Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!-Chapter 326: The Artifact, Part Twenty-Two

Two days later, Melisa stood in the grand reception hall of the royal palace, wearing a dark blue dress that Javir had insisted was "appropriate for a royal function."

The bodice was uncomfortably tight across her chest, but she had to admit the effect was impressive—her tits practically demanded attention, drawing eyes away from her horns and tail.

Perfect for what she needed to accomplish tonight.

The hall buzzed with activity as courtiers, nobles, and palace staff mingled, all eager to see the queen's miraculous recovery. Aria sat on a modest throne at the far end, looking remarkably well for someone who'd been stabbed less than three days ago. Royal healers and magic could work wonders, apparently.

"Ready?" Aria asked quietly as Melisa approached for their pre-arranged greeting.

"As I'll ever be," Melisa replied.

Aria extended her hand, speaking loudly enough for nearby courtiers to hear.

"Miss Blackflame, how kind of you to attend. I understand you've been experimenting with a new form of protective magic at the academy?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Melisa played along, taking Aria's hand. "Professor Folden believes it could be quite valuable for detecting... harmful intentions."

"Fascinating," Aria nodded. "Perhaps you could demonstrate while you circulate? I'd be curious to see its effectiveness."

"It would be my honor."

With that thin pretense established, Melisa began her mission. She moved through the crowd, smiling, nodding, introducing herself to nobles who eyed her nim features with barely concealed distaste.

And she touched everyone. A handshake here, a brush of fingers there. With each contact, she focused her thoughts on a single question:

[Shadow Mage?]

Most touches revealed nothing but mundane memories—breakfast that morning, gossip about court affairs, sexual fantasies about various nobles. But occasionally, she hit something more substantial.

Lord Caelum, Aria's advisor, revealed a memory of himself burning some documents late at night after the queen's attack. What were they related to? She had no clue. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Lady Elinor, a minor noblewoman, yielded a vision of herself mixing herbs into a very unappealing drink that, judging by her own reaction to it, must have been poison.

Sir Devon, a senior knight, showed himself meeting with hooded figures in the lower city.

Each time, Melisa made a mental note of the name and continued circulating, careful not to react or linger too long with any suspect. As she'd told Aria, they needed to be subtle. If any Shadow Mages realized they were being identified, they might panic and attack—turning this elegant reception into a bloodbath.

"Ah, you must be the famous nim mage," a portly man said, blocking her path. "Baron Wexley at your service."

He bowed over her hand, his meaty fingers lingering too long on hers.

The world tilted.

Baron Wexley was in his bedchamber, on his knees, being whipped by some serving girl behind him.

Reality snapped back, and Melisa forced herself not to recoil from the baron's touch.

[... Goodness.]

"A pleasure to meet you, Baron," she said instead, extracting her hand. "If you'll excuse me, Her Majesty asked me to circulate."

She slipped away quickly.

Near a refreshment table, Melisa bumped into a serving maid, apologizing as their hands briefly touched.

Again, the world tilted.

The maid was pressed against a wall in a dim hallway, her skirts hiked up and her head thrown back in ecstasy. Another maid knelt before her, face buried between her thighs, eating her out with enthusiastic skill.

"Shh," the standing maid gasped. "Someone might hear—oh gods, right there!"

Reality returned, and Melisa found herself staring into the maid's startled eyes. They both blushed furiously.

"Sorry about that," Melisa mumbled, grabbing a glass of wine and retreating.

[Focus,] she scolded herself. [This isn't about people's sex lives. It's about finding traitors.]

After nearly two hours, Melisa had touched almost everyone in attendance. She'd identified seven definite Shadow Mages and four probable sympathizers. Now came the tricky part.

She approached Aria again, bowing formally.

"Your Majesty, I've completed my assessment."

"Excellent," Aria smiled thinly. "And the results?"

Melisa handed over a folded piece of parchment on which she'd written the names while pretending to make notes about her "magical experiment."

"Quite illuminating," she said carefully. "I believe the most dangerous elements are the ones marked with stars."

Aria glanced at the list, her expression betraying nothing as she passed it to her most trusted guard—a woman who'd been brought in from outside the palace after the attack.

"Captain Reyes, please ensure these individuals receive our... special hospitality for the remainder of the evening."

The captain nodded once and slipped away. Minutes later, Melisa noticed palace guards discretely positioning themselves near each person on her list.

Aria rose from her throne, and the hall fell silent.

"My loyal subjects," she began, her voice ringing with authority. "I thank you all for your kind wishes during my recovery. Your support means everything to me."

She paused, her gaze sweeping the room.

"In fact, I'm so touched by your presence tonight that I've prepared a special gesture of my appreciation."

It was the signal. Guards moved swiftly, seizing the identified Shadow Mages before they could react. Most went quietly, too stunned to resist. Two attempted to flee, only to find all exits blocked.

She turned to address the shocked crowd.

"For too long, the Shadow Mages have infiltrated our court, poisoning our kingdom from within. Tonight, that ends."

The guards began removing the captured traitors. Some wept, others cursed. Lady Elinor collapsed into hysterics.

"Your Majesty," Melisa murmured as the last of them were dragged away. "What will happen to them?"

Aria's expression was colder than Melisa had ever seen it.

"Justice," she replied simply. "Quick and final."

A chill ran down Melisa's spine. She'd known execution was the likely outcome for traitors, but the merciless certainty in Aria's voice was unexpected.

"All of them?" she asked. "Even the sympathizers?"

"Even them." Aria's gray eyes were hard as stone. "The rot must be cut out completely, or it will return."

Then, as if a switch had been flipped, Aria's face softened into a warm smile. She placed her hand on Melisa's arm, squeezing gently.

"Thank you, Melisa," she said, her voice sweet and genuine. "I couldn't have done this without you. Your loyalty and courage have saved my life. Possibly saved the kingdom."

The abrupt shift in demeanor was jarring, but Melisa managed a smile in return.

"I'm glad I could help, Your Majesty."

"Aria," the queen corrected. "In private, remember?"

"Aria," Melisa echoed, wondering if she'd ever understand the complexities of this woman who could order executions one moment and smile so kindly the next.

The reception continued, the mood strained but gradually recovering as wine flowed and musicians played. Melisa stayed long enough to be polite, then made her excuses.

She had what she came for. The Shadow Mages were exposed, and Aria was safe. Now she could return to the academy with a clear conscience, ready to end the Memory Snare's influence once and for all.

As she left the palace, the distant sound of steel being sharpened reached her ears—executioners preparing for their night's work. She quickened her pace, not wanting to think about what was coming. She'd played her part; the rest was in Aria's hands.

[Time to put this power away,] she thought firmly. [Before I see any more things I can't unsee.]