Awarding Ceremony

"The ceremony begins—"

As soon as Keosius finished speaking, hundreds of Half-Red Dragon dressed in Crimson Gold robes and holding Beast Hide Scroll appeared at the foot of the altar.

Gazing at the scrolls filled with names, the Imperial Citizen crowded around held their breath, closed their eyes, and prayed softly.

Whether human, Tiefling, Ogre, or Hobgoblin, everyone was extremely tense at this moment, their colorful pupils revealing anticipation, and their hearts pounding in all shapes and sizes.

"Keosius above"

"My name must be on it."

"Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me the title of Dragon Blood Noble."

"I single-handedly killed twenty-one demons. The officials in the Inspection Department must have seen my performance; I'd at least be a First-Class Citizen."

"What's so special about that? I killed seventy-five! If someone like you can be made Baron, then I'd be Earl!"

"Hmph, another one who's using Lemure to fill a position."

The Imperial People nearly ten million, and its system has undergone several reforms, becoming tightly integrated and no longer the crude aggregation of monster tribes it once was.

The era of easy riches in the early years of the People's Republic of China is over. The days when you could get a title just by catching a spy or making an invention are gone forever. Every position now requires fierce competition.

Even the lowest rank of Dragon Blood Baron is coveted by hundreds of thousands of meritorious Imperial Citizen who are eager to seize it.

Moreover, the empire has always prioritized ability, to an exaggerated degree. Almost any position is filled by the most capable person, and rewards are meticulously distributed based on military merit.

Under such a system, it is almost impossible to become Dragon Blood Noble without risking one's life for the empire.

Especially after experiencing this brutal Abyss War in the abyss, almost everyone who made it onto the list was an ambitious person who risked their life and their head.

Only the most loyal, bravest, and strongest citizens are qualified to stand on the Istaria Great Altar and become the envy of millions.

Suddenly, the great altar slowly rotated, and brand-new seats emerged from the pure white marble.

"Boom--"

That is...

"Look! The altar has changed!"

"It's a duke! The number of dukes has increased! No, the number of dukes has increased for all titles!"

At this moment, atop that majestic altar high above, the number of dukes has increased from three to nine—meaning that this Awarding Ceremony will produce six new dukes.

Instantly, hundreds of thousands of eyes focused on the nine exquisitely carved seats with dragon reliefs, and many people swallowed hard, their eyes revealing endless longing.

Although they knew they were absolutely not qualified to sit in that position, it was still an Imperial Duke!

Within the Embers of the Burned Empire, the Imperial Dukes are the most noble beings below the Emperor. Almost every Duke possesses power comparable to a dragon, a long lifespan, and unparalleled authority.

For example, the three current dukes can each decide the fate of millions of people and even influence the overall structure of the empire.

Lang Pu oversees the entire empire's administrative system, Dolo commands a massive army, and Mezhuolash controls special forces such as the Nocturne and the Imperial Guard.

Duke Dolo once said, a soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier. How could such power and status not be something to be coveted?

The Half-Dragon reading official at the forefront stepped forward again, wearing a standard crown resembling dragon horns—a symbol of his authority to read the imperial decrees on behalf of the emperor.

"The Duke of Lang Pu".

"Duke Dolo".

"Duke Mezhuolash".

"These three individuals were in charge of logistics, military affairs, and intelligence work respectively during the Abyss War. They were the chief planners of the war's victory. For this achievement, they were promoted to the Special Duke."

"Just as I thought."

"How enviable."

"Yes, they were the three leaders who first followed His Majesty, veteran figures, unlike us the North."

"As expected of the three pillars of the empire, even after being granted the title of duke, their status remains the highest."

"Sigh, if I had joined the Ember Nest earlier back then, would there be four of us who would be Special Duke by now?"

Amidst the envious, hopeful, and admiring gazes of the audience, the three dukes stepped forward, knelt before the Red Dragon, bowed their heads, and spoke respectfully.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Then, they easily found their places and stood on the highest level of the altar.

"If one day I can stand in that position, it would be worth dying for!"

"Yes, that is the highest honor."

