Chapter 907: Duke of the Golden Emblem

A Holy Soul Ascension wizard enters the Supreme Council and is granted a dukedom with territory.

The process proceeds step by step; Lei En has already completed the first two steps. Unless he formally declares that he voluntarily relinquishes the ducal title and land, he may at any time within a year apply to the Supreme Council to carve out a territory within the Empire's lands.

A ducal domain cannot be arbitrarily delineated; there are several restrictions.

First, the area may not exceed half a provincial circuit; it may include a few cities, but important imperial cities such as Nuosiruier and Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng cannot be selected.

Second, the territory must be ownerless and must not conflict with existing nobles.

Finally, the total population of the ducal domain at the time of delineation may not exceed ten million.

These three conditions make it impossible for a ducal domain to be chosen in the Empire's most prosperous regions; it must be either a borderland or a city with relatively lagging economy and population, requiring the duke to govern diligently, develop the land, and give back to the Empire.

In addition, there is a law stipulating that a ducal domain may not be hereditary.

When a Holy Soul wizard dies, the territory reverts to imperial ownership. In imperial history, three Holy Soul wizards have died or disappeared, and their ducal titles and lands were revoked.

Lei En can obtain a domain without a vote from the Supreme Council.

However, the location and size of the domain must be discussed by the Holy Soul wizards, then reported to the God of Magic; after His approval, a grand investiture ceremony is held.

Marius hands the plateau's mining map to Lei En and departs.

Lei En looks at the map and begins to ponder.

The Sane Plateau is not imperial territory, so Lei En cannot directly designate it as a domain, but precisely because of this, he may be able to bring the entire plateau under his control. Otherwise, the plateau's area and population far exceed the ducal limits.

The whole plateau is equivalent to twenty imperial provinces!

Even though imperial citizens deem the plateau of little value, such a vast tract of land would inevitably draw criticism, and the Naiser and Balance factions would oppose it.

Although opposition is of little effect, it is unwise to provoke them now.

Thus a roundabout strategy is needed.

Lei En quickly devises a plan, inspired by the rival Duke Hong Shi.

The dukedom of Kirston comprises Urgel City and its surrounding area; its size meets the requirement, but the domain sits at the heart of the Northern Great Prairie, controls a major transport hub, and has built the largest city on the prairie, its influence radiating across the whole steppe.

After decades of development, Kirston effectively governs the Northern Great Prairie, controlling an area more than ten times a typical dukedom.

That model can be copied!

Lei En scans the map, thinks for a long while, and his finger lightly lands on a spot—this is the place.

Two days later.

Over half a month later, the Supreme Council reconvenes; the Holy Soul wizards' projections enter the Supreme Palace and sit on opposite sides of the bronze long table.

"Anxiwodasi, what is it this time?" Duke GreyEagle asks impatiently.

The Mo Du faction has monopolized the Supreme Council; he remains incensed, deeply dissatisfied with the status quo, and has resolved to devote all his effort to studying the Hes Magic Array, ignoring council matters, and the frequent meetings have reignited his anger.

Kirston also feels resistance to the meetings.

Holy Soul wizards of the Naiser and Balance factions now watch every move of the Mo Du faction with caution.

Anxiwodasi says lightly, "There is nothing of great importance; I merely ask everyone to discuss Lei En's ducal investiture and domain delineation."

All eyes turn to Lei En.

A few Holy Soul wizards opposite the bronze table turn pale; Tim*Kenan says gravely, "Lei En, you already hold the Earl of Glamorgan's county, a principality in Kangjiatuo, and Getan on the New Continent; now you seek a ducal domain as well—aren't you being greedy?"

"No one would complain about having too much land," Lei En replies with a dismissive smile.

The SilverStar Duke nods in agreement, his face full of envy.

However, not every Holy Soul wizard covets land; PurpleFlameDuke, Prophet Medif, and Howai Master show little interest.

Anxiwodasi says, "Holy Soul wizards of the Supreme Council are eligible to receive lands; this is a rule set by the goddess, and Lei En has not declared abandonment. GreyEagle, Lei En wishes a ducal domain; you should have no reason to oppose, right?"

Tim*Kenan feels a wave of agitation but cannot refute.

A few seconds of silence fall in the Supreme Palace.

Grand Sage KangJieladeGreatSage, rarely speaking, asks with interest, "Lei En, which location are you preparing to choose as your domain?"

"Osi'an Province," Lei En replies softly.

