Kill Six Billion Demons IV: “King of Swords” (part one)

I think that was a long enough breather. It's time to climb back onto my main project and resume Kill Six Billion Demons. Book three ended with a pretty dramatic game change. At least two (and probably more) of the Black Kings are now at war, changing the status quo of the entire multiverse and placing hundreds of inhabited worlds in direct jeopardy. Incubus' attempt to take over Killy's mind failed, but thanks to Mottom's reckless actions he may end up getting the conditions he was hoping to create anyway. White Chain is going to start training Killy in Angel Kung Fu, which she's decided that she should be able to master despite being human on account of her acclimation to the Masterkey and its now-reflexive safeguarding of her body.

As for the next mission...well, aside from some indications that Killy might be making a return visit to her homeworld, the hot potato that is Zaid appears to have been tossed from Mammon's custody to Solomon David's. The late Reverend Mother of the Count said that Zaid was "sold at fair price," and I suspect what she meant by that is that she paid Solomon to take him off their hands. Too bad she didn't do it a little sooner, or advertise it a little better; if she had, Mottom might have come crashing through the wall of Solomon's living room instead of Mammon's.

So, I guess Solomon David is going to be the main antagonist of this book. The cover image certainly supports that inference.

I'd think that Solomon David is the titular sword king, especially going by the visuals here, but we already know that Incubus is the guy with the title "sword-king of the middle army," so I'm guessing there will be multiple meanings to this. Also, all three of the previous book titles applied to Killy moreso than anyone or anything else, and that'll probably continue to hold true. Anyway, other details!

From what we've seen and heard of him so far, Solomon David - the purple-skinned Mesopotamian looking fellow looming in the background - calls his seventh of the cosmos the Celestial Empire. It's also been hinted that he, uniquely among the Black Seven, has avoided falling into pure cynicism, and still believes himself to be a force for good. Whether or not he actually IS any better than the other six, of course, remains to be seen; the framing so far suggests that he probably isn't. It also has yet to be explained whether he's named after the biblical Shlomo ben David, or if his name was learned by ancient Levantine mystics who named one of their own kings after him.

The leading trio all have new looks, and I like the looks of all three of them. In particular, I'm pretty sure that White Chain - in addition to wearing Nyave's present - has a helmet shaped completely different from before. Does this mean that she's finally going to get resleeved? I hope so, her old avatar has got to be held together by spit and prayers after how much punishment it's taken. Part of me was hoping that she'd end up having to steal a Thorn Knight model and irritably spend the rest of the story as a ridiculous heavy metal concert prop, but hey, there's another book after this one, it could still happen! Killy and Cio are looking nice too.

The other figure on the bottom left looks like Gog-Magog, who we also met briefly in the evil council scene at the end of book one. I mostly remember her getting her face blasted off by Mottom for being annoying, and her regenerating it out of worms. Looks like she might be a secondary antagonist this time around. Or perhaps it'll be a switcheroo like it did with Incubus and Mammon in the previous book, and Gog-Magog turns out to be the main villain this time with Solomon being the red herring. We shall see.

Anyway, King of Swords. Another Tarot card, associated with police, judges, and laws. Sounds like this one might be angel focused again, on top of whatever this new pair of demiurgi bring to the table. Begin!


Unlike the previous volumes, this one starts off with a villain POV. We open on Solomon David's throne room, where he presides over a small army of councilers and advisors.

Interesting mix of aesthetics he's got going on here. My first thought for the architecture would obviously be Greek or Roman, but those square, wall-hugging columns and recessed floors look more Egyptian, or maybe Iranian. The outfits also look like some flavor of Roman or immediately post-Roman, but Solomon's style of beard is 100% Mesopotamian. To be fair, Mottom and Mammon's palaces also had mixed historical influences, but I don't think either of them were quite as blended as this. They were more compartmentalized.

To the artist's credit, the mixture manages to look very natural. Like this could authentically be a scene from an alternate earth civilization that happens to bear passing resemblances to a few historical aesthetic styles from OTL.

