SSS SKILL: DUPLICATE

Chapter 73 End of Trial

In the morning, a pillar is surrounded by many citizens of Baynard. The pillar has carved runes. At the top of the pillar is a crystal ball. The runes of the crystal ball are shining.

Every village, town, and city has a pillar with a crystal ball. The runes on the pillar protect the crystal ball from sunlight, rain, and theft.

The pillar has no shed. It will produce a shield when it rains or when someone moves too close to the pillar. Mana will surround the crystal ball during intense sunlight. Some crystal balls were stolen by thieves. Kings, queens, and emperors probably have a sample of the crystal ball right now, but Edgar deliberately made the runes very complicated. There are many useless runes on the crystal ball to delay their imitation for as long as he can.

The citizens were told that their king has something important to announce about the current situation of the war against the Maginev Empire. The image of Van Flameworth shows up in the crystal ball.

"Citizens, the empire took two of our strongholds."

The citizens look anxious when they heard Edgar's opening statement.

"But we stopped the further advancement of the empire. Citizens, we successfully defended our kingdom against the empire! The empire that trampled many kingdoms in the past!"

"YEEAAAH!" The citizens all over the kingdom raised their hands. They feel so excited.

"The war is over. Let us give honor to the soldiers that willingly risk their lives to protect our kingdom. They are at the frontline protecting our kingdom's prosperity. They are the silent heroes that ensure the safety and current lives of our citizens. Citizens, let's give them honor and applause."

The citizens clapped, and some whistled.

"Mom, I want to be a soldier when I grow up. Protecting the kingdom is the same as protecting you and your sister," said a boy holding a wooden sword. His mother smiles and pats the boy's head.

"Dad, I am at the age that I can join the army. I want to become a soldier," a young man said?to his father. He is holding a bow and has arrows on his back.

"But you're my only son.W-what if something happened to you?" said his father worriedly.

"Dad! Our current lives are only possible because we are under the rule of Baynard. Besides, we no longer lack food, so you can just make another son!" said the young man. His father's and mother's faces turned red.

Within the capital of the Maginev empire, the emperor is currently walking toward a house that imprisoned Ruso to personally release the old man and apologize for deliberately ignoring him. The real culprit has been captured. Leyton is imprisoned and will be tortured, as he said during the meeting.

A servant is frantically running toward the emperor. The emperor frowns as he looks at the servant. The servant shivers. His face is full of sweat.

"What's wrong?" asked Gustav.

"Y-Your Majesty, R-Ruso is gone." The servant stuttered as he answered the emperor.

Bang! The ground cracked as Gustav released his aura. His eyes and expression are very fierce. He breathes heavily and endures his anger. He stopped releasing his aura, then they went to the house. Ruso is not there. Only terrified guards and servants are there.

"Look for the family of Ruso and lock down the city!" Gustav fiercely ordered . He went back to a room and waited for news. He closes his eyes and controls his emotions.

Knock! Knock! Gustav heard the knock and let the intelligence officer come in.

"Your Majesty, the family of Ruso is gone. Leyton kidnapped them and put them in a house outside the city. He wants Ruso to commit suicide and take the blame for leaking our technology. Someone saw the former comrade of Rostas who now works as a spy of Baynard. That man raided the house with others and saved the family of Ruso two days ago. The witness was held and only been released today. He was paid to keep his mouth shut. We also asked the servants and guards that served and guarded Ruso. There seemed to be some changes in his behavior one day ago. Someone might have replaced him one day ago," the intelligence officer reported.

Gustav is gripping his fist hard. He is gritting his teeth as he listens to the report.

"Get out," said Gustav. His rage is boiling inside. One day is enough for them to bring Ruso out of the empire.He activated the device for a sound blockade. A white shield appears from the device, then spreads to the whole corner of the room. Gustav's face turned very fierce and hideous.

"FUCK YOUUU BAYNAAARD!!!"

One day after the start of the war, the expected intense battle that would last for many days or a few months did not happen. Beings around the world are shocked that the war ended in just one day.

The war is over, the Maginev Empire won, and they took two strongholds from Baynard. This is the news that Maginev deliberately spread to their citizens, but world leaders around the world know that the true winner is Baynard.

"How can they end it in just one day?! Why is Gustav willing to end the war without trying to trample Baynard to the ground?!" asked Emperor Uslou of the Morowind Empire to his ministers.

"Your Majesty, Maginev don't have enough money to support a long war with Baynard, so Bartos led their small troops for a quick crushing operation, but they failed. Our spies said that Baynard used advanced shielding technology that blocked the overwhelming attack of the Maginev army. They changed their plan and made a detachment unit to bring chaos within the kingdom of Baynard to force the army to come out from the stronghold and face them head-on. The detachment units were ambushed. Only the unit led by Marshal Bartos escaped with no death and-" the face of the intelligence officer turned serious.

"Your Majesty, Marshal Bartos was severely injured and defeated by the young king of Baynard."

The emperor's face turned serious. The intelligence officer continued.

