As Armad heads home after successfully appointing kings in the towns he conquered, we shift our focus to the region where Commander Kisa and Nura Bayajidda fled. Following a long and arduous journey, Commander Silaini, who leads Armad's entire battalion, arrives in the town. His arrival is not solitary; he is accompanied by five devas, the elite warriors of Armad's battalion, each known for their exceptional strength and skills.
Among these five devas, one has recently reached the fourth stage of deva. Although he is still adjusting to his newfound power and not yet as formidable as Silaini, he holds the position of the second most powerful in the battalion. Another deva in the group stands at the peak of the third stage, teetering on the brink of advancing to the fourth stage. His progress is closely monitored by Armad, who is determined to elevate his cultivation to the next level, recognizing the strategic advantage such an advancement would bring.
Additionally, two devas are solidly positioned in the second stage. Their consistent performance and reliable strength make them valuable assets to the battalion. The final member of this group is a soldier at the peak of the first stage of deva. Despite being at this level for many years, he has developed advanced strategies and techniques that place him as the sixth most powerful in the battalion, when excluding Commander Silaini. His long tenure and accumulated experience render him a seasoned warrior, respected by his peers.
These formidable individuals arrive in the town early in the morning, immediately noticing a small crowd gathered in front of the town wall, intently examining a paper pasted there. This scene piques their interest, and they swiftly move toward the town center. Each member of the group carries their ID cards identifying them as soldiers from the Wilberforce tribe. These IDs grant them unrestricted access, allowing them to enter any area without hesitation or resistance. However, Commander Silaini, ever cautious and strategic, orders his men to conceal their faces and adopt new identities. This precaution is intended to prevent their targets from being alerted to their presence and purpose.
Upon reading the paper on the town wall, they discover a notice issued by the king's legion. The notice offers a substantial reward for any information or capture of members of the Bayajidda tribe. However, the king's legion clarifies that their intention is not to harm the tribe members but to recruit them. They seek to employ the Bayajidda tribe members without subjecting them to the usual examinations.
This development is significant and quickly becomes the talk of the town. Despite the early hour, the notice has already drawn the attention of the many people, who gather to read and discuss its implications.
Since the early days of the world, no one has ever been hired into the king’s legion without passing an exam. This longstanding tradition ensures that only the most capable and deserving individuals are selected to serve. The question now arises: who are these people from the Bayajidda tribe to be directly hired by the king’s legion without any examination? This unprecedented move has raised many eyebrows. Moreover, there is even a monetary reward offered to any member of the tribe who goes to the legion’s headquarters. Even the most ignorant person should recognize that something is suspicious about this notice. The implications of such a notice are vast and complex, suggesting deeper motives and hidden agendas.
This unprecedented situation does not concern Commander Silaini and his soldiers, however. Their primary concern is the mission at hand. One of the individuals they are seeking bears the name of this tribe. This raises several questions: does this mean he has already been hired by the king’s legion like Commander Kisa, or are they merely traveling together? The connection to the Bayajidda tribe complicates their mission, adding layers of intrigue and potential danger.
After thoroughly reading the notice and considering its implications, Commander Silaini leads his soldiers toward the town gate. The gate is closed, and it appears it will take some time before it opens. This delay adds to their tension, as time is of the essence. There is also a protective barrier encircling the town, a common feature in most towns, which controls entry and exit. While it is not a formidable barrier, Commander Silaini and his soldiers possess the strength and skills to break through it. However, such an action would alert the town’s monitors, who would detect the number of people entering and even recognize their faces. This exposure would compromise their mission.
Commander Silaini, a seasoned and strategic leader, will not tolerate such exposure. He is conducting his mission with the utmost secrecy, aiming to apprehend the two individuals without alerting them to his presence. The success of their mission relies heavily on maintaining this element of surprise. Any premature detection could jeopardize their plans and potentially lead to a confrontation they are not prepared for.
“Master, do you still sense their cultivation power inside the town?” one of the five soldiers accompanying the commander asked, breaking the tense silence.
