Augusta’s quill froze mid-air, his face full of astonishnt as he looked at Daniel.
"Duke?"
He set down the pen and spoke.
"Count Faustus, you should know that between Count and Duke, there is Marquis," Augusta explained.
"To skip directly to Duke, three conditions must be t."
"First, you need over 1 billion rit points."
"Second, your Empire Contribution Points must be sufficient."
"Third, you require special approval from His Majesty the Emperor."
Daniel nodded.
"I have the rit points."
He opened his panel and proactively showed Augusta.
[Military Rank: Legendary rit dal]
[Military Post: General]
Augusta’s pupils constricted.
He drew a deep breath and looked at Daniel.
"Y-you... how did you manage this?"
Daniel smiled.
"Didn’t His Majesty open gold coin exchanges for rit points?"
"I just... exchanged a little."
Augusta fell silent for three seconds, then discreetly checked the rit point exchange details.
Soon, his entire body froze.
"A little exchanged? You an the 3 billion rit points?"
He knew exactly how many gold coins it would take to get that many rit points.
And hadn’t Daniel just purchased all nine main city properties? How did he still have so much capital to exchange for these rit points?
This kid... how rich is he?!
Yet he didn’t ask further.
Augusta nodded.
"The rit points are enough, and your Empire Contributions are also sufficient. The teleportation network you built, plus the intelligence reports you recently submitted, the funds you provided for imperial preparations... all count."
"As for His Majesty..."
He paused, then stood.
"I will report to His Majesty imdiately."
"With your contributions, the Emperor will surely approve."
Half an hour later...
[Ding! Global Announcent!!!]
[Player "Faustus," due to outstanding contributions, has been specially approved by His Majesty the Emperor for promotion to "Duke"! ]
[As the first player to receive the Duke title, the following rewards are granted:]
Contribution Points 100,000
Gold Coin 10,000,000
Honorary Title: Pillar of the Empire
This achievent has been recorded in the Stellar Chronicles, immortalized for all history!
[Duke Authorities:]
Judicial Immunity – Except for the Emperor, no one can judge or sentence the Duke.
Unlimited Task Issuance – Can publish tasks to anyone (special tasks excluded; rewards at own expense).
Territorial Limit Expansion – Can hold main city-level territories (unlimited in number and population).
Recruitnt Cap Increase – Army recruitnt limit increased to 1 million soldiers.
Tax Privilege – Can levy up to 15% tax in territories.
Appointnt Authority – Can appoint officials of Viscount rank and below.
Parliant Seat – Permanent mber of the Imperial Parliant with voting rights on major decisions.
Imperial Audience – Can request an audience with the Emperor at any ti...
"Wait, are we even playing the sa ga?"
"Exactly! I feel like they’re playing so single-player cracked version while we’re still grinding tasks and running maps..."
"Seriously, last ti I entered the Police Departnt for a quest and almost got thrown out like a beggar. anwhile, Faustus casually chats with the Lord of the City?!"
"This is insane... comparing people like this is infuriating!"
"See it, everyone? People like this completely break ga balance. This Faustus is literally on another level!"
"Here co the fixed NPCs..."
"..."
Daniel looked at the long list of Duke-exclusive authorities, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Duke!
From commoner to Duke in just one week.
The rules were becoming less and less restrictive.
He was getting closer and closer to becoming the master of the board.
One day, he would be the one who made the rules.
...
Leaving the Lord’s Manor, Daniel didn’t waste a mont and headed straight for the War Bureau.
War Bureau Minister Kasel Drovane was studying sothing over a war table. Seeing him enter, he froze.
"Your Grace, the Duke?"
He quickly saluted.
Daniel waved him off.
"Minister Kasel, I’m going to recruit an army!"
Kasel’s eyes lit up.
"The Duke is forming his own army?"
"Yes."
"My territories are on the edge of Abyss Demon lands, and the entire Empire has been preparing for war lately. I want to contribute to the Empire as well!"
Daniel nodded.
"Please show the recruitnt list."
"As you wish, Your Grace!"
Kasel hurriedly unrolled a massive scroll, filled with detailed information.
[Recruitable NPC Soldiers:]
Imperial Infantry (LV80-100, iron-grade): 10 gold coin/person
Imperial Archers (LV80-100, iron-grade): 12 gold coin/person
Imperial Cavalry (LV100-120, iron-grade): 20 gold coin/person
Imperial Heavy Infantry (LV100-120, iron-grade): 18 gold coin/person
Imperial Heavy Cavalry (LV120-150, bronze-to-iron grade): 10–30 gold coin/person
Imperial Mages (LV100-150, bronze-to-silver grade): 10–50 gold coin/person
Imperial Priests (LV100-150, bronze-to-silver grade): 10–45 gold coin/person
Imperial Scouts ...
[Recruitable High-Ranking Officers:]
Chief Strategic Officer Hudson (LV230, epic-grade): 10 million gold coin
Archery Commander Elina (LV215, epic-grade): 8 million gold coin
Cavalry Commander Cassius (LV220, epic-grade): 8.5 million gold coin
Mage Corps Leader Lorin (LV210, epic-grade): 8 million gold coin
Scout Commander Shade (LV210, epic-grade): 9.4 million gold coin
Lieutenant General Fred (LV225, epic-grade): 60 million gold coin
Logistics Officer Rand (LV205, blackgold-grade): 7.5 million gold coin
Lieutenant General Victor (LV245, epic-grade): 10 million gold coin ...
Daniel scanned the list, then waved decisively.
"Recruit them all!"
Kasel nearly dropped the scroll in shock.
"All... all of them?"
"Infantry 100,000; archers 50,000; cavalry 30,000; heavy infantry 30,000; heavy cavalry 20,000; mages 10,000; priests 10,000; scouts 10,000; engineers 20,000; logistics 20,000..."
He calculated rapidly.
"A total of 1 million soldiers, plus over 50 high-ranking officers..."
"The total annual recruitnt cost alone is nearly 50 billion gold coins!"
He looked up at Daniel.
"Your Grace, are you certain?"
Daniel nodded.
"Certain."
He opened the transaction interface and transferred directly.
[You have transferred 50,000,000,000 gold coin to the Empire War Bureau]
Kasel stared at the incoming number, overwheld.
Then he drew a deep breath.
"Your Grace, you are the most decisive lord I’ve ever seen!"
"These soldiers and officers are yours from now on!"
A flash of white light streaked across the sky.
Daniel returned to Polaris City.
By the portal, a massive crowd had already gathered.
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