In the Holy Soul wizards' minds, the empire's administrative map appears; Osi'an Province lies on the western frontier, one of the empire's smallest and poorest provinces.

Two‑thirds of the province's territory belongs to the Sane Plateau; it contains only five cities, all clustered in the eastern region, which occupies one‑third of the province at the plateau's foot, relatively flat. Its largest city, "Blue Pool City," is the provincial capital, with a permanent population of just over 600,000, making it the empire's most underdeveloped capital.

The entire Osi'an Province has a total population of just over five million.

There is nothing else noteworthy.

The only striking feature of the province is "Heavenly Pool Lake," the world's largest inland lake, covering tens of thousands of square miles at high altitude; several of the empire's largest rivers flow through it, earning it the nickname "Empire's Water Tower."

Lei En's choice surprises the Holy Soul wizards.

SilverStar Duke exclaims in surprise, "Lei En, why did you choose Osi'an Province? It lies inland, far from the coast, and has almost no development potential."

"Indeed…" Storm Queen nods as well.

"Our original purpose in receiving a dukedom was to support lagging regions and ensure balanced development for all imperial subjects," Lei En declares solemnly. "As a Consul, I bear the responsibility of governing the empire and must set an example."

"Precisely because of Osi'an Province's many shortcomings, I am even more determined to choose it as my domain,"

"What do you all think?"

Lei En's final rhetorical question sweeps across the Holy Soul wizards, instantly making those who had questioned his choice look a little embarrassed.

"Is it because of the Sane Plateau?" Kirston suddenly asks.

He remains unmoved by Lei En's words, his expression calm, as if he has already seen through Lei En's intentions.

The Holy Soul wizards immediately recall that the origins of Lei En's Extreme Warriors are no longer a secret; they are Makurag barbarians from the Sane Plateau.

Since the Extreme Warrior Corps rose to fame, many have covertly sent agents to Astat to scout the Makurag tribe, only to find Astat heavily guarded, with Extreme Warriors on constant watch; even legends who infiltrate Astat cannot emerge alive.

Observing from afar outside the city yields no useful clues.

Lei En casts a sidelong glance at Kirston and says contemptuously, "Don't use your petty mind to guess my grand scheme. Everyone knows the Sane Plateau's barrenness can't compare to the Northern Great Prairie; what could I possibly plot on the plateau?"

The sarcastic rebuke darkens Kirston's complexion.

Nevertheless, his mention of the Sane Plateau alerts the Holy Soul wizards that Lei En must have a plan, even if they do not yet know what it is.

Based on past experience, Lei En never acts without aim; he must have concealed some key information.

"If you don't clarify your motives, I oppose designating the Ousian Province as your ducal domain," Kerston said in a deep voice.

Lei En let out a cold laugh.

"Years ago I heard that Duke Hong Shi was the master of the Northern Great Prairie." He suddenly changed the subject, "Those who don't know assume the entire prairie belongs to Duke Hong Shi, that the many cities and tribes on the prairie must pay taxes to you."

"Before I had no authority, but now I am the Consul."

Lei En said in an matter‑of‑fact tone: "The Empire's tax system has a loophole; I am responsible for identifying and fixing it, and I intend to send the Tax Department to the prairie to investigate."

"You…"

Kerston suddenly rose and glared at Lei En.

The Northern Great Prairie supplies him with a steady flow of profit; ParrasFloatingCity's current prosperity and wealth depend on the prairie's lifeblood.

If Lei En severs this source, it would be a fatal blow to Urg City and ParrasFloatingCity.

"The Northern Great Prairie is not entirely Empire territory," Kerston argued.

"The Sehn Plateau isn't either," Lei En replied immediately.

The Empire's borders are vast; aside from the eastern coastline, the western and northern frontiers lack clear boundaries. The adjoining Sehn Plateau and Northern Great Prairie have vague borders with the Empire, essentially only representing spheres of influence.

Kerston exploited this loophole, governing the Northern Great Prairie and imposing his own tax system.

Now Lei En is also preparing to do the same.

Kerston was silent for a few seconds, then finally sat down without saying another word. His posture signaled submission, another defeat in his clash with Lei En.

However, the dispute between Lei En and Kerston convinced the Holy Soul Wizards that his choice of the Ousian Province as a domain was a scheme to target the Sehn Plateau.

Everyone was curious: what about the plateau had Lei En set his sights on?

Resources? Population?

Tim*Kenan stared at Lei En, genuinely frightened by Lei En's scheming, and asked directly, "Lei En, you'd better clarify your motives and stop glossing over us with empty words."

