I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 347 The Second Black Slab

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Split Rock City.

The sound of whistling wind came from the sky.

The guards on the city wall all looked up, their eyes wide as they watched everything.

Three enormous figures were swooping down from the clouds.

Huge shadows swept across their faces, and the flags on the city walls fluttered in the wind.

"Your Majesty!"

The commander of the Dragon's Breath legion roared, "Everyone, kneel down!"

After saying that, he knelt down on one knee and lowered his head.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of armor rubbing together filled the air, and the soldiers knelt down in rows.

The figures in the sky were none other than Rhodes' dragons.

The dragon did not stop, soaring over Riftrock City and heading straight for the city's center, finally landing in the square in front of the Imperial Palace gates.

The gust of wind created by the dragon's descent kicked up dust in the square, making it impossible for nearby civilians to open their eyes.

The common people retreated in fear, but no one left, curiously observing the dragon.

Rhodes flipped off Blackflame's back, walked to Thunder's side, and reached out to catch Avril.

Ivy then took Rhodes' arm, and the two walked slowly toward the palace together.

The gates of the Imperial Palace were already open, and the nobles of Riftrock City stood on both sides to welcome Rhodes' arrival.

The leader was an elderly nobleman who was nearly fifty years old.

Durant, along with Princess Atley, stood to one side and quickly approached Rhodes when he saw him.

Durant bowed and then introduced, "My lord, this is Lord Marquis Greyrock for life, Miller Shatterrock, the first noble to submit to you."

A marquisate for life is a title that is not hereditary, but it has military power and territory, but cannot be passed on to one's children.

After Durant finished his introduction, Miller quickly bowed deeply.

"Lord Rhodes!"

The old nobleman Miller, with a smile plastered on his face, carefully bowed to Rhodes.
"Welcome to Riftrock City!"

Miller's voice was loud, but clearly tinged with nervousness.

At this moment, the nobles following behind bowed in unison, their faces tense.

Miller then pulled the two young men behind him over.

"Lord Rhodes, these are my two sons, and they are both very willing to serve you!"

Miller bowed slightly and introduced, "I also have a fourteen-year-old daughter. If she can study at your academy, I am willing to offer my manor in Riftrock City!"

The empire needs too many talented people to function.

The lands of these lifelong nobles are not permanent; they will only lose some of their property upon Rhodes' arrival.

But they also possess knowledge and talent.

Compared to those nobles who lost their territories, these life nobles are a better target for Rhodes to cultivate.

In his initial promise to persuade them to surrender, Rhodes said he would give them more opportunities.

The availability of a path to advancement made these nobles very happy, and they became even more supportive of Rhodes.

Rhodes was also willing to give these nobles more patience.

“I don’t need your estate, Marquis Miller.”

With a smile, Rhodes said calmly, "As long as your youngest daughter has talent, the academy will naturally accept her."

Rhodes looked at the other nobles and said, "Your children, in particular, have the opportunity to enter the wizard or witch academy, as long as they have enough talent."

"As for other talented children, I will assess them and only assign positions to suitable candidates."

Rhodes' voice was loud and clear, and all the nobles could hear it clearly.

"Yes, Lord Rhodes," everyone answered in unison.

Rhodes nodded slightly, looked at Durant beside him, and gave the order:
"Issue an announcement as soon as possible, and all children from ordinary families should also participate in the screening."

“Yes, sir,” Durant nodded in response.

Rhodes said nothing more and ordered, "Let's go, take me to the palace's treasury."

"Please come with me, sir."

Durant stepped aside to make way for him, gesturing for him to enter.

The nobles parted to form a passage, bowing their heads as they escorted Rhodes into the imperial palace.

Passing through the arched doorway beneath the palace wall, the bluestone avenue stretched straight ahead, its width of several tens of meters sufficient for a phalanx of knights to proceed.

Ahead of the road stands a colossal statue of the Rockbreaker Emperor, who founded the Rockbreaker Empire.

Inside the city walls lies a vast castle complex built of dark gray granite, with various towers and domes interspersed throughout.

It was less of an imperial palace and more of the inner city of Rift Rock.

The branch families of the Shattered Rock family that had no territory all lived in this palace.

In addition, there were merchants, artisans, and court attendants who served the royal family.

Of course, these people all lived on the outermost edge of the palace.

Rhodes didn't linger. After a brief glance, he followed Durant's lead along the main path and stepped onto the stone steps leading into the palace.

The true main palace is located at the very top of the city, backed by mountains, seemingly overlooking the entire Rift Rock City.

