Chapter 34 : Went to Court
Chapter 34: Went to Court
When she opened her eyes again, what came into view was the familiar, plain ceiling.
Lilia felt as if her head had been stuffed into a high-speed rotating blender, churned for three days and three nights before being taken out—dizzy, aching, yet carrying a trace of strange clarity.
She suddenly sat up and looked around.
This was the small room assigned to her.
Not that vast, cold, oppressive circular stone chamber.
Lilia shook her heavy head, and the memories of last night were like shattered mirror fragments.
She remembered the suffocating vortex of magic, remembered the drop of blood suspended in the air with a golden glow, remembered the extreme pain of her soul being forcibly ignited and torn apart.
At the end… at the end, she seemed to have fainted.
“Then what?”
How did she get back?
Lilia lowered her head to check her body. She was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, completely intact, and there wasn’t a single wound on her body. She instinctively reached toward the area below her left collarbone.
It was smooth and warm to the touch, with absolutely no trace of that brand.
“Could it be… it was just a nightmare?”
The thought had just arisen before she extinguished it herself.
That soul-deep pain had been far too real—it couldn’t possibly have been a dream.
Moreover, deep within her body, there seemed to be an almost imperceptible connection, like an invisible thread—one end tied to her, the other extending toward the deepest part of this palace.
That was… Hera’s direction.
“So she messed me up half to death and then just threw me back?” Lilia couldn’t help but complain inwardly. “Not even any after-sales service? One-star review!”
Just as she was lost in chaotic thoughts, trying to sort out the situation—
【Beep beep beep——!!!】
At three in the morning, that damned system alarm—more punctual than a death knell—started ringing again.
【Daily Mission Issuance “Prelude of Dawn” has been released. Please have the host complete washing up first before 03:30, change into the “Standard Apprentice Maid Outfit,” and stand by at the bedroom entrance.】
【Mission Failure Penalty: Erasure.】
The cold word “Erasure” instantly snapped Lilia out of her hangover-like fatigue.
“Alright, alright! I got it!”
She practically rolled and crawled out of bed, cursing that evil capitalist system in her mind while hurriedly pulling out the plain maid outfit from the wardrobe.
Although her body still ached as if it were falling apart, compared to the past few days, it felt somewhat different.
A faint yet resilient warm current was slowly flowing through her limbs with her movements, dispersing the exhaustion deep in her bones.
“Hm?”
Lilia paused mid-step, and with a thought, opened the system panel.
【Name: Lilia】
【Identity: Official Head Maid】
【Titles: Executor of Order, The Queen’s Spokesperson (Pseudo), The Queen’s Blade (Beginner)】
【The Queen’s Blade (Beginner): You are the Queen’s sharpest blade. When the Queen is within perception range, all your attributes receive a slight increase. When executing commands issued by the Queen related to “protection” or “destruction,” your overall abilities will be greatly enhanced.】
Lilia’s breathing halted.
She continued looking downward.
【Talents: S-Rank · Absolute Senses, B-Rank · God-Tier Massage Technique (Fixed), D-Rank · Praying for the Master (Beginner)】
【Skills: S-Rank · Magic Synchronization (New!), C-Rank · Soul Perception (Beginner), C-Rank · Master Artisan Heart, D-Rank · Cooking Mastery…】
【S-Rank Active Skill · Magic Synchronization: You have established a preliminary soul link with Queen Hera. Passive Effect: You can vaguely perceive the Queen’s emotional fluctuations and physical condition. Active Effect: By consuming a massive amount of mental power and magic, you can temporarily synchronize with the Queen’s magic and borrow a portion of her power. Warning: This action will place an enormous burden on your soul. Use with caution.】
【Exclusive Passive: The Queen’s Mark (Intermediate)】
【The Queen’s Mark (Intermediate): Your soul has been branded with the exclusive mark of the Queen of Eternal Night. This mark cannot be removed or overwritten by any means. The Queen can at any time perceive your exact location and life status. The mark can be manifested by the Queen’s will.】
Lilia’s mouth gradually opened wider as she stared at the newly added entries radiating a dangerous aura.
