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Chapter 556 Special Ceremony
Cassius was about to tear open space and head to Istaria to discuss the southern campaign when the transparent panel slowly opened again in front of him.
[Your battle shocked the world, making the Ember Empire the focus of the Feanso Continent. Your faction's prestige level has increased to: V]
[Due to the traits of [Empire Domain], you may choose to exchange for a legendary faction trait.]
"This is."
Cassius reviewed the list of traits on the panel, a look of greed flashing through his pale golden pupils.
[Bureaucracy][Golden Nation][Magical Tide][Slaughterer][Evil Empire].
These traits were all special abilities that could be granted to all vassals of the faction. Some increased administrative efficiency, some amassed wealth, and others even boosted magical activity in the region.
But Cassius immediately noticed an even more special existence among them and chose it without hesitation.
[You have chosen the special faction trait—[Divine Right of Kings]]
[Divine Right of Kings]
Description: You can grant part of your authority to your vassals, allowing them to possess certain special privileges within the Empire Domain.
(Note: Exclusive trait for [Empire Domain].)
During the war against the abyssal demons, Cassius discovered a major issue with the Empire—its homeland defense was too weak.
Under the current technology tree, mostly climbed by players, the Empire's military had surplus destructive power but insufficient defense, akin to a glass cannon.
The Abyss could send high-tier demons to infiltrate various cities of the Empire, causing constant destruction and slaughter, while the Empire had few countermeasures.
Cassius couldn't always remain within the Empire's borders. If he provoked a demigod or even a true god-level enemy in the future, he could escape, but the Empire could not.
This was ultimately a world where individual might had almost no upper limit.
Origin Casters, Abyssal Lords, Godspawn, Elemental Princes—such beings could destroy most of the Empire alone, shaking its foundations.
Yet this so-called [Divine Right of Kings] allowed him to temporarily grant part of his authority to vassals, giving them stronger defensive power.
If the Empire were likened to a website, then he now had the ability to "set administrators."
"This kind of ability."
Cassius rubbed his scale-covered chin, folded his wings, and fell into deep thought.
At that moment, a familiar term surfaced in his mind: terrestrial theocracy.
It was far too similar. In divine kingdoms, deities often granted authority to angels and priests beneath them to manage their domains.
And this [Divine Right of Kings] could achieve a similar effect, except divine realms were often created by gods, held aloft in the heavens, existing on outer planes.
Cassius's "divine kingdom," however, could exist in the material plane, upon this mundane earth.
The last time the Red Dragon heard this term was from the mouth of the Vengeful Lord Jezal Slak before his death—it was his final madness.
"How could there be a being capable of establishing a terrestrial theocracy!"
He had roared those words.
"Terrestrial theocracy."
Thinking of this, Cassius muttered the term again, pondering quietly, a faint light shimmering in his pale golden pupils.
Ember Empire, city center of Istaria—tens of thousands crowded around the grand altar.
Among them were victorious imperial soldiers from the battlefield, curious civilians, and opportunistic merchants nearby.
All had come for the same event—the Ember Empire's honors ceremony.
According to imperial tradition, such a ceremony was held only after major battles. The Ember Emperor would personally reward contributors with great power, long life, and—supreme glory.
In the eyes of the populace, this ceremony was more important than any holiday. Becoming a participant in the honors ceremony was a dream for nearly every imperial citizen.
For the Ember Emperor, it was also a prime opportunity to gather faith, strengthen imperial cohesion, and foster identification.
Therefore, the authorities encouraged it. In recent days, posters for the honors ceremony were hung all across the Empire, and many factories even granted holidays.
The day before the ceremony, people already filled the Imperial Square. Some even brought beds and tents, setting up camp on the spot.
Naturally, they were soon discovered by patrolling constables and were asked to put those things away.
Humans, goblins, hobgoblins, kobolds, ogres, and tieflings—imperial citizens of many races looked up at the towering altar, expressing heartfelt awe.
"Quick, find a good spot!"
"So envious."
"Yeah, to go to war and earn the Emperor's favor—if I could stand up there even once in my life, it'd be worth it."
"This is the imperial dream mentioned in the "Empire Daily", right!"
"For Emperor Cassius's sake, stop pushing forward! Damn ogre!"
"Move, runt!"
"You Northland noble-bred mutt, who are you calling short?"
As more and more imperial citizens gathered, the area grew increasingly chaotic, with constant frictions and clashes.
"Stop! Fighting is forbidden within the city!"
Mounted on wyverns, the constables circled in the air, maintaining basic order.
"Hurry up, hurry!"
"This is a big event. If you're late, there won't be any space!"
"The big guy should show up, right? That's tradition."
"Will there be a chance to touch Emperor Cassius's tail..."
Soon, players also arrived in droves, making the already packed square completely impassable.
Of the Empire's three million players, nearly ten percent had gathered here, with many more on the way.
"Dong—"
A deep chime rang out. The imperial banner waved in the sky as the satyr military band played a heroic triumphal march.
Amid spatial ripples, a staff-wielding ogre appeared at the top of the grand altar in Istaria, gazing down at the hundreds of thousands of imperial citizens below.
"It's the Prime Minister!"
"Truly a grand event. Every honors ceremony is presided over by him personally."
"Even His Majesty attaches great importance to this ceremony!"
Hearing the ruckus, Langpu furrowed his brow and knocked the ground hard with his staff.
Dong, dong.
"Silence! To ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly, please maintain quiet and await His Majesty's arrival."
Empowered by magic, Langpu's voice echoed clearly throughout the venue, resonating in every citizen's ear and spreading across Istaria.
