“Look, man, even you would be sighing if you had to study something like politics.”
“Ha! Abel, you say that simply because you’re, shall we say, unenlightened. Come, consult with the greatest political scientist before you about your concerns!”
“Greatest political scientist? My left foot...” Abel muttered, then he sighed even more deeply than before, shaking his head in frustration. “Anyway, I wouldn’t call them concerns, per se... I just wondered why the concept of royalty exists, that’s all.”
“A prince questioning the meaning of his own family’s existence... How philosophical...”
“No, I don’t think it’s philosophical at all, actually.”
Abel’s gaze abruptly snapped to Ryo’s hands, which were rotating a handle. Though the object seemed like glass, Abel knew it was, in fact, made of ice, created by water magic. After turning the object’s handle a while longer, Ryo finally removed its lid and transferred the powder inside into a newly built ice cylinder.
“Ryo, what exactly are you doing?” he asked.
“You see, I was in the mood for some coffee. When I’m at home, I grind my beans in a mill made by Gekko’s company, but it would’ve been too bulky to bring on this trip. But a mill is a simple device, so I made my own using water magic.”
After transferring the ground coffee beans, Ryo handed the grinder to Abel and poured hot water into the French press made of ice. Ah, the versatility of water magic!
“Now, as long as I have roasted beans, I can enjoy fresh coffee while I’m traveling!”
“Wooow...”
Ryo’s behaviors usually mystified or exasperated Abel, but this time he was genuinely impressed. The rich aroma of Kona coffee wafted from the French press, which sat next to an ice hourglass on the desk. Upon closer inspection, Abel realized that tiny ice cubes filled the hourglass rather than sand.
“A founding family is a banner,” Ryo muttered.
“Huh?” Abel was rightfully confused.
“Oh, sorry, I was just talking to myself. A royal family is a banner.”
“A royal family is a banner...”
Ryo nodded. “As you may or may not know, people struggle to feel loyalty to vague, abstract things like organizations or countries. That’s why you use someone who embodies or symbolizes an organization, country, or such to unite the people.”
Abel listened without saying a word.
“While flags and national anthems are another way of gaining the citizenry’s loyalty, they’re not perfect. Ultimately, the most reliable method is people.”
On modern Earth, the United States, the home of democracy, is perhaps the best example. The American president is an enduring embodiment of the country itself. For that reason, no matter what happens, the safety of the president takes top priority. Even if dozens or thousands die, the entire country will still ensure the president’s safety. That’s the way the system is set up. America’s founders must have known that the most effective way to unite the people is appointing someone who symbolizes the country itself.
That’s why this nation, like a mosaic with its diverse mix of races, religions, and perspectives, has continued to reign at the top of the world after experiencing only one large-scale civil war.
History has seen its fair share of charismatic leaders. Under them, racial and religious conflicts weren’t major issues, and countries continued to function. However, after their deaths, those conflicts rose to the surface, destabilizing nations and, above all, causing suffering to the people. That’s why a leader must last longer than a single generation, which is only possible in a model that utilizes an entire family.
“So, you’re saying that a king, or a royal family, is a symbol necessary to unite a country and its people. Or, to put it more clearly, you think it’s the most effective system?”
“Correct. I will admit it’s a bit inhumane. After all, a king can no longer enjoy the pleasures of ordinary life.”
Ryo’s father had said that a founding family was a banner. The principle applied to business too, where families were symbols that united employees and also one of the most effective ways to run a company. Point of fact, just look at the companies that grew into corporations and removed their founders decades later. There are thousands of companies in Japan that have been operating for centuries, and almost all of them had a founding family. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t last.
History proves it. History doesn’t lie. History can be...cruel, at times.
Of course, members of a founding family could become prisoners of their own family. Not having the freedom to choose a career path or your life’s trajectory would be inhumane, but history doesn’t take such things into consideration.
“A uniting banner itself isn’t necessarily a good leader. Some would argue that nothing else matters as long as they perform their duties properly and surround themselves with talented people. All you have to do is look at the long list of idiot kings throughout history to see that. Obviously, it’s always better if the symbol is an outstanding individual, but even if that isn’t the case, there’s no need to feel too discouraged.”
“Wait a sec... Are you talking about me?” Abel narrowed his eyes.
“Oh, dear, will you look at that? The hourglass has run out. Time for a break!”
Ryo put down the press and poured freshly brewed coffee into a cup of ice that was somehow room temperature. He handed it to Abel.
“Oooh, thanks.” Abel took it and couldn’t help but smile at the aroma. “Gotta say, never thought I’d be able to drink freshly brewed coffee in a carriage.”
“Heh heh heh. Bask in the grandeur of water magic!”
With that dramatic flourish, Ryo beamed at the delectable scent.
✦ ✦ ✦
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Kingdom...
“Lord Black, everything is ready.”
More than ten men and women knelt before the man known as Black, bowing their heads and awaiting orders. They were the new top brass of the Sect of Assassins.
“In accordance with the new contract, I authorize the attack on the delegation. Natalia, take command.”
“Yes, my lord.”
After issuing his orders, Black disappeared. However, the others remained motionless for some time. Two long minutes later, Natalia stood and the rest followed suit.
“He’s more intimidating than the last leader,” the eldest man among them grumbled.
Natalia glared at him but said nothing out loud. They were all the same rank, but the man’s long-standing membership in the Sect made him more powerful. Even though Black plainly favored her and entrusted her with command of major operations like this one, at the end of the day, she didn’t outrank them.
Someday...
Natalia left the room, silently determined to one day rise above these men. Her destination was Acray, the largest city in the southern part of the Kingdom.