On December 1, Landen's ennoblement ceremony was held with great solemnity in Saint Augustus Hall of the Cloud Palace. Before a host of Imperial dignitaries—including the Imperial Chancellor, heads of departments directly under the Empire, Legends and Demigods, the kings of the Empire's various kingdoms, royal Legends, and Legends of the Tower of Purity—the Emperor personally pinned upon Landen the two grand medals belonging to a Duke of the Empire, the Duke of Night-Kirin, as well as a badge symbolizing his position as Assistant Finance Officer to the royal family.
"Congratulations, Landen Gallop," the Emperor proclaimed before the gathered crowd. "All that you have done for the Empire deserves to be carved within the Temple and remembered in Imperial history. Yet the Empire faces challenges at every moment. Behind the title of duke lie even greater responsibilities!"
Wearing his medals, Landen dropped to one knee and declared loudly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will surely give my heart and soul for the Empire!"
After the grand yet simple ceremony, the Emperor led everyone to the Tower of Purity, where they formally paid audience to the God Emperor.
At the Tower of Purity's highest level, Landen saw a God Emperor utterly different from the one he had seen yesterday. Here, the God Emperor had manifested a body as vast as a mountain range. Even Legends and Demigods looked like children before him.
Faced with Landen and the officials' obeisance, the God Emperor remained stern and unsmiling, communicating only through the Emperor or the Prime Minister.
"Landen, His Majesty means that in the future, you must guard the Empire's western border well. You must maintain peace with the Beastmen, while also letting them see the Empire's majesty!" the Prime Minister said. "As for the Sea Race in the north, they may pose