Apart from the guards, the palace staff remained largely unchanged.

Rhodes was unfamiliar with the area, and he had no suitable men to fill the imperial palace.

Durant didn't really know much about the Imperial Palace, but with Princess Artemis by his side, he wouldn't get lost.

"The throne room at the very front is generally used for ceremonies such as trials and pronouncements."

"Behind the throne room are the council chambers and the library."

Atreus explained in a deep voice, "In the back is the inner courtyard of the palace, where the emperor and empress's bedrooms are located, as well as banquet halls, music halls, reception rooms, and so on."

"Shall we go for a visit?" Atre asked.

"Don't go."

Rhodes refused without hesitation, saying, "Go straight to the treasure vault."

"You probably haven't seen a palace before."

Atreus asked, "Aren't you curious?"

“If you’re not curious, lead the way.” Rodgers’ tone was commanding.

The rough stonework and fur decorations didn't pique Rod's curiosity.

The building's grandeur and magnificence?
Neither the skyscrapers of modern civilization nor the palaces and ancient towers that have survived through a long history can compare to this palace.

Besides, Rhodes will have plenty of time to tour the palace later.

"Ok."

Artrie, somewhat exasperated, quickened her pace.

After passing through the main hall, following the stone path in the garden, turning left and right, Atelier finally stopped in front of the stone gate embedded in the mountain.

The stone gate was now flanked by Winter Guards, who bowed respectfully to Rhodes.

"Open it up, you don't need me for the rest."

Artrie calmly replied, "You have all the keys."

Durant stepped forward, took out three keys, and inserted them into the stone door one after another.

After turning the last key, there was a crisp click, and the Winter Guard stepped forward and forcefully pushed open the stone door.

Then, a dark and narrow stone staircase appeared before everyone's eyes.

The Winter's Iron Guard handed the lit torch to Durant, who stepped into the passage first, followed by Atley.

Rod led Avril and Vivian at the very back.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor, immediately attracting the attention of the guards below.

The guards instinctively gripped their sword hilts, only releasing them and bowing respectfully upon recognizing Durant and Rhodes.

There are only four guards here. They bring food and water with them when they go on duty and stay here for three days.

It's worth mentioning that the stone gate we just saw was only the outer gate; there's another iron gate embedded in the rock at the very back.

There are seven keyholes on it, making it look more complex.

Durant took out a key box, opened it, inserted seven keys one by one, and then turned them one by one. "Click, click, click—"

Deep, rumbling sounds rang out one after another, culminating in a clattering sound from the iron gate.

Durant waved his hand, and two guards stepped forward at the same time, working together to turn the door knocker.

As the iron gate opened, a gust of wind swept through, carrying the smell of metal and dust across everyone's faces.

Without Rhodes's permission, the guards, carrying torches, were the first to enter the treasury and plant the torches on the walls.

Rhodes took a deep breath upon seeing the scene inside the treasure vault.

Rhodes has seen many noble treasuries, but he has to admit that the royal family's is the most magnificent.

The treasure vault was exceptionally large, exceeding 20 meters in length and width, and over 5 meters in height.

However, the top is not flat and looks like it was dug out.

The treasure vault was filled with iron boxes; Rhodes glanced at them and estimated there to be around one hundred and fifty.

"Open all the boxes."

At Rhodes's command, the guards sprang into action.

Immediately afterwards, golden rays of light burst into Rhodes's field of vision one after another.

Gold coins, countless gold coins.

Inside, there were also gold bricks, neatly stacked together.

Besides gold coins, there are all sorts of beautiful gems.

Ruby, sapphire, amethyst...

Gemstones of various colors were mixed together, shimmering with a mesmerizing brilliance under the firelight.

"Sir, this is the registration form for the treasure vault."

Durant presented a parchment booklet to Rhodes.

Rhodes took the booklet and began to examine it carefully. Avril and Vivian also turned their heads curiously to look at it together.

The empire possessed 1,537,000 gold coins, 2,000 gold bricks, 10,000 silver bricks, 15,000 pieces of jewelry, and hundreds and thousands of sets of armor, longswords, bows and arrows.

In addition, there are thousands of handicrafts, raw gemstones, and metal ingots, etc.

"It truly is a treasure accumulated over five hundred years."

Looking at the records in the booklet, Rhodes smiled and said, "Now I have enough money to develop the empire."

Establishing academies and workshops requires gold coins, as does expanding the army, so Rhodes has been accumulating wealth.

It now appears that the wealth in this imperial treasury will be enough for Rhodes to sustain him for some time.

"Durant, take out all the armor and weapons on the list and distribute them to our men."

