“Based on my observations, what happened to me is strikingly similar to what has been historically documented about Emperor Ayrion’s experiences many years ago.”
As Armad spoke, the judge’s expression shifted, and he closed his eyes in deep contemplation. After more than a minute, he nodded quickly. Indeed, over 1,000 years ago, during the early days of Emperor Ayrion’s reign, there was a period marked by chaos and danger, where the emperor’s life was frequently at risk. It was in these desperate times that the emperor reportedly awakened one of his most formidable abilities, a skill known as “Sky.”
The historical accounts describe a scene where, despite facing numerous enemies who had reached the pinnacle of cultivation, three particularly powerful adversaries managed to encircle Emperor Ayrion. One of these enemies was reputed to wield the most powerful Miyura of that era. Despite their combined efforts to eliminate the emperor, they ultimately failed. Their failure is attributed to a remarkable transformation that occurred during the battle: the emperor’s body turned entirely into black lightning. This transformation rendered him untouchable and invulnerable. No part of his body could be touched, let alone injured, regardless of the number or strength of the attacks directed at him.
This phenomenon is said to be the key reason for Emperor Ayrion’s survival. It’s speculated that had he not awakened this extraordinary skill, the tribe might not be ruling the First Earth today.
However, this narrative is based on second-hand accounts and has likely been altered over the centuries. Given that no one witnessed these events firsthand, many details have probably changed. Writers from the Wilberforce tribe, in particular, might have exaggerated the emperor’s abilities to glorify their lineage and distorted the portrayal of his enemies to vilify them. Despite these potential embellishments, there is a consensus that the emperor did indeed utilize a lightning-based skill during that critical battle.
The persistence of this narrative, despite possible exaggerations, suggests that there is an element of truth to it. Creating a completely fictitious story and successfully attributing it to such a significant figure would be incredibly challenging. Moreover, this tale is an integral part of the curriculum taught to children in the academies of the Wilberforce Empire. There has never been an official decree to prohibit its teaching, which reinforces its acceptance as truth by many people.
Since the Emperor was able to awaken a skill that had never been seen in recorded history, it might be something similar that has happened to Prince Armad now. Instantly, a sign of belief and greed began to appear in the eyes of the judge. If what happened to the Emperor is indeed similar to what has occurred with this Prince, there is a great possibility that the Prince will become as elevated as his father.
As this thought solidified in the judge’s mind, any signs of doubt or suspicion began to fade away. Observing the changes on the judge's face, Armad felt a surge of confidence. He realized that he had succeeded in using half-truths to reassure the judge. Now, he knew he wouldn’t face any immediate problems at home.
"Prince, Prince Armad," the judge called out, his voice echoing with newfound respect and urgency. It was the first time in a long while that he had addressed Armad by name. "You must keep what happened a secret. Don't tell anyone. If this incident is exposed, the calamity that will come against us is something we cannot prevent. We have to reach the peak of power before anyone becomes aware of what happened. We must keep this secret at all costs."
"That's why I sent Commander Silaini and our five most powerful devas to capture Commander Kisa and the remaining member of the trio I fought against, who also fled," Armad explained. "They do not know what is truly happening, but they witnessed us using those medicines on the battlefield. Although Nusi materialized those trees, the energy-boosting medicines we use help us stay awake, unlike our enemies. Additionally, I believe Commander Kisa saw when Ai and her assistant awakened their cores. These are the two things I don't want to expose. Although they don't fully understand the origin of the medicines, we will face a great calamity if this news reaches the ears of the association that makes seals."
Armad paused for a moment to let the gravity of the situation sink in. "You know that this association does not belong to our tribe of Wilberforce. It is composed of powerful cultivators from different tribes. Indeed, the tribe of Wilberforce has many members in the association, but you know they will not support us. The members of the association are united in their purpose, and if they find out we possess a skill that can harm them, you know the result will not be good for us."
The judge nodded, absorbing the weight of Armad's words. He understood the delicate balance of power and the potential consequences of their actions being discovered.
Instantly, Armad narrated his concerns to the judge and explained why he chose the six most powerful members of his battalion to capture those individuals. He knew that any slip-up could lead to their undoing, and the secrecy of their actions was paramount to their survival and future success.
