Chapter 1

Episode 1

It’s been a year since I got stuck in this darn game.

“You’ve worked hard today, Assistant. Receiving guests is always tough, and it must have been even more nerve-wracking with the Count as our guest.”

A lot has happened.

To cut to the chase, I’ve managed to survive in this unfamiliar world.

It might sound a bit entitled, but now I think more about how to live than how to survive.

“You don’t seem too tired. Wasn’t it a good experience?”

“Hehe, you’re right, Assistant! You can tell just by looking.”

“Good work. How about the Lady?”

“She has retired to her chambers.”

Said the young maid, Lilith.

The Count of Caribe, who came from afar, left with a satisfied look. I don’t know what he talked about with Duke Kalisto.

Let me briefly introduce myself.

My name is O’Brien Walker. I’m an assistant in the Duke Kalisto’s butler department.

To be precise, I’m possessing O’Brien Walker’s body.

An assistant is a kind of personal butler. The person I serve is none other than the Duke of Kalisto’s daughter.

Lucia de Kalisto.

The apple of the family’s eyes.

Not only is she beautiful, known as the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, but she is also well-versed in history and academics, and has perfect manners.

If this world weren’t a game, I would have thought she was an impossible character.

But I know.

That the true identity of this graceful young lady is the ‘mastermind’ of the game.

“Wasn’t the Lady even more beautiful today? The dress looked amazing on her. It felt like a goddess had descended.”

“Indeed.”

“If only she was a little more ambitious, she could have made a name for herself in society. It’s a shame.”

To be precise, I only heard that she was the ‘mastermind’ and a main character. I recognized her because she looked exactly like the character illustration my friend sent me, saying it was amazing.

I don’t have any other information.

“If you’re so sorry, why don’t you tell her yourself?”

“How dare I do such a thing? I’ve seen Lady Rosalyn suggest it several times, but she refused. She said she prefers to sit on the quiet terrace and enjoy her tea. Ah, I wonder who the lucky man who will marry the Lady will be?”

The name of this game is ‘Queen Maker’.

It’s a simulation game where you choose and nurture a character you like.

The problem is that I left the game untouched for a few days after installing it.

When I took a day off after a long time and lay in bed, ‘Queen Maker’ came to mind. The moment I tried to play it, I was sucked into the game.

Even I, someone who knows a thing or two about web novels, was flustered.

Now, it doesn’t matter why I got stuck in this game.

My top priority is to survive in this world full of intrigue and conspiracy. I don’t know what will happen if I die.

On the one hand, I felt a pang of regret.

If I had been transported into a game I enjoyed, I would have known who the main character was and could have gotten a head start by collecting hidden items and completing quests.

Still, one consolation is that I was stuck in a ‘Korean game’.

The character design is top-notch.

If I had been transported into a game like Dark Souls, I might have crumbled before even six months.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’ve been talking too much. Assistant, are you leaving work now?”

“No, I have some paperwork left, so I’ll be heading to my office. You go ahead.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

But instead of leaving, Lilith stared at me, her face slightly flushed.

“Um, Assistant, if it’s not too much of a bother, I have a question. Is it okay?”

“What is it?”

“Why are you single, Assistant? You’re so handsome and capable…”

I have to survive in this hellish game somehow.

I answered in a businesslike manner, as I always did in similar situations.

“It’s a crucial time. I don’t have time for distractions.”

“Oh… I see. I’ve noticed the Lady has been asking for you a lot lately. Maybe there will be good news soon?”

As if filled with hope, Lilith bowed and disappeared. I went straight back to my office.

As I entered, a knight clad in silver armor stood there.

“…”

An expressionless face. I’ve seen this knight a few times.

What stuck in my memory was that she was one of the few female knights in the Kalisto Dukedom. And recently, she became Lady Lucia’s escort.

“Lady Selendis, was it? What brings you here?”

“Assistant O’Brien, Lady Lucia requests your presence. You will come with me.”

I was told the Lady had retired to her chambers.

But she’s calling for me?

Moreover, her words, “come with me,” sounded significant.

“What is the matter? I was told that the Lady has already retired to her chambers. It’s late.”

“It’s important.”

*Whoosh!*

I activated ‘Mind’s Eye’.

Then, Lady Selendis golden eyes gradually turned white.

This is one of the reasons I was able to survive in the notoriously harsh Kalisto Dukedom.

I have the ability to see whether the other person is telling the truth or not. And that ability came in very handy in my position serving the nobles.

Perhaps I became the Lady’s assistant because of that ability.

Anyway, the white glow means she’s telling the truth.

“Surely you’re not going to refuse the Lady’s order, are you?”

“Of course not. Let’s go.”

Selendis opened the door and led the way.

We went upstairs, passed through tight security, and headed for Lucia’s chambers. Only the sound of heavy combat boots could be heard Selendis didn’t say a word.

