Eminence in Shadow Volume 5 MTL

Here is the complete MTL of Eminence in Shadow volume 5 made with Sugoi
Translator Model V4. If you want the rights to modify the document to improve the
translation and make it available for future readers, please contact me on discord
(Raphael#7943) or reddit (u/Snowad14)
Credits : u/dragont16 for the raw, taikutsutl (I update in real time their translations so
in the end it will be just their Spanish translation translated into English), edit :
Ulas#3122, Woosh#7474, Kryyto#9635

(does not have the latest modifications)

Epub :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13B2gQGfKGBmOFgrPNKOC5eHI288FHWKG/view?usp
=share_link
PDF :

Table of contents

Prologue: The Darkness lurking in the Peaceful Academy, the Student Missing Case!

Chapter 1: Nee-san's Return and the Progress of the Illness...!

Chapter 2: On the Morning of Shock, the School Skewers Murder Case!!

Chapter 3: The Case Is Closed, That's Right, Let's Talk Old Tales!

Chapter 4 The World Is Peaceful Again Today!

Chapter 5: The Academy Terrorist Is Again!!

End : If You Can Get It, You Can Destroy the World!

Postscript
Others illustrations if I don't have time to put them all : https://imgur.com/a/9flXF3e

Prologue: The Darkness lurking in the Peaceful Academy, the Student Missing Case!

*** Cid POV ***

"I just barely made it..."

I breathed a sigh of relief as I left the Midgar Demon Swordsman Academy auditorium. My white breath
disappeared into the morning sky.

The opening ceremony for the third term had just ended.

"Geez, where did you go during winter break, Cid?"

"That's right. Didn't we all promise to hit on the ladies of the Mitsugoshi Corporation?"

There was something nostalgic about the mob faces of Skel and Jaga.

"Sorry, sorry. I had important things to do"

With the Oriana Kingdom’s succession battle and my return to Japan, my winter break was full of fun events.

"I've been through a lot while you were gone..."

"That's right. your sister almost choked me to death..."

Skel and Jaga spoke reproachfully.

"Claire?"

"Looks like she was looking for your whereabouts. I told her I didn't know, but she threatened me with her sword."

"When I told her she was cute and asked if she wanted to go out with me, she almost stabbed me with her
sword."

"She did..."

"Oh, I see. Sorry, sorry."

I should probably stay away from Nee-san for a while.

"You know how the former Student Council President Rose, who had disappeared, became princess of the
kingdom of Oriana and there was a big upheaval in the whole country?"

"There was a huge commotion."

"I know."

Hehehe, no one would think I was the one who led her to the throne.

There was the secret intervention of the ‘Eminence in Shadows’ behind the throning of the new king of the
kingdom of Oriana and this person is actually just an ordinary student who can be found anywhere.

This is the true joy of being an Eminence in the Shadow.

"That's not all. There were a lot of monsters in the Oriana Kingdom, and the country was taken over."

"Or something like that."

Of course I know.

After all, it was The Shadow Garden that directed and resolved everything. You will never know that the main
puppeteer is standing right before you.

"It seems that the alliance with the Oriana kingdom suffered a blow."

"Looks like this will break the alliance with the Kingdom of Oriana."

Hm?

Cancel the alliance?

"Indeed. To think that Former President Rose would fall down the path of evil... Public opinion about her is very
bad."

"The path of evil? Huh? What do you mean?"

"That's why former Student Council President Rose summoned demons, slaughtered the heir to the throne, and
took over the Oriana Kingdom"

"She really is a wicked woman who will go down in history as a tyrant who killed her own father and summoned
the demon army."

"She was such a good person at school. I never thought she would do something like this."
Hey. You killed your own father during the Bushin Festival, so people don't know what they look like.

"Su. Well, if you insist, I can marry you."

"C-Come to think of it, she's definitely a bad girl..."

The story of the change of king, which had entered the history, has been seasoned with the villainous acts.
Well, I guess this is how it is.

The evil hegemon who shakes the world, and the powerful man who manipulates her from the shadows... I have
to admit, I'm changing direction on the fly.

It's wonderful.

"There are some weird rumors about Former President Rose."

"That's right, that's right. They're connected behind the scenes to that evil Shadow Garden organization."

"Hey, Jaga, if you say any more, it'll be dangerous."

Skel interrupted Jaga.

"Oh, that's right. When people talk about this, they go missing."

"Hm? What do you mean by going missing?"