That life-threatening ritual last night had actually given such outrageous rewards?
【Core Attributes】
【Feminization Index: 45】
【Loyalty: 65】
“Forty-five?!”
Lilia felt her vision go dark.
Just from being tossed around like that, it increased this much?! What exactly were the system’s criteria? Did being abused count as part of feminization?!
Her mind roared wildly, but her body didn’t dare slow down for even a second.
She rushed into the washroom at top speed, completed her washing up, changed into the familiar apprentice maid outfit, and then sprinted toward Hera’s bedroom.
Just like the previous two days, Lilia raced against time, not daring to slack off in the slightest.
The corridors of the Palace of Eternal Night were still deep and silent, with magic crystal lamps on both sides emitting a cold glow.
When she arrived at the massive obsidian door of Hera’s bedroom, she found that the Little Demon who previously relayed messages was standing respectfully to one side.
The moment it saw Lilia, its body stiffened, then it immediately bowed deeply—almost a ninety-degree bow.
“Lady Lilia, Her Majesty the Queen is already waiting for you.”
Lilia froze for a moment.
This attitude…
Before she could process it, the heavy bedroom doors—which previously required Hera herself to open—silently slid open to both sides in front of her.
Warm air carrying a faint calming fragrance drifted out from within.
Alarm bells rang in Lilia’s mind. She immediately composed herself and stepped inside.
The room was dimly lit, with only a small magic crystal lamp glowing by the bedside.
She was still on the bed.
Half-reclining against soft pillows, she wore a loose black silk nightgown, the collar slightly open to reveal a patch of pale skin and delicate collarbones. Her long black hair draped casually over her shoulders, and she held a thick, unidentifiable ancient book in her hands.
Hearing footsteps, Hera slowly lifted her head.
Those golden eyes, like molten gold in the dim light, quietly watched Lilia as she entered.
Gone was the usual coldness, the scrutiny, and that suffocating pressure.
It was… a kind of gaze Lilia had never seen before—almost calm.
Lilia’s heartbeat inexplicably skipped.
She didn’t dare look too long. She quickly walked to the bedside, knelt skillfully, and lowered her head deeply, waiting for the first command of the day.
However, the expected command did not come.
The bedroom was eerily quiet, with only the occasional crackle of the lamp.
Lilia could feel Hera’s gaze fixed on her, emotionless yet making her extremely uncomfortable.
Just as her scalp began to tingle, Hera finally moved.
She set the book aside, then, under Lilia’s uncertain perception, extended a hand toward her.
What was she going to do?
Lilia’s body instantly tensed, countless possibilities flashing through her mind.
Was she going to slap her? Or grab her chin roughly like before?
However, that hand passed over her head, its movement unbelievably gentle.
A cool, slightly ticklish touch landed beside her cheek.
Hera… had merely brushed a strand of silver hair that had fallen beside her face, gently tucking it behind her ear.
The temperature of those fingertips seemed to carry a faint electric current, traveling along Lilia’s skin straight into her heart.
Lilia froze completely.
【Ding!】
【Detected extremely intimate contact with the Queen!】
Her brain completely crashed.
Hera looked at her stiff back and slightly reddened ears. Deep within those golden eyes, a faint trace of amusement flickered—so subtle even she herself didn’t notice.
She withdrew her hand, her voice softer than ever, with a hint of morning hoarseness.
“Did you… sleep well last night?”
That casual question exploded in Lilia’s mind like a deep-sea bomb.
What?
Sleep well?
Her brain stopped working entirely, leaving only the system’s cold notification echoing.
【Detected extremely intimate contact with the Queen!】
【Feminization Index +2!】
You tied me up for some blood pact ritual, tore my soul apart with pain, and now you ask if I slept well?
It’s only a little past three in the morning! Normal people are still sleeping at this time!
You call that “last night”?
