Chapter 1060: Imperial Royalty

"Your Majesty!"

The surrounding guards and palace maids bowed respectfully, and the dining hall's atmosphere instantly grew solemn.

The members of the Augustus family, who had been chatting and laughing, were suddenly influenced by the guards' and maids' behavior and at a loss for how to address Lei En.

They are Lei En's parents and brothers; now they must refer to their own son, the elder brother they grew up with, as "Your Majesty" and perform grand ceremonies, which feels unfamiliar. If they still called him Lei En directly, it would seem disrespectful.

Lei En is now the emperor!

Although they have been excited for three days and eager to see Lei En, when Lei En actually appeared before them, they were at a loss.

Lao Bad and Ma Linda looked at their valiant son, feeling more awe than excitement.

When Lei En left home years ago, they only worried and resented that iron would not become steel, thinking the youngster would surely get battered and eventually return to bow before them. He was gone for years without news; when they finally saw Lei En again in Longshandecheng, he had become a transcendent, achieved great deeds, and even purchased a luxurious villa.

The couple had rarely left for a small town in their whole lives, and by their standards, this was an extraordinary achievement.

Yet this was only a modest beginning.

In the following years, Lei En barely saw them, returning home only once.

But news of Lei En arrived frequently; they didn't bother to inquire, because each time Lei En did something that shook the Empire, it was hard not to know.

Lei En rose skyward, each achievement more astonishing than the last.

As Lei En's fame skyrocketed, Lao Bad and his wife's status in Longshande rose, and those around them grew increasingly respectful, even the Silver Star Title: Duke personally checked on them several times.

Ten years ago, Lei En became Consul!

In these ten‑plus years, the family underwent earth‑shaking changes.

Lao Bad was ennobled as a Viscount, Ma Linda became principal of a school belonging to Nuosiruier, and the couple, wherever they went in the imperial capital, were respected, no longer the rural commoners of their past.

Their other two sons are now transcendent, and with Lei En's help have risen to legendary status.

Their younger daughter also married into a Count family.

From a remote village family without even a surname to taking over He Palace, they became the hottest Augustus family in Nuosiruier!

Lao Bad spent ten years in Nuosiruier, broadening his experience and outlook, believing this was the pinnacle of a rising family and feeling fully satisfied, never daring to hope for more. Then, the earth‑shaking upheaval three days ago occurred!

Lei En ascended the Golden Throne and was crowned emperor!

When battles erupted over Nuosiruier's skies, Lao Bad and Ma Linda hid inside He Palace, guarded by a squad of Thundercast Celestial Soldiers, their hearts pounding, utterly unable to grasp what was happening.

Shortly after, when he heard the outcome, he was completely stunned.

Lei En has become emperor!

Lao Bad was dazed and despondent for hours, then so excited he nearly went mad. "My eldest son, once the idle, obviously directionless, mediocre and frivolous Lei En, has actually become the Empire's emperor!"

Ma Linda at first could not believe it, until both sons and the daughter‑in‑law rushed into He Palace, she finally accepted it as real.

The couple both knew that Lei En now was no longer the son they remembered.

At first they struggled to accept him, being very afraid of this Lei En, so they deliberately kept their distance.

Until Lei En brought the whole family into He Palace, they found this Lei En, though unfamiliar, was countless times stronger and smarter than before, could handle any task, and treated his family well, so they gradually accepted the reality.

Now that they know Lei En has become emperor, the worries buried in their hearts for years were instantly cast far into the clouds.

These three days, the whole family has been in extreme excitement.

Lei En became emperor, so the Augustus family is now the Empire's royal family, and they have all become members of the royal family!

This is far more noble than any aristocrat; even the Duke families cannot compare.

Lei En's several women behaved far more demurely.

Viola, Emily, and Frangiska are Empire senators; that day they saw the whole process in the plaza, and Perarith, from the high tower of Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng, saw it even more clearly.

However, the outward demureness merely masks inner eagerness and anticipation.

The Empire cannot have only an emperor; it also needs an empress!

"Your Majesty!"

At the dining table, a handsome, dashing man hurried forward, half‑kneeling before Lei En, head bowed, his voice resonant as he proclaimed loudly: "Your Majesty, wise and mighty, the Empire's being able to welcome your rule is a blessing to the people. I, representing the Empire's citizens and my family, offer you our longest‑lasting loyalty, wishing you boundless longevity and ever‑higher peaks!"

Everyone was startled by the gesture, instantly exchanging bewildered looks.

The speaker was Cathy's husband Garisen, grandson of Count Harpib, who got Cathy pregnant a few years ago, married her, and now they have a son and a daughter.

Lei En looked at the kneeling Garisen before him, saying nothing.

