KING OF SWORDS 10-171
The thirty strong men of Yem Yeddo drew their beating staves and started to approach Intra, slavering and yelping at the thought of snapping his legs like dry twigs and the food they would get as a reward after. Intra was a handsome man who did not have the look of a warrior about him, and the men were very stupid. His eyebrows were thin and delicate, like a woman, and he had lashes like a spider lilly. This made the men laugh uproariously at his effeminate appearance.
Intra, for his part, merely took the rock and raised it high. After all the work he had done with it, it had become quite small, dense, and sharp. Then with a flick of his wrist, he skipped the rock off the air so fast that it cracked like a whip. A sound like thunder rippled across the valley.
Intra was extremely good at skipping rocks, as it had become his famous pastime in his sobriety. He could skip rocks off anything, be it god or man. In this particular case, he skipped the rock off the ribcages of all thirty men in half a second. They blew open like an old basket and the wind whistled merrily through the empty and sputtering spaces where their chests had once been.
‘Behold the air,” said Intra.
Or, you can have what’s behind door number 3…
Maybe it’s a boat. We always wanted a boat!
Dear Solomon David, I want a pony and a plastic rocket and send the jerks who cancelled “Firefly” to Hell.
I’ll take one of those with a side of chili fries.
Firefly is over rated. I want those jerks who made the Mass Effect 3 intro level. Seriously why is Shepherd on Earth when she’s a Spector and why do the Reapers attack Earth first instead of the Citideal? You idiots built it specifically to attract the leadership of the galaxy so you could wipe them out all at once.
Those last couple of sentences are going to sound so weird for anyone who hasn’t played the games.
Then just chose the boat
The washer and dryer where the lovely Smithers is standing, or you can trade it all in for Whats in This Box.
On the other hand, between a math and an econ undergrad, Zaid and Allison should have the monty hall problem down pat, or at least have the tricks in mind. It’s interesting to consider that they two come from a universe with little to say bout the art of cutting, but volumes dissecting everything from physiology to metaphysics. I think there is more to be made of the switch into english in this scene, as it draws attention to the fact that everything else has been in translation, and all the wordplay that so much has been made of gets thrown into flux.
Always switch, people are bad at the monty hall problem, remember!
It’s not that people are bad at it. It’s that the problem itself does not offer complete information, and also, that the information it does provide *overtly* is unhelpful to rational decision-making founded upon purely deterministic principles – which most thinkers who rely on epistemologically strict limits on available information (e.g. Occam’s Razor) and do not practice statistical analysis surely also rely upon.
In short, those who do not place their utmost trust in statistics do not have good odds of a favorable outcome in solving the problem.
In short, the Monty Hall problem is easily solved – but the solution’s desirability is essentially up to your philosophical biases.
Only if it’s being generated by the rules given in the mathematical version. If you’re up against actual Monty Hall, he doesn’t need to show you a goat at all, which changes the odds.
you can choose the clockwork universe of relativity with its reality spanning time dimension.
Or the irreducibly unpredictable universe of quantum mechanics where things like reversible time get eaten by quantum noise.
The puzzle was a trick of course and your ability to choose was a mere illusion created by that old liar bad mathematics.
*The mystery prize?*
if you say please very nicely, daddy dearest may even offer some modicum of help
One must consider, at such times, the tremendous cost of Nothing.
Not gonna lie, I am now infatuated with the idea of Intra’s killer lashes
…
Oh and also what he did with that rock. That was pretty cool too.
I am glad to see someone who has their priorities tuned correct-like.
Reach heaven through being grogeous!
Gore-geous?
Grogeous. It is a tall ladder, shadeside, with a helpful naming placard. No one has ever finished the climb.
–It’s a “sure bet” you’ll love your bowl!
In my mind he looks like what Incubus would look like if he was whole.
