Lewd King's Bucket List-Chapter 81: A Pelvic Bone’s Defiance

A few spectators were spooked by how fast Ixion had dispatched the knight. Many outright lost hope.

Though those who were privy to Ixion’s strength knew that outcome was predestined.

Actually, they were quite pleased with Julius’ performance. The knight was only Emergent and had put on quite the showing. He also got Ixion to use some Aether.

It was a minimal amount, but it was better than nothing.

’What glorious defiance!’

The barrier fell and Julius was carried out and tended to. Not a single drop of blood was spotted on his body.

Wasting little time, and not wanting to let Ixion recover at all, the next challenger stepped forth, and the barrier was reinstated behind them.

’Oh, ho?’

A man stepped forth in light-plated armor.

’Illy! To make your acquaintance so early!’

Illium, with his hair tied in a neat bun, stepped forward. With a slight grimace and a pang of fear, the small man bowed.

"I greet you, Your Highness. I am Illium."

Ixion smiled down at the spearman.

"Where’s your weapon, Illium? And have you no family name?"

"My family’s name was lost on the battlefield many years ago."

Illium reached under his armor and pulled out a segmented spear, which clicked together and extended into the full weapon. Then he slashed it down and twirled it until it rested under his right armpit.

Ixion clapped and cheered.

"Bravo, bravo! What an exquisite display, Illium of no regard!"

Illium sneered at the king’s mockery of him.

As for Illium’s true lineage...

’His parents were both commonborn, who’d been conscripted to the front lines.’

From the records Ixion dug up, they hadn’t lasted longer than a day.

"Well then, let’s begin."

Ixion tossed his blade from his left hand to his right and pointed it at Illium.

Ixion started the fight off with a light slash of Aether, a weaker but invisible version of Julius’ attack.

Illium, with his sensory Aspect, easily sidestepped it, then planted his foot and shot toward Ixion.

"Ah! A good old fashioned battle of skill!"

Illium had employed a crude imitation of Blade Waltz that tried its best to accommodate the spear.

Bubbles of Aether burst under his heels as he zigged and zagged until he thrust his spear at Ixion’s shoulder.

Ixion waved his blade to the left, knocking away the blow; however, Illium had a loose grip on the spear, which caused it to swivel then fling back toward its original target.

Ixion smiled and caught the shaft of the spear just before its tip could sink under the pauldron of Ixion’s armor.

"Marvelous display, Illium of no regard."

Ixion tore at the spear, dragging Illium along, then threw the spear and Illium over his shoulder and to the edge of the barrier.

"Perhaps you should be Illium of some regard. Does that suit your fancy?"

Illium grunted as he deftly landed. With an anger-stained glare, the man replied,

"Just Illium would suffice."

"Alright, Pelvic Bone. Come." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Illium’s face contorted into annoyance as he charged once again, jumping left and right as if trying to predict a projectile attack.

Of course, that wasn’t what he was doing.

Illium’s newly created Blade Waltz imitation battle art employed the exploding Aether under his feet to build up speed. Each lunge left and right built that speed further.

Naturally, speed couldn’t defeat might, and such a technique was taxing for an Emergent.

Not to mention the fact Ixion could end the duel at any moment he so desired — not that he would.

When Illium finally built up the speed he required, he jumped to the side then swung his spear like a sword.

Ixion easily placed his blade in the path of his strike. But, just before their weapons collided, Illium engaged the enchantment that allowed the spear to fold.

The tip of the spear wrapped around Ixion’s blade. Then Illium, once the spear thoroughly locked itself in place, tried to yank Ixion’s sword out of his hands.

Obviously, that sword wouldn’t leave Ixion’s grasp unless he willed it. Ixion shouted as he resisted Illium’s pull.

"What a display, Pelvic Bone!"

Then Ixion pulled Illium toward him, but Illium dropped the spear just in time to dodge Ixion’s grapple.

Ixion laughed as he unwrapped the spear from his blade and reactivated the enchantment, making it fully formed once more.

"What amazing senses you have!"

With the spear in his left hand and sword in his right, Ixion declared:

"This duel is finished."

However...

"No."

Illium raised his fists.

"A battle does not end when one loses their weapon, Your Grace."

Ixion’s smile fell.

"Correct, Pelvic Bone. It ends when one’s breath ends."

Illium laughed as he lowered his center of gravity.

"Forgive my impudence, Your Grace. However, the true end of a battle is marked by the loss of what one fights for, not by death."

Ixion’s stare hardened.

"How would one fight for something if one dies?"

"Legacy, Your Grace. They pass their will, bravery, and their chance to their successors."

Ixion shook his head.

"Foolish."

Then he stomped, a chunk of stone separating from the floor and rising until it hovered level with his eyes.

"Utterly foolish, Pelvic Bone!"

Ixion used the spear to bat the chunk of stone at Illium.

Illium caught the stone in his hand.

"You seem unnerved, Your Grace. Has something I said struck a chord?"

He dropped the stone. It fell to the ground with a slight clink.

The next moment, Illium fell as well. On his knees and clutching at his chest, Illium shouted:

"What did you do to me?!"

Ixion sauntered forward at a slow pace.

Just because it was easier to touch a soul up close didn’t mean he couldn’t do so at range. Especially when he only needed to make it slightly unnerving to make weaker warriors falter.

"Foolish men win foolish prizes. Now, back in the dirt where you belong, commoner."

Ixion raised his sabaton and planted it on his face, then pushed Illium back.

Then he held his left hand out and dropped the butt of the spear on his chest.

Illium groaned, then passed out.

His only visible injury was a slight cut on his palm from when he caught the rock.