What A Leader Can Really Do

Far away, The Land was a place that existed far apart from everyone. Walls were built accordingly that lined all the way across the surface, not allowing anyone in unless they wanted to. It stretched so far that it connected on each side together. The raw material and manpower it took to build took decades, but it was sturdy and the barrier was hard to pierce.

Guards covered the tops of the walls on different shifts to monitor if anything came even close. Their technology was beyond swordsmanship, however many could argue that the natural ability of swords was able to overcome their new and improved weapons, but nobody had tested this theory. Many of the men carried metal rods that lit up with different abilities when they pressed the button.

The people here did not necessarily use mana. Although they were born with it, Lorenzo did not like the idea of people using strong amounts of mana, so he abolished it and made these rods instead for people to use.

He sat in a mountain of Petals while all his subordinates watched him bathe in it.

He was laughing and enjoying his time.

He had long hair like a girl and bright blue eyes. His hair was half purple and half black and he wore a mustache on his face. His clothes were sparkling with jewels from the bright red coat that stood out and his black tight pants. He talked like he was the son of a wealthy man that had no responsibilities, but he was extremely smart and ran the entire land, gaining many, many assets.

Lorenzo: “Isn’t this so much fun?! Look at all this money! You get some and you get some and you get some. Everyone gets money!”

???: “Sir Cain, we have much to discuss. Everyone is waiting. Mr. Lenovi is outside ready to negotiate the building of your statue on the outside of the walls. Please do take this seriously.”

Lorenzo: “This is too much fun right now. Tell him we will have to reschedule for another day, Rondo.”

Rondo: “Sir, I cannot do my job like this. You always tell me to reschedule with people and then you never meet them again. Big companies have been complaining that you aren’t fixing any of the infrastructure or giving any time of day to people’s complaints.”

Lorenzo: “Complaints? What complaints could there be when money is in the air?! Mr. Lenovi can reschedule. I had meetings all day yesterday. I need to just bathe in all these petals.”

Rondo: “Sir, I have to report this all to the board and when I return and say that nothing is getting done, then my job is going to be on the line.”

Lorezno: “Your job? You report directly to me, Rondo. You can go do your little wabble dabble doos or whatever it is you do, but at the end of the day, you report to me. Who built this land from the ground up? Me. Who is still running this land as of today? Me. Who is enjoying this fabulous money?! Me! Oh how I love money!”

Rondo: “Yes, sir. I will excuse myself and give you some free time.”

Rondo walked back behind large red curtains that hung down from the white marble walls to a woman sitting on a floor mat with a beautiful white gown and a white flap covering her face. Her ears were pierced with gold and her black hair flowed even in this room with no windows or wind.

Rondo: “My lady, I am just making the rounds, but I have nothing to report so far in terms of dangerous activity. The doctor said that your infection is getting worse. He can’t be certain, but a rough estimate would be about 6 months left. I hear your nightmares have been getting worse, miss Fuyuko. Are you able to sleep?”

Fuyuko: “Thank you for your kindness Rondo, but do not worry about me. My husband has neglected me for years. Please continue to not tell him about my illness. I’d rather continue alone and pray to God to take me to heaven. I will also pray for you Rondo and your prosperity in this land. I do not wish for everyone here to be banished to hell because of my husband.”

Rondo: “My lady, there are other options. Even though we can’t stop the infection, there are chaplets to be used, other people’s abilities in the land of swords, and even the forbidden place. We have not exhausted all of our options.”

Fuyuko: “Do not worry about me, Rondo. I do not wish to prolong my life with petty tactics. If God has chosen me to go, then I shall perish and meet him at the gates. There are more people who need help besides me. If you do find ways around fighting death, then do not waste it on me, Rondo. You have done your duties well, and I will always respect you for that. I will continue to tell you that for the rest of my days. Keep doing what you are doing. I know you get yelled at a lot by many people, but do not let that get to you. That is just what comes with being in a position of power. Don’t let anyone ever dictate your life or your values.”

Rondo: “Yes, my lady. I will come check on you tomorrow as well. I have some angry people I have to attend to…”

Rondo, sure enough, heard an earful from Benoit Lenovi as well as many other businessmen that were high up in the world. They were furious that Lorenzo Cain would not come to talk with them. He assured them that they would eventually get to speak with them, but they rioted and tried to break into the palace. The guards quickly shut them down, humbling them to return and come back another day.

Lorenzo: “Agh, you all are so noisy! What is all this commotion out here? What? Nobody wants to speak now? Cat got all of your tongues?”

Levoni: “What the hell are you doing in there? We have problems that need solving and there is nobody else to go to and here you are doing who knows what?!”

Lorenzo: “You’re damn right. That’s none of your business and all of mine. Scurry along and stop making so much noise. You come here all the time with problems and who fixes them? That’s right, me! Me and me only! Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me! So for one day, actually more like 3 hours, I would like some alone time.”

Levoni: “That’s not how this works, Lorenzo. You were elected by everyone, but we can easily take that away if you decide to not do your job. People need help and you neglect them.”

Lorenzo: “What did you just say? Revoke my leadership? Just try and see what happens. You think that I don’t have eyes all over this land? I’ve built up too much merit for you all to disown me. I built this place myself! You think just because you all are big shots in businesses that you have any pull in anything? Guess who made those businesses? Me! I think you’ve all got a little over your heads. Every single one of you is fired!”

Levoni: “You can’t do that Lorenzo. You know you can’t!”

Lorenzo: “Can’t what? Can’t what? Can’t do this, can’t do that. What can’t I do Levoni? You know what, maybe I’ll just burn everything to the ground because I feel like it. Maybe I’ll invade the Land of Toff and make it mine.”

Levoni: “You’re crazy!”

Lorenzo: “No! That’s where you are wrong. I’m smart and you’re a fool. How about you go back to your pitiful houses and poor wives. All of you are no longer owners. Your companies have already been notified and your belongings have been packed in this 5 minute conversation we had. Good day to you all. Agh, just so frustrating you all are. I need a bath!”

Levoni: “Lorenzo! This will not slide!”

Lorenzo walked back in the doors that slammed behind him. The guards cleared a path for him and right before the doors closed, Lorenzo peered behind, glancing a menacing look at Levoni. With that one look, the guards captured every single one of them and took them to the top of the walls.

The men quivered in fear, their bodies shook, and many tried to break loose, but could not. On the count of 3, the guards counted down and pushed the men off the sides of the wall to their deaths, 500 feet to the ground.

On the other side of town, their wives and children were gathered and tossed outside for them to fend for themselves. Lorenzo was a fierce leader and made choices based on his own opinions, but also what was best for people not to betray him. Although it was bound to happen, he was still respected amongst almost everyone. He took care of the problems that these men had within these businesses in just 1 day, but the way that they approached him caused his mood to change, which triggered these events.

This is what Iki feared.

Although Iki truly believed that he could not beat the 10 Great Swordsmen, let alone 2 of them, Lorenzo had so much power and pieces in place that would disrupt everything. His men numbered in the thousands, which could do some damage potentially, but besides this, he was smart enough to have plans if they did attack.

Without knowing, he could’ve already planted bombs in areas that he couldn’t detect. He could have legendary chaplets unknown to them that could kill their assets. Plus, if Iki did decide to kill them all, Lorenzo was so respected, that the people of The Land could up and leave and come to the Land of Toff, which they could not provide for. There were too many what ifs, and this man was at the heart of all of it. His dangers amounted to many different ways.