003: The kingdom of Astravian

[Main Mission 01: Accepted]

[Target: Assassinate the King of Astravian]

[Mission Reward: 2,500,000 Points]

[Time limit: 150days]

[Penalty for Failure: Absolute Death]

The glowing blue text burned into Camilla's retinas before fracturing into tiny particles of light.

"You want me to kill someone? Like a real breathing living being? And in 150days? I can't do that! I haven't even killed a roach before talk more of a person? Not just anyone, A king! That's impossible! Give me another mission to do and I'll do it

"Reject mission, switch mission."Camilla said out loud talking to her system

"I'm afraid it doesn't work like that, miss CEO." the fox said

" Once you accept a mission, you can't switch or reject you and you must do what ever the system asks you to do or you die permanently."

"But that's not fair and that's murder! And beside I got beaten to death just for slapping a person, what will happen to me when I kill a person and a king of a real actual kingdom! I'll probably be boiled to death or worst'"

"That's why you are supposed to be smart about it and make sure you don't get caught, you can buy weapons from the inventory that youcan use. There are also undetectable poisons you can use but unfortunately youdon't have enough points to buy it from the inventory."

"Arrggg so what youare saying is if I don't do this I'm dead and if I do it and get caught, I'm still dead ?? Gosh who did I offend In my past life to deserve this?? Okey don't answer that question it was rhetorical." Camilla said

"And this undetectable poison you speak of, how do I get enough points to get it?"

"The system usually gives side quests to help youearn points to be used for your main quest so all you have to do is wait for a side quest." the fox said

"You are a system guide, aren't you suppose to grant me a starter pack?, a legendary sword?, a drop of dragon blood or something?"

"For a CEO, you are quite dumb to think it will be that easy , the system doesn't hand out cheat codes."the fox jeered

"Urgh…. Then how am I supposed to do this or even get close enough to the king to kill him?" She snapped lowering her voice as she heard heavy footsteps shuffling outside the courtyard. "I am a maid in a shed. I don't know the layout of this palace. I don't know anyone or anything about this place. I don't even know what the King looks like!"

"Then I suggest you start scrubbing some laundry or making a plan, that's if you can," the fox said. "Though, because I am a merciful guide, I will give you a tiny hint for free."

Camilla rolled her eyes.' Stupid fox.' she thought

" I heard that, I guess I will keep my hint to myself."

"I'm sorry.. You are such a wonderful guide." She pleaded.

"The King doesn't look at the dirt-sweepers. If you want to get within striking distance, you need to climb the servant hierarchy. Indoor maid. Personal attendant. Royal cupbearer. Figure it out."

"Is that it?" Camilla asked,

"Yes, that's all." The fox responded

"That wasn't helpful at all you stupid fox," Camilla yelled

"Then figure it out you fake CEO." The fox retorted.

"I'm an executive, not a hitman. Open system! Give me a map, a dossier, anything!"

The blue fox sitting on the dirt floor didn't look up. It casually licked a speck of dust from its paw, its fur gleaming a strange, iridescent azure in the dark shed.

"Don't waste your breath yelling at the air, CEO," the fox's voice echoed, sharp and dripping with sarcasm. "You want a map? Buy it. You want weapons? Earn them."

"You're my guide, aren't you?" Camilla snapped, dropping to her knees so she was eye-level with the creature. The smell of rotting straw and damp earth filled her nose, "Act like one. Where am I? At least you can tell me that right?"

The fox paused, its slit-like eyes locking onto hers with sudden, chilling seriousness. "Fine. Welcome to the Kingdom of Astravian. This is a monolithic imperial monarchy built on blood and paranoia. The King you're supposed to kill, King William Astrave, survives by executing anyone who breathes too loudly near his chambers. The entire palace is a labyrinth of factions, royal concubines, High official ministers, eunuch administrators, and a brutal military elite while you are just a maid in the palace."

"So I'm a maid in the palace… that's a start I guess.How am I supposed to get close to a king when I'm stuck in a shed as a maid?"

"That's for your brilliant corporate brain to figure out," the fox purred, stepping closer and tapping its tail against her knee. "But here's a free warning because I don't want you wasting Life Number Two yet. Look at your hands. Look at your clothes. You are a nameless laundry maid. In this kingdom, if you step onto the wrong path or look a noble in the eye, the guards will cut your throat before you can say 'objection.' So keep your head down, learn the layout, and find a ladder."

Before Camilla could reply, the heavy wooden door was kicked open.

"Are you still here you lazy piece of trash!" a harsh voice barked. The stern woman with graying hair tied back in a brutal knot from before stood there, holding a thick wooden discipline rod. "The wash basins are already overflowing. If the Noble Consort's linens aren't scrubbed by noon, I'll personally skin your back!"

Camilla swallowed the urge to order the woman fired. She stood up, her joints popping, and felt the raw, throbbing ache in her lower back, a terrifying sensory reminder of the whipping that had killed her in the previous timeline.

"I'm going," Camilla said, keeping her voice even as she stepped past the woman into the massive stone courtyard.

The courtyard was a chaotic maze of gray stone walls, rising steam, and shouting servants. Dozens of women in plain, kimono-like dresses were bent over giant wooden troughs, scrubbing heavy fabric. The overwhelming stench of harsh lye soap and damp wool hit Camilla's senses, making her cough.

She approached an empty wooden tub, her eyes darting around, trying to memorize the entry and exit points. The geography was entirely foreign. Towering golden spires loomed in the distance beyond the inner walls, completely cut off from the servants' sector by heavy iron gates.

