As the "Death Soldier Potion" was consumed, every fugitive and outlaw couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.
Veins resembling worms rose under their skin, making every outlaw's face fierce and even terrifying to behold.
Simply looking on, one could feel the pain that these fugitives and outlaws were enduring.
Yet, not a single person cried out in pain.
That person was watching them!
That person was waiting for them!
All the fugitives and outlaws looked towards Arthur, whose expression was gentle but eyes were filled with determination; they clenched their teeth and persevered, even as their teeth ground noisily and fresh blood overflowed from their mouths, they continued to hold on.
Suddenly, one of them collapsed to the ground.
He was one of the twelve who had initially been able to control their desires.
He was also one of those whom Arthur regarded highly.
Compared to those who succumbed to the "Sound of Death" and its "Bewitchment" in the first round, those who could control their own desires naturally had higher potential.
But unexpectedly, it was one of these twelve who fell first.
'Is it because his "Physique" is not strong enough?' Arthur wondered as he looked at the somewhat frail figure, guessing to himself.
However, his expression remained gentle, though a trace of concern appeared in his eyes.
He was worried about the person who had fallen.
And the person saw it.
The person saw his king's concern.
How can I allow my king to worry about me?
This is extremely rude!
This is a trampling of my honor!
The fallen outlaw suddenly clenched his fist tightly, smashing it into the ground, using his head as support, and slowly exerting force with his legs, managed to "squeeze" himself back up.
"King, I won't disappoint you!
Even in death, I must crawl back!
Even in death, I must charge for you!" roared the slim member of the twelve.
Even as more fresh blood spurted out with his roar, his gaze became unprecedentedly tenacious, and the most special part of his body started to flicker.
It was "Spirituality"!
Arthur looked on in surprise as "Spirituality" flickered within this slim individual.
But it was truly there.
'Indeed, will can conquer flesh!' Arthur thought to himself and nodded solemnly at the man, declaring earnestly—
"I am waiting for you!
I am also waiting for all of you!
I believe that you will certainly not disappoint me!"
His words resonated unequivocally, without any hesitation.
Arthur truly believed that these people would not let him down.
It was no pretense, nor a performance.
It was a conviction of victory after ample preparation.
Genuine, truly 'sincere'!
Everyone could clearly perceive this, and then, one after another, they let out growls from their mouths.
What was this pain in comparison?
The real agony was not being able to charge under the king's command!
Gleams of spiritual light began to flicker one after another; the twelve that Arthur had high hopes for, all began to exhibit "Spirituality." Their skin started to turn a rapid red, as if burning with an extreme fever, and wisps of vapor began to rise from their bodies.
A normal person in this condition would quickly lose consciousness.
If treated even slightly late, they would suffer lasting effects.
Moreover, even with timely treatment, they could end up impaired.
But these twelve were different.
They looked at Arthur as if he were the beacon in their lives.
How could they faint when they could gaze upon their king for even a moment longer?
The pain inside their bodies?
The raging heat that followed?
All of it didn't matter!
As long as the king was there, they could overcome.
They could ignore everything.
With 12 individuals as an example, the remaining fugitives and desperadoes were also filled with an ignited belief—these people, already different from the ordinary, at this moment, mixed this belief into their own obsession and each chose their own way to resist the pain.
Fantasizing about charging under Arthur's command, conquering cities and seizing territories.
All of them, without exception, fantasized about this.
When pain struck, beautiful fantasies could effectively alleviate it.
And for these guys, what could be better in this life than standing by Arthur's side, charging into battle for him, and dealing with any enemy who dared to offend Arthur?
They lived solely for Arthur.
The special properties of the "Sound of Death," the "Bewitchment," the "Bloodline Seal" with the "Lionheart King's Presence," the "Twisted Legacy," and the effects of the "Death Soldier Potion" had completely warped the minds, characters, and beliefs of these 50 individuals at this moment.
They were still themselves.
But they were no longer themselves.
When the world looked at them, it was as if they were looking at monsters.
But they didn't care.
Aside from their king, no one else in this world mattered to them anymore.
They accepted such praise.
Obviously, they would carry their king to the throne of the Monster King.
The trial of the "Death Soldier Potion"...
All 50 individuals passed!
Bob was stunned when he witnessed this scene, his eyes wide and mouth agape, completely at a loss for words to express his shock.
Because it was impossible!
No matter the previous research or his own.
Such a 100% success rate was impossible.
Death Warriors couldn't be born this easily.
But if it happened...
It really was a miracle!
Bob looked at Arthur, admiration mixed with uncontrollable excitement in his eyes.
Since one miracle had occurred.
Could there be even more miracles?
There absolutely would be!
Bob looked at Arthur, so firmly believing.
Arthur simply raised his hand.
Gold bars, Gold Coins, they surged forth like a tide in front of Bob, piling up into mountains.
This was all of Arthur's worth.
From James's Black Gold to Harris's gold bars, along with the money he'd accumulated on ordinary days—after setting aside the necessary, everything was here.
"I need you to go all out in crafting Potions."
Bob respectfully agreed.
Afterward, Arthur turned his attention to his Death Warriors.
The corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly.
He knew he had grasped the key.
Perhaps he wouldn't be able to replicate it with 100% efficiency in the future, but with these 50 men, everything would become much easier; the very first step of his 'plan' truly began.
"My warriors, welcome to rebirth,"
Little Lisop was already there with food and clothing prepared, the heir of South Town, with a warm smile, along with his subordinates, distributing them to the first batch of Death Warriors.
Of course, there was also bathing water.
Outdoor bathing water, though without a bathtub, once boiled in a big pot, a piece of waterproof fabric with eyelets was the best choice.
The Death Warriors bathed and changed, picked up their food, and then sat down beside Arthur.
There was no special arrangement.
These Death Warriors, purely based on their strength, surrounded Arthur.
The weakest were on the outer circle.
The strongest occupied the innermost.
Just as Arthur had predicted, the 12 Death Warriors who had overcome their desires achieved the greatest strength, and as he looked at these 12, a thought suddenly struck him.
"Do you know the story of the 'Zodiac Constellations'?"