“I don’t need to tell you that whatever happened in this room will remain in this room. You are not allowed to tell anyone about what transpired here until your death,” Armad stated firmly, his voice carrying an undeniable weight.
“You must understand that discussing these pills or how you achieved the level of deva with anyone is strictly forbidden. Anyone who violates this order will face severe consequences,” he continued, his tone brooking no argument. After delivering this stern warning, he paused, his eyes moving from one person to the next, ensuring that the gravity of his words was understood by all. Armad’s trust in them was profound, and it was this trust that had led him to summon them and offer such an extraordinary opportunity. Yet, he was acutely aware that with great opportunity came immense responsibility and risk. He believed that issuing a stern warning at this juncture was crucial. It would emphasize that the chance they were given was not to be taken lightly, nor was it something they were permitted to share with others.
As the weight of his words settled over them, they knelt before him in unison. “We hear and we obey,” they responded in a solemn chorus, clenching their fists and placing them over their hearts in a gesture of loyalty and obedience.
Satisfied, Armad nodded, then instructed them to rise. He first dismissed the soldiers who had not yet reached the pre-deva level, ensuring that only those who had achieved this significant milestone remained. He then addressed the 16 soldiers who had reached the pre-deva level, dismissing them as well, until he was left with those who had ascended to the first stage of deva.
The first order of business was to summon the judge to re-register these soldiers and elevate their positions to the rank of captain. This was a monumental change for Armad’s battalion, which previously had only 20 captains. Now, with the inclusion of these new devas, the battalion would boast 102 captains. Regardless of the extent of a deva’s advancement, their new position had to be formally recognized. Armad adhered strictly to this rule. In addition to their promotions, each of these newly elevated captains received a salary increase and was provided with better accommodations, reflecting their new status.
Furthermore, Armad ordered the reorganization of his battalion into various groups, ensuring that each new deva had soldiers under their command. Previously, the 20 captains had overseen the battalion’s 2000 troops. These captains would continue their roles, but now the new devas would also be responsible for leading soldiers, either drawn from the existing battalion of the town or Ai’s battalion. The capabilities of these new devas meant they could undertake a wide array of tasks for Armad, significantly reducing the number of issues that needed to come directly to him.
After completing all of Armad’s orders, only Armad and the judge remained in the room. Armad directed a frown at the judge and said, “Say what is on your mind.”
The judge had several questions he wanted to ask Armad but had hesitated to voice them. These questions were not new; they had occupied his thoughts for quite some time. However, it is generally considered impolite to inquire about someone’s cultivation activities and how they achieved their cultivation. This is why the judge had kept these questions to himself. Nonetheless, he now felt that they had reached a point where he needed to hear an explanation directly from the master.
“My lord, you know that my loyalty lies with you, whether in happiness or adversity, whether in gain or loss. My lord, I believe I am among those you trust. You know that regardless of whether you possess powerful cultivation or not, in the Wilberforce tribe, my allegiance is solely to you. I have a question, my lord. Perhaps it is inappropriate or beyond my status. Perhaps it is not even something I should ask, but my lord, I still want to ask.”
Armad remained silent as he looked at the judge. He had anticipated the judge’s question from the moment he began speaking, but he did not interrupt him.
“My lord, I want to know what happened since the King’s Legion attempted to assassinate you. What occurred at that time which caused you to change? Since then, your nature has altered dramatically from how you were. I want to understand this transformation. Additionally, I am curious about the pills that have enhanced the power of our battalion. Where did you obtain them? My questions may seem harsh, but before you respond, there is something I need to discuss with you. We need to talk about how these pills can benefit us and also how they might bring us unforeseen problems. Specifically, if these pills have the potential to create powerful enemies that we might not be able to handle currently, we must understand their origin and implications. These are the reasons why I want to know where these pills come from before we proceed with our discussion, and likewise, what brought about such a profound change in you.”
Armad remained silent, his expression unchanging. He had been anticipating such questions for quite a long time. He knew that sooner or later, either Commander Silaini or the judge—his closest confidants—would inquire about the origin of the pills. Their loyalty to him was unwavering, despite his previous weakness.
For instance, the judge had consistently refused offers from others within the palace of the Wilberforce tribe. Despite numerous attempts to persuade him, he remained committed to Armad. This was no small feat, considering the judge was highly sought after by many who recognized his talents and integrity.