"Four students went missing from the academy. There are rumors that this was the work of the organization who
took over the academy and killed the former assistant principal of the academy."

"It's rumored to be the work of the same organization."

When Skel, who had made a serious face, spoke, Jaga also spoke in a frightened voice.

"They're burying the students who tried to investigate the organization off the records..."

"Hmm, I wonder if she'd do something like that."

"Well, I don't think so."

In a complete turnaround, Jaga pretended to be composed.

"The students suddenly disappeared, so everyone's playing with conspiracy theories and there are dark knights
keeping a watch, just in case."

"It seems there was an investigation, but there were no signs of intruders anywhere."

"It's time for those who lose flunk to run away from reality. They didn't disappear, they ran away."

"Ugh. Do you think you passed all your classes, Jaga?"

"Ugh, well, just barely. What about you, Skel kun?"

"I-I'm pretty beat. How about you, Cid?"

"Do you think I am any different than you guys...?"

"I-I see. I'm glad it looks like we'll all be able to advance to the next grade."
"Y-Y-Y-You're right."

"Yeah."

"By the way, what should we do after this?"

"Today's just the opening ceremony, so there won't be any classes. Why don't we play cards at the dorm?"

"Huh? Cards?"

"This is the new product of the Mitsugoshi Corporation!"

The smug-looking Skel pulled out of his pocket the very same deck of cards I often saw in my past life.

Well...I didn't think they'd even commercialize something like this.

"I got it from Nina-senpai. Let's play Who wants to be a millionaire or poker!"

"This is Cid's first deck of cards, isn't it? Let’s show him how tough the world is."

"Let's do this."

"Fufufu... In that case, let's play poker. Bring all your money."

Poker, huh?

It's probably the Texas Hold 'Em variant. It's the variant I taught the girls a long time ago.

It was a good memory that made the girls withdraw their money and half cry.

He’d taught his children the harshness of society, so it was only natural that he’d be heavily compensated for his
tuition

I... got stronger right away, so I won and ran away.

This is a good opportunity to make bank and show them how an Eminence handles his cards.

I snapped my fingers.

"I accept your challenge. Let's see how harsh the world can get."

"Lets increase the rates by ten folds.."

"Deal the cards."

"Heh..."

Whoops, that was close. I hid my mouth with my hand.

We decided to play poker in my room.

The sun had already set, and Jaga had lost all his money and was looking at the ceiling with a soulless face.

I picked up a rich chip.

"Your turn."
"Grrr... O-Okay, all in."

Skel bet all of its remaining chips.

Naturally, I called.

"Kukuku... You've fallen right into a trap."

With a chuckle, Skel showed the cards in his hand.

"I see. That's a good move."

"Sorry, Cid, but I've learned all of your moves. This is where the comeback begins."

"―No, it's over."

"Huh?"

I showed him my hand.

"Impossible... Three cards...! It's so easy to play a game of poker with Jaga..."

"If I borrow money, I can still fight but If I don't get my living expenses back for this month... I'll die..."

Jaga was muttering something delirious.

"Let's collect the money."

I retrieved the money from the two in despair and kicked them out into the hallway.

"Sorry, but I don't have any business with people who don't have money."

Saying that, I closed the door.

From the hallway, voices shouted, “Dammit, I will remember this!” and “Next time, let’s set him up with cheats!”

If you feel like it, I'll welcome you with my own cheats.

Even the girls weren't able to see through it when they were young.

I put the money I’d wrapped up into the “Yin’s Powerful People’s War Fund Box” and dimmed the lamp’s light.

Finally a moment of peace.

I listen to the sounds of the night for a while.

Then, I called out to the darkness outside the window.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. You can come in."

"...Mm."

With a small reply, a girl appeared from somewhere.

Quite the stealth skill. You've improved, Zeta.

She's a slender beastman in a jet-black bodysuit. A catlike figure.

She stared at me with her shiny eyes.

"Long time no see, Master."

"Yeah, it's been a while."

"I've gotten a little taller."

"You think so?"

"Mm."

She nodded slightly.

After that, she offered me a fish.

"A souvenir."

"A souvenir...?"

"A horse mackerel."

"A horse mackerel."

"I went out to sea to catch it."

"That must be hard."

"It's greasy. This season's best horse mackerel."

"I see."

She's a cat beastman, the sixth of the seven shades.

For a beastman, zeta is smart. And she's cool and quiet.

She's the polar opposite of a certain beastman who is also a shade.

Zeta stares at me after handing me the fish.

She's like a cat waiting to be fed.

