They continued their discussion for several minutes before Armad resolved to test his insect repellent on food plants. Despite the system not specifying which insects his repellent could kill, Armad decided to try his luck. He reasoned that even if it didn't eliminate all insects, any reduction would be a victory. Given the impressive effects of the pills the system had provided, Armad was confident that his repellent could potentially eradicate all types of insects, safeguarding both the medicinal and food plants.
Armad entered a room on the farm and requested a drum of water. Once it was brought to him and everyone else had left the room, except for Nusi, he withdrew a pill from his magical bag and dropped it into the drum. In moments, the water began to bubble, turning a milky color. He then carried the transformed water outside. The judge and Alhaji Saminu, noticing him from a distance, hurried over to assist, but before they could reach him, Nusi had already taken the drum.
The matter of farming and insects was not something that would yield immediate results; patience was required to see the effects of Armad's solution.
Opening his mouth, Armad addressed Alhaji Saminu, "Stop using any other insect repellents on our food plants. Use this water instead to repel the pests. I'll expect your feedback in two weeks."
Alhaji Saminu remained silent, contemplating whether it was wise to experiment with this water on the plants. Considering that the recent attacks by the wild people had left this as the only large farm standing—other farms were either destroyed in battle or neglected and withered—he was hesitant. People were too afraid to tend their crops, which led to their demise.
Saminu raised his head to look at the judge, then at Armad. "Your Highness, I've already paid for industrial repellents, some of which have been delivered. I think we should wait until next year to test this new repellent."
Armad shot Alhaji Saminu a disdainful look and walked away from the farm, convinced that his repellent would not harm the crops; each of his pills was designed for a specific purpose. His only concern was for the medicinal plants, which even the industrial repellents could damage.
Noticing that Armad disregarded his concerns, Alhaji Saminu rushed after him, pleading for forgiveness. Armad, however, did not stop walking. It was only the judge who turned back and gestured for Saminu to return and follow the instructions, while he and Nusi followed Armad away from the farm.
Having hastened back to the palace, they promptly continued their deliberations on the intricacies of governance. These discussions were a preamble to a significant meeting planned with an assembly of over five hundred farmers, both from the town and the surrounding rural areas. When the time came, the farmers arrived and respectfully greeted Armad, who then stood to address the gathered crowd. His reason for summoning them was twofold: to deliver a piece of consequential news and to convey a stern admonition.
“Your actions have not gone unnoticed,” Armad began, his voice carrying weight. “During the battle, as our city faced its adversaries, many of you chose to abandon your farms. This mass exodus led to a dire shortage of provisions within the city walls. Nevertheless, it has been brought to light that a number of you were influenced or even intimidated into fleeing by those King Legends Warriors, among others. Now, as we stand victorious, it is evident that their warnings were mere fabrications designed to sow panic. I must make myself unequivocally clear: this serves as the last warning. Any individual who forsakes their farm during such critical junctures shall not find welcome back in this town, for they will be barred from our community indefinitely.”
A somber mood descended upon the farmers as they absorbed the gravity of Armad’s words. They knew in their hearts that they had done exactly as he described.
In that sobering moment, Armad grappled with the idea of confiscating the farms. The instigators who had persuaded the farmers to depart had compensated them, and seizing the lands would mean displacing seasoned farmers whose expertise was indispensable. Nevertheless, a warning had to be issued to deter such behavior in the future. “Understand this: should any one of you repeat such an act, you will face consequences. I urge you to heed this warning,” he proclaimed, his tone unwavering.
Armad then proceeded to the surprising news. “Henceforth, I implore you not to purchase insect repellent from the local manufacturers,” he stated, pausing momentarily to observe the crowd’s reaction. He could sense the tension among the farmers, their eyes fixed on him, awaiting the conclusion of his speech. If he stopped short, merely advising against the purchase of repellent, it might be dismissed as yet another cautionary message. However, he was acutely aware of the implications—without appropriate insect repellent, their crops would be vulnerable to pests, leading to potential crop failure and wasted labor.
Sensing their need for assurance, Armad continued, “We will introduce a new initiative to support your efforts in safeguarding your crops. Effective alternatives to commercial repellents will be made available to ensure that your hard work does not go in vain. We are taking this measure not only to protect your livelihoods but also to secure the city’s food supply.”
The farmers exchanged puzzled glances and murmured among themselves, their brows furrowing in confusion. They wondered when the royal operations had expanded to include the production of such mundane items as insect repellent. Armad, however, was not inclined to delve into the history or reasoning behind the palace's latest venture; time was a luxury he could ill afford to squander on lengthy explanations.
He left the gathering abruptly, trusting the judge to handle any further questions from the farmers. Earlier discussions with the judge had led to an agreement that the farmers needed to establish a new registry for their settlements within the town. By having a precise record of the farmers' assets and possessions, the local authorities would be better equipped to maintain order and swiftly administer justice should any future incidents arise.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
While the judge and Armad's military aides were busy delving into the personal affairs of the farmers, Armad himself had retreated to the solitude of his private chambers. Here, in the quiet, he reflected on the closure of the agricultural dilemmas that had been brought to his attention. Yet, a ruler's work was never truly done. His thoughts turned outward, to the neighboring towns that had so grievously wronged him.
