With the commendations concluded, it was time for the final segment: church assignments.
Most priests hoped to remain in the Imperial Capital, as staying close to the center of power offered better opportunities for promotion.
For Leon, however, he actually wanted to get away from the capital.
Although the capital was home to many powerful individuals and high-status nobles, Leon found it difficult to practice his divine spells in such a peaceful environment.
While he could cast Light Prayer without issue, combat-oriented spells like the Hammer of Sacred Light or the Shield of Sacred Light could easily cause misunderstandings in the city.
If he happened to cast one on the street and triggered a reflex from a Gold or Diamond-rank powerhouse, he might be struck down before he could even explain himself.
“Miles, Stormveil City.”
Leon snapped back to attention upon hearing Miles's assignment. It was a medium-sized city at the empire's southernmost tip, near the Dusk Sea.
“It looks like it will be difficult for us to meet in the future, Priest Leon,” Miles said, shaking his head as he heard his destination.
Leon replied with a smile, “Who knows? Perhaps I’ll be sent to the far south as well.”
Soon, the assignments for bishops and high priests were finished, and it was time for the apprentice and formal priests.
From the dais of the Sacred Hall, Pope Maxwell’s gaze swept over Leon before he spoke.
“Leon, Eldenborg.”
As the words fell, Leon, Miles, and the other priests in the hall were all stunned.
Miles looked dazed as he recalled his meeting with the Pope the previous day.
He had petitioned the Pope, hoping to be assigned somewhere near Leon so he could look after him.
But this...
Assigning him to the far south, and then sending Leon even further south to Eldenborg... Was this perhaps being a bit too compliant with his request?
Did he really have that much influence?
The reaction from the other priests was equally intense.
A priest like Leon, who had achieved perfect scores in all three categories, was being sent out of the capital to serve in a church at the southernmost foothills of the empire?
In an instant, the priests who had harbored some resentment about being sent away from the capital suddenly fell silent.
...
Once every priest’s assignment was announced, the commendation ceremony officially ended.
Leon walked out of the Sacred Hall and, following a subtle hint from a palace maid, followed her through the Holy See’s corridors into a magnificent room.
Inside, a man dressed in casual clothes but carrying an air of pampered nobility sat waiting in a soft chair.
It was the Sage King.
“Your Majesty.”
Leon bowed slightly, offering his respects.
The Sage King set down a copy of the Imperial Truth newspaper and looked up at Leon.
A flicker of slight surprise crossed his eyes.
“You’ve advanced to the Silver rank?”
Leon hadn't intentionally broadcast his Silver-rank aura, but he wasn't surprised that the Sage King could sense it.
He nodded calmly. “Yes, Your Majesty. I completed the advancement just yesterday.”
“Truly worthy of being hailed as the priest with the greatest talent for divine spells of this generation,” the Sage King said, pointing to a report in the Imperial Truth.
The newspaper had used Leon’s performance in the assessment to label him the “Greatest Divine Talent of the Generation.”
While many priests agreed, many others scoffed at it.
After all, nearly a third of the Imperial Truth was owned by Prime Minister William. Such high praise for the Prime Minister’s second son was widely seen as a blatant attempt to flatter his father.
“Your Majesty overpraises me,” Leon said, his expression remaining neutral.
The Sage King nodded noncommittally and got straight to the point.
“Do you know why I summoned you here for a talk?”
Leon’s eyes flickered. “Regarding my assignment to the southernmost edge of the empire?”
“Correct,” the Sage King said bluntly.
“I was the one who ordered Maxwell to assign you to Eldenborg. Out of all the priests, you are the most suitable for that post.”
The Sage King then proceeded to explain the situation in the southern Dusk Sea region.
First, there were disturbances from the Abyss.
Although the white-haired elder who guarded the royal library had taken action to clear them out, the root cause of the disturbances remained unknown.
Second, in the southern coastal areas, the murloc tribes had lost their unified leadership under the Murloc King due to internal strife.
Certain factions had begun frequently coming ashore to raid border towns and cities, causing constant harassment.
At the same time, on the Caruso Highlands to the east of Eldenborg, a dragon clan with the surname “Graves” was entrenched.