"Thank you. I'll cook it and eat it later."

"Mm."

Zeta then happily wagged her golden tail.

"Now then..."

I suddenly made a serious face.

"So... have you made any progress on that matter?"

When I asked her, her cat-like eyes grew smug.

"The cult's movements are as expected."

"――Hmm."

I stood by the window, holding a wine glass in one hand.

Zeta moved quickly, pouring wine into my glass.

Nice moves as always. This is Zeta's favorite spy game. She's always been stealthy and diving.

She was good at camouflage.

"They're reviving the right arm."

"---I see."

"The drops of Diabolos are about to wither. That's the cause of everything."

"――So, is that it?"

"The sealed right arm is in the ruins of the school."

"―I was aware."

"They're panicking. They're afraid of our intervention."

"――It's within expectations."

"We don't have much time left. We'll definitely start moving."

Having said that much, Zeta looked up at me as if asking for directions.

Before I knew it, the documents written in ancient script had been spread out on the desk... I couldn't read them,
though.

"What about the missing student?"

"Not yet."

"Four, huh..."

"I see."

"It's not enough, is it?"

"Probably."

We squinted at each other, giving off the impression that we were sensing something, and the lights of the girls'
dorm outside the window.

I stare at Riri.

"―――There'll be a fifth victim."

"Yeah... What should we do?"

Zeta looked up at me.

"...I don't mind."

"Are you sure?"

"Zeta, figure it out."

"Hm... What will you be doing?"

"What needs to be done."

"...If that's what the master wants."

A solemn atmosphere hung between us.

It was nice, if I do say so myself, the way we ad-libbed and connected it to the missing student incident.

Behind our peaceful school life, the Diabolos Cult's grand plan is in motion -- nicely planned Zeta.

We stare at each other with the gaze of the wind.

I nodded, and Zeta nodded.

"Leave it to me, Master. I'll find out for sure."

And with a gust of wind, she vanished into the night.

But I didn't miss Zeta's unnecessary actions. She rubbed her golden tail against the bed.

I put it on.

"I told you to stop marking me like that."

I brushed off my fur and looked up at the night sky.

"Eternal darkness, or an eternal awakening." Nailed it.

*** Claire POV ***

It's already late, I should sleep so I can wake up tomorrow fully refreshed, she thought.

"I'll never forgive you again!"

Claire Kageno puffed out her cheeks in her room in the girls’ dorm.

"How many times do you have to break your promise, Cid? We swore to go home together during winter break."

"Ni..."

The lamplight illuminated her somewhat sulky profile.

She held a steel collar for some reason.

"I'll never, ever forgive you. I'll drag you home for spring break."

She fiddled with the collar, made sure it was properly locked, and laughed.

"You won't be able to escape next time." she scowled.

"――!"
A heavy thud rang out, and the collar fell to the floor.

"My right hand... is throbbing...!"

She clutched her right hand and twisted her face.

"Why...? It's been going away recently."

Ever since the day the magic circle had been carved into her right hand, it had throbbed several times.

However, it should have calmed down by now.

"What the hell is this... Aurora, answer me."

Even when I asked, Aurora never responded to me since that day.

I also thought that maybe that was a dream when I was unconscious during the fight in the lawless city. .

But under the bandage wrapped around her right hand, a magic circle was definitely carved into it.

Claire opens the desk drawer and spreads out the documents on the desk.

"I looked into it. The same thing as my magic circle is engraved in the documents of the demon Diabolos."

"And..."

The magic circle drawn on the spread-out documents and the magic circle engraved on her right hand were very
similar.

"What does that mean...? What does it have to do with me and Diabolos? What will happen to me?"

"Please, answer me..."

Just then, I thought I heard something.

Claire looks up and surveys the area.

"Eh, just now..."

“...huh.”

"Aurora?! Is that you?!"

A voice that seemed to echo directly in my head.

“...Geh… teh… ki...”

Little by little, I could hear it clearly.

“Run away... That’s dangerous...”

"Huh...? Run away?"

The moment Claire made a bewildered expression, there was a cracking sound.

"What is this...!?"
The scenery reflected in her eyes was cracked.

Like a broken mirror shattering, the world began to collapse.

The desk I tried to grab shattered immediately.

And then, after everything shattered, a new world opened up.

"My room... right?"

Without a doubt, that was her room.

But for some reason, a strange white mist hung in the air.

The sound was also somewhat distant, and she could only hear her breathing.

No――I hear the faint sound of clothes rustling behind me.

