Chapter 48 - Marchesi Crime Family

"Now, as the leader I invoke the power of Sovereign Decision - I hereby proclaim the birth of this organization into more than a mere collective of individuals; henceforth, it shall evolve into a cohesive and nurturing family.

This declaration signifies our commitment to foster an environment where every member is valued, supported, and respected. From henceforth we shall be known as the Marchesi Crime Family."

His proclamation reverberated through the room, signaling a new chapter in their journey. With solemn reverence, Matteo continued -

"Lysander St. Clair," Matteo addressed Lysander, his voice carrying a tone of respect, "I hereby appoint you as a General of the Family, delegate you the responsibility of the Spymaster, and as a core member of the family bestow upon you the name Lysander St. Clair di Marchesi. Do you accept?" Matteo asked, his voice carrying the weight of commitment.

Lysander nodded in acceptance. "I accept."

Matteo's gaze then shifted to Ludovica, his expression still serious.

"Ludovica Ferrari, I hereby appoint you as an Enforcer of the family and delegate you the responsibility of The Chief Enforcer. As a core member of the family, I bestow upon you the name Ludovica Ferrari di Marchesi. Do you accept?"

"I do," Ludovica affirmed, her voice a carrying a tone of readiness.

Matteo turned to Luca "Luca Ricci, I hereby appoint you as a General of the Family, delegate you the responsibilities of the Chief Recruiter and as a core member of the family I bestow upon you the name Luca Ricci di Marchesi. Do you accept?"

Luca's gaze lingered on the table, his thoughts churning like stormy seas before he finally spoke. "Before I extend my hand in agreement, there's a matter I must address," he began, his voice carrying the weight of consideration. 

"As we embark on this endeavor together, I need assurance that those we bring into our fold will not be mere pawns in a game of power, nor shall they be treated as expendable assets to be discarded at whim."

His words were measured, each one laden with a sense of conviction. He paused, allowing his words to settle in the air before continuing, "The individuals we recruit, the ones who pledge their loyalty to our cause, they must be regarded with the same respect, dignity, and honor as any junior member of our family."

Matteo regarded Luca with a thoughtful expression, acknowledging the weight of his question. He took a moment to consider his response before addressing Luca's concerns.

"Luca," Matteo began, his tone measured yet sincere, "I understand your apprehension, and I assure you that the individuals you recruit or those who join our family will be treated with the same respect and dignity as any other member."

"You see Luca, I firmly believe in the duality of leadership: Kings need loyal followers, and Subjects need capable leaders. Imbalance leads to downfall—be it rebellion against incompetent kings or the crushing of insubordinate subjects."

Luca gulped audibly, "I accept."

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In the grand history of human civilization, one recurring dynamic emerges: there are two types of people - Kings and Subjects, Employers and employees, Leaders and followers, Masters and Servants, Commander and Soldiers. I think you get the idea.

Embedded within this dynamic is a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of power, authority, and the intricate interplay between those who command and those who obey.

At the heart of this dichotomy lies the notion that there are two distinct archetypes of individuals: the Kings and the Subjects. These archetypes extend beyond mere titles or positions; they represent fundamental dispositions ingrained within the human psyche.

The Kings are the architects of vision, the masters of destiny, the wielders of power. They possess the charisma, the intellect, and the fortitude to lead others towards a shared purpose. In their hands rests the mantle of responsibility to guide, protect, and nurture the collective aspirations of their subjects.

Conversely, the Subjects are the pillars upon which the edifice of society stands. They are the laborers, the followers, the loyal adherents to the will of their sovereign. Their strength lies in their capacity for diligence, obedience, and unwavering loyalty to those whom they acknowledge as their rightful leaders. They find fulfillment and purpose in surrendering their autonomy to the authority of their superiors, trusting in their wisdom and benevolence to steer the course of their collective destiny.

This dynamic, however, is not a one-sided affair. It is an intricate symbiosis, a delicate balance of mutual dependence and reciprocal obligation. For just as the Kings require the loyalty and obedience of their Subjects to realize their grand designs, so too do the Subjects rely upon the guidance and direction of their Kings to fulfill their own potential. It is a relationship of mutual empowerment, where each party finds validation and purpose in the existence of the other.

History bears witness to the consequences of imbalance, where the scales of power tip too far in favor of one archetype over the other -

An incompetent King, consumed by hubris and indifference to the welfare of their subjects, inevitably invites the seeds of rebellion to take root within their kingdom. The cries of the oppressed, fueled by resentment and disillusionment, swell into a chorus of defiance that threatens to topple even the mightiest of thrones.

Conversely, Subjects who refuse to heed the counsel of a capable King, blinded by arrogance or misguided ambition, risk inviting the wrath of their sovereign upon themselves. Their insubordination undermines the very fabric of order and stability upon which their society relies, inviting chaos and discord to reign unchecked.

"Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others; the first is the most excellent, the second is good, the third is useless."

― Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

In this light a competent king belongs to the first class of intellect. Loyal subjects belong to the second class. Incompetent monarchs and rebellious subjects belong to the third - useless.

Strive not to be the third class. Only then can we hope to realize the fullest potential of our collective humanity, transcending the limitations of our individual selves to forge a legacy worthy of remembrance.

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A/N : Sneak peek :- ( guess what these are )