Ixion didn't mean to waste the entire day following Reina, but he did enjoy it.
When the sun grew low in the sky, Ixion did his mysterious disappearance. He snuck away from Reina, then slipped into another wall, resealed it, and left the body.
'Ah… Veritas is such a fun character.'
As his soul drifted through the walls and into the streets, he thought about the Oathsworn.
'Such a righteous group!'
That's when it came to him, the perfect location for his statue.
Ixion floated over the cobbled streets until he ended right outside the abandoned storehouse used as the Oathsworn communications headquarters.
'Would this spot not be perfect?!'
After all, the Oathsworn's righteous nature was holding them back; if he could unlock and push their hatred, he could speed up his plans by months.
He could also force the Artoris girl out into the open.
As the Oathsworn were only being told they had the heir of Artoris on their side, they knew not who it was.
Hell, for all they knew, the name could simply be being used as a symbol.
'But if that Reina Artoris girl ever becomes a concrete presence in the slums, it could provide some true stability in her cause.'
Of course, her taking open action was something she couldn't even dream of. Not when she suspected the King already wanted her dead.
That's why Veritas needed to join her side.
Veritas would slowly build trust and an offer of protection, while Ixion would keep the hatred growing.
And as Veritas showed off his capabilities, Reina would eventually find a glimpse of safety even under the floodlight.
And as Ixion fell further into depravity, her cause would become more and more just.
Content with his progress, Ixion snapped his soul back into his body.
"What a wonderful day I had!"
He got to visit his frenemy and join a rebellion against himself.
How fun!
***
The day became night; and night, day.
By the time Ixion had finished his morning meal, he'd learned of all the remedies and stopgaps taken in response to his actions.
As he expected, the soldiers had their pay cut. But that wasn't all. The gold within the treasury was moved and hidden from Ixion, being replaced with fool's gold to prevent Ixion from doing it again.
As for the current day's affairs...
Ixion was currently marching back to his throne room to give audience to a beast person emissary of the Chrys Commonwealth.
'So… They've sent another one…'
At this point, it was a monthly ritual for them to come beg for aid.
Sadly, he couldn't simply turn them away.
There were a plethora of reasons Ixion had to hear them out, even if he felt inclined to decline no matter what.
For starters, it would keep a relationship between them.
While such a relationship was already strained, he didn't want to sunder it and be the target of the Chrys Commonwealth when they inevitably decided to retreat.
'They'd be much too bothersome to deal with.'
Second, he wanted his own people to be reminded of the atrocities of the Scourge and let these emissaries tell their sob stories for all the nobles to hear and spread.
'And, finally…'
There were also the gifts they always brought!
Ixion got a beautiful laurel last time!
'It served well as kindling.'
Ixion walked in and sat on the throne.
Moments later, Andrea entered and took station at the lectern to be a scribe.
The next one to enter was a personal request from Ixion, Runa.
Now wearing a maid's outfit, Runa entered with the Lord of Truth's cage in her hand.
"Fuck you!"
Following Runa, the jester somersaulted and began flipping around the place.
After her, Duke Marlowe, Duke Lorkel, Count Tristan, Count Marcus, Count Nayu, and a few more Counts and Barons took an audience in the high gallery, looking down on the throne room.
'By the gods…'
Ixion looked around at the group around him.
'I feel bad for whoever walks through that door.'
After the throne room door closed, Lord Chamberlain Sebastian waited a few moments for everyone to settle, then opened it again.
Sebastian unveiled a scroll in his hand, then yelled:
"Now presenting before the King: Quartz of the Crystal Owls, Gryr of the Elves, and Xena of the Iron Hand — All representing the Chrys Commonwealth!"
An owl, an elf, and a dwarf walked into the throne room…
'There has to be a joke there...'