Awarding Ceremony (4)

The titles of nobility in the Embers of the Burned Kingdom are not the traditional five-rank system of the the North. They are merely borrowed from the name. In reality, it is a more detailed eighteen-rank system of nobility.

Each major title has three minor ranks, and even the most basic citizens are divided into first-class, second-class, and third-class citizens.

For example, Lang Pu was a first-class duke, the highest rank, and his Embers of the Burned Emblem on his chest had an additional Dragon Wing carving decoration—symbolizing the special importance attached to the Red Dragon.

These titles are not tied to land; they only determine your status and treatment within the kingdom, as well as the blessings bestowed by the royal lineage. Moreover, they are almost never inherited by bloodline; titles and advancement are granted solely based on merit.

This time, due to Keosius's political need to eliminate the divide between humans and monsters, as well as for propaganda purposes, the criteria for granting titles were set rather rudimentary, and even a few humans were specifically included.

However, as the kingdom continues to expand, the granting of titles will inevitably become more rigorous in the future, and the judgment of merits will be standardized, thus increasing the value of these titles.

Under this standard, the average human soldier's journey to becoming First-Class Citizen is already the limit; going any further would likely require the help of professionals.

This setup is also intended to make the kingdom a more formidable War Machine, playing a role in the future all-out war in Anzeta, or even in the war with the southern kingdoms.

At that time, there won't be so many "lucky ones," only the brave who crawl out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

When nearly 50,000 players flood in at launch, they will also integrate into this system, becoming a component of the Embers of the Burned Kingdom's war machine, crushing all forces in its path as the kingdom expands.

"Master, the blessing may begin."

Lang Pu cautiously reminded him.

Keosius nodded slightly but did not speak.

Now, with just the dragon's might he unintentionally unleashed and the accumulated power and influence over the years, he can make tens of thousands of people bow down and submit.

The Red Dragon needed no further explanation; a mere gesture was enough to draw countless people. Even his every move was subject to endless interpretation.

Just like this Awarding Ceremony, many intelligent people have already realized that Keosius wants to elevate humanity to power.

Moreover, most of them know that opposition is pointless.

"Roar--"

The Red Dragon raised its head slightly, let out a powerful roar, and spread its broad wings.

His gaping maw was filled with scorching white smoke, and brilliant flames spewed from the pores on his neck and tail. The dragon crystal on his chest emitted an incomparably dazzling light—at this moment, he was like a miniature sun, making almost everyone present unable to open their eyes.

[Bloodline Gift]

Then, streams of flame containing terrifying energy flew out from the top of the platform, like shimmering threads, and connected to the bodies of the three dukes.

Those seeds, representing the power of the Progenitor Dragon, flowed into the dukes' veins, gradually merging into their bloodline. Because they had already received the blessings of the dragon vein, the grace did not bring about too many changes in their physical form, but rather brought about the most thorough sublimation of their life level.

This blessing lasted for nearly ten minutes.

This change is radical and magical in nature, and the evolution will eventually manifest in their bodies.

"The effect is pretty good."

Keosius nodded slightly.

In his view, the Challenge Rating of [Hobgoblin Warlord Dolo] had jumped to level 12 and was still rising, [Oathbreaker Sword Mezhuolash] had reached level 13, and [Great Wise One - Lang Pu] had even reached a terrifying level 15.

Once they have fully absorbed this power, they will find it difficult to find any adversaries, at least within the Anzeta Great Wasteland.

Then, a thought struck Keosius, and something even more astonishing happened—

With the crackling of the flames, the fiery threads that had flowed into the bodies of the three dukes instantly split into several parts, connecting to the seven marquises. Then they split again, merging into the bodies of the twelve Earl.

Those who possess the dragon vein receive the seed of bloodline power and await further evolution.

Those who never received the Dragon Vein underwent a violent transformation, progressing to a higher life form amidst painful cries. For example, Darena, the "Flower of North Wind Fortress," grew spiral horns on her head, scales faintly appeared on her cheeks, and she emitted groans.

The human mage, Guillermo, Lang Pu's assistant, had curled up, wrapping his entire body in a magic robe, but the dragon horn pierced through it.

However, they mostly retain a basic human form, but exhibit some dragon-like characteristics and possess the essence of magic.

Compared to the original uncontrollable, violent, and reckless release of the Red Dragon Bloodline Gift, Keosius is now able to better control this bloodline power. Taking into account the physical qualities of each recipient, he keeps it at just the right level, preventing it from burning the recipient alive.

Hundreds of fiery threads, like magnificent waterfalls cascading down or a vast, dense web woven from fiery spider silk, connected all those who received the blessing, continuously pouring the dragon's might upon them.

People looked up at the shimmering silk threads and gazed at the Red Dragon that shone as brightly as the sun.

A single word spontaneously came to mind for all of them.

--miracle.

Yes, a miracle.

Compared to the king's bestowal of titles, this Awarding Ceremony was more like a divine blessing upon believers.

Many of them had witnessed the elaborate and lengthy Awarding Ceremony of the dukes of the the North kingdoms, and the combined majesty and grandeur of those ceremonies could not compare to even a fraction of the majesty of this ceremony. Furthermore, Keosius's position within the kingdom was closer to that of those high-ranking figures.

He was not merely an ordinary ruler, but became a more symbolic figure.

Keosius doesn't need to interfere too much in the country's internal affairs; as long as he exists there, no one will dare to attack the country.

In the crowd, Faro Trischde was shielding his eyes from the glaring light.

He collapsed to the ground in a panic, his whole body trembling violently, his voice already trembling with sobs.

How could there be?

"How could something like this possibly be defeated?"

However, the Harpers infiltrator failed to notice that among the people he had drawn his attention to, several had already revealed an intense greed in their eyes.

They all wanted to become the new "George".

"Grab him!"

"He's a spy!"

Several people shouted in unison, afraid that this opportunity would slip away and they would lose the chance to become "First-Class Citizen".

The crowd in the vicinity was once again stirred up.