Similarly, Commander Silaini was a highly coveted asset. Many in the Wilberforce tribe sought his expertise, including all of the emperor’s progeny, save for Prince Ikenga. Even the king’s legion had extended an invitation for him to join their ranks. Nevertheless, Silaini remained steadfast in his loyalty to Armad, choosing to stay by his side. Among the emperor’s council members, there was not a single one who would reject the commander’s service if he offered it. His decision to stay with Armad was a testament to his dedication and loyalty.
Despite numerous opportunities to advance their careers or gain personal benefits, both the judge and the commander declined to work for anyone else. They insisted on continuing their support for Prince Armad. This steadfast loyalty was remarkable, especially considering Armad’s perceived weaknesses and the seemingly impossible task of developing the town of Tiriba to the point where he could govern it independently and build an empire.
The consensus was that Armad was sent to govern Tiriba merely to fulfill the emperor’s directive. Aside from this reason, no one believed he would succeed. The task seemed insurmountable and many doubted his abilities. Yet, despite these prevailing doubts, the judge and the commander chose to follow him.
Although he is acutely aware that their loyalty stems from their devotion to his mother before she dies, he understands the intricate bonds that tie them to him. This is particularly true for Commander Silaini, who was cared for by the prince’s mother from the moment he entered the palace of the Wilberforce Empire. Even the judge has a deep-seated relationship with Armad’s mother. Despite these connections, their loyalty now rests with Armad himself. He is cognizant that these individuals will not simply ignore the changes they observe in him; they must be contemplating these transformations deeply in their minds.
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Given this, Armad understands that he will eventually need to explain the reasons behind his changes. However, he is resolute in his decision not to disclose that it is a system aiding him or reveal the truth that the prince they knew is dead and that he is someone who has taken over the prince’s body. By the grace of God, he has already formulated a plan for what he will tell them. He doesn’t wish to lie to them because they are all his elders and have watched him grow up. Deceiving them would be nearly impossible, and should they ever uncover his deceit, the trust that currently exists between them would evaporate. The absence of trust would create a significant vulnerability, as someone could easily exploit them to harm him. This scenario becomes highly probable if trust no longer binds them. Therefore, he has no intention of lying to them now that they have inquired.
Armad also recognizes that if he confides in the judge, it is as though he has simultaneously informed Commander Silaini. This is due to the close relationship between the judge and the commander; whenever the commander returns from a mission, he will simply instruct the judge to divulge any new information without waiting for the commander to inquire. However, revealing the complete truth of what is happening is fraught with danger and is not an option Armad can consider. The loyalty of these individuals is to the prince who has died. If they were to learn that the prince is indeed dead and that he is not the real prince, the loyalty and trust they have in him would disintegrate. This, too, is not a viable solution.
Armad is in a precarious position. He must navigate these relationships delicately, ensuring that he maintains the trust and loyalty of those who have been steadfastly by his side. He understands that while honesty is crucial, the whole truth could be destructive.
Armad took a deep, steadying breath before locking eyes with the judge. “If I were to tell you that I died and came back to life, would you believe me?” he asked, his voice calm but weighted with significance.
The judge’s brow furrowed deeply at Armad’s words. “You died and returned?” he echoed, his tone filled with incredulity. His eyes bore into Armad’s, a silent demand for an explanation.
Armad sighed, sensing the skepticism. “Perhaps neither of us truly understands what death is,” he began thoughtfully. “When someone claims they’ve died and returned, our first instinct is disbelief, and understandably so. Because death, in its essence, is a mystery to all of us. However,” he continued, his voice growing firmer, “there is one thing I know for certain...”
He paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in. Raising his head, Armad met the judge’s gaze once more. “I need your solemn promise that whatever we discuss here will remain strictly between the two of us. It’s a confidence you must take to the grave, without revealing it to anyone.”
The judge nodded quickly, his expression serious. Trust and loyalty were cornerstones of their relationship, but when it came to sensitive information, a reminder was always prudent to prevent any memory lapses.
Satisfied with the judge’s agreement, Armad scratched his forehead in contemplation before placing his hands firmly on the table. He leaned forward, closing the distance between them until he could see every nuance in the judge’s eyes.
