Chapter 15: Illusions of Power, Shadows of Truth

Using brainwashing skills to manipulate the perception of enemies and allies is a strategy almost exclusive to the ‘illusionist.’

Moreover, it is an incredibly insidious tactic, nearly impossible to counter for those without ‘Magic Eye’ or ‘Mental Control Resistance.’

The man, deceived by the technique, was dumbfounded, his gaze darting between the subordinate he had just killed and Lucy. Doubt clouded his eyes—how had he fallen under an illusion?

Up until now, he had assumed Lucy was a ‘summoner.’ The evidence was clear: the girl wielded the Death Knight as effortlessly as her own limbs.

Yet, the realization that this same girl had cast an illusion powerful enough to deceive him sent his thoughts spiraling.

The Death Knight was a summonable entity—something only those well-versed in summoning magic could command. By conventional wisdom, it was impossible for a summoner to employ illusions so masterfully.

Even if such a feat were achievable, it would require a mage of at least ‘platinum level.’

Due to this unexpected revelation, the man’s perceived danger level of Lucy skyrocketed.

“You… What the hell are you?”

“I told you, an adventurer.”

“That’s a lie! There’s no way someone like you is a mere apprentice! Tell me the real reason you attacked us!”

Lucy remained silent.

The outcome of this encounter was already decided—there was no need to engage in further conversation.

She once again bound the man with ‘Verbal Power.’

Stripped of his physical freedom before he could resist, the man ground his teeth, then began chanting various buffs in a desperate attempt to break free.

“Magic Buff: Increased Magic Resistance!”

“Magic Buff: Warrior’s Rage!”

“Magic Buff: Eradicate Negativity!”

He tried everything—resistance buffs, strength enhancements, even healing incantations. But it was all in vain.

At best, he was in the late 30s level-wise. There was no way he could break free from a level 100 spell.

His magical power exhausted, he finally exhaled heavily, resignation setting in.

“You monster b*tch…”

“That’s rude. So, what’s it going to be? My offer still stands.”

The man let out a dry, bitter laugh at Lucy’s so-called ‘sweet deal.’

“It’s meaningless. I won’t betray the organization, and the organization won’t abandon me.”

“A real fanatic, huh? And this ‘great organization’ of yours gave you orders to slaughter innocent children?”

“Shut up! A fool like you could never understand his noble intentions.”

“If you refuse to talk, I’ll just extract the information from your memories.”

“Don’t bother. We, the disciples, are bound by a curse of death.”

A curse of death.

Lucy recalled the apostle who had burned alive moments ago—his curse triggered the instant he attempted to reveal information.

If this man bore the same curse, then even illusion magic wouldn’t extract the truth from him.

While this was slightly inconvenient, Lucy didn’t particularly mind. Her primary concern had been preparing for potential retaliation, but now she knew enough to brace for future encounters.

More importantly, thanks to his unwitting admission, she no longer needed to contemplate letting him go.

“Thank you. I almost made a mistake.”

“What?”

“Ever heard the word , ‘Retribution’?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? If you’re going to kill me, just do it already.”

“It’s an important lesson, especially for someone like you.”

Lucy had no intention of sparing him from the start.

She despised his kind.

Fanatics, child abusers…

Whether in this world or her previous one, they were equally repulsive.

Lucy activated a spell to grant him an end befitting his crimes.

[Magic Skill: Trauma]

The ground trembled as dozens of undead clawed their way out of the earth.

Their blackened, rotting flesh reeked of decay, their groans carrying an eerie malice.

The man’s breath hitched.

‘Are these… the people I killed?’

His initial shock quickly turned to derisive laughter.

“Did you really think I’d be scared? It’s just an illusion! They don’t have—ugh!”

Mid-sentence, he bit his tongue in agony.

Something had sunk its teeth into him.

Disbelief flooded his face as he looked down.

An undead—a mere illusion—was gnawing into his thigh.

The sensation was horrifyingly real. The sound of flesh tearing, the relentless grip of rotting fingers—it was undeniable.

The man’s eyes widened in horror. How was he feeling pain from an illusion?

“This… this is impossible…!”

“Isn’t it strange? I was just as surprised when I first experimented with it. Turns out, this world allows functions that didn’t exist in the game.”

In the game, ‘Trauma’ merely froze an enemy in place. But here, it had evolved—it now replicated pain, scent, sound…

Every one of the five senses was perfectly simulated.