Anyway, Solomon has his intel ministers share the latest war updates. So far, they report, the war between Mammon's empire and Mottom's has kept to a low smoulder after the initial handful of big clashes on Throne, but it's not going to stay this way for long. The Grand Bank has been using this time to bounce back from its treasury losses by opening up its exotic resource stockpiles, and using that wealth to gather a huge army of mercenaries from across the multiverse. Meanwhile, Mottom has well and truly put the lie to her claim of being powerless before her nobles; she's nationalized the major guilds and companies of her empire, reassimilated most of the Keys that she'd lent out to vatras, and violently purged all the nobles who complained and had them replaced with army officers.

In short, both sides are taking the time build their strength before really going at it. And, it's implied, several other Black Kings might be waiting for them to do so before swooping in and trying to take advantage of the situation. This could get very bad very quickly. Solomon's Celestial Empire is doing it's best to stay neutral, but several of its Throne gates are right between those of Mottom and Mammon. For now, Solomon's generals are just massively reinforcing their Throneside garrisons and hoping that the belligerents decide it's less trouble to go around them than through them.

Also, we learn that the provinces of the Celestial Empire are called "satraps," a specifically Iranian term. And also that Solomon's councillors address him as "Paternum," which is extremely Roman. Combined with his Hebrew name, I'm getting the impression that the historical inspiration is "a mix of everyone who ever had a major presence in the BC Eastern Mediterranean." Works for me!

After hearing this dire report, Solomon decides that he'd best make one last attempt at getting the others to deescalate. He's going to call another conclave of the demiurgi, and hope that Mottom and Mammon (or...whoever is running Mammon's empire now that the old high priestess is dead) will show up to it.

Well, he definitely seems like the sanest of the Black Kings we've met so far, regardless of whether or not he's the best intentioned.

One of the councilers tries to raise the subject of the line of succession, in case the negotiations fail and Solomon is forced into a battle he may fall in, and Solomon nips that right the fuck in the bud. Heh, about what I expected. That same councillor then asks if Solomon is sure it's wise to continue the big "Circle of Strength" tournament on schedule when they should be focusing on foreign policy. Solomon says that so far, there's no reason to cancel the tournament; they can always cancel it later if the situation calls for it, after all. And, even in this tumultuous time, Solomon says that the rules of the tournament will be as always before; any being who manages to spill a single drop of Solomon's blood in single combat will be granted a wish, whatever they desire, so long as it is within Solomon's power to grant. Up to and including his Keys and crown.

...

Ah, I see, so that's going to be the initial plot for this volume. Killy enters the tournament and tries to use the Angel Krav Maga she's been learning to beat Solomon in a fite and make him release Zaid (or to give her his empire, which currently includes Zaid). Got it.

...

Solomon's answer, and his reminding them that the tournament will remain the only method of succession he's willing to consider, launches some of the councillors into a veritable fit of petulance. To which Solomon responds thus:

HUH. I guess "paternum" isn't just an honorific, he's literally their father. The council is made up of his own princes.

It did seem strange to me that his high councillors all seemed to be from the same ethnic group while the retinues of the other Black Kings are more diverse. I guess that explains that, then.

Hmm. That also makes me wonder what Solomon's immortality method is, since the comic is calling a lot of attention to his sons not sharing his eternal youth. He *looks* like he's in better physical health than most of the others, but we know from Mottom's example that appearances can be very, very deceiving with the demiurgi.

...also, none of his daughters seem to be on the council. I guess he's just a super misogynist or something? That would definitely fit his sort of pseudo-Iron Age vibe. Whether this is a personal hangup of Solomon's, or just a failing of his original native society that he never bothered to scrutinize, we'll likely learn soon enough. Given K6BD's big focus on gender issues, it's a sure bet that this will be addressed.

Also, this excerpt from a history book called "Chronicles of the Seven" appears under one of the pages in this scene:

“The Star Emperor is a man of great stature, with an oiled beard and stern countenance. He does not concern himself, as his kin do, with plotting and scheming against each other, but chiefly with the exercise of ruling. His primary concern is justice. His subjects live fairly, peaceably, and one might say even well, if not for the heavy blade of the law constantly grazing the tender skin of their necks.”