“Indeed, I am not entirely certain whether I died and came back,” Armad admitted, his voice tinged with a mix of wonder and confusion. “But I need you to understand something crucial. The arrow that the captain of the King’s legion shot me with was poisoned. This was no ordinary poison; it was potent and insidious, designed to inflict maximum harm. The poison ravaged my body, reaching even my core. I cannot explain how I survived, but the fact remains that the poison was extraordinarily powerful.”
He took a moment to gauge the judge’s reaction before continuing. “In all likelihood, this poison originated from the headquarters of the King’s legion, located in the capital city of Wilberforce. It was sent with a specific purpose: to be used against me. They knew that even if the arrow itself didn’t cause fatal damage, the poison it carried would. It was a well-thought-out plan. They were meticulous in their preparation, knowing that piercing my defenses with the arrow would be difficult. Therefore, they ensured that the poison was lethal enough to complete their mission.”
The judge nodded in understanding. Among the questions he wanted to ask was how Armad had managed to survive. He had never thought Armad would make it through, and even if he did, he expected him to be riddled with disease. However, Armad not only survived without any signs of illness, but he also gained new powers and other mysterious abilities. Armad, sensing the judge’s curiosity, was prepared. He knew that to make a lie believable, it had to be interwoven with truths. This approach was evident in his speech, where half of what he said was accurate, and the other half was fabricated. Armad had learned that to deceive effectively, one must mix falsehoods with a pinch of truth—a simple yet effective trick that he was employing now.
“However, I know you are familiar with the saying that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Any calamity that doesn’t end you will only make you stronger,” Armad began, his voice steady as he continued his explanation.
“The poison didn’t kill me; instead, it may have awakened the power in my blood. Honestly, I don’t fully understand what changed within me. But whatever it awakened is related to the changes you see now. Since the moment I ordered the captain’s execution, many changes have occurred related to my power and my blood. You might have noticed—or maybe not—but all the food that Musa, the chef, told you was taken outside was consumed by me.”
As Armad spoke, he paused for a moment, noticing the judge’s raised eyebrow—a small sign of surprise, though not much, as if the judge had already suspected something. However, he wasn’t entirely certain because he couldn’t fathom how one person could consume so much food. Armad’s words confirmed his suspicion.
“My blood has changed, and no matter how much I eat, I never feel satisfied. My belly doesn’t even grow, as if the food isn’t entering my body. Maybe my stomach processes it so rapidly that the food melts immediately. I’m still not entirely sure what is happening, but the food I eat seems to transform into a medicinal substance. Given some time, maybe a day or a few days, this substance turns into medicine within my core.”
As he spoke, several pills materialized on his palm. They were all the same size but varied in color. Some pills matched the color of human skin, others mirrored the hue of muscle tissue, and a few were simply white.
The judge stared at the pills in surprise, clearly intrigued by the unexpected display.
Armad then opened his mouth and continued, “This is a skill I acquired when the poison they used against me tried to destroy my core and kill me. You could say that the poison aimed to ruin my cultivation and obliterate my core. However, since it failed to kill me, it granted me this unique skill instead. Now, whenever I consume food, if there is an important substance within it, I can transform that substance into medicine, like the ones you see here.”
He pointed to the white pills. “For instance, whenever I swallow this or give it to someone else, our cultivation years will increase rapidly. The second type of pill enhances the toughness of the skin.” To demonstrate, he produced a knife and stabbed his hand. Remarkably, his hand remained uninjured; in fact, his skin pushed the knife back, showcasing the pill’s effectiveness.
“The third type of pill, as you can see here, increases muscle toughness. Whenever I swallow it, the toughness of my muscles improves significantly. The best part about these pills is that I am not the only one who can benefit from them; I can also give them to others,” Armad explained, taking a deep breath and giving the judge a moment to process his words.
One could argue that almost everything Armad said was true. However, he did omit certain critical details. For instance, he didn’t mention that it was the system within him that produced the medicine and that this system entered his body during his illness. Because of this omission, even if the judge employed a skill to detect lies, he wouldn’t find any deceit in Armad’s words since technically, there were no lies. However, Armad did not disclose the full truth either.
Moreover, while the existence of such alien skills as the system is not widely known, it is information that can be found in certain books and among some of the princes of the major tribes. Such alien skills often emerge when a person is in grave danger or finds themselves in a desperate situation. There are numerous instances of individuals awakening alien skills, such as systems, under such circumstances, especially among the elites of the big tribes. Even within the tribe of Wilberforce, there are documented examples of people possessing such alien skills.