CH 210

Sure, here is the translation:

Sure enough, this statement was recognized by most of the elders.

The Royal Guard has always been the elite of the elite. They not only shoulder the heavy responsibility of guarding the royal area, but also lead teams to hunt monsters and deal with threats on many occasions.

It is obviously inappropriate to make a newly promoted combatant the Hand of the King.

Even if the goal is achieved through privileges, it will be difficult to carry out future work without the approval of the highest council.

So, there is only one choice for this issue.

The king said in a deep voice, "Then let's conduct a combat rating."

Combat rating is the most important assessment in Thalorian, aimed at fully understanding the actual abilities of combatants in order to maximize combat effectiveness.

According to the Thalorian system, combatants are divided into nine levels.

Level nine is the weakest, and most of the newly graduated Kimberly students are at this level.

Level one is the strongest, and these individuals are directly named in the military combat department, with one person equivalent to a group.

Combat rating is not only related to combat effectiveness, but also directly related to identity, salary, and benefits. Many positions also have a minimum combat rating requirement, and low-level combatants are not qualified to hold these positions.

However, conducting a combat rating consumes resources, especially for higher levels of combat rating.

Therefore, in addition to the standard rating that must be taken upon graduation, mid- to high-level combat ratings are not allowed to be conducted frequently. Apart from an interval of more than two years, there also needs to be actual combat achievements to apply.

And level five combatants are already very close to high-level combatants, so their rating is not a simple matter.

The Grand Bishop Horus said anxiously, "Your Majesty, Rode has only been a Torchbearer for less than half a year, how..."

The king smiled and said, "That's it. This is the institutional rule of the royal city. Based on Rode's past combat achievements, he meets the standard for application."

Manolobana said coldly, "Your Majesty, a level five combat rating will consume a lot of resources. I believe Rode's chances of success are very slim, and it is unnecessary."

An elder also said, "We are about to enter a period of large-scale repairs. The peak of the ratings is approaching, and the Westland military combat base is very busy. The quotas for mid- to high-level ratings are very tight. If our little hero is not confident, I also think it is unnecessary. Of course, to compensate for his loss, I can marry my granddaughter to him..."

"Cough, cough, cough." Horus interrupted him with a series of coughs.

He sighed lightly and said, "I think we can do this. If he fails, he will have to pay for the combat rating himself."

This proposal was approved by the Elder Council. The royal city's finances are very tight, especially since the king does not allow the issuance of more silver coins. Self-funding is the word the Elder Council likes to hear most recently.

So, this matter was settled.

The Westland military combat base will spend thirty days preparing for a level five combat rating for Rode.

In this rating, Rode will be allowed to use all means, including but not limited to his usual firearms, weapons, items, and to take approved potions reviewed by the rating committee. He can also use his unique creations to a limited extent.

The rating committee will provide him with enough combat space, specially capture monsters corresponding to the challenge level, and set up the most professional and comprehensive tests for him. There will also be higher-level combatants on site to ensure that he is not in life-threatening danger during the rating.

In the end, the rating committee will give a score based on the rules. As long as it exceeds the standard line, Rode will leap from a novice level nine combatant to a level five combatant, almost entering the ranks of the top players.

Of course, most people do not believe he can succeed.

The Royal City's financial resources department is already preparing to collect money eagerly.

A level five combat rating, at least fifty thousand silver coins.

This is not a small amount. The director, who is worried about the silver shortfall, is all smiles, and even considering promoting this special case.

In this way, he will no longer have to worry about silver coins.

After the discussion, Rode was called to the Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground alone.

The Grand Bishop Horus said with a worried look, "Rode, it seems that we cannot directly appoint you as the Hand of the King. You must undergo a combat rating. You may not have the confidence..."

Rode smiled and said, "Your Excellency, I am very confident."

Horus sighed lightly, "Rode, there is no need to comfort us..."

"No, Your Excellency, I really am confident. Please believe me."

Horus looked at him with some doubt, then glanced at the king, and hesitantly said, "Really?"

Rode nodded vigorously, "Really."

Horus was full of doubts.

Jumping from level nine to level five combatant is not unprecedented, but those are individuals with the "Transcendent" designation, who already have super strong psychic abilities and similar combat records. Before the test, the Royal City had already foreseen the results.

When Rode entered the academy, he was unremarkable, and although he performed well afterwards, his combat abilities were not particularly strong, especially his weak psychic abilities.By Thalorian standards, a level five combatant's spiritual energy intensity generally hovers around 160,000 ticks, yet Rode possessed less than a fifth of that, making success nearly impossible.

However, he had earned the absolute trust and final entrustment of Lord Theodore.

The wisdom of Lord Theodore is beyond my measure.

Horus thought to himself, perhaps he saw a future that I did not.

With that thought, the doubts in Horus's heart dissipated.

Rode, too, appeared brimming with confidence.

After listening to the detailed rules of the combat rating, he knew he wouldn't score as abysmally low as he did during the tests at the secret base.

With no restrictions on methods, even the ancient god Hraegatos of the River of Eternal Death fled before me; how could passing a rating not be a piece of cake?

Especially after seeing the items in the stone platform, Rode's confidence soared even higher.

The trump card he acquired in the third battle zone had yet to be used until now.

Apart from powerful items like [Flesh Puppet], [Flesh Armor], and [Soul Defense], there were also ultimate weapons like [Caleres Homothermal Cannon] and [Harbinger of Destruction].

There was simply no time back then, one event after another, he had no chance to craft them.

However, he might not even need to resort to these destructive items; perhaps a single [Spiritual Sextet] or [Soul Strike] would suffice to end the rating.

Of course, to avoid any mishaps, all items must be prepared.

He was determined to face the challenge with utmost readiness.

The King clearly shared his sentiment, speaking gently, "Young Rode, you should return to the secret branch for now. Your combat skills are still weak and require further training. Soren will arrange everything for you."

Rode asked in surprise, "I need to go back to the secret branch?"

"Of course, even if you become the King's Hand, your identity as a member of the secret branch remains intact. You are still one of us."

Rode scratched his head, "Why? Is it necessary?"

The King replied gently, "It is, young Rode. Taking up the post in the Starry Town is far more challenging than you imagine. The Supreme Council does not favor my expansion plans, and there is much opposition. They only reluctantly agreed based on my past prestige and the position of the King."

"But they won't actively implement it, and there will be many constraints."

"So, when you encounter difficulties in Starry Town, the help you receive will be limited. It will be up to you."

"You need to find more allies. These thirty days are not only for you to adjust and prepare but also for you to develop connections and form a team. Retaining your secret branch membership will aid in this. Do you understand my meaning?"

As someone whose experience far exceeded his age, Rode grasped the King's words in an instant and replied solemnly, "I understand."

"That's good."

The King smiled slightly, the divine fire reaching the heavens burning behind him, casting a golden glow on his smile.

"You know, young Rode?"

"Not only the First Elder Amado, but even I, Horus, did not believe you could pass the rating. No one within our ranks believed you could shoulder this burden. It was only because of Theodore's soul entrustment that you have come this far."

"So, I sincerely hope that you can exceed our expectations, and with irrefutable facts, fiercely slap our faces—slap the faces of all those who didn't believe in you, doubted you, and denied you."

For a moment, Rode felt his blood rush to his head.

With a resolute voice, he said, "I will, please believe in me."

"It's a promise."

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The King extended his hand.

"It's a promise."

Rode extended his hand as well.

And so, against the backdrop of the divine fire reaching the heavens, and in the presence of Archbishop Horus, their hands clasped firmly together.