Lewd King's Bucket List-Chapter 68: Change

’My recalcitrant Reina, where art thou?!’

Ixion floated around the Catatran streets in his soul form. After a minute, he found Reina in quite the familiar storehouse.

The same one where he’d commissioned his statue to be built in front of.

’The communication headquarters.’

Ixion located Veritas’ lifeless form and seized control of it. After his usual vigorous wake-up routine, he smashed through the wall and stepped out onto the cobbled streets.

It didn’t take too long for every patrol in the vicinity to snap their heads to him and begin their chase.

It also didn’t take too long for them to give up altogether and let the Great Veritas escape.

When the last of the patrols ’lost’ him, Ixion hummed and whistled as he ’stealthily’ jumped from rooftop to rooftop, until he arrived at his destination.

’Ah, how should I make my entrance?’

But before he did that, Ixion peered down at the main street the storehouse was on and noted that an area had been blocked off.

Construction hadn’t begun, but it seemed Marlowe was indeed going to uphold his side of the deal. Of course, the statue would only be completed when Marlowe’s finished sewing the seeds of rebellion.

’I wonder how fast they’ll tear it down.’

His original intent was to inspire rebellion in the Oathsworn, but he’d pivoted into giving Marlowe control over his departure.

So, Ixion would only get to see it once before it was defaced and destroyed.

With a shallow smile on his face, Ixion stomped on the roof, causing the section under him to give way. Debris rained down on the unsuspecting Oathsworn. Bits of wood smacking a few in the head as Veritas shot down to the ground.

The Oathsworn who weren’t hit immediately aided those who were or prepared to fight.

Reina stepped out from the crowd, heaved a hefty sigh, then said:

"Veritas, you know the door is unlocked, right?"

When his name was said, the others calmed down. Probably having been warned of his antics.

"Emily, my dear dissident! Have you missed me?"

Reina rubbed her forehead, her fingers trailing over her scar.

"The only thing I miss is your absence. But perhaps it’s a good thing you arrived. Since I’ve been looking for you."

Ixion’s eyes narrowed.

"Looking for me? You finally have a task for me?"

Reina smiled.

"I’m sure you’ve heard of the King’s recent announcement. I was wondering if you’d participate in the duels."

Ixion let out a short laugh.

"Are you crazy?"

Reina rolled her eyes.

"Not nearly as crazy as you."

Ixion made a gesture, as if wiping away an unseen tear.

"Ixion would recognize me in a heartbeat. I already have to hide in walls as it is. I definitely cannot show my face before him!"

Reina recoiled slightly at Ixion’s unvarnished name, then clicked her tongue.

"I didn’t know you were that shameful. Are you not the ’Great’ Veritas? You should have nothing to fear. Just win. Or are you too afraid you’ll lose? Besides, he said he wouldn’t kill."

Ixion cast a glance at the nineteen others, half invested in their conversation, half working on coding information to send out to sub branches.

"And you trust the word of a madman? Who’s to say he won’t kill those who challenge him a week later. The way I see it, it’s a ploy to root out those who’d dare raise their sword toward him."

Reina followed Ixion’s gaze.

"Clearly you don’t know the King as well as you said. If there’s one aspect of lunacy he’s grounded in, it’s adhering to promises. Sure, he may forsake that notion anytime, but he’s never done so before."

Ixion walked over toward an unlit barrel and peered inside, Reina following him.

"Has he not promised to protect Catatran? Doesn’t seem like he’s doing that."

Reina looked into the charred barrel at the smoldering document they’d gotten from Duke Marlowe.

"I don’t think he’s ever broken his word in that regard. In his own twisted way, of course."

Ixion sighed as he looked away and sauntered over to a half destroyed couch, and plopped down on it.

"That fool’s protection leads to nowhere but the grave."

Looking up at Reina, he leaned back and added:

"Emily, you’re not going to get me to participate in that folly. But, if you’re that confident in the lunatic’s words, then why don’t you participate."

Reina smiled as she slid a chair over.

"Me? Of course I will."

Ixion’s eyes widened, surprise shining in their glossy depths.

Reina sat down in the chair and crossed her legs.

"My name has already been blasted far and wide within the slums because of a certain someone. Hiding any longer is pointless. I’m well aware this may lead to my death; however, I’d rather die with honor than live shunning my eye from tyranny and suffering any longer."

Ixion chuckled and, in a low voice, said:

"Oh? Where was this resolve before? Has his promises and involvement really stoked this fire within you?"

Reina looked around at the others.

"Perhaps they have... But I more so credit my recent resolve to you."

A fleeting expression of confusion appeared on Ixion’s face, his brow creasing subtly.

"Me? What have I done?"

Reina’s amber eyes, warm like honey, fixed on him.

"Your brazen audacity coupled with unadulterated realism."

Reina’s gaze grew fierce.

"You mocked our movement calling it a charade, spoke of the King without fear, and most importantly, you crushed my idiotic fears."

Her knuckles turned white as she tightened her grip.

With a slight tremor in her voice, she continued:

"I’ve realized you and he were right. Change doesn’t come without risk. If I’m not willing to risk my life, then my resolve was obviously fake and this entire rebellion a charade."

Ixion’s face split into a wicked grin.

"I must say... you have impressed me, Emily." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Reina’s face softened, the tension around her eyes easing, a quiet stillness settling over her features.

"You’ll be able to call me by my real name soon."