Chapter 38 - High-King's Favor

Max and Maverick cycled for a while, obtaining level 5 in (lesser) Quartz-level Cultivation. When Max woke up in the morning, they were level 7. This of course resulted in endless boast by Maverick, a flame of passion Max realized, which could not be quelled by weary praise. Thankfully it had waned by the time Durum came to them.

The king was notably surprised by Max’s gun suddenly turning sentient. The three of them had a discussion about it. At the end of the discussion Durum was very pensive and clearly annoyed. He seemed to agree with Max that [The Maverick] had turned out too sentient for his tastes.

Unfortunately Durum couldn’t provide much useful information regarding their situation, but he was quite pleased with the speed at which Max had acquired levels in Cultivation.

Afterwards they went over what Max needed to say when he was to testify at the trial that was soon starting. Max didn’t feel particularly nervous about the whole ordeal, as it didn’t affect his life all that much. Regardless, screw the High-King and huzzah for Durum. So Max would help him.

For most of the trial Max just stood and waited. He was called to speak twice, and magical amulets forged to communicate with Max were given to the five kings and the adjutants who were in charge of the trial as lawyers. Max said his lines and kept his mouth mostly shut when the High-King’s representative tried to bully him into giving flustered answers. When the sentencing was carried out, the High-King’s glare at Max could have melted lava. He was to step down from his place as the High-King until deemed worthy again. Max was personally aghast that the former High-King was not stripped of his estates and status completely. When he suggested this to Fulgrum who sat next to Max during the proceedings, the aide looked at Max like the human had completely lost his mind. To strip a king of all his possessions was a punishment so severe, there was no crime so vile to justify it.

Afterwards the court voted for the next High-King. For his success in the ruins and seemingly deft politicking, Durum was chosen as the new High-King. His grin shone like a hundred suns across the room. He swore an oath to only steal from the government as much as he deemed just, and not an ounce more.

Max ate and drank his fill during the feast that followed. The party started so fast after the proceedings, that Max had a sneaking suspicion it had all been theatrics, and the arrangements had already been made ahead of time.

Max didn’t care. He was seated at a place of honor on a long, beautiful table on top of the dais of the thrones. Many ugly looks were cast at him, presumably from the supporters of the former High-King.

The gross wine tasted like victory none the less. The food of the dwarves wasn’t exactly to his palate, but the new Max of the planet Alpha Ludus would eat his piehole full every time the chance presented itself. This was not a place to be a picky eater.

[The Maverick] had been quiet for most of the time, only deigning to comment if he found something insightful to say. Max suspected he didn’t like Durum and the feeling seemed to be mutual.

Despite the explosive entrance his companion had made when he had become conscious, it appeared he could sit quiet and still too. 

That was definitely a point in the gun’s favor. But while the gun was quiet, he was sometimes also just… Not there. Maverick had claimed he did not sleep, but Max could sense his soul and intermittently it was as still as a pond. Max wondered about that.

Max also noticed he could feel Maverick cycling Spiritual Energy from time to time. In fact, ever since yesterday, his sense of Spiritual Energy and most importantly the bond between Maverick and him had strengthened.

He could not sense Maverick’s thoughts like apparently the gun could for some reason, but he could feel his presence and Max had an instinctive feel for when an emotion was evoked in Maverick and he could tell the second the gun would say something it thought was clever.

Leveled up Quartz-level Cultivator (lesser) to 8

+1 free attribute point

Eventually High-King Durum came to him. The revelations and excited babble of the court died down as they had another royal spectacle to observe.

“Max,” He said in a voice more deep and resonant than before, as if he had suddenly found more confidence with his higher status. He spread his arms and gave a dignified bow to Max. Max wiped his mouth, got up and bowed.

“My liege, High-King,” Max said in his most courtly manner. Hearing his new title clearly pleased the king. Durum touched his new crown made of that strange electric metal almost unconsciously.

“You have proven yourself an ally most valuable,” Durum said. Max bowed again. “I am a just king, and I will reward you handsomely. What would you have Max? Ask and if it is in my power within reason, I will give it to you.”

“Might I ask two things, honored High-King?” Max asked, his head still bowed.

Durum stared at him for half a blink, before bursting out into laughter. Next to him Fulgrum translated to the crowd what Max had said and they roared in laughter just the same.

“Max,” Durum said, smiling at him. “I name you dwarfmind. You are an honorary member of my people now. You have our endless greed and we respect that. What are these two things you want?”

“First thing,” Max said and bowed to the court and then the High-King again. “I thank you for the title dwarfmind. My avarice can never be as deep and true as yours, but you do me great honor.”

This was translated and the crowd clapped.

“As my first reward,” Max continued. “I would ask you to teach me more of the ways of Cultivation if you can spare the resources and time as a High-King. You are wise and I have much to learn from you.”

Durum was pleased by this request. It was a public endorsement of his prowess in Cultivation as well as a reminder that they had recovered something valuable in the ruins.

“Indeed we have recovered many of the secrets of our ancestors from the successful delve of the ruins!” Durum announced to the court. They cheered. “My people are going through books recovered, and another expedition is being planned to recover what was lost. This will usher a new golden age! WE WILL BE RICHER THAN WE COULD HAVE IMAGINED!”

The crowd roared. Max smiled to himself when he looked at the pure pleasure on Durum’s face as he waved a hand so stacked with glittering rings that it would sprain a wrist. The next favor Max was about to ask was a big one, but he was sure if there ever was a time to ask it, it was right this day, right this moment.

Eventually the applause calmed down and Durum turned back to Max. “And what would be the second favor you had in mind, dwarfmind?

“I’m glad you asked,” Max said and smiled.