Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1587 - 548: The Long-Awaited Dragon Knight

"Does the meaning behind Reign’s Crown imply that we are to forge gods?"

Shock rippled through the assembly as this was uttered, with many prominent leaders and Imperial Guardians exchanging hushed murmurs.

Though he didn't catch every word, Rein could sense that the majority of those murmurs carried doubt.

Truth be told, even desiring to forge gods requires at least one person to first reach demigod rank, allowing them to draw in faith power from the masses.

Right now, the whole Empire lacks even a solitary powerhouse at demigod level. Speaking of forging gods is like chasing illusions or grasping at reflections in the sea.

"No, my point is that what we truly lack above all is faith in ourselves!" Rein declared with gravity.

In his previous existence, a proverb held that self-belief often outweighs wealth; that truth echoes here in this realm and right at this instant.

Having endured the second clash at the Imperial City and witnessed Emperor Carlos II's fall, Rein had noted along the way how civilians wore faces etched with fear and unease, while the formerly bold and resolute Griffin Knights now gazed with spirits broken.

Even among the Empire's elite nobles, faith had begun to crumble.

Without any direction or support, that crumbling assurance would spread across the Empire, breeding more disorder—a perfect storm for cults to flourish.

"Faith in ourselves?"

"This..."

Rein’s declaration prompted many Imperial Guardians and leaders to fall into reflection, and even the 'Red Queen' Menia at the head position revealed a contemplative look.

Without question, when facing matters of the divine, a good number of those high nobles had already surrendered their belief.

Then, a voice that clashed with the mood broke through:

"Haha, Crown Rein's talk of faith rings true, yet it sidesteps the real challenges at hand."

"In my view, if we tackle the rising tide of cult killings, fix the worsening soil barrenness, reverse the drop in Empire taxes, and so on, then assurance will return to all."

The speaker was none other than the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Though Rein had displayed formidable might in the grand conflict, the Empire's power structures were tangled and ancient; he hadn't yet reached the stage where his every word commanded total deference.

Still, that Minister of Internal Affairs obviously held caution toward Rein and avoided outright defiant language, choosing instead to stir issues by highlighting obstacles.

"As all are aware, I've long stood alongside the Imperial Swordsmen. Regarding the growing cult threats, an idea has formed in my mind."

"Truthfully, in every province or vital region of the Empire, the main bulwark against cults remains the mid-tier forces, like Swordsmen and the Military Department's elite units, among others."

"We could rapidly bolster this segment of our strength, perhaps by deploying Mechanical Magic Statues. I tested something similar on the Shirendil Plateau, yielding impressive outcomes..."

With that, Rein succinctly outlined how wizards from the Isodre and Bixiu Mechanization Schools had wielded devices such as Mechanical Land Birds, swift dragons, and Scythe Claw Dragons to decimate swarms of mutated spiders.

"By employing this approach, we can sharply cut down on losses among mid-level fighters while purging cult followers, thus enhancing the Empire's grip on its lands."

"Strong order, paired with targeted messaging, is the path to rebuilding public trust; cults find no foothold, and the resurgence of Evil Gods grinds to a halt."

Rein’s proposal instantly captured the focus of the Imperial Guardians, and various high-ranking Empire generals there, Marshal Alfred included, started jotting down details.

Realizing Rein offered concrete plans—focused on security, yet highly practical—the Minister of Internal Affairs faltered briefly but held his tongue.

After all, offering ideas was fair game, but stirring discord pointlessly would only backfire.

"Crown Rein's idea strikes me as superb. I expect that post-meeting, the Empire Military Department, Swordsmen, and related branches will draft a strategy right away and set it in motion." Menia stated with a smile, her decision firm.

At first, she had fretted over Rein's ease in such gatherings.

Yet his handling proved surprisingly adept.

At that moment, as if struck by a thought, Menia glanced toward Grand Astromancer Dalain at her side and inquired:

"Crown Dalain, leading the Empire’s Star Mage’s Platform, following this clash, about how long until the Evil Gods can manifest demigod-level avatars?"

"Hmm... even with me and the astrologers combined, precise forecasts elude us."

"That said, though the gods burned much divine essence in this Imperial City fight, by my estimate, within half a year to one full year at most, some divine essence will recover enough to project demigod avatars."

"Provided we act on Crown Rein’s plan and truly rein in the cults."

"Half a year to a year?"

"So the quickest is just six months?"

"That soon?"

Expressions shifted among the Empire's leaders, even as they knew the surging energy tides hastened divine comebacks.

Still, none had imagined the timeline shrinking from centuries or decades down to mere months.

Viewed this way, the Imperial City triumph bought the Empire only a fleeting pause.

This...

"Everyone, our time is short, which is precisely why His Majesty chose to chase demigod rank without delay."