A Demon's Journey

Azaroth had a good reason to ask Bianca to pass that instruction to Sophie. At this point, Sophie had no idea that Edwin had been killed. In fact, she was blissfully unaware of Inquisitor Fox's plan to trap Edwin.

Naturally, the news of Edwin's death was concealed from her as well. Sophie had tried to contact Edwin multiple times, but the Voice Transmission Array Stone won't connect. She thought there was some issue with his Voice Transmission Array Stone and forgot about it.

She believed that this situation could easily be resolved when they meet again. Thus, she placed these worries at the back of her mind and just focused on her array studies. Azaroth was rather optimistic about her talent in arrays.

It wasn't very exceptional compared to the talents he had the fortune of seeing or working together. But it also wasn't bad that he could ignore it. Azaroth knew that he couldn't handle everything for long.

He required helpers. He couldn't make pellets for all his subordinates while simultaneously preparing arrays for the myriad groups of his retainers. Moreover, he needed someone who would constantly add new things, keep things optimized and up to date. This was only possible if he had someone with him whose passion was creating arrays.

For this to occur, Azaroth knew he had to create another clone. And this one had to have the same appearance as Edwin. In fact, Azaroth planned to create this clone similar to Nudar. This clone would possess a pure Human Bloodline.

Azaroth couldn't just walk up to Sophie and reveal that he was Edwin. However, there had been a risk she may refuse to obey him. Hypnotizing her would be detrimental because she would lose most of her talent in studying arrays.

He also couldn't break her psychologically. It would affect her performance and once again, she would be of little use to Azaroth then. Thus, Azaroth concluded that he should continue that little affair she had with Edwin. He had a plan in his mind on how he should convince her.

Right now, her group was traveling towards the battlefield between the Glerian Kingdom and the Sinyalian Kingdom. She was accompanied by two more groups. The two leaders were Alby and Roman.

They were the genius trio of the Mesenana City, who had high scores in their respective field. Their associations and even the Royal Family expected great things from them. When they heard the news that a small group of warriors was troubling their soldiers on the battlefield.

Naturally, the soldiers had informed their superiors that the people who appeared on the battlefield were actually rather young. Moreover, the one leading them was the youngest among them. A little boy with an exceptional sword talent.

When this information reached the King's Court, the King was rather displeased that the Glerian Kingdom's youth were suppressing the Sinyalian Kingdom's Soldiers on the battlefield. It provided that this batch had a great talent.

He was considering sending his most talented child, the crown prince to deal with Noah's group. He wanted to send a powerful message to the King Tryfon of the Glerian Kingdom that no talent in the Glerian Kingdom could stand tall against the talents of the Sinyalian Kingdom.

At that moment, one of the King's Advisors spoke out that instead of sending the crown prince to the battlefield, they should send the top rankers from different associations on this expedition.

This would be a good method to test them. After all, it was very possible that the associations were cheating and singing fake praises about them. If so, they had to know about it as soon as possible.

In fact, it would be a good idea to deal with this current generation of geniuses so that the next batch would have great opportunities. Naturally, it was a rather cold suggestion, but it was rational.

The Sinyalian Kingdom used to operate in this manner a few decades ago. But ever since the current King Valliadis's ascension, they had halted this method. Instead, they allowed the youths to mature normally, without the influence of the battlefield.

Naturally, the mortality rate decreased greatly. However, the situation was turning against the Sinyalian Kingdom. Even though there were a greater number of talents, these talents had never witnessed a true war.

Thus, their thoughts had never been to enforce their military. Instead, they were all working on their personal projects, due to which, they had some sort of conflict with the Royal Family of the Sinyalian Kingdom repeatedly.

Meaning that instead of working for the kingdom, they were raising internal conflicts within the Sinyalian Kingdom. This was actually harming the kingdom and the results were visible now that the Kingdom was approaching war against another kingdom.

The better alternative would have been to send them all into war when they were merely youthful brats. Basically, when they hadn't chosen the ideology that they would follow in their life. When they could still be molded into something the king desired.

They would have a sense of heroism and think more about the Kingdom rather than their individual benefits. While battling and risking their lives for the kingdom, it would be natural to expect a bit more income than normal. And some perks that wouldn't usually be available.

Naturally, there was a price of sending these youths to the battlefield. The Kingdom had to fund them appropriately. This was a test of their skill. At the very least, they should have no lack of resources when fighting against the enemy of the Kingdom.

It would only be bad for the Sinyalian Kingdom if they lost some real gems because these youths lacked resources. Thus, it was a kind of bet. King Valliadis knew that he wouldn't lose much with this bet.

He would find the level of the associations and would gain insight on how he had to develop them in the next decade.

Ever since Noah found out that the Sinyalian Kingdom's reinforcements were on their way, he had halted any fighting and stayed in the main camp, set up by the Glerian Kingdom's Army.

The Sinyalian Kingdom couldn't touch him there. At this moment, Noah ordered his subordinates to mend their injuries and work on digesting everything they had gained from these battles.

They had to meditate and think deeply about their battles. Even if they couldn't recall each and every detail as Noah could, they had to think as deeply as they could and try to improve.

He wanted their mind to keep up with the changes as well. Noah naturally reported all this information to Azaroth at the end of the week. Azaroth had put him to give him weekly updates so that Azaroth was up to date on what Noah was doing.

Azaroth was naturally quite surprised and even proud at what Noah had accomplished. However, when he heard from Noah that he wanted his subordinates' minds to improve along with their physique, he was quite satisfied with this approach.

However, Noah soon added that he was expecting them to display improvements within a week, Azaroth couldn't help but facepalm while letting out a sigh.

Noah truly didn't understand the difference between a genius and an ordinary individual. What was normal or even easy for him was an arduous task for others. Noah couldn't just expect them to show results so quickly.

However, Azaroth also knew that this was a rare opportunity for Noah's group members. He couldn't just let them waste it.

He spoke to Noah, "Pull out the thin branch of the Seven Colored Bodhi Tree I gave you. This can allow your subordinates to gain insights quickly. Their mind would work faster than ever."

"The range of this thin branch of Seven Colored Bodhi Tree is half a mile around its body. The closer one is to it, the greater its effect. It's up to you how you use it now," Azaroth finished speaking.

"I understand, Master! I won't disappoint you!" Noah spoke with an excited tone.. It was as if he now had a new toy to play with.