"You can bring Aki back to life?"
Hearing Muria's words, even those overcome by panic turned to him in shock and disbelief, especially Dr. Ellen, who appeared particularly moved.
"Of course I can," Muria replied with a slight smile. His current strength was on par with the Soul Will level in the world of Erathia.
Though he lacked the full authority of his true self to reverse life and death, with his current power, restoring the life force of a soul still present in the body—a revival akin to a grand resurrection spell—was entirely within reach.
Ignoring the stunned looks from the humans around him, Muria extended a hand toward Aki, who lay lifeless on the ground.
Golden light flowed from his hand, enveloping his body. Aki's rigid form floated up, hovering at chest level before him.
The golden radiance surged outward, pulling life force invisible to ordinary humans into Aki's body.
To the humans, what happened next was nothing short of miraculous: Aki's cold, purple-blue skin began to fade, returning to her original fair, glowing complexion.
A blush of life appeared on her cheeks. Though she had shown no signs of life moments ago, Aki's nostrils began to flutter slightly, her chest rose and fell in delicate, noticeable movements—she was breathing again.
A soft cough escaped her lips, and the girl floating before Muria's chest slowly opened her eyes.
"She's really alive again!" Dr. Ellen's eyes sparkled as she witnessed this miracle. She sensed that she might have just found what she'd been searching for. Though it looked different, the final result was exactly what she'd been after.
Aki, now awake, looked around in confusion, remembering the nightmare-like events leading to her last conscious moments.
"I inhaled Pandora's air. I was supposed to die, yet here I am…"
She examined herself, sensing an unprecedented vitality. Guided by an odd impulse, she glanced aside and saw Muria. His awe-inspiring presence made a deep impression on her.
"Are you a god?" she murmured as she looked up at Muria. She remembered the last time she'd been conscious, her life-support system had shattered, and she'd breathed in Pandora's air—so fresh, so sweet.
From her emergency training before coming to Pandora, she knew that even a breath of this world's air was fatal for humans, that no one could save someone in such a state. Yet here she was, revived and feeling more alive than ever.
"Aki, he isn't a god. He's a king of the Ikarian people!" At that moment, a voice called to her. Aki looked over and saw her mentor and classmates, still shocked.
Soon, she felt herself gently lowered to the ground. Once her feet touched it, she felt a subtle sense of loss, a faint twinge of regret welling in her heart.
"Aki, you're actually breathing!" a student gasped, realizing that Aki, with her shattered helmet and broken life-support system, was comfortably breathing this world's air without a hint of discomfort.
"I..." Aki, prompted, realized she was breathing air far fresher than anything from her world, without the slightest sign of harm.
"Don't be too surprised. This is just a small gesture of thanks for accepting my invitation," Muria said with a smile, his words prompting an indignant reaction from those around him.
"Your invitation style is rather… unique!" one of the students snapped, unable to contain their frustration.
Transplanting someone from a civilized society into a wild jungle where survival was uncertain and fear was constant could hardly leave anyone in a calm frame of mind.
"There was no other way; a normal invitation wouldn't have brought you here. So, I had to use… alternate methods."
Muria showed no trace of anger. If all went according to plan, these people would be working for him for the rest of their lives, so a little tolerance was harmless.
"May I ask why you've invited us here, Your Majesty?" Dr. Ellen spoke up, her tone respectful, her gaze on Muria brimming with fervor.
"The first task I have for you," Muria answered directly, "is to teach my knights your civilization's language and writing."
Learning the language and writing of another civilization is essential for absorbing its advanced technology. Without it, even if their knowledge were laid before you, it'd be indecipherable.
At his words, one of Dr. Ellen's students instinctively wanted to refuse, sensing the ambition and threat it posed to their civilization.
"Yes, Great King Urel. It would be my honor to serve you," Dr. Ellen quickly accepted before her students could respond.
"Good, you are wise," Muria nodded approvingly. He understood that her quick compliance likely had a reason behind it.
Perhaps it was out of fear, but it was more likely that she had a request of him. It seemed she wanted something from him.
"As the first outsider to obey my orders, you may make a single wish," Muria offered generously, understanding the value of rewarding compliance. "If it's within my power, I'll grant it."
"Great King Urel, can you grant me a face that will never age?" Dr. Ellen asked, half-expectant and half-reverent.
"An unaging face?" Muria chuckled at her request. "That is quite simple."
With a gesture, Muria pointed a finger at the doctor. A beam of golden light shot from his fingertip, entering Dr. Ellen's body.
In moments, her appearance began to shift visibly. Previously, her skin was smooth and firm, giving her the look of a middle-aged woman who took good care of herself.
But now, with the influx of life force Muria granted her, she no longer appeared middle-aged. She looked like a vibrant, beautiful woman in her prime.
Her students, especially the young women, stared at the transformation in awe. Which woman wouldn't want her youthful beauty preserved forever?
These students had chosen to study under Dr. Ellen primarily to extend their youth and delay aging.
Yet Muria's ability far outstripped Dr. Ellen's years of research. It seemed as though he had reversed time itself, returning Dr. Ellen to her most youthful days.
"Now, you can take off that cumbersome life-support system," Muria said after infusing her with life force.
"I can breathe Pandora's air now too?" Dr. Ellen hesitated only briefly before removing her protective suit, assured by Aki's precedent.
"As for the rest of you, as my invited guests, I grant you the same right to breathe freely in this world," Muria said as he fortified the humans' lungs with his powers. "Rest for a while, acclimate to this environment, and then start your teaching."
With that, Muria turned and left, giving the captives their space and time.
…
"Professor, why did you agree with that native king?" One of her students questioned her as soon as Muria was out of earshot. "Couldn't you see what he's after?"
"And what if I did?" Dr. Ellen replied indifferently. "Did you forget why we came to Pandora?"
"To collect and study Pandora's plants in order to create an elixir to extend life and delay aging!" Aki replied, having been revived by Muria's powers.
"We may not have found the plants, but we've found someone who can grant us longevity," Ellen declared passionately.
"But professor, he said he's not a god," one student pointed out.
"Does he have to say he's a god for it to be true?" Dr. Ellen countered, staring down the skeptical student. "Look at my face, then look at Aki—restoring youth, reversing death. Isn't that the domain of a god? We've encountered a true god, yet you're still hesitant! What's wrong with serving a god who can grant us immortality?"
"But even if he is a god, he's this world's god, not ours!"
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