Apocalypse Online: Regression of SSS-Class Summoner

Chapter 118: Imperial Demon Vanguard’s Hierarchy

The Commander led Max to the Imperial Commission Quarter, located adjacent to the Citadel District, between the Provincial Military Headquarters and the Church District.

As they had just left the Golden Stag, the Commander initiated a conversation with Max.

"I reside in the High Command Quarter. Unlike there, which houses provincial officials, the Imperial Commission Quarter accommodates individuals whose authority originates from the Imperial Government rather than the provincial administration.

It’s a restricted administrative district within Dunmarrow reserved for officials whose authority originates directly from the Imperial Crown rather than the provincial government.

You might get to meet other individuals like you there. Though, I’m not talking about the Imperial Demon Vanguard as it’s extremely rare.

I’m talking about the Imperial Tax Commissioners, Imperial Judicial Inspectors, Imperial Special Commissioners, and the list go on.

That’s why the Imperial Commission Residence remains Imperial property."

Max asked, "If my rank is extremely rare, doesn’t mean I don’t have a residence there?"

The Commander shook his head. "Since the Empire bestowed you of such a rare title, then they definitely expected that someone like you to appear. They must have already prepared for you to meet your needs, so long as you can exceed their expectations."

Max nodded.

"To be honest, I actually don’t know about your exact residence, but we can ask in the administrative hall. I’m very sure that they can provide you a residence."

"What if it’s full?"

The Commander shook his head. "The Empire can’t possibly make a mistake."

Max shrugged. He didn’t trust his words, but he was relieved, nonetheless. He badly needed a place to stay as he decided to remain in the capital for a month or two.

Although there was still eleven months in real-world time before the world event fully commenced, there would already be early manifestations of demonic invasions.

He didn’t want to stop the world event to manifest, but he wanted to reap every benefit granted to him, so long as he wasn’t interfering in a grand scale.

Lost in thoughts, the Commander continued chatting with him.

"The Imperial Commission Quarter might be geographically situated within Dunmarrow, but the district is considered an extension of the Imperial Central Authority. Provincial officials provide security and municipal services, but they do not administer the district’s internal affairs. Matters concerning resident commissioners are handled through the Imperial Administrative Office in Aurelion Prime.

The district’s proximity to the Citadel District, Regional Military Headquarters, Arcane District, and Church District allows Imperial officials like you to coordinate efficiently with the region’s principal institutions while maintaining administrative independence..."

Max simply listened to him as they finally arrived in the Imperial Commission Quarter.

It occupied a walled enclave of approximately twelve hectares immediately east of the Citadel District.

Unlike the regimented appearance of the Military Headquarters, the Quarter was designed like a civic campus.

The Commander didn’t even need to be halted in the main entrance, as the knights simply bowed and allowed him to enter.

They proceeded to the Imperial Administrative Hall, where they inquired to an administrative official, who was utterly shocked to encounter Max.

He felt like he had just encountered a one in a million chance of meeting with an Imperial Demon Vanguard.

Such rank could only be counted with hands, and they were scattered in the whole Empire, not just in a single province.

Their existences were often celebrated or concealed by the Empire, mostly depended on the Imperial Demon Vanguard’s current strength.

After his momentary shocked, he entertained Max’s inquiries to the best of his abilities and finally chose a special commission residence for him.

The administrative official went as far as offering himself to be their guide on Max’s residence, and Max didn’t disappoint him.

The administrative official had his own horse and became their guide in the commission residences.

Normally, the residences were categorized into Senior Commission Residences, Standard Commission Residences, and Visiting Commissioner Villas.

Each residence combines living accommodations with administrative workspaces, allowing officials to perform their duties without maintaining separate offices elsewhere in the city.

However, there was a rare residence that some of the imperial officials didn’t even know.

The special commission residences, which were always maintained in case those individuals valued highly by the empire arrived.

Especially those Imperial Demon Vanguards.

Finally, Max appeared.

The administrative official was filled with enthusiasm, sharing information with Max.

"The special commission residence assigned for you only consist two of them. In fact, this special commission residence has other name, Imperial Demon Vanguard Residence.

However, given that the Imperial Family rarely rewarded those individuals with such rank, the special commission residence, ever since its establishment has not been resided by an Imperial Demon Vanguard.

But don’t worry, they are maintained.

Despite being an Imperial Demon Vanguard with zero stars, it’s always an honor to meet you."

The Commander and Max were startled.

The Commander asked, "Zero stars? The Imperial Demon Vanguard has their own hierarchy?"

"Of course." The administrative officer glanced at the Commander and felt smug.

He said, "It’s normal for even you, Imperial Captain, to not be aware of their hierarchy. I won’t be surprised you only know about this position when you received the letter from the Imperial Family, am I right?"

The Commander was stunned. He didn’t expect the administrative official to see through him.

He chuckled. "That’s right."

The administrative official nodded. "It’s not that surprising. The Imperial Family didn’t bother hiding their presence, too.

The highest Imperial Demon Vanguard rank ever recorded was the one with seven stars."

"Seven stars?" The Commander’s eyebrows raised. He couldn’t imagine how powerful such an individual was.

The administrative official snickered. "Yes, and you already know him, Imperial Captain.

It’s the First Emperor."

The Commander was utterly shocked, while Max simply smiled.

He wasn’t surprised.

After all, his inherited legacy was so similar with the emperor...

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A/N: I made a stupid mistake that might cost me much time and energy to fix. I interchanged region and province, I’m deeply sorry for that. To clarify, it’s Empire and the province, not a region. It’s a provincial capital city, not a regional capital city. So on and so forth. I hope you understand, I’m really sorry for the inconvenience this may cause.