This visit from distant lands would have piqued the interest of most, especially given the unusual mode of payment they sought. But for Armad, it stirred a mix of excitement and concern. While the prospect of acquiring weapons was appealing, the steep price gave him pause.
Armad’s worry stemmed from the fact that his skills, coupled with Nusi’s, relied heavily on the food they consumed. They couldn’t afford to part with their already limited reserves, let alone barter them away to neighbors in need.
With a heavy sigh, Armad addressed the man, Alabuda, acknowledging the challenging timing of their visit amidst recent battles with bandits. He explained the hardships faced during the siege, emphasizing the scarcity of food available for trade.
“In all honesty, procuring enough food to meet your payment demands is currently beyond our means,” Armad admitted, “But perhaps we can explore alternative arrangements. Lead us to your cargo, and let’s assess what you have to offer.”
Alabuda’s expression darkened momentarily, reflecting his disappointment with Armad’s response. He understood all too well the dire circumstances his people faced at home—the relentless struggle for sustenance in unforgiving terrain.
Having encountered difficulties in previous dealings with this region, many of his people now favored trading with the southern and northern territories. However, the dwindling food supply from these regions over the years, coupled with their burgeoning population and high birthrate, posed a significant challenge. Despite fleets scouring the seas for sustenance, the scarcity persisted.
Realizing the inadequacy of relying solely on fish, especially for the nourishment of their growing children, Alabuda pondered a solution.
“Your Highness,” Alabuda began, “Could we perhaps procure herbs and shrubs from your domain? We have skilled healers who excel in crafting medicines, and though I’m aware you possess them here as well, obtaining these herbs from you would be immensely beneficial.”
With a sense of urgency, he produced a list of 48 herbs and shrubs, essential for the production of salves, ointments, and other medicinal concoctions, hoping for a favorable response from Armad.
However, most drugs and medicines weren’t solely derived from herbs or shrubs; they often required a blend of specific ingredients. Sometimes, unconventional components like the heart of a demon lion or even demon birds were necessary, depending on the medicine’s purpose.
The absence of any demon-beasts on the list suggested an ample supply of such creatures and other animals beyond the sea. Perhaps their primary issue lay in the cultivation of plants, Armad speculated.
Taking a deep breath, Armad reassured himself that accepting these herbs as payment wouldn’t pose any inconvenience, as their primary use was medicinal. Despite the existence of herbal plantations throughout the city, most of the harvested herbs were promptly dispatched to the capital, where the Medicine Producers Association held significant sway, second only to the King’s Legion in authority.
This practice extended beyond Armad’s city, affecting herbal farmers across the empire. The majority of the herbs were procured by the Medicine Producers Association and the King’s Legion, leaving only a fraction for general consumption as spice.
This scarcity was compounded by the lack of individuals skilled in the production of medicines, a craft centralized in the capital. With another resigned sigh, Armad turned to address the man.
“They are indeed available,” he replied, prompting a beam of appreciation from Alabuda.
“We may proceed to inspect the weapons now,” Armad suggested.
While food was essential, the need for herbs outweighed it. Despite the possibility of sourcing food from elsewhere, access to these herbs was restricted due to the stronghold of the Medicine Producers Association. Openly defying their ban meant challenging their authority, a risk few were willing to take.
Both the islanders and their offshore counterparts had a formidable Medicine Producers Association, engaged in a perpetual power struggle where the stronger dominated the weaker. Despite the offshore guild’s advantage in fertile lands, the islanders stood firm against their attempts to control the herb trade.
Alabuda saw an opportunity to trade the weapons he brought for a portion of these coveted herbs. Excited by the prospect, he led the way to the fleet.
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Meanwhile, Armad contemplated bartering a portion of the weapons allocated to the King’s Legion, provided they met his standards. He understood the value of reciprocity and wouldn’t part with them without proper compensation.
Having exclusive control over the herb farming on his land, Armad possessed sole authority to approve its distribution. However, in light of the rebellion by the King's Legion, he refused to sell them the allocated one-third any longer.
Similarly, Armad had meticulously measured the Medicine Producers Association's herb requirements, asserting his autonomy over his domain. They had no right to dictate terms on his territory.
Upon reaching the coast beyond the southern wall, Armad beheld a fleet of massive ships, manned by numerous cultivators, resembling a small army. Despite their imposing presence, these cultivators were essential for safeguarding against pirates who frequently menaced the seas.
