Orson's expression turned grim as an overwhelming pressure swept across him.
Even when he'd faced the Four Dragon Kings, he hadn't felt this tense.
Aetrexa, the Dragon Knight, had left behind so many legendary feats that even the most arrogant high-tier trial players held her in awe.
She was the Empire's sharpest sword, a beacon of hope for mortals.
Some even believed that if not for the cowardice of the Emperor, the US Battle Region—with Aetrexa holding the line—could have led the Infinite Dimensions' dragon riders and the trial players to completely wipe out the invading Heaven Demons.
Orson narrowed his eyes and tried checking her stats.
[Guardian of the Light Dragon Empire · Commander of the Imperial Black Guard · Aetrexa]
[Blessed by the Four Dragon Kings · Bane of Heresy · Sub-God-Level Lifeform]
[Level: 120]
[Warning: Due to the effects of an Ancient Relic, you are unable to view this target's detailed attributes!]
"Peeking at a Guardian? How rude."
Aetrexa's voice was cold and sharp, like being plunged into an ice bath.
She turned her head slightly to glance at Orson. Her golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, and the obsidian rings on her long fingers pulsed with a faint glow.
Orson felt the pressure mount. Sweat formed on his brow.
Even if he couldn't see her stats, her titles alone were enough to make any player's spine tingle.
"I'm taking him. The Empire will judge him for his crimes."
Aetrexa turned away with nonchalant elegance, leaving Orson with nothing but her striking, dominant silhouette.
This woman…
Cool to the point of arrogance.
Without another word, Aetrexa grabbed Hillogu by the collar and strode toward the portal.
"Wait."
Orson finally spoke up. He did respect Aetrexa—her presence alone was enough to keep the invading Heaven Demons in check.
But Orson was no pushover. Letting someone take away a kill target right in front of him? That was a public slap in the face.
"Baron, do you disagree with my actions?" Aetrexa asked without even turning around.
Disagree? Hell yes, he disagreed!
Hillogu had to die. If not, it would seriously impact his plans for taking control of the Light Dragon Empire.
Aetrexa replied flatly, "His fate will be decided by the most just tribunal. You're just a Baron. You don't get a say."
She looked down from above, this paragon of conquest who had shaken the Empire to its core.
"She's a creation of the gods. Master, I suggest we retreat and wait," Laketon suddenly whispered in Orson's mind.
Orson frowned. When the hell had Laketon slipped away?
"She can see you?" Orson messaged back in surprise.
Laketon paused before replying, "She's attained a trace of divinity. Even if she can't see me, she senses someone watching… She might even destroy this body of mine."
"So you're saying she's like a firewall of the Infinite Dimensions world?" Orson asked, baffled.
Aetrexa, as a native Dragon Knight NPC, really did resemble a digital firewall—like the last line of defense for the Light Dragon Empire.
Laketon didn't answer directly, only urging him to stay far away from this dangerous woman.
"I said stop!"
Orson's tone dropped, his voice like steel.
Aetrexa froze and turned back slightly, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"Are you talking to me? You know you're no match for me."
Orson's expression changed.
His strongest asset was the Crimson Lizard King's Law—able to ignore the power of even Demi-God Supremes.
But NPCs like Aetrexa weren't just about rules, stats, and skills.
Sometimes, raw combat technique trumped everything—like Sword God Alexander, who could slay Domain Master bosses bare-handed.
"Maybe not right now."
Orson smirked.
"But my prey is mine. No one takes my kill from me."
"Not even the gods can stop me!"
As the words dropped, Orson let out a roar. Underneath his golden skull mask, two ghostly flames blazed to life.
Chaotic battle energy surged skyward—the wrath of a mortal god igniting the heavens!
Aetrexa's silver eyes flickered. The Supreme Arcane Blade burst into flames, casting a crimson glow on her flawless face.
Hillogu screamed, "Aetrexa! I don't wanna die!"
On instinct, she raised her silver dragon lance. The very air trembled with its power.
Orson's heart pounded. The world before him shifted.
In his vision stood a female war god, her feet atop mountains of enemy corpses, twisting the severed head of a Dark Dragon King in her hand.
But the strike—powerful enough to tear reality—did not fall.
Instead, her lips curved into a resigned sigh.
"You've broken the laws of Infinite Dimensions… You'll destroy this world."
Orson's voice turned low, wearied but resolute.
"Break down, then rise again."
Aetrexa loosened her grip on Hillogu.
In the next second, a flaming sword pierced straight through him.
Fatal Blow – 12,000,000 damage!
DEAD!
You have slain Earl Hillogu!
Light Dragon Empire hostility +100,000!
Aetrexa has forfeited the right to punish you.
Your territory [Forever City] and guild [Godslayer] are now in a state of imminent war with the Light Dragon Empire!
Gold coins rained down like a mountain.
At the summit lay a uniquely shaped Holy Grail and several dimensional scrolls.
"Walk carefully, outsider," Aetrexa said softly, gazing at the title above Orson's head: [Messenger of the Light Elves].
Her warm smile carried a touch of helplessness.
"You too, Aetrexa."
Orson nodded calmly.
Without looking back, Aetrexa stepped into the portal.
Only after it vanished completely did Orson exhale deeply.
"Damn… That woman's pressure is insane."
He wiped the cold sweat off his brow. Everything had gone according to plan, but it still left a chill in his bones.
The [Messenger of the Light Elves] title was borderline broken—almost like a bug.
Even someone as special as Aetrexa, being part of the Light Dragon Empire, couldn't attack him unless he made the first move—at least not until after the [War Supreme Summit] event.
"Hand me the Crown of Sin."
Orson refocused and turned to Ursula, who stood next to Lili.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ursula said with a gentle smile, respectfully offering a hairpin.
You obtained quest item: [Crown of Sin]!
Hell-tier hidden quest: Crown of Sin complete!
Deliver it to Cassandra at the Light Dragon Empire's capital for your reward.
"Hillogu is dead. Your vengeance is complete. Time to pledge yourself to me."
Orson's eyes were sharp. Ursula was his top choice for Empress, but he couldn't fully trust her.
A woman with that much cunning could turn at any moment.
He needed a puppet—nothing more.
He raised a hand, and a servant-master blood pact appeared before her.
"Accept my control."
But Ursula's expression darkened. "I'm sorry… I can't."
"…Can't?"
Orson's tone dropped, now laced with cold fury. "Do you think I'm someone you can just toy with?"
"No! I believe in your power, my Emperor."
Ursula stepped forward slowly, her eyes glowing with feverish devotion. "You can take everything from me—even my body."
Orson was caught completely off guard.
Her perfect, delicate face turned dreamy, blending seduction with innocence.
She leaned against him and began to slowly undress, her flawless body laid bare before him.
"Shame! Shame!! Evil dragon, eat her! She's gross!!"
Berenice, perched on Orson's shoulder, shrieked in outrage.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Lizard King—having finished off the Bone Dragon King—was now sprinting toward Orson in human form, her blood-red eyes full of murderous intent.
What the hell is even happening!?
Orson's mind went blank. A man of honor like him had never dealt with a scene like this before!