I Can Get 1,000,000x Returns from Selling Anything!-Chapter 59 --Empire Duke: Recruiting Troops

Augusta’s quill froze mid-air, his face full of astonishment as he looked at Daniel.

"Duke?"

He set down the pen and spoke.

"Count Faustus, you should know that between Count and Duke, there is Marquis," Augusta explained.

"To skip directly to Duke, three conditions must be met."

"First, you need over 1 billion merit points."

"Second, your Empire Contribution Points must be sufficient."

"Third, you require special approval from His Majesty the Emperor."

Daniel nodded.

"I have the merit points."

He opened his panel and proactively showed Augusta.

[Military Rank: Legendary Merit Medal]

[Military Post: General]

Augusta’s pupils constricted.

He drew a deep breath and looked at Daniel.

"Y-you... how did you manage this?"

Daniel smiled.

"Didn’t His Majesty open gold coin exchanges for merit points?"

"I just... exchanged a little."

Augusta fell silent for three seconds, then discreetly checked the merit point exchange details.

Soon, his entire body froze.

"A little exchanged? You mean the 3 billion merit points?"

He knew exactly how many gold coins it would take to get that many merit points.

And hadn’t Daniel just purchased all nine main city properties? How did he still have so much capital to exchange for these merit points?

This kid... how rich is he?!

Yet he didn’t ask further.

Augusta nodded.

"The merit points are enough, and your Empire Contributions are also sufficient. The teleportation network you built, plus the intelligence reports you recently submitted, the funds you provided for imperial preparations... all count."

"As for His Majesty..."

He paused, then stood.

"I will report to His Majesty immediately."

"With your contributions, the Emperor will surely approve."

Half an hour later...

[Ding! Global Announcement!!!]

[Player "Faustus," due to outstanding contributions, has been specially approved by His Majesty the Emperor for promotion to "Duke"! ]

[As the first player to receive the Duke title, the following rewards are granted:]

Contribution Points +100,000

Gold Coin +10,000,000

Honorary Title: Pillar of the Empire

This achievement has been recorded in the Stellar Chronicles, immortalized for all history!

[Duke Authorities:]

Judicial Immunity – Except for the Emperor, no one can judge or sentence the Duke.

Unlimited Task Issuance – Can publish tasks to anyone (special tasks excluded; rewards at own expense).

Territorial Limit Expansion – Can hold main city-level territories (unlimited in number and population).

Recruitment Cap Increase – Army recruitment limit increased to 1 million soldiers.

Tax Privilege – Can levy up to 15% tax in territories.

Appointment Authority – Can appoint officials of Viscount rank and below.

Parliament Seat – Permanent member of the Imperial Parliament with voting rights on major decisions.

Imperial Audience – Can request an audience with the Emperor at any time...

"Wait, are we even playing the same game?"

"Exactly! I feel like they’re playing some single-player cracked version while we’re still grinding tasks and running maps..."

"Seriously, last time I entered the Police Department for a quest and almost got thrown out like a beggar. Meanwhile, Faustus casually chats with the Lord of the City?!"

"This is insane... comparing people like this is infuriating!"

"See it, everyone? People like this completely break game balance. This Faustus is literally on another level!"

"Here come the fixed NPCs..."

"..."

Daniel looked at the long list of Duke-exclusive authorities, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Duke!

From commoner to Duke in just one week.

The rules were becoming less and less restrictive.

He was getting closer and closer to becoming the master of the board.

One day, he would be the one who made the rules.

...

Leaving the Lord’s Manor, Daniel didn’t waste a moment and headed straight for the War Bureau.

War Bureau Minister Kasel Drovane was studying something over a war table. Seeing him enter, he froze.

"Your Grace, the Duke?"

He quickly saluted.

Daniel waved him off.

"Minister Kasel, I’m going to recruit an army!"

Kasel’s eyes lit up.

"The Duke is forming his own army?"

"Yes."

"My territories are on the edge of Abyss Demon lands, and the entire Empire has been preparing for war lately. I want to contribute to the Empire as well!"

Daniel nodded.

"Please show me the recruitment list."

"As you wish, Your Grace!"

Kasel hurriedly unrolled a massive scroll, filled with detailed information.

[Recruitable NPC Soldiers:]

Imperial Infantry (LV80-100, iron-grade): 10 gold coin/person

Imperial Archers (LV80-100, iron-grade): 12 gold coin/person

Imperial Cavalry (LV100-120, iron-grade): 20 gold coin/person

Imperial Heavy Infantry (LV100-120, iron-grade): 18 gold coin/person

Imperial Heavy Cavalry (LV120-150, bronze-to-iron grade): 10–30 gold coin/person

Imperial Mages (LV100-150, bronze-to-silver grade): 10–50 gold coin/person

Imperial Priests (LV100-150, bronze-to-silver grade): 10–45 gold coin/person

Imperial Scouts ...

[Recruitable High-Ranking Officers:]

Chief Strategic Officer Hudson (LV230, epic-grade): 10 million gold coin

Archery Commander Elina (LV215, epic-grade): 8 million gold coin

Cavalry Commander Cassius (LV220, epic-grade): 8.5 million gold coin

Mage Corps Leader Lorin (LV210, epic-grade): 8 million gold coin

Scout Commander Shade (LV210, epic-grade): 9.4 million gold coin

Lieutenant General Fred (LV225, epic-grade): 60 million gold coin

Logistics Officer Rand (LV205, blackgold-grade): 7.5 million gold coin

Lieutenant General Victor (LV245, epic-grade): 10 million gold coin ...

Daniel scanned the list, then waved decisively.

"Recruit them all!"

Kasel nearly dropped the scroll in shock.

"All... all of them?"

"Infantry 100,000; archers 50,000; cavalry 30,000; heavy infantry 30,000; heavy cavalry 20,000; mages 10,000; priests 10,000; scouts 10,000; engineers 20,000; logistics 20,000..."

He calculated rapidly.

"A total of 1 million soldiers, plus over 50 high-ranking officers..."

"The total annual recruitment cost alone is nearly 50 billion gold coins!"

He looked up at Daniel.

"Your Grace, are you certain?"

Daniel nodded.

"Certain."

He opened the transaction interface and transferred directly.

[You have transferred 50,000,000,000 gold coin to the Empire War Bureau]

Kasel stared at the incoming number, overwhelmed.

Then he drew a deep breath.

"Your Grace, you are the most decisive lord I’ve ever seen!"

"These soldiers and officers are yours from now on!"

A flash of white light streaked across the sky.

Daniel returned to Polaris City.

By the portal, a massive crowd had already gathered.