Does this mean there is a condition he has not yet met, despite the system permitting him to start increasing the toughness of his muscles? Or will the percentage remain at 99%, never changing to 100%? Perhaps it implies that despite his skin’s toughness reaching 99%, there are still potential attacks that could injure it, which is why the system refrains from declaring it 100%. As these thoughts crossed his mind, Armad sensed a hint of truth in them. He wanted to ask the system to confirm his suspicions, but another issue arose: the roughness of his skin.
His skin had transformed, now resembling that of a crocodile. Although the pills he had consumed kept it from looking like the tough, leathery skin of an old crocodile, it still bore a striking resemblance to the skin of a baby crocodile or an aged lizard that had spent many years in a dark hall without seeing sunlight. The diet of such a lizard, consisting of soil or spider webs, made its skin appear rough and weathered, much like Armad’s.
What would happen if his brother became aware of his new appearance? If that occurred, it wouldn’t be surprising if his brother returned to the capital city and claimed that demons had possessed Armad. He might even accuse Armad of using black magic to secure his victory. Armad knew his brother well enough to understand that he would go to great lengths to discredit him. Seeing Armad’s current appearance would give his brother the perfect opportunity to conspire against him, potentially spreading rumors and lies to undermine Armad’s achievements.
Armad had already used almost all of his skin-whitening pills. While the roughness of his skin had reduced, it hadn’t completely disappeared. Some patches of rough skin remained, which could still give away his transformation.
“System, I want to use the remaining skin-whitening pills to lighten the skin on my head, face, neck, hands, and legs. I want you to target only the visible areas of my body. Is this possible?” Armad asked the system, his voice tinged with urgency.
Several seconds elapsed before the system responded. “This is possible. The system can restrict the areas where the skin-whitening pills will take effect.”
Armad sighed deeply, his breath echoing in the quiet chamber. In his haste, he began swallowing the pills one by one. Each pill seemed to have a life of its own as it slid down his throat. After 30 minutes, a profound transformation took place. Armad’s body morphed into a being with two distinct forms. From his neck down to his knees, his skin is rough and coarse, a texture that is far from human. It looked almost reptilian, a stark contrast to the smooth, shining skin he once had. However, his face, hands, and other visible parts of his body retained their human appearance, still gleaming with the healthy shine they used to have.
Armad sighed again, this time with a mix of resignation and determination. He knew what needed to be done next. Without wasting any more time, he had to leave the palace and head to Alhaji Saminu’s farm. The medicinal plants growing there were crucial. Though they had not yet matured fully, he needed to harvest and consume them. Perhaps, by doing so, he could concoct the skin-whitening pills that might restore his body to its original state. All other concerns and duties had to be postponed; this was his top priority.
He stood up, feeling the weight of his new form, and walked over to the pool in his chamber. The water was cool and soothing as he bathed. Once clean, he changed into fresh clothes and stood before a mirror. For the first time, he spent over ten minutes scrutinizing his reflection, inspecting every part of his body to ensure no visible roughness remained. Satisfied that his disguise was intact, he left his chamber.
As he stepped outside, the first person he encountered was the judge. The judge had been pacing anxiously near the entrance, his movements filled with nervous energy. He had tried several times to enter the chamber but was stopped by the deva guarding the door. The deva had been given strict orders by Armad to allow no one inside. The judge, though worried, respected Armad’s command, understanding that there must be a significant reason behind it.
Upon seeing Armad, the judge sighed heavily, a mix of relief and concern crossing his face as he approached. Armad met his gaze, remaining silent and composed.
“We succeeded. We have victory, Your Highness,” the judge announced, his voice filled with triumph. He repeated the word “victory” three times as if to emphasize the magnitude of their achievement.
Armad nodded, his expression unreadable. He was already aware of their success. Since Ai and her assistant had used the herbs to awaken their cores, Armad knew the next challenge was to learn how to use these herbs to awaken the cores of their remaining soldiers. Ai and Sahau had no extraordinary abilities but had managed to achieve this feat, which gave Armad hope. He believed they would find a way to help their remaining soldiers awaken their cores using the same herbs.
“We succeeded,” the judge repeated for the fourth time, his voice barely concealing his excitement.
Armad gestured for the judge to be quiet, his eyes scanning the shadows of the room. “We don’t know who might be listening,” he whispered, motioning for the judge to follow him. They moved with purpose to Armad’s inner chamber, which is a fortified sanctuary designed to protect against any information leaks.
Once inside, Armad locked the door and turned to face the judge. “Now, tell me everything. What have we succeeded in?”
The judge took a deep breath and began to recount his findings and the events of the last four days. He spoke of intricate details and significant developments, but what struck Armad the most was the realization that he had been in deep meditation for the entire duration. This meditation had been so profound that he lost track of time and the world outside.
Armad’s eyes widened as he remembered his last order before entering meditation: to have the soldiers present at the palace entrance within four days. Now, those soldiers had arrived early this morning and had been waiting, unattended and without direction.
