The hallway felt endless. Strange snake-like carvings glowed faintly along the walls, lit by torches that flickered in the silence.
Reth walked behind Princess Asthia, his boots echoing in time with her heels. Each step reminded him he wasn't free.
His thoughts swirled. Earth. Death. This body. The system.
Survive seven days.
The words kept repeating in his head, cold and robotic.
Asthia stopped suddenly. She looked at him, her red eyes sharp and unreadable.
"You're thinking too much," she said with a hint of amusement."A bodyguard shouldn't be distracted. Focus."
Reth clenched his jaw and nodded. Not because he agreed—but because something inside forced him to.
[Command Acknowledged: +2 EXP]
[Loyalty Sync: 7%]
She turned and led him through a large arched doorway. The air changed—cooler, heavier, and it smelled faintly of ash and metal.
They stepped into a courtyard. A silver white fountain at its center poured clean blue water. The sky above was a deep blue, almost like ocean.
Beyond the fountain was a wide plaza filled with nobles, servants, and guards. Everyone looked busy—but they all glanced at Asthia as she passed.
[Location Unlocked: Obsidian Plaza – Royal District]
[+5 EXP for Obedience]
"You'll join me at the trial," Asthia said calmly."A noble defied the empire. Stay close. Be silent. Only move when I say. Understood?"
"Yes," Reth replied before he even realized.
[New Command: Escort Princess Asthia to the Trial]
[Objective: Stay Silent. Act Only on Command.]
[Reward: 20 EXP]
[Failure: Punishment Trigger]
They crossed the plaza. Nobles stopped to bow. Others whispered behind hands.
Reth walked two steps behind her, eyes moving through the crowd. The system gave him flashes—instincts that weren't truly his but felt natural.
[Skill Fragment: Threat Perception Lv. 0.2]
[Hostile Intent: Low]
A man in green robes smirked as they passed."So this is her new dog? Pathetic. A mutt on a leash."
Reth's hands curled into fists. The system pulsed hot in his chest. A warning.
He didn't respond.
A woman nearby laughed."At least he's pretty. Shame she owns him."
Asthia didn't react. In fact, her steps slowed a little—as if letting the insults continue.
Was she testing him?
[Disobedience Risk: 10%]
[Loyalty Sync: 8%]
They reached the trial grounds. A raised platform of black stone stood in the center, with banners of red on either side. A crowd had gathered.
In the middle stood a man in chains. Tall. Strong. Angry.
His once-fine robes were torn. But he stood proud.
Asthia walked up the steps. Reth followed, stopping beside her.
The prisoner spat at her feet.
"You're no true Flame. Just a girl playing queen."
Gasps followed. Asthia's face didn't change.
A priest unrolled a scroll, reading charges of treason and rebellion. But the man kept shouting over him.
"You'll regret this, witch!"
Reth's hand twitched near the sword at his hip. It was the first time he noticed the blade. The hilt was marked with runes.
[Threat Perception Lv. 0.3: Hostile Intent Detected]
The noble moved suddenly—chains snapping. He pulled out a hidden blade and rushed at Asthia.
The crowd shouted. Asthia didn't flinch.
"Kill him," she said, voice flat.
The command hit Reth like a strike. His sword was already moving before he thought.
Steel met flesh. Blood sprayed. The man dropped, lifeless.
Silence followed.
Reth stared at the body. His hand shook. He'd killed. Just like that.
[Command Fulfilled: +20 EXP]
[Skill Unlocked: Basic Sword Technique Lv. 1.1]
[Loyalty Sync: 10%]
[Side Quest Progress: Day 1 Complete]
Asthia looked at the body. Then at Reth.
Her red eyes didn't soften. But there was something—approval? Curiosity?
The crowd slowly left. Reth wiped the blade and followed as she stepped down.
Later, back in her chamber, Asthia lay on a velvet couch with a glass of wine. The room glowed with soft golden lights.
Reth stood near the door. His back was straight, but his thoughts were spinning.
He had killed someone. Not because he wanted to—but because the system forced him.
Was this how things worked here? Obey. Kill. Gain power.
Asthia looked at him.
"You hesitated," she said.
Reth met her eyes.
"For a second," she continued. "But you followed. That's enough. For now."
[Command Acknowledged: +5 EXP]
[Loyalty Sync: 11%]
She walked past him slowly, her hand brushing his shoulder. Not gently. Not cold either. Just… deliberate.
"This empire is fire, Reth," she said. "It burns or it makes you stronger. Serve well, and you'll be more than just a weapon."
She stopped by the window.
"Rest. Tomorrow, we face the Court."
[New Command: Rest and Prepare for Court]
[Reward: 10 EXP]
Reth's body turned to leave. But his thoughts were racing.
He'd survived the first day.
Six more to go.
The door closed behind him.
[EXP: 47 / 100]
[Side Quest: Survive 7 Days – 6 Days Remaining]
...
Reth walked through the quiet hallway alone now, the sound of his boots softer without the click of Asthia's heels beside them.
[No Active Commands][Free Action Available]
The silence should've felt like relief. Instead, it pressed against his ears like pressure under deep water. His hand flexed unconsciously at his side.
He turned a corner and spotted two servants—young, plain-clothed girls carrying folded linens.
They paused when they saw him.
He approached, slower than usual, trying not to loom. "Hey," he said, voice lower than he meant. The girls flinched slightly. He raised a hand, not to threaten—just to show he meant no harm.
"I'm not here to cause trouble. I just..." He glanced around, then leaned in slightly. "Is there a library or archive somewhere in the palace?"
The taller girl blinked. "You're Princess Asthia's... retainer?"
"I guess that's one word for it."
The smaller one nodded, suddenly curious. "There's a library. straight from her. Past the fountains. But it's for nobles and scholars. Servants aren't allowed inside unless summoned."
[Location Unlocked: Palace Library][Optional Objective: Access the Library Without Drawing Attention][Reward: Unknown]
"Thanks," Reth said, already turning.
The girls scurried off, whispering behind their hands.
He followed the directions, walking through curved corridors lit by orange wall sconces and stone fire pits. The deeper he went, the fewer people he saw.
Beyond it, two large ironwood doors marked the entrance to the palace library.
They were closed. Guarded.
Two armored men stood on either side—silver helms, crimson cloaks.
[Threat Perception: Passive – No Hostile Intent Detected][Social Access: Insufficient][Stealth Access: Possible][Current Objective: Undetected Entry or Permission Route]
Reth exhaled. His mind raced. The system hadn't locked him out. That meant there was a way in.
A guard looked over. "Need something?"
Reth straightened, trying to keep his voice neutral. "Princess Asthia mentioned I might find some records here."
The guard narrowed his eyes. The other crossed his arms. Silence stretched.
Then the first one gave a short nod. "Fine. But no removing anything. And no speaking to the scribes unless spoken to."
The door creaked open.
[Objective Complete: Access Library][+10 EXP]
Reth stepped inside.
The smell hit first—parchment, candle wax, and dust. Rows of dark-wood shelves stretched like a forest. Scrolls, tomes, and bound books rested in organized chaos. Floating crystal lanterns glowed softly above.
A few robed scholars moved quietly between tables.
[Location: Royal Archive – Inner Library][Search Available: Empire History, Magic Theory, Flameblood Nobility][Time Limit: None (Until Recalled)][Action: Choose Topic to Investigate]
Reth exhaled slowly.
Finally. A chance to understand something. Anything.
He stepped forward toward the first aisle, fingers grazing spines.
He had six days left. He needed answers.
Which topic should he search first?
Empire History
Magic Theory
Flameblood Nobility
Something else?