Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 658 "Radiant Wise King" Luo Xiu! (5k5)

The investiture of Augustus the Great is about to begin!

Luo Xiu, along with the other twelve "meritorious individuals" who were to be rewarded, had arrived directly in front of the high platform where the emperor was located.

It was a platform higher than the Imperial Square. At this moment, all those who would receive their titles personally bestowed by Emperor Augustusville had gathered. As the saint who had made the greatest contribution to the [Radiant] Holy Court, Luo Xiu was ranked first.

In fact, even outside the Holy Court, Luo Xiu's illustrious achievements were unmatched among all the "Seven Fates" Saints who participated in the expedition throughout the empire.

Meanwhile, Luo Xiu was also observing the other "meritorious individuals" on the same platform as him—

There were also two great sages of wisdom, and later, Hades, the "Sage of Compassion" of the Holy Court of Glory, was also among the meritorious individuals, something Luo Xiu had not expected.

Luo Xiu had assumed that the "Sevenfold Fate" saints who had participated in the final battle of the Judgment War would have no intention of participating in the Empire's celebrations or accepting the investiture from Emperor Augustusville, given the fall of Pope Lorend. Hardy's appearance here was completely unexpected; it was likely that someone from the "Supreme" had secretly reached an agreement with him.

However, Hardy was indeed qualified to receive the title from Emperor Augustusville. In the fierce battle of the largest seven-fold path to sainthood that he had participated in, Hardy single-handedly helped kill several Black Pillars, and he even killed the "Envoy of Peace" Valentina. This achievement was quite remarkable.

Luo Xiu thought to himself.

Meanwhile, the "compassionate saint" Hadi had also seen Luo Xiu.

The holy deacon turned his head, his gaze filled with kindness and compassion so clear and pure. Logically speaking, Hadid should not accept any conditions proposed by the [Supreme]... For some reason, Luo Xiu had a strange feeling, but Hadid just smiled at him, and there was no sense of shame on his face.

Then, as soon as Augustusville finished speaking, Hardy turned his head away from Luo Xiu and looked at Emperor Augustusville.

Luo Xiu then noticed that when Hardy looked at Emperor Augustusville, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, leaving only pity, a faint indifference, and a feeling of anger.

"...?"

Luo Xiu wondered what Hardy was thinking; he probably had his own plans… He stopped paying attention to “Compassionate Saint” Hardy and looked at the others.

Then there were the five "Heavenly Knights" of the sixth level of the [Supreme] Destiny – these were the five Heavenly Knights who led an expeditionary legion and made amazing contributions during the entire "Judgment War". And Luo Xiu's old acquaintance, the "Heavenly Knight" Stuart, was among them!

The achievements of the Matsubara Expeditionary Force were quite outstanding even within the entire Imperial Expeditionary Force. Luo Xiu's contributions accounted for a very large proportion of these achievements, but overall they were still considered to be the results of "Knight of Heaven" Stuart and Lord Gawain.

The reason why the one about to receive the imperial title is "Knight of the Heavenly Proclamation" Stuart is because the empire will use this to showcase a new batch of candidates qualified to be promoted to "Knight of the Heavenly Pillar," and Stuart is among them. After carefully analyzing Stuart's performance throughout the entire trial war, the Imperial Court believes that Stuart is worth cultivating.

There were three other "meritorious individuals"—who were ordinary people.

One of them was the lord of a frontier fortress city in the border region of the empire. During the Trial War, with the help of the city walls and the brave and loyal 20,000 city wall defenders, in a perilous situation lacking powerful superhumans and without the support of imperial reinforcements, he actually held the city for eighty days in the face of the overwhelming attack of 100,000 dark troops led by three executioners!

That effectively thwarted the Black Army's plan to use this fortress city as a springboard to launch a wide-ranging invasion of the Empire. In fact, because the fortress city remained unconquered for a long time, the three executioners were forced to abandon their original plan and instead take a detour to bypass the fortress city from another direction, thus greatly slowing down the progress of the invasion.

Because of this deed, the city lord was hailed as the "Hero of Slov"—and the fortress city "Slov" that he defended was permanently granted to him by the Empire, allowing him to inherit the title hereditarily, and allowing his descendants to receive imperial training, embarking on the path of the "Supreme" and truly becoming part of the ruling class.

