The kings of the Light Dragon Empire stared at Orson, first dumbfounded, then seething with fury.
Most of them hailed from various races, but to live and thrive under the Empire's rule, they had been forced—at least in name—to worship the Light God and obey Emperor Bairinador.
As for the Archangel? That was no mere noble.
He hailed from the Celestial Kingdom itself—the object of countless believers' worship. A deity in all but name.
For Jenonis to inhabit the corpse of the previous Pope wasn't blasphemy to the Holy Light Church—it was divine ascension.
"You dare withstand the wrath of an angel, mortal!?"
Jenonis' voice thundered, golden divine radiance bursting like blades across the air.
Though labeled as quasi-God-tier, he was clearly stronger than most of his class.
Lawful power poured outward like a flood. Six ethereal angelic swords formed in the air, their tips aimed directly at Orson.
"Archangel, have mercy!"
"The will of the Celestial Kingdom shall guide Infinite Dimensions—angel, have mercy!"
The imperial ministers and the Four Dukes fell to their knees, bowing in pious reverence.
Even the Dark Dragon faction's three dragon kings were trembling. The divine radiance pouring from Jenonis directly suppressed their innate power.
"I… think I might be in the wrong seat," Alexander muttered, drenched in cold sweat.
Being closest to Orson, he was also the closest to death. His neural feedback module was screaming red alerts for elevated heart rate.
Though Infinite Dimensions couldn't inflict physical pain, spiritual pressure was another matter entirely.
It felt like a waking nightmare.
"Back off, divine plaything!"
Crimson Lizard King growled.
A wave of death energy erupted, instantly disintegrating the six angelic blades and holding Jenonis' pressure at bay.
"Draconis' laws... Vile lizard, always meddling," Jenonis' expression darkened. He slowly withdrew his aura.
"Go on, kill me in a safe zone. I dare you."
Orson's voice cut through the tension, calm and cool. His spiritual resilience had transcended human limits.
Archangel? Eight-winged seraphim? Bring them on.
"Phew... I forgot this is a safe zone," Alexander exhaled. He'd nearly charged in with his God-Slaying Sword out of reflex.
"All these so-called kings and Supremes... you're all just stepping stones. NPCs will be replaced eventually,"
Usher muttered with disdain, glaring at Jenonis with cold arrogance.
In his eyes, only Orson was worthy.
He'd spent enough time in the Dark Dragon Empire to understand one thing clearly: NPCs had a cap. Be they quasi-God or true God-class, they were systems—complex, resilient, but ultimately exploitable.
Players? They were infinite.
Endless resurrections. Infinite growth.
Whether through cash or grinding, players would always surpass the limits of programmed beings.
"In silence, we begin," Aetrexa declared, her voice firm.
She continued, "The Emperor has summoned you all for two matters. First, the royal wedding—a joyous event for all Infinite Dimensions."
A breathtaking woman, dressed in ceremonial white, entered flanked by maids.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Sovereigns."
The Empress-to-be smiled like a blooming white tulip, drawing collective awe.
The court erupted into applause and flattery. Bairinador grinned so wide his jowls nearly split.
"Wonderful, wonderful! My beautiful Empress—how the gods themselves must envy you!"
Alexander opened his mouth, then closed it.
He'd expected some secret boss, a hidden quest line, a moment of legend.
Instead, he was watching a royal soap opera.
Bairinador next to Ursula? A supermodel marrying a sewer toad. It was surreal.
Major Announcement:
Light Dragon Empire's Ursula has won the Emperor's favor!
All players who witnessed her selection will receive discounted NPC services in the capital city, +800 Free Attribute Points, +1000 Skill Points, and 200 Gold.
"Perfect," Orson nodded. As expected.
With Cassandra lost to the corruption of the Crown of Sin, none of the other Empress candidates stood a chance.
Even without divine buffs, Ursula's natural allure was peerless.
Tulikiki, the Holy Dragon King, gave her a rare smile—but Ursula herself looked visibly tense in his presence.
"She was my maid..." Orson gritted his teeth.
But she had a master-servant contract with Tulikiki. Unless Orson defeated or coerced the dragon into releasing her, she'd never truly be free.
"Come, my beauty. Let me have a closer look!"
Bairinador licked his lips, gesturing for court mages to teleport her to the emperor's throne platform.
"Your Majesty! The wedding isn't until tomorrow—this defies tradition!"
One minister cried out.
"Silence! Bring her to me or I'll have your head!"
Bairinador roared, swinging his Artifact and cleaving a table in two.
Jenonis, still expressionless, spoke flatly:
"This violates the Church's doctrines. Please, Your Majesty, show restraint. The Empress belongs to you alone."
The emperor paused, then plastered on a smile.
"Yes, yes. The Pope is right."
He turned, frowning. "Bring me the girl of atonement! I'll purify my sins with her body!"
Alexander blinked. He knew the Empire was rotten, but this was core-deep decay.
"Get used to it," Orson said with a smirk. "This guy's incompetence is in a league of its own."
Even with a major summit underway, Bairinador was up there acting like a horny teen.
It made one thing very clear: someone else had orchestrated the assassination of Purple-Gold Dragon King.
Not Bairinador—he didn't have the brain cells.
Tulikiki? Too obsessed with maintaining balance.
Only one suspect remained: the false pope—Jenonis.
Aetrexa cleared her throat:
"The second matter—our Witches foresee invaders from beyond. The future holds war. Infinite Dimensions must choose: do we attack... or defend?"
She gestured to the air.
A prompt appeared before Orson: War or Defense.
All kings exchanged glances. Magic beams lit up the council hall as votes began casting.
One by one, silvery-gray symbols of Defense appeared in the air.
"War! Why not fight!?"
Velorith's dragon eyes blazed with rage. She glared at the others.
Tulikiki sighed and cast his vote—Defense.
"Coward."
Velorith sneered, her glowing red "War" symbol rising defiantly.
Jenonis shot her a sharp glance. Clearly, this hadn't been part of the script.
Now, all eyes fell on Orson.
He had killed two dragon kings. His actions had directly led to the weakening of Light Dragon Empire's war efforts.
Everyone was waiting to see if he would drive the final nail into the coffin.
"I am the Conqueror."
Orson's voice rang out, eyes sweeping across the thrones.
"No matter what this council decides, I will march across every hostile world."
The bloodlust in his tone sent chills down spines.
He added coldly:
"Any NPC who dares cower in defense... I'll pay you a personal visit—one by one."