The Dragon Roars
Nathan Forrest was a continuous stream of inspiration from beginning to end. In truth, he hadn't spoken of it, but one of the reasons he had been hesitant to visit this place was the fear that his fantasies might be shattered. Seuret’s speech had possessed a sincerity that truly tugged at the heartstrings of any planter. To think there were over a thousand Black people who remained loyal even after the abolition of slavery—it was a life every planter dreamed of, and he felt both envious and respectful.
However, fantasies are bound to break when faced with reality. Nathan’s reason told him that if he went to see it for himself, it was highly likely the farm was being run quite differently from Seuret’s bold claims. To be blunt, he was a man who had worked hundreds of slaves himself. From the auction houses where slaves were bought and sold to the brokerage business, there wasn't a field he hadn't touched. Those old experiences and his reason whispered to him constantly: Don't you know better than anyone what kind of people those darkies are? You might be moved by Seuret's speech and want to believe him, but you know the reality is different.
But, as if to prove his words, Seuret had mobilized hundreds of his former slaves to achieve the brilliant feat of suppressing Albert’s rebel forces. Upon hearing this news, Nathan Forrest felt a sense of wonder. He wanted to see how that was possible, and how the company known as Seuret Cotton was actually operated. So, he visited Cedar Grove to see it with his own eyes, and he couldn't close his mouth at the sight unfolding before him.
“Is this... truly possible?”
Hundreds of Black people were tilling a massive field. There were no whips, nor were there the shouts of overseers.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
Whenever the Black foremen signaled with their whistles, the pickaxes moved in perfect unison, and the plows bit into the earth. For the planting that would take place in a few months, the farm was operating like a giant, interlocking set of gears.
“The Chairman says he will meet you now.”
“Ah, is that so? But truly, this is an incredible sight. You’re saying Mr. Seuret conceived all of this?”
“Yes, from one to ten, everything was created by the Chairman.”
As they walked toward where Seuret was waiting, the man who introduced himself as the secretary continued to heap praise upon Seuret. It was clear to anyone that this wasn't driven by fear or coercion. That was genuine respect. Even he, with his experience of handling hundreds of slaves, found it hard to possess such overwhelming charisma and dominance. He is the one. He is the ideal that our KKK must move toward.
'The completion of white supremacy eventually requires drawing out the submission of the Black race. Such absolute subordination is what is necessary for eternal rule.'
Forrest shuddered and made a vow. He would bring this man to their side, no matter what it took. This was the very reason Forrest had offered Seuret the de facto second-in-command position of the KKK.
“Please become the Invisible Dragon who guards our KKK.”
Seuret’s expression twisted strangely when he first heard the proposal. Well, it was only natural to feel burdened if a stranger suddenly said something like that. Honestly, wasn't the name a bit grandiose, too? Forrest added with a benevolent smile.
“You don't have to feel awkward. I found the name Grand Wizard unfamiliar at first, too, but doesn't a special person require a special title? You will get used to it soon.”
“...Yes, well. I understand.”
Seuret nodded with a sour expression. A humble man. To Forrest, who was already thoroughly smitten, even that demeanor looked noble.
“Then, will you accept my request?”
When Forrest asked, pointing to the investigation report again, Seuret scanned the documents with a serious expression.
“I will try my best. However, those among these whose guilt is too obvious might be difficult.”
“Of course. I am not asking you to overlook everyone blindly.”
“I will do my best to bury those whose guilt is unclear or suspected to be a frame-up. However... to do that, I need a more detailed list.”
Perhaps realizing it could be a sensitive matter, Seuret chose his words carefully.
“As the Grand Wizard knows, there are some personnel within the organization who are... uncontrollable or troublesome, aren't there? To be honest, public opinion is very poor because of the Booth incident. It can't be helped, but shouldn't we take this opportunity to cut out such impure elements so our organization can become healthier?”
Every word was absolutely correct. With a catastrophe like the attempted assassination of the President having occurred, they couldn't carry everyone with them. Save those who could be saved, and discard those who should be discarded. Forrest, who had actual experience commanding troops, liked even this cold-blooded judgment.
“I understand. Colonel Seuret—no, Invisible Dragon, it is so reassuring to have you on our side.”
“Invisible... no, never mind. I am just glad to have met good people who share my intentions.”
“Then, as soon as I return, I will organize the list of all KKK members and send it to you immediately.”
“You don't have to be in such a hurry.”
“No! The Colonel needs to grasp our organization quickly so you can provide more convenience, don't you think? I must send it as soon as possible.”
Forrest returned and spent the night writing up the organizational chart. The core members of each branch currently expanding their scale, their tendencies, the size of their assets, and beyond that, the uncontrollable personnel who were ‘safe to discard.’
The perfectly organized 1st-class confidential document of the KKK landed on Seuret’s desk the very next day. Not a single one of the Grand Dragons, the top executives, objected. Because Seuret was the Invisible Dragon who would guard the KKK from the shadows.
“So... the Chairman has entered as their second-in-command?”
Late at night, after Nathan Forrest had handed over the organizational chart of his own volition, an emergency executive meeting of Seuret Cotton was held in the Chairman’s office. Ben, Henry, Jonathan, and Nick—who wasn't an executive but was currently having a blast tearing apart the Dixie sympathizers while working for the Fact-Finding Investigation Team—were listening to Leo’s briefing with eyes burning with intensity.
Soon, when Chief of Staff Leo’s report ended, everyone’s eyes went wide.
“That is incredible. With this list, we can monitor and tighten the noose on those bastards long-term.”
“Can’t we just take this opportunity to round them all up and sweep them away? We have the list, and there’s plenty of evidence.”