Intra’s Killer Lashes- An esoteric technique, but stunning both in its beauty and effectiveness. I’ve not experienced much of this martial art but a few glimpses in my travels, but that was enough to leave a lasting impression. The central pillar of this style is trapping the movements of your opponent with the comeliness of your eyes.
When faced with a lowly third level adept I found myself stunned by their “On Fleek” technique. Lucky for me it was only a demonstration. Afterwards they graciously declined my proposal of marriage.
-Musko Reeve, Manual of Hands and Feet
Yes, yes, I know White Chain has to make a cursed genie wish of Solomon David, and that’s very exciting and all, but more importantly… oh no, Intra’s hot!
choosing and wishing are very similar processes
=//=
SOLOMON SEEMS TO EMBODY THE DJINN IN THIS MOMENT
oh, good, maybe she won’t need to kick Zaid’s ass after all
“I could really use some bus fare home.”
Solomon looks kinda pissed. Better word the wish really carefully….
“We wish for these following individuals to be allowed to live, despite any slights or transgressions against His Imperial Mightisomeness, without restriction, punishment or prosecution of them, their next of kin or their worlds of origin, being such allowance eternal and all-encompassing: Allison W. Ruth, Zaid the Creep, 82 White Chain Born in Emptiness Returns To Subdue Evil, Ciocie Cioelle Estrella von Maximus The Third, Nyave Anyadis of Mykos, Princess Jack Moonshine, 10 Vigilant Gaze Purges The Horizon and the Yamga’s resident cat.”
“… Motherfucker.”
“I majored in philosophy. I minored in the LAW OF KINGS, loser.”
“Of course, that is a reasonable request. I promise no harm shall befall them by my hand or anyone under my command. MEN! You are all hereby fired. I might consider re-enlisting your service should you bring me the heads of these people.”
“In fact, since I did not specify WHO would not visit restriction, punishment, or prosecution of them, it stands to reason that ANY who attempts to restrict, punish or prosecute us would have to be actively stopped by the Paternum, what with this condition being eternal and all-encompassing and all. We are actually free, yet under your protection now, Paternum.”
You know what, I’d probably leave the choice to Cio, devils after all are masters at this kind of schtick right?
“Tha can keep thon creep.”
“CIO!!”
“Aye, I should have thought of that sooner.”
“I wish for you to abdicate.”
I was at first dismissive of the idea that the emperor would be angry at White Chains and the rest, as this was all his idea in the first place. This was what he wanted, to find someone worthy. But then I remembered that his sin is pride, and how gracefully the prideful take humiliation.
You know what would be most humiliating to the man who has everything?
To ask for nothing and thus to declare all that he has valueless.
I don’t know why the comments give Solomon so much shade. He’s kept order and his word among the demiurges. He’s ruled his domain with benevolence. He’s full of himself…but rightfully so, come on. The only reason people aren’t rooting for him is because he’s not on our protagonist’s mystery van team.
He’s shook. But I think he’ll honor his word, no games.
The comic did not dwell enough on the sucky side of Solomon’s reign, but I think it reduces to one thing:
No matter what, Solomon David will always be the man on top, forever.
Yes: as an embodiment of Pride, I’d think Solomon would never act against the protagonists directly, because that’d be petty and in essence going against his own word.
So here’s the thing: In some ways, Solomon David isn’t actually proud of himself. Not directly. He’s actually quite humble sometimes, and has to be.
Because what he’s really proud of isn’t himself – it’s the Law.
The Law provides for all. The Law rules all. Obey the precepts of the Law, and you will live in peace and bounty. Disobey but a hair and the Law will ensure that you either return to the Law or leave it forever. The Law is the source of all good, and service to the Law the only worthwhile use of your life.
This you may argue isn’t necessarily a bad thing – after all, living standards ARE increased and people DO live in prosperity generally, and one could do a lot worse, and this is absolutely true.