Cathy held her two children's hands, unintentionally gripping tightly; after marrying into Count Harpib, she has matured and is no longer the naive girl she once was.

"Mother, you squeezed too hard," Cathy's daughter chirped.

Lei En glanced at the niece, smiled, and finally said, "Garisen, you're thoughtful, stand up."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Garisen beamed.

"Everyone, sit down." Lei En's gaze swept over his relatives, smiling fully as he said, "We are family; there's no need to be so formal. Whatever we were before, we remain the same; no need to deliberately greet me, you can speak freely."

The crowd breathed a sigh of relief, and the dining hall's atmosphere suddenly relaxed.

Lei En took the first seat at the long table.

Lao Bad and Ma Linda sat to his right, followed in order by Brisset and Calodi.

Brisset, already a legendary sword mage, has been in Albert Bay and remains single; Calodi married several years ago, his wife being the Firaia he met on a ship, and last year they had a son, the youngest member of the Augustus family.

Next came Cathy's family of four.

Viola sat in the first seat to Lei En's right, with her son Octavius;

Emily and her eldest son Rex; Frangiska and her children Elizabeth and Roland; then Perarith and her son Brian.

After taking her seat, Viola lightly clapped.

The steward brought the steaming dishes with the maids, and the long table was quickly filled with delicious fare.

"Please eat."

After Lei En finished speaking, the family began to serve themselves.

He took a few bites, glanced to his right where maids and nannies were feeding several young children; noticing his father's gaze, Elizabeth suddenly ran over, leapt into Lei En's arms, and cooed, "Father…"

Fa Lan Jia Si Ka hurriedly interrupted her daughter, correcting, "You must call him Father Emperor."

"Oh, oh, I've remembered." Yi Li Sha Bai nodded like a chick pecking grain, and continued, "Father Emperor, now that you're Emperor, will I be a princess in the future?"

Lei En lifted her onto his lap, cooing, "Of course, you are the Imperial Grand Princess. When you're a few years older, I'll confer a title and a fief upon you."

"That's wonderful!"

Yi Li Sha Bai cheered exuberantly and planted a hard kiss on Lei En's face.

"Father Emperor, I want it too!"

Ao Ke Ta Wei Si immediately shouted along, "I'm only five, but I already know how to compete with my sister," he said loudly, "I also want a title and a fief."

"I want it, I want it…"

Luo Lan and Bu Lai En also clamored, both only four, clueless about what titles and fiefs meant, thinking they were toys they also wanted.

Only the eldest son Lei Ke Si stayed silent; at thirteen he was already very tall, half a head taller than his mother Ai Mi Li Si, exceedingly sensible, unable to brazenly demand titles and fiefs from Father Emperor like his younger siblings.

The children's noisy merriment made their mother feel uneasy.

Yet she did not intervene, merely watching Lei En's reaction.

"Hahaha…" Lei En laughed happily, "You are the Empire's princes and princesses; at a certain age you'll each receive a fief and a title, so don't be impatient."

The children all seemed satisfied.

Lao Ba De's eyes lit up as he glanced at the two sons beside him, Bu Li Sai Te and Ka Luo Di, both hesitant to speak; Ka Luo Di's wife Fei La Ya looked full of envy, yet in front of the Emperor she knew she must not speak rashly.

Lei En sensed their thoughts and said, "Father, I have just been crowned Emperor; your peerage cannot be too low."

"Viscount would be fine…" Lao Ba De's heart pounded, though he verbally declined.

He had been a noble for over a decade.

Initially the Silver Star Duke conferred a knightly title, later promoting it to baron. When they reached Nuosiruier, Lei En helped him obtain a Viscount title, though it was merely honorary.

"In a few months when the Empire's political situation stabilizes, I will confer a Duke title upon you," Lei En said directly, "Father, make some preparations."

Lao Ba De's expression froze, as if struck by lightning.

"Ahem… Duke…"

He forgot to swallow the food in his mouth, choking himself; his mind went blank, his hands trembled nonstop, realizing he could actually become a Duke in his lifetime!

Ma Lin Da was also dumbfounded; with her husband a Duke, she would become a Duchess!

The restaurant was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Lei En smiled and continued, "Father, besides the Duke title, I will carve out a fief for you on the New Continent as your ducal domain. However, I will still govern that land, so you need not worry; each year you'll receive a tax payment."

Lao Ba De was completely speechless.

A real Duke!

"Alright, alright… all thanks to your arrangement, Lei En."

Lao Ba De kept nodding; even an honorary Duke satisfied him, let alone a real one he could scarcely imagine.

He knew his limits: running grain mills was manageable, but the few ranches he'd run in recent years were barely sustained, already at his capacity.

It was still a concession made to save Lei En's face.

Actually governing a ducal fief would only turn into a mess.

