Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Chapter 54: The Struggle for Lordship and the Uninvited Guest

The GM’s scheme, like an undercurrent lurking in deep waters, silently began to influence the course of this world.

At this moment, however, the players remained completely unaware. Read full story at N0veI.Fiɾe.net

They were still immersed in the immense joy and sense of accomplishment of building their home.

With the city’s foundation now laid, a new problem arose—just as 【Pangu】 had foreseen—now standing before all players.

【System Prompt: The city of ‘Mophisia’ has entered the lord election phase. Please elect a player City Lord within 24 hours to activate the city’s subsequent management functions.】

【Election Methods: 1. Guild Recommendation and Voting; 2. Free Candidacy Duel.】

This system prompt was like a spark that instantly ignited the powder keg within the player community.

This was not some self-proclaimed title like guild leader or knight order captain. This was officially recognized by the system—a true “official position” with real power and enormous benefits!

Managing a city of tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of players in the future—what kind of concept was that?

Taxes, commerce, military, diplomacy… such power was no different from being the king of a small kingdom!

More importantly, whoever became the City Lord of “Mophisia” would also become the official representative of the 【Mophis Wife Knights】, the “man (or woman) closest to Wife” in the eyes of everyone!

This glory was enough to drive any player insane.

Thus, the player camp that had just been united in construction split instantly into countless factions, arguing endlessly on the forums.

The president of 【Grand Ambition】 was the first to step out:

【Our ‘World Dominion’ guild, as the largest guild in the entire server, is the most qualified for the City Lord’s seat in both strength and numbers! If I am elected, I will surely lead Mophisia to glory!】

No sooner had he posted than his words were drowned in a tidal wave of rebuttals.

【Get lost, you warmonger! If you become City Lord, won’t you drag us into attacking the Central Kingdom tomorrow? We’re here to protect Wife, not to help you conquer the world!】

【LaceSupremacy】 wasn’t about to back down either:

【The City Lord must be someone who understands Wife the best! I propose the position be decided through an internal election among the members of our ‘Yuri Support Club’! Only sisters with delicate hearts can serve Wife well and manage her Holy City!】

Her words immediately sparked a collective outcry from the male players.

【Bullshit! Protecting Wife is the duty of all knight members! Why should female players get priority?】

【Exactly! What we need is a City Lord who can fight! Someone who can protect Wife amidst thousands of enemies! I nominate big bro ‘One-Punch Invincible’!】

【Oh, please. A berserker as City Lord? Can he handle taxes? Can he conduct diplomacy? I say let ‘Divine Strategy’s Math Hut’ take the seat—he’s the number one strategist in the server!】

In no time, guild leaders and top players from every field were all pushed into the spotlight.

Some argued for financial power, some for martial strength, others for contribution rankings…

The forum had never been so chaotic, not even during the fiercest flame wars before.

Meanwhile, Mophis hid in the library, watching all this with a splitting headache.

She didn’t want a City Lord.

She only wanted to quietly read her books, research bugs, and figure out how to deal with that increasingly clingy Mother Dragon.

But now, because of this “City Lord” title, the players were on the verge of fighting among themselves.

She even had the urge to step outside and tell them, “Stop fighting. I don’t want this city anymore. Whoever wants it, take it.”

She knew that this city, named after her, was already deeply bound to her. If it fell into civil strife, she would ultimately be the one to suffer.

Just as the players’ quarrel grew more heated—some had even started forming up outside the city, ready to settle the matter with “duels”—a rhythmic yet heavy sound of hooves slowly drifted from the distant Western Wasteland.

The arguing players instinctively fell silent, turning their eyes toward the horizon.

At the edge of the horizon, a line of black dots appeared.

The dots drew nearer, and soon, everyone clearly saw what they were.

A disciplined, standardized army—completely different from the players’ mismatched gear and chaotic formations.

They wore gleaming silver full plate armor, each holding long spears and tower shields engraved with Holy Light Runes. Their warhorses, too, were clad in silver barding.

At the center of the formation was a splendid carriage, drawn by four pure white steeds and adorned with golden emblems.

A massive banner flapped in the wind—the azure background embroidered with a crossed holy sword and scepter in golden thread.

It was the royal insignia of the Central Kingdom—St. Orleans!

“Holy crap! It’s the NPC regular army!”

“Why are they here? Could it be… the main storyline has advanced?”

“Judging by their stance, they don’t look friendly! Brothers, grab your weapons—prepare for battle!”

The players immediately went on alert. Though they loved to fight among themselves, they always united instantly against “external threats.”

Tens of thousands of eyes locked onto the steadily advancing army.

The army halted about five hundred meters from Mophisia’s crude wooden gates.

A knight at the head of the column, who looked like a commander, urged his horse forward.

His armor was more ornate than the common soldiers’, and his helmet even bore a crimson plume. He surveyed the city that had suddenly risen from the ground, a chaotic mess of player-style construction, and the tens of thousands of differently equipped, hostile-eyed “Chosen Ones” inside. His brows furrowed tightly.

Clearing his throat, he spoke in a voice infused with battle aura, loud enough for all to hear:

“By the order of Her Majesty, the Empress of St. Orleans! The Royal Knights have come to patrol the western frontier!”

“Who built this place? Who is the lord of this city?”

“And why do you consort with a Calamity-class Golden Dragon King?!”

His voice was booming, filled with accusation.

That last sentence made every player’s heart sink.

They could tell—these people had come… to demand answers.

And clearly, they already knew about Ignis living here.

This was trouble. Big trouble.

Unconsciously, all players turned their gazes toward the fortress of steel and magic standing tall in the city’s center—the Forgotten Library.

They knew only one person could answer that question.

At that very moment, on the second floor of the library, Mophis—alarmed by the noise outside—heard the knight’s demand.

She stepped to the window and looked out at the awe-inspiring Royal Army and the ornate carriage. Her heart instantly leapt into her throat.

And not just NPCs—official NPC troops…

How… how did they find this place?