Instantly, the tens of thousands present fell silent. They looked up with hope and reverence, the venue growing solemn, with only the sound of soft prayers here and there.
At Langpu's signal, the satyrs resumed playing grand music—the drums thundered, the strings soared—heralding the arrival of a great figure.
"Roar—"
A long dragon's roar echoed from the sky. A powerful pressure descended on every shoulder as the massive red figure slowly emerged from the clouds, appearing atop the grand altar.
The red dragon, nearly fifty meters in length, flapped its wings, stirring violent winds.
The wind swept away the remaining clouds, revealing a clear sky.
Then, the newborn sun slowly rose behind him, casting ten thousand rays of light as though upheld by the dragon's massive form.
A faint halo coated his crimson scales, making them shine brilliantly, appearing extraordinarily sacred.
"Cassius above!"
"Great Red Dragon!"
"His Majesty! His Majesty is the red sun hanging in the sky!"
"No, even the sun pales in comparison to His Majesty's glory and majesty! This is Emperor Cassius's supreme divinity!"
On the ground, people disregarded the dazzling sunlight and gazed reverently skyward, murmuring praise, their fanatic eyes reflecting the Red Dragon's majestic form.
In that moment, all beings were chanting his glory—even the usually madcap, carefree Starfallers were no exception.
"Emperor Kai is invincible!"
"For the Ember Empire!"
"His Majesty Cassius! The male of males! The Dragon, the Demon King, the Dragon of Destruction..."
"I want to touch His Majesty Cassius's tail!"
They too were swept up in the fervent atmosphere and began to cheer loudly, though their wording remained strange. Still, the imperial citizens nearby were already used to it.
Even though Cassius restrained himself, the intangible dragon's might still descended on the city, tightening the chests of everyone within a hundred miles.
Even citizens not participating in the ceremony stopped their work, turned toward the grand altar at the city center, and even knelt in reverence.
"Boom!"
As the earth quaked and dust filled the air, the Red Dragon landed mightily at the top of the altar.
He folded his wings and slightly lowered his head, looking down with deep, pale golden vertical pupils at the masses below, giving a slight nod.
Ignoring the players' chatter, Cassius was fairly satisfied. After the abyssal war was repelled, his fame within the Empire had risen again.
The image of the god of victory and war had solidified further in the people's hearts, now even joined by the title of "Guardian Deity."
The fervent faith flowing from the imperial people—Cassius could clearly feel it, even without ascending to godhood.
Very soon.
After heading south to conquer Fadeland and claiming the inheritance of the "Sun Emperor," Cassius was confident he could stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods.
Thinking of this, the Red Dragon slowly opened his mouth. His thunderous voice echoed throughout the city, inspiring awe, though his words were rather ordinary.
"Citizens of the Empire—good morning."
Hearing their Emperor's personal greeting, the citizens at the foot of the altar erupted in cheers like waves.
"Good day, Your Majesty!"
"Long live Emperor Cassius!"
But as Cassius continued speaking, the cheers suddenly died down. Everyone listened intently.
"I once said, the Empire will never tolerate demonic atrocities, and I have fulfilled my promise by driving the demons back into the Abyss.
During this time, warriors on the battlefield fought fearlessly, killing demons with cannons and swords to avenge their kin. Meanwhile, civilians toiled day and night to deliver ammunition to the frontlines.
And you, citizens of the Empire—you are all heroes! You endured this trial, and with blood and fire, showed the Abyss and the world the Empire's will!"
As Cassius finished, the people's shouts and cheers soared skyward like a volcanic eruption, seemingly piercing the heavens.
"Long live Emperor Cassius!"
"Long live the Empire!"
"For the Ember Empire!"
Even spies from the Harpist League, the Kingdom of Thrace, and the Kingdom of Kassanderh, hidden among the crowd, momentarily forgot their roles and joined the chanting.
With the [Silver Tongue] trait amplified by supernatural charisma, every word Cassius uttered was like a grand mage's spell.
It made the tens of thousands present feel their blood boil, their spirits surge—they longed to rush into the Abyss and slaughter every demon.
After wave upon wave of deafening cheers, the people still didn't stop, as though their strength was inexhaustible.
Only then did Cassius nod with satisfaction and raise his claw, signaling the crowd to quiet.
"I also once said this: the Empire will never mistreat citizens who contribute to it.
I have fulfilled that promise too—granting powerful strength, long life, and noble status to those who fought bravely, dutifully served, and tirelessly researched.
Now, I will allow you to become my agents—to use the Empire's authority on my behalf."
Upon hearing Cassius's words, the people were greatly excited, though a bit puzzled. They didn't yet grasp the weight of those words or the meaning of "authority."
But the imperial high officials were utterly shocked, erupting into commotion.
Though they did not understand the "special existence" Cassius possessed, they vaguely knew he had a power—one that gave him divine authority within the Empire. That was the power of the Empire's authority.
Langpu, kneeling on the ground, widened his eyes and couldn't help but raise his head to look at the Red Dragon nearby.
"Master, this..."
"Isn't this going a bit too far?"
But Cassius looked proud. He grinned and whispered to the ogre, "This is just a portion of my authority. My relationship with agents is like Ammanata and the seraphs in His divine realm. Besides, Langpu, as a mage, don't you feel curious about this kind of power?"
Langpu bowed his head to the ground and quickly replied, "I wouldn't dare, Master. That power belongs to you."
Though he said so, Langpu had to admit—such all-controlling authority was indeed enticing to a spellcaster.
"No need to fear. I'm not worried—your souls have long since been held in my claws."
Cassius raised his head indifferently and ordered the scribe beside him, "Have the Empire's meritorious subjects come up. They will receive everything they deserve."