The judge went hunting with the 10 selected soldiers and they succeeded. Hence, he is now telling Armad about the success. However, he doesn't have the opportunity to attend to the soldiers waiting, whom Armad ordered to be present without Armad's permission.
Armad sighed, rubbing his temples as he processed this information. He closed his eyes, diving into deep contemplation. After a moment, he opened them and spoke with a newfound clarity. “So, if I understand correctly before the herbs can awaken a person’s core, their heartbeat must exceed 150 beats per minute?”
The judge nodded eagerly. “Yes, my lord. This is the crux of our discovery. In a normal state, a common person’s heartbeat ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Only in rare cases does it exceed 100. However, for the awakening herbs to be effective, the heartbeat must surpass 150 beats per minute. Ideally, it should reach more than 160 beats, and the optimal condition is when the heartbeat hits 170 beats per minute.”
Armad leaned forward, intrigued. “And how do we achieve this elevated heartbeat?”
The judge explained, “We believe it can be induced through intense physical exertion or a state of heightened emotional stress. When the heartbeat reaches this peak, the individual must consume an overdose of the herbs. This will trigger the awakening of their core, akin to how a seal is broken to unleash its hidden power.”
In the past few days, the judge carefully selected a group of soldiers and led them into the dense, foreboding forest. His first command was for them to run, before taking them deeper to where the wild animals roamed freely.
Each soldier bore a seal on their body, a sophisticated seal designed to monitor their heartbeat and any notable physiological changes. The judge positioned himself at a safe distance, diligently documenting their progress. Unbeknownst to the soldiers, a deva was also concealed nearby, vigilantly monitoring their condition. This secrecy was deliberate; the soldiers believed they were utterly alone in the forest, surrounded by wild demon animals. This belief instilled a paralyzing fear in them. Their heart rates skyrocketed, especially after witnessing three of their comrades fall prey to the wild beasts, unable to defend themselves.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Before the mission, the judge had given explicit instructions to the deva: remain hidden and intervene only if more than half the soldiers were in mortal danger. This directive was crucial in maintaining the illusion of isolation and imminent peril. As a result, the soldiers’ heart rates surged to over 160 beats per minute, driven by the acute fear of death. Only a few managed to keep their heart rates below 150 beats per minute. Because of this overwhelming fear, and with the continuous use of the herbs, every soldier succeeded in awakening his or her core. Although none managed to enslave a demon, the activation of their cores was a significant achievement. Some soldiers inherited 10 years of cultivation, others 20, and a few even 30. This outcome marked a resounding victory. The next step was to report the mission’s results to Armad, who would guide them on how to continue using the herbs to awaken the cores of other soldiers.
The judge began to envision the future with growing optimism. He imagined the creation of a formidable battalion of 50,000 cultivators, all empowered by the use of these potent herbs. Such a force would exceed the combined battalions of the nine towns that had previously attacked Tiriba. This development suggested that within the next 1 to 2 years, Tiriba could stand on its own against these adversaries, without needing the aid of Armad and Nusi. This prospect was indeed a cause for celebration. The judge now believed they had laid the essential foundation for building their empire. What once seemed impossible was now within reach, with time being the only remaining factor to realize their goal.
However, with this newfound power came the necessity for vigilance. The judge knows they needed to be acutely aware of potential threats from the associations of seal makers and medicine producers. These groups might not agree with their methods and could pose significant opposition.
Now, a smile appeared on Armad’s face as he took a long, steady breath and looked directly at the judge. “Go to our farm and harvest one plant from each king of plants,” he instructed. “You may harvest two from the fully mature plants. Additionally, I want you to bring me all the animals you’ve killed during your hunting expeditions. Don’t tell me that after all the days spent hunting in the forest, you have not brought home the animals you hunted.”
The judge opened his mouth and furrowed his brows, lost in contemplation. What was his master planning to do with the animals? Unbeknownst to Armad, the judge had already divided the hunted animals into three parts. The first portion was delivered to the palace kitchen for the preparation of meals. The second portion was given to the soldiers who accompanied him on the hunt, allowing them to share the bounty with their families. The final portion was divided among himself, the deva who accompanied him on the hunts, and the local beggars. Given this careful distribution, the judge was puzzled about Armad’s request and unsure of his master’s intentions.
“Consider it done, Your Highness,” the judge replied with a respectful nod before leaving the room. He immediately issued orders for the portion of the animals brought to the palace to be taken to Armad’s chamber. Without wasting any time, he then proceeded to the farm to harvest the plants as Armad had instructed.
While the judge was busy executing Armad’s orders, Armad did not remain idle. He exited his chamber and made his way to the palace grounds where the soldiers he had summoned earlier in the morning were gathered. To his surprise, their number had already exceeded one thousand. Some soldiers were standing, others were seated on the ground, and many were huddled in small groups, engaging in animated discussions about their current situation.
