There are some tribes that people believe were the reason behind the great emperor's decree. These tribes hold a tradition that when a prince inherits his father's throne, he also inherits his father's wives. This tradition has long been a source of controversy and moral concern. It is reported that Aldaima, the revered emperor, once declared, "God forbid this tradition of the tribes." Many people believe that this condemnation was the catalyst for Aldaima's decree, aimed at abolishing this practice. Thus, if a prince inherits the throne, he will not claim his father's wives, ensuring a more ethical transition of power.
Whether or not this was the actual reason behind the decree remains uncertain, as Aldaima did not explicitly state his motives. This lack of clarity has led to widespread speculation. The emperor who succeeded him, Ayrion, also upheld the decree without explaining, perpetuating the mystery. Ayrion's adherence to the decree suggests that he might have shared Aldaima's concerns, but without a definitive statement, people are left to interpret the reasons on their own.
Those who believe the decree was aimed at addressing the problematic tribal traditions argue that if this theory holds, it would explain why Ayrion continues to enforce it. They contend that Ayrion, like Aldaima, seeks to prevent the ethical dilemmas posed by the inheritance of wives. This perspective has broader implications, particularly regarding the emperor's stance on the town of Tiriba. If Ayrion is indeed motivated by such ethical concerns, he might be less worried about the fate of Tiriba, whether it remains under Armad's control or not.
The selection of Tiriba, a town located in a resource-poor seaside region, further fuels speculation about the emperor's intentions. Many believe that this seemingly strategic choice reveals Ayrion's priorities. By assigning Armad to govern a less significant area, Ayrion might be signaling his broader disinterest in Armad's ambitions. This interpretation has gained traction even among those who remain neutral regarding the power struggles between Armad and Ikenga. Despite the emperor's silence, his actions are scrutinized and interpreted, with people drawing conclusions based on the limited information available.
Armad, aware of his precarious position, understands that he lacks strong support in the capital city. His only reliable allies are his maternal family, who, being few, are unlikely to influence the broader political landscape. This isolation makes Armad vulnerable and cautious. He knows that the guests coming to evaluate his progress in developing the town could be either an opportunity or a threat, depending on their intentions.
Given this situation, Armad realizes the importance of being present in Tiriba when the evaluators arrive. His absence could lead to damaging rumors and conspiracies against him. Therefore, he decides to be in the town. He looked at the deva inside him.
“You will continue taking care of this town. You don’t have to let anyone know that I’m not around. Just let the people continue believing that I’m still in cultivation meditation. Maintain order and keep the townsfolk reassured. Continue taking care of the town until Nusi and the people she went with return. I hope to be back before then. Now I must go to the town of Tiriba. Something urgent has arisen.”
The deva, a loyal and trusted companion, nodded solemnly before speaking. “Your Highness, I understand your orders. However, wouldn’t it be better if I accompany you? There might be situations where my presence could be beneficial.”
Armad hesitated for a moment, weighing the deva’s words. After a brief silence, he shook his head. “We need someone to take care of this town. The people need reassurance and guidance in my absence. Additionally, I don’t think you would be useful on this journey. No one knows the path I will take or where I will go, let alone what challenges we might face. It’s best you stay here and follow my orders.”
With the deva’s responsibilities clearly outlined, Armad dismissed him and turned his focus to his preparations. He returned to his room and decided that he would use the spell of Kaban Shisu for the journey to Tiriba. This spell would deplete his cultivation energy, but it would allow him to cover great distances swiftly. He was well-prepared for this, having stocked up on energy-boosting pills to replenish his strength when needed.
Under the cover of night, Armad stealthily left the town of King Konfot, using the Kaban Shisu spell. Each incantation propelled him forward, teleporting him through the dense forest. The journey was grueling; he incanted the spell more than forty times, feeling his energy drain with each use. Eventually, his cultivation was exhausted, and he stopped, breathing heavily and feeling dizzy. He sat down on the forest floor, his body trembling from the exertion, and swallowed ten energy-boosting pills. The pills worked quickly, and after a few moments, his strength began to return. Refreshed, he continued on his way, determined to reach his destination.
He recalled the urgency of the message he had received. The guests were expected to arrive in Tiriba early in the morning, and it was already past 1:00 AM. He understood the importance of his timely arrival and pressed on, despite the exhaustion gnawing at him. Every step was a struggle, but his resolve remained unbroken.
As dawn approached, the first light of morning began to appear in the town of Tiriba. The serene town slowly awoke as roosters crowded on the surrounding farms, signaling the start of a new day. At this early hour, an elegant convoy arrived at the town’s entrance. Despite the absence of moonlight or sunlight, the horse-drawn carriages emanated a soft, ethereal glow, casting a gentle light on the cobblestone streets.
Among the convoy, there are riders, each possessing the ability to soar through the skies. However, despite this capability, they remain grounded, tasked with safeguarding the carriages flanking them from potential threats. As they swiftly approach the entrance of the town, they are met with an sight unexpected—the towering gates stand firmly shut, oblivious to their imminent arrival.
