Arthur cannot believe what Hood just explained.
In the Royal Navy, all Kansens fear their commanders.
While a commander holds the authority over all navy operations and logistics for Kansens, the true reason why most Kansens in the Royal Navy fear them is their access to Navy Execute Order (NEO). NEO is an additional mechanic implanted in all Kansens when they are manifested from Wisdom Cubes. In the Royal Navy's case, from Queen Elizabeth, the top of the Kansens hierarchy to destroyers like Comet who have the largest number, are all equipped with such devices. When NEO activates on a certain Kansens, she will follow the given order as the highest priority over any task, even if it contradicts their beliefs and opinions. Strangely, no Kansens had ever shown any sign of resistance, as if there is absolutely nothing wrong with their orders.
Last week, Joseph activated NEO on Bel-Chan who accidentally tripped and spilled tea on his clothes. The order is well… quite simple: "go kill yourself." Bel-Chan's eyes instantly turn emotionless and pick up a shard of a broken teacup and stab her throat. This ruthless sight shocked all of the royal maids. Even Belfast, who is known for her composure under enemy fire, could not hide her shocked expression.
Brutal punishments also fall upon many other unfortunate souls of the Royal Navy. The Prince of Wales had to bump her head against an iron wall several times because she questioned Joseph's decision. King Geroge V is forbidden to eat for five days because she ate too much as Joseph claimed. Warspite had to call Queen Elizabeth "your flat-jesty" for a week because QE called Joseph a servant. Ark Royal even had to burn her photography of destroyers because uh… children should be protected. Just to name a few. One of them seems rather necessary? The victim did cry out of her heart though.
The entire Royal Navy's united wish now is to get rid of Commander Joseph ASAP, while their sanity still barely holds. That being said, despite every single Kansens, including destroyers who often have child-like appearances, having the superior physical strength than Joseph, he always has access to NEO that can end their lives.
Even if they do manage to successfully remove Joseph from the seat of the Commander, Azur Lane will just appoint another disgraceful commander, given their nomination history. The only way to ensure they have a decent commander is to propose one who at least treats them decently. However, as much as Queen Elizabeth would love to propose, there are two reasons why she cannot.
First, the Royal Navy currently does not have a suitable candidate. There are students in the Royal Navy Academy who learns about commanding, but frankly they are spoiled children who think they can do anything because their parents will cover them.
Second, Eagle Union has been appointing commanders to the Royal Navy and Sakura Empire, which gives them a major influence on the entire Azur Lane. This influence makes the Royal Navy and Sakura Empire have weak voices in the alliance. Eagle Union alone makes the majority vote so they can to do anything they want with their current power. They are not going to give up their powers easily by allowing someone from the Royal Navy to be a commander.
When Arthur finishes hearing Hood's explanation, he does not know what to comment on because there are too many things he wants to criticize. Maybe he should have added more sugar to the tea so he can use sweetness to mitigate his complicated emotions right now.
Hood also finds she needs another cup of tea, ideally a boiling hot one.