Chapter 61: Chapter 61
Chapter 61: The Empress’s Private Invitation Google seaʀᴄh novel-fire.ɴet
A private invitation from Empress Seraphina.
Looking at those words on the light screen—phrased humbly yet carrying immense weight—Mophis felt her heartbeat begin to race once again.
That was the question.
To go meant she would leave the familiar walls of the library, leave the protection of the players’ army, and journey alone into the very heart of power in the game world—the St. Orleans Imperial City, where the NPC faction was strongest and the rules most unyielding.
That place was GM Pangu’s domain, the core of the “main storyline.” For a BUG like herself to run straight there—it was like a lamb walking into a tiger’s den. Who knew what sort of trap that grudge-holding GM might set for her.
But if she didn’t go…
Mophis glanced at her character panel.
【Status: Bodily functions continuously deteriorating】
【Requirement: Large quantities of high-grade life/light consumables】
Her body’s condition was always a sword hanging above her head.
Although she had previously absorbed a trace of the Dragon’s Origin energy, allowing her level to soar and even her body to show slight improvement, that was only treating the symptoms. She could feel that this body of hers was too frail, like a leaking bucket—no matter how much water was poured in, it would still run out unless repaired from the root.
And the heavenly treasures needed to repair her body could never be gathered just by relying on players scavenging around the newbie zones near the Western Wasteland.
Only the St. Orleans Empire, the colossal entity that had ruled the continent for nearly a thousand years, possessed everything she needed.
This meeting was a risk—but also an opportunity.
Mophis fell into hesitation.
“Hmph, just a mere human Empress, and you’re scared ?”
A lazy voice drifted down from the second floor. Ignis was lying on the railing, looking down at her, golden eyes full of scorn.
“You even dared to face my Dragon’s Might, but now you cower?”
Mophis looked up at her and snapped, “That’s different. You might have a bad temper, but at least… you’re reasonable. That Empress, and the GM hiding behind her—uh, the one pulling strings from the shadows—they only talk to me about rules and about scripts.”
“Script?” Ignis seemed intrigued by the word.
“It’s… they’ve already written out everything for you. When you should do what, when you should die—it’s all spelled out. And if you don’t follow their script, they’ll find a way to kill you.” Mophis explained in the simplest terms.
Ignis’s golden eyes instantly turned cold.
“Oh? Such a thing exists?” She licked her lips, a dangerous flame flickering in the depths of her pupils. “I’d like to see who dares script out Ignis’s fate.”
“That’s why, going into their lair… isn’t it dangerous for me?” Mophis spread her hands.
Ignis was silent for a moment, as though considering.
Then, she leapt down from the railing. Her fiery figure descended like a streak of light, appearing instantly before Mophis.
“If you want to go, then go.” She locked eyes with Mophis, speaking each word clearly.
“That woman called Seraphina—her great-great-great-grandmother didn’t even have the right to carry my shoes. If she dares so much as to touch a single hair on your head…”
Ignis paused, the corner of her lips curling into a wild and cruel smile.
“I’ll burn her palace to ash for firewood.”
There it was again—that damned, domineering declaration that made one feel secure.
Mophis felt her wavering heart instantly settle.
Yes, what was there to fear?
Behind her stood a real, unreasonable, world-ending dragon.
In that moment, she truly wanted to shout “Mommy!”
With that thought, Mophis straightened her back.
She opened the light screen and replied to Elsa.
【I accept Her Majesty the Empress’s invitation.】
Not long after sending the message, Elsa responded. Joy permeated her words as she explained that the empire’s most lavish floating magitech carriage and its most elite Royal Griffin Knights would be dispatched immediately to escort Mophis, ensuring she reached the Imperial City with the highest honor and utmost safety.
Of course, it didn’t take long for the ever-watchful players to discover this.
