TriNovel Chapter 101 : Work
Chapter 101 : Work
Chapter 101: Work
The feeling of power surging through her was exhilarating.
Lilia now felt like she could punch two bulls to death with a single blow, or when Hera lost her temper, slide on her knees to the door at eighty miles per hour.
But enjoyable as it was, work still had to be done.
She straightened her slightly messy skirt and suppressed the urge to find someone to test her strength on. Then she pushed open the side door and returned to the study.
Hera rested her chin on one hand, holding a quill in the other as she sketched across parchment. The tip of the pen scratched against the paper, producing a rhythmic rustling sound.
Lilia lightened her steps, drifting silently like a cat to the side of the desk.
Hera pointed at a stack of documents beside the table. “These are the reimbursement slips from the Logistics Department for this month. Go check them.”
Lilia glanced at them and oddly felt that it wasn’t that many.
“It is my honor to share my master’s burdens!”
She swiftly picked up the stack and carried it to her own little corner.
The study fell quiet.
Only the sound of flipping pages and the scratching of the quill intertwined in the air.
As Lilia checked the numbers, she complained inwardly. The Logistics Department’s accounts were messier than chicken scratch—one barrel of magical beast blood was listed at three different prices. Were they treating the Queen like a fool?
Who knew how much time had passed.
Lilia rubbed her sore neck and placed the last verified document to her left.
“Your Majesty, it’s done.”
Hera set down her pen and glanced at the sky outside the window.
“A bit slow.”
Lilia almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
“However, the accuracy is passable.” Hera picked up the top sheets—these were the “problem documents” Lilia had singled out, with obvious loopholes circled in red ink.
Hera casually tossed those sheets into the trash. “Have the head of the Logistics Department get lost. Replace them with someone with a clearer mind.”
Just like that, someone was fired?
Lilia swallowed, gaining a new understanding of her boss’s decisiveness.
“That’s enough.” Hera stood up and stretched her slightly stiff waist, her perfect curves fully revealed. “You’re not needed here anymore. Go do your own work.”
Her own work?
Lilia froze for a second before quickly reacting.
That newly established “Document Audit and Inspection Department,” and those succubi waiting for her to train.
“Yes.” Lilia performed a standard curtsy. “Then this subordinate will take her leave.”
Stepping out of the Bedchamber, Lilia let out a long breath.
Although staying with Hera gave her a sense of security (physically speaking), the constant pressure of having her nerves stretched tight was mentally exhausting.
She adjusted her expression, switching from a “timid little maid” to an “emotionless inspector.”
Storage room.
No—now it should be called the “Document Audit and Inspection Department.”
Lilia pushed open the heavy wooden door.
The air inside was stuffy, mixed with the scent of cheap perfume and powder.
The ten succubi were sprawled all over the chairs—some painting their nails, some touching up their makeup with handheld mirrors, and one was sprawled over a desk, snoring loudly with a puddle of drool forming beneath her.
At the sound of the door opening, everyone jumped.
Vanessa’s hand trembled, smearing nail polish onto the back of her hand. The one who had been sleeping slipped straight off her chair and landed hard on her backside.
“D-Department Head!”
After a brief moment of chaos, the ten succubi finally lined up. However, with their disheveled clothing, they looked less like proper officials and more like a group just raided by vice enforcement.
Lilia walked to the main seat and sat down, crossing her legs.
She didn’t speak, merely stared coldly at the group of slackers.
The air seemed to freeze.
Vanessa clutched her not-yet-healed wrist, cold sweat forming on her forehead. She had experienced this new department head’s methods—she looked gentle and delicate, but her actions were ruthlessly harsh.
“It seems yesterday’s training was not very effective.”
Lilia finally spoke. Her voice was not loud, yet it made all the succubi shiver.
“Um… My Lady, we…” Fiona attempted to explain.
“Silence.”
Lilia pulled out a thick black notebook from her arms and slammed it heavily onto the table with a “bang.”
The notebook was thick, its cover stained with dark brown blood, emitting a nauseating, sickly sweet stench.
It was the ledger taken from the fat man’s corpse.
The succubi’s gazes were instantly drawn to it. As creatures who lingered on the edges of intelligence and conspiracy, they had an innate sensitivity to such things.
“What is this?” Vanessa couldn’t help but ask.
“Your first major test after joining.”
Lilia lightly tapped the cover with her finger. “This is the underground ledger of the Batori mining area over the past few months. It records every embezzled public fund, every private transaction, and… certain unspeakable human trafficking.”
At the mention of “Batori,” the succubi’s expressions changed.
That place was notorious—backed by powerful forces and rich in profit. Many had tried to investigate it, yet none could penetrate it.
“The contents are messy, fragmented, and many are even written in code.”
Lilia stood up, placing both hands on the table and leaning forward, her presence oppressive.
“I want you to fully decipher this ledger within three days. Who took the money, how much they took, where the money went—every clue. I want a clear and complete report.”
“Those who can’t do it can pack up and get lost. The Queen has no need for useless trash. Neither do I.”
The succubi exchanged glances.
There was no fear. No retreat.
Instead, Lilia saw a long-lost excitement in their eyes.
It was the thrill of hunting dogs catching the scent of blood, of sharks smelling fresh prey.
They were succubi—a race that delighted in manipulating hearts and uncovering secrets. Being stuck in this shabby room organizing old, trivial documents had driven them mad with boredom.
Now, a rich piece of fresh meat was laid before them.
And it was an investigation sanctioned by authority.
“Leave it to us, Department Head.” Vanessa licked her lips, her gaze turning extremely dangerous. “As long as it’s written on paper, even if it’s burned to ashes, we can piece it back together.”
“Very good.”
Lilia nodded in satisfaction. “Get to work.”
After assigning the task, Lilia did not linger and turned to leave the storage room.
Though these succubi had many flaws, their professional ability was unquestionable. For this kind of specialized work, leaving it to professionals was far more efficient than figuring it out herself.
Now, she had another matter to attend to.