Reaching Out, and Having a Break

Ixander then brought the boy to the nearby frontier town of Sankobar. There, Ixander purchased for him some clothes, some food and a shelter on one of the buildings there.

"T-thank you sir!" said Ilbert, whilst hugging Ixander. Ixander patted his head, crouched down, saying "Don't steal anymore, hear that?" said Ixander.

"I won't. But I am afraid sir, that if you look around, there are so many people that are in need of help… and they also do not have a job, nor a clothing, nor anything in mind to help them get by" said Ilbert.

Ixander then looked around, and what the boy was saying was true. There are just too much people that are in need of help. Some are just lying on the streets and are unattended. However, Ixander knew that this is in the middle of the war. He could not possibly risk letting the war go off course with whatever probable plans he have for charity to these men.

Ixander, however, was determined. This war has already put a great toll to Livinia for the past three years. A question in his mind is will the country be able to break the stalemate or Livinia will succumb shortly.

A telegram arrived at the King's palace, stating that a truce has been signed between the Prime Minister of the Kingdom and the Duke-General of Great Alban. The king, upon receiving the message, breathed a sigh of relief.

The Livinian populace does not have any issues with food nor iron at the moment. However, winter will come, and some may not be able to last through the cold.

Coal grew in demand as military officers, and civilians are also trying to get their hands on coal. These moments, Carab also has a surplus in the production of oil, but lacks diversity in food.

The same went with fur. This is a problem for Livinia as they would need to supply fur to their populace or else they will freeze once they go outside during the winter.

Ixander then thought of something. He then thought of the oil surplus in Carab and so, Ixander sent a telegram to the Queen to ask for her assistance in providing oil to Livinia. The Queen, without any second thoughts, sent out caravans after caravans of oil to Livinia.

At the receiving warehouse, Ixander was met with massive barrels of oil sent from Carab in large batches. The amount of oil was so much that seven warehouses were full in just a couple of weeks prior to Saharmia.

Ixander then ordered the distribution of oil in canisters to people and told them to light the wick, which will induce warmth.

"Now, that will solve the issue of warmth in the homes of every Livinian" said Ixander.

Because of the people using oil as a medium of warmth for their homes, a lot of timber was spared from fireplaces. Ixander ordered that these timbers be used to construct soup kitchens and shelter for those marginalized. Many, including women and those who were on the streets, volunteered to build this home for them.

Ixander also ordered that any suplus of food will be given to those needy. The soldiers had mixed feelings on Ixander's pursuit. The soldiers thought that Ixander is becoming halfhearted about the war, whilst other soldiers are awed at his valorous deed.

And now, it built a comfort of emptiness in his heart, knowing that the people are willing to help the needy. The King called onto Ixander. The king also had mixed feelings on the deeds of Ixander, especially when the nobles were annoyed by Ixander's attention to the marginalized, who the nobles call as "useless people".

It was no surprise after all, the nobles are spiteful of the poor. They kick them when they refuse to follow what the noble ordered them to do. Livinian Nobles are no different than any nobles that live upon other realms. For Nobles, Ixander was an upstart, and that his actions will tarnish what the nobles hold as their power and respect especially when they demand such from commoners.

Ixander arrived at the palace, and all the nobles lined before the hall facing the throne had a sour face on them. They saw Ixander with spite and as a meddlesome upstart.

Ixander genuflected before King Stijepan. The King then demanded "Explain your acts on the building of public buildings dedicated to those people in the lower caste."

The nobles nodded in agreement as they throw jeers and insults to Ixander. "You damned upstart! You should have not been here!" said one.

Ixander then pulled out his flintlock, raised it to the roof, aimed at the chandelier and shot the chandelier. The chandelier was shattered to pieces, but it was intact on its placement on the chain which hangs from the ceiling.

Ixander did not shoot the chandelier in anger alone, but also to induce silence. "How narrow is the understanding of the most respected men of the realm" said Ixander.

Ixander added "I heard noble Germahin forcibly hired a woman of lower caste to satisfy his pleasure. As soon as he was tired of that woman, he threw that woman off the streets."

