you have heard, a serene or merchant republic has some serious disparity to a pirate republic but the common aspect is their 'democracy'. Second of all, tribal communities and monarchies such as kingdoms, palatinates, and principalities share similarities. Tribals have their head of the community, elder, and champion. But some may establish their own council - an inner circle. Pretty much akin to several feudal sovereigns, where the table offers advice and suggestions but the one who is in charge has the paramount decision."

"Wait, isn't that too similar to Captain Leonis's governance? Captain Leonis versus, uhm.. and, uhm, or traditional system…" Lord Guan offers a counterargument, which he spots right away.

"True. The governance of the captain has some likeness to what the feudals do. However, Captain Leonis welcomes alternatives and if his idea is inferior, he will step down temporarily and let the best idea act by its proponent while Captain Leonis provides keen guidance towards the practitioner. Or if the captain has a notion and his subordinates offer counterpoints, they will debate that idea until they reach a peak where they all study possibilities and lessen the cost of operation or the lives might be involved. Another, if either his inner circle member or his subordinate pitch a theory - if the captain likes it, he will support it while actively feeding suggestions to it and to its presenter and if he has some doubts, he will argue to the point that the aforementioned will be refined. Vice-versa. Vice-versa." I explain the style of Captain Leonis, wondering myself as well that the captain has an open view, as Lord Guan and I stride towards the rest of the group.

The voices of the group blend with the creaking of wood and the rhythmic slapping of waves against the hull. Lord Guan folds his arms with a thoughtful frown, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if searching for answers and nevertheless satisfied inside the timeframe of the dying light of dusk.

"What is the matter, Sir Clef?" I question Lord Guan, behind his long face.

He then sighs, "Does it mean that the captain holds power and-... you know what? Nevermind, I guess I ain't completely aware of him instead." as he slows his pace mid-way, conceding how Captain Leonis really operates.

"It is because he listens. A trait rarely embedded in romantic and principled monarchs and leaders. To his crew and his people, he knows that he is not better than anyone. To the strategic allies and adversaries of the captain, they are fair game and worthy to be outfoxed by him." I tap his shoulder thrice, as soon as we merge back to the leading pelóton.

"What's the matter, boyos? Any news around, why are the two of you becoming so privy?" Captain Leonis welcomes us back, cinching his palms to both shoulders of Lord Guan and mine.

"Sir Clef desires to know about or whether you are candid about it." in a straightforward fashion, I blabber since Lord Guan is too shy to ask this question himself.

"Yes, about that - do you see people as pawns?" as Lord Guan bolsters, with a defeated face.

"Pawns? What kind of analogy is that? Ahahaha~" the captain returns the query of Lord Guan, casting a smile upon his face, "Well, first things first. Let's assume a game that everybody loves - we're playing on a sixty-four-square board. The pieces on either the second or seventh rank, on the queenside, they're the bishops and on the kingside, they are the knights. The two bishops, light-squared and dark-squared, and knights become rooks. Two rooks are my potential successors who will hold the captaincy of this pirate republic. While these aforementioned rooks promote to queens and myself stays as queen - hence that makes three queens. And the king is Fort Quogsagihaxee'e."

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"What?" says Lord Guan.

"Hahahaha~ I feel your doubts, Sir Clef. But this is not a delusional standpoint, but because that's how I hone my people - the denizens of Fort Quogsagihaxee'e. To become the next 'me' or to surpass what my ideal vision is." poetic response, as Captain Leonis swags his ideal position in his reasons.

"So your partners and allies are your pawns in either the third rank or sixth rank." I inject theoretical remarks based on his terminology about his political and business relationships.

"Exactly, they're the extension of Fort Quogsagihaxee'e's interest. They are not of this fort republic, but they'd have their purpose. Also, in the e-file, there is this queen in this forwardmost rank which represents the Grand Empire of Inglovia. So, that makes four queens - me, my candidate picks, and our overlord themself." the captain confirms my additional input.

"But in a game of chess, at the start of the game, each side has one queen, two rooks, eight pawns-..."

"Uh. Uh. Uh. Uh…" the captain cuts Lord Guan off with that imperative tone and somewhat assertiveness, explaining: "It is a grand scheme of things, my dear Clef. Some communities have surplus and some entities have leveraged economic resources. Few have all kinds of provision but just ample for centuries and a millennium. Hence the reason, there are people who hoard wealth and resources whether naturally-owned or imported. In a war, there's no two teams playing the exact same size of operators. It's all about open quote quality and quantity close quote. That's plain stupidity, if you see the world that way." Captain Leonis taps my chest, he then winks at me.