Looking down at the expectant, crowded crowd below, listening to the noisy commotion, Lang Pu suddenly felt a sense of melancholy, as if he were in another world.

"I never imagined that the empire would become like this without me even noticing."

Although he had long been accustomed to such bustling scenes, he still couldn't help but think of that fortress from more than a decade ago, which now seemed exceptionally rudimentary, that primitive monster's lair.

After more than a decade, his status is no longer what it used to be, and many of his former comrades-in -Embers of the Burned Kin have died in the years of war or fallen far behind him.

For example, that Chimera still lives like a wild beast in its caves on Storm Highlands. However, it does have a dozen or so Chimera mates, continuously producing baby Chimera for the Empire.

Perhaps this could be considered a kind of happiness for this beast? And the former Kobold, Gold Tooth, died a few days ago on the battlefield against demons. It is said that he was surrounded in the air by hundreds of cunning Vrock and torn to pieces by them.

Now, after a bloody family feud, the Kobold army is mainly led by Gold Tooth's thirty-third child, Bao Ya Kobold Fang who inherited the Dragon Bloodline.

However, for the current Imperial Prime Minister Lang Pu, this is no longer a major issue worthy of his attention, since the Kobold race has a very low priority in his eyes.

The empire was developing far too fast, and His Majesty the Embers of the Burned Emperor, his master, was growing even more terrifyingly.

Lang Pu witnessed firsthand how Keosius transformed from a fledgling dragon, barely five or six meters long, into a being whose wings Sky-Shading the sky and who even Ancient Dragon feared.

Although he was far behind, the Ogre Mage was already quite satisfied with being able to help His Majesty.

Beside Lang Pu, the usually taciturn Mezhuolash suddenly chuckled. Tiefling, observing the diverse expressions of the people at the foot of the altar, spoke in a rather relaxed tone:

"Ambition, desire, thirst. What a vibrant and dynamic picture this is, isn't it? The Embers of the Burned Empire?"

Dolo turned his head, grinned menacingly, revealing a mouthful of jagged fangs, and spewed out plumes of hot white smoke.

"Only a country like this can help Your Majesty accomplish the great task of conquering the world. Fei An Suo is already within reach."

Despite their usual rivalry and constant clashes between their respective factions, the three dukes managed to maintain a semblance of peace on this exciting day.

A smile appeared on Lang Pu's ugly face, and he said softly, "I wonder who will become the new duke?"

As the highest-ranking official in the empire, Lang Pu already had a clear answer in mind, and he even personally drafted some of the drafts.

He just didn't know what revisions or changes His Majesty would make.

The second Half-Red Dragon reader stepped forward, holding the scroll, and read it aloud to the stirring music of the Half-goat Human band.

"Marquis Alger led the Red Scale Conqueror and the Imperial Dragon Horde in a valiant fight, defeating the Abyss Dragonkin Legion and repeatedly achieving great feats on the battlefield. He was promoted to Duke."

"As expected of Marquis Alger, he is the leader of the Red Scale Conqueror! And a veteran from the time of the Ember Nest!"

"But I heard that he used to be that Old Vampire's confidant."

"What's so special about that? Earl Freed was once Leo's servant when he turned into a demon. The Empire has never cared about background, only ability."

Accompanied by the loud cry of an eagle, Alger, holding the Eternally Burning Greatsword, rode the Dragon Vein Giant Eagle, circling several times in mid-air before landing on the altar and kneeling before the Red Dragon.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

The Half-Dragon announcer's voice continued, echoing through the noisy hall, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears.

This is not simply a magical effect, but rather the Magic Amplifier of the Technology Department, which has been widely used throughout the Empire, including but not limited to Steam Engine Car announcements, public address sessions in squares, and bounty missions.

"Earl Anthony led the Dragonkin Paladin to resist the demonic onslaught and block the Balor, and his outstanding achievements earned him the title of Duke."

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in an uproar. This young Dragonkin Paladin had actually been promoted several ranks, leaping directly from Earl to Duke! However, it seemed that he had done the same thing last time, rising directly from a commoner to Earl. After all, Dragonkin Paladin were the Emperor's scales and claws, his loyal sword.

