The hallway stretched endlessly. Strange snake-like carvings glowed faintly along the stone walls, lit by flickering torches that barely disturbed the silence.
Reth walked a step behind Princess Asthia, his boots echoing in rhythm with the sharp clicks of her heels. Every step reminded him: he wasn't free.
His mind spiraled. Earth. Death. This stolen body. The system.
Survive seven days.
The words repeated in his head, cold and mechanical.
Asthia stopped. She turned slightly, red eyes sharp and unreadable.
"You're thinking too much," she said, a trace of amusement in her voice. "A bodyguard shouldn't be distracted. Focus."
Reth clenched his jaw and nodded. Not because he agreed—but because something inside compelled him to.
[Command Acknowledged: +2 EXP]
[Loyalty Sync: 7%]
She continued forward, leading him through a tall archway. The air changed—cooler, heavier, with a faint scent of ash and metal.
They entered a courtyard. At its center, a silver-white fountain poured clear blue water. The sky above was an impossible deep azure, like a still sea.
Beyond the fountain lay a wide stone plaza, alive with movement—nobles, servants, and soldiers. Most wore purpose on their sleeves, but all turned to glance at Asthia as she passed.
[Location Unlocked: Obsidian Plaza – Royal District]
[+5 EXP for Obedience]
"You'll accompany me to the trial," Asthia said evenly. "A noble defied the empire. Stay close. Say nothing. Move only on command. Understood?"
"Yes," Reth replied automatically, the words leaving him before his thoughts caught up.
[New Command: Escort Princess Asthia to the Trial]
[Objective: Stay Silent. Act Only on Command.]
[Reward: 20 EXP]
[Failure: Punishment Trigger]
They crossed the square. Some nobles paused to bow. Others whispered behind sleeves.
Reth kept two steps behind, eyes scanning. The system flared—offering instincts that weren't his, but felt like they'd always been.
[Skill Fragment: Threat Perception Lv. 1]
[Hostile Intent: Low]
A man in green robes sneered as they passed. "So this is her new dog? Pathetic. A mutt on a leash."
Reth's fists clenched. The system pulsed hot in his chest.
He didn't react.
A woman's voice chimed in. "At least he's pretty. Shame she owns him."
Asthia didn't flinch. Her steps slowed slightly, as if letting the mockery stretch on.
A test?
[Disobedience Risk: 10%]
[Loyalty Sync: 8%]
They arrived at the trial grounds—a raised platform of black stone ringed by red banners. The crowd was already gathered.
At the center stood a man in chains. Tall, broad-shouldered, furious. His once-fine robes were torn, but he stood proud.
Asthia ascended the platform. Reth followed, stopping beside her.
The prisoner spat at her feet.
"You're no true Flame. Just a girl playing queen."
Gasps rippled. Asthia's expression didn't shift.
A priest unrolled a scroll, reading charges of rebellion. But the man kept shouting.
"You'll regret this, witch!"
Reth's hand twitched near the hilt on his hip. It was the first time he noticed the runes etched into the blade.
[Threat Perception Lv. 2: Hostile Intent Detected]
The noble moved. Chains snapped. A hidden blade flashed as he lunged at Asthia.
The crowd screamed.
Asthia didn't move.
"Kill him," she said, flat and final.
The command struck like lightning. Reth's body moved before his mind could resist.
Steel met flesh. A spray of blood. The man collapsed.
Silence.
Reth stared at the corpse. His hand trembled. He had killed. Just like that.
[Command Fulfilled: +20 EXP]
[Skill Unlocked: Basic Sword Technique Lv. 1]
[Loyalty Sync: 10%]
[Side Quest Progress: Day 1 Complete]
Asthia looked at the body, then at Reth.
Her eyes didn't soften. But something lingered there—approval, maybe. Or curiosity.
The crowd slowly dispersed. Reth cleaned his blade and followed as she stepped down.
Later, in her chamber, Asthia lay on a velvet couch sipping wine. The room glowed with soft golden light.
Reth stood near the door, back straight. But inside, his mind spun.
He'd killed because the system told him to. Not because he wanted to.
Was this how the world worked? Obey. Kill. Gain power?
Asthia spoke, interrupting his thoughts.
"You hesitated."
Reth met her gaze.
"For a second," she said. "But you followed. That's enough. For now."
[Command Acknowledged: +5 EXP]
[Loyalty Sync: 11%]
She passed him, her hand brushing his shoulder—not gently, not cold. Just deliberate.
"This empire is fire, Reth," she said. "It burns you, or it makes you stronger. Serve well, and you'll be more than just a weapon."
She stopped at the window.
"Rest. Tomorrow, we face the Court."
[New Command: Rest and Prepare for Court][Reward: 10 EXP]
Reth turned to leave. But his thoughts churned.
One day down.
Six to go.
The door clicked shut behind him.
[EXP: 47 / 100]
[Side Quest: Survive 7 Days – 6 Days Remaining]
Now walking alone through the dim halls, the silence felt heavier without the rhythm of Asthia's steps beside him.
[No Active Commands]
[Free Action Available]
The quiet pressed in like weight beneath water. His hand flexed at his side.
He turned a corner. Two plain-clothed servants carrying folded linens froze when they saw him.
Reth slowed. "Hey," he said softly, voice deeper than he meant.
They flinched. He raised a hand, not threatening—just trying to seem human.
"I'm not here to cause trouble. I just…" He glanced around, then leaned in. "Is there a library in the palace?"
The taller girl blinked. "You're the Princess's… retainer?"
"I guess that's one word for it."
The smaller girl nodded, curious. "There's a library. Straight past the fountains. But it's nobles-only. Servants don't go inside unless summoned."
[Location Unlocked: Palace Library]
[Optional Objective: Access the Library Without Drawing Attention]
[Reward: Unknown]
"Thanks," Reth said, already walking away.
They whispered behind him as he followed the path—curved halls lit by sconces and stone firepits. As he moved deeper, fewer people appeared.
At last, two large ironwood doors marked the entrance to the library.
Closed. Guarded.
Two men in armor flanked the doorway—silver helms, crimson cloaks.
[Threat Perception: Passive – No Hostile Intent Detected]
[Social Access: Insufficient]
[Stealth Access: Possible]
[Objective: Gain Entry – Undetected or Authorized]
A guard raised an eyebrow. "Need something?"
Reth kept his voice calm. "Princess Asthia mentioned I might find some records here."
The guard studied him. The other folded his arms.
A pause.
Then the first nodded. "Fine. No removing scrolls. Don't speak to the scribes unless addressed."
The door opened.
[Objective Complete: Access Library]
[+10 EXP]
Reth stepped inside.
The scent hit first—dust, wax, parchment. Shelves of dark wood stretched endlessly. Books, scrolls, ancient bindings. Floating crystal lanterns hovered above.
Robed scholars glided between rows.
[Location: Royal Archive – Inner Library]
[Available Topics: Empire History, Magic Theory, Flameblood Nobility]
[Time Limit: Until Recalled]
Reth exhaled.
Finally. A chance to understand something. Anything.
He stepped into the aisle, fingertips brushing spines.
Six days left.
He needed answers.
Which topic should he search first?
Empire History
Magic Theory
Flameblood Nobility
Something else?