Her inner thoughts flooded like bullet comments, each filled with grievance and accusation.
Was this some new kind of manipulation tactic? Slap first, then offer a sweet? No, this wasn’t even a sweet—at best it was asking if your face hurt after the slap.
Yet Hera’s calm expression, as if she were genuinely asking out of concern, choked all of Lilia’s complaints in her throat.
She didn’t dare gamble.
This wasn’t her first day knowing this unpredictable Demon Queen.
Maybe this was a new test.
Maybe she just wanted to see whether, after being tortured, she would still behave like an obedient dog.
Her survival instinct crushed all emotions in an instant.
Lilia lowered her head even further, replying softly in a tone mixed with fatigue, submission, and a hint of flattered surprise:
“Thanks to you, Master… I—I slept very well.”
The moment she finished speaking—
【Ding!】
【Detected a submissive response beyond survival necessity.】
【Queen Hera Intimacy +1.】
【Loyalty +2.】
Lilia: “……”
Fine.
As long as you’re happy.
Hera seemed satisfied with the answer.
She said nothing more, simply withdrawing her hand and slowly sitting up. The silk nightgown slid with her movement, revealing a large expanse of beautifully contoured back and smooth shoulder blades.
“Dress me.”
Two simple words, as always.
Lilia immediately stood up, not daring to hesitate, and skillfully retrieved the elaborate black court dress from the wardrobe.
This time, however, the atmosphere was completely different.
There was no longer that tense feeling of being scrutinized or judged. Hera simply stood quietly, allowing Lilia to dress her.
Whenever Lilia’s cool fingertips inevitably brushed against Hera’s warm skin, her body still trembled uncontrollably.
【Ding! Detected intimate contact…】
“Stop trembling.”
Hera’s voice came from above, emotionless yet instantly freezing Lilia’s movements.
Was she displeased?
Lilia held her breath, forcing herself to calm down as she quickly and steadily fastened the waist straps and smoothed the folds of the dress.
Hera said nothing more during the entire process. The room remained eerily silent.
Once everything was done, Lilia stepped back, preparing to head to the kitchen.
“Go prepare breakfast,” Hera said, as if reading her thoughts.
“Yes, Master.”
Lilia bowed and quickly left for the kitchen.
This time, she didn’t rack her brain for anything fancy. Her mind was a mess—she just wanted to complete the task quickly.
She made a pot of thick meat porridge and baked a few wheat cakes spread with sweet jam—simple but comforting food.
After the Little Demon delivered the breakfast, Hera finished everything as usual.
The system notification for task completion sounded. Everything was just like before.
Lilia let out a small sigh of relief.
It seemed the changes brought by the blood pact ritual weren’t as… earth-shattering as she had imagined?
Maybe Hera was just acting on a whim and would soon return to her cold self.
However, when she was summoned again, Hera did not head toward the study as usual.
She adjusted her skirt slightly and tilted her chin toward the door.
“Follow me.”
Lilia’s heart skipped.
Not the study? Then where?
She didn’t dare ask and immediately followed behind Hera, maintaining the precise distance required by Shadow Following.
They passed through long corridors, circled past a luxurious side hall, and finally stopped before a pair of double doors even more magnificent than the bedroom entrance.
The doors were carved with ferocious demon reliefs, exuding an ancient, imposing aura.
This was… the Council Hall.
The core of the entire Palace of Eternal Night—and even the entire Demon Realm. The place where Hera handled state affairs and met her ministers.
Why bring her here?
Lilia’s heart leapt into her throat.
Before she could think further, Hera had already pushed open the heavy doors.
A vast, solemn, and murderous aura rushed toward them.
The ceiling soared beyond sight, dotted with countless faint blue magic crystals like stars. Twelve massive obsidian pillars stood on either side, engraved with ancient runes representing twelve demon gods.
At the far end of the hall was a high flight of steps, and atop it sat the throne—crafted from abyssal black gold fused with the remains of a colossal beast, symbolizing supreme authority.