— Pyapop Pitram

So far, Solomon's conduct seems to bear that description out. However tyrannical he might be, however much of a headass messiah complex he must have to not see any of his hundreds of sons as worthy to succeed him, he does actually care about governing instead of just seeing his empire as something to exploit or consume. In a multiverse with no good options, Solomon David might well be the least bad.

After the council meeting, Solomon steps outside and surveys his capital city. It looks like a pretty well-kept premodern metropolis, on what appears to be a healthy, not-visibly-polluted planet. It's also very well drawn, and a nice contrast to K6BD's usual wastelands, dungeons, and urban decay.

The only bit of ugliness on the skyline is a large construction site on an artificial island near his seaside palace. Looks like they're building an amphitheatre, presumably for that tournament.

I guess he builds a new one each time? Heh, maybe they just keep getting destroyed by the battles that take place in them.

Also, I think it's worth noting that Solomon's main seat of power is on one of his own worlds. Contrast with Mammon and Incubus who rule from Throne, or Mottom who rules from her spaceship. A sign that he considers himself to be of the Celestial Empire rather than merely the owner of it. Or, more cynically, that he wants his subjects to see him that way...which STILL shows more consideration for them than the other Black Kings display for theirs.

Hmm. Speaking of cynicism, I'd just like to remind everyone that this thriving, happy-looking metropolis is Solomon's capital city on his capital planet, and likely inhabited by his most favoured subjects. The rest of his empire might not be nearly as nice. We'll have to wait and see.

For now, Solomon calls for his prisoner to be brought to him. Some servants escort Zaid over, and holy shit he's conscious and able to talk and do things like an actual character again!

That's a neat outfit Solomon dressed him in, too. Got an old school Disney prince vibe to it. This volume is killing it with the costume designs.

Also, if Solomon is bothering to actually talk to Zaid, then perhaps I was wrong about the Reverand Mother paying him to get Zaid out of her hair. Solomon considers Zaid to be worthy of at least a little of his time and attention, so he might have also been willing to pay money for him.

Solomon asks Zaid how he's been. Zaid - who looks tired and unhappy, but not visibly mistreated - says that he's having trouble adjusting to this planet's twin suns, but otherwise he's okay. In return, he asks if Solomon is going to let him go home anytime soon, and receives a curt "no" for an answer. Not wanting to hear Zaid whine about his imprisonment, Solomon changes the subject back to the sun situation.

Quite the claim. Granted, this world's "suns" might not be proper stars like the kind we're used to, in which case creating them might not be nearly as impressive a feat. Certainly, creating literal stars is way out of line with any other displays of demiurgic power we've seen.

...then again, there may be a big difference between what a demiurge can do at a moment's notice with freeform spellcasting, and what they can do with years of work in a state-of-the-art theurgic workshop fully staffed with powerful wizards and crafting-specced ebon devils. In that case, the merely "upper-middle tier fighty animu" powersets we've seen from the Seven so far could indeed be reconcilable with the ability to create stars and planets.

Either way, Solomon either just loves bragging, or wants to really impress Zaid specifically as part of some whacky agenda.

They exit the palace, and Solomon leads Zaid across a marble causeway and into the city. There are no guards or attendants with them, and when Zaid asks about this Solomon makes it clear that this is normal behaviour for him. Sometimes, the emperor just walks around town by himself without any announcement. The citizens are just used to it, and aren't expected to do anything other than give Solomon a respectful little head bow or salute if they happen to see him. After all, Solomon explains, it's not like he needs any help getting around, and there certainly isn't anyone around here who can threaten his life.

Eventually, they reach another causeway, this one leading to the artificial island that they're building the amphitheatre on. And, finally, Solomon starts getting to the point.

What Solomon David truly wishes to do is free himself from the obligations and responsibilities of kingship, and devote himself to the pursuit of Royalty - of enlightenment. He considers Zoss to be the only human being to have ever come closer to true Royalty than himself, and he would like to meet and beat that challenge. Unfortunately, he does care about his empire and the people living in it, and they need his experience and dedication to survive in a multiverse otherwise ruled by six rapacious monsters.

Zaid gets the same impression from that speech that I did, but Solomon is quick to correct both of us.

