At the end of the staircase.
Empress Brigitte was seated on the Imperial Throne at the podium.
The announcer below the platform shouted loudly.
“Everyone, please stand!”
This marked the beginning of Duke Yuma’s ascension ceremony.
The elevated platform was no longer in front of the [Cross of Glory].
Now it was the imperial palace, the residence of Empress Brigitte.
In front of the palace was the grand banquet hall.
Nobles were lined up.
All high-ranking nobles.
On the left, royal family members were gathered closely together.
First Prince Schwarze wore a very relaxed expression, as if he had finally laid down a heavy burden.
This time, only nobles were present, with no commoners in sight, but this event was an official schedule established since the Emperor took the throne.
Step by step—
Yuma ascended to the platform.
He walked up the red carpeted stairs.
Empress Brigitte, with her white hair, approached Yuma.
“Yuma, as my aide, has accomplished many deeds beneficial to the Empire.”
Brigitte continued, gazing at the nobles.
“He is the former Grand Marshal who led us to victory against the Kingdom of Pineon and eradicated the Black Dragon, saving this Empire.”
Other achievements and divine feats were left unsaid.
The divine feats had to be omitted; it was still a secret among those present.
Even if it got out, few would believe it.
“I hereby appoint Yuma as the Duke of the Astes Empire.”
Yuma knelt on his left knee.
The trait of [Noble Dignity] did not instinctively interfere this time.
In this situation, it seemed that kneeling was the more elevated gesture.
“I look forward to your continued support, Yuma.”
After kneeling for a while, Yuma slowly stood up.
He faced Brigitte and responded.
“Of course.”
Yuma turned his body forward.
His gaze met numerous nobles.
“I am Yuma, now appointed as Duke. I look forward to your support.”
This was the birth of a power second only to the Emperor in this vast Empire, Astes.
All the noble gazes turned toward Yuma.
In their eyes were awe and fear.
Awe for the feats accomplished that would be impossible for a mere human.
And fear held by those who had initially supported First Prince Schwarze.
“I will do my duty. None of my actions will harm the Empire.”
That was all.
Yuma finished his short speech, which seemed almost bland compared to what the palace had prepared, and stepped down from the podium.
He walked forward.
In front of him stood a line of the Empire’s knights.
A thousand knights of the Empire.
Kuh—woooom!!
A thousand of them knelt at once, paying their respects to Yuma.
“Respect to the hero of the Empire!”
“Respect to Duke Yuma!!”
Yuma passed by the shouting knights and continued forward.
All the nobles bowed to the newly appointed Duke Yuma.
Then from a group at the far left, cheers erupted.
“God of War Yuma! Long live God of War Yuma!”
Now there was no need to hide, Hestia the Cat-Folk Swordsman boldly showed her scarlet ears as part of Duke Yuma’s entourage.
“Mu… uhh!”
And next to them were Cloney and Bell, desperately trying to stop Hestia’s impulsive actions.
In fact, Bell was trying hard to suppress the urge to shout alongside her.
Empress Brigitte slowly opened her mouth as she looked at Duke Yuma and the knights behind him.
From her lovely lips, the Song of the Emperor began to flow.
Duke Yuma focused his ears on the royal family’s soft voice, which highlighted Brigitte’s charm.
“The light above the crown embraces the warriors below the crown.”
A gentle golden aura began to flow from Brigitte’s body.
“O warriors of the empire, the light of Astes blesses you.”
The eyes of nobles and knights widened.
“─Draw your swords.”
The previously gentle aura suddenly illuminated the entire hall.
“Draw your swords!!!”
A thousand imperial knights raised their swords in unison.
Duke Yuma scanned a few of the knights with the Search Eye.
Mainly those who seemed to feel some change.
“Ooh…! I feel my strength surging!”
“It’s the grace of Her Majesty the Empress!”
[Lv.72]
Level up.
[Lv.73]
Just one level up, but it was definitely an increase.
‘It can’t be said to be weak for a power bestowed by the imperial bloodline.’
Around fifty people felt the change.
They all experienced a slight increase in strength and agility.
‘If the timing is just right, this could turn the tide of battle.’
Duke Yuma opened his status window. He could see that his stats had slightly increased.
Strength rose from 90 to 95. Agility increased from 110 to 120.
‘It doesn’t seem to impact skills like Absolute Counter.’
Although the increase for him was negligible, it would be a clear buff for the other knights and soldiers.
It appeared that Brigitte had awakened the power to strengthen her army.
The experiment regarding the
“Indeed, Her Majesty the Empress is a chosen one!!”
“Great Astes!”
This time, Duke Yuma examined Empress Brigitte with the Search Eye.
—
[Lv.82] Brigitte von Astes
Race: Human
Alignment: Good
Class: Empress, Swordswoman
Skill Level: Sword Expert Beginner
Innate Traits: Royal Blood, Pressure, Special Sense
Awakened Trait: Blood of the Astes Royal Family
– Awakened the greatness embedded in the Astes bloodline. Draws great luck. Gains the capacity for a strong body and powerful mental strength.
Awakened Power: Song of the Emperor.
– The Royal Song. Can be activated by reciting the verses with strong determination.
Can grant stat increase buffs to many walking the land of the Astes Empire. Enhances not only physical abilities but also mental strength and courage.
Can also be concentrated and cast on a smaller number of targets instead of as an area effect.
The duration depends on the mental strength and willpower of the caster, ‘Brigitte von Astes.’
—
The reason her level far surpasses that of an expert swordswoman is likely due to the power obtained by awakening the Astes royal bloodline.
It was a testament to how difficult it is to change one’s destiny and awaken royal blood.