The other two were a supply officer who, despite the heavy blockade by the Black Army, miraculously managed to bypass the blockade and deliver the grain to the target expeditionary force in time, allowing the expeditionary force to continue fighting. This event ultimately led to a great victory in a key battle and facilitated a full-scale counter-offensive.

One was a leader of the common people—when his original city fell under the iron heel of the Black Army, he spontaneously organized the common people who were unwilling to surrender or be enslaved to form the "Imperial Self-Defense Army." He even regained control of the city before the Imperial Expeditionary Force arrived, and even killed the "leader" who had captured the city in a gladiatorial battle!
These are all the "meritorious individuals" who are about to receive their titles from Emperor Augustusville—

Their achievements and the glory they received truly deserved the honor bestowed upon them by the Emperor. These six months, ravaged by trials and wars, were also six months of heroes, six months in which we could see the future and hope.

"You are the first Saint to be conferred a title by His Majesty the Emperor, Your Excellency Holy Cardinal Rosh Carlos."

Before Luo Xiu, the emperor's attendant respectfully and devoutly reminded him, interrupting his thoughts:

"Your investiture and honors are about to begin. Please prepare yourself, and then, amidst hymns and praises, ascend the high platform."

"..."

"I understand." Luo Xiu nodded.

now.

His Majesty the Emperor Augustus was delivering his final, impassioned speech from that high platform.

Before bestowing titles upon "meritorious individuals" such as Luo Xiu and Hardy, the emperor first honored and bestowed titles upon his staunch demigod allies, and then upon the "Supreme" Heavenly Pillar Knights.

The Empire's "Sky Pillar Knights" were the Emperor's right-hand men and the pillars of the Empire. Throughout the "Judgment War," the Sky Pillar Knights led the most elite Divine Seal Knights under Emperor Augustusville, taking on the main battlefields, eliminating the most enemies, and making the greatest sacrifices.

Apart from the one "Sky Pillar Knight" who sacrificed himself in the final battle, the Empire lost four Sky Pillar Knights throughout the entire Judgment War. Although the Empire ultimately defeated and destroyed the Dark Duchy, the sacrifice of the four Sky Pillar Knights was still an immeasurable loss for the Empire.

Emperor Augustus, in the very beginning of his "conferring of titles," started with all the "heroes" who had sacrificed themselves for the empire—

At the very beginning, Emperor Augustus mentioned the name "Pope of Lorend".

"The sacred and sublime forerunner, the holy one who served the sun, Pope Laurent Mayerin, the 'Holy Crown' of the Empire, has heroically sacrificed himself for the great cause of the Empire—"

Emperor Augustus the Great proclaimed thus:
"His martyrdom was tragic, but also magnificent, enabling us to truly eliminate the terrifying enemy, the 'Black Grand Duke,' and achieve final victory."

"I miss him dearly—my old friend and confidant, the Holy Pope Laurent of [Glory]. I will remember him, the Empire will remember him, and I will erect a holy icon in his honor for all ages. And today, I posthumously confer upon Pope Laurent Mayering the title of 'Pope' of the Empire, the Holy Crowned Pope who will protect the Empire's holiness and immortality!"

"..."

"The Holy Pope"...

Emperor Augustusville truly bestowed upon the Pope of Lorient a very grand title.

The supreme leader of the Holy Kingdom was titled "Pope"—a title bestowed upon Pope Laurent by Emperor Augustus himself, which carried far more weight than the title of "Pope".

Although the "weight" carried by this title is something Pope Laurent can no longer use to do anything for the "Holy Court".

Pope Lorend, who was a "demigod" alongside Emperor Augustusville in life, was once again elevated to a high position by the [Supreme] after his fall. Luo Xiu could imagine that this move by the [Supreme] would ease the tension between the "Holy Court" and the [Supreme], but it might also be... the beginning of the [Supreme]'s impending domination of the "Holy Court".

Then, Emperor Augustusville bestowed titles upon Thorin, the demigod of the Tower of Sages, an ally of [Wisdom].

The "Sage's Tower," built by this demigod of "Wisdom," provided the Empire with the majority of its technological output, as well as a large number of alchemical and runic artifacts. These artifacts were deployed in large quantities on the battlefield of the "Judgment War," making a significant contribution to the annihilation of the Dark Army.

The Emperor bestowed upon the First Elder Thorin the title of "Imperial Mentor"—therefore, the knowledge pursued by the "Tower of Sages" and the First Elder Thorin was regarded as "Imperial Truth"—Emperor Augustusville truly affirmed the status of the First Elder Thorin and the "Tower of Sages" in the Empire, and granted the Tower of Sages more political power within the Empire.

