Robin didn't know what to say. The prices, the frenzy, the roaring enthusiasm for his pills had gone far beyond his wildest imagination. What would happen if I invented a pill to extend life… or one that directly increased the chances of a breakthrough?
His memory wandered back to the words of the All-Seeing God: this planet was still nascent, and he mustn't strip it bare—he must leave something for later generations.
So this is the true task of those who walk the Path of Truth…? Planetary development? Only now did Robin begin to understand those words fully.
"Hey, what are you brooding about? Dreaming about how you'll spend your new fortune?" Mila teased with a sly smile.
"Actually, that's the second reason I came out today. To spend some coins," Robin answered casually. "After selling fire talismans for months, I've got more than enough. No need to hold back anymore—I want beast hides of different levels and plants with fire, darkness, or wind attributes."
Robin had already discovered two critical truths about talismans:
The medium—what you inscribe the pattern on.
The skin of fire-aspected beasts, like red rabbits, had shown far stronger results than ordinary parchment. If such power could be drawn from the weakest monsters, what might happen with hides from stronger beasts?
The ink—what you use to inscribe the pattern.
When he used ordinary ink, the results were negligible. Even on rabbit hide, the explosion was no better than level three. But when he used ashes—ashes from burning beast hides themselves—the result leapt to the destructive power of level six.
That's why he had experimented with the Spirit Revitalizing Pills: their base ingredients already contained elements aligned with the secondary law he was fusing. To strengthen the pill was to strengthen the pattern.
…If I could one day refine a stronger raw pill itself, would the effect of my patterns soar even higher? He smirked, then dismissed the thought. That was work for a distant future. Right now, the pill industry itself was crude and unstable. But after today's "revolution," who knew how fast it might advance?
Mila's eyes lit up. "Hides and plants? Don't tell me you're making something new?"
"Of course. Hey, the auction isn't over yet. Why don't you buy me the best hides in your name, then send them to my residence? You can deduct the cost from what you already owe me."
Mila bit her lip. After swallowing a Number Three pill and claiming the others, she owed him a lot. "…Alright, I'll do it. But you'd better show me your invention first."
"Haha, deal." Robin stood, stretching. "I've achieved what I came for. The rest I leave to you."
Mila watched his back as he left, a faint smile tugging her lips. She was glad—glad that she and her father hadn't been shortsighted. This boy might just change the world.
Outside the hall, Robin stopped and glanced back, chuckling. "Are you proud of your master, Theo? Hah! Those so-called miracle pills wouldn't even be worth pocket change on older planets. They're not even pills—just edible talismans! And yet I sold a twenty-coin pill for sixty-thousand coins… I almost feel guilty."
Theo, silent as always, followed at his side. But if he could speak, he would have told Robin how proud he truly was—that raising the value of a pill from twenty coins to sixty-thousand was nothing less than divine genius.
"Well, whatever. These +180,000 gold coins will keep my research well-fed for a while. Next time, I'll auction something truly worthy." Robin finally turned his back on the auction house and strode toward House 207.
"Welcome back, Big Brother! Do you want me to prepare your room for another retreat?" Zara came running, bright-eyed. She already knew Robin's routine—after every 'little outing,' a long seclusion always followed.
"No need," Robin smiled. "I'm not chasing a new law this time. Everyone around me is getting stronger while I'm stuck at level six. It's time to raise my strength too, or else they'll start thinking their master is weak. Haha."
Theo nearly laughed aloud. You, weak? Even with my Darkness Law, I doubt I could scratch you. If anything, we're the ones trembling at your shadow.
Robin, of course, had another motive. Higher levels meant stronger souls, sharper focus. The stronger he grew, the faster his research would progress. Caesar, Theo, Peon—they were already secured. Zara could wait; she was still young.
The next morning, a heavy cart arrived laden with hides and plants of every kind. Robin inspected each carefully, experimenting with different inks and ashes after finishing his daily training.
Three weeks passed in the blink of an eye. The time had come for the monthly talisman delivery. For the first time, Robin chose to handle the exchange himself.
He didn't care for pomp or ceremony. What he cared about was news of Caesar.
"Good evening, little Zara. I've come for the Burton family's monthly share." A deep voice echoed outside.
"Come in," Robin answered.
The man outside froze. That voice…?
When the door opened, a middle-aged warrior stepped in, his aura radiating at the 19th level. He blinked in shock, then shouted, "Sir Robin! I never thought I'd see you again—it's my honor to be chosen today!"
Robin studied him with one glance. Nineteenth level. Clearly a trusted retainer of one of the Burton Saints. So the family values these talismans that much…
"Forgive me, Uncle, but I don't recall you," Robin said politely.
The man laughed. "No surprise! How could a genius like you remember a mere foot soldier? But please, if there's anything I can do, ask it. Each time we came before, you were absent—it made us worry."
"I'm fine. Just busy. But I wanted to ask about Caesar this time. Is he well?"
"Of course! Just two weeks ago, he crushed the tenth-level genius of Stanley Duchy before the entire crowd. He's now recognized as the number one genius in the kingdom!" The man puffed his chest proudly. "We owe it all to you, Sir Robin. You raised our heads to the clouds!"
Robin's brow furrowed thoughtfully. This is going smoother than I expected. So the royal family is tolerating him this much… interesting.
He leaned forward. "Tell me… has anyone, or anything, from outside the kingdom tried to contact Caesar?"
The man hesitated. "…I don't know if this counts, but… the Eight Kingdoms Tournament will be held in five months. Caesar has been invited to participate."