Upon reaching the gates, the lead guard of the convoy, his patience waning, bellows at the guards stationed atop the town’s walls, “Hey! Are you blind to our presence? Will you open these gates, or do you wish to test the consequences of defiance?”
The once-familiar face of the head guard on the wall has changed; now, it is one of Armad’s captains, a deva of considerable stature. This captain, now facing off against the convoy’s leader, recognizes him as one of Prince Sufa Wilberforce’s esteemed guards. The norms dictated by the Wilberforce empire demanded respect, even from those of higher rank. However, the disdain shown by the emperor’s progeny towards Armad has trickled down to their guards, leading to a palpable tension.
"In all likelihood, because I was not around in the capital city to discipline you, you've lost your discipline," the deva on the wall responded to him, his voice tinged with a mix of amusement and reproach.
The face of the frontman darkened and frowned. He too understood the one on the wall. Even before he stepped forward and spoke, he had already recognized him, a realization that fueled his thundering speech as he sought to assert his authority and demonstrate the vast difference in their statuses.
"Will you open the door for us, or will you go against the Wilberforce Empire?" the guard of Prince Sufa demanded, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of impatience and threat.
The deva on the wall burst into laughter, a booming sound that echoed around. "Hahaha, since when does refusing to open the gate for you equate to going against the Wilberforce Empire? Do you believe that your status as a mere guard elevates you to the level of the empire itself? Or perhaps you think that your position is akin to that of the council members of Wilberforce and that opposing you is equivalent to opposing them? Is that what you're trying to suggest?"
Upon hearing that the captain had altered his words, Prince Sufa’s guard became furious. The implications of this change were dire; if the news were to spread and be twisted, it wouldn’t be long before the guard faced severe consequences, possibly even execution. He attempted to respond but found himself at a loss for words. Meanwhile, the captain, perched on the town wall, merely smiled at him with a knowing expression. This smile seemed to convey that, even in a verbal confrontation, the captain would prevail due to his superior intellect and cunning.
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After taking a few moments to regain his composure, the guard of Prince Sufa managed to calm his mind and organize his thoughts. He addressed the captain with renewed clarity and purpose. “We are a convoy dispatched from the Palace of Emperor Ayrion. Our mission is to deliver an important message from Emperor Ayrion to Prince Armad. Accompanying me are elite envoys entrusted with this message. I hereby order you to open the town gate so that we may fulfill our duty and deliver the emperor’s message. Should you refuse, we will have no choice but to return to the emperor and report that we were denied entry.”
At this, the captain’s expression shifted to one of concern. It became evident that the guard’s status was higher than he had initially assumed, or that the urgency of the situation had compelled the guard to gather his thoughts and speak with uncharacteristic eloquence. This was unusual given the guard’s previously known behavior.
The captain fell into deep contemplation. He considered the possibilities: either this guard was accompanying Prince Sufa himself—an unlikely scenario, as it was rare for the emperor to send one of his progeny to such a remote region—or he was one of the emperor’s elite servants, potentially even a member of the council. These possibilities explained the guard’s sudden composure and articulate speech. The captain realized that he could no longer afford to keep them waiting. Although the judge had instructed him to delay as much as possible to buy time for Prince Armad’s return, the gravity of the guard’s introduction made it clear that further stalling was not an option.
“This is what you should have said from the beginning,” the captain remarked, his tone a mixture of respect and admonishment. “This is the discipline taught in the Wilberforce Empire, though it appears you have not fully embraced it.”
"Open the gate for them," he ordered authoritatively. Instead of the front-line soldiers moving to open the gate, the soldiers who stood beside him began to move sluggishly towards the gate, clearly attempting to waste time. After approximately six minutes, they finally reached the gate and began the process of opening it.
Inside the carriage situated in the middle of the convoy, while tense exchange of harsh words was taking place between the captain and Prince Sufa's guard. Amid this heated conversation, Prince Sufa opened his eyes. He first revealed his face, his expression stern. Was there a servant bold enough to stop him from entering? He clenched his teeth in anger. However, after a brief moment, he composed himself, and a brutal smile formed on his lips. He recognized the captain as one of his elder brother's servants. Although he held no respect for his elder brother and was capable of committing any clandestine act of brutality against him, he knew he could not publicly disrespect him. The ethics of the Wilberforce Empire demanded that younger siblings must always show respect to their elders, regardless of any underlying conflicts.
Inwardly, Prince Sufa resolved that he would order the covert execution of the captain who had dared to deny him entry. However, he knew such an act could not be carried out openly.
The judge seated beside him, as if reading Prince Sufa's thoughts, spoke softly yet firmly. "Your Highness, considering your virtues and the greatness you are destined to achieve, you should not squander your energy or thoughts on the least significant of creatures. You carry the purest blood in the Wilberforce Empire."
