Chapter 1065: Army Reform

The next day.

The Holy Soul Wizards and Empire councilors entered the Fubeden Imperial Palace, crossed the plaza swarming with Imperial Guard, ascended the steps step by step, and saw that in front of the opened gate of Rike Palace, two rows of Extreme Warriors stood forming a passage leading into the palace interior.

Upon entering the palace, a dense aura of solemn authority rushed onto them.

At the far end of the great doorway, a towering Golden Throne came into view, flanked by massive pillars supporting the dome, with guards standing all around.

They wore bright yellow powered armor, their heavy, broad bodies like a wall of metal, inspiring awe in the Empire councilors.

Fist of the Empire!

These silent yet powerful Transcendent Warriors were chiefly responsible for the palace's defense, closer to the emperor than the Rike Imperial Guard, and only slightly inferior to the Iridescent Dragon Knights.

The Iridescent Dragon Knights have replaced the Rike Imperial Guard, becoming the emperor's true elite troops!

Beneath the Golden Throne were arranged more than a dozen rows of seats.

The emperor's most trusted chief of staff Frank, accompanied by He Palace officials, guided the Empire councilors to sit in their designated seats. Naturally, the most powerful Holy Soul Wizards sat in the front row, closest to the emperor, followed by cabinet ministers and Empire councilors, seated in order of strength and rank.

The atmosphere inside the palace was solemn.

After taking their seats, the people glanced at those beside them.

Except for the Holy Soul Wizards, everyone was both excited and nervous.

This was the first council convened since the emperor's coronation; the dozens present today were all influential figures within the Empire.

However, some Empire councilors noticed a few unusual participants.

Under the auspices of the Justice Church's Chief Arbitrator Lusper, the Earth Church's Patriarch Laodiya, and the Steam and Machinery Guild's Vice President Chief Beilisalu. The three held positions no less than the Holy Soul Wizards, yet their status was special—they were not Empire councilors.

There were also several unfamiliar faces.

They all appeared to be spellcasters, some young, some old; there were also two elves, both female, and they were the rare Zor Elf and Blood Elf!

Most people quickly guessed their identities.

The Zor Mage was Lady Kuilu, the Moon Dancer, a Grand Mage; the Blood Elf was Countess Liflin, the commander of the Holy Spear Knight Corps.

Now!

A magical bell rang through the palace.

The light and shadow on the Golden Throne flickered, and a towering figure leapt forward, instantly appearing upon the throne, clad in golden armor with a cape, its five‑meter‑plus height like a giant, radiating a divine and majestic aura.

"Your Majesty!"

Everyone rose to salute the emperor on the throne, offering their respect.

"Please be seated, everyone," Lei En waved casually, his eyes scanning the crowd in the palace, and said bluntly, "I've gathered you here today to announce several matters."

He rose as he spoke and stepped away from the Golden Throne.

Although the Golden Throne had been partially remodeled and no longer siphoned life force or soul energy, it was still enormous—its seat required a height of over five meters, forcing the ministers below to look up to see the person above, creating a strong sense of oppression and making communication difficult.

He did not need such a spectacle to demonstrate the emperor's authority.

Most importantly, Lei En always felt that sitting on the Golden Throne was inauspicious, so he preferred to stay away from it.

In front of the throne there was a wide, low platform with an ordinary seat placed on it; Lei En sat there, the height allowing him to see each person clearly, and everyone could clearly see the emperor's expression.

"First matter."

After sitting down, Lei En said, "I have decided to make Viola Silverleaf my empress, and she has consented."

"Viola, please come up."

All eyes instantly fell on Viola.

She had known Lei En would announce it today and had prepared herself mentally, yet when the moment finally arrived, she could hardly contain her excitement.

A Half-elf stood up among the crowd, her exquisite face striving for composure, but the tears in her eyes could not be hidden.

Although Viola was the Minister of Internal Affairs, her seat was not near the front.

At this moment, she became the focus of the entire assembly!

Under the gaze of the Holy Soul Wizards and Empire councilors, Viola stepped out of the crowd, walking step by step toward Lei En beneath the Golden Throne.

Emily and Frangiska were present, a hint of disappointment flashing in their eyes.

The Silver Star Duke, Storm Queen, and Kuilu, the three sisters, felt a bit envious, though the Silver Star Duke was mostly gratified. After all, Viola is his great‑granddaughter; she bears the surname Silverleaf, and he has watched her grow. Her becoming empress is a boon for both him and his family.

Countess Liflin, seated at the back, watched Viola's retreating figure, feeling a touch of jealousy, but that was all; she had never coveted the title of empress.

Oshilia remained as indifferent as ever, her ambitions lying elsewhere.

