Navy Headquarters — Vice Admiral Dorag's office.
"Vice Admiral Dorag, this is a public welfare campaign organized by the South Blue 315 branch. We've already started it in the South Blue and the results are excellent."
"Vice Admiral Dorag, the officers and men of the North Blue 477 branch are raising funds and showing care for the disaster-stricken areas."
"Vice Admiral Dorag, a week ago Major Perrod of the East Blue, inspired by your spirit, busted a human trafficking ring in the East Blue and has received wide admiration and support from the people."
"And there's more, and more…"
Dorag sat surrounded by a crowd of young officers eager to show him their latest achievements. Dorag looked pleased, as if he were seeing the world's more benevolent side.
Knock knock knock!
Footsteps drew everyone's attention to the door.
"Dorag, long time no see. Didn't expect you to be so popular at Headquarters," Brian said with a smile as he stepped in.
"It's him!"
"Is he here to cause trouble?!"
"We can't let him harm Vice Admiral Dorag!"
The moment the officers recognized Brian, they formed a protective ring around Dorag — all of them Dorag's cronies from the academy.
Dorag, however, waved them off. "You all go out for now. I need to speak with Vice Admiral Brian."
Dorag carried a natural charisma and leadership that anyone who'd met him would feel. Maybe it came from the bloodline of naval heroes. Whatever the source, when Dorag spoke like that, the officers obeyed as if it were an order.
"Senior Brian, it's been so long," Dorag said. Dorag had entered the academy one year after Brian, so in private he always called Brian "senior."
"Junior Dorag, I've been exiled to the West Blue for so long and you haven't come to visit — I'm so hurt," Brian feigned sorrow.
Dorag hurried to explain. "Senior Brian, Headquarters' work has been overwhelming lately — as you know, ever since Roger started the Age of Turmoil, the seas haven't been peaceful…"
"Huh — even the honest Dorag has learned to play the bureaucratic game," Brian teased.
"Senior Brian, that's not true — "
"No need to explain. I know. It was Karp who didn't want you around me. He arranged for Headquarters to give you a mountain of work."
Brian knew very well that Karp disliked Dorag mixing with him — Karp thought Brian was too conniving. Dorag, though clever and rational, was still somewhat naïve compared to Brian. Karp was convinced Brian would eventually drag Dorag into some pitfall — ruin from which there's no recovery.
"My father just can't comprehend your greatness, Senior Brian. Although some of your methods are extreme, they'll understand in time."
If any other officer at Headquarters heard Dorag say that, it would have sent them into a nervous fit.
Because Brian's aims were plainly selfish — a hunger for power. How could that be called "great"?!
But Dorag saw it differently. Brian had once talked to him about his ambition to seize power by any means necessary, and Dorag had been deeply impressed. Brian's radical rhetoric had planted a seed.
"You're the only one in the Navy who can judge me, but heed my advice — don't speak like that around others, and stay away from me as much as possible. It'll benefit your future."
"My future isn't important. I just don't know when your vision will come true, Senior Brian."
Dorag sighed deeply.
In truth, Dorag enjoyed talking with Brian. Brian's novel ideas taught him a lot.
Ideas like freedom, democracy, equality — letting the people decide a nation's fate by vote, letting popular will guide the future, abolishing exploitation and oppression, establishing comprehensive social welfare so children grow up safe and healthy, ensuring employment for everyone, closing the rich–poor gap, caring for the elderly and disabled — ultimately achieving an ideal world for the public good.
Brian had been a civil servant in his previous life; all these slogans and theories were stuffed in his head. Dorag, though older, was still groping in the dark for enlightenment. When Brian first sat with him and talked through the night about these theories, Dorag nearly idolized him as a mentor.
"Reform from within, top-down — it's too hard. But I'll keep going even if no one understands me. For the justice in my heart, I'll let the darkness swallow me if I must," Brian declared, turning his back to Dorag and throwing in a wrenching fist-clench for theatrical effect.
Dorag, moved by Brian's apparent "greatness," bit his lip. "Senior Brian, please don't be so pessimistic. If reform can't be launched internally from the top, then the only way left is from the outside, through blood and sacrifice to win victory!"
Has he finally awakened?
Brian — who'd been standing with his back to Dorag — allowed a faint smile. Inside, he was secretly thrilled.
To sway Dorag and brainwash him, Brian had spun tales of the October Revolution in the Soviet Union and the Long March as stirring stories, driving Dorag into a fever of zeal — almost ready to plan an uprising.
"Dorag, I won't let you hold such dangerous thoughts. They'll ruin your career and drag your family down with you. Even Admiral Karp, a Navy hero, couldn't save you. Rebellion is too dangerous!"
"If I can be a pioneer of revolution and overthrow this rotten world, what's my sacrifice?" Dorag answered without hesitation.
Brian laughed inwardly but kept a solemn face. He clapped Dorag on the shoulder with measured gravity and said, "Keep it up."
If you Enjoyed Reading
Visit my p@treon for more chapters
Advance 80+ Chapters Available
patreon.com/c/silentRonin