Prince Sufa remained silent, and upon noticing that the prince had no desire to continue the conversation, the judge fell silent as well, bowing his head in respect. Without further delay, the gate was opened, and the carriages proceeded to move into the town.
At this moment, the guests understood that the town soldiers had been anticipating their arrival. From the town gate onward, there was a long line of soldiers in armor, each holding a long spear, forming a queue to the left. On the right side, an equal number of soldiers stood in formation, each holding a new sword.
As the convoy passed through, the soldiers maintained a disciplined stance, their gaze fixed firmly on the sky. This form of ceremonial welcome was a tradition upheld by the maternal family of Armad, symbolizing a blend of respect and solemnity.
When some people heard about the Wilburforce Empire, they imagined that everyone there was enjoying harmonious and joyful relationships. This perception, however, was far from the reality. While the empire presented a unified front, significant differences existed among its people. These differences stemmed from various sources. Intermarriages between different clans and families often led to complex dynamics and tensions. Additionally, the vast distances between the cities of the Wilburforce Empire created regional variations in culture, traditions, and even loyalties. These geographical separations sometimes resulted in misunderstandings and conflicts, further highlighting the diversity within the empire.
As Prince Sufa observed the kind of welcome he received, he understood it was a message from his brother. This caused him to frown and grit his teeth. In his mind, he thought, "Do you think your mother, who has been in the afterlife for a long time, will rescue you? Do you believe your maternal family has the power to defend you against us?" Although he did not say it aloud, anyone looking at his eyes could understand his thoughts.
Without much delay, they reached the town's palace. Outside the palace, they encountered another line of soldiers. The cultivation power of these soldiers was greater than those they had encountered before. Clad in armor and holding weapons, they looked towards the sky—a welcoming gesture from Armad's maternal family. At the entrance of the palace stood the judge, flanked by two devas.
At this point, everyone in the squad began disembarking from the carriages. Those in the 13 carriages at the front and the 13 carriages at the back got off first, forming a protective circle around the central carriage, allowing Prince Sufa to disembark unseen. Behind him, a judge stepped where he had placed his foot.
Everyone made way for Prince Sufa as he headed towards the palace entrance. His face remained frowning as he approached because he did not see his brother. It was a significant insult to him, a progeny of the emperor, to arrive and find no one to welcome him except those of lesser blood. Even if his brother had welcomed him, he would not have been satisfied because he knew his brother's blood was weak. Although Armad was a progeny of the emperor, many, including Sufa, believed Armad had inherited weak blood from his mother. This led to widespread disdain for Armad. However, on this day, Armad seemed to be asserting that he was not to be underestimated.
As they reached the grand entrance of the palace, the judge representing Prince Armad stepped forward with measured grace and bowed deeply before Prince Sufa. The devas, positioned respectfully behind Armad’s judge, followed suit and bowed to show their reverence. After offering his respects to Prince Sufa, the judge turned and bowed slightly to the judge accompanying Sufa, recognizing him immediately. They were equals, both holding high positions within the empire's judicial system. This subtle acknowledgment was more than a mere formality; it was a gesture laden with significant meaning. Armad’s judge deduced that this must be a profound message sent by the emperor himself. The presence of such high-ranking officials outside the capital could only mean one thing: the emperor was about to grant independence to one of his children or convey an extraordinarily important message. Typically, the emperor would not dispatch such esteemed judges beyond the capital for trivial matters.
From what Armad’s judge knew, none of Prince Armad's younger siblings had the luxury of judges to manage their affairs, especially judges of high rank. Only Prince Armad and Prince Ikenga were afforded this privilege. Armad had been assigned his judge when he was sent to Tiriba, a significant event in his life. This judge had initially overseen the affairs of Armad’s mother until her untimely death. After her passing, the judge felt a deep sense of duty towards Armad, prompting him to personally request permission from the emperor to accompany Armad on his mission. The emperor, under normal circumstances, would have found it difficult to spare a high-level judge for such an assignment, but the judge's dedication and the special circumstances swayed his decision.
The judge who accompanied Prince Sufa bowed slightly in return to Armad's judge, a mutual acknowledgment of their equal status within the capital. However, Prince Sufa viewed the situation differently. In his mind, the presence of these powerful judges was a delicate matter. He understood that he did not have the authority to challenge or oppose them. Any harm done to one of these judges could result in severe consequences, possibly even collective action against him. Moreover, such an affront would likely incur the wrath of his elder brother, Prince Ikenga, who held considerable influence and power. The potential repercussions were enough to make Prince Sufa restrain his impulses and remain calm.
Despite this, Prince Sufa’s frustration simmered beneath the surface. "Where is he? Why did he not come to welcome us? Does he think that because this little town is now under his control, he is too important to greet us?" Sufa's voice held a sharp edge of indignation. "Or does he wish to imply that he underestimates the power of my bloodline? If that is the case, I want this brother of mine, whom I share the same father with, to come forth and teach me what he has learned, even if it means engaging in a brief clash of five minutes."