Chapter 31 : Growth Branch
Chapter 31: Growth Branch
Hera threw the scroll to Lilia and ordered her to come up with a handling plan by tomorrow.
“Yes, my master.”
Lilia scrambled to pick up the heavy scroll, clutching it tightly to her chest.
Hera did not spare her another glance. She refocused her attention on the other documents on the desk, her concentrated expression making it seem as though the intense assessment just now had never happened.
“Leave.”
Though the two words were extremely cold, to Lilia’s ears at this moment, they sounded like heavenly music.
As if granted amnesty, Lilia held the scroll, bent her body, and carefully retreated step by step out of the study.
Only after the heavy door slowly closed behind her, cutting off that suffocating pressure, did she suddenly let out a breath. Her entire body felt as if the bones had been pulled out of it, and her back was instantly soaked in cold sweat.
She almost fled, stumbling through the luxurious yet eerily empty corridors that made one’s heart uneasy.
The scroll in her arms felt heavy, pressing down on her until she could barely breathe.
Reviewing official documents?
Asking a poor student who couldn’t even properly complete a graduation defense to handle this—wasn’t that just asking her to die?
Lilia’s mind was frantically complaining, but her steps did not dare slow down in the slightest. She only wanted to return to her small but safe little den as quickly as possible.
Finally, that plain wooden door appeared at the end of her sight.
She rushed over, pushed the door open, and slammed it shut behind her.
“Bang!”
With a dull sound, everything from the outside world was cut off.
Leaning against the cold door, Lilia slowly slid down to the floor, her chest rising and falling violently.
She survived.
Once again.
The relief of surviving a disaster flooded her, but soon after, an even greater fear and confusion surged up.
By tomorrow…
How was she supposed to write a plan that would satisfy the Demon Queen?
Did Hera really believe that story she had fabricated?
No. How could Hera possibly be deceived by such a clumsy story?
No, she couldn’t just sit and wait for death!
Lilia suddenly stood up from the ground, her eyes becoming sharp again.
Complaining and fear solved nothing—they would only make her die faster.
She still had the System!
“System! Open personal panel!”
Lilia silently recited in her mind, and a familiar pale blue light screen instantly unfolded before her eyes.
【Name: Lilia】
【Race: Human (?)】
【Identity: Official Maid (New!)】
【Level: F】
【Title: Executor of Order (New!)】
【Talents:】
【S-Rank · Absolute Senses】
【C-Rank · Soul Perception (Beginner)】
【E-Rank · Temperature Perception】
【Passive · Praying for the Master】
【Passive · Requiem】
【Passive · The Queen’s Solace】
【Skills:】
【S-Rank · God-Tier Massage Technique】
【C-Rank · Master Artisan Heart】
【D-Rank · Cooking Mastery】
【D-Rank · Magic Shockwave (Cleaning Version)】
【E-Rank · Shadow Following】
The most eye-catching change was in the Identity section—it had finally changed from “Apprentice Maid” to “Official Maid”!
Beside it was even a dazzling golden “New” marker.
An indescribable excitement surged within Lilia.
This was something she had exchanged with her dignity, blood, tears, and countless near-death experiences!
She eagerly looked toward the new title.
【Title: Executor of Order】
【Effect: Passive. When handling matters related to “organization,” “archiving,” and “planning,” concentration +20%, logical analysis ability +15%. Documents you write will automatically carry a slight “persuasion” effect.】
Lilia’s breathing stopped.
This… wasn’t this tailor-made for her current task?!
System, you’re basically my savior!
Suppressing her excitement, her gaze continued downward.
Aside from Identity and Title, at the bottom of the panel, two icons that had originally been dim were now glowing with a soft light.
【Maid Workshop (Unlocked)】
【Maid Talent Tree (Unlocked)】
Here it comes!
Without hesitation, Lilia opened the 【Maid Workshop】.
The light screen in front of her shifted, revealing a window similar to a game crafting interface.
On the left were several main categories: 【Sewing】, 【Alchemy】, 【Cooking】, 【Forging】…
Currently, only 【Sewing】 and 【Cooking】 were lit up, while the others remained gray and locked.
