The two Imperial soldiers who entered Lady Liandra's elegant courtyard were not ordinary guards. Their black and gold uniforms, bearing the direct emblem of the Imperial Family, gleamed with an inner light, and their auras pulsed with the unmistakable power of Core Formation cultivators, easily matching Agent Kord. They were imposing figures, radiating an aura of unwavering authority.
"Lady Liandra," the taller of the two, a man with a stern, angular face, greeted, his voice deep and resonant. "Forgive our intrusion. We are here on direct orders from His Imperial Majesty."
Lady Liandra offered a graceful nod, her composure unruffled, though a subtle glint of triumph was visible in her eyes as she glanced at Eric. "Imperial soldiers. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
"We are here for Young Master Eric," the second soldier, a woman with keen, observant eyes, stated, her gaze immediately locking onto Eric. "His Majesty requests his immediate presence at the Imperial Palace."
Eric felt a surge of unease. This was moving even faster than Lady Liandra had predicted.
Lady Liandra, a knowing smile playing on her lips, turned to Eric. "It seems my words ring true, Young Master. The Emperor himself calls for you. I encourage you to go. This is an honor few ever receive." Her eyes held a clear message: This is your chance. Take it.
Eric knew he had no choice. Refusing a direct summons from the Emperor was unthinkable. He bowed to Lady Liandra. "Thank you for your hospitality. I will take my leave."
He followed the Imperial soldiers, leaving behind Lady Liandra's knowing smile and the subtle hum of her unvoiced expectations.
The Imperial Palace was a marvel of ancient architecture and spiritual grandeur, its colossal walls shimmering with defensive formations, its spires piercing the clouds. Every step through its opulent halls echoed with history, power, and the weight of an entire Empire. Eric was led through winding corridors, past guards whose auras rivaled some Directorate agents, until he finally arrived before massive, intricately carved doors.
The doors swung open silently, revealing the majestic Throne Room. It was a chamber of breathtaking scale, adorned with gold, precious jewels, and ancient tapestries depicting the Empire's glorious history. At the far end, seated on a magnificent throne crafted from pure white jade and shimmering gold, was the Emperor himself.
He was a formidable figure, radiating an aura that spoke of immense power and millennia of lineage. His eyes, though ancient, were sharp and discerning, missing nothing. He was easily a Nascent Soul Stage 5 cultivator, possibly higher, a true pillar of the Empire's strength.
Eric immediately dropped to one knee, bowing his head in respectful deference. "Your Imperial Majesty. Eric bows before your divine presence."
"Rise, Young Master Eric," the Emperor's voice boomed, rich and resonant, filling the vast chamber. "There is no need for such formalities. You are a hero of the Empire."
Eric rose, his gaze meeting the Emperor's.
"I have been thoroughly briefed on your extraordinary achievements," the Emperor began, his voice laced with genuine admiration. "From your triumphs at the Academy competition to your valor in Ironclad Village, defeating an S-rank beast with unparalleled skill. And of course, your most recent, and most impressive, feat in the Shadowfell Peaks and the Blackwood manor, where you not only uncovered a grave threat but single-handedly confronted a Nascent Soul cultivator and averted a larger invasion."
The Emperor then fixed his gaze on Eric, a softer expression touching his face. "But above all, Young Master Eric, I wish to personally thank you for healing my beloved daughter, Princess Elara. Your actions saved her life, and restored her vitality and cultivation. A feat that even the most esteemed Imperial Physicians and Grand Alchemists had failed to accomplish for years."
Eric humbly tried to play down his achievement. "Your Majesty, I merely applied a minor healing technique. It was my honor to aid a fellow cultivator, and a friend."
The Emperor chuckled, a warm, genuine sound. "Minor, you say? Young Master, we spared no expense, consulted every master, scoured every ancient text, and applied every known healing art to cure my daughter. To no avail. What you accomplished was nothing short of a miracle. It is nothing to sneer at. You brought hope back to my family, and for that, you have my eternal gratitude."