【Epic storyline! Our wife is going to meet the Empress!】
【Ahhh! Oh my god! What a divine twist! Are the two heroines finally going to meet officially?】
【I can’t accept this! Our wife belongs to the Dragon Concubine! That iron-fisted Empress is clearly a control freak—she’s definitely plotting against our wife!】
【Shut up upstairs! Her Majesty the Empress is dignified and noble—standing with our wife, they’re a perfect match made in heaven! I stand with the Empress Faction!】
【Dragon Concubine Faction will never bow! Our deputy leader is the rightful consort! The Empress can at most be a concubine!】
【Everyone shut it! Our wife belongs to all of us knights! You CP shippers stop adding drama!】
Once again, the forums descended into chaos over “faction wars.” CP shippers of all camps and the “Wife Only” faction erupted into vicious quarrels, as heated as the previous Lord of the City debate.
Mophis looked at these posts and felt a headache coming on.
She decided it was best to ignore them. Before departure, she still had a more important—and more troubling—task to complete.
That was… submitting her “homework.”
As night fell, Mophis slowly climbed up to the second floor.
The room that once belonged to her had now completely transformed into Ignis’s dragon lair. Gold and silver treasures reflected the glow of magical lamps, making the whole room dazzle with brilliance.
Ignis was lying on the large bed, propping her head with one hand. Her fiery red hair cascaded like a waterfall across the piles of coins and gems, while her golden eyes stared fixedly at Mophis.
“My ‘lullaby,’ is it ready?”
Mophis felt her cheeks begin to flush.
She took a deep breath and pulled out the “Tear of the Divine Nation” from her inventory.
She wanted to try—using the power of this gem—if tonight’s “chanting” would be any different.
As she cupped the gem in her hands and once again attempted to channel The First Song through her “compatibility mode,” an unprecedented, vast yet gentle light energy surged out from the gem, instantly enveloping her.
Her humming was no longer broken and halting like before, burdened with embarrassment.
This time, her voice became long, sacred, yet strangely enchanting—piercing straight into the soul.
That voice seemed to take on form, turning into golden halos that spread throughout the room.
Mophis felt as if she were floating in a warm ocean, every cell in her body rejoicing. The sheer comfort was more than ten times stronger than before, making her feel like she might melt within the sound.
And Ignis on the bed—her reaction was even more extreme.
She suddenly sat upright, her golden eyes filled with shock.
If last time’s chanting had felt like a pleasant massage,
Then this time—it was nothing less than a divine miracle striking at her very soul’s core!
The Dragon’s Origin within her seemed to break through some kind of shackle, surging wildly. An indescribable yearning and tremor from the depths of life itself engulfed her entire being.
“You… you little… monster…”
Ignis stared at Mophis, spitting the words out between her teeth, her eyes filled with an unprecedented hunger and possessiveness.
Mophis was woken by the cheers of players.
She opened her eyes and found herself lying in Ignis’s bed, covered by a soft silk quilt. But Ignis was nowhere to be seen.
Her whole body felt weak, yet her spirit was soaring higher than ever.
Opening her panel, she discovered she had leveled up yet again! And behind 【Dragon Vein Affinity】, a new label appeared: (Intermediate).
Was last night’s “chanting” really that terrifyingly effective?
Blushing furiously, she struggled to her feet, changed her clothes, and left the room.
Outside the library, an enormous, magnificent magitech carriage hovered silently in the air like a floating battleship. Forged of pure white mithril, its hull was engraved with intricate magical runes. On both sides shone the Royal Emblem of the St. Orleans Empire.
Surrounding the carriage, over a hundred griffin-riding royal knights hovered in perfect formation, solemn and majestic.
The pomp was at least ten times greater than when Elsa had visited before.
Amid the players’ frenzied cheers and shouts of “Safe travels, wife!”—and under the reverent gazes of countless NPCs—Mophis slowly ascended the magical stairway leading to the carriage.
Inside the extravagantly decorated cabin, Elsa was already waiting.
“Honored Guardian, the journey is tiring—please rest well.” Elsa said respectfully.
Mophis nodded and sat down on the plush velvet seat.
With the long sound of a horn, the floating carriage slowly set off, flying eastward toward the city that symbolized the pinnacle of power on the continent.