Armad arrived at a stunning scene, as the Deva section of the battlefield lay deserted save for his men, having vanquished all the bandit Deva.
The battle concluded triumphantly for Prince Armad Wilberforce, marking merely the inception of his legacy and a stern message to his adversaries that he was not the Armad of old, but a force to be reckoned with.
Shortly thereafter, he led his coalition of Deva, Core Formation cultivators, and his loyal soldiers back to the city.
Just before their entry, Armad turned, drew his Wilberforcian sword, and lifted it high, roaring an anthem of victory that reverberated through the forests and beyond, a clear admonition to any contemplating reprisal.
It served as a warning to the remaining wild people and their kin to reconsider any thoughts of retaliation, as well as a caution for city dwellers to respect the prince’s authority and honor.
Aware of the intricate plots against him, Armad emerged victorious, his triumph destined to be recounted for generations.
As the gates swung open, the company entered, leaving sentinels behind to maintain vigilance.
Sensing an opportunity to set a precedent and issue a personal warning, Armad diverted from the direct path to the palace, opting instead for a tour of the city.
The clash of metal resounded through the sky as warriors struck their swords against their armor while riding, punctuated by sporadic ululations and cries of triumph.
Amidst this spectacle, Armad rode regally alongside the judge and Sulaini, their presence swiftly becoming the talk of the city.
Supporters, particularly those linked to the volunteers from various quarters of the city, gathered to greet them with flowers, their cheers echoing with jubilation.
Many bowed or curtsied as the prince passed, acknowledging the honor bestowed upon them by the son of Arion.
In a moment of camaraderie, one man turned to his companion and remarked, “Did I not say that challenging the blood of Wilberforce carries consequences? Victory is now rightfully ours. Who are these wild people to dare defy us?”
“I concur entirely,” his friend replied. “It’s a blatant disrespect for them to confront a Wilberforce. I always knew their rebellion wouldn’t last, and those who fled the city would soon rue their decision.”
Their conversation was abruptly halted by a woman nearby, her voice thundering, “Enough! You, who shirked when volunteers were needed, while my little brother went forth. Now you claim belief in our victory? Lies! We see through your hypocrisy.”
“It’s not as you say,” one of the men interjected. “Though we didn’t join the battle, our faith in the Wilberforce victory remained steadfast.”
Such conversations echoed throughout different corners of the city, with people eager to assert their unwavering belief in victory from the outset.
Following a tour of the city’s main thoroughfares, Armad established a camp at the city square and summoned the volunteers to assemble.
From his treasury, he requested the distinctive attire reserved solely for Wilberforce.
The volunteers gathered, each accompanied by the horse they had ridden into battle, now rightfully theirs—a gesture of appreciation.
As the assembly formed, the volunteer woman, A’i, took her place at the forefront. Stepping forward, she gracefully curtsied before her king, awaiting his inquiry.
Armad’s first question was direct: “What reward do you seek?”
With humility, A’i curtsied once more, her hand placed over her heart as she replied with lowered eyes.
“Your Highness,” she began, “my wishes were fulfilled the moment I was permitted to join this battle. I sought only to protect my family, a wish you granted. To desire more would be ingratitude and presumptuousness. My sole intent now is to express my gratitude for your benevolence, Your Highness.”
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Armad fell silent for a moment, a smile gradually spreading across his face.
He had chosen wisely in appointing A’i as the representative among the volunteers. Despite her youth, she displayed remarkable wisdom. Among the ruling Wilberforce lineage, every child received an education emphasizing an understanding of human nature.
Facial expressions and the furrows of the forehead were often windows into the mind’s workings.
Armad had drawn upon this knowledge when selecting A’i among the volunteers, and now, he felt a sense of pride in his decision.
“You still merit a reward,” Armad insisted to A’i.
Without allowing for further protest, he arranged for ten Royal attires, exclusively worn by esteemed Wilberforce, to be bestowed upon her. These garments comprised exquisite robes adorned with fairy hair, accompanied by wraps and scarves.