Following this, Emperor Augustusville bestowed titles upon all the Sky Pillar Knights who had participated in the "War of Judgment"—

Lemonster Nolan, the chief of the "Sky Pillar Knights," was granted the title of "Imperial Marshal" and officially recognized by Emperor Augustusville as his successor.

Lemonster's illustrious military achievements make him a worthy "crown prince." If the emperor were to die unexpectedly, Lemonster would succeed Augustusville as emperor and supreme authority, becoming the new emperor of the Nolan Empire.

Of the other twelve Sky Pillar Knights, two were promoted to the rank of "Duke" and granted the title of "Guardian Duke" (foreign clansmen). Although this title was largely honorary and did not grant them the real and comprehensive power of an imperial duke as a "Red-Crowned Prince," its main power lay in commanding and deploying the Supreme Knights and a portion of the army—but for the two Sky Pillar Knights, that burning glory was enough to satisfy them.

The Sky Pillar Knight that Luo Xiu knew, "Spear of Heavenly Law" Asriel, was promoted from Earl to Marquis. He was granted the title of "Imperial General"—and the ten Sky Pillar Knights, including Asriel, were also promoted to Marquis, granted the title of "Imperial General" by Emperor Augustusville, and given new territories.

All the territories were drawn from the territories expanded during the Trial Wars, except for the Crown Prince Lemonster, who was not granted any new territories—because he already had enough. The two "Guardians of the Nation" were granted twenty fortresses and cities, while the "Imperial Generals" were granted ten fortresses and cities.

Thus, the "High Knights" system under Emperor Augustusville was truly re-established after the war.

With "Imperial Marshal" Lemonster as the supreme commander, two "Guardians of the Nation" as deputy commanders of all the High Knights, and ten "Imperial Generals" each leading all the High Knights, this clear and straightforward system was thus formed.

In normal times, the "Imperial Generals" will lead their High Knights, either stationed in the imperial capital of Augustus or dispatched to various locations to carry out missions.

Meanwhile, the "Imperial Marshal" Lemonster and the two "Guardians of the Nation" either served in the capital or went to their respective territories to govern, collect taxes, or handle affairs. Only in times of crisis would they summon all the Supreme Knights to act on behalf of the Emperor.

Luo Xiu remembered that in his previous life, when the Judgment War ended, Emperor Augustusville bestowed titles upon all the "Knights of the Sky Pillars" in a similar manner.

However, in the previous life, only ten Sky Pillar Knights survived the war, and only one of the ten Sky Pillar Knights was qualified to become the "Guardian of the Nation." Therefore, perhaps considering the need for checks and balances among powers, Emperor Augustusville ultimately did not grant the title of "Guardian of the Nation," but only established Lemonster as the Imperial Marshal.

After completing the posthumous conferment of the title of Pope of Lorend, the honorary conferment of the title of Chief of Thorin, and the conferment of the title of the thirteen Knights of the Sky Pillars.

Around the Imperial Square, the Imperial March, which had been playing rousingly and soaringly, suddenly became melodious and ethereal. It was the sacred music band of [Glory] taking over the Imperial Orchestra's music.

That is the sacred music of "Glory"—"Hymn of Glory"—which is inherited from the ancient sacred music ensembles of the early days of the "Holy Court" and has now become a classic movement of the "Holy Court".

The devout and resonant hymns and choruses, inspiring awe and reverence, rose simultaneously with the sacred and soaring hymns, gradually building to a climax. Meanwhile, on the high platform, the attendants chanting the emperor's name also raised their voices—

"For the sublime and sacred 'Cardinal,' let sacred music resound for Cardinal Rosh Carlos!"

“Cardinal Rosh Carlos is the most devout and steadfast believer of [Radiance], and also His Majesty the Emperor's most trusted and reliable ally of the Holy Court…”

"In that arduous and protracted war of judgment, Cardinal Rosius Carlos led the saints of the Songyuan Expeditionary Church to defeat and judge one heretical enemy after another, laying a solid foundation for the final victory of the Imperial Expeditionary Force."

"In the final battle, Cardinal Rosh Carlos vanquished three Black Pillars and one Lich King for the Empire, and single-handedly eliminated four terrifying enemies of the 'Sevenfold Fate'!"