He then raised a hand, signaling to the side. Immediately, five heavily laden treasure chests were brought forward by a team of servants, their wooden frames groaning under the weight. Behind them, two more servants carried magnificent, gleaming swords, their blades radiating powerful spiritual energy.
"These," the Emperor declared, gesturing to the chests, "are but a small token of my personal gratitude for the healing of my daughter. Within these chests, you will find a fortune equivalent to a powerful lord's entire estate. There are also rare cultivation scrolls, spiritual herbs, and precious resources that will aid you immensely in your cultivation journey."
He then gestured to the two swords. "These blades are crafted by the finest Imperial smiths, infused with powerful spiritual formations. One, for its raw destructive power. The other, for its keen edge and defensive capabilities."
But the Emperor wasn't finished. Other servants then came forward, carrying intricate deeds. "And these," the Emperor continued, "are proper deeds for four vast tracts of land within prosperous Imperial territories, yours to command and develop as you see fit. And with them, four Imperial Servants, hand-picked for their loyalty and capabilities, who will serve you faithfully and aid you in managing your new estates."
Eric stared, utterly dumbfounded. A fortune equivalent to a lord's estate, rare scrolls, powerful weapons, vast lands, and even loyal servants. It was an astronomical reward, beyond anything he could have ever imagined. He remembered Lady Liandra's words: "The Emperor himself... is preparing to make his move to secure you." He knew this wasn't just a reward. This was a calculated move, a golden cage, designed to lure him into the direct service of the Imperial Family.
He swallowed hard, gathering his composure. He bowed deeply again. "Your Imperial Majesty, I am... overwhelmed by your generosity. I truly do not deserve such immense rewards. I was merely doing my duty for the Empire, and helping a friend. It was honor enough."
The Emperor smiled, a knowing glint in his eye. "And that, Young Master Eric, is precisely why you deserve it. Many would try to milk such a situation for all its worth, seeking personal gain and endless favors. But you, Eric, you have shown humility, integrity, and a dedication to service that is rare, especially in one so young and powerful. These qualities are far more valuable than any treasure."
He then leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping, though still powerful enough to fill the hall. "Young Master Eric, I wish for you to work directly for me, for the Imperial Family. To become a pillar of the Empire's direct might. And to secure that bond, I would be honored to offer you marriage into a secondary branch of the Imperial Family. You would become royalty, Young Master Eric. A true member of the Imperial lineage."
Eric felt his breath hitch. Royalty. While not the main Imperial bloodline, marriage into a secondary branch still made one a member of the most powerful and prestigious family in the entire continent. It was an offer that promised unimaginable power, influence, and security. His mind reeled.
He faltered for a moment, the sheer weight of the decision pressing down on him. But then, he remembered Master Varian, the Directorate, his commitment.
He regained his composure and bowed deeply once more, though his heart hammered in his chest. "Your Imperial Majesty, your generosity and your offer humble me beyond words. To be offered a place within the Imperial Family... it is an honor beyond measure." He took a breath. "However, with all due respect, I am currently part of the Imperial Intelligence Directorate. I have made a commitment to Master Varian, and with the nature of my current duties, my immediate focus must be on serving the Directorate and the Empire through that path. With this commitment, and the dangers it entails, I fear I would not be able to fulfill the sacred duties of marriage, at least for the time being."
The Emperor waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense, Young Master Eric. The Directorate is part of the Empire. Your service to Master Varian is service to me. As for marriage, we can certainly arrange for your duties to be flexible. I will discuss this matter directly with Master Varian. I am confident we can come to an amicable solution that benefits both you and the Empire."
Eric knew arguing further would be futile, and perhaps even dangerous. He simply bowed his head again. "I will await the verdict from the Directorate, Your Imperial Majesty, before I accept such a momentous honor."
The Emperor smiled, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. He clearly considered the matter all but settled. "Very well, Young Master Eric. I respect your diligence. One more thing before you depart."
Eric looked up, expectant.
The Emperor's smile widened, a challenging glint entering his eyes. "I would like to spar with you, Young Master Eric. I wish to personally gauge the true depths of your extraordinary talent."