Hera walked up the steps one by one, her black skirt trailing elegantly across the floor.
Instead of sitting upright as usual, she leaned lazily against the throne.
Then, under Lilia’s stunned gaze, she slowly raised one leg and rested her delicate foot—encased in an exquisite black high heel—on the armrest of the throne.
Only after doing all this did Hera look down at Lilia below the steps.
She said nothing, merely lifting her chin slightly toward her own calf.
Lilia’s pupils shrank.
She understood.
Hera wanted her… to massage her here?
She knew she had no right to refuse.
Lilia closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.
Fine.
For survival… for those damned rewards…
She opened her eyes again, her face already calm and obedient.
Step by step, she ascended the cold stairs, stopping before the throne.
Then, in the empty hall, she slowly knelt, placing her hands gently on Hera’s firm, stocking-clad calf.
【S-Rank Skill · God-Tier Massage Technique】 activated automatically.
Warm magic flowed from her fingertips as she began applying the most professional, relaxing techniques to Hera’s muscles.
Hera closed her eyes in comfort, letting out a satisfied hum.
At that moment—
“Creak—”
The heavy doors of the Council Hall were pushed open from outside.
A Minotaur general in ornate armor strode in, about to loudly report something—but the moment he saw the scene before the throne, his voice abruptly stopped.
His steps froze.
Then, more demon ministers of various forms entered one after another.
Each one froze upon stepping inside, as if struck by a petrification spell.
The grand hall fell into dead silence.
All eyes were fixed on one place.
On the silver-haired maid kneeling before the throne, massaging the leg of their supreme, cold, and ruthless Queen.
Lilia’s body stiffened completely, even the magic at her fingertips becoming unstable.
She could feel dozens of gazes—shocked, confused, probing—like tangible blades piercing her.
At that moment, a figure she knew all too well appeared at the entrance.
The Succubus Duke Camilla.
Seeing the scene, the usual charm and arrogance on her stunning face vanished, replaced by unmistakable shock and… jealousy.
Hera slowly opened one eye.
She didn’t look at the petrified ministers below, but instead watched with interest the stiff little maid beneath her.
Silence.
Lilia felt like a statue, kneeling before the throne, hands still pressed against Hera’s leg.
The ministers stood frozen, unmoving.
Dozens of gazes burned into her back like red-hot needles.
Her face flushed instantly, heat spreading from her neck to her ears.
Her mind went blank.
【Ding!】
【Detected high-level public humiliation scenario!】
【Feminization Index +5!】
【Loyalty +1!】
Lilia: “……”
Is this really the time for that?!
She wanted to pull her hands back, to disappear into the ground, to vanish on the spot.
But Hera gave no command.
The woman leaning against the throne didn’t even change her posture, merely scanning the ministers with a playful, watching expression.
Her silence was the highest order.
Lilia didn’t dare stop.
She didn’t even dare look up.
She could only force her stiff fingers to move again, continuing to perform the 【God-Tier Massage Technique】.
Again, and again.
Mechanical. Professional. Flawless.
But only she knew she was so embarrassed she was about to explode.
She felt like a circus monkey forced to jump through flaming hoops.
No—worse than a monkey.
At least monkeys got bananas after performing. She might get killed by these gazes a thousand times.
Especially Camilla’s.
That beautiful face now held nothing but twisted jealousy and disbelief.
Time stretched like sticky syrup.
Every second was agony.
Finally, someone broke the silence.
But it wasn’t Camilla.
A tall figure stepped forward from the ranks.
It was a woman, dressed in a sharp silver outfit that accentuated her upright, sturdy figure. From her forehead grew a pair of spiral horns like those of an antelope, adding a heroic aura.
Lilia didn’t recognize her, but the condensed, mountain-like magic fluctuations around her made it clear—her status was high.
The woman walked to the center of the hall, knelt on one knee toward Hera, and performed a standard military salute.
“Your Majesty.”
Her voice was calm and steady.