"――Sweet."

The next moment, Claire’s magic infused elbow, which she’d fired as she turned around, shattered the attacker’s
jaw.

"Gugah!"

The assailant nearly crumpled to his knees, but barely managed to hold his ground.

Claire’s knee slammed into the attacker’s face and took the full force.

"It's a direct line from Cid, right?"

The skirt of her uniform fluttered.

The man on the floor is unconscious, his eyes rolling back in his head.

I don't recognize his face.

"I wonder who he is."

Claire crouched down to examine the man.

But suddenly, the man’s body cracked and shattered.

"Same as before...!"

All traces of the man had disappeared.

"What the hell... Hey, someone! Is anyone here!?"

Claire stepped out into the hallway and opened the door to the next room.

However, there were no living beings anywhere.

She checked the whole lobby.

There was no one.

Claire was the only one brought to this world.

"What's going on... Hey, Aurora, you're here, aren't you?"

“She’s not here.”

She sounds annoyed.

"You're here. This isn't the time to be joking."

“I told you to run away didn't I?”

"There was no way I could move in that situation."

“hrm...”

"This is an emergency!"

“I’ve got my reasons, too.”

"What's going on?"

“I didn’t want to get you involved.”

"----! It's too late for that! you should have considered it before carving a magic circle on my hand!"

Claire glared at the magic circle on her right hand.

“That was to protect you.”

"I know, but... can't you at least tell me why?"

“I was going to tell you. But now I can’t.”

"What do you mean?"

“Because he’s trying to protect you.”

"He...?"

“He’s trying to protect you. He’s trying to keep you out of danger. That’s why I can't talk about it.

"That's what you said last time. Who the hell are you talking about? I don't remember being protected by
anyone."

"You are wrong. He is protecting you, always has protected you and always will protect you. I must confess that I
am a little envious."

"... I'll say this one more time. I don't know who you're talking about, but I'm sure there is no one, absolutely no
one who is protecting me." Claire repeated her words, this time angrily.

"If that's the way you want to think, that's fine. Surely this is what he wants too. To keep you away from
everything."

"... If you're going to say something then say it all once and for all! Besides, I don't want any of it!"

"I'm not going to say anything to you, no matter what. This is my way of repaying the great favor I owe him."
Aurora said that, though with a somewhat disgruntled tone as well.
"I'll make you tell me."

"How?"

"Hmm..."

Claire thought carefully.

What could she do to get someone who only communicates through a voice in her head to listen to her? "Well... I
will scream non-stop, very very loudly until you tell me everything."

"Go ahead."

"I won't listen to you anymore."

"As you wish."

"... I'm going to spread bad rumors about you."

"And then?"

Claire puckered her cheeks into a pout.

"Are you satisfied yet?"

"If by satisfied you mean annoyed, yes."

"Calm down. I'll tell you how to get out of this place."

"First of all, where the hell am I?"

"I can't tell you that either."

"God, you get on my nerves."

"First walk straight ahead."

"I don't want to."

"If you don't walk you'll be locked in here forever."

"Do I just have to walk to get out of there?"

"Okay, like this. Now go around three times."

"Three laps?!"

"Just kidding."

"Someday I swear I'll give you a good whack." And so the black-haired girl walked on in a world full of clouds.

And behind her, the figure of a woman could be faintly glimpsed, staring at her with violet eyes.

*** Cid POV ***

Today was the beginning of the third period at the school.

As the end-of-year exams were approaching, everyone in the class was looking very serious.
"Hey, I heard the same questions from today's magic control theory class always come up on the yearly exams."

"Well done Agent Jaga, as always you are a pro at information gathering."

"It's just that I already have to act more responsibly. If I repeat the year, my parents will kill me."

"Yes, I think I need to get a little more serious myself. I've slacked off too much so far."

"But if we study seriously it will be a piece of cake." "Of course, it'll be a piece of cake."

Skel and Jaga's eyes were filled with despair.

"Cid, your grades are low too, aren't they? You should get more serious from now on." "Aah, you're right. I think I
should do that."

The truth is that my grades are below average.

That's because in classes I'm always practicing my magic control, so in exams I don't understand anything at all.

But I'm not too worried about it either. I can cheat whenever I want and copy the answers if I really put my mind to
it.

I also don't know what they taught in class today, but I know that the theory of magic power control is the
explanation to my theory that compressing magic power increases its potency x1000.

This is just another part of my training to be the perfect eminence in shadow.

