Chapter 276: 276: Hidden Agendas
As Orson's words fell, countless towering pillars materialized out of thin air. The once-ruined Celestial Fortress began to rapidly restore itself.
At the same time, the real-time repair process of Celestial Fortress played out in front of all guild members.
A thunderous rumble shook the ground as layers of dirt and tree roots peeled away from the fortress's exterior. Like an ancient behemoth awakening from an eternal slumber, it shed the filth accumulated over countless ages.
Beneath the layers of debris, the true form of the fortress was finally revealed—thirty-three mobile black obelisks, similar to those found in the ruins of Bone Dragon Stronghold, but far larger in both diameter and length.
At the center of them stood a colossal purple-gold obelisk, towering like a Celestial greatsword pointed at the heavens. It was as tall as the thousand-meter-high watchtowers that lined the skies.
Nightshade: "Holy sh—… It's massive. It's thick. My god, this thing is actually called... Artifact—Gaedashiram's Wrath!"
[Regional Announcement: The Godslayer Guild has accomplished an extraordinary feat. All members will receive double experience for 24 hours!]
[Regional Announcement: When Celestial marches, all demons flee!]
"Shit! What the hell is this guild pulling off now?"
"Celestial marches… Damn, what an insane declaration!"
"First Battlefield is going crazy! Holy crap, that sky fortress is moving!"
HypeLeech: "Sci-fi game? This is turning into a goddamn sci-fi game! Just… don't come to Windbreak City, we barely made it here. I'm begging you!"
The entire World Chat erupted into chaos. Those eight words—"When Celestial marches, all demons flee!"—boomed like thunder in the minds of players across the server.
Since the game's launch, plenty of people had triggered server-wide announcements, and Orson wasn't the only one to receive special recognition from the system.
But this level of system commentary? Even the most powerful guilds of New York District were breaking out in cold sweats.
First Battlefield - Global Powerhouses Gather
"The Silver Dragon Knight King is here!"
"The Flame Dragon Paladin Queen too! Holy hell, look at all these massive war beasts! What the hell are they trying to do? Are they planning to take down the fortress?"
"Is that… the Demon Emperor? Riding a Titan-blooded Beast?"
Countless guild members flooded into First Battlefield, all eager to witness history in the making.
A shadow loomed over the land—a hundred-meter-long serpent, its body covered in Titan bloodline dragon scales. It bore an eerie presence, its gray wings folded against its massive underbelly.
Perched atop this dreaded beast was Demon Emperor, his expression unreadable as he watched Celestial Fortress ascend.
"My friend… how am I supposed to keep up with you?"
Above, a majestic Silver Dragon glided through the skies. Drunken Dream rode on its back, the beast's silver radiance now even more dazzling than before.
"To align with him is to guarantee The Roberts Family's prosperity for decades," declared a knight wielding a war hammer, his voice booming like a war drum as he rode a massive boar-war beast.
"S-Class Hidden Class—Heavy Hammer Dwarves!"
"Wait… all 200 of them switched to the Dwarf race? This 'Hammer' guild isn't normal."
A group of 200 players stood out immediately. Each one was mounted on a giant, fanged boar, their frames stockier and more muscular than regular players.
Even more astonishing—every single one of them was decked out in full Level 30 Epic gear.
"Mr. Roberts made a wise decision. Orson has already established an unshakable foothold. As long as he stands, we will remain safe."
A beautiful elven woman with emerald hair and translucent jade-like skin smiled softly.
"Wind Elf Archers!"
Gasps filled the air. These enigmatic high-level players were unfamiliar to most, but their gear and status clearly placed them on par with top-tier guild leaders.
Infinite Dimensions had many non-human native races, but acquiring hidden classes like Dwarves or Elves was notoriously difficult, requiring extremely rare special opportunities.
"So it's them?" Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire
Demon Emperor narrowed his eyes at Blank, who stood silently beside the giant serpent. She nodded slightly in confirmation.
As Celestial Fortress continued to accelerate, allied guilds looked on with excitement, while rival guilds' expressions grew increasingly grim.
Most feared that Celestial Fortress was heading toward their defensive outposts.
As long as that skyborne war machine existed, they had zero chance of competing. No one dared to gamble against Triple Crown winner Orson's ruthlessness.
This—this was what true dominance looked like!
"Confirmed—They're heading for Dark Dragon Empire!"
"Shit… I was scared that bastard would just sweep across all the cities one by one."
"Hahaha! Bad news for those dark-faction players. I can't even begin to imagine what insane things Orson is going to do to them."
Players exhaled in relief, some even grateful that their faction wouldn't be on the receiving end of Celestial Fortress's wrath.
But for those who had pledged allegiance to Dark Dragon Empire, their worst nightmare was about to begin.
Light Dragon Empire - Royal Capital
Unlike the chaotic battlefields, the Light Dragon Empire's capital stood eerily tranquil.
Only a thousand players were present. But surrounding them were countless Holy Light Order NPCs, all dressed in priestly robes.
Before them, tens of thousands of worshipers knelt in reverence toward a white-robed woman, their chants filling the air.
Suspended in midair, she was bathed in divine radiance, her forbidden artifact staff channeling wind-elemental energy into the skies above.
A sacred wind caressed the gathered faithful, intensifying their fervent cries.
With a single, delicate step onto the ground, her entire figure seemed to glow, exuding an ethereal, untouchable aura.
Strategic Trickster: "Riley is starting to embody the true image of a Saintess. With this many Holy Light followers, she's bound to make a major impact on this event."
Snow Dream smiled gently, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "US has the largest player base. That means the number of monsters will be overwhelming. If I could become the Holy Light Pope, I'd have millions of followers at my command. I could sweep through all these monsters effortlessly."
Strategic Trickster narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "Oh? You might have more in common with Orson than you think. According to the Divination Priest, there's another monster spawn point—besides this one, there's one in Dark Dragon Empire's territory."
Snow Dream's surprise flashed briefly before she smiled playfully. "I know his style very well. In fact, we share many similarities."
"By the way, Orson's people are searching for the Twelve Archbishops. He's interested in artifacts that can stabilize ancient teleportation arrays."
Snow Dream's smile deepened. "If he wants it, let's give it to him. After all, he's my mentor—shouldn't an apprentice offer gifts to her master?"
Celestial Fortress - Above the Treasure Vault
[Regional Announcement: MONSTER CATACLYSM will begin in 30 seconds. Prepare for battle!]
A cold gleam flashed in Orson's eyes. As the countdown ended, the endless ocean erupted into chaos, the waters boiling like molten lava.
Colossal spatial rifts—each spanning several kilometers—tore open across the sky.
From within, countless blood-red, ravenous eyes flickered like demonic lanterns.
Orson's grip tightened on his Heavenly Fire Staff, his voice booming like a war god's decree.
"Eternal flames of vengeance!"
"In my name—Orgod!"
"Burn all who stand against us! Forge an empire eternal!"
A blood-red aura exploded outward as the guild buff [The Supreme Dynasty] activated!
Nightshade: "Mages, charge the fortress cannons!"
Bradley: "Warriors, hit the ground! Smash anything that moves!"
Iron Cavalry: "Knights, forward! No slackers!"
Raven: "Archers, full-volley at the fortress edge!"
Madman: "Assassins, go for the kill! Leave no survivors!"