Chapter 39 : Cooperation Between Two People
Chapter 39: Cooperation Between Two People
“Go summon Camilla,” Hera ordered.
Lilia fell into complete despair.
She could already picture a future where she and Camilla exposed each other’s flaws in front of everyone, suffering unbearably.
“Yes… Master.” Lilia forced the words out with difficulty, her body stiff as she stood up. She kept her head lowered, not daring to look at Hera’s expression, and turned to walk out of the study. Every step felt unbearably heavy, as if she were dragging a thousand-pound weight behind her.
After leaving the study, she took a deep breath, trying to calm the collapse in her heart.
Summon Camilla?
Fine! Let’s all die together!
She arrived outside Camilla’s council chamber, where several succubus guards stood at the entrance. Upon seeing Lilia approach, the guards immediately bowed respectfully. The aura of Hera on Lilia was enough to instill fear and reverence in them.
“Go inform Duke Camilla. Tell her that Her Majesty the Queen summons her—there is an important matter to discuss.” Lilia’s voice carried a kind of authority even she found unfamiliar. Was this the bonus from the 【Executor of Order】 title?
The guards immediately moved. One of them entered to report.
Soon, Camilla walked out from within the hall. The moment she saw Lilia, the seductive smile on her face froze. Her gaze swept over Lilia, filled with undisguised scrutiny and hostility.
“Her Majesty summoned me?” Camilla asked, her tone cold.
“There is an important matter to announce,” Lilia replied briefly, meeting Camilla’s gaze and trying to remain composed.
Camilla looked at Lilia, a trace of doubt and an ominous premonition flashing in her eyes. Something about Lilia’s demeanor felt off.
But she could not refuse Hera’s summons.
Camilla followed Lilia back into the study.
Hera was still seated beside her throne, one hand lightly stroking the armrest. Her gaze first landed on Camilla.
“Camilla.” Hera’s voice carried no warmth.
“Your Majesty.” Camilla immediately knelt on one knee in salute.
She was even more respectful than she had been in the Council Hall.
Hera’s gaze then shifted to Lilia, who also knelt beside Camilla.
“Lilia has proposed a very good suggestion.” Hera’s voice finally carried a trace of clear approval. That approval made Camilla suddenly lift her head, her expression instantly turning complicated.
Lilia felt a chill run down her spine.
She was certain that Camilla was already cursing her in her heart.
Ignoring Camilla’s reaction, Hera continued, “To improve the efficiency of the Palace of Eternal Night, I have decided to establish an independent Document Audit Department, responsible for document compliance and content authenticity across all departments.”
Camilla’s eyes widened slightly.
She clearly hadn’t expected this to be the “important matter.” It didn’t sound like a prestigious assignment at all.
“And the ‘Chief Inspectors’ of this department will be jointly held by you and Lilia.” Hera’s words fell like a verdict.
“What?!” Camilla exclaimed in shock. Her seductive face was filled with disbelief. She shot a furious, venomous glare at Lilia, sending a chill straight down Lilia’s spine.
“Your Majesty, this… document auditing is trivial work. How could it possibly be assigned to—” Camilla tried to protest. As a Succubus Duke and one of the Four Great Demon Generals, how could she be made to do such work?
Not to mention, together with Lilia—a mere maid who had appeared out of nowhere!
“You believe governance of the Demon Realm is trivial?” Hera’s voice turned icy.
Camilla’s body trembled violently as she immediately sensed Hera’s displeasure.
“N–No, I would not dare!” Camilla lowered her head at once, her forehead nearly touching the ground.
“I do not wish to see any department’s documents remain as chaotic as before.” Every word from Hera carried unquestionable authority.
“Lilia proposed this department and possesses the ability to handle such documents.” Hera continued, her tone returning to calm, yet every word carried unmistakable approval toward Lilia—only deepening Camilla’s jealousy. “Camilla, you are sufficiently familiar with the affairs of the Palace of Eternal Night, and your authority is enough to deter those Demon Generals who act obedient on the surface while defying in secret.”
“The combination of the two of you is indispensable.” Hera delivered her final judgment, leaving Camilla no room for rebuttal.
Listening from the side, Lilia felt a strange mix of schadenfreude at Camilla’s misfortune and despair at her own unavoidable fate.
Now she not only had to deal with the mountain of documents, but also cooperate with her nemesis. This was even worse than having dinner with Gourmet Lao Ba.
Camilla clenched her teeth, her body trembling faintly. Humiliation! This was unprecedented humiliation! As a Succubus Duke, she had to work alongside this lowly maid to audit reports submitted by inferior demons?!
Yet Hera’s words had already been spoken—she dared not oppose them.
“Do you understand?” Hera asked, her tone returning to indifference.
“Yes… I understand.” Camilla’s voice was hoarse, filled with unwillingness.
“Very good,” Hera said. “Lilia.”
“Master.” Lilia quickly responded.
“You will draft the department’s operational charter and, in two days, submit an initial plan together with Camilla.”
“Any problems?”
“No problems, Your Majesty!” Lilia responded almost reflexively, raising her voice.
Beside her, Camilla didn’t speak, but her body trembled slightly as well.
Lilia felt like she was going insane. This was pure misfortune out of nowhere!
“You may leave.” Hera waved her hand.
Lilia and Camilla stood up simultaneously and saluted Hera.
As Camilla turned, her gaze looked as if it could devour Lilia alive. Lilia forced herself to pretend she hadn’t noticed the killing intent and hurriedly followed her out of the study.
The moment they stepped outside, Camilla stopped and turned around. Her gaze, like a cold venomous serpent, wrapped tightly around Lilia.
“You… very well done.” Camilla’s voice was low, each word squeezed out through clenched teeth. “Lilia!”
Lilia felt her scalp tingle, but she knew she couldn’t retreat.
“Duke Camilla.” Lilia forced herself to remain calm, imitating Hera’s manner as she revealed a formal, slightly cold smile. “This is the will of my master.”
Camilla turned and left.
Lilia watched her departing figure and let out a long breath.