Sudiya stared, dumbfounded, as Night Star vanished in a flash of light, only to see Lucille reappear in her place.
She shot up from the bedside. "Ah! You… how did you get back?"
Lucille waved the contract scroll in his hand. "My task is done, so I returned."
Sudiya's attention snapped to the scroll. "Is that a contract scroll?"
She leaned closer, running her fingers lightly over its surface, feeling the intricate patterns. With a nod, she confirmed, "It's definitely a contract scroll. How did you get your hands on one?"
"A generous gift from Duke Campbell," Lucille said with a smile. He spread the scroll on the table and began writing.
Sudiya followed him to the table, reading aloud what he wrote.
"Contract."
"The First Party pledges to protect the Second Party with all their strength and provide a personalized training plan to enhance the Second Party's abilities."
"The Second Party pledges to offer all possible assistance to the First Party in their mission to save the world, until the First Party succeeds."
Lucille swiftly signed his name under "First Party" and handed the pen to Sudiya.
"Sign it, and the contract will take effect."
Sudiya pursed her lips, hesitating no longer. She signed her name on the scroll, then asked, "What does 'enhancing my abilities' mean?"
"The last heir of the kingdom, Little Princess Sudiya, sneaked out of the palace for a reason, didn't she?" Lucille said, abruptly changing the subject. "You wanted to obtain that legendary class and become a Duty Wielder, right?"
Sudiya fell silent.
Not because Lucille was wrong, but because he'd hit the mark so precisely.
"How… how did you know?" she asked hesitantly. "Do you all know my goal?"
How do I know?
Because I saw you in the game's cutscenes. Not only do I know the real reason you left the palace, but I've also seen what you look like after your death.
But Lucille couldn't reveal that truth. He shook his head. "I don't know if anyone else has guessed your goal."
"You risked your life to find clues about that class, didn't you? It's indeed powerful, but unfortunately, it's not something you can find alone."
Sudiya's eyes lit up. "So, Lucille, do you have a lead? You know so much—you must know where it is!"
"Of course," Lucille replied confidently. "Why else would I dare write 'enhance your abilities' in the contract?"
Duke's Mansion
Night Star's staff erupted with purple light, enveloping everyone in the room.
They immediately felt a faint tug at their souls, a subtle dissonance between body and spirit. The sensation vanished quickly, but those who understood its implications trembled.
"Don't open the door! Don't try to escape!" Duke Campbell roared. "Our space has been sealed! Stepping outside will tear you to shreds in the void!"
"Kill her! Kill her now, or we're all dead!"
Panic swept the room. Those who hadn't yet equipped their Duty Crystals frantically pressed the "gems" into their hands with desperate speed.
Soon, seven or eight Duty Wielders emerged, launching a coordinated assault on the white barrier. Under their combined attack, the shield began to waver.
Night Star didn't bother reinforcing the barrier. Casting a Tier Ten spell had nearly drained her mana, and Void Banishment was on a long cooldown, unusable for now.
Surrounded by hostile Duty Wielders and a crumbling mana shield, Night Star felt her depleted mana reserves but remained unfazed. She pulled out a blood-red "gem" and calmly pressed it into her hand.
"Blood Knight."
Her body was enveloped in crimson armor. A dagger that had just breached the shield struck the armor, failing to leave even a scratch.
Her mana might be gone, but her body was far from exhausted. The Blood Knight class, which relied little on magic, was her perfect choice. Combined with her "level suppression" over the other Duty Wielders, breaking through her armor was nearly impossible.
"Damn it! We can't pierce her defense!"
"Who the hell said she was only Tier Six?!"
"If we'd known she was Tier Ten, we'd never have tried to ambush her!"
"Why… why?! Reaching Tier Ten in one class takes a lifetime of effort! How can someone master two classes at Tier Ten?!"
"Monster! She's a monster! Stay back—save me! Save—"
The maid's terrified scream was cut short as Night Star reached out and ripped out her heart, ending her noisy existence.
In stamina, speed, strength, and defense, Night Star outclassed everyone present. The kingdom had its share of Tier Ten Duty Wielders, but they wouldn't take orders from Duke Campbell, nor would they be here.
The only thing to watch for was…
Night Star kept an eye on the Duke's movements. The heart in her hand still dripped blood, which flowed into her armor, restoring a sliver of mana.
Now, she could cast a few skills.
Then, she saw Duke Campbell step forward. "Stop, Duty Wielder."
"Whatever you want, I can give you—gold, treasures, even men. Name it, and I'll make it happen."
"Killing me gains you nothing. My life is tied to the Stargazing Tower. Even if you kill me in this space, the Stargazers will see your face. You'll be wanted across the kingdom, with no place to hide."
"Giving up so soon?" Night Star shook her head, disappointed. "Sorry, I'm not stopping."
"Others may not know your true face, but I do."
"Let's be clear, Eric Campbell, traitor colluding with the Shadow Cult. Today, you die here."
"Once I take that fate-hiding stone from your throat, let's see if the Stargazers care more about your betrayal or my identity!"
"Nonsense!" Duke Campbell roared, enraged. He pulled out a golden "gem" and pressed it to his chest. Golden armor extended from the gem, transforming him into a Golden Knight.
He raised his massive golden sword.
"You deceitful woman! I, Eric Campbell, will cut you down!"