"Such a feat of war is unparalleled, and such a great achievement deserves our utmost respect! Our great and supreme Emperor Augustusville will personally confer a sainthood upon Cardinal Rosh Carlos and personally crown Cardinal Rosh Carlos!"

"..."

Conferring a title and...wearing a crown?
When Luo Xiu heard the emperor's attendant on the high platform reciting these words aloud, he was suddenly taken aback.

Wearing a crown?

What do you mean by wearing a crown?
"..."

He had a vague feeling that Emperor Augustusville might want to "bestow" some titles upon him that he had not expected before, which would most likely deepen the division between the "Holy Court" and himself, but that was not the key point.

Luo Xiu wanted to see what title Emperor Augustusville was going to bestow upon him.

Guided by the emperor's attendants, surrounded by countless respectful and enthusiastic gazes, and amidst waves of cheers, Luo Xiu strode forward along the red carpet toward the high platform where the emperor stood.

Step by step, step by step.

The stirring sacred music and hymns, their rhythms echoing around Luo Xiu's footsteps, formed the drumbeats of a grand symphony. As Luo Xiu stepped onto the red carpet and ascended the imperial platform, the music gradually intensified, building to a climax—

Amidst the intense attention of the crowd, Luo Xiu arrived at the high platform and stood there with the thirteen Heavenly Pillar Knights and Emperor Augustusville.

In a flash.

Luo Xiu could feel the gazes of the thirteen Heavenly Pillar Knights directed at him—a mixture of warm, wary, curious, and hostile stares. Meanwhile, Emperor Augustusville donned his crimson cloak and walked step by step toward Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu could feel the terrifying pressure that was gradually approaching. Emperor Augustusville himself was like a furnace radiating intense heat, and Luo Xiu could indeed feel the heat in his soul.

Until Augustusville stood before Luo Xiu, the supreme emperor's eyes, burning like fire in a cave, fixed intently on Luo Xiu. Then, his right hand grasped Luo Xiu's left wrist and raised it high—

"The holy and sublime Cardinal, Cardinal Rosh Carlos, has established such a holy and sublime great achievement that I can bestow upon him the highest respect and the highest honor of the Empire!"

Emperor Augustusville proclaimed this to all those in the Imperial Square.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Emperor Augustusville, an imperial attendant held a sacred crown—a crown forged from platinum and gold, with a jewel in the center that shone with brilliant gold light, and the edges inlaid with exquisite red gold stripes. Gold, white, and red together constituted the three colors of this sacred crown.

That which looked sacred and majestic was the perfect symbol of the combination of [glory] and [supreme]—

"I hereby bestow upon him the title of Holy Cardinal Rosh Carlos, who rendered the greatest service to the Empire in the decisive battle of the Trial War!"

Augustusville released Luo Xiu's left hand, took the tricolor holy crown from the attendant beside him, and announced in a booming voice—

"I shall bestow upon Cardinal Rosh Carlos the title of 'Radiant Wise King'!"

"The title of Wise King Rosh Carlos is conferred upon him, granting him six holy cities: Red Maple City, Latama City, Esco City, Losand City, Storm City, and Fafnir City. Together with the eighteen surrounding fortresses, a total of twenty-four holy cities and fortresses are granted to Wise King Rosh Carlos as his territory, forming a new domain known as the 'Holy Carlos Territory'!"

"By imperial decree, the Wise King Rosh Carlos is granted the title of Honorary Marquis of the Empire, enjoying the same honor as the 'Red-Crowned Prince.' I hereby authorize Cardinal Rosh Carlos to act on behalf of the Holy Pope of Lorend, and on behalf of my own will, to promote and revitalize the new [Glory] in the new Holy Land!"

"I have promised that the Empire will fully support the Wise King Rosh Carlos in all its development efforts in the Holy Carlos Territory. And I will not interfere with the Wise King's governance of the Holy Territory except in exceptional circumstances. I hereby declare a new alliance with the Wise King Rosh Carlos!"

"..."

Emperor Augustusville solemnly proclaimed this.

Then, his fiery gaze turned to Luo Xiu, and he said:

"Thus, our holy and sublime Cardinal Rosius, who has accomplished great deeds."

"I, along with my myriad subjects, stand here to witness—"

"The highest heaven and the great sun, in an instant, together descended divine revelation and blessings."

"Then I shall bestow the crown upon you!"

……

(End of this chapter)