Chapter 560: Authority and Celebration
"Swoosh—"
The law-infused shards surged toward the altar, merging into the bodies of the Empire's vassals.
In an instant, heaven and earth trembled, winds howled, and blazing gales ravaged the wasteland. Thunder rumbled through suddenly gathering storm clouds.
Centered around the Isthalia Grand Altar, a wave of overwhelming pressure expanded rapidly, enveloping a hundred-mile radius.
Birds circled high above, deer cried in panic, and even the Empire's domesticated dragon beasts let out deep growls and bowed toward Isthalia.
"What is that?"
"Why do my legs feel weak?"
"Cassius above, what exactly is this..."
The watching citizens cried out in surprise, overwhelmed by an instinctive desire to worship.
—This was not the coercion of strength or bloodline, but the natural reverence for the world's laws.
"Buzz—"
As the air cracked, sand and dust whirled on the wasteland, violent hurricanes roared.
A pillar of light, hundreds of meters wide, descended from the sky, shrouding the dragonblood nobles atop the altar.
The authority fragments dissolved within their bodies, releasing torrents of energy.
"This feeling is truly..."
Beneath the light, ogre mage Langpu lifted his hand with effort, staring at his palm as his pupils dilated.
"...indescribable."
As a Special Duke of the Ember Empire, Langpu naturally possessed the highest permissions.
As a spellcaster, he could feel law energy wrapping his body; elements, incantations, and the magic web all bent to his will.
The world seemed his to command. The sensation stunned him—this was divine power!
Langpu knew that within the Empire, he could now effortlessly defeat his former self, even rival the "Silver Wing."
Toward the Ember Emperor—his master, who so generously granted such power—Langpu felt endless gratitude.
He raised his head toward the sky, toward the immense form cloaked in divine radiance.
"Master..."
Yet even with authority, the Red Dragon appeared only more supreme—a god in Langpu's eyes.
He saw divine laws swirling around Cassius, his very presence terrifying.
The Red Dragon hovered above, wings unfurled. The world revolved around him. He controlled everything.
At this moment, Cassius was the center and nexus of the world, holding all internal authority—this was absolute [Imperial Power].
Tiefling Medrolash rose from his kneel, sword in hand, basking in the law power. For once, joy lit his usually cold face.
He gazed at the Red Dragon radiating sunlight above, and murmured:
"Your Majesty..."
He swung his bloodstained sword. Space rippled. Power clung to the blade, sharp enough to cut anything.
His hand trembled on the hilt, eyes flickering with fire from his draconic blood.
"May the Empire endure forever."
His voice rang with strength and resolve.
After tragedy and exile, he knew the weight of such power.
Now, with this gift, he could finally protect the Tiefling race from harm.
They were now bound to the Emperor's chariot forever—even unto extinction.
"Hahahaha! I can feel it!"
"This is real power!"
The wild laughter echoed above. Duke Dolo, newly sprouted wings wide, flew in circles, laughing freely.
He felt power surging through him, raised his claw—and summoned a crackling bolt of lightning.
With a shout, he hurled it into the sky.
"Boom!"
Thunder roared, lightning cracked the clouds, streaking across the heavens.
He roared triumphantly, clawing the air, wings spread wide.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, pain struck the back of his head. His vision dimmed as he turned in anger.
Langpu, calm-faced, had smacked him mid-air with his staff.
As Prime Minister, Langpu's authority exceeded Dolo's, enough to dominate him completely.
The clouds dispersed, lightning vanished, and Dolo plummeted under spatial pressure.
Pinned to the ground, Dolo glared upward and growled, "Langpu, do you defy me?!"
Langpu met his gaze coldly and said:
"Duke Dolo, I expected you to be smarter. Did you really think... this power is yours?"
He tapped the ground. The surrounding laws dissolved.
He pointed skyward and snorted.
"Seems power's gone to your head. You've forgotten who the ceremony's true protagonist is."
Dolo trembled, sweat dripping. He looked up along the staff's line.
The Emperor still floated above, cloaked in laws. Compared to him, Dolo's power was dust.
"Y-yes, Your Majesty... sorry. I forgot this was your gift."
The pressure lifted. Dolo stood, trembling.
He had nearly committed the unforgivable sin of overstepping the Emperor.
"See to it, Duke Dolo. Tame your arrogance."
Langpu raised his hand. Space shattered like glass—he'd hidden their clash with illusions.