But the thing is, the Law doesn’t really care about you. What the Law truly cares about is perpetuating itself. It gives you peace and prosperity because it judges that this is the best way to ensure a powerful and stable state to promulgate the Law. If it judged that leaving you in misery was the best way to support the Law, it would do that as well. It will conduct grand, performative generosity with the same dispassionate coldness as it would terrifying, pitiless punishment. There is no room for humanity or choice within the Law – there is only your place. And this applies as much to Solomon David as it does to all the other subjects of the Law.
This is what Solomon David has spent his life working to create. He has decided and declared that the Law is the only source of value in the world, and that he is the sole support without which the Law would collapse. This is the real source of his pride – not in himself as an excellent person, but in his role as the pillar upon which all goodness rests. He is of value only if he serves that which is valuable, and the fact that it was his own creation matters not. These twin beliefs are the rock upon which Solomon’s psyche rests.
Now one thing has happened to cause a crack in those pillars. The Law is the source of all good, and the entire purpose of this tournament was to offer the winner a chance to seize some portion of this Law, some of its value. The fact that so many would brave death to try and take of the Law was proof of its very value, and Solomon’s defeat of them all proof of his indispensability. But now he has been defeated…and yet not as he should have been. It is not the clear cut victory that the Law required, and yet he has seen those who the Law provided for cheer as though it was regardless. They do not regard him as indispensable. They do not value the Law as he does. They do not see him as the unshakable pillar upon which all rests. If he attempted to enforce the Law as it was, those upon whom the Law rests would overturn it. This no doubt troubles him and his entire world view.
Yet the Law continues. White Chain has won, more or less, and now she has the right to share of the Law’s bounty. If she were to partake, as is but right and proper, then she would be reinforcing the value of the Law and reinforcing Solomon’s belief that it was all worthwhile, that even if the other foundation of the world has wobbled still that which he devoted his life to is worth the devotion.
But what would happen if White Chain refused to partake? What would happen if she refused the bounty of the Law? What would happen, in essence, if she implicitly declared that the Law held nothing she wanted?
I’m not saying that Solomon DESERVES to have this happen to him, or that White Chain inevitably will do this. But the sparks that fly from such would be real interesting to see.
That’s not all, though. The Law, as mentioned, is all-encompassing, and Solomon is not excluded from this. His actions, even his emotions, are dictated by the Law. Solomon David must be the all-wise, all-just, all-giving, all-powerful pillar of the Law. Solomon David cannot throw a temper tantrum over his defeat. Solomon David cannot cry in despair and frustration. Solomon David cannot do a silly dance of celebration. Solomon David cannot cast aside his responsibilities for a torrid romance with a serving girl. Solomon David can only be, act, and feel as the Law requires him to be: The perfect emperor.
So here then is an interesting question: What boon would Solomon David give Solomon David, if the Law permitted it of him?
Expertly put.
… Oh, so he’s the dark version of Samuel Vimes.
It gets hard to tell given the slow storytelling nature of webcomics that come out one page at a time, but in-context Solomon David murdered hundreds of people with his bare hands literally yesterday
It was less “murder” and more “You knew exactly what you were getting into when you entered the ring, because you signed all of those forms.”
Well. More akin to Solomon David declaring “You knew exactly what you were getting into when you entered the ring, because you signed all of those forms.” and then deciding to murder them. It was, in the end, his decision to kill those who could never hope to touch him. However much they believed they could.
He did give them the option to walk away, and be richly rewarded for it.
Also, the tournament is a regular thing, unless I’m badly misremembering. Everyone knows by now that Solomon David does not lose.
While perhaps no one truly knew he could instakill an entire crowd, I find it hard to credit the idea that those killed didn’t enter the contest with their eyes open.
DID the people who ran even get away, though? Was their successful escape clearly shown? They were TRYING to run, but he may have killed ALL of them.
Solomon killed only those who took up arms against him. The folks who fled or who kneeled in place were left untouched. That’s in the comic right after.
https://killsixbilliondemons.com/comic/king-of-swords-10-137/
Thanks, I see where I missed it, my mistake.