And again today, as always, I went to train.

The classroom door suddenly opened, and from the other side a silver-haired girl appeared.

It’s Alexia.

"Ah, how beautiful the weather is today."

I said, looking away from the window.

It was cloudy.

I felt everyone's gaze go straight to me.

This is something that always happened. For some reason everyone looked at me when Alexia came to the
classroom, and I was just a simple mob.

"Oi"

"Ah, a little bird."

In the window was an everyday landscape.

"Look at me when I talk to you, Pooch."

"The wind is blowing the clouds away."

I wonder if this day could go on without anything happening.

"Don’t ignore me."

She grabbed my chin.

Then, she slowly began to turn my head as my neck squeaked with an unpleasant sound.

Alexia was staring at me with her crimson eyes.

"How are you doing, Princess Alexia?"

I tried to greet her in the most mob-like way possible.

"Good morning, Cid Kagenou-kun."

"Pardon my boldness Princess Alexia, but aren't you in the wrong class?"

"No, I'm in the right one. I came because I have business with you, Cid Kageno-kun."

"Ah, but the next class is about to start. Could we save it for later?"

"Don't worry about that. I'll be borrowing him for a while."

Alexia said that to Skel and Jaga and then grabbed me by the neck.

"B-B-But of course you can!"

"F-F-F-Feel free!"

And she dragged me away, as I listened to the cheeky response of my two friends.

For some reason, the place she took me was the girls' dormitory.

"And I can just walk in just like that?"

"I already got a permit."

"But I'm a boy."

"I told them you were a collaborator."

"Collaborator?"

Alexia stood in front of a door.

It was the door to my sister Claire’s room.

"No one has seen your sister since yesterday after dinner."

"Fuum."

"That made me curious, so I asked one of the students and she said the room was locked."

Alexia knocked on the door but no one answered.

"I tried to look for her in the places she usually frequents but she was nowhere to be found."

“Hooom.”

"Don't you know anything?"

"Nothing." I answered honestly, but Alexia looked at me as if to say, "Are you out of your mind?"

"Don't you care about her?"

"Well, it's not like it's the first time."

"Does it happen often?"

"She always tends to disappear for a few days since we were kids."

"Well then you do know something about those case."

"Now that you mention it, it's true."

"And where was your sister on those occasions when she disappeared?"

"No idea, she just came back on her own and that was it."

Although in reality she was always sought and found by the 7 shades.

Zeta was supposed to be watching her this time. Zeta is very good at what she does, so if she hasn't made a
move it's because everything is fine.

"Is it like running away from home?"

"Sort of."

"Well, hopefully that's all it is, because there's actually something else that catches my eye."

"What is it?"

"Check this out."

We entered the room and Alexia picks up a metal necklace off the floor.

"A necklace? It does look sturdy."

"And that's not all, it actually has a magical effect. It's not something an ordinary student would have in her room."

"I can assure you that my sister is far from ordinary."

"It's likely that someone broke into her room, then tried to put this on her to kidnap her."

"But the necklace was dropped right here."

"It probably fell during the struggle. Besides, there's something else that puzzles me."

Alexia looks at some documents lying on a desk.

At the sight of them, I was struck by a flash of enlightenment.

"But if this is...!" Ancient letters, cool magic signs, complex words that seem to have a meaning but really don't.

Yes, I am sure.

It is a chuunibyou notebook.
"Do you know what this is?"

"Nope, not at all, I've never seen this in my life."

"Really, why are you averting your eyes?"

"Y-You're imagining things."

"Fine, then."

Alexia looked at the chuunibyou notebook again.

"I really doubt that anything written here makes sense."

"Are you sure?"

Alexia said that and looked at the notebook again.

I feel sorry for her, but that is nothing more than a notebook of a person's embarrassing stage in life.

Come to think of it, that necklace thing also seems to be a chuuni object, and now that I remember, until recently
she was playing make believe and had a magic mark on her hand and she was also trying to hide it with
bandages.

Maybe my sister's chuuni state has finally gotten out of control.

Moreover, disappearing suddenly is another element of chuunibyou.

"I’m sure she’s fine."

"You do trust her..."

"Trust? ... Well, sort of."

Rather, he was just saying that there was no point in getting upset.

"Instead I... my sister and I..." Alexia narrowed her eyes, as if remembering the days of a distant past.

"We don't understand each other lately. I don't know what she’s thinking..."

"Fuum."

"Have you ever thought like that, Pooch?"

