When these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent. Not only were Darswan and the guards stunned, but the players' jaws nearly hit the floor.
The players felt like they were on a roller coaster of emotions. Even though they wanted to shout "cheating bastard" to call out Orson for breaking the game's balance, they realized they had just been offered a zero-cost purchase. They had turned it down... and in doing so, missed out on a fortune!
They had missed a billion gold!
That was far worse than being killed by NPCs right there!
Darswan: "Lolofey, I see you've been blinded by dark forces. The Tribunal will have you burned at the stake!"
The guards of the church were furious, but the status of the church's priests, especially the Dust Light Church's high-ranking members, was second only to the archbishops. Though they were angry, they did not dare stop Berenice from taking the treasures and dragging them out of the barrier.
"Is this old fool Tulikiki up to his tricks again?"
Orson's eyes narrowed as he stared at the priest Lolofey.
Lolofey gave a sycophantic smile: "The enemy of the Chaos Sect, Golden Dragon King, is dead, and only a few of his descendants are left, too timid to cause trouble. Now, you are our Holy Light Church's friend, and these treasures are a small token of our gratitude."
"Friend?"
Orson smiled faintly, knowing full well that this old trickster, the Golden Dragon King, had a lot of tricks up his sleeve. This was just a way for the Holy Light Church to smooth things over with him and build a relationship.
As for the claim that the Golden Dragon King's enemies were defeated—it was a joke. The Holy Light Church had always been hostile to cultists, and the Golden Dragon King had been ruthlessly hunting them down. Tulikiki couldn't possibly have been unaware of this. He just turned a blind eye, using the Golden Dragon King as a pawn.
Orson wasn't the type to owe anyone favors, but if the Church wanted to send him gifts, he would gladly accept. If Tulikiki had any more schemes, Orson wasn't afraid to tear the relationship with the Empire apart.
"Big guy, my game console has a 1000+ ms delay. I heard what you said, but this useless character can't respond. Now, you point at who, and I'll hit them!"
"Yeah! Our [Rock Hero] Guild officially joins the Forever City Lord's plundering gang!"
"Forever City Lord is invincible, we'll follow him to hit the jackpot!"
The players, regaining their composure, shouted their allegiance, enthusiastically marking their loyalty on their foreheads.
"Good, very good! Honestly, I had a little lag too!" Orson said with a serious expression.
"The big guy is wise!"
A crowd of players crowded around Orson, showering him with praise. Orson smiled faintly: "I'm not wise, but if we're exploiting a game glitch, everyone gets a share!"
The players gasped in awe. Over thirty items below the holy artifact level were spread out on the floor, and they couldn't help but drool at the sight.
Many of these items were incomplete holy artifacts with special effects. Even if Orson couldn't find the missing pieces, just the attached effects alone could easily be worth over two million gold.
It was a free meal, and the meal was made of pure gold!
To the players, Orson was like a god, but he acted humble and down-to-earth, embodying the persona of Forever City Lord who was generous and friendly with everyone.
Everyone thought to themselves, this guy is so much more approachable than the lofty Orgod!
"Don't worry, I won't make a move on friends. Once I say something, I won't take it back," Orson said, narrowing his eyes and gesturing for the players to pick through the "loot."
Unlike ordinary players, however, these guys didn't rush to grab everything. They looked like they were ready to pounce, but each of them was a tough opponent, and they weren't in a hurry.
"I won't be polite then!"
Several of the leading players nodded at Orson, signaling their subordinates to step forward and take the treasures they liked.
Orson's lips curled up. These weren't ordinary sightseeing players from Dust Light Church. The players here had the strength to start taking on quests from the Church and exchange holy artifacts.
"Forever City will soon be established. I look forward to having you all come to show your support!" Orson said.
"That's a must! If there are any shop slots, please save one for us."
"I'm not interested in business, but if there are women and dice spins, I'll definitely come to support!"
"Great! We'll have some imperial concubine candidates come for the fun!"
Orson revealed his true intentions, and the group of players laughed heartily, pledging to bring their forces to support the city when the time came.
Orson knew that while a city was important, without wealthy sponsors, it was nothing.
On the surface, it seemed like he had lost millions in item value, but in reality, he would earn far more. He had no doubt about the spending power of these rich players.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with them, Orson bid them farewell.
Lolofey guided him to a private room in the church.
"Lolofey, there's no need for formalities!"
Lolofey had set up a lavish feast, with four lovely women standing by to serve Orson.
These women were stunningly beautiful, with fair skin and fiery bodies, dressed in nothing but black sheer fabric, clearly offering themselves up for his pleasure.
NPCs tempting players into crime weren't new, but once a player succumbed, there was a high chance that a mysterious hidden quest would pop up. It would force the player into signing agreements, such as friendly pacts or non-aggression covenants.
"Such a shame, if Madman were here, I'd have him live his dream!" Orson sighed. He was always thinking of his brothers.
"By the way, Lolofey, do you know where Ursula is?"
Orson raised his cup, took a sip, and smiled as he asked.
"Ursula? Why are you looking for Ursula?" Lolofey's face changed, his tone growing heavy.
"I have a few heartfelt words to say to her."
Orson removed his skull mask, the corner of his lips curling slightly. With a sharp gaze, Lolofey's nervousness was easily exposed.
"That... that's... I'm afraid I can't disclose that," Lolofey stammered, signaling one of the women to "act."
The woman, Ohelia, smiled coyly as she sat on Orson's lap, pressing her delicate body close to his chest. The sensation made Orson's heart skip a beat.
What the hell?!
"Get off — you ants!"
Before Orson could react, a voice filled with murderous intent rang out, and the air around the room was filled with a deathly aura.
Ohelia trembled, her face turning pale as she knelt on the floor, no longer daring to offer her "services."
Even Lolofey was shaking like a leaf, exclaiming, "It's the voice of that great one!"
"Hehehe... Draconis's offspring still can't change their jealous nature. This is quite amusing!"
Laketon, like a ghost, chuckled from the side.
Orson sighed, "What a terrible game experience..."
A hand emerged from the void and ruthlessly tore open the Battle Space. Crimson Lizard King coldly drew his bone sword and stood behind Orson.
"Speak! Where is that woman? My master has important matters to discuss with her!"
Crimson Lizard King's face was covered in frost, his black dragon armor concealing his form. Despite his imposing figure, he gave off nothing but an aura of endless death.
With a hum, he slammed the bone sword into the long table in front of Lolofey and coldly said, "If you don't speak, you will become my meal!"
Lolofey, though a Domain Lord-Class priest, was nothing more than a trembling mess in front of the true dragon's might. His teeth chattered, "She's in the Blissful Purity! It's a secret church stronghold, only a few clergy members are allowed access!"
"You have obtained a new quest clue!"
"The quest to bribe or threaten Priest Lolofey has been cancelled!"
"Quest updated!"
The sound of the clue prompt barely finished when the task was already marked as complete.
Crimson Lizard King's eyes were as sharp as a blade, and with just a glance, Lolofey hurriedly cried out, "I can be your guide!"