Blessing

Fifty years.

For Saint Realm powerhouses and divine-level experts, that might be the time it took to sleep or complete a single retreat.

But for ordinary people, it meant two or three generations!

The people born in this new era might not even know that this land had once been called the Chaotic Territory, or just how chaotic it had been.

The Kolan Empire now had a full complement of civil officials and military officers.

The appointments might not have been ideal, but the framework was in place.

From here on, the ranks would be gradually filled out.

Isabelle led everyone to the Tree of Life.

Everyone felt a jolt run through them, as if every pore on their bodies had opened.

"Father!" Leo and Hannah called.

"Mm." Kolan opened his eyes, glanced at Leo and Hannah, and gave a quiet reply.

His son and daughter had been fun when they were little, but once they grew up, they weren't as fun anymore.

Ten years ago, Kolan had abdicated, tossing the throne to his son before bringing his imperial consorts here.

The Gate of Life and Death had been moved to a mountain thirty kilometers outside the imperial capital. This place had been renamed Life Castle.

"Grandpa~~" Blake called, his head and shoulders looking like a little tiger's.

"Haha~~ Good grandson, you came to see Grandpa! Come here, let Grandpa hug you~~" Kolan broke into a smile as soon as he saw Blake.

Perhaps it was because grandparents doted on their grandchildren, or perhaps it was simply because Blake was a child.

Kolan found him so endearing and adorable.

Blake rushed over and threw himself into Kolan's arms, and the two of them shared a happy moment together.

They had lunch in the castle.

The whole family ate together at one table.

"Father, tomorrow is the Magnolia Festival. I'd like to appoint Blake as crown prince," Leo said.

"Mm. He's five now, so he's old enough to be appointed crown prince." Kolan nodded.

Leo and Amansa both beamed at his words.

With Kolan's approval, no one else's objections to Blake's appointment would matter.

Throughout the Kolan Empire, Kolan alone was everyone's object of faith.

Kolan's prestige was immense.

"Father, Amansa is three months pregnant. I'd like to ask you to bless her and the child," Leo said.

"Mm. Amansa is carrying our second child. She's made a great contribution to the royal family." Kolan thought it over, then nodded approvingly.

Amansa came from an ordinary family. At seven, she had taken a test of her magical aptitude and displayed superior affinity for Water Element magic, along with spiritual power thirty-two times that of her peers. The Royal Academy had accepted her.

However, Amansa's power had barely improved over the past ten years. She was still only a Level Seven Mage.

"Come with me to the Tree of Life later. I'll bless her and the child she's carrying," Kolan said.

Then he turned serious. "You must understand that strength is what matters most. Only by reaching the Saint Realm can you gain endless life. Otherwise, even if you reach the ninth rank as a warrior or mage, I can only help you live a thousand years at most."

Leo and Hannah both had decent talent.

They had every chance of reaching the Saint Realm.

Whether they could become gods on their own was another matter.

But as long as they reached the Saint Realm, when the Necropolis of the Gods opened, Kolan could get them a few Godsparks from inside. Then they could Refine Divine Sparks and become gods.

"Father, it took me everything I had just to become a Level Seven Mage. It'll take me at least another ten years to reach the eighth rank." Hannah pulled a long face.

"You. You have good talent, so train hard and don't let it go to waste." Kolan sighed.

Their comfortable lives had left both children with little drive or motivation.

In fact, Hannah's talent was quite good. She had an aptitude for Life Magic and Water Element magic, her spiritual power was superior, and she had access to endless cultivation resources.

Yet at thirty-five, she was only a Level Seven Mage.

Life Magic had been taught to her by Kolan himself, and a Saint Magus specializing in Water Element magic had taught her that as well.

Had she been anyone else, she might already have been an Eighth-level Mage, or even a ninth-rank mage.

With the help of the Tree of Life, he could extend a person's lifespan to a thousand years.

But that was still only a thousand years. Once that time was up, anyone who hadn't reached the Saint Realm would inevitably die.

Kolan didn't want his children to leave him.

Isabelle and Victoria had limited talent, and were almost certain never to reach the Saint Realm, so Kolan had no expectations of them.

But Leo and Hannah were different.

Every family had its own troubles.

Kolan was no exception.

After lunch, everyone went to the foot of the Tree of Life.

Kolan had Amansa sit cross-legged beneath the tree, then began silently chanting an incantation.

Life energy gathered between heaven and earth. The leaves of the Tree of Life stirred, and the energy finally condensed into a drop of water.

It was a drop of Water of Life, filled with powerful life energy and capable of healing even the gravest wounds.

The drop fell into Amansa's mouth. She immediately felt her body grow light, as if some shackles had been removed.

The Water of Life nourished her body, purged old injuries and illnesses, and extended her lifespan.

Even any scars on Amansa's body vanished.

Then Kolan blessed Amansa and the child in her womb.

It was because Kolan had become a god through the Life Law and possessed the Tree of Life that he had such great power.

"Thank you, Father!" Leo was overjoyed.

Now Amansa wouldn't have to worry about childbirth damaging her health. She'd recover quickly, and there'd be no risk of her dying in a difficult delivery. Their child would also grow up safe and healthy.

Leo knew from experience just how miraculous the Tree of Life was.

When he had gone out adventuring, he'd once lost an arm. After he returned, it grew back just as it had been, and all his injuries had healed.

Amansa, meanwhile, fell asleep in comfort.

It was three hours before Amansa woke up.

Kolan kept them for dinner, and only let them leave after the meal.

The next day was the Magnolia Festival.

A light snow fell over the entire imperial capital, but every household was festooned with lanterns and decorations to celebrate the Magnolia Festival.

Many people headed to the square in front of the imperial palace. The emperor would celebrate with the people that day, and Blake would also be appointed crown prince.

The Imperial Guard was keeping order in the streets.

The imperial palace covered a vast area. Its most striking hall stood a hundred meters tall, visible from anywhere else in Kolan City.

A huge square stretched out in front of the palace, measuring two thousand meters in both length and width. Its ground was paved with smooth white stone, and now it was packed with people.

Everyone was very well behaved.

Every member of the Royal Imperial Guard was at least a Fifth-Rank Warrior or mage. Squad leaders were Sixth-Rank Warriors or mages, company leaders were Seventh-Rank Warriors or mages, battalion leaders were Eighth-level Warriors or mages, and commanders were ninth-rank warriors or mages. The commander of the Royal Imperial Guard was a peak Saint Realm warrior.

There was no doubt about the strength of the Royal Imperial Guard!

No one in the imperial capital dared to provoke them.

Even nobles who angered the Guard and were arrested would be executed on the spot if they resisted. There would be no justice for them afterward, no matter who tried to demand it.

No one dared cause trouble or defy the Imperial Guard.

Even ninth-rank warriors and mages followed the rules.

The rules might not be so strict elsewhere, but here they were enforced without exception.