Although talking to a mystic made his head spin, the other man's meaning and actions made one thing clear.
The path represented by [The Fool]-[Justice], joining the Marines, was probably to fight pirates properly and follow the legitimate path of Marine justice. Basil Hawkins clearly had no such intention.
The path of [The Fool]-[The Magician] was the future Basil Hawkins had chosen to join. Clearly, the creation represented by The Magician was more appealing than proper Marine justice.
Looking at Basil Hawkins before him, Dawn had never expected to experience a scene of someone bowing and pledging allegiance at his feet.
No matter what, Dawn had achieved his goal. Basil Hawkins had successfully been lured into the Marines by him.
Moreover, unlike the others, Basil Hawkins had chosen to walk alongside Dawn, not alongside the "Marines."
For example, if Dawn ever fell out with the Marines and left them, Basil Hawkins would not hesitate to leave as well and become a crewman on Dawn's ship.
Of course, whether Basil Hawkins could become one of Dawn's trusted confidants would need time to prove.
Still, gaining Basil Hawkins's loyalty was an unexpected delight. Aside from Hina and the others, who were his foundation within the Marines, Basil Hawkins could be considered Dawn's personal foundation.
Simply put, Basil Hawkins was loyal to Prince Abraham Dawn of the Ishtar Kingdom.
And because Dawn had joined the Marines, he had joined the Marines as well.
Expanding his influence within the Marines was Dawn's goal, so he never hid his strength. Having more powerful people under him was also one way to expand that influence.
But those were merely secondary. Strength was what mattered most in this world, and Dawn had long seen through that.
Take two representative figures. Zephyr had devoted his entire life to