Listening to Aurelius's words, Dylan and the other three knew that the opportunity for them to improve their strength had likely arrived.
The four of them listened quietly to Aurelius, though Aurelius could sense their slightly nervous emotions.
Looking at Dylan and the others, Aurelius didn't say much about it.
After all, their loyalty went without saying, and combined with their talent, they were excellent seedlings for cultivation.
As golden ripples appeared in the air, eight books and four Devil Fruits appeared floating.
Dylan and the others looked at the items floating in mid-air, their eyes lighting up slightly.
Seeing this, Aurelius nodded and spoke.
"You should have seen, or even used, these eight books."
"So, you should be familiar with these things."
"Correct, these eight books are the Dual Haki Training Manual Noble Phantasms."
"From today on, they belong to you individually."
"In addition, these four are secret treasures of the sea, also known as Devil Fruits."
"From left to right, they are: Paramecia · Chilly-Chilly Fruit, Zoan · Mad Lion Fruit, Zoan · Tibetan Mastiff Fruit, and Zoan · Cloud Elephant Fruit."
"These are the rewards for this Kingdom Test."
"Eating the Chilly-Chilly Fruit will grant the power to control cold air. If developed to a high level, one could even freeze the sea."
"The other three Zoan Devil Fruits, after being eaten, will strengthen one's power, physique, and recovery ability, and allow for transformation."
Listening to Aurelius's continuous introduction, a trace of longing appeared in the eyes of the four boys.
They came from the military and were at an age of passionate youth; it was perfectly normal to desire things that could enhance their strength.
However, the four also knew that these were Aurelius's things. Thus, although they desired them, they suppressed their emotions.
Since childhood, they had been educated by their families to dedicate all their loyalty to the Kingdom and the Royal Family regardless of the cost.
Therefore, although the four of them were eager, they dared not say much until Aurelius fully confirmed the reward.
Seeing this, Aurelius nodded his head imperceptibly.
Aurelius was very satisfied with their reaction.
Although they were eager, they showed restraint and did not commit any acts of overstepping their bounds.
As the future King of the Helios Kingdom, even though Aurelius usually appeared approachable, he was actually quite domineering.
Only what the King gave could be taken; if the King did not give it, one could not covet it.
Humans have emotions and desires. When facing treasures, they subconsciously reveal longing.
Aurelius understood this, so he didn't mind.
However, if the treasure belonged to Aurelius, they could show desire, but if Aurelius did not grant it, they must not covet it.
"Now, begin to freely choose your rewards for this time."
Looking at Dylan and the others, Aurelius spoke.
"There are eight Dual Haki Training Manuals, two for each person, so there is no need to consider that."
"However, the Devil Fruits relate to your future development, so you can discuss it amongst yourselves."
Hearing this, Dylan and the others showed looks of joy. After thanking Aurelius, they briefly discussed it.
In the end, Dylan ate the Chilly-Chilly Fruit, and Eli ate the Mad Lion Fruit.
Hio ate the Tibetan Mastiff Fruit, and Orton ate the Cloud Elephant Fruit.
The four of them ate the agreed-upon fruits, only to find that the Devil Fruits were not as terrible-tasting as the rumors suggested.
Seeing the expressions on Dylan and the others' faces, Aurelius smiled slightly.
"Are you wondering why the taste is different from the rumors?"
Hearing this, Dylan and the others were slightly stunned; they didn't expect Aurelius to know their thoughts.
Seeing this, Aurelius didn't wait for them to ask and explained directly.
"In the future, you will follow by my side, and eventually, you will become the Kingdom's Legion Commanders."
"Therefore, I can explain it to you."
"My ability is special. After being purified by my ability, the side effects of the Devil Fruits can be removed."
"So, the Devil Fruits you ate have no side effects."
"That is to say, besides not tasting bad, you will not fear seawater or Seastone."
"It means you have gained a special ability with no side effects compared to others."
Hearing Aurelius's words, looks of shock appeared on the faces of Dylan and the others.
Immediately after, the four of them worshipped Aurelius even more.
They completely believed Aurelius's words; after all, there was no need for Aurelius to lie to them about such things.
Therefore, at this moment, their worship of Aurelius became increasingly fanatical.
Originally, Aurelius's series of achievements, the manual Noble Phantasms, and his astonishing strength had already convinced them.
Now, possessing such a magical ability made Dylan and the others feel Aurelius's mystery even more.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for bestowing such treasures. We will definitely not disappoint Your Highness's expectations."
Under the shock, the four of them shouted words that sounded like an oath to Aurelius in unison.
"I will remember that." Hearing this, Aurelius smiled gently and said, "Then, starting tomorrow, follow me to cultivate."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Dylan and the others responded quickly to Aurelius's order.
...
From that day on, inside Aurelius's training ground.
Besides Aurelius, there were four more hardworking figures.
Under Aurelius's guidance and leadership, everyone entered a state of fanatical cultivation.
Time was like sand flowing through fingers, impossible to grasp.
