Chapter 382: Conclusion
The envoys from the Fadlan region watched the ceremony with unwavering focus, their expressions unusually grave—exactly as Cassius had planned.
He deliberately constructed the altar in the shape of a "Sun God Pyramid" and paired it with the granting of grace to evoke memories of the "Ascension Ceremony" from 150 years ago.
Originally, he intended to perform [Bloodline Grace], but he replaced it with the more impactful [Imperial Grace].
The attendees looked up at the sky, now as bright as day, marveling at the dazzling streams of fire.
"Is this His Majesty's power?"
"It's practically a miracle."
"So beautiful."
On the magnificent altar, waves of intense draconic pressure suddenly burst forth, drawing everyone's attention.
Even Cassius in the sky lowered his gaze toward the top of the altar.
"This is..."
"Legendary life essence."
The swirling white mist slowly dispersed, revealing a massive shadow on the altar.
The dragon-blooded ogre had grown to nearly ten meters tall, its mountainous body now covered in crimson scales. Short, thick horns jutted from its head, and mismatched fleshy wings sprouted from its back.
The ancestral dragon bloodline had overtaken its ogre lineage. Langpu now resembled a bloated red dragon more than an ogre.
His essence had transcended mortal limitations, reaching the legendary tier.
With his mage level rising and spells merging with his formidable physique, Langpu's power would become even more terrifying.
In Cassius's view, [Giant Sage - Langpu] had reached an astonishing challenge level of 17, with a new suffix: [Legendary Monster].
"The Imperial Grace is indeed effective. Finally, a legendary-ranked retainer."
Cassius's expression brightened with joy.
He then looked at the other two dukes—Medrolash was nearing the legendary tier, while Dolo trailed slightly behind.
"Master, thank you for your grace."
Langpu knelt on the altar, his grotesque face barely concealing his overwhelming excitement.
"Your Majesty!"
"Such immense power."
"Is this what it means to be a dragonblood noble?"
Many of the newly blessed dragonblood nobles began to awaken from unconsciousness, feeling the surging power within them. They knelt uniformly before the red dragon.
An invisible soul bond formed between them and their emperor, making their loyalty seem perfectly natural.
"Roar—"
Cassius let out a light roar, circling once in the air before landing thunderously atop the altar, spreading his wide wings.
The surrounding sky darkened once more, though remnants of fiery light lingered. The red dragon stood with his back to the light, his massive figure outlined by a glowing aura.
"Long live the Empire!"
"Long live His Majesty Cassius!"
A single shout erupted from the crowd.
Soon, like an infectious wave, the soldiers on guard began cheering, followed by the citizens and even the players.
Yet, within the enthusiastic, crowded mass, there were a few distinct presences.
"Deities, an Ascension Ceremony..."
"I must report to His Majesty Wilhelm! This empire is far more dangerous than some in the kingdom imagine!"
Daryev gazed at the red dragon on the altar, his expression deeply troubled.
He was horrified to realize that even he—an envoy from Thrace, a bard, and one of Wilhelm's confidants—had nearly been swept up in the fervor and shouted "Long live the Empire."
"How could the Harpers hope to overthrow a nation like this? It's impossible."
"Abil, forgive me. Perhaps I'm merely correcting an inevitable mistake."
Richard surveyed the fanatical faces around him, pulling his hood lower before vanishing into the crowd.
Meanwhile, Favarro Gregory, an envoy from the Kassander Kingdom, seemed deep in thought as he scribbled notes onto a scroll with a quill.
"Your Majesty, I believe the Ember Empire might become a critical ally in defeating Thrace."
"It's far stronger than we imagined."
The roaring cheers of the crowd surged like waves, washing over the wasteland in unrelenting cycles.
Tens of thousands of people pushed the atmosphere to its peak, chanting "Long live the Empire" and "Long live His Majesty Cassius" with unrestrained fervor, echoing across the Anzeta Wasteland.
Standing atop the altar, Cassius gazed down at the seething crowd and nodded slightly.
"Long live the Empire?"
"No, that is the vision of mortals. For dragons, ten thousand years is not an unattainable goal."
"What I desire is eternity."
The red dragon raised his gaze to the sky, his thoughts resolute.
"I will never forget this coronation, nor the paralyzing allure of that moment."
"Since then, I've harbored an unspeakable premonition—perhaps this empire will achieve a grandeur surpassing that of the Holy Fadlan."
——From "Memoirs" by Daryev Nelson
Late at night on March 2, Third Era 1786, in Isthalia, the coronation ceremony came to an end.
Historical records state:
The Red Dragon ascended the throne, founding the Ember Empire.
News of this globally significant event spread across the continent of Fianso within days, even shaking the entire Material Plane.
The Ember Empire demonstrated immense military strength and developed a unique military system unlike any other nation.
Both Tiamat, Queen of the Chromatic Dragons, and Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon King, descended projections to personally witness the coronation of the Ember King.
The red dragon bestowed grace upon his subjects, holding a ceremony akin to an "Ascension Ceremony" and creating several legendary figures.
These events spread rapidly.
As the empire's leadership had anticipated, the presence of two deities and the grace ceremony, reminiscent of the Sun God's ascension, left southern forces deeply shaken and solidified the Ember Empire's reputation across the continent.
This was one of Cassius's objectives.
It was now clear that following the coronation, the empire would wield even greater influence, becoming a pivotal force on the Fianso continent.
Cassius's fame and renown grew exponentially.
Observers began to notice that the red dragon's relationship with Tiamat was not as close as rumors suggested and that there was tension between them.
Cassius's distinctive, menacing appearance, his ancient dragon-level colossal size, and his character—far from the brutish stereotype of red dragons—sparked immense interest among dragon scholars worldwide.
Through tireless study, these scholars replaced the moniker "Dragon Prince" with a more fitting title: "The Red Emperor."
"'The Red Emperor' rose like a meteor yet did not fall like a comet."
——Gansel, Dragon Scholar