He explicitly told them that all who did not attack would win more or less a very hefty consolation prize. In top of that, this whole tournament has no rule against killing your opponent. Every person he fragged in that scene knew that they could die for taking what ammounts to a potshot at him, each betting on the idea that he couldn’t stop them all.
glad to see everyone show up and assert that wholesale slaughter is acceptable as long as the proper forms have been filled out
it turns out the gods and kings of old were all correct and murder is a valid means to an end, especially such a righteous end as bloodsport
Generally wholesale slaughter is not done with the consent of the participants.
Plus the fact that they are attacking him makes it self-defence.
If a small child hits you with tiny a spoon, is killing them really self defense? Because to Solomon David these people were very small and their spoons very, very tiny.
Who is being paternalistic and infantilizing adult sapient beings now?
“For none of this to have ever happened.” Unlikely, but what a twist!
Reunited, it must feel so…so good.
Intra is SAVAGE
If you not savage , you average ! 😛
You broke it, you bought it.
I’m hopeful our intrepid heroes can make two good choices. Gosh this situation suddenly seems full of hazard. Not quite as fraught as when Paris had to decide whether Hera, Athena or Aphrodite was the most beautiful, but close ! I hear the “Danger Gong” going off !
Look at the scowl on Emperor Solomon’s face !
( Or is that my imagination ? ! )
Oh MUST mention how I love the scene of Allison picking up her erstwhile prince charming. A fun role-reversal !
“Alli – How you’ve changed !”
“Z – you’ve no idea !”
Lord Intra murdering dudes by skipping rocks is the chaotic eight year old energy I wish to reclaim.
Heavy tome like autumn leaf
Holds the secret words to grief.
The bowling job was no relief
There you are, Rhyming Wax Head!
As I clambered my way towards the present page of this comic, I found myself repeatedly pausing to find each and every example of your mirrored musings… Your words grew to be just as important as the pictures the were posted under!
Thank you for making my journey here all the more enjoyable, you strange, candled cranium!
“Someone has to” is a perfectly fine stated motivation if you can wring a fun and violent quest out of it.
You would be surprised how many great things can be done with only those words.
It is more than a bit sad that the default of humanity seems to be “I don’t have to”
Solomon: “Make your choice, so I can hang you it.”
Allison: “Quit your job.”
Solomon: “Dammit.”
If he quits, he might consider himself no longer beholden to his own laws and go on a vindictive rampage anyway (?)
If he quits, those who rise to take his place will be much nastier and much less restrained.
“the King of Swords must cast aside his blade and let his burden be taken by another. He that masters the wheel cannot break it.”
Intra throws a rock. M-M-M-M-MULTIKILL!
Zaid being decent is neat, sure. And Intra it’s pretty bad ass I guess.
But clearly the real star of the show here is Allison’s bicep bulge.
oh absolutely, it goes without saying tbh
I expected Intra to chuck the rock at the big boss at the start of it but tbis is way more badass.
Also I am glad not to be in their shoes, the pressure of choosing something, anything of that magnitute would be crushing.
The greatest rebellion in this situation would be to choose without thought. And I, personally, find that to be exceptionally easy~
As one for whom English isn’t a native language, I ask humbly to clarify what exactly “skip off” means in this context. All meanings in vocabulary seem quite irrelevant for the case.
Yet anyway, Intra’s still great, and the page is once more ominous.
To “skip off” as in to bounce from one location to the next, like when someone skips a stone across a lake. Although in this case, instead of a lake its a series of ribcages.
Imagine, if it helps, a fancy shot with a pool/billiard ball that strikes – and sinks – all the other balls on the table.
It is this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYxBTFzqREw
But instead of bouncing on water, it bounces on (and through) peoples bodies.
A good response would be to say that he has nothing they desire and can provide nothing they can not take, and then leave.
He will grant one boon. His pride won’t let him do it justly. All his pretense will be swept away.