Yet, the generosity didn’t end there. Armad presented her with three thousand Ayrids and a written offer of appointment, bearing his signature. The offer was contingent upon A’i’s acceptance—she retained the autonomy to approve or decline at her discretion.
Should she consent, she would join his battalion effective immediately; refusal, however, would not be coerced. She could keep the offer until she deemed it suitable to act upon.
While some might deem such gifts lavish for civilians, Armad considered them a token of gratitude for those who risked their lives in defense of the city.
Following the battle, a considerable amount of spoils were seized, unsurprising given the wild people’s penchant for plundering. Among their belongings, three hundred thousand Ayrids were recovered, alongside various cultivation items that could be sold. Considering these factors, three thousand Ayrids for each volunteer hardly seemed excessive.
Some might speculate that Armad had distributed all his wealth to the volunteers, neglecting his warriors like Sulaini, who held greater importance.
However, Armad remained unconcerned, as all his treasures, inherited from his late mother and accumulated wealth, had been brought with him to the city. This relocation marked a fresh start, where he intended to build his future. Among his possessions, he possessed a significant collection of Ayrid, including the highly coveted five and six Ayrid denominations, which exceeded the value of the common currency.
Intent on exceeding expectations, Armad planned to distribute five thousand Ayrid per person to his men, with fifteen for the Deva and ten for the Core Formation cultivators among them. This generosity aimed to surpass their anticipated shares, ensuring a pleasant surprise for all.
The distribution ceremony proceeded smoothly until everyone received their allotted shares. Subsequently, A’i, along with approximately four hundred volunteers, expressed their willingness to join the Royal Army, demonstrating their commitment with a display of affection and dedication.
With efficiency, Armad instructed Sulaini to officially welcome the recruits and assign them special accommodations already earmarked for the army. They were briefed on their training schedules and forthcoming meetings with the prince.
Armad harbored no ill feelings toward those volunteers who declined, understanding they likely had their reasons. He remained confident that they would eventually choose to enlist in due course.
As previously mentioned, Armad orchestrated these actions in public to ensure positive outcomes for any future calls for volunteers.
What baffled many was the fact that all five hundred volunteers returned unscathed, while fatalities occurred solely among the soldiers, resulting in the loss of one hundred and nine men from a total of 1890.
For the populace, this turn of events bordered on miraculous, considering the poignant farewells the volunteers bid to their families, their survival seeming improbable.
Yet, here they stood, returned and in good health.
Armad’s future calls for volunteer fighters would likely yield overwhelming responses, with the current volunteers serving as advocates, further amplifying the rumors.
Rather than quelling speculation, Armad embraced it, recognizing the potential for his fame to soar as tales spread of his transformative prowess in turning a cultivation-less rival into a formidable force. Such narratives would also deter potential adversaries from challenging him.
Moreover, this would instill confidence in the citizenry, knowing they had a capable defender regardless of the odds, thereby fostering the city’s development and bolstering civic morale.
As the day drew to a close, Armad set course for home, the sun casting its final rays as he rode homeward.
The first person he encountered upon his return was Nusi, a sight that caught him off guard. Despite her protests, he had ordered her to refrain from the battlefield.
Understanding his reasoning behind this decision was beyond her grasp. Yet, as the sole individual approved by the System to craft pills from the food she consumed, the potential tragedy of her loss weighed heavily on him. He deemed the chance of finding another like her in years improbable and was unwilling to risk Nusi’s life, even at the expense of his entire battalion.
Before departing for battle, he ensured she remained under strict surveillance by armed warriors, fearing she might attempt to sneak away.
Thus, her stern countenance greeted him upon his return. Despite her visible anger, she managed to muster a smile, knowing challenging her king was not an option.
In response, he returned her smile, mindful of his prior instructions to ensure she received ample food, which she likely neglected. Nonetheless, he trusted the System to glean some insight from her.
Approaching her, intending to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, he misjudged the depth of her fury as she evaded him with a palpable sound of frustration.
At that moment, she resembled a woman scorned, akin to a wife faced with her husband’s intention to marry another.
All he could do was shake his head and let out a resigned sigh.