Captain's Authority
Captain, do you wish to promote Black Raven's reserve members to formal members?
A status window popped up out of nowhere. It displayed a single message.
'Promote reserve members?'
Bella had mentioned it. Promotions hadn't happened because the captain of Black Raven had gone missing.
That meant the reserve members listed in the status window were essentially non-regulars—what you'd call temps.
"……."
Come to think of it, promoting members to formal status was the captain's job.
'Ha….'
One more thing to deal with now.
Who could've guessed they'd been working the reserves so hard in my absence?
Of course, it wasn't a bad situation. Think about it—better than the members ignoring the captain and bickering among themselves. A strong captain's authority was actually preferable.
The fact that promotion rights were concentrated in the captain's hands showed just how much power I wielded.
'Isekai Conqueror even had affinity and loyalty systems.'
Now that it was real, those systems were probably even trickier than in the game.
'Worry about that later.'
No point fretting ahead of time. My options were limited right now anyway.
Still, realizing it wasn't exactly like the game was a big gain.
'Time to tweak the internal systems first.'
Before diving into full system planning, he closed his eyes. A signal not to mess with anything else, since he wasn't alone in the carriage.
As his eyes shut, Bella's tiny huff reached his ears.
Nothing to worry about. Whether she was sulking or not, he had more important things on his mind.
'Handle the promotions first.'
The captain's authority allowed promoting reserve members to formal ones. But no matter how he looked at the status window, he couldn't check their profiles.
'What's the point if I can't even tell who they are?'
Promoting unknowns? That didn't make sense.
Even if he could check and promote them himself, it was a problem. He was the captain, yet farthest from Black Raven's operations—a contradictory mess.
So he had no eye for which reserves were key and needed formal status. Plus, there was a ten-year gap between the Black Raven he knew and the current one.
Weighing that, delegating to trusted members made sense.
'Delegate this promotion authority to the Supreme Council.'
Black Raven would prosper indefinitely. Holding all promotion power myself meant I'd be the only one working.
'No way that's happening.'
His goal was a cushy life sucking honey, not grinding.
But dumping it all on the Supreme Council wasn't ideal either. Couldn't think like in the game days.
'Better to utilize the various organizations.'
Black Raven was massive, with numerous internal organizations.
First, the Supreme Council—the top decision-making body, handling key choices, strategy, policy, and overseeing sub-organizations. Its members were few.
'Next up, Yudices.'
Yudices, the judicial body, ranked second. It handled internal crimes, disputes, and maintained discipline—investigating, interrogating, and judging executions via trials.
Granting promotion authority to the Supreme Council and Yudices would balance power nicely. But it felt a tad lacking.
'Split it even more?'
Couldn't promote reserves willy-nilly. In-game, a tap would've done it, but this was reality.
'No spies among them, right?'
No room for complacency. Variables could lurk anywhere—better stay cautious.
The key was promoting trustworthy reserves. His solution?
'Noctis.'
Using the third-ranked audit body, Noctis. It audited corruption and irregularities, monitored members, and could request aid from Yudices or temporarily wield judicial power.
In-game, Noctis wasn't prominent. But now, in reality, it was probably stronger.
'Route promotions through these three organizations.'
His plan divided power while minimizing variables in the process. More orgs existed, but three sufficed for reviews—more would complicate things.
First, Noctis audits promotion candidates. Only clean ones advance.
Passed reserves go to Yudices for full background checks.
Final survivors get Supreme Council approval for formal promotion.
'Not bad.'
No power hoarding in one spot. Cycling through orgs minimized risks—the best measure.
'Issue orders later, depending on the situation.'
It'd take days to reach Hartwell lands. His remote village meant a long trip.
He'd refine the system en route.
The sun had dipped below the horizon. The carriage, crossing fields, now entered rugged mountain paths and came to a quiet halt.
"Young Master Ethan, we'll overnight here. Tomorrow we enter the city, so we'll find proper lodging then."
Senior knight Kael, his escort, approached with a polite bow.
Bella had corrected his name, so now it was Ethan, not Brooks.
Ethan nodded curtly at Kael's words.
Long journeys required stops. He traveled comfy in the carriage, but the knights and horses needed rest.
"We'll have a simple dinner tonight, then I'll teach you the etiquette you'll need, young master."
Etiquette? Made sense—he knew zilch about it. In-game, a tap sufficed; no need for such things.
Kael must be pulling double duty as escort and pre-arrival tutor.
"Looking forward to it, Sir Kael."
Kael bowed and swiftly began camp setup.
The knights moved fast. Some built campfires and prepped dinner. Others pitched tents. The rest scouted the woods, guarding against threats.
The carriage and flags bore the Hartwell crest boldly anyway. Messing with a noble's knights? Only a madman would.
'Or someone bought off.'
If bought off here, the target was likely him. But no reason to target him yet.
Hartwell needed him—that's why they summoned him. No checks until his usefulness waned.
At minimum, safety until then. And he wouldn't sit idle. Plus, Bella was here.
No real danger even if trouble brewed.
'Magic Tower master's disciple— she'll handle her part.'
Knowing that, the knights chose mountain camping.
'Time to stretch my legs.'
He stepped from the carriage. Bella followed, then Emilia—awake without notice.
"?"
Felt like a mother duck with ducklings.
"As expected of the captain."
Ariel couldn't hide her admiration for the new orders. They amounted to a major reorganization.
Reserve promotions had stalled without the captain.
She and the Supreme Council could've pushed, but hesitated—fearing damage to his authority.
The captain deserved unwavering loyalty in Black Raven.
Now, he'd overhauled the reserve promotion system: rigorous checks by three organizations for formal status.
Ariel sighed in awe.
Black Raven's systems were already solid—Supreme Council vetted recruits thoroughly.
But he wanted more specificity. The implication was clear.
"This is the captain's will…."
Elite-ification of members. Not just numbers—strengthening each one.
Black Raven was vast; all loyal, diligent in roles. Yet he deemed it insufficient.
A fierce intent to build with only the best.
"Things feel alive now that the captain's back."
Ariel happily reviewed files. They held profiles of candidates cleared by Noctis and Yudices, awaiting final approval.
Normally, the full Supreme Council reviewed together. But Ariel improved it: individuals review, unanimous approval promotes.
This fit Black Raven's dynamics—council members scattered, busy in roles. Busyness meant smooth operations.
As Ariel scanned files, footsteps approached. She rose to greet.
"Ah, you're back."
Walter returned from errands.
"Welcome back, Sir Walter. How was your outing?"
Ariel greeted him warmly. Walter's face was stoic.
"Yes, I think we found the captain's trail."
Ariel's excitement surged.
The captain's trail?
"R-Really? Then where is he now…!"
She pressed eagerly, but Walter shook his head.
"Not sure. Trail cuts off after."
He admitted regrettably.
They'd traced via Celestia's Shadow Hounds' marks. No further clues.
Ariel felt brief disappointment, then rallied.
Knowing he toiled for Black Raven was comfort enough—a major win.
"That's a shame. But he must have plans."
Trust him and do their duties now.
Walter nodded at her wistful tone.
He paused, then added,
"Might be my imagination, but… looks like the Phantom passed through too."
At "Phantom," Ariel's expression darkened.