The king is falling. He will crush mountains below him.
On the contrary: his pride won’t let him resort to petty trickery when delivering on his own promise.
A god might be slapped; but a god might not renege on his own word.
What on earth makes you say that? He’s not some cheap comic book villain you know. Or have you not actually been paying attention to the story at all?
More boons, always ask for more boons.
The other shoe is now accelerating through deep space, in preparation for it dropping via atmospheric re-entry.
“I wish that Solomon David has a good rest of the day. :)”
Perhaps the request would be to train Allison…?
I’m thinking, “Give me the heir to King Zoss.” Getting Zaid fulfills White Chain’s secret mission (and Allison’s not secret mission). That is, if she’s still down with 2 Michael’s plan.
Although, asking for Ki Rata training would probably be the one thing that pisses him off the most, so that could be a fun choice. Would need another time skip to get it done and then there would be very little challenge left if you can just use “Total Life Obliteration” every time you’re in a tough spot.
A future boon. Some time in the future, she’s gonna need help, and having what is basically a fight-god as a deus ex machina would be nice.
I don’t know how to properly frame my satisfaction and intrigue at the current events, so simply know that I am most satisfied and very intrigued.
Heh, there’s ALWAYS the caveat of ‘Be careful what you wish for’, though I suspect that there’s more of a side of ‘Just don’t piss him off’ than ‘be careful of the capricious djinn’.
So the rules have changed yet again. He declared the contest over, all having lost for one reason or another. He then declares everyone eligible for another round. Then White Chain wins her battle, though not technically according to the stated rules. I guess it shouldn’t be any surprise for him to declare Allison victorious at this point, though whether he means her alone, or her entire group, isn’t particularly clear. The law he is so proud of is corrupt in the end.
The half-blind apostle does not appear to be looking at Allison in panel 6. Solomon David has already made it apparent that he thinks little of her.
On the contrary, when Solomon thought he had beaten White Chain didn’t he say that he wanted to meet her white haired friend?
But of course. She’s an incredible threat to his power.
The first rule change was because he saw right through agogs fixing of the tourney brackets, and decided to simply annul the situation, while ensuring fair play amongst the participants.
Also corrupt is the entirely wrong world, soft is more fitting, since he gave into peer pressure.
If he can change the law on a whim, then the law cannot bind him. He pretends that the law serves the people, and that he serves the law, but it all serves him alone.
I wonder if the choice or at least the wording should be left to Cio? Devils are the masters of this kind of schtick (twisting wishes to suit their purposes) after all aren’t they? Especially an ex-ebon devil.
yep, i can see this turning into a monkeys paw situation REAL fast
Anybody else notice that Yem Yeddo sounds suspiciously like Yemmod? The guy Salami Dave took the Diamond key from? Deep lore???
Well wouldn’t good plea be to free Zaid and sent him back to Earth?
Inject this Intra story directly into my veins. Now that the main story of this book is wrapping up, I’m obsessed with Intra.
Fealty ended to the Conquering King, Kill Six Billion Demons. Now Intra, King of Swords and Spider Lilly Eyelashes, is my liege.
While we all ponder the precise and careful wording of asking a boon from a (quite possibly churlish) God Emperor…let us think sideways in reflection on Lord Intra, shortly before his slaying of thirty men in a single heartbeat:
When producing his much battered and ill-kept sword, spake he of the blade: “I no longer use this to kill men.”
One wonders if Yem Yeddo appreciated the semantics enough to note that Lord Intra did not, in anyway, claim *that he no longer kills men*
“Here is my sword,” said Intra. “Your semiotics cannot contain it. Its blade is made of gloaming steel, look how it whispers!”
“But Lord Intra,” said the assembled, “You have no sword!”
“So it is,” said Intra.
I would be completely fine with the entire last book diverging from the rest of the webcomic like the Evangelion anime.
