Shawn swept his gaze over the gathering below, taking in everyone's burning, eager eyes.
His mind remained exceptionally clear. The immense power he now wielded, the ability to give and take at will, had not gone to his head.
Drawing on his past experience and Vita's teachings, he quickly weighed his options.
Since ancient times.
Those in power had valued their subordinates' loyalty above their abilities. Someone less capable could be assisted by cleverer people, and even a genuine failure would not shake the foundations.
But an insufficiently loyal confidant could cause disaster from within, ready to stab their master in the back at any moment.
Had it not been necessary to reassure his followers and give everyone a path to further advancement.
Shawn would never have relaxed the restrictions on awarding Sequence Cards.
Most of the Wizarding Army might appear fanatically devoted to him now, even willing to brave fire and water for his sake.
Yet very few could actually pass through three curtains of fire and contribute genuine Level Three Fervor Value.
It was easy enough to understand. Most wizards were simply grateful that Shawn could bring them better lives and a brighter future.
Ordinary people risking their lives for better rewards was perfectly normal. Even the more high-minded among them were, at most, fighting for their country and their families.
In truth, their wholehearted acceptance of Shawn was far from universal. Few could truly abandon their homes and livelihoods and offer him absolute loyalty!
Shawn's thoughts then turned to the many ways of consolidating power and establishing absolute authority.
Throughout history and across the world, the establishment and consolidation of power had followed much the same pattern.
Absolute force could only subjugate people's bodies, so their minds had to be enslaved and guided instead.
Various policies of