He totally baited him into that on purpose. What a dick lol.

So, the point of this whole speech about Solomon’s reign was...nothing.

They enter the construction site, where an officer eagerly salutes Solomon and reports that construction is ahead of schedule. His men are working themselves to the bone to get this thing built, and each and every one of them is happy and eager to do so. At least, that's how the officer sees the situation. The laborers themselves might not entirely agree.

Solomon furrows his brows at this unpleasant sight, and gives the order for this construction team to cease work immediately. They are to return to their homes and rest for now, with full compensation. When the officer insists that they are but tools of Solomon's divine will, Solomon declares that they are also citizens, and citizens of the Celestial Empire are not subjected to such needless suffering. He then takes off his shirt and lifts the giant stone block by himself, carrying it to where it needs to go and inserting it without another word. As he does this, we get his boss card.

♫ Ayayaya~ ♫​

His power word is "diamond." That could mean a great many things, but "cold," "hard," and "durable" are definitely three adjectives that he and it have in common.

Also, much as diamonds are overvalued, overhyped gems that owe their cultural status to centuries of grift and market manipulation, Solomon David is a cheap showman with a captive audience.

...

Why would that officer have ever thought Solomon wanted his people to work themselves bloody in the first place, if Solomon has a multi-century history of not liking that sort of thing? That's not just a mistake someone could make.

If citizens have certain rights and protections, why don't they have those rights and protections? Why does it require Solomon David's personal intervention to protect them in a civilization that he already has totalitarian control over? He gave a spiel back in his throne room, about how he embodies the law of the empire and his will its justice and ideals. But in that case, why isn't there AN ACTUAL GODDAMNED LAW to stop laborers from being worked bloody?

For that matter, why are legions of half-naked men straining themselves to drag heavy stone blocks into place under the glaring suns all day? Why aren't they equipped with machines, or superstrong beasts of burden? Why are baseline humans doing this kind of work, when Solomon's empire almost certainly includes Servant varieties with innate construction-focused abilities (hell, even just sticking to species we've already seen, kindsies would have a much easier time doing this type of work than humans), not to mention devils with super-strength and/or telekinesis?

Frankly, Solomon David could do at least much of the hard work himself if he wanted to.

The reason for all of this, of course, is to remind his subjects that they are screwed without him. To constantly act out microcosms of his rivals' cruel excesses so that he can come in and rescue them, reminding them that they have it better, that he is their only hope, their one worthy king.

I think the most hilariously pathetic part of this is how he's posing shirtless with the giant block over his head like that's actually supposed to make him look impressive in a setting chock-full of beings who can do that type of thing. The captain is staring at him wide eyed. The laborers are all bowing, on their knees in gratitude. Everyone knows the drill.

Solomon is still probably the least bad of the Black Seven, but it's by a smaller margin than it initially appeared.

...

I'll give Zaid credit here. He seemed like sort of a gormless airhead in his brief book one appearance, and since then Killy's descriptions of him haven't exactly been flattering. So, I'm pleasantly surprised to see that he doesn't seem awed by this display. In fact, he looks irritated, almost disgusted. I'm pretty sure he saw through it at least as quickly as I did.

We never learned what he was studying in college before his abduction. If he was a sociology or political science major, he might be particularly well suited to identifying Solomon's brand of bullshit. So, go Zaid! I'm definitely more interested in you than I was when you were just Killy's sexy lamp.

On top of being phenomenally unimpressed by Solomon's routine, the mention of the laborers going home to their families reminds him that he can't go home to his own family. Holding back tears as Solomon once again instructs them to go back to their wives and children, Zaid looks out over the alien sea and clings to his one faint hope.

I guess Solomon has been letting Zaid read the Throne newspapers, for him to know that Killy is out here in the multiverse looking for him. Either that, or he just had a very, very, VERY high opinion of her to begin with, to the point of just assuming she has Planeswalker powers when they were still just college hookup partners. The latter would be amusing, but Zaid has earned enough respect from me in this last sequence for me to assume the former.


This seems like a good place to end the first post of the volume. King of Swords is off to a very strong start.