Moreover, Lao Ba De sensed Lei En's intention: Lei En did not plan to let him manage the land, otherwise he wouldn't have conferred the ducal fief on the distant New Continent. If he acted out of line, he'd end up with nothing, better to just collect taxes while lying down.

He was no longer the clueless country bumpkin he once was; after ten years living in He Palace, he'd dealt with high‑ranking Imperial figures and gradually learned the ropes.

Anyway, obeying Lei En is the right move.

Lei En's face lit up with a smile as he turned to his two younger brothers, "Bu Li Sai Te, Ka Luo Di, I have also prepared a county fief for you, all on the New Continent."

"Thank you, big brother!"

Ka Luo Di rose calmly to give thanks; he is now the camp commander of the Holy Spear Knight Corps, at Legendary Initial Stage, and the family member who has contributed the most to Lei En's endeavors, so he remained composed.

His wife Fei La Ya, however, was flushed with excitement, having become a Countess!

Bu Li Sai Te smiled, "Thank you for the kind offer, big brother, but I have little interest in becoming a Count; I only wish to pursue higher realms and strength."

Lei En gave him a glance.

Level‑12 Gale Demon Swordsman, soon to challenge the fifth Soul Transformation and advance to Legendary Mid‑stage.

"Not bad."

Lei En nodded; before his own transmigration, Bu Li Sai Te had been the most gifted of the three brothers, receiving Lei En's guidance and abundant resources, and he was ambitious, daring in battle, fully realizing his talent and potential, traveling far along the Extraordinary Path beyond Lei En's expectations.

Given this, Bu Li Sai Te has a chance to challenge a Saint Rank strongman.

"When do you plan to hold the Soul Transformation ceremony?" Lei En suddenly asked.

"You can't hide anything from big brother's eyes," Bu Li Sai Te replied unperturbed, "the earliest would be early next year, the latest no later than mid‑year."

Lei En asked again, "After advancing to Legendary Mid‑stage, what are your plans?"

"I haven't decided yet."

Lei En laughed, "The Extraordinary Path's first stage is harder than the next, like climbing a mountain—there's always a higher peak to summit. If you want to go farther, you need many aids; I suggest you accept the Count title and fief, since all you have to do is collect money each year."

"How much per year?" Bu Li Sai Te's eyes brightened.

Lei En thought for a moment; the family's fiefs were nominal, and he alone decided how much tax to allocate—too much would spark disputes, too little would seem stingy.

Bu Li Sai Te's challenge to Saint Rank would be costly, so a bit more could be granted.

"Two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand Gold Shields."

To Lei En the sum was a drop in the bucket, but to everyone else it was astronomical; the restaurant was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

Bu Li Sai Te had roamed the New Continent for over a decade, amassing only a few tens of thousands of Gold Shields.

His breath halted for a beat.

"Alright!"

"Thank you, big brother."

Bu Li Sai Te hurriedly agreed, almost slapping herself hard, and was foolish enough to refuse the Count domain bestowed by her elder brother.

The elder brother is the emperor; can his gifts be any less generous?

Lao Ba De also beamed; a Count domain yields over two hundred thousand Gold Shield revenue per year, and a Title: Duke domain is certainly more!

"Cathy." Lei En continued, "I confer upon you the Viscount title and a Viscount domain."

It is not because he favors sons over daughters, nor because Cathy is merely her father's adopted daughter without blood ties and thus emotionally distant; the reason she receives only a Viscount domain is that her husband, Jialisen, from the start had impure motives, only flattering and scheming, with too many fickle intentions.

Such a person, once powerful, will become rampant and must be struck down from time to time.

Jialisen's opportunistic actions cannot be rewarded.

However, Lei En soon realized he was still too generous.

Jialisen immediately dragged his wife to his feet, exclaiming excitedly, "The most generous person I've ever seen is still not even one ten‑thousandth of Your Majesty!"

He was truly overjoyed.

His grandfather was only a Count; after marrying a wife he obtained a Viscount domain—pure profit!

Lei En shook his head in his mind; after marrying, Jialisen treated Cathy fairly, devotedly, and never dared to act rashly outside; every time he saw Lei En he was cautious, flattered profusely, and could not find an excuse to deal with him, likely someone was guiding him from behind.

Regardless of deeds or heart, if Jialisen can keep this up, perhaps give him a chance.

"Sit down, no need to be so excited," Lei En said calmly.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Lei En no longer paid attention to Jialisen, turning his gaze to the several beautiful ladies on his right, each a rare beauty of the world, who had borne him children. Apart from Viola, the other three women's eyes flickered with a hint of eagerness.

But soon their expressions all changed.

Lei En announced, "In a few months, I will hold a queen coronation ceremony for Viola."

(End of chapter)