Ashen Dragon-Chapter 633 - 65 Special Ceremonies

Cassius was preparing to tear through space to head to the City of Isdalia to discuss the campaign against the South, when the transparent panel once again unfolded slowly before him.

"[Your battle has shocked the world, making the Ashen Empire the focus of the Fianso Continent, improving the prestige level of your power to: V]"

"[Because of the ’Imperial Region’ trait, you may choose to exchange for one legendary camp trait.]"

"This is..."

Cassius muttered as he examined the traits on the panel, his pale golden pupils revealing his greed.

[Bureaucrat][Golden Kingdom][Magic Tides][Butcher][Evil Empire]...

These traits were all capable of bestowing special abilities to the retainers of his entire camp, some increasing administrative efficiency, some gathering wealth, and others even increasing the magic activity within a region.

But Cassius’s gaze immediately caught on to an even more special existence, and he selected it without hesitation.

"[You have chosen the special camp trait—[Sovereign Divine Authority]]"

[Sovereign Divine Authority]

Summary: You can delegate part of your authority to your retainers, granting them certain special privileges within the scope of the Imperial Region.

(Note: Exclusive to the ’Imperial Region’ trait.)

During the war with the abyssal demons, Cassius had discovered a significant problem within the Empire—its defensive capabilities were too weak.

Based on the current technology tree, mainly clustered by players, the Empire’s military had destructive force in abundance but lacked sufficient defense, a veritable glass cannon.

The Abyss could send high-level demons into various cities of the Empire, continuously causing destruction and slaughter, while the Empire had few countermeasures.

One must know that Cassius wasn’t always within the Empire’s borders, and if in the future he provoked demigods or even true god-level enemies, he could flee, but the Empire couldn’t.

After all, this was a world with nearly limitless personal power.

Root Casters, Abyssal Lords, God Scourges, and Elemental Archons of such caliber could completely destroy half the Empire and ruin its foundations on their own.

Yet this so-called [Sovereign Divine Authority] would allow him to temporarily delegate some of his own authority to his retainers, giving them stronger defensive capabilities.

If the Empire were compared to a website, this was akin to having the ability to "set administrators."

"This power..."

Cassius stroked his scaled chin, folding his wings, and began to ponder.

At this moment, a familiar term couldn’t help but surge in his heart: Terrestrial God Kingdom.

It was so similar, as the gods in a God Kingdom often delegated authority to their angels, priests, letting them manage the divine realm in their stead.

And this [Sovereign Divine Authority] could achieve a similar effect, only that the realms of the gods were often created by deities themselves, usually raised high into the sky, existing in the Outer Planes.

Cassius’s "God Kingdom," however, could exist in the Material Plane, on this worldly soil.

Last time the Red Dragon heard this term, it was from the mouth of the Lord of Vengeance, Gelrazak, in the last moments of Its madness. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"How can there be a being that could establish a Terrestrial God Kingdom!"

That’s how It roared the words out.

"Terrestrial God Kingdom..."

Thinking of this, Cassius repeated the term again and weighed it secretly, a faint light flickering in his pale golden pupils.

...

The Ashen Empire, the heart of the City of Isdalia, tens of thousands bustling around the Great Altar.

Among them were the Empire’s soldiers returning from a triumphant battlefield, civilians who came to join in the excitement, and merchants nearby who saw a business opportunity.

They all came for the same grand event—the Ashen Empire’s award ceremony.

According to Imperial tradition, such ceremonies were usually conducted only after significant battles, where the Ashen Empire’s Emperor would personally reward those who had served the Empire with powerful strength, long life, and—supreme glory.

In the eyes of the public, this ceremony was far more important than any festival, becoming an award ceremony participant was nearly every Imperial citizen’s dream.

And for the Ashen Empire’s Emperor, it was also a good opportunity to gather faith, strengthen the unity and sense of identity of the Empire.

Therefore, the official stance was encouraging, and in the past few days, promotional flyers for the ceremony were hung all across the Empire, with quite a few factories even offering holidays.

The day before the ceremony started, people had already filled Emperor’s Square, and some even pitched tents and beds right there on the spot.

Of course, they were soon discovered by patrolling Sheriffs who then asked them to pack up these items.

Humans, Goblins, Great Goblins, Kobolds, Ogres, Tieflings... many races of Imperial citizens looked up at the altar towering into the clouds and expressed their heartfelt admiration.

"Quick, find a good spot!"

"I’m so envious."

"Yeah, to fight in battles and receive His Majesty’s grace, it would be worth it to go up there just once in a lifetime."

"This is what the ’Imperial Daily’ calls the Imperial Dream!"

"For the sake of His Majesty Cassius, stop pushing forward! You damn Ogre!"

"Move aside, small fry!"

"Who are you calling short? A spawn raised by Northern Nobility?"

As more and more Imperial people gathered, the nearby environment became increasingly noisy with all sorts of friction and conflict.

"Stop! Fighting is forbidden within the city!"

Sheriffs riding Bipedal Wyverns circled in mid-air, maintaining basic order.

"Hurry up! This is a major event, if you’re late, there’ll be no place left!"