Chapter 113 : Let’s Begin
Chapter 113: Let’s Begin
Hera shook the pair of connected rings in her hand, producing a crisp metallic clinking sound.
The cold touch still lingered on Lilia’s forehead as she resisted the urge to bury her head into the ground.
Hera tilted her chin slightly, signaling Lilia to look at the exquisite necklace the system had just produced. The gemstone felt warm to the touch, with red liquid flowing inside, faintly resonating with Hera’s magic.
Hera set down the “Conjoined Heart Lock” and picked up the necklace instead. She lightly rolled it between her fingers, her gaze shifting back and forth between the necklace and Lilia.
Lilia knew what Hera was hesitating about.
She was hesitating whether to put this necklace on her—this item that could issue tasks at any time and control rewards.
Avoidance would only make Hera think she was still hiding something. And she needed Hera to understand that her choice was genuine, unrelated to the system.
Lilia took a deep breath, crawled forward on her knees again, and pressed her forehead to the ground.
“Master!”
Hera didn’t respond, only watching her quietly.
“You asked me just now… why I lied.” Lilia kept her head lowered, her voice soft.
The room was quiet, with only the sound of her heartbeat echoing in her ears.
“I lied because I was afraid.” Lilia continued, fully revealing the helplessness and fear in her tone. “Afraid you wouldn’t believe me, afraid you’d think I had ulterior motives.”
She paused, then finally dared to lift her head and meet Hera’s gaze.
“But now, I’ve told you everything.” Lilia looked straight at Hera, her eyes clear. “Including that… that parasite in my head, and all the tasks it gave me.”
She pointed at the necklace in Hera’s hand.
“Master, I know what that is.” Lilia lowered her voice, carrying a humble plea. “That’s something that can make it completely shut up and let you fully control me. As long as you put it on me, I will never have any lies, never have any secrets again.”
“All my actions, all my thoughts, will completely follow your commands. Whatever you want me to do, I will do.” Lilia spoke decisively.
She made it even more explicit: “If Master puts it on me, I will always listen to you, Hera. There will be no falsehood. My sincerity, my loyalty, will be completely laid bare before you.”
She had completely handed her fate over to Hera.
After saying it, Lilia felt an unprecedented sense of relief—as if all burdens had been cast off.
Hera did not respond immediately. Her golden eyes were deep and unreadable, as if thinking, or perhaps observing. Lilia’s heart rose to her throat. She didn’t know whether her words would backfire—whether Hera would think she was playing some manipulative game.
Time passed second by second.
Lilia could even hear the sound of her own blood flowing. She forced herself not to look away from Hera’s gaze, even though it felt like a cold blade that could dissect her at any moment.
Finally, Hera moved.
Her slender fingers gently lifted the necklace. The red glow flowed across it as if alive.
“Are you sure?” Hera’s voice was soft, yet carried unquestionable authority.
Lilia nodded fiercely.
“I’m sure!”
Hera slowly stepped closer, stopping in front of Lilia. She lowered her head and draped the necklace around Lilia’s neck.
Lilia’s body stiffened slightly. She could feel the warmth of Hera’s fingertips, and that familiar cool cedar scent. The cold chain touched her skin, sending a faint shiver through her.
“Since this is what you asked for.” Hera’s voice was very close. “Then make good use of it.”
The pendant rested against Lilia’s chest, the gem glowing faintly. Hera withdrew her hand, her fingertip lightly tapping the pendant once.
Then, Hera’s expression froze.
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.
Within them appeared traces of confusion, excitement, and a desire to explore.
Lilia didn’t know what had happened. She only felt a chill rush from the soles of her feet straight to her head. Hera’s presence had changed instantly.
Hera spoke, enunciating each word.
“Mission: The Queen’s Awakening.”
Lilia’s heart contracted violently.
“Requirement: Within 24 hours, make Hera consume the potion or consume it yourself, and complete the ‘Great Harmony of Life.’”
After reading it, Hera raised her head and looked at Lilia. In those golden eyes, it felt as if a storm was brewing.
Lilia froze in place.
All the blood in her body seemed to solidify.
She knew—it was over.
She had been completely sold out by the system.
“Oh~?” Hera drawled.
“Great Harmony of Life?”
Lilia’s face instantly burned red.
Hera simply looked at her quietly—no anger, no mockery. That calmness made Lilia even more terrified. She could sense Hera’s mood shifting, but couldn’t grasp it at all.
The atmosphere solidified.
Lilia felt like she was suffocating.
Hera suddenly let out a soft laugh. There was a faint trace of pleasure hidden within it.
“Since the atmosphere has already reached this point.” Hera said softly.
She didn’t wait for Lilia’s response.
Hera raised her hand and gently waved it through the air.
In the next instant, all the light in the room distorted. Lilia felt her vision blur, the world spinning. When she regained her senses, she found herself in a familiar yet unfamiliar place.
She and Hera had arrived in Hera’s Bedchamber.
The spacious and luxurious chamber, beyond the massive floor-to-ceiling window, the night was deep. The air was filled with a faint fragrance—the unique cedar scent of Hera, mixed with a subtle sweetness.
Soft carpets. Warm candlelight.
And not far away—
That lavish bed.
Lilia’s heart pounded wildly.
Hera stood before her, her slightly cool fingertip lightly touching the necklace on Lilia’s chest.
“Then…”
She leaned down slightly.
“Let’s begin.”