Chapter 18 - BearClaw

"Because??" Pulling his head back in shock, no doubt rattled. Chan was raised hating ignites, especially Fire Controllers. So why would the King spare even one of them? It doesn't make sense to him at all. And he even feels suspicious towards the King.

"Because... I found use out of them." Replied King Xakro with his voice slightly raised. Thinking how he got them to work for him, got him to force in an eternal smile.

"But why sire? Don't they pose a threat? They are Witches and Wizards after all." Apart from the clear racism or targeted discrimination, he does have a point. How would Ignites with their friends and families killed react? They will strike whenever they have the chance and burn anything ill.u.s.tratian based, to the ground. The true Ignites would.

"They are but they do... not pose a threat. They are my loyal... slaves. Just like you." Hesitating just a little bit before he murmured the next sentence. "They are of our own race...gifted i suppose." Well that makes sense and yet it doesn't. It now makes sense, those swearing loyalty to him, aren't ignites. But yet again, the fact that they have Fire Controlling abilities, they would automatically be labeled demons, which is why King Xakro hesitated to explain deeper at first. Personal benefit matters the most i suppose, as long as the general preview is still coated with race targeted discrimination and or hate. "They were naturally born with...the ability. Rare species. Only several... throughout Ignis." And at this point it is true, ill.u.s.tratios aren't born with magical powers, as far as history goes, at least. Such prototypes are rare.

Feeling conflicted with his own thoughts, Chan was practically batting with his own mind. He can't hate his own kind but these unknown individuals have powers which associates them with Demons.  "I would say "Kill them" but of course they are of our own. And they would prove useful." Useful no doubt. They can get sensitive errands done. Unlike Chan here.

"I forbid for them to use... their powers. Less of a threat, less of a headache. Except one... BearClaw. That women is beyond gifted... Collective." His voice slowed down as he was reaching the end of the sentence. Is this his way of showing respect and admiration?

Having no clue who BearClaw is, never even hearing about her in rumors or banter usually heard in taverns, he finally found a way to be flexible. Found other questions to ask instead of making it clear to the King that he had no idea who BearClaw is. At this point, he might actually get shot if he doesn't know anything again. "So she is allowed to use her powers. How did she reach level after level without being killed? I mean even as an ill.u.s.tratio you can't be seen practicing magic and not expect to be put down for good." 

Noticing right away what Guard Commander Chan tried to doo, the King felt satisfied. For indeed fear is one of the best teachers. He decided to not say a word about it and stick to the main topic instead of wasting more time. "She wasn't allowed... at first.  It was forbidden... for her like the rest. But...i saw her in action. She took out two hundred Guards... using Basic level Three spells." Hesitating to shame his own Platoons of Soldiers for a little while, he found a way to do it while shifting the blame on her. "She was toying around... with the Guards. As if they were no threat at all.. Used every bit of her ability...a battle expert." Even though it seems like a form of admiration, he was just shifting the blame.

"She took out two hundred Guards. Did you punish her sire? She killed a lot of our own. That shouldn't be left unpunished." Even though a basic ill.u.s.tratian mindset, King Xakro enjoyed these words a lot. It shows that his, his father and his grandfather's work proved useful.

But of course he did not like how a simple Guard Commander questioned his decisions, his ego wouldn't allow it. "I do not need a Citizen to show... me how to be a Grand King." He replied trying to hold his anger in. He knew that it took one more rageful outburst to split Chan in half. Effects of which he can not reverse. "However... she did end up "unpunished". She escaped once i arrived...in the battle. Afterwards I tracked her down. Being an Ignite, she refused to... serve me. But now...she is under my Mind Control Spell."

"My apologies Sire." Afterwards he scratched his head feeling Puzzled because the topic became even more confusing. He doesn't even know a thing about Mind Control. His goals to sound smarter in front of the King, are now cancelled, clearly against his will. So he went with praising instead which can work just as well of course based on the King's mood. "Mind Control. I don't know much about that power. But it seems useful. You clearly are more powerful than the Current Electus. Why don't you just control his mind?" He made a valid clear point here, although the King clearly thought about this before.

"Mind Control. It is a power with levels hard to reach. My GrandFather was a Level... three Mind Controller before he obtained the Electuses powers... which made him Obtain level six." His voice started raising in pride and ego to the point where it felt like the Ground beneath his feet was shaking. "Giving him all the powers... he needed to become a Grand King through astounding mind control." Coming back to the topic, aiming to answer the question of which Chan Asked. Letting the throne's arm support feel relief from his deadly grip in the process. "But the Electus, he is immune to... mind control. Every Electus is."

"The Electus seems quite untouchable but why do we need this BearClaw lady. She killed many of us. She could turn on you in any chance she would get."

Feeling displeasure from repeating his words to this fool. He let out a sigh, letting out anger just a little bit. "She would indeed...but she is under my strong spell. Almost... impossible to break. My mind control spells are spread... around on each King and Queen on our Motherland.(Meridionali ignis). Keeping them by our side. They are my...puppets with rather strong side effects as well. Although the royalty... don't need mind control... anymore due to the propaganda the "illas" spread.."

"But Sire. You have the power to mind control kings from other Continents. Our revolution can spread throughout the world if you please."

"My powers need to go a long...road to reach their limits." Hesitating a little bit to continue at first, he said. "But indeed even a level six... mind controller like me. Has it difficult to have a large...number of people under my spell." Letting out a diss satisfied sigh before saying. "I don't have the power to keep...anymore people under my control. I reached those limits... a while ago."

"I will kill the Electus for you sire, even if it's the last thing I do. Our revolution will spread worldwide.

But may i ask Sire. Why don't you take down the Giant? You clearly can."

"Indeed... I am more powerful. Many many times more powerful. But I shall not waste my time on... such small task. It is...not of my standards." Of course this wasn't standard based. How would it be of low standard to battle an ancient ill.u.s.tratio towering 30 feet tall? No, he didn't want to do it because of other reasons. Self doubt maybe? We will find out. The Chances of the team finding out more about it before Chan aren't rather slim either.

Slightly being able to notice the lie of Which the King just spoke of. He chose to ignore it. The consequences of simply accusing the king, would be rather deadly. Like most Kings, ego has his heart corrupted. "Of course sire. A foolish question by my side."

"Stop kissing my bottom you fool. You are a Guard Commander. Act up to your… reputation." Now the King was twisting his own words. And even Chan noticed it. His words all changed based on moods. Even changing points of subjects. "You need to find BearClaw and tell her my... orders. She Can be found in Meridionali Ignis. On our... Capital Kingdom. Get her and cut off the toe. Once i can... eat the next Electuses heart, the rest of the world shall tremble beneath our feet. They will tremble... before the ill.u.s.tratios."