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On Rubber Island, shortly after Bugsy took the throne, unexpected visitors arrived proof that chance often shapes events.
Just as Bugsy had settled in on his golden palace bed, the guards burst in with urgent news: a pirate ship was approaching the shore.
Concerned but calculating, Bugsy's soldiers established a perimeter and summoned reinforcements via the island's communication devices.
This local militia, previously limited to guarding the palace, had never faced an actual pirate assault.
They reported standing firm no one would land until Bugsy gave the word.
Bugsy, as a native of Rubber Island, immediately understood their intentions. He issued firm orders:
"If anyone needs to land for supplies or official business, they may but only if they leave their weapons on the boat. We'll hold their ship until further notice. Any pirates who act suspiciously will be turned away. I won't let anyone threaten my people's lives."
But Bugsy also recognized that some of the pirates were townsfolk forced to sea out of necessity. He added compassion:
"If any of you wish to return and live here peacefully, I can offer you roles among my palace guard."
His lieutenants were dispatched with clear instructions. Once the militia controlled the ships offshore, Bugsy began building his defense and his influence.
He allowed a select group of pirates to join his royal guard. With battle-hardened strength, they became trusted protectors.
However, the number had to be limited, or the new guard could destabilize the kingdom.
Bugsy had already assessed the guards' capabilities. Except for the palace's elite Knights from the previous regime. The rest were regular soldiers.
He knew that some of his own trained pirates would easily outmatch them.
In fact, days earlier, Bugsy had secretly ordered Lance and others to eliminate the hundred-strong Elite Knight unit, securing sole control over the kingdom's military of approximately 150,000 soldiers.
Before Bugsy's coup, around 50,000 troops remained loyal to the former regime.
Their commander had led a separatist stand, unwilling to serve under a commoner king.
Responding cleverly, Bugsy deployed strategic papers known as the "Six-Word Stratagems" hidden in his personal cabinet tactics taught by Aero before leaving on his voyage.
One read "Demoralize the Mighty, Sow Internal Strife."
Another is "Divide and Conquer." Beneath each were detailed instructions.
These things Aero has learned from his previous world from certain Nations.
With these guides, Bugsy crafted a plan: dismiss underperforming units to shake morale, promote deserving soldiers to officer ranks, and demote others breaking their cohesion.
Finally, he confronted the rebel general directly on his terms, not through combat, but by inviting him to dine publicly with Bugsy.
A banquet was held, and journalists were present to capture the moment. That night, headlines read: "Royal Power Restored Through Unity Banquet."
As the rebellious soldiers watched their leaders kneel around Bugsy's newly crowned monarch, they felt inspired and pledged loyalty anew.
In total, 50,000 freshly reformed guardians swore allegiance, while the old rebel general was stripped of rank and vanished rumored to have been exiled or quietly assassinated.
Confident in his control over the entire military, Bugsy now faced a new challenge: pirate fleets were still demanding tributes from Rubber Island.
Some four pirate ships had threatened the shores just days prior.
While naval authorities had issued bounties, militarily, they couldn't intervene immediately.
Islanders, clutching their saved coins, braced for the inevitable.
When Bugsy's guard appeared and vowed to "protect both lives and livelihood," the people cheered.
Walking home, they believed their kingdom was finally safe and tonight, they'd dreamed peacefully.
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