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Chapter 693 New Lieutenants.
There are people that hate him among these 100. But they are smart enough to let go of their hatred for actual benefits. The subordinates of the divine crown will get assistance from the world equal to that of the Emperor crown. Such a power is very tempting.
That's why these people will rather have their subordinates wear the crown of kings that they acquired. They chose to become his Lieutenants instead. It is an optimal way to acquire the power of Emperors since there are only two Emperor crowns.
So these people aren't here to do him a favor. They are here to acquire a power that they can't acquire another way. The reason that they are here has more to do with their GREED than with her persuasive talent. But it cannot be denied that she is instrumental in bringing them here.
Salvini has amassed a worthy group. They are at least very strong with many of them being designated kings. There doesn't seem to be anything fishy even after a thorough inspection but he is still skeptical until everything is done. Even then he will still watch his back. An unwatched back is a good target for stabbing.
"So what do you think? Are they enough?" She asked him.
He replied, "They are enough. I accept your offering and I offer you the positions of my lieutenant in exchange."
She smiled brightly and said, "We accept."
Then she stepped closer to him. He offered her the crown. He held it out to her while he kept his hand on his blade and ready. Salvini is not supposed to take the crown. She is to touch it and make the oath to become his lieutenant. Then she is to step away and let the next person take the oath.
But he held on to the crown tightly and strengthened his grip on his blade as he offered it to her. Anything can go wrong now and he is ready for it. He didn't let it show in his demeanor. He remained calm and ready to inflict immense violence when needed.
She came forward and gripped the crown. The two of them held it as she swore. "I Swear to become the lieutenant of the divine crown. I shall protect its wielder from harm to the best of my abilities and execute their will to the best of my abilities."
Then she let go of the crown and stepped aside for the next person. He didn't sigh in relief or relax. There are still 99 more people to go. That's 99 more chances for something to go wrong. If there is a 1% chance of something going wrong then something will go wrong. So he remained very vigilant as they came forward.
Nothing went wrong. They stepped forward one by one and made the oath then they stepped aside. It was all very uneventful. Even then he didn't relax around them. Things seem to be going too well for now and the other shoe is bound to fall anytime soon.
He is right to worry. The fact that they swore the Oath doesn't mean he is safe from them. The oath ensures that if he will be betrayed then it won't be outright. His lieutenants will try to protect the wielder of the crown to the best of their abilities. What's important to notice here is that they didn't swear allegiance to him. The thing they swore allegiance to is the divine crown.
They swore to become the lieutenant of the divine crown. The crown is a separate entity and the wielder of the crown can be anybody. Their position as lieutenants will be safe if another person wields the crown unless that person changes it. So he is not completely safe.
He understands his precarious situation just as he understands that this is the best that he can get. Most of them don't know him personally and have no reason to be loyal to him. They came for benefits so he doesn't have many expectations from them.
It wouldn't even matter even if they swear allegiance to him directly. He is still going to be skeptical about everything as long as Salvini is involved. Apparently, she only cares about the plane because of her bloodline or about herself. He doesn't see how her actions her helping the plane so she must be after something else, something more personal that he can't figure out yet. It can't be because of her affection for him so it is probably something sinister.
Either way, he will use her as a tool and wouldn't let down his guard for a moment. If he views her as a dangerous tool then he can work with her. He just has to be careful with her as one will be careful with a dangerous tool like a knife or a sword.
"It's time for you to show me what you can do. Get rid of the golems." He said to his Lieutenants as he descended the pyramid with the crown on his head.
They are to execute his will and right now he wishes for them to get rid of the golems before the major fighting starts. He doesn't want the golems to distract him while they fight.
"If you say so, boss," Salvini replied. Then she turned to the rest and shouted, "You heard the boss. Get rid of the golems."
She rushed down to catch up to him. The two of them walked down in silence for a while. The pyramid began to rumble as soon as he stepped off of it. He didn't turn back to face the angry golems that the pyramid as become. He has lackeys to deal with them. It is a much better sight than the child of the plane struggling with the golems himself.
The group of 100 thousand which has now become his army parted and created a path for him to pass. He caught looks of awe and worship on some of their faces as he passed by. No matter their feelings towards him, he is a legend made flesh and they all respect him if only for his prowess. The strong will always be respected or at least feared.