"Quality and quantity?" Lord Guan beckons the quote-unquote finger gesture while asking the definition.

"Indeed, aye. In war, there are no rules to be adhered to. Like the captain said: war is sports but not the other way around. It is a battle of who has more troops, diet and how well-fed the troops are, the best men equipped, the best blades polished, and the best tactics application wins." yet once again supporting the previous anecdote of the captain.

"Well said, Sir Æ! Splendid, indeed. You got my vision vividly. I'm gonna hafta give you some credit dissecting what I really am." Captain Leonis claps his hands.

"Of course, about this - the so-called 'Quality and Quantity tactic' is kind of a nuanced technique." I clear my throat, re-entering: "When your troops are greater in numbers, far more skilled than the opposing side, and well-armed; you as their leader do not need to think about this kind of thing. It is upon your men how the work is done. It does matter not how: drown them, lynch them, others are killing foes while others singing the theme of this fort island, stuff food in their mouths until they could not breathe, anything goes - well, at least, they produce outcomes. The bottom line of this Quality and Quantity variable is give them your orders, not tactics nor strategy, and trust your men."

"Absolutely, Sir Clef. Should you fare in the seas, you might enter into the potential successors of this fort island. Hehe~ My Big Five." the captain teases.

Lord Guan shoots back, "What about the integrity of-..." preaching his illusions of grandeur, whereas I cut him off.

"Childish, Clef. Such childish romanticism will occur not under any circumstances and headcanons of yours." I raise my voice, scolding and giving him a hard and cold reality, as he backs off.

"Right, let me give you both boyos a breather. Five years ago…" Captain steps up, separating Lord Guan and I.

"You retired from active sailing…" with confidence, I input his as he said this prior.

"Aye… exactly how I wish to renew the system where the code is respected under this fort's grasp. Regardless of who is in charge, under whose portfolio, realistic building, Fort Quogsagihaxee'e first thought - id est: grand strategic planning; this pirate republic must stand."

Lord Remer backtracks, going back to us, asking: "So this statecraft project of yours is still part of your personal glory?"

"Extending my personal glory… ? Ohohoho~" the captain laughs at Lord Remer, "Sir Remer, please. What did you say?" he asks Lord Remer for clarity.

"I mean do you still think this legacy of yours will further cement your glory?" in a sheepish tone, repeating the same question he asks, Lord Remer inquires.

"Hahaha~ the glory is at the sea. While you as per seeing me here is stability. If you are talking about glory - I already reached that, I didn't just get that 'Terror of the Virgin Seas and Oceans' moniker for nothing. Remember that. I've tasted that peak when I was still in the high seas five years ago. The 'Terror of the Virgin Seas and Oceans' and the 'Scourge of the Unknown' will be back to the waves when Fort Quogsagihaxee'e necessitates him to do so - duty calls." clarifying his miscomprehension, as the captain approaches Lord Remer.

"Then why did you still go to the seas during your younger years up until five years before, only to know you will end up in this current state of yours? From a pirate legend to a statesman. I reckon it is just a waste of time." Lord Remer then follows another set of questions, which I think that the captain hates being reminded about his abhorrence of favoritism. That query is a no-brainer.

"That again - theocratic and feudalistic fishcrap. That divine right nonsense needs to be stopped. No one is born to lead. Everything must be started to learn the know-hows and basics. Ha, the king is being born? Fishshit!" he bursts out of his frustration once more, "You need street credibility in order to command respect. And that respect is your source of wager to win the hearts of your people and your colleagues. 'Cause you have proven yourself in the past. It matters less if you're new in this line of work, management, of course - and when the situation arrives, you still can go back to the fields."

"Everything else is earned. Let me remind you, Lord Remer - the Grand Empire of Inglovia, as the entirety, is an elective monarchy where several houses and dynasties will be voted upon by the desire of all of the prince-electors, electoral bishops, and emperors; some margraves, scutage, and lord palatinates; one's favorite immediate dukes or kings, other most serene doges, few handpicked princes, and the tenure Grand Imperial family themselves. In case you have forgotten that…" I close it with a note, bolstering the notion of the captain.

"Exactly." Captain Leonis agrees and is pleased, knowing that he reciprocates my sentiments.

"Now, friends, come and follow me. Let us retreat to the parlor."