A Deadly Order..

{Kill Anna and gain access to the Hall of Skills of the Evil System, as well as win rewards.}

"Huh?!" Kae exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock, his mouth falling open. "What the heck?"

{What? You can't do it?}

"Why should I? She hasn't done anything to me. How could I just kill an innocent girl?" Kae demanded, his voice rising with anger.

{If you can't kill a mere human, how will you ever kill a mystical beast or a supernatural being? When you signed the deal with the Evil System, what did you think your tasks would be? Squashing bugs?}

"I thought the Evil System belonged to the Demon Lord! He's okay with killing, so these tasks make sense for him," Kae replied, irritated, his hand resting on his waist in frustration. "But I *can't* kill anyone. I just can't."

{Such a coward. How can you be the chosen as the main character of this world when you're so weak? You're being asked to kill a human to unlock your Hall of Skills and receive rewards.}

"I can't. What am I supposed to say to Tharros when he asks about his sister? 'Hey, Kae, where's my sister?' And I'll just be like, 'Oh yeah, I killed her.' Doesn't that sound insane to you? I saved her life, and now you're telling me to kill her!" Kae paced back and forth, exasperated.

{You have three days to complete the task. Failure to do so...}

"Failure to do so what? You're going to kill me instead?" Kae asked with a sarcastic smirk.

{You'll find out. Let the three days pass and see. Until then, take care, Host.}

The holographic screen blinked out of existence, leaving Kae standing there, more confused than before.

_____________________________

A grand hall stretched out majestically within the heart of the Imperial Palace, a symbol of unparalleled power and the majesty of the ruling dynasty. The walls, adorned with intricate frescoes depicting the heroic exploits of the imperial ancestors, rose like titans to meet the high ceiling, glinting faintly with gold dust.

Inside the grand hall, the air was thick with the sweet scent of burning incense, wafting from ornate censers placed at intervals along the walls. The polished obsidian floor shimmered like the surface of a still lake, reflecting the flickering lights above. The soft rustling of silk and the muted clink of gemstone-encrusted armor echoed in the background, a reminder of the ever-watchful Imperial Elyria Guard stationed at the entrance.

Teacher Vynessa stood at the center of the hall, her presence commanding. Her flowing black gown, embroidered with flowers so intricate they seemed alive, swayed with her every subtle movement.

Behind her stood Eirakon, dressed in silver armor, gripping his sword, his head slightly bowed in respect.

"Do you know why I called you here?" Teacher Vynessa asked, her back still turned to him, her voice soft yet menacing.

"No, my lady," Eirakon replied, his face puzzled.

"The consorts' training begins in five hours. Until then, they'll be attending to their own needs." A smirk spread across Vynessa's lips. "I heard Commander Aethera tested the Queen's favorite consort during the feast—the same night the consorts were drugged with Moonlight Kiss."

"Tested him? How?" Eirakon asked, his tone filled with suspicion. "By getting intimate with him?"

Vynessa continued, turning to face him, a wicked smile still playing on her lips. "What if she actually did, even after the Queen claimed all the consorts as her own? Saving him when I wanted to punish him is already proof she's growing attached."

Eirakon's grip tightened on his sword as anger began to build. "How could she do that?"

"Getting intimate with the Queen's consort is the gravest sin an Elyria can commit," Vynessa said coldly. "Not only will she be killed and her soul never reborn, but she will also be tortured. The worst kind of torture—dismemberment, her limbs fed to mystical beasts. And it won't just be her. All of her Elyria consorts, including you, will face the consequences."

Eirakon's eyes widen open in shock. The image of Commander Aethera leaving Kae's room flashed through his mind. The servants had claimed she was only practicing combat with Kae, but something about it hadn't seemed right.

"I didn't want to believe this but what if it's true?" Eirakon asked, his tone hardening. "And what can I possibly do to stop her from committing this sin further."

"There's no other solution. The Queen's favorite consort must be eliminated," Vynessa declared, her eyes narrowing. "And you are going to do it. The Elyria's Palace won't care if a human consort or two dies. Beside he's only favored because he defeated Malumbra, but that just makes him a bigger target. The Queen will eliminate him eventually. He is just a new toy to her which can be discarded anytime she wants"

"Then why not wait for her to do it?" Eirakon raised an eyebrow. "Or for him to die in a battle? Why should we take that risk ourselves?"

"I can't stand him in my class any longer," Vynessa snapped. "I might end up killing him myself out of sheer frustration. That's why you'll do it—cleanly, without leaving any trace. Eliminate him, and the human maid he saved."

Eirakon nodded slowly, the weight of the order sinking in.

"When they're found dead, the other consorts would know how to behave and don't cross their boundaries or else they'll follow the same fate. The Queen won't even suspect us. She'll think her consorts did it out of jealousy, and they'll be punished. The chaos may even spread to the human maids. The Queen might purge them all," Vynessa said with a chilling smile.

Eirakon smirked, giving a single nod of approval. "I'll eliminate him my lady. The queen can held another contest to choose another set of consorts later."

"Do it tonight. When everyone is asleep," Vynessa ordered, her voice sharp. "No magic, nothing that leaves traces. Kill him as a human would and let's relax and see what happens next."

Eirakon bowed his head, acknowledging the "Yes my lady. It is done."