"I intend to unify the Sehn Plateau and incorporate it into the Empire's map," Lei En replied calmly.

The Holy Soul Wizards looked at each other in bewilderment.

What benefit does unifying the plateau bring to the Empire?

If it's merely to enlarge the Empire's map, deploying Imperial legions at great expense would be a loss.

Lei En had already anticipated the Wizards' thoughts and continued, "I will not dispatch Imperial legions nor request fiscal allocations. Acting in my own name, I will send the Extreme Brigade and the Holy Spear Knight Corps to gradually conquer the Sehn Plateau, which may take several years. Once successful, the plateau will become part of the Empire's territory."

"What do you gain from this?" Duke Silver Star asked, somewhat puzzled.

Lei En said calmly, "To the Empire's people, expanding territory is the finest achievement. After unifying the plateau, I will try to develop resources to spur development in the Empire's western region."

The Holy Soul Wizards were instantly enlightened.

Although they still harbored some doubt that Lei En had ulterior motives, the explanation made sense.

Since Lei En would bear the costs and profits of unifying the plateau, and the Empire suffers no loss, it matters little.

Anxiwodasi took over, saying, "The Ousian Province is relatively small, about half the size of other Imperial provinces, with a population of just over five million, fully meeting the criteria for a ducal domain. Therefore, I propose designating the entire Ousian Province as Lei En's territory. What do you all think?"

"Fine," Duke Silver Star was the first to agree.

"I support it!"

The Ouroin Master, Storm Queen, and several other Mo Du members naturally raised no objections.

The Holy Soul Wizards of the other two factions were still deliberating; Tim*Kenan reluctantly nodded in agreement, Kerston remained silent, and any opposition from others was futile.

"Then it's decided."

Anxiwodasi stood and, facing the God of Magic statue in the Supreme Palace, proclaimed loudly, "Great Lady, the Supreme Council respectfully petitions to confer the dukedom upon Ryan Augustus and to designate the Ousian Province as a ducal domain; please grant your approval, Lady."

Only the God of Magic can confer the title of Empire duke.

The next second, the towering statue quivered slightly, its eyes emitting magical radiance.

A faint voice echoed in the Holy Soul Wizards' minds: "Ryan Augustus, I hereby confer upon you the title 'Duke Golden Emblem', with the Ousian Province as your domain. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Lady!"

Lei En rose and solemnly bowed to the statue, yet thought to himself that the goddess's bestowal of a ducal title was far too casual.

The Supreme Council's dukes—GreyEagle, Hong Shi, Duke Silver Star, Purple Flame, Black Robe, and Blue Oak—were all named by pairing a color with an object; while fitting the Holy Soul Wizards' symbols, the titles sounded somewhat lacking.

The Duke Golden Emblem title clearly derives from the Augustus family's crest.

The golden emblem of a war hammer crossed with a crescent moon!

Lei En felt a bit regretful; had he known, he would have consulted the goddess beforehand, chosen a title himself, and then been conferred, which would have sounded better than 'Duke Golden Emblem.'

Never mind.

Anyway, the ducal title is only temporary and seldom used; it will be changed sooner or later.

After the title was announced, the God of Magic's grand aura quickly faded, and the statue returned to calm.

"The Empire has gained another duke; congratulations, Lei En," Sabbath Dean said softly.

The other Holy Soul Wizards also offered a few congratulations.

Lei En remained very calm, showing none of the excitement and tears that Sabbath Dean had displayed when he was conferred, as if it were a trivial matter.

Anxiwodasi asked, "Lei En, how will your investiture ceremony be conducted?"

"Master, I have only recently become Consul and just held my inauguration; it would be inappropriate to hold another large‑scale investiture," Lei En, having already considered, replied, "I plan to hold a simple press conference at He Palace to announce the news to the outside world."

"That works as well," Anxiwodasi nodded.

The projections in the Supreme Palace gradually faded.

Shortly after the meeting ended, the news that the Consul had been conferred the title 'Duke Golden Emblem' by the goddess spread, and cabinet ministers began visiting Lei En's office to offer congratulations. The next day, dozens of Empire newspapers were invited to He Palace to attend the press conference and formally announce the news.

The Empire was not particularly surprised; after a few discussions and some envy, the topic faded.

The only place where the public reacted most enthusiastically was the Ousian Province, where everyone eagerly awaited their lord, the Empire's Consul, to arrive.

A few days later, the capital of the Ousian Province, Qing Tan City, finally welcomed the Duke Golden Emblem!

(End of chapter)