“I’ve never heard of an illusion like this… Hngh…!”

“Then, let’s test another hypothesis.”

How long could someone with no resistance to mental attacks endure this agony?

Dozens of undead swarmed him, tearing into his flesh.

At first, he clenched his teeth, trying to withstand it. But before long, shrieks of pure torment filled the underground chamber.

Time blurred.

The man’s screams grew hoarse, then ceased altogether.

Foaming at the mouth, his heart stopped.

Lucy left his corpse behind and approached the unconscious children.

[Magic Skill: Teleporter]

In an instant, the seven children vanished, reappearing at a pre-designated location.

By now, the commotion had surely drawn a crowd to the central square—help would arrive soon.

With that, the second quest was complete.

Lucy removed her mask and exhaled deeply.

The stench of blood was overwhelming.

Six people… No, seven?

The number of lives she had taken today.

It was her first time killing another human.

She placed a hand over her chest, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.

Calm. Unshaken.

Despite committing murder, she felt no remorse.

Even she found this unsettling.

Was it because she still viewed this as a game? Because her targets were irredeemable? Or was it the nature of the body she now inhabited?

What were these apostles even trying to achieve here?

She had too many questions. No answers.

‘No point dwelling on it. Better to return quickly.’

With that thought, she teleported.

The next day.

Lucy, attending a liberal arts class in the study, was dozing off with her head resting on the desk.

Despite using her skills to move at high speeds the night before, she had only arrived at the castle by dawn, leaving her with no time to sleep.

Unaware of this, Rubia stroked her chin with a displeased expression.

Her hazy eyes were filled not with worry but curiosity—’How can our princess sleep so much?’

Feeling the heat of Rubia’s gaze on the back of her head, Lucy reluctantly lifted her head and swept back her snow-white hair.

Regardless of whether she chose to act like a princess or live a double life, she had to endure it with determination and resolve.

Lucy glared at Rubia.

Rubia, finding the sight amusing, simply smiled and continued the lesson.

The lesson covered essential liberal arts subjects for a royal—’History of the Demon Continent,’ ‘Basic Mathematics,’ ‘Kingdom Ethics,’ and ‘Magic.’

The material was surprisingly easy.

Perhaps because she had lived in the wilderness, the lessons seemed to be tailored for her.

Lucy meticulously took notes on parchment.

Fortunately, the written characters were familiar to her, so she had no trouble transcribing them.

‘But no one is surprised that someone who lived in the wilderness can write.’

Regardless, Lucy continued studying diligently.

For a while, she devoted herself to studying day and night without fail.

Finally, the first class ended.

Rubia set aside her parchment and stretched.

Far from feeling refreshed, she was still drowsy.

“Hey, Rubia.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t there any coffee?”

She knew better than anyone that caffeine was the best remedy for drowsiness.

However, Rubia’s response was unexpected.

“Coffee? That’s caffeine. Haven’t I told you? ”

From Rubia’s perspective, she could never allow Lucy—who was still growing—to consume caffeine.

“If you’re craving something sweet, dessert time is soon, so bear with it a little… Oh, they’re already here?”

Knock. Knock.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, and a maid—no, Arasia—entered the study carrying a tray of desserts.

Rubia bowed and immediately became more formal.

“Lady Arasia, what brings you here?”

“I have a letter to deliver to Lady Lucy, and I also wished to have a tea party to strengthen our friendship.”

“I see, then I will step aside for a moment.”

Rubia quietly left the study.

Arasia placed the desserts on the table and sat across from Lucy.

“Are you experiencing any difficulties with palace life?”

“No… Thanks to you.”

“Hehe, that’s good.

You must be tired from studying, so at least have this to refresh yourself.”

Egg tarts and black tea.

Lucy, realizing she was hungry, popped an egg tart into her mouth in one bite.

It was an undignified act that would have made Rubia tremble, but Arasia only smiled casually.

“What’s wrong?” Lucy asked.

“Oh, excuse me, you have some crumbs at the corner of your mouth.”

Arasia gently wiped Lucy’s mouth with a handkerchief.

Lucy turned her head away, feeling like a real child.

“…Didn’t you say you had a letter for me earlier?”

“Yes, here it is.”

She handed over an envelope.

Judging by the royal seal, it was clear that it was sent by Satan, her father.

Lucy immediately opened it.

As expected, the letter was from Satan, containing several choices for her to consider.