The Emperor gently caressed the girl's forehead with a loving touch. "My foolish child, I don't want to hurt you."
"Why can't you understand your father's intentions?"
"Our Divine Mountain Empire is surrounded by powerful enemies. Do you know that every year, the Atlantic Empire raids our borders, leaving countless families destroyed?"
"And all of this is because our nation isn't strong enough."
Two tears streamed down Octavius's face.
"I am your father, but I am also the father of all these people!"
"No! No!"
"Spare me!"
The girl desperately struggled, her eyes filled with terror and despair.
Octavius sighed, "You still don't see the bigger picture."
Then, the Emperor flipped his palm and placed it on the girl's head, forcibly refining her into a blood-red pill. He then swallowed the pill.