Chapter 556: A Special Ceremony
Kai Xiusu stood poised, preparing to open the spatial rift, as he made his way toward Isdalia to discuss the campaign for conquering the south. Before him, the transparent Character Sheet unfolded once more.
[Your Battle has stunned the world, elevating the Empire of Ashen to the center of attention on the Feiansuo Continent. Your Power and Prestige level up to: ★★★★★]
[Due to the Traits of your 【Empire Domain】, you may now choose one Legendary Battalion Trait to exchange for.]
“This is…” Kai Xiusu murmured, scanning the list of Traits etched upon his Character Sheet. His pale golden eyes gleamed with unmistakable greed.
【Bureaucracy】【Golden Nation】【Magic Tide】【Butcher】【Evil Empire】
Each of these Traits granted unique abilities to every follower within your Battalion. Some enhanced administrative efficiency, others drew in wealth, and a few even boosted magical activity across the region. Yet Kai Xiusu’s gaze instantly locked onto one far more extraordinary.
[You have selected the unique Battalion Trait — 【Imperial Grant of Divine Authority】]
【Imperial Grant of Divine Authority】
Description: You may temporarily bestow a portion of your Authority upon select followers, granting them special permissions within the Empire Domain.
(Note: Exclusive Trait of the 【Empire Domain】)
During the war against the Deep Abyss Demons, Kai Xiusu had uncovered a critical flaw in his Empire — its devastatingly weak defense. Under the current technological tree, heavily reliant on player-driven advancements, the Empire’s military might was immense, yet its defenses were flimsy — a glass cannon, vulnerable to relentless assaults.
The Abyss could dispatch high-tier Demons to infiltrate every city, wreaking havoc and slaughtering without mercy. And the Empire? It had no real countermeasures.
Kai Xiusu knew he couldn’t be present at every front. If he ever clashed with a Semi-God, or worse — a True God — he could flee. But the Empire couldn’t.
This was a world where individual might was nearly limitless. Primordial Spellcasters, Abyssal Lords, Divine Abominations, Elemental Sovereigns — beings of such power could destroy half the Empire with a single stroke, shattering its very foundation.
But now, with 【Imperial Grant of Divine Authority】, he could temporarily delegate a portion of his own Authority to trusted followers, empowering them with greater defensive capabilities.
If the Empire were a website, this was like giving himself the ability to assign admin rights.
“This power…” Kai Xiusu murmured, stroking the ridge of scales along his jaw, his wings folding tightly against his back as he fell into deep thought.
A familiar name echoed in his mind — Terrestrial Divinity Realm.
It was too similar. In divine realms, deities often granted Authority to their subordinate Angels and Priests, entrusting them with governance in their stead. And this Trait did the same — but instead of a celestial kingdom, his “Divine Realm” existed right here, on the Material Plane, rooted in the mortal world.
He remembered the last time he’d heard that term — from the dying roar of Lord of Vengeance Jelrazaks.
“How could there be an existence capable of building a Terrestrial Divinity Realm?!”
That was the final, mad cry of a god-killer.
“Terrestrial Divinity Realm…”
Kai Xiusu repeated the phrase softly, his pale golden eyes flickering with inner light, as if something ancient and profound had stirred within him.
---
Empire of Ashen, Isdalia City Center — tens of thousands surged through the Great Altar’s surrounding plaza, packed shoulder to shoulder. Among them were victorious soldiers returning from the battlefield, curious civilians, and merchants eager to profit from the event. All had come for one reason — the Empire’s grand Award Ceremony.
According to Imperial tradition, such rituals were held only after major victories. The Emperor of the Ashen Flame would personally enoble those who served the Empire, granting them immense strength, longevity, and — above all — eternal glory.
To the common folk, this ceremony was far more sacred than any festival. To be named a recipient was the dream of every citizen.
And for the Emperor? It was an opportunity to gather faith, strengthen unity, and deepen the Empire’s collective identity. The official authorities encouraged it wholeheartedly — for days, promotional flyers hung across the realm, and even factories granted special holidays.
A full day before the ceremony, the Imperial Square was already overflowing. People arrived with tents, sleeping mats, and even makeshift battalions, setting up camp right in the heart of the city.
