Chapter Sixty Seven: Dialogue with the Marksman

"You are still very proficient in the use of the Shock Wave Pistol. What makes the forcible silver bullets obey your command with precision? What is the secret you hold dearly?"

"There is none, actually. As a newly promoted Taxonomist of my kind, it is only natural for any person that is seriously taking an enormous responsibility to hone his craft until he is ready."

"There must be some form of method to the madness, I presume. Tell me."

"Practice makes perfect. That is all."

"I see. The Chair of Dunster was never wrong in its decision to promote you, and I, myself, have offered no objection to the matter. You see, you are as intelligent as you are skilled. I like that."

"Thank you very much, General-Keeper, sir. It is a huge compliment, especially coming from your own expertise to say with such confidence. You are also as wise as any other of the ranking officers I had the privilege to know. Your wisdom transcends the marks of your age, and the See of Dunster knows it too well. There is no one that can match your talent, either."

"Well, how about you?"

"It is definitely a dream to progress in life, but not without merit to show. The world is about being personally experienced, not just a mere end to a goal to be displayed like a golden statue in a dusty shelf simply to be admired. This world is like a river meant to flow freely, and never to remain stagnant. One's life is not a useless sculpture surrounded by mere material possessions, but a clear commitment and devotion to duty. Our Bishops knew that, too. The soul is a created invisible substance designed to be used to explore, to be an agent of love in return to the natural goodness of things. It is not a simple checklist of meager things accomplished, but a vehicle of greater things to come."

"Why do I have this feeling that you are just being modest?"

"Modesty is a sign of strength, sir."

"I agree with you, my most young Lieutenant. But those who do not desire power is fit to hold it. It is an ancient wisdom, after all."

"But there is more to life, sir, than to hold power. Only time will tell the worthiness of a cause, or the aftermath of the war. To take on a leadership role is to skillfully navigate the uncertainty of the future. It requires enormous risk, facing problems. I have no intention of letting go of some precious things required by a sense of comprehensive duty in exchange for my own personal peace. That is too expensive to lose."

"I understand this point. But individual preference has absolutely no say in the call of obedience. You are also committing a disservice by saying nothing and doing nothing. That is also tantamount to abandonment."

"Leadership is not simply about the actor, sir. An important moment, a beautiful scene, a momentous victory, these are essentials that cannot be captured with confidence without the people behind the camera, doing the duty they have been anointed to do best. That is what I have learned from the deep appreciation of the Arts. The sculptor is more important than the sculpture, sir."

"Fair argument from a good debater, I must admit. But the art of Taxonomy is also for the defense of your own people. Surely, you cannot fail them? It is a selfless giving of one's self, an act of nobility, to be able to sacrifice something for the general welfare."

"However, defense is also about love, passion, inspiration. It is the internal spark that motivates action and inspire change. Love is the answer, sir."

"Which is why you need to lead in my opinion."

"That is a matter of judgment, sir, predisposed to some kind of errors in reasoning."

"You sound like an alien to me. That is not how we serve. A perfect judgment from the appreciation of relevant facts cannot be erroneous as far as it can be reasonably tolerated by the sheer determination of your own merit."

"Probably, sir."

"You remind me of my mother. There are many Generals in this Empire, not just one. A man cannot reduce himself into someone that he is absolutely not."

"Thank you, sir. I know that too well, as well."

"Confidence. That is what you need. Humility sometimes attract more arrogance, which is not good at all. It is not weakness to sometimes risk your personal happiness to a much greater cause."

"I will try to remember that, Great One. I wish I have the greater freedom of articulating myself. There is a reason why aliens exist in foreign lands, and only love and good example can properly enact real change."

"Good. I know you have become wiser. Now, follow me."

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The Chapter is sponsored by Valentino.