"Don't fall for it! He's trying to enslave us!" Nadora snapped coldly, warning the others of the sinister man before them.
"Enslave? That's a bit harsh," Orson replied with a chuckle, then cleared his throat. "Look, as long as you girls work hard for me, you'll receive the highest bonuses, top-tier benefits, and hey—if you're popular and perform well, buying back your freedom isn't out of the question."
At that moment, Orson looked every bit the sketchy factory recruiter outside a shady tech plant, selling dreams to naïve new hires.
"Does that mean if they do a good job, they'll be rewarded?" Hazel asked innocently from his side, tilting her head, those big eyes sparkling with admiration.
Orson patted her head and nodded.
Hazel beamed with joy. "Then I want to join too! Please?"
"…Nope," Orson said, his smile twitching. "You don't have long legs like they do. The audience loves tall girls when it comes to dancing."
Hazel pouted, crestfallen. "I can't dance... but I can sing! Let me try just once, okay?"
Orson's arm was going numb from how much she was shaking him. He broke into a cold sweat. "Enough, enough already…"
Forever City did need top-tier beauties to put on a proper entertainment show—it was a golden goose waiting to be milked. But there was no way he'd include Hazel in that category.
Besides, with Light Dragon Empire's elite ready to tear him apart, these gorgeous imperial consorts would make the best leverage imaginable.
Princess Katherine of the Flame Spirits glared at him with disgust. "Dragon Knight! Kill this despicable bastard!"
Dragon Knight Ceylon roared, "Baron! You betrayed the Empire and murdered the Emperor. You will die here!"
His purple-gold dragon reared up, summoning its courage. Flames churned at its maw.
The princesses and their maids cheered, hope reigniting in their hearts.
The indomitable Dragon Knight would restore order, avenge the Emperor, and strike down this wretched tyrant!
"Sure, sure," Orson said with a crooked grin.
And then Crimson Lizard King exploded into motion.
With a bone-rattling crash, she slammed into the Dragon Knight and his mount, sending both hurling across the courtyard.
Her clawed grip latched onto the purple-gold dragon's throat.
The lesser dragon's flame was swallowed whole. Its body trembled, scales shattering like glass under the relentless assault.
Even with the Knight's blessings, a Saint Lord-class mount was no match for Crimson Lizard King's wrath.
Her claws slashed, teeth tore, limbs shattered.
The battlefield turned red with dragon's blood.
The imperial consorts watched in mute horror as the noble Purple-Gold Dragon was brutally dismembered.
Orson touched down lightly beside Ursula, smiling. "You did well."
"I serve no one but you," she replied softly, eyes glinting with devotion.
He'd always planned contingencies. Ursula was bound to Tulikiki through a blood contract. If she turned on him, he would've taken her as a prisoner.
But now… that felt unnecessary.
Orson glanced at the surrounding women. Each had their own unique flair, noble backgrounds, beauty beyond measure. He was practically staring at a potential idol supergroup.
He didn't even like pop culture or idol mania… but damn if it wasn't profitable.
"Go. I can feel the palace is about to be destroyed," Ursula said gently, letting go of Bionna's hand. "He needs you. I can't protect everyone if you stay."
Bionna sniffled. "Come with us, Ursula. My papa's loaded—he can afford both our ransoms!"
"Wonderful!" Orson clapped. "I didn't recognize your noble status, Princess of the Hill Dwarves. I'll contact your father myself to secure your release!"
Nadora's eyes lit up. "I can pay too! My father is the King of the Spirit Tribe!"
Orson glanced her way, then said flatly, "You're not eligible."
"Because your father, Ku'Jalai, and your brother are both on my kill list."
He stared her down, voice ice-cold. "You? Better start bathing. You're going to be a comfort guest."
"You filthy pervert! I'll kill you!" Nadora shrieked, drawing a dagger—
Only for Crimson Lizard King to reappear like a crimson specter, effortlessly disarming her and sending the blade flying.
"Submit or die," the dragoness snarled, her gaze sweeping the trembling harem.
One by one, she cut down the palace guards like wheat beneath a scythe.
Blood sprayed. Screams erupted.
The consorts collapsed in sobs, clinging to each other in terror.
"She's less patient than I am," Orson sighed, arms crossed. "You'd better start thinking carefully."
He was beginning to understand Crimson Lizard King's preferences.
She hated dragonkind—but she also had an oddly hostile reaction to beautiful humanoids, especially the seductive ones.
Orson suspected this was due to her passive ability, Ancient Will – Awakened, which likely had strange effects.
"Master, I'll have Lili relay messages to you regularly," Ursula said, her gaze fiery with conviction.
The Emperor had fallen by Orson's hand. Her faith had been well-placed.
If there were gods in Infinite Dimensions—he was one of them.
"I'll be waiting," Orson replied with a nod.
Lili, Ursula's loyal handmaid, was both messenger and hostage. As long as Ursula didn't betray him, he'd protect Lili—and her entire bloodline.
It was their unspoken pact.
But Orson knew one thing for certain—there were still two massive obstacles in his path.
First, Ursula's contract holder: Tulikiki, the Light Dragon King.
Second, the resurrected false pope: Jenonis.
Logically, as Empress, Ursula should have inherited the imperial authority in Bairinador's absence.
But the real power had gone to a dead man wearing an angel's skin.
Which meant Orson had only one choice—destroy Jenonis.
Then, Crimson Lizard King returned to her full form, lifting the consorts and their maids into the sky, carrying them toward Forever City.
Orson rose with her, but paused mid-flight.
A cascade of golden system notifications flashed in the sky.
US Regional Broadcast:
Usher: "The shame of the past will be repaid tenfold today!"
Usher: "Do you dare face me in a duel to the death!?"
Skyslasher: "Rat of the streets, your time has come! Dragon's Kiss Guild rises again!"
Ivy: "Victory or defeat, all shall witness it!"
TitanBreaker: "The so-called God of Infinite Dimensions… will you run from battle!?"
Crimson Lizard King halted in midair.
Across the sky, hellfire raged.
A dark figure atop a massive dragon roared:
"Orgod! Orgod! Face me and fulfill your promise!"
"He's back! My king has returned! The fire of hell shall burn all creation!"
"Dragon's Kiss is back! Who dares defy Usher!?"
"Wait… did he just call out Orgod? Does he not know Orgod's… not dead?"
"...He's building hype," Orson muttered with a smirk.
Louder, he called, "I propose we fight another day."
Usher paused, slowly turning to face him. "You intend to become the laughingstock of players everywhere?"
Orson's smile didn't waver. "The difference between you and me is—I don't care what players think."
"Then we fight to the death!"
Usher surged forward atop his dragon, fire and fury blazing.
"Not today," Orson said smoothly. "Take a look behind you."
He turned—then went pale.
A monstrous shadow blotted out the sky.
The palace trembled beneath its enormity.
On the minimap, a dozen massive red icons lit up and raced toward them.
The kings of Infinite Dimensions were on the move.
Orson's eyes sharpened. His voice dropped, deep and commanding.
"Judgment upon my enemies—OPEN FIRE!"