Of course, they were quickly discovered by the Peacekeepers on patrol, who demanded they pack up their gear.
Humans, Goblins, Great Goblins, Goblinoids, Ogres, Tieflings — countless races of Imperial citizens looked up in awe at the towering altar, their voices filled with wonder.
“Find a good spot!”
“Just look at that — I’m so jealous!”
“Yeah, fighting on the frontlines and being rewarded by His Majesty… just once in a lifetime would be worth it.”
“That’s the ‘Imperial Dream’ they write about in the Imperial Daily!”
“On King Kai Xiusu’s behalf, stop pushing! You damned Ogre!”
“Hey, kid, move it!”
“Northern Noble-bred brat — who’s the short one now?”
As more and more citizens gathered, the air grew thick with noise and tension. Arguments flared, shoving matches broke out.
“Stop! Fighting is banned within the city!”
Wyvern-riding Peacekeepers hovered midair, maintaining order with calm authority.
“Hurry up! This is a major event — if you’re late, you’ll miss everything!”
“Will the King show up? It’s tradition, right?”
“Any chance I can touch King Kai Xiusu’s tail?”
Then, the Players arrived — in droves. They flooded the square, turning the already packed plaza into a sea of bodies.
Of the Empire’s three million players, nearly ten percent had gathered here. Others were still arriving, streaming in from every direction.
“Dong…”
The deep, resonant chime of the bell rang out. The Empire’s banner fluttered in the wind. The Satyr Military Band began their passionate, triumphant march.
With a ripple in space, a massive Ogre emerged from the summit of the Isdalia Grand Altar, scepter in hand, surveying the tens of thousands below.
“It’s the Prime Minister!”
“Such a grand ceremony — only the Minister himself would preside!”
“This is something even His Majesty holds in high regard!”
As the crowd’s noise swelled, Lanpu frowned slightly, then brought his scepter down hard on the ground.
Clang. Clang.
“Silence! To ensure the ritual proceeds properly, all must remain quiet and await His Majesty’s arrival.”
With a subtle spell, Lanpu’s voice rang out — clear, commanding, echoing across the entire plaza, reverberating through every ear in Isdalia.
Instantly, the tens of thousands fell silent. Heads tilted upward, eyes filled with reverence and anticipation. The atmosphere grew solemn. Soft prayers whispered through the air.
At Lanpu’s signal, the Semi-Goatfolk began playing again — majestic, grand, their drums thunderous, their strings soaring. The music built, like a prelude to the arrival of some legendary figure.
“Roar—!”
A long, echoing Dragon’s roar split the sky. A wave of powerful wind slammed down on everyone’s shoulders. From the clouds, a colossal red shape descended slowly, landing atop the Grand Altar.
The Red Dragon — over fifty meters long — unfurled his wings, sending hurricanes swirling through the air. Clouds scattered. The sky cleared, bright and open.
Then, the rising sun emerged behind him, its golden light spilling across the land, as if the Dragon himself were bearing the dawn.
His crimson scales shimmered with a faint, ethereal glow, radiant and holy.
“Kai Xiusu above!”
“Great Red Dragon!”
“His Majesty! Emperor! You are the sun in the sky!”
“No — even the sun cannot compare to His Majesty’s glory and majesty! This is King Kai Xiusu’s supreme rank!”
On the ground, people ignored the blinding sunlight, their faces filled with devotion as they stared upward, awestruck, chanting his name, praising him, their eyes alight with fervor.
Even the usually wild and reckless Stellarfallen were swept up in the frenzy, shouting in unison:
“Emperor Kai is unbeatable!”
“For the Empire of Ashen!”
“King Kai Xiusu! The king of dragons! The alpha of alphas! Male among males! Dragon, Demon King, Destroyer of Worlds!”
“I want to touch King Kai Xiusu’s tail!”
They were infected by the collective ecstasy, roaring loudly — their words odd, but the crowd had long grown accustomed.
Though Kai Xiusu had restrained his presence, the sheer aura of the Dragon still radiated through the city, making every soul within a hundred miles feel a sudden, heavy pressure in their chest.
