Chapter 89 - 89: Star
Ixion smiled at Marlowe and the rest.
'What articulate bastards!'
But since when has logic and reason stopped insanity?
'Never!'
Ixion found that his amusement in trying to break their facades of reverence using this topic was starting to wane. So, unless he wanted to be stuck there all day in perpetual argument…
"Ah, whatever. It's truly of no consequence to send some rabble. Take any platoon of your choosing, but only one. Is that clear?"
Abd al-Rahman bowed his head slightly.
"Yes, Your Grace. Thank you."
Ixion clapped.
"Now, now. With that useless farce settled, how about we discuss my greatness!"
Marlowe coughed, then said:
"Uh, before we broach that 'topic'. I think it best that we address the harrowing truth. Based on what the Chrys emissaries had to say, their collective line doesn't seem to be doing so well. All it will take is one crack for it all to crumble. I plead with you, King Ixion, stop this idle approach. We must send aid."
Ixion's head teetered side to side.
"Mmm. No."
Marlowe had a myriad of emotions flash through his eyes. Then, he said:
"Very well."
'Ah, that was probably his last attempt at reasoning with me. Ever.'
Maybe a small hope exited within Marlowe's head he could bring the king would magically snap back into reason.
'But, alas, I did not.'
From Marlowe's mercurial expression in that moment, it was as if he'd shouted to Ixion he'd passed the point of no return.
His mind and decisions were set.
Sure, he'd already made plentiful allies and voiced his ideas of rebellion, stoking the fires in their hearts, but that blaze just had oil spilled on it.
There was little hope of containing it anymore.
Not that Ixion, who stoked that fire, cared to contain it at all. All he wished was to keep the flame tempered.
Before Ixion could start on the topic of his greatness, Cecelia interjected:
"Count Nayu, I'm sorry if you were trying to keep it secret, but rumors have circulated around the palace about an experimental creation of a new element. One that can be used to create superior weapons and armor. Do these rumors possess any validity?"
The old man's eyes went wide, as if screaming, 'Dumbass! The king is right there!'
After all…
'They're trying to create a material to counter me.'
A material which could protect the body and soul.
While Ixion's power was a well-kept secret, known by few. The people who'd fought alongside him had created their speculations.
Unfortunately for the old man, while he could omit something like this from the king, he couldn't lie about it.
"Will, uh, ahem. Yes. We are experimenting with creating a new Aether-infused synthesised metal which we call Star — due to its appearance and the light it emits."
Cecelia nodded to herself.
"Fascinating. How strong is it? What are its properties?"
Ixion almost burst out laughing as the old man's face grew bright red.
The flustered old man started to give quite the circumlocutory explanation.
"Well. It is indeed quite the strong metal. Though its melting point is quite high and the force needed to hammer, it is extraordinary. Only Baron Jacob can handle it. Combined with the expensive nature of the metal, only a few 'things' can be made from it. But, uh— Argh!"
Suddenly, the old man screeched and jumped out of his chair.
"Good heavens! What profane wretch dares assail my person from beneath the sanctity of this table. Unhand me! I proclaim you a demon of the lower courts come to drag me screaming into ignominy!"
The jester poked her head out from under the cloth, as she gripped the man by the ankles.
"Nayu, Nayu! This metal! Star, like a star? How cool! Cool!"
Count Nayu opened his mouth to scream again, but his gaze shot over to Ixion who was laughing hysterically.
"My Jester! Don't go grabbing an old man's legs! What if you trip him and he dies?!"
The jester let go, then slid out from in front of the table and flipped on top of it.
"But, but! He said he has pretty metal! You know how I love shiny stones. See, see!"
The jester opened her palm, revealing ordinary rocks. In fact, they were pebbles from the cobbled street.
"My jester! What a pitiful collection!"
The jester reeled back and hid her pebbles. Then, she began crying and ran away, jumping off the table and hiding behind Marlowe's chair.
"Buh-buh! Bahh!"
Marlowe gave the jester a sidelong glance and sighed.
"I thought she was forbidden from entering this room."
Ixion laughed.
"Now, now. Don't say such harsh things about her when she's already crying like 'she's not allowed here.' Shameful Marlowe! Shameful!"
"Meanie Marlowe!"
The merchant sighed.
Ixion laughed, then said:
"Anyway! Just ignore her at the moment. I'm quite interested in this Star… Tell me, Nayu, what are its properties? You didn't quite get to answering that."
Nayu frowned, then exhaled as he dejectedly sat down in his chair.
"It accepts Enchantments easily. It's durable while also being lightweight. It's made from the fusion of high-classed beast skin and byproducts when they are smelted."
"I see, I see. Anything else?"
Count Nayu's face paled a little.
"It... it may also provide resistance to metaphysical attacks."
Ixion wanted to burst out laughing at how much Nayu was fuming his secret was out. Though it was something Ixion already knew.
The sniffling jester wiped her tears, then hopped up on the back of Marlowe's chair.
"Ixion, Ixion! Did you hear that?!" Her gaze snapped to Count Nayu. "A metal which can resist Ixion's abilities? I need it even more!"
At that, Nayu looked like he was about to slump in his chair and die right then and there.
Thankfully, Marlowe was able to speak for the elder.
"What it can and can't be used for is inconsequential. What matters is that we'll be stronger when the Scourge reaches our gate."
Ixion jumped up and shouted.
"My, my! Marlowe! You finally recognize the futility of it all! You finally recognize they'll reach our gates regardless if we send assistance. I'm so happy we finally agree, dear friend."