58: The investiture ceremony of the lord

"Hmph, the Magic Empire doesn't have much sincerity. But, fortunately, this area is mine now, which means all the minerals in this region are mine. Hahaha!" Wei He stopped laughing suddenly, realizing something was wrong, and said doubtfully, "How can there be such a good thing? Why did they suddenly offer amnesty? This isn't a 'pie falling from the sky' situation, is it? More like a trap behind my back!"

"I heard that the Demon Race is launching a large-scale invasion, and the Magic Empire's tax revenue has been decreasing year by year. Plus, you destroyed more than half of their food supplies. They can't spare any hands to fight you now, so they're trying to appease and recruit you first. They might even want you to send troops to resist the Demon Race!" Ravich continued.

"Their intentions are so obvious they're practically hitting me in the face. It's quite convenient having someone in the palace!" Wei He knew Ravich was loyal to him, but getting information through him was still too slow. He had to find another way.

"My people are your people. I will always be loyal to the Commander!" Ravich said with a serious expression.

"Alright, stop pledging your loyalty and get back to work!" Wei He said, then walked out the door.

In the Harsh Forest, Wei He waited at the base early. Even the royal Gale Thunder Leopard domesticated by the Magic Empire couldn't outrun something flying in the sky—the night hawk helicopter.

Marcus was riding a Gale Thunder Leopard. Ever since crossing the Sentry Bridge, he had seen all sorts of strange buildings and peculiar humans. These must be Wei He's army; they were indeed very strange, he thought as he arrived before Wei He.

"Respected Commander, I am an envoy from the Magic Empire. My name is Marcus!" Seeing Wei He, Marcus quickly jumped down, led his Gale Thunder Leopard, and approached Wei He.

"Mhm, let's begin!" Wei He looked at Marcus and said softly.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

Marcus felt as if an earthquake was happening around him. He was shaken by the massive noise. He looked in terror at the nearby hillside, where trees and rocks were shattered, and artillery craters displayed the power of the cannons.

"Oh, Marcus, envoy of the Empire, are you satisfied with this salute?" Wei He's words drifted into Marcus's ears. Only then did Marcus realize that "let's begin" meant this.

"Commander, Emperor Alexander the Great has ordered that because the Commander has performed meritorious service in defending the local mining area, you are now enfeoffed as a Lord. In a few days, Grand Duke William will arrive to deliver the imperial edict to you. At that time, you will follow him to the capital, Laiseluo City, to accept the investiture!" Marcus stated the purpose of his visit, but his voice was trembling and his eyes were tearful, like a resentful wife.

Looking at Marcus's comical appearance, Wei He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Understood, you may leave."

"Commander, congratulations! You must arrive at the capital on time to accept the investiture. I'll take my leave now, farewell!" After speaking, Marcus quickly led his Gale Thunder Leopard away. On the road, as he rode the leopard, he thought to himself that even if they gifted him a Gale Thunder Leopard next time, he wouldn't come back; it scared him to death.

At the gates of Laiseluo City, Grand Duke William led a group of 200 court etiquette masters, slowly leading Wei He into the city.

Sitting in a carriage carved from rare fire-red sandalwood, Wei He watched the outside scene with boredom. This carriage was pulled by three fire-red tall horses, reflecting the Magic Empire's respect for him, or perhaps their sincerity—the current Magic Empire absolutely could not afford to go to war with Wei He.

Grand Duke William sat in the carriage ahead. Having a Grand Duke personally fetch Wei He to the capital for the investiture was plenty of face, but this wasn't what Wei He wanted.

In front of the Laiselo Temple in Laiseluo City, more and more people gathered. They were all waiting for Wei He's arrival, and an investiture platform had long been set up at the temple entrance.

After the ceremonial motorcade arrived, Grand Duke William stepped out of the carriage and slowly walked to the top of the investiture platform. Below the platform were the court etiquette masters arranged in a semicircle, each dressed in solemn attire, waiting with serious faces, completely ignoring the noisy crowd. Their discipline was excellent.

The surrounding citizens were chatting amongst themselves. Bystander A: "Have you heard? This person is the Commander who defeated the Magic Empire's army of five hundred thousand without even showing his face!"

Bystander B: "This person is the most detestable. Not only are his troops strange, but he also ordered Space Mages to steal half of the Magic Empire's grain. The food vanished overnight!"

Passerby C: "That's impossible. What ability does this Wei He have to order a Space Mage? I'd say he begged the Space Mage for help!"

Bystander D: "Hey, hey, stop talking, he's coming down!"

After Bystander D spoke, Wei He slowly stepped out of the carriage. He was wearing the Purple Magic Robe brought by Grand Duke William and holding the Imperial Magic Staff as he slowly walked toward the investiture platform.

On the platform, Wei He looked at the crowd below and said calmly, "Nice to meet you. My name is Wei He, Commander of the Red Alert Troops, and soon-to-be Lord of the Harsh Forest!"

Hearing Wei He's speech, the crowd below erupted in a surprised clamor. Most people looked at the young man on the stage with complex or fearful eyes.

Grand Duke William watched Wei He coldly, nodded, and said, "I am Grand Duke William, and today I will preside over the investiture ceremony for Lord Wei He!" After speaking, he signaled his attendants to bring the items forward.

An attendant immediately took a golden scepter from a glittering, jewel-encrusted box below the platform. It was topped with a blue crystal the size of an apple, and intricate Magic Array patterns were carved into it, giving a faint sense of the massive magical energy contained within.

Wei He's eyes also lit up, but in his heart, he was badmouthing Emperor Alexander the Great. The Magic Empire's army was almost unable to afford food, yet he was still suffering just to save face.

Grand Duke William caught Wei He's look, and the corner of his mouth curled into a slight cold sneer before he calmed down. If he knew what Wei He was thinking, it's doubtful he would still be smiling.

The attendant carried a luxurious cushion made of golden silk, upon which lay the scepter symbolizing power.

"Commander, please proceed with the next step of the ceremony. Please come forward to receive the imperial edict and the scepter!" Grand Duke William said solemnly.

"Do I have to stand right there?" Wei He asked with a hint of caution in his eyes. This time, Wei He hadn't brought many troops, but luckily the chronosphere had been completed before he came, so he felt safe enough to come to the Magic Empire's capital.

"Yes, Commander, this is the protocol for the investiture ceremony!" Grand Duke William replied.

"Alright, I understand!" Wei He waved his hand, and Tanya followed him toward the designated spot for the investiture.

Seeing this, the crowd below began to gossip. This Commander was truly arrogant, bringing a beautiful woman to his investiture. However, some thought the woman was very beautiful, only to be dragged away from the crowd by the ear by their own women.

"Emperor Alexander the Great is busy with state affairs, so today I represent him in presiding over this investiture ceremony. Commander, I hope that after you become Lord, you can bring prosperity and peace to this land, expel invaders, and defend the people of this territory. Now, I grant you the Lord's Scepter and the imperial edict!" Grand Duke William spoke to the crowd and Wei He with a powerful voice.