The commander nodded his head, acknowledging the question. It was this very cultivation sense that they had been tracking all along. Even after the battle, the unique cultivation sense of Prince Armad lingered in Commander Kisa’s body. This residual energy was unlike any common cultivation sense. If it were a typical cultivation sense, Kisa could have easily purged it, just as he had removed the one Commander Silaini had placed on him. However, this particular sense was extraordinary; it contained a portion of Armad’s cultivation, making it both potent and difficult to erase. This unique signature allowed them to track it over long distances, guiding them step by step until they arrived in this town, where the cultivation sense was at its strongest. Because of this, Commander Silaini felt certain that the individuals they were seeking were somewhere within the town’s walls.
“Does that mean they are together?” the soldier asked again, his voice tinged with curiosity and concern.
“I am not sure,” the commander replied thoughtfully. “They might be together, or they might have entered the town separately, unaware of each other’s presence. If you observe, this town is a little large and bustling with activity. It’s possible that one of them arrived first, and the other followed later, without realizing the other was here. They may not be aware of each other's arrival since they cannot detect Armad’s cultivation sense.” The commander closed his eyes in contemplation, weighing the possibility that the two people they were searching for might indeed be together. In his heart, he felt there was a strong chance of this. Regardless of the specifics, Armad had given them his cultivation sense, a tool that ensured they could find these individuals no matter where they were.
Morning arrived, bringing with it the first light of dawn and the stirrings of the town. The gates slowly creaked open, and a flurry of activity ensued as merchants, travelers, and locals alike moved to enter the town. Each person had to pay the requisite entry fee, a small tax that allowed them passage into the town.
As the gates opened, Commander Silaini and his soldiers blended into the crowd, their movements deliberate and calculated. They took care to conceal their cultivation power, masking their presence to avoid drawing any unwanted attention. They had learned to suppress their cultivation, making themselves appear as ordinary travelers rather than the powerful cultivators they truly were. Even commander Silaini surpassed his cultivation to the level of core formation.
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During their waiting for the town gates to open, they took the opportunity to rest, eat, and drink. The journey had been long and arduous, but this pause offered a much-needed reprieve. The weariness that had weighed heavily on them seemed to lift as they relaxed. Each member of the group found solace in this brief moment of calm.
The early morning sun cast a gentle light over the town, revealing its modest size compared to the grander cities. The streets were eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling thoroughfares of larger towns. This peaceful silence was a welcome change, providing an air of tranquility that was rare in their travels. With purpose in their stride, they navigated through the empty streets, making their way directly to the heart of the town.
Before long, they arrived at a small hotel. The building was unassuming but seemed well-kept, a promising sign for weary travelers. They approached the door and found it slightly ajar. Pushing it open, they entered and immediately made their way to the receptionist’s desk. Their leader, Commander Silaini, spoke on behalf of the group, requesting rooms for the night.
The receptionist, a middle-aged man with a worn ledger in front of him, greeted them. However, upon checking the availability, he informed them that no rooms were matching their preference.
Commander Silaini frowned slightly, his brow furrowing. "Don't you have any rooms available on the second floor?"
The receptionist paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the ledger in front of him. He shook his head regretfully. "I'm afraid all the rooms on the second floor are currently booked. However, there's a chance some guests might not extend their stay, freeing up rooms later today."
Silaini pondered this for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. Finally, he nodded decisively. "Very well, we'll take rooms on the next available floor."
The receptionist hesitated, eyeing the group before him. "Just to inform you, sir, our policy limits room occupancy to two guests per room."
Without a word, Silaini gestured to one of his companions. Swiftly, the man produced a bag filled with Airids and handed over enough for five rooms.
The receptionist's demeanor visibly shifted as he processed the payment. Straightening his posture, he offered a polite smile. "Of course, sir. Allow me to arrange everything for you."
Silaini accepted the keys with a nod of thanks. As he turned to leave, the receptionist moved to guide them to their rooms, but the commander raised a hand to stop him. "Thank you, but we're familiar with the layout. We'll find our way."
The receptionist nodded politely in response. “No problem at all. Welcome, and I hope your stay here is enjoyable,” he said warmly before returning to his desk. Each room rented out earned him a commission.
Meanwhile, Commander Silaini and his soldiers had already ventured deep into the hotel. They deliberately chose rooms on the top floor, appreciating the seclusion and the nearby staircase that offered a strategic advantage.
They open the rooms to ensure no one is inside before closing them. After some time, they bury some amulets in the rooms. These amulets help detect that humans are sleeping inside before they close the room again.
