"Lord God-Emperor, Cassandra will meet with a high-ranking figure at the Garden of Blossoms in thirty minutes. Not sure if that's who you're looking for."
The message came through the Combat Bro link. Orson nodded. "Good. You can come back now."
With a flash of light, the Combat Bro summon activated, and Lili appeared by Orson's side.
[Notice: The Empress Selection Event is nearing its final stage. Hazel is en route to the Royal Plaza.]
[Notice: If Hazel is successfully chosen, Abyss-tier hidden quest 'Family Sacrifice: Hazel' will fail. You will lose 2 levels and 10,000 gold.]
The alert echoed in his ears. Orson's eyes narrowed as he looked toward the Royal Plaza.
"Damn! Who is this heiress? Even Domain Lord-class wind drakes are reduced to carriage haulers?"
"Damn, that's a fierce-looking NPC. Even hotter than the other empress candidates!"
"Hazel? Isn't that the chick from the starter village and Pondenorlin City? Turns out she's from the Platinum House? Damn!"
From the sky, silver light poured like a waterfall. Four snow-white steeds, infused with dragon blood, walked on air, pulling a lavishly decorated carriage toward the central stage.
"Damn, that silver waterfall's actually full of silver coins!"
"This is next-level campaign strategy! People grabbing coins left and right! It's genius!"
Coins fell like rain from the hands of maidservants flanking the carriage. NPCs and players alike swarmed below, scrambling to pick them up.
"Yo, that girl's hot! Drunken Dream, she looks a lot like your wife."
Madman elbowed Drunken Dream, teasing, "Wanna play matchmaker? Let's be in-laws."
"She's Lilith's cousin. Of course, they look alike," Drunken Dream replied, a faint bitterness in his smile. He'd once hoped to pursue Hazel—until someone forced him into marrying a duke's daughter. What could he do? Marry he did. Thankfully, Lilith was head over heels for him, and he had no complaints.
"This is trouble…"
Orson frowned. Hazel stood on stage, her face hidden by a white veil. She radiated purity and grace, a shy elegance that tugged at his heart.
"Infinite Dimensions never disappoints! A new babe every day. I could play this game forever!"
"Hazel! Hazel, I love you!"
"Forget the Purple-Gold Princess or the Mermaid Princess—I only want Hazel!"
Simps below screamed their undying love, waving flags and banners for Hazel.
With her stunning looks and the Xian family's brute-force coin tactics, Hazel didn't even need to perform. Her spot as an Empress candidate was all but secured.
"Bullshit…" Orson muttered under his breath.
Hazel stepped onto the floating stage, bashful and nervous, head lowered as she addressed the crowd.
"I… I am Hazel Xian, from the Platinum House. I hope… I hope…"
"We love you!"
A random neckbeard screamed from below, triggering a wave of laughter.
Hazel bit her lip and looked up, her eyes glistening. "Thank you."
To save her family, she had no choice but to play this role—pleasing citizens, adventurers, and the unpredictable young emperor.
"Something's wrong with Orgod's face."
Bradley raised a brow.
"He's wearing a mask, dude. You got x-ray vision now?" Madman asked.
"No, but look at his fists—clenched like iron. And the tiles under him are cracking."
Blank and the others turned their attention to Orson. Blank smirked. "What's wrong, Godmage? Don't tell me you're jealous of an NPC?"
"You don't know shit."
Orson shot them a glare. He knew Hazel had no shot at becoming empress. With Ursula around—gifted with charm and the Crown of Sin—the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
But seeing Hazel like this, pure and kind, offering herself to the crowd… it made his blood boil.
"She's part of a hidden quest. I can't let her win," Orson coughed, feigning composure.
"Oooooh~~" Madman and Bradley heckled in unison.
Blank: "And here I thought someone only cared about profit. Turns out, you've got a soft spot."
Stewart: "Boss charging forward for love!"
Orson smacked Stewart's head, then took a step forward and vanished in a streak of light, soaring toward the stage.
"Adventurer! You are forbidden from approaching the stage! Arrest him!"
Royal guards formed a barrier in front of him, but Orson simply whispered, "Berenice."
"Here I come! Dragon King Smash!"
The dumb egg shrieked as it charged forward. With a crack, the million-HP barrier shattered instantly.
"What the hell? The barrier just broke like that?"
"Isn't that the Forever City Lord? Is he trying to steal the emperor's bride?!"
The audience erupted as Orson calmly approached Hazel.
"That presence… it's you, isn't it?" Hazel whispered, lifting her veil to reveal her delicate, blushing face—equal parts joy and hesitation.
"She's not participating in any vote. I don't care if you're a player or an NPC," Orson declared coldly.
"You dare interrupt the emperor's selection?! Seize him!" a guard captain roared.
Dozens of elite palace guards charged. Each was at least level 80 with Elite Boss stats.
But Orson wasn't in the mood for a full-scale war yet. He toggled on the Light Elf King's Envoy title.
The guards immediately halted. Only the captain scowled. "Even if you're the War Supreme's envoy, you'll be punished once the conference ends."
"Try me," Orson replied with a smirk.
As the guards withdrew, Hazel clutched her hands together, whispering, "Maybe I should just go through with it. If I don't become empress, the Xian family will be ruined. The Inquisition won't let us go…"
Orson gently took her hand. "You don't need to sacrifice yourself. I'm here."
Hazel looked at him with shining eyes. "I believe you."
Behind the mask, Orson smiled.
[Your intimacy with Hazel +10]
[Intimacy level with Hazel exceeds 99]
[Your relationship has surpassed friendship]
[Hazel is in love with you]
The intimacy system had reached the marriage-and-children threshold.
Hazel held his hand tighter, as if entrusting him with her entire heart.
"You think you're something? Get the hell off the stage!"
"Stupid adventurer! You're disrespecting tradition! The Light God will curse you!"
"You might be strong, Forever City Lord, but going against all of us players? That's suicide!"
"Let me vote! I'm picking Hazel, just to spite you!"
"Yeah! Screw this Orgod wannabe!"
A mob of furious players cursed from below.
Just then, Bradley launched into the air with his jetpack, landing beside Orson with a cold snort.
"Who wants to vote?"
"Money Traveler?!"
"WTF? Is Godslayer turning into bootlickers now? Orgod bows once and they all fall in line?"
The crowd was stunned. Bradley's silver hair gleamed under the light. He gazed down at the players. "Anyone who votes—dies. Try me."
The mob immediately quieted.
"Supreme Guild is now permanently based in Forever City. Anyone who crosses the City Lord… crosses me."
Drunken Dream descended from the sky atop his dragon. His radiance made it hard to even look at him.
"Slaughter Guild is forming an alliance with the Forever City Lord."
Blank stood atop a Domain Master-class black-feathered raptor, arms crossed, her cold gaze sweeping the crowd.
The players were speechless.
Three top guilds.
Three world-class elites.
Surrounding Orson and Hazel like stars around the moon.
Everyone knew—going against the Forever City Lord now was asking to be erased.