"All holy followers of the Empire—heed my command!"
Jenonis soared into the heavens, his angelic wings radiating purest brilliance. Suspended above the scorched wasteland that was once the royal palace, the Archangel's fury boiled beneath his calm facade.
He raised the flaming Sacred Sword of Scorching Judgment, his voice thundering across the kingdom:
"Spread the will of the Light God to every inch of this land! Let all who stand with Orgod feel the Empire's righteous wrath!"
"He's… he's a real angel! Is he here to save us?"
"Declare war on those cursed adventurers! I'll crush their heads in my hands—avenge my wife!"
The capital's citizens looked skyward, eyes brimming with tears. Like wheat bowing in a storm, they knelt as one, praying with fanatic devotion and loudly cursing the adventurers.
Amidst the crumbling battlefield, Velorith's maniacal laughter echoed.
"Unmatched human warrior, Aetrexa, why do you persist in your delusions?"
She had fought Velorith, endured an ambush by the other kings, and now stood bloodied and battered, her once-mighty dragon armor fractured and broken.
"You humans betrayed us dragons long ago. And yet, you still believe the Infinite Dimensions belong solely to your kind?"
Aetrexa's calm gaze flickered. In response to his taunt, she raised her dragon lance again.
"Silence! The will of the Sky God is absolute!" Velorith roared.
Now that the Death God Dragon King had departed and his law-nullifying aura faded, Velorith activated his own divine authority—his body merging with lightning.
The air crackled as he slashed wildly with his blade, attempting to break the encirclement.
"Dragon Knight Art—Heaven and Earth Forgotten!"
Aetrexa's golden hair fluttered. Her spear gleamed with a light that merged with heaven and earth. With one strike, she shattered the clouds above and pierced the heavens.
Her lance thundered through Velorith's chest, nailing him to the cliff face.
Velorith coughed blood but laughed even as Aetrexa advanced again.
"You're no better than Tulikiki… a coward seeking false honor."
Her brows twitched. For just a fraction of a second, her spear paused.
That's all Velorith needed.
With a surge of will, he reverted into a massive lightning dragon. His tail cracked like thunder, striking Aetrexa and forcing her back.
Without looking back, Velorith vanished into the sky.
Aetrexa stared after him without emotion, returning to the Holy Dragon Sanctuary.
"Are you questioning my decision?" Jenonis sneered coldly as she landed. "Or are you questioning the will of God?"
She met his eyes with calm defiance. "I've done all I can, Your Holiness."
The Archangel clenched his teeth. Humans were ants—useful only for offering faith. He could crush them by the hundreds with a single gesture.
She had divine favor. Even for a being like him, she was not to be underestimated.
"Judiciary Lord!" Jenonis barked.
"The House of Lightning and the House of Platinum have conspired with adventurers. Send them to the Black Sun Prison!"
The two dukes exchanged a look of despair. As mighty nobles, they could resist anyone—anyone but an Archangel. Forbidden Magic shackles locked around their wrists as they were dragged away.
"Imperial Guard! Raise the war signal! Prepare for battle!" Aetrexa commanded.
A beam of black light shot from the sanctuary, detonating midair and forming the ominous character "War" high above the capital.
One by one, signal flares rose above nearby cities.
"It begins." Orson murmured, gazing up at the blazing sky.
This was the price of killing the Emperor.
But it was also an opportunity.
To build a player-led super empire.
The Light Dragon Empire, a slumbering primordial beast, had finally awakened under Orson's hand.
Throughout Infinite Dimensions, armies marched. Troops and warlords gathered from all directions.
Flying beasts darkened the sky. Between them, hundreds of magical warships rose into the heavens, their firepower rivaling the gods.
And among them, ten massive flagships, larger than dragons and shimmering with dread power.
Each over a thousand meters long, emblazoned with the banners of the Empire's most ancient noble houses.
These were the Dawn-Class Flagships, armed with ancient cannons nearly equal to Celestial Fortress's divine artillery.
They surrounded Orson's fortress like sharks circling prey.
"Get us out—now!" Madman barked.
The Celestial Fortress began shimmering. Every second drained gold from the guild's coffers.
Moments later, it vanished like a shooting star.
Elsewhere, in the ruins of the palace—
Ursula hovered midair, Crown of Sin glowing above her head. Crimson runes spiraled around her body.
Under the passive effect of Harmless Immunity, she was untouchable—as long as she didn't initiate harm.
Her gemstone-like eyes sparkled with satisfaction. She looked upon the untouched Holy Dragon Sanctuary and laughed softly.
Ten shadowy figures knelt before her.
"Blood Empress, the Duke of Lightning and the Duke of Platinum have been imprisoned."
These bloodkin weren't powerful—but that made them perfect spies. Easy to overlook. Hard to catch.
And perfect for gathering intel.
"I imagine Jenonis will soon force their families to surrender their military command," Ursula said, her eyes sharp.
One of the elders hesitated. "If you plan to break into the death prison… we lack the strength."
Ursula smiled. "Their lives don't matter. What matters is the leverage."
"The Xian family and the Leinor family have ruled for centuries. They won't surrender easily."
"Send word to both clans," she ordered. "Pledge loyalty to the Empress, and your houses will be spared."
"And tell Lili to leak the names and locations of the exiled Light Dragon princes to the God of Mortals."
"Then, issue a royal decree—Quest: Hunt the Lost Blood of the Royal Family. Spread rumors that one of them holds an imperial artifact."
This was no longer the gentle, soft-spoken Ursula. This was a woman who knew how to strike—how to dominate.
If Orson saw her now, his jaw would hit the floor.
Like a lotus blooming from blood, Ursula had shed her chains. The master-servant contract was fading.
Her master, Tulikiki, was likely dying.
And she? She had seized her moment.
Even Jenonis and Tulikiki were now pieces on her board.
If handled correctly, she might even flip the noble armies to her side.
As for the exiled royal bloodline?
Once adventurers learned their locations, those poor fools were as good as dead.
And without royal heirs, Tulikiki's dream of crowning a new emperor would vanish like smoke.
Ursula looked toward the sanctuary, eyes cold and serene.
"An eye for an eye. Blood for blood. The Light Dragon Empire needs no emperor—