Asina did have thoughts, though not strong, leaving her only a slight regret that she hadn't met Lei En earlier.

Viola stepped onto the platform, and Lei En rose to welcome her, extending his hand.

She placed her hand on Lei En's palm, gently clasping it, then turned to face the ministers, receiving everyone's congratulations.

"Your Majesty!" Everyone rose and saluted.

Generally, an empress, like an emperor, is addressed as 'Your Majesty,' but Viola also holds another role: she is the Pope of the Beauty and Goodness Church, the Divine Chosen of the Longhaired Lady, the deity's earthly representative, a status beyond the worldly title of empress, so addressing her as 'Your Majesty' is more appropriate, distinguishing her from the emperor.

"Soon I will hold a coronation ceremony for Viola and designate Octavis as Crown Prince," Lei En said, placing another seat beside him so Viola could sit, indicating equality in status.

Viola looked at the distinguished figures below, including the Holy Soul Wizards she once had to look up to, feeling both exhilarated and proud.

At this moment, she finally felt like a mother of the realm!

"Second matter."

Everyone listened attentively; each matter the emperor spoke of today would have far‑reaching effects on the Empire, determining the future of billions of subjects.

Lei En continued, "I intend to reform the Empire's army over three years."

Upon hearing this, many faces below shifted slightly.

Although Ai Lun E Si belongs to a world where great power rests in the individual and high‑end combat power is decisive— a single powerful entity, such as a Holy Soul Wizard, can command an entire legion— the massive Transcendent Army remains indispensable, serving as the pillar of the Empire's rule.

When they heard Lei En speak of reforming the army, everyone's first reaction was that the emperor would become a dictator, placing all forces under his control.

Lei En observed the shifting thoughts of the crowd; such reactions are natural.

However, that is indeed what he intends to do.

In a past life there was a saying: The Son of Heaven is the one whose troops are strong and horses are robust. The great mentor also has a maxim: Authority springs from the spear shaft.

Being the emperor, I must of course control the entire Empire's army and will not allow anyone else to lay a hand on it.

Lei En said slowly, "The times are developing, technology is advancing. Especially the use of mechanical vehicles and soul spears, the legion model is no longer suitable for today's wars."

"Seven years ago, I founded the 'Duke Guard', this brand‑new army structure and combat mode has repeatedly proven its strength. Repelling the Undead Army, retaking Luoshengdu, and eliminating the Abyss demons in Sunshine State are all achievements of the Duke Guard."

The Empire's four great legions and three great knight corps, the seven legion commanders, were all seated below.

Lei En looked at them and said, "I believe you have all, to varying degrees, noticed that the prevalence of soul spears has put pressure on your armies."

"If you are not satisfied, I can arrange for the Duke Guard to clash with other legions."

"The numbers will be set at ten to one: the Duke Guard fields five hundred, the Empire's legions deploy five thousand, genuine guns and live ammunition on the battlefield for a test, and we will see the outcome."

The seven commanders' expressions were all different.

They looked at each other, and GriffinLegion's commander Lai Ge Li Fen stood up, saying, "Your Majesty, the contest is unnecessary; it would avoid needless casualties. GriffinLegion will fully obey your orders and resolutely implement your army reforms."

GriffinLegion has thirty thousand members, all Griffin Knights, and its overall combat power ranks first among the Empire's seven great legions.

Lai Ge Li Fen is also the strongest among the seven commanders.

He is a Level 29 Frost Demon Swordsman!

Throughout the Empire, among extraordinary professions that are non‑spellcasters, only one has reached above Thirty-level: the Grand Arbitrator Lu Si Pei Er of the Church of Justice. Next is Lai Ge Li Fen, whose rank is just below the Grand Arbitrator, two levels higher than Ba Tu La, and even has the prospect of reaching Thirty-level.

However, GriffinLegion has always obeyed the Naiser faction's command; in the formation half a month ago, they were the only legion that did not explicitly support Lei En, remaining neutral.

That was originally no problem.

But Lei En won the victory, ascended the throne as the Empire's ruler, and GriffinLegion, from top to bottom, became uneasy, fearing the emperor's retribution after autumn.

Now, when Lai Ge Li Fen heard that Lei En intended to reform the army, he immediately sensed trouble and was the first to voice his stance.

With him leading, the other commanders also expressed obedience.

The other three legions—the Storm Legion, the Rick Guard, and Alfa's Hammer—and the three knight corps—the Arcane Sword, the Steel Knight Corps, and the Dragon Lizard Knight Corps—each commander rose to respond. They had already pledged loyalty to the emperor, so naturally would not oppose Lei En.

"Very well."

Lei En nodded with satisfaction.