Hera gave a faint hum, signaling her to continue.
The woman stood up, but did not begin her report immediately.
Her gaze fell on Lilia.
It wasn’t sharp or hostile like Camilla’s, but it carried an unquestionable authority and scrutiny from above.
“Your Majesty, today’s agenda concerns the Abyss Border Defense Line and the trade agreement with the Black Iron Dwarf Tribe.”
She didn’t directly criticize Lilia.
But every word implied it.
For such an important matter, what right did a mere maid have to be present?
She froze in place, caught in a dilemma.
Leave?
Hera hadn’t told her to leave—did she dare move on her own? Her legs would probably be broken on the spot.
Not leave?
In front of the entire core power structure of the Demon Realm, continue massaging the Queen’s legs? And even listen in on the highest-level military and political secrets?
Was she worthy?
She wasn’t!
Lilia felt like a squid being roasted over a fire, every cell in her body screaming “help.”
【Ding!】
【Emergency Choice Mission Triggered: Turmoil in the Council Hall!】
【Option One: Ignore the warning and continue massaging the Queen. Reward: None. Failure Penalty: Bear the wrath of “Dragon-Horn Overseer” Molga, judged as “lacking etiquette,” Charisma -20, Palace of Eternal Night Reputation -100.】
【Option Two: Immediately stop the massage and withdraw. Reward: None. Failure Penalty: Defy the Queen’s will, Loyalty reset to zero, trigger hidden penalty “The Vanished Toy.”】
When Lilia saw “Loyalty reset to zero” and “The Vanished Toy,” her heart skipped a beat.
Was there even a choice?!
This was a death question!
What should she do?!
Cold sweat seeped out across her forehead. She could even feel Molga’s scrutinizing gaze growing heavier and more oppressive.
She was waiting for Hera’s response.
And also for Lilia’s own “awareness.”
The air in the entire hall solidified due to this brief standoff.
A faint, schadenfreude-filled smile had already begun to curl at Camilla’s lips.
She was just waiting to see how this ignorant little maid would end things.
Just as Lilia felt like she was about to suffocate—
The woman on the throne, who had remained silent all this time, finally moved.
Hera lazily adjusted her posture, sinking more comfortably into the throne.
Then her cold, penetrating voice echoed throughout the entire hall.
Not loud, yet clearly heard by every demon present.
“Molga.”
“I am here,” the Dragon-Horn Overseer immediately lowered her head.
Hera’s gaze slowly shifted from Molga to the small maid below who seemed ready to curl into herself.
“She stays.”
An uproar broke out.
Shock filled the faces of all the demon ministers.
The smile on Camilla’s lips froze completely.
Even Molga herself suddenly raised her head, her face showing a rare flicker of disturbance.
“Your Majesty! This—”
She seemed about to say more.
But Hera merely glanced at her indifferently.
“Do you have objections?”
Molga’s body trembled. She immediately lowered her head again.
“I would not dare!”
Hera withdrew her gaze, ignoring the reactions of those below.
Her eyes returned to Lilia.
Her foot was still resting on the armrest.
Her leg was still held in Lilia’s hands.
The meaning was clear.
Continue.
Lilia felt her scalp go numb.
【Ding!】
【Detected the host is in an extremely humiliating state!】
【Feminization Index +3!】
【Loyalty +2!】
Lilia: “……”
Get lost!
She screamed internally, but her body was terrifyingly honest.
Her survival instinct crushed all reason and shame.
Her stiff fingers, driven by the passive effect of 【God-Tier Massage Technique】, resumed their flawless rhythm—kneading and pressing along Hera’s smooth calf.
If one ignored the location and surroundings, it would have been a pleasing scene.
But now, it was absurd and surreal to the extreme.
Lilia lowered her head, shrinking her presence as much as possible. She didn’t dare look at anyone, focusing entirely on her fingertips.
Yet those gazes felt like blades scraping across her body.
