Why had emperors throughout history, wise or foolish, always favored treacherous ministers?
Even Qin Shi Huang, the great emperor Shawn admired most, had favored a villain like Zhao Gao.
Why? Because treacherous ministers often thought what their sovereign thought and did what their sovereign wanted done.
They were also useful for dirty work, and even more useful for taking the fall.
As for the little they embezzled, it was nothing compared to an entire empire.
Shawn now looked at Alice with admiration.
Whatever her abilities, she could read his intentions and was willing to lead the charge for her king.
That made her worth cultivating.
Under Shawn's continued scrutiny, Alice grew a little uneasy.
"Chief, was my suggestion wrong?"
Shawn said nothing. He took out his wand and cast several Muffliato charms around them to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.
Then he took three specially made playing cards from the Ring and spread them across the table.
They were the Duke of Spades (formerly the King), the Marquess of Spades (formerly the Queen), and the Earl of Spades (formerly the Jack).
(Note: Shawn was the only king, after all. The Queen cards were manageable, but having four Kings wouldn't do, so they were changed.)
After laying out the cards, Shawn spoke calmly.
"Alice, your idea is excellent. I've had the same idea for some time. The organization's name is the Magic Throne!"
"These three spades are high-ranking cards reserved exclusively for Slytherin. I gave Draco the Ten of Spades, but I don't yet know what position you're worthy of."
"So let me ask you this: every organization needs a guiding platform, but do you truly understand my ideals? And what ideals do you have yourself?"
Alice was secretly delighted that the Chief already had everything planned, right down to the organization's name and structure.
But his final questions left her stunned, her eyes slowly going blank.
Apart from forbidding discrimination based on blood status, the Chief really didn't seem to have expressed any political views.
Everything he had done in Slytherin had merely restored the Founders' educational principles.
Alice supported Shawn unconditionally, partly because her grandfather insisted on it, and partly because Shawn had demonstrated unparalleled strength.
Alice felt lost. Did that mean she had no ideals of her own at all?
In truth, Alice's background was rather pitiful. She wasn't old Fawley's biological granddaughter. Grateful to him, she had always striven to prove herself and avoid disappointing her grandfather.
Fifty years earlier, native British pure-blood families such as the Fawley family, the Rosier family, and the Carrow family had all joined Grindelwald's Army.
After both his biological sons died in battle, old Fawley returned home and chose to live quietly.
He disdained Voldemort, who only bullied his own people and used brutal methods, and had never joined the Death Eaters.
Later, he adopted Alice and carefully raised her from childhood.
The belief he constantly instilled in her was, "Since we're fools who cannot see the way forward, we should follow someone strong enough to guide us!"
Old Fawley also often told Alice stories of the loyalty between Grindelwald and his female assistant, Vinda Rosier.
As Alice recalled this, inspiration seemed to strike, and she spoke with devotion.
"Chief, I have no ideals, but Grandfather says there's something wrong with the world as it is, and it needs to change. I lack the wisdom, so I can only follow someone as wise and powerful as you."
"I wish what you wish, see what you see, and will follow your path every step of the way."
As Alice spoke, she grew increasingly excited. Her magic even surged, breaking the surrounding Muffliato charms.
She rose, drew her wand, and pointed it diagonally skyward, shouting fervently.
"Wherever the Chief's wand points, I will charge!"
The young Slytherins eating nearby looked bewildered, but Alice's passionate cry inspired several hotheaded ones to draw their wands, point them diagonally skyward, and shout as well.
"Wherever the Chief's wand points, I will charge!"
Fervor was contagious. Before long, all the young Slytherins had drawn their wands and pointed them diagonally skyward.
"Wherever the Chief's wand points, I will charge!"
Though Draco had no idea what was happening, he ran back, climbed onto the long table, and shouted with his wand raised toward the sky.
"Wherever the Chief's wand points, I will charge!"
The students of the other three houses once again enjoyed the spectacle. They also rather envied Slytherin's unity and Shawn's prestige.
Some had already let their imaginations run wild, wondering whether Shawn intended to lead his followers against Snape and overthrow Dumbledore's rule.
Seeing the adoring looks from some of the young Slytherins, Shawn's vanity soared.
But he didn't let it blind him.
Their commotion would probably cause trouble later, so he put on a stern expression and said coldly.
"What are you all doing? Sit down!"
Once the young Slytherins obediently sat down, Shawn gave Alice a speechless look. Still, he was very pleased. He needed people under him who knew how to play along.
And in the system, he had finally received one point of level-three faith value!
It displayed the associated target: Alice Fawley (fanatical).
Alice had the potential to become someone like Bellatrix.
Shawn cleared his throat twice and pushed the Earl of Spades card toward Alice.
"Very good. This Earl of Spades card is yours. I hope your future accomplishments will convince me that you deserve a better card."
After a moment's thought, Shawn decided it was too early to make this public. He didn't want Dumbledore inviting him for tea, so he quietly added.
"By the way, the organization must remain secret for now. Keep an eye out for suitable candidates discreetly."
Alice hurriedly bowed with devotion and accepted the Earl of Spades card in both hands.
"As you command, Chief."
The other young Slytherins, unaware of the details, were filled with envy. Then realization dawned on them: the Chief liked flattery and declarations of loyalty!
Theodore Nott, who had never managed to attract Shawn's attention, suddenly gained an insight.
Draco came over, about to ask something.
But Shawn rose and headed toward the greenhouses. They had Herbology that morning.
Draco could only turn to Alice.
"What were you doing just now? Are we going to attack Gryffindor?"
Alice looked at Draco and thought, This fellow is so lucky. He doesn't know a thing, and he's already the Ten of Spades.
"You're overthinking it. I was simply expressing my loyalty to the Chief. I hope you won't disappoint his confidence in you either."
With that, Alice also rose and called the Slytherins in her year to head to class.
Draco's cowlick once again curled into a large question mark, "?".
Herbology was very interesting.
Inside the greenhouse, besides paying close attention to the lesson, Shawn observed the Hufflepuff students and their Head of House, Professor Sprout.
The plump, kindly witch was optimistic, tolerant, and compassionate.
The young badgers had much the same temperament: honest, unassuming, and easily contented.
Shawn could now intervene in Gryffindor's affairs. He only had to go there that evening and make a decisive show of force.
He was also confident that he would eventually be able to intervene in Ravenclaw.
Hufflepuff alone left him somewhat at a loss.
The young badgers didn't compete or fight for anything. What could he use to tempt them?
"As they say, freedom from desire makes one strong. The ancients truly didn't lie."
Shawn shook his head with a soft sigh.
Of course, he wouldn't give up. He also knew everyone had desires; he simply had to keep looking.
With no classes that afternoon, Shawn began wandering around.
First, he hoped to run into the Grey Lady and uncover the secrets of Ravenclaw's Diadem.
Second, he wanted to find Quirrell and lay his cards on the table.
Naturally, he didn't mean fighting him outright, but rather refusing his invitation.
He was a busy man now. Where would he find the time to play Voldemort's little recruitment game?
All he wanted now was to earn more level-two faith value and draw another supremely powerful skill dedicated to offense.
If luck truly smiled on him and he drew a lightning spell, that would be even better.
Only then would he feel confident facing Voldemort's Soul Fragment, defeating him in public, and harvesting faith value!
If Voldemort flew into a humiliated rage and dared to attack him later...
Shawn would... would... would dare to call for backup, snapping Fawkes's tail feather on the spot.