Except it becomes a Harem manga for Alison dating her entire crew. also they start a band and destroy the multiverse as-we-know-it with the power of friendship
And the power of ROCK
Rock beats ribcage
Every straight forward wish would lead to an unsatisfying resolution. Every tricky wish would probably blow up in their face.
I just know this wish can’t solve too much too quickly for our crew.
Simply ask him to disappear, be forgotten, and leave no legacy.
His entire empire will be eaten alive if he did that. Such an act would condemn every world under his rule to a violent and cruel fate.
I’m getting the feeling that the wish is going to be related to SD himself. Like, “be honest” or “rethink your methods” or something along those lines. Allison and Co have reached the conclusion that they can’t do it all on their own, so letting SD on the concept of changing oneself and accepting your flaws would feel in character.
Also not asking anything for their sake out of him furthers the point he has nothing to give them, regardless of his power.
Solomon David seems desperate for having his farce of order complete, and that farce includes a winner, and a prize. The system must be maintained. Full. Sterile.
It is probably very important their decision.
They have a wish … but do they need one? Does SD have anything to give that they actually need?
They don’t need his empire, that’s just a drag. They don’t want any official position in the empire.
They want the whole party to leave, but Allison can just take them away by division, no wish needed.
The want to sort out their feelings and relationship, but SD has nothing to contribute there.
They want Jagganoth not to destroy the world, but SD doing what he’s already doing anyway is the best way to delay that and to buy time.
They need the angelic concordance and the other demiurges to lay off while they sort themselves out. Can SD help with that? Should they be asking for his protection?
Ah.
They should ask for Solomon’s *friendship*. Bet he’d go a long way to help his friends, if he had any. Best aid in a hostile world.
Friends is the one thing Dave doesn’t have.
Technically, they already have lands, wealth, and titles in the celestial empire ’cause of the bonus round. No real need to wish for the whole thing.
That is one hell of a study heel on those shoes Allison is wearing.
No, you can clearly see that those who did as he said – stayed still – were left entirely unharmed. It’s on KING OF SWORDS 10-137. Whether or not they were actually given the rewards he promised is another matter, but they weren’t killed in the bloodbath.
well this is in the wrong thread entirely
“…I need ’bout 3 fiddy”
OK, wrong thread sure, but that does not diminish the accuracy of your observation.
@ 16 Abiding Lantern — Hell, I just did the same thing! Unintentional irony.
>:(
Intra : “And for our next trick we need volunteers with murderous intent”
“And thank you for your participation!”
More Wishes! Always ask for more wishes.
“Request your boon and get the fuck out of my domain.”
Imagine how fucking funny it would be to run through the competition, fight this hard, and be the first person to ever win against Saucyman D JUST to ask him to magic up a third sun.
Pretty sure ‘getting the fuck out of his domain’ is the only right wish with that display he’s got going.
Oh man, Allison’s biceps when she pick’s up Zaid! Is he ever going to get pegged.
I think she’s more interested in infernal seafood at this point, not sausage.
It occurs to me that if one constantly-reincarnated angel, already weary from an entire tournament, can get a hit on Solomon David…then any of the higher-level angels could obliterate the most of the rest of the Seven if they really wanted to.
And I would put even money on a fight between Juggernaut and Jagganoth.
Don’t forget that the Seven are disciples of the Conquering King, and you well remember what he did to the angels. Had the angels stood any chance against the Demiurges, I doubt the Universal War would have happened.
One constantly reincarnated angel, yes. An angel that consistently enters into combat-heavy situations, to a point where she likely has significantly more experience than the vast majority of her brothers, and unlike them has not lost her “edge”. She still struggled to actually do anything to him, only managing to make a small bruise, and that only because he was toying around with her.
Make no mistake. If you put quite literally every single angel we’ve seen in this comic (Prime Angels not included) on one side of an arena, and put Solomon David on the other side, then if Dave actually took them seriously then I doubt it would take him more than a minute to completely pulverize their bodies, and the only harm that would come onto him would be from their bodies exploding, if said explosions manage to hit him at all.