"The truth is, I hardly ever understand what my sister is thinking either."

"I see... I guess only they themselves can understand each other."

"Siblings are strangers bound by blood, that’s all."

"What a cruel way to put it."

"You think so?"

"At least I want to understand her."

"I see."
Alexia let out a small sigh.

"... You can go back to class now if you want. I'll stay here and do some more research."

"Bueh."

I left the place, leaving Alexia alone, who was reviewing in great detail the chuuni notebook that contained a
sultry stage of my older sister.

Finally today's classes ended and my sister was nowhere to be seen.

But hey, Zeta is with her so I doubt anything happened to her.

Right now I was behind the school building preparing the fish Zeta had given me. It was past time to turn off the
lights so everything was dark around here.

"I think it's almost ready."

Sparks from the fire fell on the fish, raising a rich aroma and a sweet sound of the meat cooking.

"Or should I let them cook some more?"

Being here alone, cooking fish is not bad at all.

Peaceful times. People can enjoy great peace simply by living day to day in this way.

As I watched the flame, I noticed someone approaching at a high speed.

"Bossman!!! I finally found you!!!" That someone was Delta, who suddenly appeared in front of me, wagging her
tail and ears.

"Hello Delta. It's already dark so don't make so much noise."

"Bossman, I already hunted down that bad guy you ordered me to hunt!!!"

"I see. It's already night so don't make so much noise."

"And Alpha-sama told me I did a good job!!!"

"Good for you. But it's already dark so don't make so much noise."

"Bossman, I want you to praise me too!!!"

"Ohh, yeah yeah, good girl."

I stroked Delta's head and she wagged her tail back and forth in complete bliss.

"But it's already night so don't make so much noise."

"Okay, I won't make any noise!!!"

She responded forcefully and then covered her mouth.

"Now I'll speak softly." says Delta, this time murmuring.

"Okay, that’s how it's done."

"Thanks bossman. By the way, I've finished digging the hole you ordered me to dig."
"Hole? Did I order you to dig a hole?"

"Yes you ordered me to!" Again she returned to her usual tone.

"Ah, well. Never mind."

"And then I found it! It was just like you told me, boss!" Delta smiled and then bit into a red jewel she was
carrying.

"And what are you biting it for?"

"So I don't lose it!"

"You are the embodiment of intelligence."

"Kukuku..."

I took the jewel covered with Delta's saliva. It was a jewel with a beautiful shine.

"Oh... it looks like it can be sold at a very good price." It was the same size as a small pellet, but its luster was not
normal.

"I did my best!!!"

"Oh, yeah yeah, good girl."

Again I stroked her head.

And again Delta's expression dissolved into a smile.

"I want a reward!"

"Hmm, well..."

"Hm...something smells really good around here!" Delta already had the fish in her hand.

"Ah, that's a gift Zeta brought me-"

"Thanks for the food!" and she ignored me.

"How yummy it is~" She took a bite and then smiled happily.

Well, it's true that she did a good job, so....

"Actually, it doesn't matter."

At the same time, I heard the sound of the grass behind me moving.

"Doggy...what are you eating?" I turned around and there stood Zeta, looking as cold as ice.

"Hmm, what are you doing here stray cat, this is my prize, this food!" Delta began to growl.

"That fish was given to my master, not to you, little bitch." (T/N: Damn, Zeta has no chills)

"Get out of here, this fish is mine!" After saying that, Delta swallowed the fish whole.

"Ah..."
Zeta let out a sigh mixed with anguish.

"It was delicious~"

While Delta was completely oblivious.

"You're a..." With a "fuuuh," Zeta took a breath.

"You're not welcome here, you stray cat! If you don't leave right now I'll make you leave by force!"

"That fish was the most delicious I had ever found, just for my master... I won't forgive you."

"There, there, take it easy." Things were already getting a bit annoying, so I decided to intervene.

Then, I was in the middle of both of them looking at me.

"Ehmm... I mean, I was just here preparing the fish, although I didn't give her permission to eat it either, what I'm
saying is that-"

When the going gets tough, the first thing to do is to make excuses.

Basically to say and make it clear that the problem is not with oneself and that nothing that happened is one's
own responsibility.

"- In short, I am not to blame for anything."

"Hmm, it's true. You are not to blame for anything, master."

"It's obvious that the boss is not to blame!"

"Exactly, I'm not to blame."

I was preparing my fish as I should have been, so if someone else took the opportunity to eat it, it was not my
responsibility.

"It's clear that-"

Zeta and Delta pointed at each other.