I’ve seen her a few times, but we’ve never had a proper conversation. And she’s strangely wary of me.

I couldn’t help but consider the possibility.

‘I can’t go in with my sword, so if I’m attacked, I’ll have to use the decorative sword on the wall. After that…’

I have another ability besides ‘Mind’s Eye’.

I just hoped I wouldn’t have to use it. If I did, everything I’d built up over the past year would crumble.

I need to hold on here a little longer. I need to make my own people, build my own power.

“My Lady, it’s Selendis.”

“Come in.”

A pleasant scent wafted in as we entered.

Lucia was wearing a thin white robe, revealing her skin if I dared to look.

I carefully stepped aside and bowed my head.

“You called for me, my Lady.”

“Your name is O’Brien, if I recall correctly?”

“It’s an honor that you remember.”

Lucia gracefully lifted her teacup, savoring the aroma, then slowly turned her head to look at me. Her expression was incredibly benevolent.

But it’s proper etiquette to avoid eye contact with the person you’re serving.

“You’ve done a great job with everything I’ve asked of you so far. Especially last week, wasn’t it? There was a minor altercation, in the backyard of the butler’s quarters.”

Did she see that?

“I’ve never seen anyone handle themselves so well in hand-to-hand combat. Thanks to my father, I’ve seen many famous martial artists spar, but you’re something else.”

“I apologize. It was a misunderstanding. Thomson and I are on good terms now.”

“That’s not what I want to talk about. I’m curious about your identity. Where did you learn to fight like that?”

Cold sweat ran down my back.

I recently had to teach a troublesome, low-ranking butler named Thomson a lesson after he picked a fight with me. It seems she saw it herself.

“Why can’t you answer? I don’t think it’s that difficult of a question…”

That seemingly gentle remark could be hiding a hidden blade. I felt a surge of adrenaline.

“There was a small academy in my hometown. I learned from a master there for a while. Not exactly martial arts, just basic self-defense.”

“How long is ‘a while’?”

“About two years, I believe.”

“Two years. It’s a long time, yet also short.”

*Rustle.*

The sound of fabric rubbing against fabric reached my ears. The sweet scent drew closer.

“O’Brien, raise your head.”

I silently lifted my head to find her standing very close.

Her beauty was breathtaking, as if time had stopped.

But the words that came out of her mouth were the complete opposite of her enchanting appearance.

“You are hereby relieved of your duties as my assistant.”

A pure smile spread across her previously expressionless face.

“Instead, I need you to do something else for me.”

“What do you mean by ‘something else’?”

The sweet scent faded away.

She turned and slowly walked around the room.

“By chance, I happened to read ‘The Emperor’s Studies’ by Claudia. The phrase ‘the emperor’s power comes from the people’ kept coming to mind. So I asked Father for a favor. I told him I wanted to help with the territory’s affairs.”

If she’s the mastermind, she’ll have to rule the empire, no, the entire continent. Reading about imperial rule is nothing special.

The important thing is what she’s going to do…

“I’ve created an inspection unit named after me. The Lucius Inspection Unit. Working there will be your new task.”

“How could I possibly disobey your orders? However, if I may, I have one question before I accept.”

“Go ahead.”

“What does the Lucius Inspection Unit do?”

The act of inspection itself holds immense power. That’s true whether it’s the world I came from or this one.

But given Lady Lucia’s position, it seemed impossible for her to exercise that power.

After all, the Duke was healthy, and the eldest and second sons weren’t engaged in a full-blown succession struggle.

Why an inspection unit when a knightly order already exists?

“I believe our family and our territory are becoming ill. Many fear us, but just as many wish for our downfall.”

“How could anyone harbor such treasonous thoughts?”

“It’s the truth.”

With that, Lucia smiled softly. If I didn’t know she was the mastermind, it would have looked like a truly innocent smile.

“That’s why I told Father. We need an organization to manage those who are harming our family and our territory.”

“But the territory has a knightly order…”

“My brothers have also offered their help. But this will be a separate organization from the knights.”

Lucia was cleverly exploiting her position as the cherished daughter.

This is the birth of the mastermind’s secret organization.

“Working as an inspector will be dangerous. But I believe you’ll do well. In return, I’ll provide you with a strong supporter. Lady Selendis.”

Selendis, having received her orders, approached with her cloak billowing.

“From now on, you will serve Inspector O’Brien as your new master.”

“Your command is my will.”

“And Sir O’Brien, your name is a bit long, don’t you think? How about we shorten it to ‘Aubrey’?”

“I am but your servant, my Lady. Do as you please.”

“Good. Aubrey, I have your first mission.”

Lucia handed me a small note.

I unfolded it to find an address in the old town district.

“Go there with Sir Selendis. I’ve prepared something nice for you as an inauguration gift.”