Commander Silaini emerged from his room first, scanning the hallway cautiously before descending the stairs to the lower floors. Behind him, his soldiers followed suit, one remaining stationed at the top of the stairs as a lookout, while the others dispersed, ensuring the surroundings were secure.
One soldier, keen-eyed and vigilant, took a position at the bottom of the stairs, observing the corridor leading to the rooms. His swift movements and sharp gaze indicated a readiness to intercept any potential threat.
Commander Silaini paused before room 203, a determined expression on his face. Three of his trusted soldiers positioned themselves discreetly nearby, poised to assist at a moment’s notice. Using his cultivation, the commander swiftly disabled the lock mechanism with precision, allowing him to breach the room’s defenses with effortless speed.
Meanwhile, Commander Kisa and Nura Bayajidda had spent several days. Their time was nearing its end, marked by meticulous preparation and the completion of essential tasks. Their belongings were neatly packed, awaiting the final preparations before their departure.
Inside the room, Commander Kisa sat quietly on the bed, his legs crossed and eyes closed in deep meditation. Across from him, Nura Bayajidda occupied a corner of the room, also in a meditative posture on the floor. The serene atmosphere was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the door breaking open, alerting both of them to the presence of an intruder. They opened their eyes simultaneously, their expressions calm and composed, despite the unexpected intrusion.
Commander Silaini, leading his three devas, swiftly entered the room. Recognizing the strategic layout, he directed his divas: three moved towards Nura Bayajidda, while Silaini himself advanced towards Commander Kisa. Silaini’s confidence in overpowering Kisa was bolstered by the latter’s visible injuries, making him appear vulnerable in direct combat.
As Silaini stepped closer to Kisa’s bed, a subtle sense of unease crept over him. He sensed a disturbance in the room but chose to prioritize eliminating Kisa before investigating further. His divas, trained and disciplined, followed his lead without hesitation, moving towards their assigned targets with precision.
Approaching Kisa with calculated intent, Silaini drew his sword, a glimmer of light reflecting off its blade as he prepared to strike. Kisa, observing Silaini’s approach, maintained a contemplative expression, thoughts racing as he anticipated the impending confrontation.
In Kisa’s mind, questions swirled: “Where is he hiding? Is he waiting for us to start fighting before revealing himself?”
As he found himself alone, with no one coming to his aid, he swiftly rose to his feet upon sensing the imminent strike of a sword hurtling towards him. Despite his quick reflexes allowing him to dodge the deadly blow, the razor-sharp edge of the sword grazed the side of his body, causing a crimson stream of blood to flow from a gash on his leg.
Before he could even draw his blade, the formidable sword of Commander Silaini was already in hand, poised for another strike. His attempts to evade proved futile, as the commander's swift and precise movements resulted in the severing of his hand, eliciting a harrowing scream of pain from Commander Kisa.
Meanwhile, Nura Bayajidda observed the unfolding chaos with a mix of apprehension and calculation. He still did not start fighting with the three devas because the commander was faster than them which is why he already start against Kisa.
He frowned his face they had already planned everything, which is why they waited for the attack to happen here. However, where is the promised help they were expecting? Since the beginning, Nura Bayajidda had not trusted anyone in this situation he found himself in.
Although caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Nura had prepared a contingency plan for just such a dire situation. Swiftly and decisively, he made his way towards the nearby window, deftly evading the pursuing devas. Employing a mystical enchantment, he seamlessly traversed the distance to the window and shattered its bars with the sheer force of his robust physique, facilitating his escape from the impending danger.
The frustrated devas gnashed their teeth in vexation as they gave chase, their efforts to close the gap between them and Nura falling short due to his unmatched agility and speed. Even seasoned cultivator at the third stage of deva would struggle to match his pace, prolonging the pursuit and amplifying their mounting frustration.
Inside the room, Commander Kisa's face darkened. He used his cultivation to stem the blood flowing from where his hand was cut. However, the injuries showed no sign of healing, making it unlikely for him to utilize his full cultivation potential.
According to his plan, he wouldn't simply wait for Commander Silaini to find him here. They had meticulously planned for every scenario, expecting help to arrive by now. But what if this delay was part of a trap?
The thought struck him suddenly: he possessed numerous secrets of the King's Legion and of Prince Ikenga. If captured and forced to reveal Prince Ikenga's secrets, he could tarnish the prince's reputation in Wilburforce's capital. Perhaps he had been lured into a trap after all.