Rhodes looked down on these ordinary equipment; future officers and generals should at least be equipped with enchanted armor and weapons.

While people still appreciate these items, distribute them as rewards.

"Yes, my lord."

Durant waved his hand, signaling the guards to move the weapons rack.

“Some of the jewelry and ornaments will also be selected and taken out to be given as gifts to everyone.”

Rhodes looked at Avril and Vivian, "You can go and choose first."

Thank you, darling!

Avril and Vivian kissed Rhodes on the cheeks simultaneously, one on each side, and then quickly walked toward the box containing the jewelry.

Atelier's eyes widened in surprise.

"Why don't you go pick out a couple of items?" Rod said to Atrie. "I don't mind."

"No, thank you. I don't really like these jewels."

Atreus shook her head slightly, then changed the subject, saying, "I'm surprised that you're so stingy with those nobles, practically squeezing them dry, but so generous with your officers."

“This is not called being stingy, this is called allocating assets reasonably.”

Rhodes said calmly, "Whoever can do things for me and contribute to the empire can get more."

"If those nobles are capable and loyal, I will give them more later."

"It seems I was wrong; you don't seem to care about this wealth."

Atresia said thoughtfully, "What you care about is the value that this wealth can bring you."

Rod smiled but did not comment on Atreus's words.

Then, Rhodes ordered, "Alright, enough talk, take me to get all those magical items."

Atreus nodded and walked straight into the treasure vault.

The Imperial Treasury has three levels. The first level stores gold coins and jewelry, the second level stores weapons, armor, artifacts, and magical items, and the third level contains gemstones and metal ingots.

There weren't many magical items in the vault, only five sharp, enchanted longswords. One of them had its runes destroyed and showed no magical energy.

There are seven magical accessories such as rings, necklaces, and bracelets. They are all the most common protective and physical enhancement magical items, nothing surprising.

There were quite a few extraordinary gems, and there were eleven boxes for them alone.

Eighteen Life Gems, twenty-seven Fire Gems, twenty-four Frost Gems, seven Spirit Gems, two Shadow Gems, and nine Earth Gems.

These are all important materials for crafting enchanted equipment and magical trinkets, so Rhodes naturally wanted to take them all with him.

"Ok?"

After all the magical items were taken out, Rhode found something familiar at the very back of the box.

Rhodes raised his hand and waved it, and the phantom of the spellcaster's hand quickly condensed in the air.

Rhodes then controlled the hand to reach under the box and take out the contents.

A black stone slab with a smooth surface that gleams purple in the firelight.

It was exactly the same piece that Black Flame had spat out before.

Rod looked at Atreus and asked, "Do you know what this is?"

"I don't know, this is the first time I've seen it."

Atrie shook her head slightly and asked in return, "What is this hand you're controlling? Is it magic?"

"Ah."

Rhodes responded softly without explaining further, and called Avril and Vivian to his side.

"Another black stone slab has been discovered."

Rod asked Avril, "We still haven't figured out what that was last time, have we?"

"No."

Avril shook her head helplessly. "There is absolutely no information about this black stone tablet in the Wizard Tower."

“Luxen didn’t find anything in the Dawn Society either,” Rod said.

Rhodes frowned slightly, looking at the stone tablet held in the spellcaster's hand, and said in a deep voice, "The key is that this thing is related to demons, and I have a bad feeling about it."

Rhodes' words silenced both Avril and Vivian.

Because of the previous incident with the Succubus Queen, they both knew about demons.

Anything associated with demons is not a good thing.

"Perhaps there are records on the next floor of the Wizard's Tower."

Avril suggested, "Our first level is all about wizard apprentices; the next level is about professional wizards."

“Yes, you’re right.” Rhodes nodded.

Avril said with a hint of helplessness, "Unfortunately, it seems we can't break the restrictions above..."

"Do not."

Rhodes said thoughtfully, "Perhaps I can."

Rhodes has now scavenged a lot of spirit gems from the noble treasury. Although the effect of absorbing them is getting worse and worse, his spirit strength has now exceeded 28 points.

With the "mental amplifier" wand, Rhodes felt he could give it a try.

"After we finish dealing with things here, we'll go back and take a look."

Rhodes made up his mind and placed the black stone tablet in a separate wooden box for Avril to keep safe.

Then, Rhodes approached Atreus and asked, "Where is the secret technique for advancing to the rank of legendary knight?"

Atresia paused for a moment, then replied, "In the library."

"Okay, let's go."

Rod ordered, "Take me to the library."

(End of this chapter)