Chapter 3
I turned my head and fixed her with my purple gaze.
Even though I was in a new body, the killing intent I'd honed on the battlefield in my previous life was still there.
The maid trembled and immediately lowered her head. "Yes, I'll do that at once!"
Two beastman guards strode in and hauled the man out like he was nothing more than a dead dog.
Now, I was the only one left in the room. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and raised my hand to gently caress the stunningly beautiful face staring back at me.
Liam was dead. Betrayed and killed by his closest friend and the woman he loved most.
Now, only Lilith remained.
The magic that surged through this body was more than just a hundred times stronger than in my previous life. It was on a whole different level. If Gerard tried showing off his precious Fireball now, it wouldn't even leave a mark on me.
[System Alert: Detected Lilith's overwhelming urge for vengeance. Main Quest Activated: Hunt down the traitors,] the system pinged.
[Quest Description: Use your identity as the Queen of Succubi to make the traitors perish in utter despair and ecstasy. Reward: Unlimited essence devouring power,] the system pinged again.
I glanced at the translucent panel hovering before me. A slow, satisfied smile spread across my lips.
My reflection in the mirror echoed that smile. It was alluring, wicked, and carried a deadly, venomous charm.
Gerard and Emily loved to play with others' feelings and were always looking for excitement. Since I was gifted this body and these abilities, I'll show them real fun and let them know what real hell feels like.
"Sebastian," I called out, my voice cool and commanding.
The door opened, and an elderly demon in a crisp tailcoat stepped inside. It was my butler, Sebastian Wells.
"Your Majesty, how may I serve you?" he asked respectfully.
I walked over to the window and stared out at the gloomy abyss sky. A cold smirk tugged at my lips.
"I heard that the human kingdom is recruiting heroes to hunt down the demon king," I started.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Sebastian answered with utmost respect. "Rumor has it, the Thalmyr Empire's new chief mage, Lord Gerard, would be leading the expedition along with his fiancée, the holy maiden candidate, Miss Emily."
My heart gave a painful jolt at the mention of those names. Then, a rush of savage delight flooded through me.
What a coincidence. They showed up just when I needed them.
"They're my prey," I declared, my voice low and dangerous.
I turned around, my wings slowly folded in and dissolved into a swirl of shadowy mist. My silver hair turned into plain black, and my purple eyes became a simple brown, just like any human's.
My once stunningly beautiful face was now masked by magic, transformed into that of a pretty, but not overly striking, noble girl. But that seductive charm was etched into my very bones. No matter what I did, it always showed through.
"Your Majesty, what's going on?" Sebastian stared at me in surprise.
I lifted my skirt and spun around gracefully as I instructed, "Prepare a new identity for me. Maybe a destitute noble heiress, or a helpless damsel waiting for a hero to rescue her?"
I walked up to Sebastian, lifted his chin with a finger, my voice barely more than a breath against his ear. "I want to personally welcome our guests."
Sebastian's cheeks reddened, and he bowed his head in a hurry. "A-as you command, Your Majesty."
*****
Half a month later.
At the edge of the human kingdom, in Mistveil Forest, a wasteland where sunlight never reached.
A well-equipped squad was weaving through the forest.
At the front strode a blond man, holding a ruby-tipped staff. His mage robe was spotless, conspicuously out of place amid the muddy forest floor.
It was Gerard.
Trailing behind him was Emily, clad in holy maiden white robes. She carried a purification potion, her expression tinged with impatience.
"How much longer do we have to slog through this dump? It's disgusting," Emily grumbled as she kicked a fallen branch out of her way.
"Patience, darling," Gerard replied, not even bothering to look back. "The intel said that a high-tier beast was lurking nearby. Once we snag its core, I'll finally break through this Grand Mage bottleneck. Then, the Thalmyr Empire would be ours for the taking."
"This’d better be worth it," Emily muttered under her breath, "If I'd known, I wouldn't have gotten rid of Liam so early. He used to handle all this filthy business for us."
"Why even mention that dead guy?" Gerard scowled.
He was about to continue speaking when a commotion sounded ahead.
Crash!
The bushes gave way and a rugged girl stumbled out, her clothes in tatters.
She was smeared with mud and her dress had been shredded by thorns, exposing large swathes of flawless, pale skin. Tear tracks marked her face, yet her stunning beauty shone through.
The most captivating thing about her were her eyes. They were big and glistening, like a frightened deer.
When the girl spotted the group, it was as if she'd found her last hope. She collapsed at Gerard's feet, desperately wrapping her arms around his leg, clinging to him for dear life.
"P-please help me! There's a monster!" The girl pleaded.
Her voice was so soft and laced with sobs, it could make anyone go weak in the knees.
Gerard was momentarily stunned as he glanced down at the girl desperately clutching his leg.