"-This one is to blame!"

They both said.

"Huh?" Immediately the magical power in them exploded.

And that shockwave literally sent me flying.

After blocking that attack and landing on the ground, I saw that Zeta and Delta were standing a bit away from me.

"I won't forgive you for stealing the present I so lovingly brought my master...you silly dog."

"I'll never forgive you for interrupting me while I was enjoying my prize… back alley cat!"

"Aah, I really don't understand anything, but I hope we've made it clear that I'm not to blame." I slowly walked
away.
These two have never gotten along and always like fighting, and those fights can destroy homes and fields if
Alpha doesn't arrive to stop them.

"May you enjoy your fight, but be careful not to blow up all the ground."

Good thing that shockwave sent me flying away from them.

"I'll tear you apart!"

Delta picked up her sword and took up a battle stance.

"I'll teach you some manners." Zeta meanwhile narrowed her eyes... and disappeared, leaving not a single trace.

"Did she run away?" Delta wondered.

But quickly a black sword appeared from behind.

"Eek!" She managed to dodge the attack at the last second.

But because it was so sudden, her position snapped and she rolled on the floor.

But the attacks did not stop, you could hear the blade slicing through air.

But Delta dodged each of these attacks.

She rolled on the floor, propelled herself, did a half-turn, all moves that would be impossible for a human to
accomplish.

"- Where are you hiding?"

Zeta was nowhere to be found.

Only a bunch of black swords appeared from the darkness.

This was equal to that technique... yes, to the blood queen's skill.

I didn't imagine she could use it, but now that I think about it, it's not that strange either.

She of all people is the most skilled girl I have ever come across.

She manages to do anything perfectly, no matter what it is and no matter if she has done it before or not. That's
why her development has been faster than all the others, and with that good style she has I dare say she is the
most talented girl I know.

Yes, in talent, there’s no one like her.

But even the talented Zeta has a weak spot.

"...Hm?"

Her tail could be seen even in the darkness.

And she did it again.

Her weak point is that she gets carried away by her emotions, she tends to get bored very quickly and therefore
fails to concentrate on a single technique.

"Dang, I'm lacking training."

"-I found you!"

Within a millisecond of Delta's attack hitting it, her tail turned back into black smoke and disappeared.

"That was close."

Again her voice was heard.

"... I will be more serious."

After saying that, out of the black smoke appeared an incalculable number of black swords.

The swords were all around Delta.

"Ultimate Technique - A Thousand Swords."

A rather coy name considering there are clearly more than a thousand.

However, the power of that technique was brutal.

The blades impacted Delta's body, throwing her into the air.

"Gah, gaah, guuh."

The blades kept cutting Delta even while she was flying in the air.

Although her limbs were protecting her vitals, it looked somewhat dangerous.

It seems that Zeta has become stronger than I thought....

And she is one of the newest in the 7 shades, but now she is a monster because of this excessively fast growth...

"Gaaaa, aaaaaaaaaah."

Delta's cry echoed in the sky.

She quickly exploded a large amount of magical power from her body and the black backs disappeared without a
trace.

"Huh...? No way."

Zeta, with surprise, fell from the black smoke.

She landed like a cat, right in front of Delta who was all covered in blood.

*poof*

Delta spat bloody spittle and then looked directly at Zeta.

Her demeanor was no longer the same as before; the game were over for her.

"...!" all of Zeta's hairs stood up.

Delta then used the slime suit to create a giant black sword.

No, in fact, the shape was too distorted and large to call it a sword, that's why we called it "Iron Slab".

Delta usually tries to imitate us, creating swords like the one we use.

But that's not the real Delta.

The real Delta wears this giant iron slab, the sign that she means business and the reason they call her Delta the
"Tyrant".

“Grrrruh.”

Delta began to growl.

As sweat ran down Zeta's cheek.

I meanwhile, was praying for the poor dormitory and school building.

What's next? At this rate they're really going to blow up the whole school.

Although I wouldn't want to stop a serious fight either, that would make them angry.

And unfortunately, my code prevents me from doing something I wouldn't want to be done.

So, goodbye Midgar Academy, it was a pleasure. Farewell Skel and Jaga, I will pray for your souls.

I prayed.

"You're dead."

The slab of iron was consuming Delta's true magical power.

This time I did step back a little more seriously.

While Zeta... flew through the sky.

It's not a metaphor or anything, she just jumped up and flew through the sky.