A public conflict between two Dukes could destabilize the Empire.
Dolo lowered his head, dark-faced. The thrill of power vanished.
He had lost badly, and before the Emperor no less. He would never rise above Langpu now.
Yet this conflict was but a minor episode.
All dragonblood nobles on the altar had received a portion of the "Imperial Domain" authority.
Baron Grace stared at the faint law energy in his palm, thrilled.
"This is..."
After the Abyss War, he had wanted to stay in the Empire.
With this power, he need not fear invaders, and could enjoy noble life.
Higher up on the altar, Viscount Mantou stared at his panel in shock.
"Damn, the rewards are insane this time!"
[You are affected by [God-Granted Authority]. Gained Faction Trait: [Emperor's Agent - Viscount].]
[Emperor's Agent - Viscount]
Special Abilities:
Viscount Seal: Within the Empire, you can block the magic web, creating an anti-magic field.
Viscount Control: Within the Empire, manipulate basic elements (earth, water, fire, air) to cast spells.
Viscount Shield: Within the Empire, generate protective shields on your body.
Staring at the abilities, Mantou mumbled: "Guess I'm unstoppable now."
The only flaw: these powers only worked within the Empire's core.
But that was understandable—if such overpowered abilities spread, other factions wouldn't stand a chance.
Then a thought struck him—what if the Ember Empire conquered the whole world?
"Thought locking factions was a downside... but now? Pure blessing!"
He looked up at the giant dragon and sighed in awe.
As the blessing ended, the light faded, and the chaos subsided.
The dragonblood nobles now stood proudly, radiating majesty and dignity.
Nearly ten-meter Langpu knelt in devotion, saying: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
At once, all dragonblood nobles followed suit.
"Long live the Ember Empire!"
"Long live Emperor Cassius!"
Cannons boomed, wyverns roared, and satyrs played anthems.
The people looked on in envy, yearning to stand upon the altar.
In the sky, the light from Cassius's chest faded, his flaming wings dispersed.
He hovered, smiling down at his vassals.
"Not bad..."
Vassal data appeared on his panel.
[Gigantic Sage - Langpu (Challenge Level: 21)]
[Daughter of Dragonfire - Misha (Challenge Level: 20)]
[Dragon Fury Berserker - Dolo (Challenge Level: 18)]
[Sword of the Empire - Medrolash (Challenge Level: 17)]
Langpu, Misha, Dolo, Medrolash, Alger—five vassals now bore the [Legendary] prefix.
Cassius finally had legendary-tier vassals capable of independent command.
Especially within the Empire, Langpu's power could rival top legends, even god-blessed heroes.
He could now match Silver Wing Auszedro at his peak.
Across the Feanso continent, the Empire's strength was no longer negligible.
The Ember Empire had always struggled with this:
Compared to their unmatched Emperor, their vassals were weak.
Cassius often attracted enemies of great stature, but lacked a strong upper echelon.
His vassals could offer no support—they were liabilities.
But now, that had changed. The Empire was no longer a burden.
Amid the cheers of hundreds of thousands, Cassius slowly descended to the altar.
The ground trembled, dust swirling.
He landed on strong hind legs, stood tall before the throne, and boomed:
"Citizens of the Empire—"
"As you've seen, loyalty to the Ember Empire earns you all you desire—wealth, power, glory!"
"Long live Emperor Cassius!"
"Long live the Empire!"
"Immortal Great Red Dragon!"
The crowd erupted like lit powder. Their cheers shook the sky.
Sunlight bathed the altar. Crowds surged at its base, shouting like waves crashing.
Faces beamed with excitement and zeal, waving flags and singing the "Cassius Anthem."
"Such grace, how could one repay it?"
"All people bow together to the mighty Red Dragon above!"
Players mingled among them, singing wildly. Some blasted heavy metal through magic speakers.
Members of the [Dragon Enthusiasts Club] stared hungrily at Cassius's form.
"His Majesty Cassius..."
"Hehehe..."
"To touch that tail... even sniffing it would add years to my life!"
Their perverse comments drew side-eyes from native citizens, who edged away.
In a dark alley of Isthalia, a gray-robed figure emerged.
Richard looked up, gazing longingly at the dragonified form on the altar.
"Abil, wait for me. I will find a way. I will save you."
"But first... I want to see you again."
The half-elf ranger lowered his hood and disappeared into shadow, leaving only damp footprints behind.