Upon rewinding a little, it becomes evident that when Prince Abalu began pursuing Commander Silaini, the Commander had already meticulously planned his course of action. With years of experience as a commander in the Wilberforce tribe, Silaini possessed a deep understanding of battle strategy, making him the ideal candidate for the mission assigned to him by Armad.
Silaini’s first move was to dispatch a message to the devas he had stationed to oversee the corridor of the hotel for him. Instructing them to join forces with three other devas in pursuit of Nura Bayajidda, their primary objective was to swiftly eliminate their target and vacate the town without delay. He emphasized that they were not to linger in the town for more than a minute, regardless of the outcome, before making their way back to Tiriba to report the situation to Armad.
The rationale behind Silaini’s directive was two-fold. Firstly, the sudden appearance of Prince Abalu hinted at a clandestine scheme unfolding, indicating a lack of awareness on their part regarding the enemy’s plans. Secondly, Silaini wanted to alert Prince Armad to the presence of his ruthless younger brother, a sibling of Prince Ikenga, in the region. This preemptive measure aimed to ensure that Armad remained on high alert, considering the possibility of a night-time ambush orchestrated by Prince Abalu. Given Abalu’s history of clandestine nighttime attacks, Armad needed to be prepared at all times.
Furthermore, the decision to swiftly dispatch the devas to eliminate Nura Bayajidda underscored the urgency of the situation, as well as Silaini’s astuteness in anticipating potential threats. While many were aware of Prince Abalu’s nefarious deeds, few dared to speak out due to the lack of concrete evidence and reluctance to accuse the emperor’s son of such heinous acts.
The commander’s decision to send that message was driven by two key reasons. Firstly, he believed that if the individuals under his command, the devas, managed to escape and return to Armad, even if he did not make it out, his sacrifice would not be in vain. Additionally, harboring a desire to protect his own life, the commander held a trove of closely guarded secrets and plans that he had saved for just such an occasion. It was evident to him that they had already fallen into a carefully laid trap set by their adversaries as they attempted to capture and eliminate the two targeted individuals. While the situation seemed dire, it would be inaccurate to suggest that these circumstances were entirely unforeseen. Before embarking on the mission, both the commander and Armad had foreseen the possibility of such adversities arising.
Despite their anticipation of potential risks, they could not afford to allow the escape of those individuals, even though they were cognizant of the impending dangers. This was because the two fugitives carried crucial secrets that, if exposed, could have dire consequences. Even if the commander had foreseen the risks associated with the mission or the potential encounter with Prince Abalu, he was resolute in his decision not to let the individuals slip through their grasp. The secrets held by these fugitives were of paramount importance and could not be permitted to fall into the wrong hands.
From a strategic standpoint, Commander Silaini’s actions, though undertaken without full knowledge of the unfolding events, could be seen as a step toward victory. The safeguarding of Armad Wilberforce’s secret, which Commander Kisa had protected until his final moments, was a significant achievement. At present, the existence of Armad’s pol string remains undisclosed, with only a select few individuals aware of its existence. Notably, even Nura Bayajidda, is unaware of this critical piece of information, focusing instead on the herbs used by Nusi and Sahaw to awaken their core.
A comparative analysis of the two secrets underscores the stark disparity between them. The revelation of Armad’s pol string would be met with vehement opposition from Prince Abalu, his brother, and other influential figures within the Wilberforce Empire. The implications of such a disclosure would reverberate beyond the confines of the Empire, potentially fracturing alliances and triggering unforeseen consequences. In contrast, the knowledge of the herbs used by Nusi and Sahaw, while significant within the context of the seal makers’ association, lacked the same far-reaching implications. The members of the association would likely refrain from taking action until they had personally witnessed the effects of the herbs, underscoring the importance of empirical evidence in their decision-making process.
In light of these considerations, it becomes evident that Commander Silaini and Armad were better prepared for the potential exposure of Nura Bayajidda’s secret than Commander Kisa’s secret.
By the time the two devas reached their comrades, they utilized telepathy to inform them about the dire situation they were in. The mention of Prince Abalu caused their faces to darken with fear and concern. They were acutely aware that even if they combined their powers, they stood no chance against Prince Abalu. Confronting him would likely result in their demise. Their intimate knowledge of his formidable abilities underscored the urgency of their leader’s command to evacuate the town immediately, without wasting even a single minute.
Nura Bayajidda, too, had already grasped the gravity of his predicament. He knew that his life was in imminent danger. The realization that not even his body is as tough as stone could endure the relentless attacks of five devas weighed heavily on him. He understood that if the onslaught continued, he wouldn’t survive for more than a minute. Although the devas’ strikes only produced sparks when they hit his body, the pain was real and excruciating. By now, they had already torn through his skin. The devas had begun to injure the muscles beneath, and with each strike, blood flowed freely from his wounds. It was clear that if the assault persisted, he would be eliminated within 30 to 40 seconds. This terrifying thought caused his body to tremble uncontrollably. He had already exhausted his only escape skill in a previous combat, leaving him with no means of escape now.