Recognizing the necessity of such precautions, Armad understood that without them, their cargo would be vulnerable to plunder long before reaching its destination. As they were welcomed aboard, Armad's attention was captivated by a unique weapon in the cargo hold, resembling spectacles with their round shape, crafted from a sand-like material infused with metal.
Stepping forward, Alabuda seized one of the explosives, deftly twirling it in his hand before presenting it to Armad for inspection.
As Armad examined the heavy object, it resembled nothing more than a clump of rock.
“This is an explosive, Your Highness,” Alabuda explained. “We have 1,500 of them on each ship, totaling 15,000 when combined. We call it a Cultivator Bomb. It detonates within 3 seconds upon impact, once filled with cultivation.”
Noticing Armad’s skepticism, Alabuda suggested a demonstration of its power. After some hesitation, Armad agreed, intrigued by the potential of the weapon.
Returning to the deck, Alabuda raised the weapon high and hurled it with tremendous force. Infusing it with cultivation just before release, the explosive illuminated as it soared through the air, erupting into a deafening blast upon striking the water.
The impact created a swirling vortex resembling a deep well, while the force of the explosion caused the men aboard to struggle to maintain their footing.
Despite the sheer magnitude of the blast, the ship managed to withstand the shockwave, leaving Armad impressed by the weapon’s potency in battle.
For instance, had he possessed this particular weapon during the recent battle, Armad would have distributed it among his men as they waited. When the wild people came into view, the weapon could have been launched from the battlement, offering a convenient long-distance attack without the need for his men to leave their defensive positions.
Of course, such weapons wouldn’t pose a threat to higher cultivators equipped with skills to cloak and protect themselves. Even lower-tier cultivators like formation establishment cultivators could defend themselves effectively.
However, most battles comprised a mix of cultivators and non-cultivators, with the majority being condensation cultivators and only a few higher-ranking commanders possessing greater cultivation levels. This weapon would have proved invaluable in such scenarios, particularly against opponents lacking protective abilities.
“What is the price of this weapon?” Armad inquired.
Alabuda smiled, swiftly calculating in his mind before bowing respectfully to Armad.
“Every tonne of food could purchase a hundred of these weapons if paid in food. But if payment is made in herbs, then a bucketful of herbs is worth a hundred weapons.”
Armad hesitated as he contemplated this offer. He knew the predetermined portion of herbs allocated for sale could easily procure all the weapons within the fleet, even including the share reserved for the King’s Legion.
With that assurance, Armad nodded immediately, greatly exciting Alabuda. “We have other weapons, Your Highness,” Alabuda exclaimed, leading the way back inside. The first weapon they encountered was a sword, its craftsmanship evident in its pristine appearance, free of any impurities. The gleaming sword caught Armad’s attention.
“What about this?” Armad inquired. Without a word, Alabuda presented the hilt to Armad.
Upon touching the sword, Armad’s cultivation spun around it instinctively, as if drawn to it like a hungry mouth craving food.
Frowning, Armad attempted to withhold his cultivation by force, halting the sword’s absorption.
At this, Alabuda smiled and explained, “Your Highness, this is a unique sword capable of enhancing any cultivator’s power. However, cultivators must learn to control it to prevent the loss of their cultivation, which would be more of a hindrance than a help.”
“But its strength also depends on the amount of cultivation it absorbs,” Alabuda continued. “If my guess is correct, it has already taken at least a hundred cultivation years from you.”
“And right now, that cultivation is embedded within it, but it will disintegrate if it remains too long. You can use it to launch lethal attacks for the next 10-15 minutes, capable of harming even those with higher cultivation levels. Additionally, the force of the attack depends on the amount of cultivation you infuse into it.”
Armad hesitated, pondering how such a weapon came to be available for sale. While such weapons did exist, they were typically closely guarded secrets, passed down through generations within families. Yet, he couldn’t deny the mastery displayed by these weapon craftsmen, surpassing anything he had encountered in his realm.
However, he couldn’t shake the thought that selling such powerful weapons for such a low price seemed suspicious. Yet, perhaps they were driven by desperation, needing food badly enough to resort to selling their prized creations.
Without a word, Armad moved to the deck, raising his sword hand. With a powerful swing, he released the stored cultivation within the sword, marveling at the mesmerizing red hue, reminiscent of his Negrinki, but in a more defined form. The released energy surged forward, resembling a deep sword wound, threatening to cleave the air in two.