Chapter 2: The Rival Government
Contrary to popular belief the power that the government had over the new worlds largest continent, Ishgar, had until the civil war, been tenuous at best. Moreover, as the Magic Council held weapons that could obliterate Mariejois instantaneously, the agreed relationship of lassez-faire, worked well for both parties, as each side believed that a pact was better than an alliance. But since the collapse of that Council, during the war of Demons and Gods and the loss of inter continental trust between Ishgarian kingdoms; the Five Elder Stars began to plot a takeover. However their plan was halted when a new power rose from the ashes of war: The Royal East Ishgar Trading Company. The Company took control of the independent city state-capital of ERA. This action was followed by the conquering the two neighbouring continents of Alakitasia and Solana. What happened next angered the World Government, as The Companies Board of Directors, led by the Director-General; Jude Heartfilia announced the withdrawal from the Statute of Membership, quit the World Government and established the World Republic. The capital of this new government was the Ishgarian city-state of ERA. And just like that there was uproar and jollity, depending on personal trust of Mariejois, the centre of this new Republic was Ishgar.
Furthering, ERA became just as symbolic a capital as Mariejois, without the corruption and sadistic world nobles. Ishgar was also well respected amongst new world kingdoms and many joined the Republic immediately in support of the Companies pledge for free and fair democratic governance as well as wanting protection of the deemed stronger army of the Republic; the Magic Knights led by the Ten Wizard Saints. This strength was enough that even the newly named Emperors of the Sea gave the Republic Base a wide birth. To maintain face value the Company retained the old councils' motto: "Semper Fidelis", meaning always faithful. Yet despite the Companies attempts to present itself as nothing like the world nobles and the five elders, there remained kingdoms in the new world that didn't feel comfortable about declaring for rival governments as it could led to conflict; economic or military. The Company used the Councils units of law enforcement; the Rune Knights, but renamed them Magic Knights to show the world that magic was superior to devil fruits. The biggest fear for the celestial dragons was that the wizards of Ishgar could and would be able to use magic over great distances; thousands of miles, from west to east, and discover their national treasure.
This fear was what led the government to declare the East Ishgar Trading Company as the number one enemy of Mariejois; a decision that whilst not without merit, was like a slap in the face to all pirates who craved notoriety, wealth and power. Yet the Emperors didn't care in the slightest as they were pirates and so rival governments didn't concern them, unless there was war a brewing. In which case the argument was "bring it on!" Although the prospect of facing any of the Ten Wizard Saints was something that all pirates actively tried to avoid, as the general consensus was; 'face an admiral and be humbled, face a wizard saint and face mortality'.