Previously, the judge had expressed his disapproval of sending the six most powerful soldiers from Armad’s battalion. He believed that protecting the prince was more crucial than capturing the enemies. According to the judge, the prince’s safety was paramount, and risking the battalion’s strength could lead to unforeseen consequences. The judge was particularly concerned about the vulnerability that might ensue if Armad sent the six strongest soldiers away. His apprehension was rooted in the fact that he still regarded Commander Silaini as the cornerstone of their security apparatus.
At that time, despite the judge’s reservations, Armad did not accept his suggestion and dispatched Commander Silaini along with the other five elite soldiers. Armad did not explain his decision then, but he has now clarified his reasoning to the judge.
The judge felt a headache coming on as he raised his head to face Armad. “Indeed, you did a commendable thing by sending the commander to capture Kisa. However, I fear we may still be too late. Do you believe that Commander Silaini and his five fellow devas can capture or kill Commander Kisa and Nura Bayajidda, whose whereabouts remain unknown?”
As the judge spoke, he sighed heavily. It was evident that he had found the answer to his questions, yet he remained lost in thought, contemplating the broader implications.
“Indeed, for now, I believe we have no alternative but to fortify our battalion and enhance our strategic plans. Regardless of how much time it takes, whether we like it or not, the news of our activities here will eventually be exposed. When that happens, our enemies will undoubtedly launch attacks against us. Even if we succeed in capturing and killing Commander Kisa, questions will arise about how we managed to awaken the core people without using seals from that association and how we acquired new devas so rapidly.
Everyone knows the number of devas we brought from the capital city of Wilberforce and understands the lengthy process required to obtain even one more deva. Yet, suddenly, we have 82 devas, and I believe this number will continue to grow. Don’t you think that people will soon start questioning us? It won’t be long before they discover that we are harboring a significant secret. Given this reality, I think we have no choice but to focus on building our battalion day and night.
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On one hand, we have an unprecedented opportunity to change the way the world is governed. However, we must not let this opportunity blind us to the potential repercussions. The danger associated with this opportunity is as considerable as the opportunity itself. Therefore, my Lord, we must tread carefully and prepare for the inevitable challenges that lie ahead.”
Armad agreed with everything the judge said because he already knew it beforehand. This prior knowledge meant that he simply nodded in agreement when the judge spoke. This is a reflection of how the world operates: the magnitude of an opportunity often determines the level of risk it entails. This understanding came to Armad from his experiences on the third earth he had left behind. Armad is a person with a strong heart and unwavering determination. If he didn’t possess such resilience, he might have hidden his system and ceased his efforts to build a battalion for peaceful coexistence. However, Armad is fundamentally different from those who might take the easier path. Even if he were given the chance to surrender his weapons, he would refuse. At this moment, surrender isn’t even an option for him. Whether he likes it or not, he is compelled to face his enemies head-on.
With a decisive motion, Armad shook his hand, causing skin-whitening pills to materialize in his palm, which he then placed on the table before him. Now, five different pills lay on the table. Without wasting any time, he manifested a sixth pill, one that enhances stamina, particularly horse stamina pills. With another shake of his hand, he brought forth a seventh pill, designed to repel insects. He proceeded to explain the purpose of each pill to the judge.
“Whenever I use the pills that increase the toughness of my skin, a roughness akin to crocodile skin appears. These skin-whitening pills are what restore my skin to its normal state. I know you previously wondered why my skin suddenly became much whiter, almost as if it wasn’t me.” Armad chuckled slightly, looked at the judge, and continued, “I was surprised because you did not interrogate me at that time. I expected your questions back then, but you didn’t ask until now. At that time, I did not fully understand how the pills worked, which led me to overuse them, causing my skin to become excessively white. Eventually, my skin returned to its normal state. I have nothing more to say except to thank you for trusting me up to this point. I am quite sure you are asking these questions now because your patience has run out, and you believe it is finally time for your questions to be answered.”
The judge nodded thoughtfully. “No, my lord I did not deserve this praise. I had intended to ask you about the noticeable change in your skin color. I didn’t merely think about it; I even went to the library and researched any skills or abilities that might cause a person’s skin to become lighter. Had I not found any information regarding such skills, I would not have hesitated to question you immediately. However, I continued to wait because I believed that Prince Armad, whom I had accompanied from the capital, would eventually explain these changes himself, even without my prompting. And indeed, I have received the answers to my questions from your lips.”
