Chapter 196: Vassals of the Duchy (5)
"Rise, Emma Fort, never kneel to protect your lord."
With these words from Atlas, Emma stood up and waited proudly in a ready position.
Atlas reached into his inventory again and took out the family crest that had been discussed over the past few days, the one that would be given to Emma.
On the crest was a shield made by Atlas, with two swords behind it. Above the shield and swords was a star—the Shorekeeper’s star. The only star that would never fade, spreading hope across the world from the Epsilon Continent like a beacon of light.
When Atlas handed the emblem to Emma, she finally relaxed and calmly stepped back a few paces, saying, "My lord, I am at your service."
At that moment, everyone at the ball paused for a few seconds. It was as if they were hesitating. What was happening could even be seen as a challenge to the power of the Empire. After all, even those under Atlas’s control held power millions of times greater than that of the Empire.
Nevertheless, everything changed in an instant when Emperor Aether and Empress Aelia began to applaud. It became clear that Atlas and the Imperial Family had planned everything together.
It had been Atlas’s plan from the beginning to show the support of the Imperial Family in front of everyone. He wanted to show the nobles that they should keep their mouths shut, that he had already chosen his vassals.
However, the nobles of the Epsilon Empire also began to applaud, and so it was Iso’s turn.