The soldiers were unaware of the exact reason behind Armad’s summons. They only knew that they had been called to receive a gift. This anticipation had even drawn soldiers who were not present during Armad’s duel against his brother, Sufa. The promise of a reward was a powerful motivator, and they all hoped to receive the gift their master had hinted at.
By now, the soldiers had been waiting at the palace entrance for more than ten hours. The long wait had begun to wear on their patience, and some soldiers were contemplating returning home. Despite the growing restlessness, most of them chose to stay, driven by the belief that this prolonged waiting might be a test of their loyalty and endurance, a prerequisite to earning the promised gift.
In one corner of the bustling courtyard where the soldiers gathered, Ai and Sahau skillfully disguised themselves among the ranks. By this time, Ai’s status within Armad’s battalion had significantly risen, earning her considerable respect and responsibility. The judge had personally assigned her the critical task of blending in among the newly arrived soldiers to oversee their conduct and ensure order.
Ai remained stationed in that corner, a silent observer. She allowed anyone who wished to leave the freedom to do so, but she stood ready to intervene when necessary. Her presence was typically unobtrusive, but she would step forward decisively whenever potential chaos threatened to erupt among the soldiers, calming them with her authority and composure. It continually surprised her that, despite their initial morale and bravery early in the morning, the soldiers seemed to lose their courage as the day wore on. Yet, not a single one had abandoned the palace grounds. Ai took note of this shift, recognizing that the townspeople’s trust in their leaders had grown remarkably strong. This trust had been cemented from the day their leader, King Armad, had decisively vanquished the wild people who threatened their town. His victories against all enemies who dared to attack had filled the hearts of the townsfolk with both admiration and a healthy dose of fear. Ai felt a sense of pride and relief seeing how deeply the people respected their king, knowing that his charisma and leadership were crucial in shaping their collective spirit.
“Do you think King Armad wants to awaken their core as well? I think that’s why he summoned them,” Sahau whispered, breaking Ai’s train of thought.
When they were assigned to monitor the soldiers, neither Ai nor Sahau had been informed of the exact reason for the summoning. However, Ai, leveraging her connections within the palace, knew that the judge had previously taken a group of soldiers on a hunting mission. The outcome of that mission remained a mystery, as those soldiers had yet to return. Despite being the one who had selected the soldiers for the judge, Ai was still in the dark about their fate. This uncertainty extended to the current batch of soldiers who had been summoned, leaving her anxious about what might happen next.
“Perhaps,” Ai replied thoughtfully, “I also suspect that awakening their core might be the next step King Armad intends to take.”
As they conversed, Ai raised her head, feeling an inexplicable shift emanating from the palace exit. Despite not possessing a refined spiritual sense, let alone the ability to detect specific occurrences at a distance, she was often attuned to subtle changes in her environment. Perhaps it was her heightened intellect or something intrinsic to her demonic essence, but she had an uncanny ability to sense impending danger. This premonition extended beyond immediate threats, allowing her to anticipate events even before they fully materialized.
Her gaze fixed on the palace doors as the king emerged, accompanied by a towering deva, a captain in his battalion. The atmosphere shifted instantly; conversations halted, and soldiers who had been lounging jumped to their feet. A renewed sense of purpose and energy surged through the ranks. Fatigue evaporated, replaced by eager anticipation. Their generous king was known for his magnanimity, often rewarding his warriors with substantial gifts. The 5,000 Airids he promised was a fortune, equivalent to what an average businessman might earn over a year. Yet, the king was willing to bestow this wealth upon them freely, as gratitude for their participation in a battle where casualties had been minimal. They had already divided the spoils of war among themselves, and the king had not claimed a single piece for his own.
“I thank you for waiting patiently since morning without complaint,” Armad’s voice resonated across the field, commanding attention. “As some of you may have guessed, this waiting was a test in itself. Patience is a crucial virtue in our battalion. Those who cannot endure a mere day’s wait are not fit to join us.”
He paused, ensuring his words sank in, before continuing, “The second test is equally straightforward. You will be required to run around this town three times within 24 hours. Only those who complete this task will receive the promised reward and remain part of our battalion. Be aware that passing the second test means you must prepare for the third, which will ultimately determine your standing within our ranks.”
Armad turned and nodded to the deva behind him. With a swift motion, the deva soared into the air, landing gracefully amidst the assembled soldiers. Without wasting a moment, he began organizing them into groups with practiced efficiency. Elite soldiers under Ai’s command were designated to lead each group, while Ai herself would oversee the entire operation. The deva monitored from the rear, ensuring everything proceeded smoothly as the soldiers commenced their run around the town.
As the soldiers departed, Armad stood in thoughtful contemplation. His mind was a whirl of strategies and potential outcomes when a voice interrupted his reverie. “Your Highness, do you think this run will push their heart rates above 150 beats per minute?” The question came from the judge standing beside him.
Armad turned to face the judge, regarding him thoughtfully before responding, “I cannot say for certain. Only by subjecting them to the test will we find out.