Imperial Palace - Sanctus Imperialis, Throne Room
Today was an important day in the Chthonian Empire of the Baator. An important ceremony was held currently, where I would be awarding titles to my children, as even the youngest ones have reached the age where they could hold responsibility. Or rather, every one of my children was already technically titled, but this would be officially confirming the title or another form of reward or punishment. Additionally, they would be formally taking some responsibilities at members of the Imperial House.
Currently, the Throne Room was filled with only a small amount of people.
Only members of the Senatorum Imperialis, Elders of the Empire, and some other notable figures from those who were present.
I sat on my throne, flanked by several members of the Adeptus Custodes under the leadership of Diablo, in their pristine shining golden armor, while my wives were sitting behind me.
"Announcing Lucifer Renxue."
Shouted the ceremony master as I watched my daughter walking from another room as she knelt before me.
She has snow-white skin, slightly slender phoenix eyes, a face with somewhat stateliness had a rather beautiful person with a cold and indifferent face that exudes dignity. She inherited my royal purple eyes and that cold, calculating look on her face.
"Imperial Father."
She stated.
This ceremony was official business, so she couldn't call me as usually "dad".
"Lucifer Renxue for your hard work in developing the Spirit Hall in the Shao Universe, an immense talent that has been used to the maximum to reach Titled Douluo, which is equivalent to Super-Devil Class, and helping develop commerce and trade between Chthonian Empire and Spirit Hall, I confirm your title as the Imperial Princess and award you with the title of Chthonian Lord of the Empire. With this, you shall be awarded a fief within Baator that you will choose a proper administrator to manage in your stead. Additionally, for your achievement in cultivation, I award you with one Monarch Grade Divine Crystal, and you may choose any treasure within Imperial Vaults."
I stated with an authoritative voice as everyone clapped in congratulations.
Not many were surprised by this, as it was common knowledge that Renxue was very talented and hard-working, and she was one of my favorites. Sirzechs, Hilda, and Sigmar are already over 400 years old, so they won't be spending time with their old man... Sirzechs would often train with me, though.
"I humbly accept the decree of Your Imperial Majesty."
Said Renxue, and she bowed deeply and left slowly.
"Announcing Vali Lucifer."
Shouted the master of the ceremony as another person entered the room.
It was Rizevim's grandson Vali Lucifer. Born between a human woman and Razevan Lucifer, Rizevim's son, he was abused by his father greatly. He was born with Longinus Divine Dividing, which housed the soul of the Albion Gwider, one of the Heavenly Dragons.
After his mother died, he ran away from home before he was caught by members of the Execution Temple that brought him to the Imperial Capital Anor Londo, as he was on the verge of death.
Concurrently he was saved by Albion, who, with my help, turned him into Devil Dragonoid. Afterward, I took him as my own and brought him up as my own sun, like Sirzechs or Sigmar.
While Grayfia took the role of mother for him.
He was a handsome young man with light silver hair. He wore the standard military uniform of the Imperialis Militarum, signifying his rank as Colonel.
"Imperial Father."
He said as he knelt down.
After I took him in, he called me father.
"Vali Lucifer, for your achievements on the battlefield, bravery, and strength. For your courage and martial prowess, intelligence during strategy, and leadership skills you have shown in the siege of Gralea, I award you with the title of Imperial Prince Elect."
The moment I said that everyone's eyes widened in a deep shock, including Vali himself. Among the Imperial House, there were several Noble Titles, from highest to lowest, they were Imperial Ancestor (reserved for me), Imperator, Empress, Imperial Elder, Crown Prince, Imperial Prince Elect, Imperial Prince/Princess, Imperial Lord, and Imperial Noble.
Imperial Prince Elect was a very special title because it meant that the person bearing this title was second-in-line for the throne. Meaning if the Crown Prince became incapable to refused to become Emperor, the Imperial Prince Elect would become an Emperor.
In my eyes, both Sirzechs and Vali could ascend to the position of the Emperor, as in the end, the position was tied to my bloodline, and even though Vali wasn't my descendant, he was Lucifer, and in the end, he was still my son.
I made it in a way that only a person truly worthy could ascend as the Emperor of the Chthonian Empire. It was measured in martial prowess, leadership and administrative skills, ruling wisdom, and several other aspects.
Only someone with the title of the Crown Prince or Prince Elect could become an Emperor. Others were deemed to be not qualified. Sigmar had superior martial prowess in some regards even to Sirzechs but he lacked traits of the ruler such as patience and administrative abilities. Hilda was not suitable overall, as she was good at pure administrative work, but she often lacked the wisdom to see beyond some things; she was a very good office worker. Renxue was destined for other things.
"Now, quiet!"
I shouted as everyone stopped whispering, and all the attention returned to me.
"Next, for achieving astonishing martial prowess and recruiting Albion Gwider for the Empire, among other achievements, I award you with the additional title of the Chthonian Lord of the Empire. With this, you shall be awarded a fief within Baator that you will choose a proper administrator to manage in your stead. Also, I am naming you as the leader of the Khaos Brigade with your first mission is to hunt down and kill Euclid Lucifuge, the traitor, and his merry band of human magicians Nilrem."
I could see a single tear escaping his right eye before it evaporated as everyone held their breath.