The hottest, most venomous one undoubtedly came from the Succubus Duke Camilla. Lilia didn’t even need to look up to imagine how twisted that beautiful face had become.
Those delicate nails were probably digging deep into her own palm.
Camilla’s heart was bleeding.
Why!
Why wasn’t she the one kneeling there?!
That position should have belonged to her! Whether as the Queen’s most capable subordinate or her closest companion, she should have been the one closest to the throne!
Yet now, an unknown human—a lowly plaything—had occupied that place right in front of everyone!
Meanwhile, the Dragon-Horn Overseer Molga, who had just been suppressed by Hera, stood rigidly in place, her face dark. Her lips were tightly pressed together, saying nothing, but the tangible pressure around her revealed her inner unrest.
As for the other demon ministers, all of them kept their eyes down, pretending nothing had happened.
Many secretly felt relieved.
Thankfully, they hadn’t been the one to speak up.
Who could have expected that the Queen would publicly rebuke Molga—a war hero—for the sake of a newly arrived maid?
This silver-haired maid named Lilia… was definitely not simple.
For a time, the entire Council Hall fell into deathly silence.
Only the faint friction of Lilia’s fingertips against Hera’s skin could be heard.
Lilia felt her face was hot enough to fry a Shadow Crow Egg.
Time dragged on in the thick air.
No one knew how long had passed, but just as Lilia felt she was about to faint from lack of oxygen, Hera finally made another move.
She slowly withdrew the foot resting on the armrest.
Lilia felt as if she had been granted amnesty and immediately tried to pull her hands back.
However, Hera’s cold voice rang out once more, stopping her.
“Do you remember what I had you write yesterday?”
“Present your plan here.”
Lilia froze completely.
What thing?
Oh… that Minotaur general’s military scroll!
Her mind stalled for half a second before being overwhelmed by an even deeper fear.
Here?
Now?
Wasn’t this just throwing her onto the fire?!
She was still kneeling!
Lilia went blank.
She could feel that as Hera spoke, every gaze in the hall once again focused on her.
This time, however, the gazes weren’t just shock and disdain—they carried scrutiny and curiosity.
Especially Camilla. Her beautiful eyes flickered with surprise, then quickly filled with thick mockery.
She wanted to see what this little thing, good only for flattering massages, could possibly present.
Cold sweat trickled down Lilia’s temples.
But could she disobey the Queen?
【Ding!】
【Emergency Choice Mission Triggered: Trial in the Court!】
【Mission Requirement: Present your compiled military proposal before all demon ministers and obtain preliminary approval from Queen Hera.】
【Mission Reward: Unlock “Maid Talent Tree - Administrative Maid” advanced branch, “Aura of Authority” proficiency +100, Palace of Eternal Night Reputation +50.】
【Failure Penalty: Judged as “incompetent trash,” stripped of “Official Head Maid” status, Charisma -30, and a “one-day trip” to the arena with Minotaur General Talos.】
When Lilia saw the “one-day trip to the arena,” her legs went weak.
Facing a three-meter-tall, muscle-bound Minotaur? She’d probably be crushed with a single finger!
Do it!
Lilia made up her mind.
If she was going to die, she might as well die with some value!
Better to gamble now than be crushed later!
That reckless courage instantly overwhelmed all her shame and fear.
She was still kneeling, but her back straightened slightly.
She didn’t raise her head, maintaining a humble posture, yet her voice rang clearly through the silent hall.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Her voice trembled slightly from nervousness, but under the dual titles 【Executor of Order】 and 【The Queen’s Spokesperson (Pseudo)】, every word was articulated with unusual clarity and logic beyond her status.
“Regarding the document from Minotaur General Grom of the Northern Mining Area, the issue lies in…”
She began.
Her mind raced at unprecedented speed, every detail of the table she had personally compiled vividly etched in her memory.
“General Grom only requested reinforcements and equipment replacement, but failed to state the specific objectives to be achieved, nor did he quantify the required resources. This makes it impossible to evaluate the input-output ratio.”
