Evening settled quietly across the domain. The sun's final rays brushed against the divine palace, turning its simple structure a soft gold. A faint breeze stirred as the system interface remained open before him, listing the upgrade option.
[Upgrade Divine Palace — Rank 1 → Rank 2]Materials Required:— Divine Crystals: 50,000— Stone: 50,000— Wood: 50,000— Iron: 50,000— Divine Core x1— Divinity: 100— Rank 2 Palace Token x1
[Confirm Upgrade?]
A silent confirmation.
The moment the upgrade was confirmed, the entire palace shuddered with divine resonance.
A low hum rolled through the air, not from the earth, but from something deeper—woven into the fabric of the territory itself. Warm golden light erupted from beneath the structure, enveloping every corner of the palace in radiant arcs of sacred energy.
[System Notification]
Congratulations. Your Divine Palace has advanced to Rank 2.
New Features Unlocked: [Divine Appointment System], [Council Room].
Territory Size Expanded: 5km → 10km.
Maximum Population Capacity: 1000 → 5000.
Divine Palace Integrity: 1,000,000 / 1,000,000.
Clark remained still at the palace steps, eyes fixed as the transformation unfolded before him.
The throne hall trembled—the jagged iron seat at the far end of the grand chamber lost its rusted edge, molten streaks of power coursing across it as the crude iron smoothed into an obsidian-gold alloy. Gleaming, formidable, regal. The divine throne now pulsed faintly with presence—his presence.
Above the throne, the chamber's ceiling arched higher, forming a dome with embedded sigils of stars and constellations. Gilded pillars pushed upward from the floor, their surfaces etched with divine patterns, shifting faintly as if alive.
A side hall unfolded naturally to the right—a vast Council Room, spacious and round, with twelve high-backed stone chairs positioned in a semicircle around a lowered center platform. This was no mere meeting room; this was where decrees would be given, decisions carved into faith.
Another message blinked before him:
[Divine Appointment System Activated]
You may now bestow divine roles or ranks to followers.
Titles grant passive bonuses depending on loyalty, authority, and faith.
Title list
I. Administrative Titles (for governance or leadership within the domain)
High Priest / High Priestess – Oversees worship, rituals, and manages faith-based matters.
Divine Chancellor – Chief administrator of the divine domain. Handles policies, management, and decrees.
Warden of the Territory – Responsible for internal security and peacekeeping.
Lord / Lady of the Hall – Assigned to maintain order within the palace grounds.
Divine Scribe – Records history, messages, and revelations.
II. Military Titles (for combat and protection roles)
Divine General – Supreme commander of all divine military forces.
Marshal of the Crusade – Leads all outward missions and holy expeditions.
Holy Knight Commander – Oversees divine knights, paladins, and elite guards.
Sentinel of the Divine Gate – Guardian of the palace's most sacred or vulnerable location.
Blade of the God / Spear of Judgment – Personal enforcer of the god's will in war.
III. Faith and Spiritual Roles (to enhance divine faith systems)
Oracle / Prophet(ess) – Interpreter of divine will and future signs.
Bearer of the Flame – Keeps the divine fire burning; symbolic role in rituals.
Voice of the God – Acts as the direct spokesperson of the god.
Keeper of Relics – Protects sacred items and artifacts.
IV. Special or Unique Honorific Titles (based on merit or favor)
Chosen of the God – Most favored follower; gains divine insight or buffs.
Ascendant Disciple – A follower groomed for future godhood.
Shadow of the Throne – Secret protector or spy for the god.
Hand of the Divine – Executes divine tasks directly without question.
Eye of Judgment – Seeks out heresy and threats in the god's name.
......
He stepped through into the private quarters. The modest chamber from before had disappeared. In its place stood a sanctified suite of divine architecture: deep stone floors traced with golden veins, a bed carved from radiant cloudwood and fur-lined silk, and softly glowing lanterns that emitted calming divine essence. The chambers now carried a trace of sacred quiet—fit not for a warrior or wanderer, but for a sovereign god.
Beyond the palace walls, he felt it too. His territory had stretched—farther forests, hills and lakes he had never seen now lay under his dominion. The air was clearer, denser with faith energy. Even the wind bowed differently here.
He exhaled slowly.
This was no longer a hall of shelter. It was a fortress of divine will—an emerging capital of what would one day become a holy Sanctuary.
.......
Outside the palace, the villagers gathered quietly near the outer courtyard. The golden hue of the transformation still lingered in the air, soft and solemn. The faint tremors beneath their feet had long ceased, but none had moved away.
They stood in silence, watching with quiet awe.
Seraphiel's gaze remained fixed on the glowing upper halls, her hands resting calmly at her sides. She said nothing, but the faint tightening of her jaw hinted at how seriously she regarded the change.
Lilith stood beside her, arms crossed, but even she was uncharacteristically still. Her usual half-smirk was absent, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
The Crusaders, all standing in formation nearby, had paused their drills. Their eyes were drawn to the palace's central structure—its now darker golden hue and the sharpened divine markings etched into the walls.
No words were exchanged.
They didn't kneel. They didn't cheer.
They simply stood and watched, heads slightly lifted, like warriors acknowledging something greater than themselves. A still reverence settled over them.
The old, simple palace they had protected before… was gone.
...
Clark stood at the edge of the newly reshaped throne room, arms folded behind his back, eyes fixed on the interface panel hovering in front of him.
A minute passed.
Then two.
Still nothing.
No system chime. No glowing light descending from above. No treasure chest, no fanfare.
He waited a little longer, brows narrowing slightly in thought.
Finally, the system interface shifted—just a single line of gray text appearing at the corner of his vision:
Note: Palace upgrade rewards are only distributed based on Divine Ranking milestones.
He stared at the words.
That was it?
He had poured resources, time, and divine essence into the upgrade—becoming the first among the gods to reach a Rank 2 Palace. He had assumed there would be something, even a token reward for the effort.
Instead, nothing.
He tapped the interface closed, expression flat.
So, only those climbing the divine rankings received the recognition. Not the builders. Not the ones strengthening their domains. Just those who fought, ascended, and slaughtered their way up.
His gaze drifted toward the golden-dark throne in the distance. The hall around him was quiet. No footsteps, no echoes—just the lingering warmth of divine energy still woven into the stone.
He exhaled softly.
No treasure. No announcement. Just silence.