"Wha…TAKE BACK YOUR ACCUSATION!" shouted Germahin whilst charging against Ixander, only to be stopped by guards.

King Stijepan then asked "Do you have any proof of your accusation?"

Ixander snapped his finger, and in comes the evidence. It was a woman who was defiled. She was brought in but not forcibly and she was allowed to walk inside without any opposition. The soldiers in the palace share the sentiment of the commoner, as they were commoners as well before rising among the ranks of being guards at the palace.

The woman, with tattered clothing, went beside Ixander. She was pale, and cold. Ixander then took his coat off and covered the woman with it.

"How is she a proof?" asked King Stijepan.

Ixander then showed everyone the back of the woman. In her skin, the emblem of the noble Germahin is branded at the back, with the word "Skalaf" under the emblem. "Skalaf" means "Slave" in Livinian.

King Stijepan was shocked.

"How can that be used against me then?" said Germahin.

"Have you forgotten the law, Ixander? Is it illegal to own slaves now?" added Germahin.

And it dawned to Ixander. Yes, slavery was still legal in Livinia. Ixander then spoke up and said "Now I know why Livinia is one of the most backward countries, as it has no regard for its fellow Livinian, and treats some of them as slave. I should not have contributed to the success Livinia has right now. I regret this."

Ixander then stood, not asking nor being ordered to stand. It is no question that it is a disrespect, and Ixander intended it.

"Behead me if you want, I will be at my chamber at my shelter. I will not work for a nation where fellow Livinians are enslaved. Good luck with the defenses."

Ixander then left the premises of the hall.

The hall was filled with the other half of the nobles looking down. The other nobles are persuading the king to behead Ixander.

"Your majesty, it was clear that he is a traitor and wants to take your realm over!" said Germahin.

"Monsieur Germahin. Will you be able to take over his position?" asked King Stijepan.

Germahin was taken aback at what the King said "I-I mean, there is Marmaligos, he's a better and manageable gentleman in my opinion."

King Stijepan knew that it is either Ixander or several of his nobles.

Ixander then exiled himself inside his quarters in the room. Afterwards, he then asked his steward Simjen to gather some few materials as he has a canister of oil in his room. It is a perfect time to recreate something from his childhood back when he was in his own world.

He asked for Bandormilum, some wood, and iron. He also asked for some bauxite and few more oil.

He made some molds that would be a perfect fit to the thing he is about to make. He also went to the forge to make the metal very hot and in order for it to be molten. From it, shapes were made. He then assembled some parts of it, making sure it will be cooled once it comes running. He then lubricated some parts for them to be flawlessly working. He shaped some gears from the other molten iron.

He also made chains of iron to act as the serpentine belt of the engine, and another as the tensioner.

With the wood he has, he shaped them into wheels, giving them iron axles. After some working, Ixander has finally finished his creation…which is no other than the engine he made during his childhood.

He sat sighing, then he tried to ignite the engine with a flintlock mechanism he imbued in the engine…and it worked.

The engine was quite bulky, but it was made working. Simjen then saw Ixander make the engine. "Oh my, sir, I never knew you know how to make a steam engine…we thought only Grenavians were able to make engines…Even the Albanese ships are inefficient and slow, and consumes so much iron, and can only go on shallow waters and they are als…"

Ixander however, ignored Simjen and as he looked at the engine…he reminisced memories of his old home. He closed his eyes, he saw their small urban apartment. He also remembered filling it with so much smoke after making the engine. They had to move out because of that. He can clearly remember when they went to finally have their own home not far away from the city.

During the morning, his mom will bring him breakfast when he is ill, and on that breakfast table were western food he likes so much: bacon, eggs, sausages, English muffins…

Ixander then wept while his eyes were closed. Simjen was shocked when he saw Ixander weeping.

"Wh-What's wrong sir? Are not you satisfied with the…with the creation…?" Simjen worryingly asked.

"N-no, it was nothing…" said Ixander.

"Tell me what doesn't satisfy you sir…" said Simjen.

"I…I just remembered a lot of things…" said Ixander.

Suddenly, someone arrived at the shelter of Ixander…

"Who is it?" asked Ixander.