Chapter 174 - Unfettered Duke

Inside the throne room, the emperor was anxiously waiting for the report of the battle. His eyebrows were tightly knitted together as he thought of possible alternatives in case something untoward happened in the fight. 

Emperor Aventus tried to remain stern and calm, but his sweating face betrayed the anxiety in his heart. 

Just as he was about to order someone to check the battlefield, he heard a servant shouting in an excited voice. "Your majesty, this humble servant has a piece of good news for you! Please open the door!"

Emperor Aventus was surprised but then he nodded his head at the guards standing at either side of the door.

Seeing his gesture, the guards opened the door and revealed a disheveled-looking guard. Everyone glanced at him with expectant looks. Even the emperor was eager to hear the good news that he wanted to say.

The guard kneeled down in front of the emperor and spoke in a loud voice. "Your majesty, our Celestial Sword Empire emerged victorious against the beast tide..."

After hearing his words, the emperor was stunned before he slapped the armrest of the throne and laughed vigorously. "Hahaha! Good! Good! Good! Tell me, how did we win? And how many of my soldiers died in battle?" When we spoke the last question, his voice turned somber.

"Your majesty, the beast king was killed causing the early retreat of the savage beast army..." The guard replied in an agitated voice. He was there during Cale's fight with the beast king and he was able to see the epic fight from start to finish.

"What?! The beast king was killed?! Who killed him? Don't tell me it's..." The emperor was startled. Who was the beast king? He was a peak stage Immortal-Class level fighter! Even if he was the one who fought the beast king, he could not guarantee his victory. So when he heard that the beast king was killed, he was stunned silly. 'All of our experts might have expended a lot of efforts to kill the beast king, but if that's what happened, the savage beast army would have not been deterred. So what exactly happened?'

The guard eagerly replied. "Your majesty, the beast king was killed by Sire Cale..."

The emperor was speechless at the guard's reply but he nodded his head while forcing himself to remain calm. "Good job! You may take your leave."

The guard stood up and bowed at the emperor before he left.

"Killing the beast king is a huge contribution to the empire. It looks I have to reward him heavily for this matter..." Emperor Aventus muttered to himself.

* * *

On Sword City's city gates, the gate guards saw their empire's army at the distance. "It's our people! Quick! Open the gate! " 

The soldiers who joined the battle held their heads high while carrying all the spoils of war. Countless beast carcasses were being carried inside Sword City causing all the citizens to feel excited. 

"Look at that savage beast carcass. It's a Saint-Class level Mountain Swallowing Toad! And behind that is another Saint-Class level savage beast, the Mighty Sovereign Bull!"

"Our soldiers caused the savage beast army to retreat! Awesome!"

After hearing the surprised exclamations of the citizens, the soldiers smiled from ear to ear. 

Grand General Ling Tian was now riding his horse with a stern look on his face. His armor was stained with blood making everyone tell how intense the battle was outside. He tried to conceal his excitement but he could not help but produce a broad grin. 

As for Cale, he was riding behind Ember with Aurora in tow. She was holding Cale's waist tightly, afraid that he would fall off due to his injuries. 

Cale enjoyed the sensation of being held by Aurora. He even felt her two peaks pressing against his back. 

An hour later, they arrived outside the imperial palace. 

All the soldiers were stained with blood and they looked very imposing as they stood in attention. 

"His majesty, Emperor Aventus has arrived!" A eunuch shouted in a woman-like voice.

Following his shout, the emperor arrived riding an initial stage Immortal-Class level Crimson Tiger. Behind him were dozens of imperial guards riding their own mounts. His arrival was grand and similarly imposing. 

He jumped out of his mount and glanced at his soldiers who were stained with blood. He nodded his head appreciatively at them. "Good job, everyone! The beast tide today was many times stronger than the tides before, but our empire remained victorious. Your efforts will not go unrewarded. Cale, step forward!" 

Cale was not surprised that the emperor called him out. He smiled and released his hold on Aurora before he walked towards the emperor with steady steps.

The way he walked seemed normal, but the soldiers knew that his injuries were not light. They glanced at Cale in admiration as he stood before the emperor with an awe-inspiring momentum.

Cale cupped his fists to greet the emperor. "Your majesty." 

His actions of not bowing to the emperor did not cause any commotion and everyone thought it was only right. His strength was on par with the emperor and he was also the one who killed the fearsome beast king.

Emperor Aventus was not angered by this. He smiled and nodded his head at Cale. "You did a good job this time, Cale. You killed the beast king which caused the savage beast army to retreat in fear. How do you want to be rewarded?"

Everyone was not jealous of the emperor's special treatment towards Cale. In fact, they firmly believed that he deserved to be amply rewarded. 

Cale smiled and replied. "Your majesty, I only wish to remain free and unrestrained. I hope you can grant me this, your majesty."

The emperor was astonished, but he understood his hint. He did not wish to be shackled by the laws imposed by the empire. He was telling him that he wanted to remain free and unshackled. "Hahah! Good lad! In that case, I will bestow you the title of Unfettered Duke! You will be the fifth duke of the Celestial Sword Empire, but you will remain free and unrestrained. What do you think?"

Cale was surprised at first, but then he smiled brilliantly. "I shall accept your bestowment, your majesty." 

"Good! Tomorrow, someone will give you your token and also your new accommodations. A duke in my empire cannot live shabbily." The emperor patted Cale's shoulder with a smile on his face. He still looked a bit pale, but it was already better than what he looked like before.

"I will follow your arrangements, your majesty!" Cale smiled.