Day by day passed, time flowed on.
Unknowingly, the time reached Sea Circle Calendar 1508.
Two years had passed, and the entire Helios Kingdom had undergone tremendous changes.
During this period:
Schools throughout the kingdom were continuously built and put into use.
A large number of young children and teenagers studied and cultivated within the schools.
Not only that, but under Aurelius's proposal, some schools even opened adult classes.
This meant that the adults of the kingdom could also go to school to learn.
During this period:
Because the Kingdom's Army possessed a large number of cultivation manual Noble Phantasms, the Kingdom's four armies were completely reborn.
All soldiers of the Kingdom's Army had mastered basic swordsmanship.
Some talented soldiers even walked their own path of Kendo.
In addition, the popularization of Dual Haki basically covered all soldiers.
In the entire Kingdom's Army, more than half of the soldiers had fully mastered Dual Haki.
Although it was only the most rudimentary use of Dual Haki, this was a magnificent feat; no country in the entire Pirate World could compare.
Even the Amazon Lily ruled by Boa Hancock could not achieve this.
They could achieve universal Armament Haki, but they could not achieve universal Dual Haki.
Furthermore, under Aurelius's suggestion, the military zone of Crown Island located in the Calm Belt was now partially open to the public in the living area.
Except for some important areas, most areas were completely open, allowing the public to visit.
The main purpose was to let the people accurately recognize that peace did not come easily.
To let them witness with their own eyes the blood, sweat, and positive energy paid by the Kingdom's Army.
This made the people more united and stimulated their patriotism.
The consequence was... more and more people in the kingdom aspired to join the army.
There were even constant suggestions emerging regarding the expansion of the kingdom's army.
During this period:
Under Aurelius's organization, the kingdom began a census operation.
One by one, the kingdom's citizens had their identities confirmed, and everyone held a special, unique Identity Card Noble Phantasm.
With this Identity Card Noble Phantasm, no citizen of the kingdom could be impersonated.
The Identity Card Noble Phantasm was bound by a drop of blood. If the citizen's personal information, physical state, or strength changed, the information on the Noble Phantasm card would automatically change.
One could even view the Noble Phantasm card as a super-simplified personal attribute panel.
Besides that, if a citizen died unexpectedly, the Noble Phantasm card would automatically shatter.
Not only that, but during the census, some spies from the World Government and other forces were discovered.
The fate of the spies was simple; under the anger of the kingdom's citizens, they were all turned into flower fertilizer.
Moreover, after discovering illegal elements within the kingdom, the citizens spontaneously began to report them.
In just two short years, the atmosphere of the entire kingdom took on a completely new look.
Under Aurelius's strategy and the joint efforts of King Ilo and numerous ministers, life within the entire kingdom became better and better at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Furthermore, after the Kingdom's Army became stronger overall, Aurelius opened up some foreign trade permissions.
Specialties from other places gradually appeared in the Helios Kingdom.
At the kingdom's border, Aurelius specifically established a trade zone.
Inside the trade zone, no outsiders were allowed to enter, and it was heavily guarded by the Kingdom's Army.
Outside the trade zone, some foreign merchants conducted transactions there.
External contact needed to be implemented step by step, not accomplished in a single move.
Additionally, as life inside the kingdom became more affluent, Aurelius implemented a policy encouraging childbirth.
Encouraging citizens to have more children to increase the kingdom's population.
A larger population meant sufficient military strength for the kingdom.
Moreover, the world was so big, and the kingdom was now gradually opening up.
Aurelius believed that no matter how large the population, the kingdom could support them well.
During this period:
The changes in the kingdom also attracted the attention of the World Government, because the kingdom was not a franchise nation.
Therefore, after losing some intelligence personnel, the World Government began some small actions.
The biggest change was that the number of pirate crews near the kingdom's waters was slowly increasing.
However, with the Kingdom's Army patrolling in shifts day and night, this situation was effectively contained.
Aurelius also knew that now was not the time to go against the World Government.
Therefore, Aurelius treated these pirates as training exercises.
Fortunately, Aurelius had the foresight to strengthen the Kingdom's Army first.
Otherwise, relying on the previous Kingdom's Army, the losses would likely have been quite heavy.
During this period:
Aurelius felt the isolation of information in the Helios Kingdom, so he specially established an Intelligence Department.
Relying on the training methods of modern intelligence personnel from his memories of his previous life combined with ancient methods, he continuously cultivated intelligence agents.
Furthermore, those intelligence agents quietly left the kingdom from the Calm Belt.
East Blue, South Blue, West Blue, North Blue, Grand Line, New World...
Under Aurelius's arrangement, these intelligence agents were scattered all over the world.
Although the current number of intelligence agents was small, Aurelius believed that as time passed, the kingdom would send out more and more agents.
By then, with the kingdom's intelligence agents infiltrating various forces, the kingdom would possess countless eyes.
When the country opened its borders, perhaps Aurelius would know the affairs of the world without leaving his home.