"They have to retreat because Van Flameworth will wreck the army of Maginev. They cannot afford to lose the army and Bartos there. Baynard helped them save some face by abandoning two strongholds. Now, they have temporary peace."

The emperor is silent and thinking. His finger is tapping on the armchair, and then he smiles.

"Hahahaha, Baynard is probably very jubilant now. They don't know the true power of an empire. Although that young king is a freak, he will certainly die once he is surrounded by Bartos and aura masters with the king's field." The emperor grins, and his face turns hideous.

"Let us give them time to develop. Let Maginev turn their focus on Baynard. When Baynard is a little closer to the strength of the empire, we will reach a deal with Maginev and let them use their full force. We will be the fisherman in the all-out war between Maginev and Baynard."

All the ministers are happy when they heard the plan of the emperor.

"Your Majesty, we should ask them to share the technology of the crystal ball and the magic shield they stole from Maginev," said a minister.

"Hahahaha, of course, I really like the position given to me by Baynard. I can become a fisherman simply by making Aktor cause commotion in the Gap a few times," said Empeor Uslou.

"Your Majesty, if border trade is possible with Ogres, then it is a lot more possible with Maginev. Our businessmen can monopolize the merchandise of the grassland and then sell it to the east through border trade in the Gap," said the Prime Minister.

Clap! The emperor clapped his hands at the idea of the prime minister.

"That's an excellent idea. Send a diplomat to Maginev. Border trade can even ease our relations with that empire, making our future plans easier."

Edgar did not return yet to the capital of Baynard. He won't change the capital yet since there is a crystal ball that makes communication easier. He can manage the whole territory, even if he is far away. Issues in the whole territory will be immediately known to the royal court. He won't return to the capital until the new strongholds in front of the abandoned territory are built. He talked with Elena first through the crystal ball, then with Roy. Roy became the Prime Minister after his return from the Morowind empire.

"Your Majesty, many countries want to learn the technology of crystal balls. Even Morowind wants to learn the advanced magic shield. Their tone is even mixed with threats," said Roy with a smile.

Edgar also smiled when he heard that Morowind was threatening them.

"We already expected this situation, but it isn't the right time to share the technology of the crystal ball. Morowind benefits a lot while our kingdom exists at the back door of the Maginev empire. They won't allow our kingdom to be destroyed, at least not yet. Technology on the shield cannot be given. You must delay sharing the crystal ball until our culture invasion is ready." Edgar paused for a while and tapped his finger on the armchair.

"We might share the technology of crystal ball with Morowind first since our television could reach them. We can build crystal towers on the mountains to reach their empire. We must reach an agreement with them that will benefit the kingdom. Ensure that we must be allowed to build pillars of television and our TV shows must be aired. Talk with Kristoff, make teams of actors and actresses. Include different races, especially elves, then send those teams to countries that accept our terms. We will spread the influence of our kingdom. Let the beings around the world yearn for our kingdom. We will make Baynard the cultural center of the world."

After the war, there was a temporary peace with the help of the Morowind Empire. Within that peaceful period, Edgar used his knowledge of the modern world to spread the influence of Baynard in the Aurora World. Video recording was invented. Drama and movies shocked the world. Beings around the world yearn for the Baynard kingdom, even citizens of Morowind and the Maginev empire. Baynard shared their technology of television with the two empires in exchange for building TV stations and showing TV shows.

The old prime minister of the Maginev Empire proposed peaceful coexistence with Baynard. The tripartite existence of Baynard, Maginev, and Morowind was the most balanced, but Gustav was too obsessed with conquering the whole east of the central continent. The imperial court of Morowind was afraid of the growing influence of Baynard, so they were pushing Gustav to attack Baynard.

After five years of temporary peace, war broke out. There was an all-out war between the Maginev Empire and the Baynard Kingdom. The full force of the empire attacked the kingdom. There were fierce battles between the armies, navies, special forces, and top forces.

One factor that had a great effect on the outcome of the war was the battle between aura masters with embryonic forms of concept. Feiyu, Flute, Marco, and Rey fought with aura masters on the same stage. Dan fought with a beast king that can contend with a king's field.

The plan of the Maginev Empire to encircle Edgar with Bartos and aura masters with King's Field failed. Bartos fought Edgar with his upgraded King of Fist. Edgar was also able to upgrade his sword field. They had a world-shaking battle in front of their main army. Edgar won after a gruesome battle. Gustav was afraid of losing his life and was forced to temporarily surrender, but his wishful thinking of recovering his power failed.

Morowind wants to make a move, but Edgar sent a diplomatic team. He proposed a resolution for everlasting peace. After thinking carefully, Morowind agreed. They want to invade the east because they want to create a buffer zone to protect their territory and reach the sea to trade what they need. The peaceful resolution of Baynard is possible. The threat of invasion will be gone, and they can keep trading what they want. It was a good deal, but they can't easily give up.

One condition of the agreement is a fight between Aktor and Edgar in tall, stony mountain ranges where lightning is abundant. It is a place that is very advantageous for Aktor. Aktor and Edgar had a fierce battle. The mountain ranges were devastated. Big craters formed and became lakes later. Aktor and Edgar came back to their own places. Morowind and Baynard did not publicize the result. There was no witness to the fight.

