Chapter 436: Absolute Disloyalty
Around the equipment and treasures scattered at the scene, the players' discussions grew increasingly heated, eventually devolving into arguments.
"If we take just one item back, we'll be rich!"
"Yeah!"
"Look at that—the Fire Lizard Claw Sword! That's rare-tier gear!"
"I'm telling you, these items might be rewards prepared by the Tower Master!"
"This trial was so hard, and so many people died—it's only fair they give us more rewards."
"But why do these things look like offerings or sacrificial items?"
"What do you know? This is what we call hidden benefits! The devs make it fit the game lore while giving us actual rewards disguised as offerings."
"And you don't understand…"
"Anyway, this Fire Genie Ring belongs to our [Royal Authority] guild! The first rare-tier item should only go to the strongest guild!"
"Why does it always have to be Royal Authority?"
"Because we had three people pass the trial! If you're not happy, come fight us for it!"
"Hmph!"
"From what I know, your Paladins are pretty strong, but your spellcasters aren't anything special!"
"Then come and see for yourself!"
The players' argument intensified, with some driven by greed, ready to fight.
Among them, the players from [Royal Authority] were the most fervent. If they brought back top-tier gear, they could earn actual money!
The guild's wealthy leader, "Overlord," had promised to reward anyone who secured the game's first rare-tier item with tens of thousands of real money.
In the face of such profit, other tasks, reputation, and rules were all secondary.
The warlock from [Royal Authority] grabbed the [Fire Genie Noble's Ring], clutching it tightly and stuffing a handful of gold coins into their bag.
"You better think twice!"
"Anyone who tries to take our gear is declaring war on Royal Authority!"
The two other [Royal Authority] players stood guard, confronting several other players vying for the loot.
"So what if you're a big guild?"
"Royal Authority bullies everyone! This gear should belong to all of us!"
The atmosphere at the tower's summit became increasingly tense, like a powder keg ready to ignite.
The fight over the game's first rare-tier item was moments away from breaking out.
But Summer Night Autumn Rain quietly distanced herself from the quarrel, retreating to a corner of the tower.
"So this is the final trial—a test of human greed."
"With that person's personality, those blinded by immediate rewards are bound to meet a bad end."
"Heh, Royal Authority..."
Summer Night Autumn Rain chuckled softly, feeling smug at the thought of Royal Authority facing trouble.
As a guild with real-world corporate backing, Royal Authority had engaged in many monopolistic practices, creating hurdles for independent players like her.
She watched the chaotic crowd, her golden eyes glimmering.
Among the greedy players, there were still a few who remained rational.
For example, the Mechanist Cult's player [Art Is Explosion], the Magic Coin warlock [Bright Moon], and the independent warlock [Loves Eating Missiles].
Then there was the notorious player from [Dragon Enthusiasts], [Dragon-Lover Like the Wind], who stood before the dragon statue with an obsessive expression.
But Summer Night Autumn Rain knew those people were all perverts.
The guild leader of [Dragon Enthusiasts], [Saphis], was infamous for posting disturbing dragon-themed images on the forums, earning the nickname "Dragon Maniac."
Summer Night Autumn Rain furrowed her brows, sensing that something was still missing.
"Something's not right..."
"The final trial won't be as simple as resisting temptation. That would only eliminate fools like Royal Authority's members."
She recalled the recruitment notice from Isthalia.
[Dragon Pact Sorcerers sign contracts with red dragons. They wield mysterious and powerful draconic magic and serve the sole ruler of the empire, the supreme Ember Emperor, Cassius.]
"Loyalty… absolute loyalty!"
"I understand now!"
Summer Night Autumn Rain's eyes lit up as she realized the key to the trial.
Loyalty was the key!
A Dragon Pact Sorcerer must be absolutely loyal to the emperor, serving him as if he were a god—this was the true final trial!
With this realization, Summer Night Autumn Rain tidied her attire and hurried to the humanoid statue of Cassius.
She knelt before the statue, clasping her hands as if in prayer.
"Still..."
"Lord Cassius is too handsome!"
"How can an in-game NPC perfectly match my ideal aesthetic?"
Although her posture seemed devout, her thoughts were borderline blasphemous.
"This..."
"I get it now."
[Art Is Explosion] noticed Summer Night Autumn Rain's puzzling behavior and, after thinking for a moment, followed her lead and began praying.
Several other warlocks glanced between the praying women and the fanatical [Dragon-Lover Like the Wind], their expressions perplexed.
"Tch, Cassius sure has a lot of female fans! I heard he even has a fan club in real life."
"And male fans too, apparently."
"That Dragon Enthusiast guild is full of perverts, always posting weird images on the forums."
"I have to admit, Cassius's model is top-tier!"
"Yeah, best-looking character I've seen. Too bad he doesn't show up often."
"How much do you think that statue would sell for?"
Above the players' heads, the "Daughter of Dragonfire" Misha hovered midair, flames dancing around her.
Her golden eyes burned brightly, but her gaze was cold and filled with killing intent.
She seemed to peer through the thick stone walls, observing the events inside the Tower of Blighted Flame.
"These insolent fools..."
"How dare they touch the offerings I prepared for Lord Cassius? They're courting death!"
Misha clenched her delicate hand, flames erupting from her palm.
In her mind, the players fighting over the gear were already sentenced to death.
"They disrespect the emperor and are unworthy of becoming noble Dragon Pact Sorcerers—unworthy of living in the Ember Empire."
That was her conclusion.
Her gaze softened slightly when she looked at the humanoid statue of Cassius.
Before it, two women with dragon lineage knelt in prayer, just as she often did.
They, too, had the golden eyes symbolizing a dragon's bloodline.
This sight made Misha feel a sense of kinship and view them as equals.
Though Misha acted mature and decisive in her quest for revenge and loyalty to the emperor, she was still a teenage girl at heart.
Deep down, she yearned for companions she could get along with.
"Praying to the emperor amidst chaos proves they are worthy of becoming Dragon Pact Sorcerers."
Her gaze shifted to the dragon statue.
There, a man stood, not praying but exuding an intense, devout aura.
"That expression... he looks like a zealot."
Misha thought to herself.
Unbeknownst to her, the "zealot" had thoughts far more blasphemous, enough to warrant a fiery execution.
His gaze wasn't just devout; it was obsessive, as if he might start drooling
And that gaze, rather than being reverent, was more like an obsession—he was practically drooling!
Misha blinked softly, whispering, "He also qualifies to become a Dragon Pact Sorcerer."
"These three Starfallers have passed the trial and proven their loyalty to me."
"They all have what it takes to serve His Majesty as his agents—Dragon Pact Sorcerers."
After saying this, Misha looked once more toward the tower's peak, her brows slightly furrowed and hesitation flashing through her gaze.
Because there was another group of Starfallers.
They had passed the trial, didn't show greed for the sacrificial offerings, but neither did they demonstrate any loyalty.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Misha finally made up her mind.
"Hmph."
She let out a cold snort, the flames flickering within her beautiful golden pupils rippling like waves.
With her silver teeth clenched, she softly uttered, "Teacher Langpu once taught me—"
"Loyalty that is not absolute equals absolute disloyalty!"