At this critical moment, the leader of the five devas, who was the only one apart from the commander to have reached the fourth stage of deva level among the battalion of Armad, which consisted of 2,000 soldiers, received another telepathic message. The voice on the other end was unmistakable—Commander Silaini. “Quickly leave the town,” the commander instructed. “Sneak out alone and leave the others behind. Utilize your highest skill to conceal your scent and your cultivation. Increase your speed. Retrieve anything you have saved for future use and deploy it now.”
As he heard the voice of his commander, he instinctively tried to respond. However, at that precise moment, the voice ceased. The abrupt silence was laden with the gravity of the situation, and he could discern the weight of their predicament from the commander’s tone. He realized the underlying message: this was not merely an order; it was also a farewell. As a seasoned soldier, he understood the dual nature of the command—it was an urgent directive delivered with the intensity of a final parting. The commander’s words made it clear: if he remained in the town, they would all face certain death.
With a heavy heart, he transmitted the message as instructed. Before his body shimmered and vanished, he cast a final, lingering glance at his comrades—a look that silently conveyed his sorrowful goodbye.
Upon re-materializing, he found himself already outside the confines of the town. He didn’t pause; he immediately teleported again, reappearing deeper within a forest. This process continued, with him materializing in increasingly distant locations as he sought to put as much distance as possible between himself and the perilous situation he had left behind.
Meanwhile, the expressions on the faces of the remaining four devas remained stoic but subtle signs of their readiness for self-sacrifice began to emerge. These warriors were no strangers to the battlefield; they had accumulated vast war experiences and had faced death many times before. This wasn’t the first instance where their lives hung by a thread. They had encountered numerous life-threatening situations, which had steeled their resolve and prepared them for such dire moments.
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Pushing aside any fear, they began to harness their full cultivation powers. They knew that their survival hinged solely on achieving victory. Their focus narrowed to one singular objective: secure victory at all costs.
On the other side of the conflict, Nura Bayajidda stood deep in thought, his face etched with a frown as he pondered the unfolding events. He was acutely aware that something significant had transpired in the hotel room he had left, though the details eluded him. Was it possible that the reinforcements they had been anticipating had finally arrived? He doubted that those intent on his death, particularly the most powerful among them, would simply turn and flee without a compelling reason. Could it be that he was retreating to report back? Regardless of the specifics, Nura Bayajidda knew that these developments did not alter his immediate concern: his survival.
His body bore numerous wounds, a testament to the ferocity of the ongoing conflict. He swiftly began calculating his escape from this perilous situation. From the very beginning, surrendering and aligning with Prince Abalu had never been an option for him. The motives behind the search for members of the Bayajidda tribe were shrouded in mystery, and Nura had no intention of blindly submitting without understanding the reasons.
After some time spent in deep contemplation, weighing his options and considering his next move, he finally halted his thoughts and began to speak, ready to address the pressing matters at hand.
“Wait, wait, wait. Hold on for a moment. There’s a strong possibility that you and I are on converging paths. If that’s the case, we don’t need to continue wasting our time and energy fighting each other. It’s Prince Abalu who has arrived. I’m certain you recognize him, and that’s why you’re trying to flee. Here’s what I propose: you can head south while I go west. This way, we can avoid encountering each other again. You don’t need to worry about me, and I won’t worry about you. But if we don’t take this opportunity to separate and instead continue this combat, don’t you think it will only lead to more harm for both of us?”
The sound of his voice momentarily halted their attacks, giving them a brief pause before their eyes turned red with rage once more, resuming their relentless assault on him.
He clenched his teeth in sheer frustration. He knew what was running through their minds—they believed he was trying to deceive and betray them. But that was far from the truth. In reality, he was genuinely looking for a way to flee, but he wasn’t sure how to gain their trust. After a moment of reflection, he clenched his teeth again and spoke with renewed urgency.
“Think about this. Before you even entered this town, you must have seen the notice stating that individuals with the blood of the Bayajidda tribe were being actively sought by the king’s legion. You know that I am from the Bayajidda tribe. Don’t you realize that I am in a difficult position too? I have no idea why they are targeting us, but anyone with experience in the ways of the world knows that a summons from the king’s legion is never a good sign. When have you ever heard of the king’s legion seeking to recruit soldiers and even offering incentives for them to join? This is highly unusual and suspicious.”
“I assure you, surrendering is not on my agenda. I have no intention of handing myself over to them. If you agree to collaborate with me, I will simply turn and flee. By doing so, you will be helping me, and in return, I will be helping you. This mutual understanding will benefit us both. So, how do you view my offer?”