During his recent battle against the wild tribes, these neighboring towns had committed an unforgivable act of treachery. They had silently watched as the enemy passed through their lands, choosing not to warn Armad of the impending attack. This oversight—or rather, deliberate act of subterfuge—had not gone unnoticed by the shrewd ruler. It was clear to Armad that to secure his reign and prevent future betrayals, he must assert his dominance over these towns.
Resolved to act, Armad penned a directive with a steady hand. The ink flowed onto the parchment as he outlined his commands for the impending military maneuver. Once satisfied with the content of his missive, he called for a guard and handed over the paper, instructing him to deliver it with haste to his trusted commander, Silaini. This document was to be the catalyst that would initiate the expansion of his territory, bringing the neighboring towns under his control.
Standing up from his desk, Armad gazed out of the window, his mind racing with strategic possibilities. He anticipated the upcoming conflicts, for he knew that the towns would not capitulate without a struggle. They were already likely seeking allies, hoping to fortify their defenses against the retribution they must have known was coming. However, fear was absent from Armad's heart. He was prepared for the challenge, and he was determined to emerge victorious. With each victory, his power would grow, and with it, the foundations of an empire that would endure for generations. The thought spurred him on; it was time to turn his visions of conquest into reality.
In one of the neighboring towns, a somber mood permeated the royal court where King Konfot presided with his three chief advisors. Their faces were marred by a distinct lack of joy. The cause of their dismay was the failure of their messengers to gain entry into the town of Tiriba. King Armad had denied their envoys even the simplest courtesy of entry, effectively preventing them from conducting their intended espionage. The messengers had returned just as uninformed as when they had departed, an outcome that deeply troubled King Konfot and his council.
Understanding the implications of this rebuff, King Konfot’s frustration boiled over. With a sudden movement borne of rage, he brought his fist crashing down upon the royal table, exclaiming, “This boy, Armad, knows not the wisdom of diplomacy. He believes his string of minor victories grants him invincibility, even against us. Such arrogance! We reach out with our envoys, and he dismisses them without a moment’s consideration!”
The king, unable to contain his restlessness, stood and paced from wall to wall within the confines of the court before settling back into his throne, his mind racing with strategy.
“Write immediately to the Association of the Towns in this vicinity,” he commanded. “Inform them that we are fully aligned with the strategic initiative to bring down the town of Tiriba. Should we allow Armad to consolidate his power further, he will inevitably turn his resources against us. We must act decisively and with overwhelming force. Armad is not an adversary to be underestimated; he bears the bloodline of Wilberforce, and should he face defeat, those of his kin might well come to his aid.”
The eldest among the court advisors, a man whose wisdom was as revered as his years, nodded in agreement, yet his voice carried the weight of caution as he addressed the king. “Your Majesty, I believe we need not fear any alignment from the Wilberforce contingent. The conflict we now face is but an extension of the discord among the progeny of the King of Wilberforce. The schism between Armad and his brother, Ikenga, is palpable. Many in the Wilberforce cabinet have thrown their support behind Prince Ikenga, who is, after all, the rightful heir. I have every reason to believe that King Ayrian will refrain from meddling in these affairs, and thus the Wilberforce military will not pose a threat to our plans. Besides, we have the formidable backing of the King’s legion, whose presence alone guarantees that Tiriba will never reach its potential.”
King Konfot, though visibly assuaged by his advisor’s words, still harbored a lingering sense of unease. “You bring forth sound arguments,” he conceded, “and yet, one troubling thought persists. The King’s legion may indeed profess allegiance to our cause, but should word of our collusion reach King Ayrian or his council, the Warriors may deny us. This prospect fills me with dread, for their support is the cornerstone of our military strategy. Moreover, the envoy in question—whose influence we have perhaps overestimated—may be readily disowned, leaving our position even more precarious.”
As these concerns hung heavily in the air, a momentary flicker of optimism crossed King Konfot’s face, driven by the knowledge of the bitter enmity that festered between Armad and Ikenga, the brothers locked in a bitter struggle for supremacy. “Ikenga’s animosity towards his brother, Armad, runs deep,” King Konfot reflected aloud. “Ever since Armad defied his counsel and chose Tiriba over the smaller, less strategic towns favored by Ikenga, a rift has widened between them. Ikenga’s clandestine attempts on Armad’s life, such as the infamous poisoning incident, are well-known throughout the realm. If Ikenga truly harbors murderous intent towards his brother, then he may well be inclined to support our endeavors.”
With a heavy sigh, King Konfot made his decision, fully aware of the weight of responsibility resting upon his shoulders. “We must proceed with caution and resolve,” he declared to his council. “The looming threat posed by Armad and the uncertain allegiance of the King’s legion necessitate a meticulous approach. Our objective remains clear: the annihilation of Tiriba to prevent Armad from amassing further power and threatening our domain. However, we must tread carefully, for the intricate web of alliances and enmities within the region demands a delicate touch.”
The court fell into a contemplative silence, each member grappling with the gravity of the impending conflict. King Konfot’s concern for the loyalty of the King’s legion and the potential repercussions of their actions weighed heavily on his mind. The intricate dance of power and intrigue unfolding around them left no room for error.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the royal court, King Konfot rose from his seat, a steely determination in his gaze.
“Prepare the missive to the Association of the Towns,” he instructed. “Our fate hangs in the balance, and we cannot afford to falter. We march towards a decisive confrontation with Armad and his forces, knowing that the future of our realm hinges on the outcome of this looming conflict. Let us proceed with vigilance and unity, for only through unwavering resolve can we hope to emerge victorious in the tumultuous days ahead.”