As for Jagganoth? Hah! All the other demiurges working together could not so much as put a scratch on Jagganoth. That monster is nigh-invincible. Of course, he likely has a weakness, although we don’t know it yet. Allison will certainly have to exploit that, whatever it is.
We don’t know what happened to White Chain, but it definitely isn’t typical angel behavior. Aside from Metatron, even the Prime Angels are only a little stronger than the devils of the Heretic’s Court. Even the weakest demiurges are a step above them, and Solomon David is one of the stronger demiurges.
Intra’s a demigod tier troll.
Generally wholesale slaughter is not done with the consent of the participants.
Plus the fact that they are attacking him makes it self-defence.
Due to a series of errors, this comment is in the wrong place. Since I can’t delete it, please ignore it.
Intra is a Sword God, he didn’t insert himself into the situation if he wasn’t going to turn 30 men into ghosts.
To quote the legendary Commissar Holt: “Choose your next words with EXCEPTIONAL care.”
“His life.”
I think she’s going to ask him to join her team and train her to fight the other demiurges, it just makes the most sense.
Nick Fury, please report to Avengers’ Administrative offices. Your eyepatch has been found.
And the boon will be FRIENDSHIP.
Actually, I’m surprised Solomon David acepted White Chain’s victory, since she DIDN’T fulfill the stated condition: she didn’t draw even one drop of blood from him. When she touched him, her stone shell was already destroyed. She touched his skin with her true body: a white, extremely cold flame. The resulting wound on his cheek looked like nothing so much as a burn, which is exactly what extreme cold does to skin. The veins were cauterized by freezing cold, just like by burning heath, and no blood was draw. Sure, it’s a matter of details, but Solomon David’s bureaucratic empire is all about such details. So I’m surprised he accepted her victory.
Secondly, he now wants her to choose her prize before she leaves the ring. A condition that was never mentioned before. It might just mean he’s a bad loser, but looking at him these last few pages I get the feeling he’s suddenly no longer interested in the whole tournament anymore.
Thirdly, he told White Chain:”Today I’ve learned something.” What could that be?His entire shtick is Pride, but not just the pride of being an unbeatable fighter. The defininf moment in SD’s life was the murder of his family, the wife and daughters he was supposed to protect and couldn’t. I see his entire empire as an attempt to create a place where people would be safe. His title ‘Paternum’ is particularly meaningful here: it implies that he sees himself as a wise, loving, father to his people, and his people as his loving, obedient children. When he was defeated, Gog-Agog exulted inhis humiliation, but I don’t think she realized what hurt him the most. Inhis own mind, he always was the Hero of his people, their Champion, protecting them from all their enemies. They loved him – or so he thought. But when your beloved champion is unexpectedly defeated, the reaction you’d expect would be stunned silence, or angry booing. NOT sontaneous applause for his opponent! There was one panel a few pages back, where Solomon David was shown very small, with members of the audience who looked strangely grotesque, discolored and far too big. Abaddon’s art is normally quite realistic, so I think that picture had special meaning. IMHO, that’s how the audience looked to Solomon David at that moment. He had just been defeated, if barely, and his people were HAPPY about it! I think that at that moment he realized his entire image of himself as the beloved hero was false. His peole don’t love him: they RESENT him. No wonder he treats the rest of the tournament (White Chain’s prize) as something he wants to get over with as soon as possible: he’s got much more important things on his mind. If a diamond is hit at precisely the right spot it may shatter. SD certainly looks shattered…
When White Chain made the crowd cheer for her, she squeezed blood from his heart.
They forgot rule one “Do not act incautiously when confronting a little bald wrinkly smiling man” – or in this case, a man who seems extremely unconcerned in the face of physical danger.
Intra must be royal, he was able to produce a continuous cutting motion from a single throw.
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