Duke Yuma passed by the nobles and abruptly stopped before a man.
It was in front of the First Prince, Schwarze.
It was in front of Schwarze.
“Schwarze, didn’t you say to me before, when I became the Grand Duke, that you would pick out the land I’d get?”
The blonde prince, quite taken aback, was sweating and nodded his head.
“Yeah, I said that.”
“Then choose one for me now.”
Schwarze stared blankly at Yuma.
“…Okay, I’ll do that.”
After a moment of deep contemplation, Schwarze continued speaking.
“Wilbesserke. It’s the territory next to the Astes Temple. It’s considered a sanctuary since it’s right next to the temple, and no one has ruled it, but it would suit you.”
Ah, I see.
Yuma could grasp what Schwarze was trying to imply.
Since the Astes Temple had become useless anyway, wouldn’t it be fine to gobble up the whole thing?
Schwarze was trying to keep that intention hidden while circling around his words, as the other nobles had no idea that Yuma had killed God Incrinew.
Yuma slowly walked back to the podium.
He then approached Princess Brigitte, who was resting behind the podium.
“You did well, Brigitte.”
“…I need to increase my health and mental strength.”
Mental strength.
Brigitte now fully understood that just reciting a few verses of poetry wasn’t enough. The awakening of the imperial bloodline.
That awakening granted her mental strength that far exceeded physical achievements. However, she realized that physical achievement needed to back it up in order to sustain the Emperor’s Song for as long as possible.
“No matter how hard I try, I don’t think I can go beyond 30 minutes.”
“That’s enough.”
Boosting the physical and mental abilities of a fixed number of troops for 30 minutes?
That would have a shocking effect in battle scenarios without the knights involved.
It would provide an overwhelming advantage.
And that 30 minutes might gradually increase depending on Brigitte’s efforts.
“Experiment with various things. Can you only support those who fall under your light, or can you choose a few individuals, one or two? The number may be limited, but can you provide a higher-density buff?”
Brigitte’s eyes widened.
There was a correlation between what was written in the royal blood texts that only emperors could access and what Yuma had just said.
“You really don’t seem to lack knowledge.”
Yuma shook his head slowly.
“After seeing the ability you exhibited, it was within the reasonably expected range.”
Yuma turned his body. It was time to return to the princess’s palace.
*
“Are you thinking about searching for the aquatic non-human tribe you mentioned the other day?”
At Brigitte’s words, Yuma slowly nodded.
“I have to.”
The demonic army.
He needed to keep exploring ways to deal with them.
From now on, Brigitte had to reside in the imperial palace, not the princess’s palace.
But she allowed for a week’s grace.
This was so Yuma and his party could prepare perfectly for their journey.
As Brigitte sat in the princess’s office, Chief Attendant Royan approached her.
Royan respectfully bowed to Brigitte.
“Your Imperial Majesty, Empress Brigitte, I have a message for you.”
“What is it?”
Royan handed her a sheet of paper.
“It’s an urgent report transmitted through the Information Guild of the Empire.”
Brigitte began to read the paper written in the continent’s language aloud.
“…Our race, the Mullen, is facing a grave crisis. We heard that Duke Yuma defeated the Black Dragon and sought your assistance. Please, save our kin. This is a threat beyond anything we’ve faced before.”
Princess Brigitte rigidly continued reading the single sheet of paper.
“It’s a war between races. These are tribes we’ve never seen before—.”
She had to pause for a moment because a rather sensitive term concerning Yuma and herself was mentioned.
“They feel like tribes that could be servants of the Evil God. If you can save our race in this crisis, I will grant you any one request.”
Brigitte stared at Yuma.
“It seems they have urgent matters that outstrip ours.”
“Is that so?”
Yuma was crunching numbers in his head.
‘Experience points.’
While literal numerical experience points wouldn’t flow into their bodies, combat experiences would translate into physical and mental growth, leading to level-ups.
And practical combat was a perfect stage for growth.
Yuma thought it wouldn’t be a bad chance for Cloney and Bell to level up.
‘If we’re saving the race itself…’
With one big help, they could gain so much.
If magic civilization is this advanced, there’s a high chance the underwater civilization is also quite developed.
It would be enormously helpful in the battle against the demon army.
“The northern sea. The Mullen race dominates the waters around Atlantis.”
Brigitte handed Yuma a map of the continent.
“It appears the hegemony is currently under invasion.”
“Let’s go.”
Yuma decided to accept the Mullen’s request.
It was a journey he was already inclined to undertake.
From Yuma’s perspective, the troubling keyword of ‘Evil God’ was just an addition.
“What troops will we need for the journey?”
Brigitte asked.
“No additional troops are needed.”
Most enemies would likely be handled by Bell.
And Cloney was rapidly growing as well.
When additional forces were necessary, it might be better to call on the power of the White Night Clan.
“We’ll depart in two days.”
“Okay, understood.”
Brigitte accepted Yuma’s words without much change in expression.
“I’m sorry. I won’t be of much help this time either.”
Brigitte added in a self-reproaching tone.
Yuma slowly shook his head.
“You represent the Astes Empire. Just your alignment with my cause is already a help. If we save Mullen, it will be your responsibility to establish a national alliance as well.”
As Yuma’s supportive words continued, Brigitte felt a hint of despair.
‘I will accomplish it.’
She needed to use her current misery as a stepping stone.
Brigitte moved closer to Yuma.
“Be careful, Yuma.”
“Right, if anything happens in the kingdom, I’ll send the Dawn Revolutionary Army to inform you immediately.”
Yuma and his party began preparing to head toward the northern sea.
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