After the fight, Baynard officially became an empire.

Baynard and Morowind proposed the establishment of the United Nations, which shocked the world. The United Nations will keep peace in the world. They invited each country to come to Baynard and form laws that will truly maintain peace and won't be exploited or harmful to any kingdom or empire.

After years of studying, the United Nations was established. It is truly an organization that has the power to destroy kingdoms or empires. It has its own army. Old monsters at the stage of fourth-level aura and 8th-circle magicians came out of their seclusion and volunteered themselves to enforce the laws of the United Nations. The world was shocked, but small and weak countries were overjoyed. Empires do not mind. They made sure that the laws were not harmful to them. The headquarters of the organization is in a permanent neutral country near the southern continent. It is a beautiful and peace-loving country.

Peace was truly maintained. Trade between countries became a lot easier. The development of the world accelerated.

With the help of Edgar, Baynard became the cultural center of the world. Many people yearn for it. The empire became very prosperous. It established research centers and then invited intellectuals from around the world. Potion making, Runesmiths, and Magic development accelerated.

Edgar and Elena had twins, a boy and a girl, after trying for many years. Citizens of the empire rejoiced. Edgar kept absorbing knowledge. He thought that the trial would end soon, but after fifteen years, the virtual world kept on going. The longest hyperbeing in a virtual world on earth is Death God. He stayed for fifteen years, then it was automatically ended. Edgar was confused, but he was overjoyed. He had more time to learn.

Many years passed, and Edgar passed the throne to his son. Edgar focused on learning after passing the throne. He also formed a research team to simplify aura cultivation that can be used by most people, men or women, old or young.

After many years of searching, Edgar was sure that the virtual world doesn't have gods, but he has no regrets, even if he does not inherit the power of God. After one hundred years in the virtual world, he has already reached the apex of magic in the virtual world, the 8th circle. He felt that his concept of the sword could still advance. When Elena passed away, he talked with his family about his plan to tour the world. His great-grandson and great-granddaughters cried when they knew that he was going away for a long time, especially the three-year-old Emilia and the seven-year-old Dorothy. He was able to coax them with great difficulty.

With the speed of his flying sword, he was able to travel the world in a short period of time. After a few months, he went to the deserted land. It isn't actually a desert. It is called deserted because no human being lived there. There are hundreds of meters of tall gorges and valleys. There are wide swamps and forests. There is a long river with deadly water creatures. Morowind cannot attack the south because of tall red and yellow gorges along the way and powerful monsters on the deserted land.

Edgar met a group of goblins fleeing from a monster. He saved them by killing the monster. They were living in a cave, but they were attacked by an underground creature. The goblins lives are pitiful. They might become extinct after a few years. Their current generation was suffering the sin of their ancestors by launching a war against humans.

Edhar taught them knowledge. He found out that they have a talent for potion-making and plant aura. He wanted to bring them to Baynard. He carried them with his flying swords. There were only one hundred of them. They rested on top of tall gorges at night or when eating. Edgar had many foods in his large storage space within himself. Storage space is a magic skill resulting from long research. He cannot teleport because he has poor aptitude for space, but making storage space is still possible.

When he returned to Baynard, he communicated with his grandson, the current emperor, to establish a place for goblins. His great-grandson and Emilia are snatching the monitors of communication, eager to communicate with him. The other two little girls are much more behaved. He stayed in the place and helped the goblins establish their home. He used his powerful sword and magic to quickly build a town in less than thirty minutes. The goblins were overjoyed. They cried and thanked Edgar a lot.

While watching the busy goblins, Edgar saw a young goblin practicing his swordsmanship with a wooden sword. The wooden sword snapped because he had already used it for some years. He shakes his head, then looks for a replacement. He looked around, and then he saw a twig. He picked it up, then he started practicing again. That scene struck like lightning in Edgar's mind. He closed his eyes and analyzed what he had realized. He opened his eyes, and he smiled. He flew with his sword on top of a mountain. He looked at the sky and clad his two fingers with a white aura. The white aura became longer and formed a short white sword, then he slashed his fingers to the sky. A thirty-meter white aura blade quickly flew to the sky and cut the cloud.

Edgar smiled. He no longer needed a sword to cut. Even leaves can be used as a sword. Anything he holds can be a sword. When Edgar completely realized it, his whole body was suddenly covered with blinding white light. The white light gathered on his forehead and formed a white-light sword. All the swords around the world with a little sentient shook and floated, then they bowed in the direction of Edgar. All beings around the world were shocked. There is only one that could possibly create that scene: Van Flameworth, the strongest being in the world, made another advancement, the pinnacle of swordsmanship that only exists in legend, Swordheart. The white light sword went to Edgar's sea of consciousness.

A few months later, the whole world mourned as the strongest and greatest legendary being in the world became part of history. Van Flameworth's ember of life ended. The one hundred years of trial ended.