Chapter 382 End
The envoys from the Fadalan Region stood motionless, their eyes fixed upon the ritual unfolding before them—faces etched with solemn intensity. This, too, had been part of Kai Xiusu’s design. He had deliberately shaped the altar in the form of a Sun God Pyramid, then infused it with a radiant aura, all to evoke memories of the great Ascension Rite from one hundred and fifty years prior.
Originally, he had planned to perform the 【Bloodline Gift】—but now, he had chosen something far more potent: 【Imperial Grace】.
Above the assembly, the sky blazed like midday, illuminated by cascading streams of shimmering, flowing flame. People raised their heads, staring in awe.
"This is the Emperor’s power?"
"Unbelievable... a miracle."
"So beautiful..."
From the towering altar, a surge of overwhelming Dragon威 Aura erupted—so powerful it drew every eye. Even Kai Xiusu, hovering high above, glanced down toward the summit.
"This...
A Legendary-Level Life Essence."
The swirling white mist slowly dissipated, revealing a massive, shadowy figure emerging from the altar. The Dragonline Ogre stood nearly ten meters tall, his hulking, mountainous frame armored in crimson scales. Horns—thick and stubby—jutted from his skull, and grotesquely oversized flesh wings sprouted from his back, disproportionate and absurd.
His ancestry had long surpassed mere Ogre blood. Now, his essence pulsed with the unmistakable aura of a fat, bloated Red Dragon.
More importantly, his life essence had shattered the limits of Mortal Entity, ascending to the Legendary Tier.
With his Mage rank increasing, and spellcraft now fused with his monstrous body, Lanpu’s power would grow exponentially.
In Kai Xiusu’s mind, the Challenge Rating of 【Great Wise One - Lanpu】 had reached a terrifying 17, and his title now bore a new suffix: 【Legendary Monster】.
"This Empire Bestowal truly works. At last, a Legendary-tier follower."
A smile spread across Kai Xiusu’s face.
He turned to the other two Dukes. Meizhuolashi was nearing the Legendary threshold, while Dolo still lagged behind.
"Master, thank you for your Grace," Lanpu muttered, kneeling before the altar. His hideous face was twisted in ecstatic awe.
"Your Majesty!"
"This strength... so overwhelming!"
"Is this what it means to be Dragon-Blooded?"
The other Dragon-Blooded Nobles, roused from unconsciousness, stirred and awakened. Feeling the surge of power coursing through their veins, they fell to their knees before the Red Dragon in unison.
An invisible spiritual bond now linked them to the Emperor—submission came naturally, effortlessly.
"Awooo—"
Kai Xiusu let out a soft, resonant cry. He hovered midair, then descended with a thunderous impact onto the altar’s peak, spreading his vast wings wide.
The sky above darkened once more, though glowing embers still flickered in the air. The Red Dragon stood silhouetted against the heavens, his massive form haloed in radiant light.
"Long Live the Empire!"
"King Kai Xiusu forever!"
A sudden shout rang out from the crowd. Then, like wildfire, it spread—guards shouted in unison, commoners raised their voices, and even the Stellarfallen joined the chorus.
Yet amid the sea of fervent faces, several figures stood apart—alien, uneasy.
"Gods... Ascension Rite..."
"I must return and report to King Wilhelm. This Empire is dangerous—far beyond anything we imagined within the realm."
Deyef stared at the Red Dragon atop the altar, his expression grim. He trembled inwardly. Even he, a Minstrel from the Kingdom of Thrace and a loyal servant of Wilhelm, had nearly succumbed to the fervor—had nearly shouted the same oath.
"Lutehand hopes to overthrow such a nation with rebellion? Impossible."
"Abeir, forgive me. Perhaps I’m only correcting a mistake that was doomed to fail."
Richard Sieg scanned the ecstatic faces around him, pulled his hood lower, and melted back into the crowd—vanished without a trace.
Meanwhile, the envoy from the Kingdom of Cassander—Fawaro Grigory—stood quietly, thoughtful. With a feather quill, he recorded notes in his scroll.
"Your Majesty, I believe the Empire of Ashen may become a decisive asset in our war against the Kingdom of Thrace.
It is stronger than we ever imagined."
The cheers rose like a tidal wave, crashing over the wasteland again and again. Tens of thousands chanted in unison:
"Long Live the Empire!"
"King Kai Xiusu forever!"
The fervor echoed across the entire Anzeta Great Wasteland.
Kai Xiusu stood atop the altar, gazing down at the restless throng below. He gave a slight nod.
"Long Live the Empire?"
"No. That is merely the dream of Mortal Entities. For a Dragon, ten thousand years is not beyond reach.
What I seek is eternity."
The Red Dragon lifted his head toward the sky, lost in thought.
"I will never forget that coronation ceremony—how I was drawn in, consumed, nearly paralyzed by the ecstasy."
"From that moment, a premonition took root in my heart. Perhaps this Empire could achieve something even greater than the Sacred Fedran."
—Memoirs, Deyef Nelson, Year 1786 of the Third Era, March 2nd, late night, Isdalia.
The coronation ceremony concluded.
Historical records would later state:
The Red Dragon was crowned. The Empire of Ashen was born.
In just days, news of this momentous event spread across the entire Feiansuo Continent—indeed, it reverberated throughout the Prime Material Plane.
The Empire of Ashen revealed its formidable military might and unveiled a unique, unprecedented military structure unlike any nation before.
Both the Five-Color Dragon Queen Tiamat and the Platinum Dragon King Bahamut descended divine projections—personally witnessing the coronation of the Burnt King.
The Red Dragon bestowed Grace upon his subjects, performing a ritual resembling an Ascension Rite, forging several Legendary-tier warriors.
These revelations spread rapidly.
As the Empire’s leadership had foreseen, the personal presence of two deities—combined with the Ascension-like Grace—shook the foundations of Southpower. The name and title of the Empire of Ashen were now etched into the collective memory of the Feiansuo Continent.
This was, in part, Kai Xiusu’s intent.
It was certain that, after this coronation, the Empire would wield far greater influence—its voice would carry weight across the continent.
Kai Xiusu’s reputation soared.
And slowly, people began to realize: the Red Dragon’s relationship with Tiamat was not as close as rumor suggested—indeed, there was a palpable rift between them.
His distinctive, fearsome appearance. His immense size—on par with an Ancient Dragon. His temperament, so unlike the typical Red Dragon’s savage brutality—aroused intense curiosity among dragon scholars across the realm.
Through relentless study, the title “Dragon Prince” was finally discarded. In its place, a more fitting name emerged: Red Emperor.
"The Red Emperor rose like a meteor—yet did not fall like a comet."
—Dragon Scholar, Ganser
(End of Chapter)
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