Armad smiled inwardly. He had no intention of voluntarily disclosing the changes in himself unless the judge explicitly asked. He wouldn’t have minded if it took a thousand years for the judge to inquire. If the judge did not ask, he would not tell. However, he chose not to reveal this thought and simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Their conversation continued, delving deeper into the specifics of Armad’s new abilities. Armad explained in detail how his new skill operated, emphasizing the type of sustenance he required. He elaborated on the necessity of consuming demonic animals, particularly those not fully cooked, to effectively produce pills that could enhance the toughness of skin or muscles.
By the end of their discussion, the dialogue had shifted to the significance of these pills and their potential impact. They explored how these pills could be utilized to their maximum potential to fortify the battalion without fear of repercussions.
"I think with these pills, we can establish companies that produce insect repellent," the judge said, pointing at the insect repellent pills. "All of these companies will generate substantial income for us. Consider the amount of money we will accumulate from these pills. By diluting a single pill in water, it will minimally turn into a drum of insect repellent. We just need to procure bottles and fill them with the repellent. The next step is to conduct experiments to determine what types of insects it can kill, or if it can eliminate any type of farm insect before we launch sales across all our towns in this region, which includes 10 towns and one village.
Additionally, these horse stamina pills present another business opportunity. We can establish a company to produce and market them. These pills can then be sold to individuals who own or care for horses. I am confident that the pills will be effective in curing various diseases related to horses. This venture will also generate additional income, contributing to the development of our town.
My Lord, regarding the whitening pill, we have the potential to build a significant company that will dilute these pills and produce medicines specifically targeted at young women. This, too, will provide us with another source of income."
Armad, who had been listening intently, suddenly realized that his mouth had dropped open in shock. The judge's proposal to market skin-whitening medicine to young and married women was something he found deeply troubling. Unable to contain his concerns, he raised his hand to speak.
"Judge, if we proceed with this plan, don't you think that one day we will no longer recognize the women in our town? Financial incentives alone won't prevent them from purchasing and using the whitening medicine. If we start selling this product, won't it result in all the women in our town becoming white? This raises significant ethical and societal concerns. The diversity and natural beauty of our community's women are at stake. Do we want to alter the fundamental appearance of our population just for the sake of profit?"
The judge shook his head thoughtfully. “Do you not realize that within the next six months, examiners will be sent to evaluate the developments we’ve brought to this town? This is inevitable. Therefore, we just need to establish clear rules and regulations for the distribution of this medicine. Firstly, there must be a strict limit on the amount of medicine that can be sold to any one person. No matter how much money an individual possesses, they cannot purchase more than the allowed amount. This ensures fairness and prevents hoarding. Similarly, we will prohibit individuals from reselling the medicine. This means everyone will have equal access, and no one can exploit the system for personal gain.
We can target our sales to both men and women, particularly those suffering from skin-related diseases such as leprosy. The demand for this medicine will naturally be high, given its benefits. The revenue generated from these sales will be substantial. Imagine the impact on our town if visitors arrive and find that everyone here is exceptionally beautiful and healthy. My Lord, this would undoubtedly elevate the status of your empire. It would become a symbol of prosperity and health, attracting even more people. One day, our town could be free of visible skin diseases. Wherever you look, you will see health and beauty, which would be a testament to your leadership and the advancements we have made.
Among the three pills we have developed, I am convinced that the skin-whitening pill has the greatest market potential. As he spoke, he bowed and picked up one of the skin-whitening pills, clenching it in his fist. His hand trembled, as though he feared the pill might slip from his grasp.
“My lord, the potential of this pill is immense. We are talking about generating hundreds of millions of Airids each month. Once news of this medicine spreads—and I am certain it will—to neighboring regions, we will see a flood of people coming to purchase it. We won’t just see a few dozen or a few hundred buyers; we will see tens of thousands. Businessmen from all over will come to buy this medicine and sell it in other regions. This influx of commerce will significantly boost our town’s economy. Now, more than ever, we need to attract businessmen to our town to buy our goods.
The nature of business is such that when someone comes to purchase one item, they often find other things to buy as well. This will lead to a rapid increase in business activity throughout our town. Your Highness, put aside any doubts you may have. We must open companies to start producing this medicine, beginning with skin-whitening pills. This is a unique opportunity to transform our economy and elevate the status of your empire. Let us seize it.”