Security Chief Ben muttered threateningly, his knuckles cracking. Henry seemed to agree, but I shook my head.
“Some of them, yes, but a total wipeout is impossible.”
“Why is that?”
“Because Owen and I have already finished the legal review. It’s true they have an antipathy toward Northern policy, but their main activities are focused on harassing Black people—that is, people of color.”
“...Ah.”
“The North is currently up in arms because of the attempted assassination of the President, not because of Black human rights. If we just go with ‘they beat up a darkie,’ it’s highly likely to end in a mere reprimand or a fine. If we touch them clumsily, we’re only giving them a get-out-of-jail-free card.”
If you want to kill a snake, you have to wait until you can strike its head with certainty. If you try to exterminate it clumsily and only step on its tail, they’ll either bite you or crawl into the dirt where you can’t find them.
“Well, still, since the Chairman has entered as their top executive this time, it’s practically like you have the inside firmly in your grip, isn't it?”
Leo smiled with the corners of his mouth curled up strangely. No... that’s all well and good, but couldn't you phrase that a bit more delicately? Let’s just stop at that and not bring up the title issue. I sent a warning with my eyes, but the other guys, already fueled by curiosity, couldn't just sit still.
“Top executive? Did the Chairman become the second-in-command of a white secret organization?”
“That is correct. Their leader, the Grand Wizard, came to escort him personally.”
“Excuse me? Grand... what? Wizard?”
“Is the KKK some kind of magic club?”
At Henry’s naive question, Leo desperately tried to control his expression and waved his hands. That guy was definitely holding back a burst of laughter even now. While I was racking my brain on how to handle this without being able to shut their mouths, the meeting proceeded steadily.
“No. It seems the titles are different for each rank.”
“Oh! Then what are you called there, Chairman?”
Secret organization, top executive, rank-appropriate title. Nick, who would never let this situation pass, asked with sparkling eyes. Ah, please.
“Now, let’s move on to the next agenda. About the land recovery...”
“Hey, Chairman. Shouldn't we hear the title? I’m dying of curiosity.”
“That’s right. For our Chairman’s title, something like... Grand General? King God Emperor? Isn't it something like that?”
If it were something like that, I could at least laugh it off. Everyone was staring at me with bright, expectant eyes, and I couldn't possibly spit out that embarrassing name with my own mouth. In the end, I resigned myself and signaled to Leo.
“Haa... you say it for me.”
“Yes. Our Chairman’s title is... don't be surprised. Invisible Dragon. You are the Invisible Dragon.”
“...Pfft!”
Henry, who was drinking water, sprayed it everywhere.
“Cough, cough! In... Invisible Dragon? Ahem, ahem... that is truly... pfft! That’s amazing.”
“Invisible Dragon... hehe, our Chairman is the Invisible Dragon.”
Ben continued, his hands trembling as he gripped his cup.
“Then am I the guardian protecting the treasure in the lair guarded by the Invisible Dragon? I will guard it even more diligently from now on. Hahaha!”
Ah, damn it... this is the first time in my life I’ve felt such intense shame. I buried my face in both hands and let out a deep sigh. Should I cut those bastards’ salaries? I was seriously contemplating it when Ben and Leo wiped their tears and said:
“Still, let’s... not use this from now on. The name is too... isn't it?”
“That’s right. Isn't it a bad title used by those KKK bastards? It’s embarrassing to even say it out loud.”
Yes, yes, please let’s just move on like that. Everyone laughed, right? Let’s just say there was a brief commotion and end it here...
“Why is that?”
...I wanted to end it, but Nick, who was sitting in the corner, asked with a serious expression.
“Isn't it cool? Invisible Dragon. A dragon that rules the world from where it cannot be seen. It sounds like a dignified title that perfectly suits the Chairman.”
“......”
“......”
A silence fell for a moment. Everyone looked at Nick, but the look in his eyes was sincere. It was a mistake I would regret for a long time to invite this chuunibyou literature student to the meeting.
“It would be a shame not to use such a cool title. I will call you by this title in my heart from now on...”
“Chairman, what should we do with this guy?”
Leo asked, his lips twitching. Don't pretend to care, you’re the worst one of them all.
“What do you mean, what do we do? From now on, if anyone utters the word ‘Invisible’ in front of me, you’re fired.”
“Yes? But it really is a cool name...”
Ignoring Nick, who was muttering with regret until the end, I hurriedly changed the subject. Because if we talked about this any longer, I felt like my face would truly turn red.
“Now, let’s get to the real business. The joking is over.”
The atmosphere sank in an instant.
“This purge isn't just for the public good of the South. Don't forget that it is also for the private interest of our Seuret Cotton.”
“Then how can we connect this public good to our private interest?”
A good question. I explained the basic steps of this plan step-by-step so that every executive of Seuret Cotton could firmly establish our fundamental principle: the mindset of pursuing private interest through public good.
First, the farms marked in red all over the map of the South. These were the lands of those who were in debt or on this purge list.
“What does Seuret Cotton need most right now?”
“Farms to plant cotton... in other words, land.”
“Correct. We have taken on the role of purifying the South so that it is not oppressed by the North. In this process...”
I picked up a pen and drew a large red circle on the map.
“We will guide it so that our Seuret Cotton ultimately occupies as much land as possible.”
Since the planting season will be here soon, shouldn't we expand our land as much as possible before then to harvest as much cotton as we can? If we expand our farm acreage by at least double through this purge, we can say we’ve taken the first step toward monopolizing the Mississippi cotton industry.
The dream of establishing the Cotton Empire that our Southern brothers so desired.
I will surely achieve it.
So everyone, watch me!