He paused to gauge their reaction, hoping his words would resonate with them. He needed them to understand that continuing their battle would only lead to mutual destruction. Cooperation, on the other hand, could be their salvation. His voice carried a mix of desperation and sincerity, attempting to convey the gravity of their situation and the potential for a peaceful resolution.
At this critical juncture, all four devas halted their attacks on Nura Bayajidda. This decision stemmed from a crucial realization. They understood that only two individuals in the entire world could present that notice from the king’s legion: the first was Emperor Ayrion, who was known to never undertake such an action, and the second was Prince Ikenga. Given these circumstances, they deduced that it had to be Prince Ikenga who was seeking members of the Bayajidda tribe.
They were quite certain that if Nura Bayajidda had any direct affiliation with Prince Ikenga, he would not have ventured into this battle or come to any of these towns. This pointed to a significant likelihood that Nura Bayajidda was not yet connected with Ikenga. The reasons behind Prince Ikenga’s search for men from the Bayajidda tribe, whatever they might be, were unlikely to be favorable for them. Based on their calculations, it would take them at least an hour to subdue and kill him, given the current circumstances.
However, they were under strict orders from their commander, who stated that within one minute, regardless of whether Nura Bayajidda was dead or alive, they must vacate the town. Realizing that 40 seconds of that minute had already elapsed, they were left with a mere 20 seconds to either finish the task or retreat. This put them in a precarious position, as it was clear they couldn’t achieve their objective within the remaining time.
Considering this dilemma, they concluded that their best course of action was to either accept Nura Bayajidda’s apparent offer or believe that he was attempting to deceive them to save his life. The urgency of the situation demanded that they leave the town immediately, as they were incapable of killing him within the next 20 seconds.
“We agree with your offer. However, don’t even think about plotting against us if you want to escape with your life,” one of the devas declared sternly.
Nura Bayajidda sighed heavily, acknowledging their words. He then pivoted southward, accelerating rapidly by harnessing his full cultivation to enhance his speed.
Observing Nura’s genuine attempt to flee, the devas quickly dispersed, each choosing a different cardinal direction to ensure their escape.
At this moment, three distinct individuals were racing towards different cardinal points, each striving to escape the town. The question remained: would they succeed in their respective escapes? The answer was uncertain, and only time would tell if their decisions and actions would lead them to safety.
Right now as Prince Abalu stood in the hotel room, his expression darkened as he realized that the individuals he had been hunting were attempting to escape. The frustration of his apparent failure caused his face to contort with anger and disappointment. It seemed that his efforts to capture these elusive targets had not borne fruit, and his prey was slipping through his fingers once again.
Reacting swiftly, Prince Abalu leaped forward with remarkable speed, his movements fueled by a mix of determination and rage. In his intense frustration, he directed a forceful blow towards Commander Silaini, his hand visibly radiating a strange, white fire. The ethereal flames danced and flickered around his hand, adding an eerie and intimidating aura to his strike.
Unaware of the impending attack, Commander Silaini found himself in the path of Prince Abalu’s wrathful strike. Before he could react, the blow was mere moments away from connecting with his chest, the impending impact laden with a dangerous energy that seemed to crackle in the air.
Despite his aggressive action, Prince Abalu’s thoughts were clouded by an illusion of victory. In his mind’s eye, he envisioned a triumphant outcome, a decisive blow that would secure his dominance over his opponent. However, the reality of the situation was far more complex and uncertain than his confident projections.
“Forgive me, my Lord,” Commander Silaini spoke calmly, his voice betraying a sense of readiness and resolve. “However, I will raise my weapon and meet your challenge head-on.”
With a deep understanding of the power dynamics at play, Commander Silaini recognized the profound differences in their lineages and the inherent strengths of their respective demons. He knew that attempting to match Prince Abalu’s demonic power would be a futile endeavor, given the inherent disparities between their bloodlines.
Drawing upon his unique strengths, Commander Silaini focused on his cultivation prowess, a domain where he believed he held a significant advantage over his adversary. Confident in the potency of his cultivated energy, he materialized a formidable wall of cultivation around his fist, preparing to intercept Prince Abalu’s impending strike.
As the two opposing forces collided, a brief but intense clash ensued. The meeting of their powers resulted in a dazzling display of energy, as sparks flew and crackled. The impact of their collision was palpable, pushing Commander Silaini back three steps, while Prince Abalu was only forced to retreat a single pace.
The unexpected outcome left Commander Silaini in a state of profound surprise and contemplation. The rumors surrounding Prince Abalu’s legendary resilience and indomitable physical prowess seemed to hold, as the commander keenly felt the sheer fortitude and durability of his opponent’s body in that brief exchange.
It is a well-known story throughout the capital city that Prince Abalu, while at the 5th stage of Core Formation, used only the strength of his body, without any skills, to kill a person at the 1st stage of deva. This event occurred more than two years ago.