Lilia tapped on 【Sewing】.
A row of blueprints appeared before her.
【Beginner Lace Maid Outfit (Upgradeable)】
【Lace Petticoat · Absolute Territory (Enhanceable)】
【Standard Apprentice Maid Outfit (Decomposable)】
And at the very top of these blueprints was a brand-new one glowing faintly with golden light.
【Blueprint: Clerk Uniform】
【Type: Functional Clothing】
【Quality: D-Rank】
【Effect: After equipping, mental energy consumption -10%, document processing efficiency +20%, and slightly increases the wearer’s intellectual charm.】
【Materials: Shadow Spider Silk ×20, Magic Crystal Dust ×5, Water Lizard Skin ×1】
【Note: Knowledge is power, but a proper uniform allows you to wield that power with greater elegance. — A quote from an unknown Head Maid】
Lilia’s heart pounded rapidly.
Functional clothing!
With the title bonus plus the attributes of this outfit, her confidence in completing Hera’s task instantly rose from zero to… at least ten percent!
She opened the material details of the blueprint. Shadow Spider Silk and Magic Crystal Dust were labeled “Available in Servant Quarters Warehouse,” while Water Lizard Skin was marked “Rare material, must be explored or requested from the Demon Queen.”
It seemed this outfit couldn’t be crafted for now.
Suppressing the burning excitement in her heart, Lilia closed the 【Maid Workshop】 and opened another new feature—【Maid Talent Tree】.
A massive and intricate tree-like diagram of light appeared before her. Countless pathways intertwined, leading to vague nodes filled with unknown possibilities.
At the root of the tree was the identity she had just obtained—【Official Maid】.
From this foundation, several thick main branches extended upward.
【Battle Maid】: Leading toward paths like “Blade of the Army’s Master” and “Shadow Assassin,” with nodes filled with combat skills and killing auras.
【Life Maid】: Leading toward “Divine Chef” and “Absolute Comfort Space Creator,” with ultimate forms of cooking, cleaning, and farming skills.
【Social Maid】: Leading toward “Enchanting Social Butterfly” and “Queen of Intelligence,” with various negotiation, persuasion, and disguise skills flickering.
Among these main branches, a brand-new branch emitting a faint glow extended from the 【Official Maid】 node.
【Administrative Maid】!
Lilia’s gaze was firmly drawn to this branch.
Following it upward, the first node that needed to be unlocked read—
【Basic Document Processing】
【Talent: Basic Document Processing】
【Effect: Passive. You will master the formats and writing techniques of all basic documents and can quickly extract key points from chaotic information.】
【Unlock Requirement: Promote to “Head Maid.”】
She took a deep breath, closed the system panel, and slowly spread the scroll written by the Minotaur general on her desk.
The demonic script looked like scribbles, and the report’s chaotic logic made one’s scalp tingle.
But this time, Lilia did not feel despair.
She activated the title 【Executor of Order】.
In an instant, it felt as if a clear stream flowed through her mind, and her previously restless thoughts quickly calmed down.
Those disordered texts now seemed to follow a pattern in her eyes.
She picked up a crude graphite stick and began summarizing and analyzing on a blank parchment beside her.
Time passed second by second in this intense focus.
Just as Lilia was fully immersed in her work, trying to sort out the first chaotic military supply request—
“Bang! Bang bang!”
A rapid and forceful knocking suddenly startled her out of her concentration.
Lilia jolted, nearly dropping the graphite stick in her hand.
Who was it?
At this hour, who would come looking for her?
Before she could ask, a sharp and panicked voice came from outside—it was the Little Demon responsible for delivering messages.
“Lady Lilia! This is bad! Something’s happened!”
“Lady Camilla… she’s bringing guards and heading your way!”
Camilla?
Lilia’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
She was coming with guards?
That woman never brought anything good whenever she appeared.
“Lady Lilia, think of something quickly!
Lady Camilla says you’re a spy and is coming to search you!”
A spy?
What a heavy accusation.
Search me? What is there to search?
Although she had a clear conscience and nothing suspicious, she was no longer that Apprentice Maid who could only kneel and beg for mercy.