"The Duke Guard will relinquish its title and be reorganized as the Imperial Defense Army, currently totaling one hundred thousand. The Empire's seven great legions, with two hundred fifty thousand troops, will all merge into the Imperial Defense Army, restructured into about twenty‑five divisions, but you may retain your occupational specialties."

"Each of the three knight corps will retain a division's designation, inheriting the corps' honor and history."

"The Rick Guard will drop its legion title, keeping only ten thousand elite troops, continuing to guard the palace, but no longer as a main force, instead serving as auxiliary troops for the Empire's Fist."

Upon hearing this, the Rick Guard's commander Hai Si Ke Tuo's expression darkened.

The Rick Guard, with a history of over two thousand years, has ended its mission in his hands.

But he dared not voice any opposition.

Lei En looked at Hai Si Ke Tuo and said, "The extra ten thousand of the Rick Guard will be reorganized into a division; Hai Si Ke Tuo, you will serve as its division commander."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Hai Si Ke Tuo rose to receive the order.

He felt relieved; at last the emperor did not intend to eliminate him entirely. Although the division commander rank is a demotion and far from the power center, at least he retained some authority, and there remains room for promotion within the Imperial Defense Army.

"The Storm Legion has one hundred thousand troops, to be directly reorganized into ten divisions, forming a brand‑new legion provisionally called the Second Legion."

Lei En spoke while looking at the Storm Legion's commander Ya Lai An Mo Si Ge Lin.

More than a decade ago, when I was in Weizelan, I had already met Ya Lai An. The green dragon knight left a deep impression on me. Shortly after that, Ya Lai An advanced to the Saint Rank as a strong individual; now he has reached Level 22, showing exceptional talent.

The Storm Legion is the Empire's most populous army, but the soldiers' average level is low, so its overall strength is only mid‑tier.

However, the Storm Legion has always been a supporter of the Mo Du faction.

In other words, our own people.

Lei En said gently, "Ya Lai An, you will serve as the commander of the Second Legion."

"As you command, Your Majesty." Ya Lai An rose to receive the order; his unflappable demeanor made Lei En even more satisfied.

Next, Lei En announced the arrangement for Alfa's Hammer.

This legion, named after Emperor Alfa, has a long history and is stationed in the Empire's southwest, bordering the Shi Jie Shan Mai. The rise of the Alfa Empire and the creation of the Empire could not have happened without dwarf support, so tens of thousands of dwarves live in several southwestern provinces; they are the Empire's most pure citizens.

Among Alfa's Hammer's seventy thousand soldiers, half are dwarves, and its commander is a King of the Hills.

His name is Fu Si Ta Lan.

Because of the ties with the City of Friendship, Fu Si Ta Lan had long ago secretly pledged to Lei En, so Lei En does not intend to burn bridges nor completely erase Emperor Alfa's traditions; he announced that Alfa's Hammer will be reorganized into the Third Legion, preserving its honor and history, with Fu Si Ta Lan serving as its commander.

Moreover, the Third Legion will expand to one hundred thousand, adding three new divisions.

Fu Si Ta Lan gladly accepted the order.

Finally, Lei En looked at Lai Ge Li Fen and said, "GriffinLegion's thirty thousand are all Griffin Knights—fast, agile, highly mobile—perfect as scouts and reconnaissance, but the Griffin Knights' aerial combat mode is too outdated and needs improvement."

Hearing this, Lai Ge Li Fen felt a sudden jolt in his heart.

"My idea is that GriffinLegion splits off twenty thousand, forming dozens of reconnaissance companies of five hundred each, assigned to various divisions. Retain ten thousand elite knights, and, referencing the Holy Spear Knight Corps, reorganize into a flying air force division, with you as division commander."

"Commander Lai Ge Li Fen, what do you think?" Lei En asked him calmly.

Lai Ge Li Fen's complexion turned ashen.

His body trembled slightly, and he looked for help toward KangJieladeGreatSage and Ke Luo Nuo Man Se, hoping these two former Naiser Holy Soul Wizards could speak up for GriffinLegion and lend him a hand.

But the two gave no response.

Lai Ge Li Fen felt despair; he had long foreseen this day: Duke Hong Shi is dead, Duke GreyEagle has been expelled, and GriffinLegion will sooner or later be purged by the emperor.

He sighed, stood up, and said, "As you command, Your Majesty."

Lei En nodded, no longer looking at him, and continued, "After this reorganization, the Imperial Defense Army will reach 350,000, but that is far insufficient. I plan to expand the Imperial Defense Army to one million within twenty years, and continue building Empire‑class Star Destroyers, totaling thirty! Do any of you have opinions?"

When the words fell, the entire palace fell silent.

(End of Chapter)