In a flash, Orson's mind went blank.
"Baron, oh Baron... word is you stirred up my consort selection just for this woman. You didn't think I wouldn't find out, did you?"
Bairinador let out a manic laugh, groping the captive woman in front of a room full of kings.
And in that instant—
It was as if a spark dropped into the deepest recesses of Orson's soul... and ignited a wildfire.
"YOU! TOUCH! HER?! YOU'RE DEAD!!"
His eyes turned blood-red.
"Hazel!!!" he roared.
Crimson Lizard King immediately sensed her master's wrath and began to swell in form, her draconic power twisting space.
ROAAAAR!!!
Her deafening bellow shattered the ceiling's calm. It resounded across the imperial skies, infused with divine fury.
"You've uncovered a hidden quest trigger."
"Attacking Light Dragon Emperor Bairinador will initiate a hostile state between your guild [Godslayer] and the Light Dragon Empire."
"Quest Tier: Legendary."
"Quest Objective: Topple the Light Dragon Empire. Force its surrender or complete destruction."
"Quest Failure Penalty: All guild members reset to level 1. Godslayer disbanded."
"This is a high-risk mission. Walking away now will incur no penalty."
But Orson didn't hesitate.
The Supreme Council's outcome had already crossed the line.
This war was inevitable. He wasn't just accepting the hardest quest in the game—he was going to collect Bairinador's head.
"That crown's coming off. Today."
"Baron, you dare?!"
Jenonis shouted in fury.
"Sword of the Apocalypse."
Orson's voice was icy. Crimson aura exploded around him. The Supreme Arcane Blade pointed straight at the throne. His golden skull mask slid into place.
A ghostly whisper echoed:
"After I kill him... you're next."
"You've crossed the line, Baron!"
Aetrexa stood her ground, radiant in silver, unshakable as a mountain.
Dwarf King: "A peasant adventurer dares defy an Emperor? With a thought, His Majesty could squash you like a goblin!"
Merman King: "The ocean shall drown your insolence."
Tulikiki: "Lower your weapon, Baron. Ask His Majesty for mercy. You may yet live."
Duke Xien: "I understand your anger... but this is our family's consequence to bear. Stop this."
The Light Dragon Empire's nobles barked their warnings.
But from the Dark Dragon faction—Nora, Fearmonger Dragon King, Wrathfire Dragon King—there was only amused silence. They were waiting for the bloodbath.
"You think I fear you?!"
Bairinador barked, frothing at the mouth.
"She's your woman? Then I'll crush her throat, skin her alive, and hang her corpse from the palace walls. Let's see what you do then!"
The emperor's clawed hand clamped around Hazel's neck, slamming her into the throne.
Bound by Forbidden Magic shackles, she couldn't resist. Her HP began to plummet.
"I warned you not to come here."
Ku'Jalai, a shadowy specter, appeared behind Orson like death itself.
"You'll die for your arrogance."
"Step aside," Aetrexa said, dragon spear glowing in hand.
Her power was absolute—enough to make even top-tier players tremble.
"Step aside? You really think I'll back down now?!"
Orson laughed, but there was madness in it.
Hazel—yes, an NPC. But the purest soul he'd ever met.
She got lost sometimes. Walked into monster traps.
But never once showed malice toward player or NPC.
She was sweet, soft, painfully innocent.
And now—
They were offering her as tribute. Like some filthy tax paid in flesh.
The Light Dragon Empire.
The Xien Family.
He'd had enough.
To hell with them all.
"Temporary Safe Zone — Lifted!"
"BURN IT TO THE GROUND!"
"My master shall reign over all creation!"
Crimson Lizard King unleashed her wrath.
"Blazing Meteor Shower!!"
The sky cracked. Flame and fury rained down like a divine apocalypse.
The imperial war hall shook violently, the roof blown open as dozens of hellish fire meteors crashed toward the throne—toward Bairinador and Jenonis!
WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT:
Godslayer has declared war on its affiliated empire: Light Dragon Empire!
WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT:
The throne has been challenged! What comes next, fortune or destruction... none can predict.
Global chaos erupted.
"WHAT?! A player guild declared war... on an empire?! Is this for real?"
"Godslayer's finally lost it. Orgod's death drove them mad."
"Actually... this is probably because the Light Dragon Empire chose defense. Looks like a revolt."
"Still, they're insane. Suicide mission."
Messages flooded every server.
Most laughed.
To challenge a god-tier NPC empire? Madness.
But not everyone was laughing.
"IT'S WAR, BOYS!!"
Madman roared, immediately bailing from the Blood Demon raid.
"Forget defending some crusty NPCs—this is what I live for!"
Bradley:
"If the sky won't bend to us, then we tear it down! Screw the emperor. Money Traveler's in."
Even Blood Demon bosses weren't worth skipping this war for.
Celestial Fortress.
Wild Gale dropped his practice sword and looked to the horizon.
"It's time."
Demon God Swordmaster Darkbo narrowed his eyes.
"I'll follow God-Emperor's path... all the way to the Supreme Guild."
His blade screamed to life—blood-red lightning split the sky like Judgment Day.
"Godslayer — Assemble!!"
Raven's war cry rang out. Chimera at his side, he rallied the troops.
Grinder, the guild's most fanatical grinder, stepped up too—his kill count in the beast-tribe campaign had won him a secret class: Chimera Godhunter.
Iron Cavalry: "Time to go to work, boys!"
Old Yin: "Quit whining, we're here to crush empires and steal brides."
Heartbroken Loli: "Why only brides? I want a whole squad of pretty boys!"
Ruby: "I second that! Ten nobleman eye-candies, please!"
Bradley walked by with a grimace.
"...I'm telling your mother."
Dancing Giant Boobs smirked.
"Let them be, Bradley. Big war coming."
Ruby: "You're the best, Big Boobs! I'll get you the hottest one!"
Bradley sighed.
"Fine. Whatever keeps you happy."
Then he barked an order:
"GOD-EMPEROR ARTILLERY—RAISE THE CANNONS!"
"Raise the Holy Relic Cannons!"
"Target — The Imperial Palace!"
"Begin charging! In 30 seconds, I want that place scorched clean!"
Meanwhile, in the palace...
"HELP! SOMEONE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!!"
Bairinador shrieked like a pig, yanking Hazel in front of him as a human shield.
Jenonis, unfazed, sneered:
"You dare wage war on an empire? You're arrogant beyond reason!"
Holy light erupted from his body. He lifted a hand—
S-Class Light Magic: Celestial Judgment!
Blades of divine light—extensions of the Archangel's will—shot out and pierced through the meteor shower like knives through paper.
"So you came prepared."
Orson's gaze sharpened as Bradley's message flashed on-screen.
Aetrexa:
"You've chosen your end, Baron."
She surged forward, dragon spear flashing, a storm of silver light trailing behind her.
She was lightning. A living weapon. Faster than thought.
Clang!
A sudden strike halted her advance. Her eyes widened.
"You...?"
Even Orson was shocked.
"What's this supposed to mean...?"
A bolt of violet lightning shattered space—
A lone figure stepped in front of Orson.
Velorith.
Weapon drawn. Lightning blade crackling in hand.
He didn't turn to look.
"I'm not fighting for you."
"But I'll stand here—and defend the last honor of the dragon race."