She was an “Official Maid,” personally appointed by Hera to handle the Demon Queen’s affairs.
How could she allow others to throw accusations around so casually!
A series of urgent and heavy footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by the clashing sounds of metal armor, particularly piercing in the empty corridor.
They had arrived.
Lilia took a deep breath.
She straightened her body, adjusted her simple maid outfit, carefully held the scroll to her chest, and suddenly pulled the door open.
Outside, the corridor was dimly lit.
Camilla stood there in tight red leather armor, perfectly outlining her fiery figure.
Behind her, two rows of fully armed demon guards radiated killing intent, completely blocking the narrow corridor.
Seeing Lilia open the door voluntarily, a flash of surprise appeared in Camilla’s eyes before turning into deep disdain.
“Oh? Our little toy has some courage.” Her voice was alluringly husky, yet each word was laced with coldness. “I thought you’d shrink in your doghouse and wait for me to break the door down.”
Lilia ignored her mockery, merely bowing slightly and speaking in a businesslike, emotionless tone.
“Duke Camilla, may I ask what brings you here?”
“What brings me here?” Camilla seemed to hear a great joke. She stepped forward, her oppressive fragrance mixed with danger pressing in. “Lilia, someone of unknown origin who climbed to the Queen’s side in just a few days—I strongly suspect you are a spy!”
Her voice was stern, each word striking like a hammer. “I am now going to search your room for evidence of your contact with the outside world! Guards!”
“Wait.”
Lilia’s calm voice was not loud, yet it successfully stopped the guards who were about to step forward.
All eyes focused on her.
Facing Camilla’s almost devouring gaze, Lilia slowly raised the scroll in her arms and displayed it before everyone.
The scroll itself was unremarkable, but the emblem upon it—crafted from obsidian and lava, symbolizing the supreme authority of the Queen of Eternal Night, Hera—emitted a heart-shaking majesty under the dim light.
“Duke Camilla,” Lilia said evenly, “I am currently handling urgent official business personally assigned by the Queen. This document concerns military resource allocation for the northern mines. The Queen has ordered me to produce a complete handling plan before sunrise tomorrow for her personal review.”
Camilla’s pupils shrank sharply.
She stared fixedly at the Queen’s emblem, her expression shifting rapidly. As Hera’s right-hand, she naturally recognized that emblem.
Letting a newly arrived maid review military documents?
How could that be possible!
“You’re lying!” Camilla shouted sharply, though a trace of uncertainty had crept into her voice. “How could the Queen entrust something so important to someone of unknown origin like you—”
“You may choose not to believe me,” Lilia interrupted, calmly meeting her gaze. “But are you questioning the Queen’s emblem, or the Queen’s decision?”
“You certainly have the authority to search my room now, or even execute me on the spot.”
Lilia stepped forward slightly, pushing the scroll closer, almost to Camilla’s face.
“But if this delays the Queen’s urgent matter and causes flaws in the northern defense line… will you, Duke Camilla, take responsibility for that?”
The guards who had been full of killing intent now exchanged glances, their grips on their weapons unconsciously loosening.
Camilla’s face shifted between green and pale, her chest heaving violently. She wanted to lash out, to tear apart that infuriatingly calm face before her, but her rationality firmly restrained her impulse.
She could make things difficult for Lilia, humiliate her, even “accidentally” kill her in some hidden corner.
But she would never dare act recklessly in the face of “the Queen’s official business.”
That would not just be a provocation against Lilia—it would be a challenge to Hera’s authority.
After a long while, Camilla forced out a few words through clenched teeth.
“You… you…”
She glared viciously at Lilia, as if wanting to devour her alive.
“Let’s go!”
Camilla suddenly flicked her hand and turned to leave, her high-heeled boots striking the obsidian floor with angry clacks. The two rows of guards retreated like a tide—arriving aggressively, yet leaving somewhat in disarray.
At the end of the corridor, Camilla paused briefly but did not turn back.
“Don’t think that just because you have the Queen’s favor, you can rest easy,” her cold voice drifted over. “Toys will always be discarded one day. I’ll be watching you.”
With that, her figure completely disappeared around the corner.