Chapter 65: 68. Authority is Cruel Part 10

"That's the 33rd divinity?" Ajax asks. Angelidis and Prisca nod slowly as they watch the remaining pieces of the statue appear out of thin air. The last bits of her fingers appear, perfectly sculpted. The brush-like Galea mohawk of her helmet slowly finishes forming. Within a few minutes, it will be done.

A monument of resentment and despair to any demihuman who lays eyes on it. Its shining brilliance only feeds the protesters’ frustrations. 

"Fuck. So he’s fully involved. He must be their main backer." Sigvor grit her teeth.

"Who?" Angelidis asks. Shaula is also curious who Sigvor believes it could be.

"Who else? The fucking Baron."

"*Sigh*.Think about it, Jelli. What does that statue look like it's made of? It's crystal. Did you notice how the smell in the air changed?" Dzan asks. Of course, very few people among this crowd noticed the slight change in scent. Dzan's nose is far keener than even his fellow beastkin.

Other than him, only Shaula and Ajax noticed it. Shaula pieces together what Dzan is talking about. The crystal mage had built that statue by gathering all the statue marchers into an array and feeding their mana into his own circuit. This resulted in the construction of a crystal statue of the 33rd divinity.

But, the statue was conjured out of thin air, no materials were visible.

The crystal of the statue has to be diamond. That mage must have robbed the air of any carbon by breaking down carbon dioxide to form the massive diamond lattice structure. How much carbon did he take out of the air? If they had carbon sequestration techniques like this on earth, then… wow. He didn't even make it hollow! He could have easily made it hollow too! 

Shaula's mind races considering the implications of magic growing diamond as if it were nothing more than a sugar crystal. She is aware that diamonds are difficult to form naturally. Even on Earth, natural diamonds are not made near the surface. Chunks of carbon are compressed enough to form diamonds near the very core of the planet. It takes a lot of time for those diamond chunks to reach the surface. But, to see a diamond statue form just from thin air. Magic isn't just a gimmick…

Meanwhile Ajax thinks about how advanced chemistry is in this world. The magicians of the federation were able to figure out that diamond is made of the same carbon that floats in the air as carbon dioxide. He would have thought that science would fail in many aspects due to magic existing.

This place is more intricate than I thought…

"There is no way that a crystal mage of this caliber is unrelated to the Baron at all. For all we know, it could be his teacher, disciple, family member… it could even be the Baron himself under that mask." Prisca comments.

"Wait, yeah, that could actually explain why there are such a number of city guards here." Sito comments. He and Cel were carefully listening to this conversation. They have been taught by someone who they respect to always learn how things really work.

Their cause can be fulfilled by nothing short of distilled diligence. If it wasn't leaving a paper trail that could be seized by the guards, they'd write down their observations right this minute if they could.

"It's obvious they want everyone to know that the Baron is on their side as well without him having to confirm one way or the other. I bet you'll have some fucking oafs say 'oh, just because the guy who built the statue uses crystal magic, you think the Baron is involved!?' Don't you just fucking hate how the future becomes so predictable here?" Dzan mumbles this to Angelidis and Sigvor with a face twisting in annoyance.

Suddenly, Shaula hears Prisca's heartbeat shoot up in pace. She looks over at her and realizes that she is looking behind her to the right, not at the statue in front of her. Prisca taps Cel and Sito's arms to direct them to the area where she is looking.

The way their expressions change so drastically is amusing to Shaula. She tries to follow their gaze, but doesn't notice who they are watching. Whoever they're looking at is blending well among the crowd. She decides to eavesdrop a little on their conversation.

[Why is he here? Why would he show up here, Prisca!?] Cel asks in alarm and excitement.

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[Look, just calm down, ok. Breathe, that goes for the both of you. Don't panic.] Sito says. He's trying to play it cool, but Shaula can tell that his rapid heartbeat makes it sound like he's running a hundred meter dash rather than standing around and talking.

[Should we go over and greet him?] Prisca asks. She wasn't even this nervous when Shaula, Ajax and Angelidis had confronted her. Who could she be talking about?

[He always told us never to approach him in public. Oh no, what if he's going to give a speech or something here? Wouldn't this be the perfect place?] Sito asks, immediately dropping his calm facade.

[He wouldn't… He's always told us never to openly preach the faith in public!] Cel tries to reason but Prisca nods her head.

[He's a good orator. He can make a name for our faith through that alone. With what Enezies is doing with organizing the alchemical factory workers, this might be a good stage for him to say something to get everyone out of their daze. This is the best time too, not too many other humans have joined the march so far. Closer to sundown, the square will start filling up.] Prisca offers a reason and a bit of foreboding.

Shaula signals to Ajax discreetly, using sign language.

{Did you hear all that?} She asks.

{...who do you think it is? I don't see anyone prominent around where they were looking.}

Shaula smiles a bit.

{Someone inconspicuous would be the best for the leader of an underground organization. And… honestly, these guys sound like they're working for good things. I hope, at least, but I doubt they’re doing anything really shady… Well, not that I could know for sure without checking their church out. For now, let's…}

Ajax stares in the direction that Prisca, Cel and Sito were staring. Shaula notices someone standing on something to bring himself above the height of the crowd. He is a tall man with white hair. They zoom in on his face. He looks to be in his late forties. His white hair however is strange, upon closer inspection.

{He’s a draconid. Is he the leader?} Shaula asks. Ajax tenses up.

{Someone near him is using a magic spell on him.}

The man seems to be aware of the spell as the magic user out of view moves his (her?) hand across his neck and mouth. The hand is glowing just slightly, enough for both Ajax and Shaula to pick up on it. The man clears his throat.

"Ahem." Everyone in the protester crowds turns to face him.

"Ah good, the sound magic is working." He speaks, his voice amplified across most of Maz square. Even the guards look over towards him. The marchers do not turn just yet, their statue is about to be completed. It would not be good to lose focus now.

Ajax and Shaula continue staring at the man. They wonder what he is here for.

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