Even those not attending the ceremony paused in their work, turning toward the heart of Isdalia, some even dropping to their knees.
Boom!
The earth trembled. Dust exploded into the air as the Red Dragon landed with a thunderous impact at the very peak of the altar.
He folded his wings, lowered his head slightly, and gazed down with his deep, pale golden vertical pupils — a look of quiet acknowledgment.
Ignoring the Players’ noise, Kai Xiusu was satisfied. After repelling the Abyss War, his prestige within the Empire had soared even higher.
The image of the God of Victory, the God of War — now also the God of Protection — was cemented in the hearts of his people.
The deep faith flowing from the citizens was palpable — even without having ascended to divinity, Kai Xiusu could feel it.
Soon. After conquering Fadalan to claim the legacy of the “Sun Emperor,” he had every confidence he would stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods.
With that thought, the Red Dragon spoke — his voice thunderous, echoing like a lightning strike, sending shivers through every soul.
“Imperial Citizens… good morning.”
Hearing the Emperor’s own voice, the crowd erupted in cheers — a tidal wave of sound.
“Good morning, His Majesty!”
“Long live Emperor Kai Xiusu!”
But as Kai Xiusu continued, the noise died instantly. Everyone fell silent, hanging on his every word.
“I said the Empire would never tolerate the demons’ cruelty. And I kept my promise — I drove them back into the Abyss. During this time, our warriors fought without fear, wielding cannons and blades to avenge their fallen comrades. The people in the rear worked tirelessly, sending endless streams of ammunition to the frontlines.”
He paused, his voice deepening.
“And you — citizens of the Empire — you were magnificent. You endured the trial. With blood and fire, you showed the Abyss… and the entire world… the unyielding will of the Empire!”
His words finished — and the crowd exploded.
Roars, cheers, and chants erupted like a volcano, so loud they seemed to tear through the sky.
“Long live Emperor Kai Xiusu!”
“Long live the Empire!”
“For the Empire of Ashen!”
Even spies from the Lute Players’ Alliance, the Thrace Kingdom, and the Cassander Kingdom — who had come to observe — momentarily forgot their missions, caught up in the fervor, raising their arms in unison.
The 【Charmer】 trait, amplified by supernatural charisma, turned every syllable into a spell. Each word felt like a high-level arcane incantation, sending blood surging through veins, hearts pounding, minds ablaze with righteous fury.
They wanted to charge into the Abyss and slaughter every Demon.
After wave after wave of thunderous, soul-shaking roars, the crowd still did not stop — as if they would never tire.
Only then did Kai Xiusu nod in approval. He raised a claw, signaling silence.
“I also said this: the Empire never forgets those who contribute. And I have kept that promise. To the warriors who fought to the death, the officials who served faithfully, the researchers who toiled without rest — I have granted them great strength, long life, and noble status.”
He paused.
“Now… I will allow you to become my Representatives. I will grant you the right to wield the Authority of the Empire in my stead.”
The crowd erupted in excitement — yet confusion too. They didn’t grasp the weight of these words, nor the true meaning of “Authority.”
But the Empire’s high-ranking officials were stunned — a ripple of shock spread through their ranks.
Though they didn’t understand the nature of the “Ethereal Entity” within Kai Xiusu, they all sensed it — the power that gave the Emperor a godlike rank within the Empire’s borders. That power — the Authority of the Empire.
Lanpu, kneeling on the ground, widened his eyes and lifted his head, staring up at the Red Dragon.
“Master… this…”
“Is this not… too much?”
Kai Xiusu only smiled, his fangs glinting.
“It’s only a fraction of my Authority. My relationship with my Representatives is like that of Amanata and His Blazing Sky Divine Attendant. And Lanpu — as a Mage, don’t you find such power… fascinating?”
Lanpu lowered his head again, hurriedly replying:
“Of course not, Master. It is… yours alone.”
Yet even he had to admit — to a spellcaster, the idea of absolute control over life and law was intoxicating.
“Fear not,” Kai Xiusu said, lifting his head. “Your spiritual souls are already under my control.”
He turned to the scribe officer beside him.
“Bring forth the Empire’s Heroes. They shall receive what is rightfully theirs.”
(End of Chapter)
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