Lewd King's Bucket List-Chapter 82: Guiding Light

The spectators found hope.

While Ixion’s domination of Julius disparaged them, Illium’s fight reinvigorated their optimism.

Illium, a complete unknown, had actually launched a few attacks against the king and made Ixion appear to have tried.

It didn’t go over the people’s heads that Ixion wasn’t messing around by holding his sword upside down or leisurely walking. And that was only the second duel of 113...

Of course, that was simply the idea Ixion wanted to fester in their minds, but there was some minor truth there as well.

’Illium picked up the technique quite fast.’

Well, the basics of Blade Waltz.

Sadly, that was as far as he could go with the spear. Unless he changed his weapon, Illium would have to create his own battle art — something he was actively trying to do.

"Good fight, Illium of some regard."

Ixion spoke down to the unconscious Illium as the barrier fell, and medical staff tended to him.

’Truly, if this world had a future, your name would not have gone unknown.’

Ixion turned his back to the fallen man and waited for his next challenger.

His next challenger was Axios, an older man who used to be a simple soldier. The fight didn’t last long as the man was a veteran, yet he was alive. And being alive after going into battle against the Scourge meant one of two things.

You were incredibly strong, strong enough to stand at the forefront of humanity.

’Or a coward who simply wanted to say they bravely fought the Scourge alongside heroes...’

When in reality, they were hiding behind their backs with their tails tucked between their legs.

Sadly, the next ten challengers were also fairly weak, which was to be expected.

While the unaware nobles may begin to lose hope, those aware would be happy if they wasted even another drop of Ixion’s Aether.

The true heavy hitters were coming later.

The only reason Julius had gone first was that they believed he would set a precedent of resistance. That his performance would be the guiding light of possibility.

Yet, in a weird twist, it was Illium who became that light. A man who’d been placed second because he was assumed to be a weakling due to his common birth.

’Such is the fault of the peerage system.’

Talents like Illium would go and forever be unnoticed.

Only men like Hope and Despair, with unbelievable strength and feats, could rise into notoriety.

And women?

’No one believes a woman can be strong until there’s no room for doubt.’

It would be nearly impossible for a common-born woman to rise on merit alone because of patriarchal standards.

Even Perimele wasn’t believed in until after she completely overshadowed Ixion’s father.

’If only people could see that worth lies in what one can do.’

Not where they come from or what they look like.

Even then, worth based on merit was another societal construct. Although Ixion was a follower of that principle.

Ixion sighed with a slightly bored look on his face as the next challenger entered the barrier after the last one was carried out on a stretcher.

’Ah, finally.’

Ixion smiled lightly.

A man with short brown hair and glasses stepped before the King. With his sword already unsheathed, or more so never sheathed to begin with, he said:

"I’m Porter."

Ixion stepped toward the audacious young man.

"Porter... To have such a dull name and show impertinence to the king? Your treachery is admirable! But alas, I’ve promised your life shall be spared. So don’t fret, you’ll live this battle. Though I can’t promise you’ll walk away."

Porter grumbled, then replied:

"I don’t care for such vanity. The only titles one can have in this world are strong and weak."

Ixion laughed boisterously. Then he mimicked wiping a tear from his eye.

"My, my! To say the King’s title means nothing to his face?! I’m touched by your loyalty and reverence! None other would dare trust my word that much. You, Porter, are one of my dearest followers."

A vein popped out on Porter’s forehead as his grip on his blade tightened.

"Before we begin, King Ixion, I have a question I must ask. This may be the only time I get to do so."

Ixion looked around at the nobles who were anxiously tapping their feet waiting for the duel to start, knowing each second that passed Ixion would slightly recover.

"Very well, I’ll humor you. What do you wish to ask this titular king?"

Porter grumbled, then said:

"Have you no shame?"

’Huh?!’

Even Ixion was taken aback.

"Porter, pray tell. What do you mean?"

Porter planted his blade, then said:

"You are a great man. One with inconceivable power and renown for his intelligence. Someone like that doesn’t fall from grace overnight."

Porter rested his hands on the pommel of his blade.

"I couldn’t help but conclude that your actions, which seek Kaldora’s end, are‌ anything but purposeful – not the result of insanity."

Porter’s eyes narrowed as he said:

"My eyes are good, very good. And I can see you are not an insane man, but a man with insane values."

The spectators gasped, and many of them went pale.

This dumbass man was ruining their plans and the king’s mood.

Ixion’s stare tightened as his jaw clenched.

"While your audacity to contemplate my lunacy to my face is admirable," Ixion swung his sword down, sending a wave of Aether that crashed into Porter and sent him flying back, "Your disrespect to a King is intolerable and foolish."

Porter landed on his feet, then sneered.

Ixion laughed, then engaged [Noble].

"On your knees."

Instantly, 98% of all people who’d heard Ixion’s order fell to their knees, including spectators.

"Argh!"

Porter resisted as best he could, but eventually his knees found their way to the ground.

As Ixion slowly approached, he looked at the few who remained standing.

’What a crowd...’

He spotted some familiar faces which grimaced as they fought his order.

It seemed many of the remaining battles would be fought against his former comrades.

Ixion stopped when he stood above Porter.

Porter grunted, then looked up at Ixion and said:

"It seems I’ve angered you, Your Majesty of no regard. I guess that just means I was right."

Ixion laughed.

"The only thing you were right about was my sanity."

Ixion’s duel against Porter was the first one where the ground was stained with blood.