They had previously lived in peace with the empire, neither side interfering with the other.
However, a Void Domain had suddenly appeared in the heart of the highlands, forcing the dragons to leave their ancestral home.
They might strike west toward Eldenborg, or they might head east into the territory of the Nightmare Empire to hunt. Their movements were unpredictable.
Furthermore, a group of humans calling themselves “adventurers” but acting as pirates were active in the Dusk Sea.
Recently, they had been frequently harassing imperial shipping lanes and plundering merchant vessels. They were becoming increasingly bold and restless.
In short, the southernmost part of the empire was currently a complete mess.
After explaining the situation, the Sage King looked at Leon and said, “I need you to go to the church in Eldenborg and use it as a base to stabilize the situation on the southern coast.”
Hearing this, Leon fell into thought.
He had to admit, after hearing the Sage King's explanation, he felt that being assigned to Eldenborg was a perfect arrangement.
After the white-haired elder’s purge, the top-tier combatants of the hostile local forces had been wiped out. Most of what remained were enemies with limited strength—perfect for practical combat training.
For Leon, who had just reached the Silver rank and needed to stabilize his realm and farm experience for his divine spells, this was an ideal location.
Moreover, while the region was unstable, that very instability served as a form of invisible cover.
The various factions were too busy dealing with each other in the chaos to pay much attention to a corner like Eldenborg.
He could develop in secret, recklessly increasing his strength and farming experience points.
However...
“Your Majesty, I am but an ordinary Silver priest. Stationing me at a town’s church is one thing, but asking me to stabilize the southern region... I truly fear my strength is insufficient for the task.”
The Sage King’s golden eyes stared directly at Leon. Leon kept his head lowered, putting on a front of “I’m too weak and there’s nothing I can do.”
In short—the price just went up!
“Speak. What kind of help do you want?” the Sage King said, withdrawing his gaze.
Only then did Leon raise his head.
“Your Majesty, given my current status, even if I were to devise a strategy to stabilize the region, I have no authority and no troops under my command.”
“It is a case of being unable to make bricks without straw. Even the best orders are difficult to implement without the means to enforce them.”
The Sage King raised an eyebrow. “I will have the Lord of Eldenborg, the City Lord of Stormveil, and all surrounding imperial administrators cooperate with you.”
“Your Majesty, if it is only 'cooperation'... they might not necessarily adopt the orders of a mere Silver priest.”
The Sage King glanced at Leon again.
“Then what do you think would be enough?”
“Your Majesty, your servant believes that I would need to hold Your Majesty’s token to better implement my orders.”
“The Imperial Command?”
The corners of the Sage King’s mouth curled slightly, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.
This boy was certainly bold, daring to ask him for the Imperial Command.
One must know that within the borders of the Heron Empire, the arrival of the Imperial Command was as the arrival of the Emperor himself.
The authority symbolized by this token was second only to the Sage King himself, the Prime Minister, and the Grand General. It was truly a position below one and above ten thousand.
Furthermore, Leon had referred to himself as “I” before, but now that he was asking for the Imperial Command, he had switched to “your servant”?
“Forget about the Imperial Command for now,” the Sage King replied calmly, withdrawing his gaze.
“But I can grant you a Royal Decree, allowing you to command the lords of all southern towns in the name of the Cassius Royal Family.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Leon immediately accepted.
He hadn't expected to get something as significant as the Imperial Command anyway. To obtain a Royal Decree was already more than enough.
After bowing in thanks, Leon did not retreat. Instead, he spoke again. “Furthermore...”
“—There is a 'furthermore'?” The Sage King immediately turned his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at him.
“Since Your Majesty has entrusted your servant with the heavy responsibility of stabilizing the south, how could your servant be expected to toil without reward? If deeds go unrewarded, I fear it might damage Your Majesty’s reputation for wisdom,” Leon said earnestly, his face full of sincerity.
It was as if he were looking out for the Sage King’s best interests.
The Sage King was actually amused by this bit of flattery. He waved his hand and said, “Fine, fine. Tell me, what kind of reward do you want?”
Leon seized the opportunity. “What does Your Majesty think of... a leaf from the Kabbalah Tree of Life?”
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