"Look who decided to show her face," a sharp voice hissed from her left.

A maid with a vicious sneer deliberately dumped a bucket of filthy, freezing water right over Camilla's worn-out leather shoes. The icy chill soaked through the thin fabric, making her teeth chatter.

"Did the scolding from the head maid turn your brain to mush?" the maid mocked, leaning close. Two other girls behind her giggled, crossing their arms. "You think just because the Commander looked at you, you're special? You're just a dirt-sweeper, Camilla. Know your place."

"So I'm also known as Camilla in this world..." She whispered

"What are you whispering to yourself?" The maid asked in annoyance.

Without a word, Camilla lifted a heavy, water-logged sheet from her tub. With a sudden, explosive twist of her torso, she whipped the heavy, freezing fabric straight across the mocking maid's face.

Smack!

The wet sheet wrapped around the girl's head, sending her slipping backward on the wet cobblestones. She hit the ground with a loud thud, groaning as she covered her bruised nose.

"Ouch." The maid cried out

"Oh, I am so sorry," Camilla said, her voice completely filled with mockery, her blue eyes flashing with cold authority. "The fabric is just so heavy today. My hands slipped." she jeered as a sly smile spread across her face.

The other maids gasped, stepping back in fear.

"What is going on here?" A deep, commanding voice boomed through the courtyard. The maids instantly bowed, their faces buried to the ground. Camilla bowed as well.

'Shit! Who is it this time around, i hope I can get out of this unscathed.' She wondered

A tall, broad-shouldered man in gleaming silver armor walked through the archway. A heavy broadsword hung at his hip, and his dark cloak billowed slightly in the wind.

"Commander," the head maid stammered, bowing low.

'Commander?' Camilla pondered

The man ignored the Maid, his eyes scanning the scene until they landed directly on Camilla. He stepped over the wet stones, stopping right in front of her tub. The faint scent of leather and polished steel drifted from him.

"Are you causing trouble again, Camilla?" he asked. His voice wasn't angry; it was surprisingly gentle, a quiet undertone of concern cutting through his stern demeanor.

'Am I hallucinating or is he concerned about me? Is he the guard that they keep saying is fond of me.' she wondered.

'If that is so then he will make a great asset to my survival.' she speculated

She lowered her gaze just enough to look submissive, letting a slight, vulnerable tremble enter her voice. "The stones are slippery, sir. I lost my footing, and the sheet caught her by accident. I only wish to do my duties."

The Commander stared at her for a long, silent moment. He reached down, his large, calloused hand lightly gripping her elbow, ushering her to look up. The warmth of his touch was startling against the freezing air.

Camilla followed his gesture and looked at the man, her eyes glittering with surprise as she saw him. He stood tall. His skin was sun-kissed and he had a well built body, with a sharply chiseled jaw that gave his face a cold, striking edge. Dark strands of hair framed his features before disappearing into a loose ponytail that rested against the nape of his neck.

Her eyes locked onto his deep crimson eyes that looked like they were about to pierce her soul.

"Be careful," he murmured, leaning slightly closer so only she could hear before returning to a stern position.

"The inner court is preparing for the Spring Festival. Noble Consort will be selecting new attendants from the outer departments so you all had better be wise to keep on your best behavior." Darl announced

"Yes, Commander Darl." The maids replied in unison

'So his name is Darl.' Camilla pondered.

He turned on his heel, his armor clanking as he marched away, shouting orders to the guards at the gate.

"Well, well," the fox's voice purred in her mind as he appeared near the base of her wooden tub. "Look at you using your charms on the Commander. Clever girl. He just handed you the key you need ."

'The Noble consort?' Camilla responded

"Exactly, she is your key to getting close to the king."

'How do I get selected by this Consort?' Camilla inquires, gripping the edge of the tub.

"The Noble Consort comes from a military background," the fox replied. "She usually indulges in the game of Go. Winners get rewarded, of course, maids don't participate but if you can get close enough and win her, maybe you can get her attention."

' What the fuck is Go?' Camilla asks

Camilla's inventory popped up and an ancient manual appeared in a box, the cover reading The Sovereign's Grid.

"There, out of generosity, I will give this to you for free." the fox said, . "Learn the rules of the game and beat one of the best playerin the palace, CEO. Your chance to get close to the Noble consort is in 4 days."

"You want me to learn a game I have never heard before and win one of the best players in four days are you crazy? That is just asking me to be killed again, Everything can go wrong." She whispered angrily

"I guess you just have to figure it out." The fox said before the interface popped up in Camilla's mind

[Side Quest Triggered…]

[Quest: Get selected as the Noble Consort's maid…]

[Reward: 500points]

[Penalty for failure: -700points]

"Well, look at that," the fox's sarcastic voice chimed. "A chance to earn your first pennies. Try not to mess it up, CEO. The shop has an excellent selection of poisons and other items you will need in your quest, but they don't accept corporate credit cards which you don't have anymore." It mocked

"-700 points for failure? Isn't that theft?" Camilla yelled out making the maids look at her in confusion. She smiles an awkward smile as the glare at her

"Freak!" one of the maid hissed as they continued with their duty.

Camilla gripped the handle of the bucket until her knuckles turned white.

'Just you wait,' Camilla thought, her eyes tracking the distant, towering golden spires of the inner palace rising against the mountain sky. 'King or not, a target is just a target. I will surely return home.'

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