Night had settled over the imperial palace, the marble halls dimly lit by the soft glow of mana lamps. Most of the students were already asleep, worn down from another day of brutal training.
But in one of the service corridors deep inside the palace, three maids huddled together, whispering in hushed voices.
"I think we should go with Noah," one of them said quietly, her tone decisive.
"Are you out of your mind?" another snapped back. "He's an S-rank class. Did you see the number of knights stationed outside his room? There's no way we'll ever pull it off with him."
The first one frowned. "Then what about Kanji?"
"No," the second maid said sharply. "All the high-class ones are under constant watch. Shadow guards follow them even when they're alone. We can't get near any of them."
"So what do you suggest then, Lena? Drop the plan?" the first one hissed, frustration slipping into her voice. "If we back off now because of fear, we'll never get another chance."
The third maid, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. Her voice was calm, confident. "Not everyone is under surveillance."
Both of the others turned to her, surprised.
"What do you mean?" asked the busty maid, Sharon. "I've never seen a single one of those kids move without a tail on them. The fools think they're free, but they're being watched twenty-four seven."
"But that surveillance is what keeps them safe, isn't it?" the other maid, Maya, said cautiously.
"You're both missing the point," the quiet one said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I meant exactly what I said. Not everyone is under watch. The one I'm assigned to doesn't have any guards tailing him. No detection spell either. I checked it myself while he was asleep."
"You're serious?" Lena asked, eyes narrowing. "Who is it?"
The third maid's lips curved into a faint smirk. "That support-class guy. What was his name again... ah, right — Ray Walker."
Lena blinked. "That guy? The useless one? Even the humans don't bother with him. That's why there's no guard around."
Sharon crossed her arms. "Still better than nothing. He can be useful. He's an Appraiser, right? He probably knows the others' classes, skills, maybe even their weaknesses."
Maya nodded in agreement. "She's right. Information can win wars just as much as armies can."
Lena sighed. "Looks like I'm outvoted again. Fine. So when do we move?"
"Tonight," Maya said firmly. "The artifact's disguise effect is weakening. We don't have much time. If we wait any longer, we risk exposure."
All three shared a look — brief, sharp, and full of silent understanding.
Without another word, they split up — one heading toward Ray's room, another taking a position to watch the corridor, the last one vanishing into the shadows to ensure no one interfered.
The soft sound of their fading footsteps was swallowed by the silence of the night.
But to understand who these three maids truly were — and why they referred to others as humans — we'll have to go back a few weeks, before the summoning ever took place.
~~~
A few weeks before the summoning ritual.
Inside the western region of the Demon Realm — Nerath, the fortress capital.
The throne room of the Demon Queen pulsed with faint crimson light. Pillars carved from black obsidian rose high into the ceiling, glowing faintly with runic inscriptions that hummed with ancient magic.
At the center, on a throne shaped from molten crystal, sat Demon Queen Selphira — calm, alluring, and deadly. Her long hair, the color of burning amethyst, cascaded down her shoulders. Her eyes — glowing red — carried the weight of command that silenced even generals.
Kneeling before her were three women — their heads bowed, armor gleaming with faint purple lines.
"Raise your heads," Selphira said, her tone soft yet absolute.
The three obeyed.
They weren't ordinary soldiers. Each one carried the air of someone used to walking unseen — spies, infiltrators, assassins.
"Lena. Maya. Sharon," Selphira called each by name. "You have been chosen for a mission that will shape the outcome of this war."
The three exchanged quick glances but didn't speak.
Selphira continued, "The humans grow desperate. They have failed to push us back. Our scouts report movement in the capital of the Seraphis Empire. They are gathering their highest mages for a forbidden ritual."
Her crimson eyes narrowed. "A summoning ritual."
Maya's brow furrowed. "Summoning…? As in calling something from another realm?"
Selphira nodded. "Yes. The same ritual attempted by their first emperor. If it succeeds, they could bring entities far beyond our understanding — warriors with unnatural potential. And if they do…" she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, "our stalemate will end — not in our favor."
"So what do you want us to do, Your Majesty?" Lena asked, her voice sharp and professional.
Selphira's lips curved slightly. "Infiltrate them. Before the ritual begins."
The room grew tense.
"You will disguise yourselves as palace maids," Selphira continued. "Blend in. Find out what they are planning — when and where the ritual will take place, how many participants, and what type of magic they intend to use. If possible, sabotage it. But if not—"
Her voice hardened. "Then make sure it benefits us instead."
A silence followed. The three women understood exactly what that meant.
"Understood," Sharon said, placing her hand over her heart. "We will not fail you."
Selphira stood, the air around her rippling with power. "You will be given an artifact — Veil of Hollow Flesh. It will grant you human forms and suppress your demonic aura. But its magic is unstable. You'll have only a few weeks before the disguise starts to weaken."
Lena smirked. "Plenty of time. Humans are gullible."
"Do not underestimate them," Selphira warned, her tone suddenly colder. "Their greed is limitless, but so is their fear. If your cover is blown, you will not be able to return."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The queen nodded once. "Then go. For the glory of the Demon Realm."
The three bowed deeply before vanishing in a swirl of dark mist.