At the front of the formation, Grom’s massive body trembled, snorting heavily.
Camilla’s mockery deepened.
A maid daring to comment on a decorated general? Was she insane?
Lilia ignored everything and continued, her voice growing steadier.
“My proposal is to convert vague requests into clear contracts.”
“Objective: Within three months, increase monthly ore output of the Northern Mining Area by fifty percent and reduce miner casualties by ninety percent.”
Gasps sounded from the crowd.
Madness!
This was impossible!
Lilia paused, then continued.
“Resources: Reassign three hundred elite soldiers from the Royal Guard of the King’s City to replace current defenses. Provide eight hundred enchanted heavy pickaxes and fifty illumination crystals. Raise food supply standards for all miners by one level.”
Her pace was steady, every number precise.
The expressions of the ministers began to change.
This… actually sounded somewhat reasonable?
Lilia became more immersed, her past-life experience surfacing.
“Rewards: If achieved, General Grom will be promoted by one rank, with a reward of one hundred thousand gold for his troops. If overachieved for three consecutive months, he may enter the King’s City for a personal audience with the Queen.”
An uproar broke out.
A personal audience!
Grom’s eyes burned with excitement.
But—
“Penalty: If the objective is not met, Grom will be demoted to centurion and assigned to personally mine for three months.”
His excitement froze instantly.
Silence fell again.
Lilia continued like a machine.
“Regarding the Western Swamp Defense Line…”
“Regarding the Logistics Department’s gold request…”
All chaotic requests were restructured using her cold system: 【Objective】, 【Resources】, 【Rewards】, 【Penalties】.
The hall echoed only with her voice.
Gradually, all expressions turned serious.
They realized—this kneeling human maid had constructed an entirely new model of power.
Cold. Strict. Yet irresistibly effective.
Because the rewards were real.
Camilla’s mockery vanished, replaced by shock.
For the first time, she felt fear.
Flattery and rivalry didn’t scare her.
But this… this kind of intellect at the core of power… how could she compete?
Molga also watched silently, her gaze turning from scrutiny into deep contemplation.
Finally, Lilia finished.
“…That is my full proposal. Please, Your Majesty, decide.”
She felt drained.
【Ding!】
【“Aura of Authority” proficiency +100!】
【Title “The Queen’s Spokesperson (Pseudo)” enhanced!】
【Palace of Eternal Night Reputation +50!】
【Feminization Index +5!】
Silence.
All eyes turned to the throne.
Lilia felt overwhelming pressure.
Her heart pounded.
Why wasn’t Hera speaking?
Did she say something wrong?
Or… go too far?
Her thoughts raced—
Then—
It struck her.
Cleaning up chaos wasn’t enough.
For someone like Hera, the source of chaos must be eliminated.
A crazy idea emerged.
Lilia suddenly lifted her head, meeting those golden eyes.
“Your Majesty!”
Gasps echoed.
Hera did not stop her.
Encouraged, Lilia continued.
“I believe my previous proposal treats the symptoms, not the root.”
“The true root lies in order.”
Her voice was firm.
“All documents submitted to you must follow a unified format!”
She raised a finger, drawing an invisible frame.
“I propose that from today onward, all reports must include seven sections!”
“[Department & Responsible Person]!”
“[Current Situation]!”
“[Reason for Request]!”
“[Specific Objectives]—must be quantifiable!”
“[Resource Requirements]—must be precise!”
“[Expected Returns]!”
“And [Accountability for Failure]!”
Her voice rose with each point.
“Any document missing one of these shall be deemed disrespectful and rejected outright!”
Silence.
Then shock.
She was redefining the entire system.
Who did she think she was?!
Some ministers nearly erupted—
But Hera’s gaze shifted to Grom.
“Grom.”
“What do you think?”
Silence crushed the hall.
The battlefield monster now sweated.
He glanced between Hera and Lilia.
Lilia’s heart nearly burst.
Say something!
Please!
Grom’s massive body shifted, armor clanking heavily.