"Great Red Dragon, this newborn duke is only twenty-one years old! This is too young!"

"Yes, haven't you read the report in the Empire Daily? Anthony was a child rescued by the Imperial Army from the basement of Northern Nobles. Who would have thought that in just a few years, he would become a noble duke!"

"What's so strange about that? Lord Anthony is the leader of the Dragon Oath Temple, with hundreds of Dragonkin Paladin under his command."

"By Keosius, if only my child could be this promising, I would send him to participate in the Temple Trials when I get back!"

Anthony's rise was part of Keosius's plan. The imperial authorities had long ago shaped him into a typical example of a commoner rising to the top, making him the embodiment of the "Empire Dream" for countless people.

His promotion conveyed the message that as long as one puts their life on the line and serves the empire, even a former noble page can become a high-ranking duke.

Can't you do it?

The answer is clearly no.

Within the fortress-like, perfectly aligned square formation of the Dragonkin Paladin, two rows of Paladin parted to the left and right, leaving a straight path in the center of the formation.

And so, holding his sword and shield, surrounded by the Paladin, Anthony strode out from the ranks and knelt at the foot of the altar.

Ignoring the rumors and gossip around him, he waited calmly with a resolute look in his eyes, his heavy armor stained with blood and covered in wounds—a symbol of battlefield glory.

Keosius gave a wink, Lang Pu, standing atop the altar, immediately understood and raised his staff.

Instantly, an invisible force field appeared beneath Anthony's feet, easily lifting him up to nearly a hundred meters in a short time, bringing him to the Istaria Great Altar.

"Dragon Lord."

Anthony took a few steps forward, knelt before the Red Dragon, buried his head deep in the ground, and his eyes were filled with piety.

Only after receiving personal permission from Keosius did he slowly get up from the ground and silently go to his seat—but the sweat on his forehead, the pounding of his heart, and his slightly trembling legs still revealed his inner tension and excitement.

Despite having endured many hardships, managed the Dragon Oath Temple with Freed's assistance, and personally experienced bloody battlefields, Anthony was ultimately just a young man.

In such a situation, it wouldn't be an exaggeration for him to be extremely excited or nervous.

"Misha, who killed several high-ranking demons who attempted to create chaos in the city and defeated the Balor on the battlefield, should be granted the title of Duke."

Immediately, even more heated discussions erupted among the crowd, and the venue became extremely noisy.

"She... she was actually granted the title of duke!"

"Keosius above!"

"I've heard her name before; she's the Dragonfire Daughter!"

This is the Dragon Blood Duke! This is the highest position that a mortal can obtain within the Embers of the Burned Empire, and this time it has been directly bestowed upon him! Although many people have heard of this "Dragonfire Daughter" who has slain high-ranking demons several times from the war section of the Empire Daily, this is only hearsay.

After all, Misha's rise to fame is only a recent phenomenon, and she is still far behind those well-known heroes.

But soon, soldiers from the military stepped forward, their expressions excited and their tone filled with admiration.

"You wouldn't understand, I've witnessed Lady Misha's power with my own eyes!"

"Without her, our entire legion would have been wiped out by that Balor! She is a true Imperial Duke!"

"Laugh--"

With a deafening sound of air bursting open, a scorching wind blew in, Mars and flames danced in the air, and space was suddenly torn open with a blazing rift.

And so the tall girl emerged from the Space Rift.

Misha wore an exquisite robe embroidered with a giant dragon pattern, her crimson hair flying behind her, dazzling dragon flames swirling around her, and an invisible pressure descending upon her.

She glanced around, her golden eyes gleaming with a hint of arrogance befitting a member of the emperor's family.

"Is this the Dragonfire Daughter?"

"No, they truly are His Majesty's family."

Under this momentum, those who had initially raised questions were immediately silenced and obediently shut their mouths.

Misha lightly touched the ground with her toes, and two broad Dragon Wing immediately unfolded behind her. The flapping of the wings stirred up a hurricane, lifting her up to a height of a hundred meters and landing her on the altar.

"Owner."

She folded her Dragon Wing, knelt on one knee, and spoke softly.