Chapter 48 : The Hardest Backbone
Chapter 48: The Hardest Backbone
“You… okay?”
Okay?
Okay my ass. Wasn’t she just about to test whether she was okay with her own hands?
Lilia’s body still carried the weakness of having all her strength drained. She braced herself against the table, barely managing to stand steady, and it took her quite some effort before her vision finally refocused.
Then, she saw Camilla—the once arrogant and domineering figure—kneeling on both knees on the floor in front of her.
That fiery red long dress spread out like a blood-colored lotus blooming in hell. And at the very center of that lotus was a stunning face that had once been filled with mockery and killing intent, but was now completely blank.
Lilia had been seeing things in a blur just moments ago.
What happened?
Wasn’t she just about to risk everything and fight her after her work results was destroyed in a surge of anger? How did it turn into this in the blink of an eye—her kneeling in front of her? What kind of new succubus play was this? A setup?
Just as a storm of thoughts swept through her mind, a familiar system notification rescued her.
【Ding! Detected that the host’s consciousness has returned. Control of the body has been restored.】
【Emergency situation “The Queen’s Descent” has ended. Initiating event review…】
In the next second, a segment of “memory” that did not belong to her was forcefully poured into her mind.
It was everything seen and heard from her perspective.
She saw her own body standing upright, exuding a dignified aura. At the same time, she could feel that overwhelming pressure of absolute dominion radiating from her body, crushing the once unrestrained Succubus Duke into dust.
Lilia first felt a wave of lingering fear. Her body had been taken over so easily—this was simply too terrifying.
But immediately after, an indescribable emotion surged up from the deepest part of her heart.
Camilla had wanted to humiliate her.
Yet the Queen personally stepped in, using her body to grind Camilla’s dignity into the ground again and again.
This… was the hardest backbone in the world!
Working for a boss like this… maybe it wasn’t so unacceptable after all? At least she wouldn’t have to worry about being bullied by colleagues from other departments.
The moment that thought appeared, Lilia shuddered.
Something’s wrong. Why would she think like that? How could she indulge in this sugar-coated bullet of capitalism fused with feudalism?
【Ding! Detected that the host has developed strong feelings of pleasure, belonging, and dependency due to the behavior ‘The Queen’s Protection’.】
The system’s notification rang out at the worst possible time, carrying a hint of schadenfreude.
【The ‘working person’s’ self-cultivation has undergone a qualitative change. You are no longer merely satisfied with completing tasks, but have begun to enjoy the hidden benefits brought by power.】
【Feminization Index +5!】
【Warning! The Feminization Index has reached a critical threshold! The host’s ‘self-awareness’ will undergo structural distortion, and certain thought patterns will permanently assimilate toward ‘private property’ logic! Please remain vigilant!】
Lilia: “……”
It was over. Something had gone wrong with her ideological imprint.
Before she could complain about the system kicking her while she was down, she saw Camilla—still kneeling on the ground—move.
The Succubus Duke did not stand up.
She merely looked around silently, taking in the mess she herself had created—the shattered ink bottle, the papers soaked through with black ink, and the contaminated marble floor.
Then, this high-ranking noble of the Demon Realm lifted the hem of her expensive dress, stood up, walked to the side, and picked up a rag and a wooden bucket.
Lilia was completely dumbfounded.
Carrying the bucket, Camilla returned, knelt down again, soaked the rag, and… began to wipe the floor.
The black ink gradually disappeared from the smooth marble under her wiping.
The scene was utterly surreal.
Lilia opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
“Um… Duke?”
Camilla’s wiping paused for a moment, but she did not look up.
“You…”
Lilia couldn’t finish her sentence. She didn’t know what to say.
Tell her to stop?
This was the Queen’s order—what right did she have to tell Camilla to stop?
Or take the opportunity to mock her?
That would probably max out the hatred value instantly!
Lilia could only stand there stiffly, watching Camilla do the work of a servant right in front of her.
Finally, the ink stains on the floor were completely cleaned.
Camilla stood up, returned the bucket and rag, then walked back, bent down, and picked up the few sheets of parchment that had been soaked with ink and completely ruined.
She did not throw the waste paper away.
Instead, she walked to Lilia’s small desk and neatly placed the crumpled sheets at the corner.
Only after finishing all that did she finally lift her head and look at Lilia.
That beautiful face no longer showed any emotion. The killing intent and mockery were gone, replaced by a stillness like stagnant water.
“Lady Lilia, Her Majesty requires that the proposal for establishing the Document Audit Department be submitted by tomorrow.”
Oh? She was even using honorifics now?
“How do you plan to begin?”
She wanted to see what this maid, inexplicably favored by Her Majesty, was capable of—aside from complaining and playing petty tricks.
Lilia took a deep breath. The lingering weakness from being possessed by Hera was instantly swept away by a blazing soul known as “the working person.”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she walked straight to her small desk, ignoring the soaked documents at the corner that represented Camilla’s “achievement.”
Camilla simply stood there, watching her back, her brows knitting ever so slightly.
“First, establish a plan. Then revise its shortcomings. Finally, conduct actual investigation.”
Lilia turned around.
“But before that, three things must be clarified.”
Camilla said nothing, only watching her.
“First, what is the department’s ultimate goal?” Lilia raised one finger. A rational glint flickered in her crimson eyes. “We are not auditing for the sake of auditing. Our goal is to establish an efficient, transparent information-processing system with clear responsibilities—one that allows Her Majesty to see problems at a glance. Any process that does not serve this goal is garbage.”
“Second, where are the boundaries of our authority?” Lilia raised a second finger. “We are only responsible for verifying the authenticity of the information in documents. We do not provide suggestions on the decisions within those documents.”
“Third—and most importantly.” Lilia lowered her hand and tapped the tip of her pen heavily against the parchment. “The division of responsibilities between you and me.”
She raised her eyes, meeting Camilla’s storm-brewing violet gaze. Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable pressure.
“I will be responsible for setting all auditing standards, workflows, and final report templates. All internal affairs are under my authority.”
“And you,” Lilia deliberately emphasized the title, “will be responsible for all external communication, coordination, and handling those who refuse to follow the rules. All external issues are yours to resolve.”
She paused, then added:
“Simply put, I establish order—you eliminate all the trash that obstructs that order.”
“You…!” Camilla stepped forward, her chest rising and falling violently, but at the thought of the Queen, she forcibly held herself back.