I used my enhanced eyesight to get a better look at her and noticed that she was surrounded by some of the
black smoke from earlier.

Ah, it can also be used that way.

"Bye-bye, puppy." She said and quickly disappeared amidst the black smoke.

After being stunned for a moment, Delta shouted angrily.

"Where do you think you're going stray caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!"

Then she too disappeared into the sky.

"Well, in the end it ended as usual." The fights of those two always end like that without a result.

Zeta almost always ends up running away, or with Alpha getting angry at both.

As for me? I just watch.

Well, I can go to sleep now.

"Hmm?" I noticed some people approaching.

And well, it would be strange if nobody reacted to all the fuss that was made here.

"Although these presences are... Yes, I suppose one is Alexia and the others are the guards'."

I erased my presence and decided to stay and watch.

*** Alexia POV ***

Alexia ran through the backyard of the school building.

Although more than a backyard , it was a small forest full of trees and uncut brush, so her boots got dirty with
every step she took.

"You two, hurry up!"

Alexia kept running while talking to the people who were following her.

"Alexia-sama, it's too dangerous to approach that magic power! Let's wait for reinforcements!"

The guards were giving their all to keep up with her.

"If we take too long they're going to get away from us!"

"Wait a moment please, Alexia-sama!" She ignored the guards and kept running.

Then upon arriving at the site, they encountered traces of a battle.

"What...?"

There were several broken tracks, trees and undergrowth.

There was also a trace of magical power in the air.

"Who could unleash such magical power in this place...!"

"Alexia-sama! Uhh...! What happened here!" Finally arriving, the guards were speechless as they noticed the
trace of magical power.

"It's dangerous to be here, those responsible may still be nearby!"

"Yes, and it's your job to catch those responsible, isn't it?"

"W-Well, you're right, but..."

The guards sighed and looked at each other for mutual support.

Alexia meanwhile sighed unnoticed.

"There is some blood."

Then she found a trail of blood in the brush.

"There's a lot of it, actually. The person who was here must have been seriously injured. Also, it is likely that
they’re the person responsible for the disappearances..."

She was referring to the case of the students' disappearances.

The case had been investigated by the guards, but in the absence of evidence and by ignorance, the case was
closed..

But Alexia suspected that there was something hidden in all this.

"What is certain is that a very powerful dark knight fought here... But why here...?" This wasn't a coliseum or
anything, it was the school grounds.

"This almost certainly has to do with the disappearances. Probably something very powerful is hidden in-"

"A-Alexia-sama."
Suddenly, the voices of the guards interrupted her reasoning.

"Now what happened?"

"L-Look over there!" The guards pointed to the figure of someone wearing a jet black coat.

"At what point did he appear!" none of them had noticed this person's presence.

“Y-You are…”

The person dressed in black bent down and dipped his finger in the pool of blood on the ground.

Then he spoke, in a voice that seemed to come straight from the dark abyss.

"So this was the sacrifice of your fight..." "Shadow..." Alexia was speechless, while Shadow admired the blood on
his finger with fascination.

"But what about the life that was lost here, will it have been a necessary sacrifice to the world...?"

"Shadow, do you have anything to do with this?" Shadow paid no attention to Alexia or the guards and simply
continued to be immersed in his thoughts.

"Alexia-sama, it's dangerous to come any closer! We must call the knights-!" One of the guards shouted
nervously, drawing his sword.

"There's no point in doing so. And back off, not even our swords combined could touch him."

And even knowing that, Alexia pointed her sword at Shadow.

"Answer me, Shadow, what happened here?"

She says while releasing more magical power from her body towards shadow.

His deep red colored eyes stared at her.

"-What will you do after you find out?"

"I will get you. I won't let you do as you please in this place."

Shadow flashed a faint smile on the other side of his mask.

"Don't waste your time."

He disappears after saying that.

No, he did not disappear. He appeared right in front of Alexia.

"What the-!" She wasn't able to feel anything; she didn't sense his magical power, nor did she sense his
presence.

He simply appeared out of nowhere in front of Alexia and pressed his sword against her throat.

His sword? Shadow's? No, but a sword she knew well.

After all, it was her own sword.

"My sword..." She didn’t even realize he'd taken it from her.

"We live in totally different worlds."

"And what do you mean by that!" She said that, gritting her teeth hard.

She had trained hard and she thought that now, just maybe, she had closed the gap a little between her strength
and his strength.

"Just as a coin has two sides, just as there is light and darkness...there is also a world with which you should not
get involved."

After saying that, he put the sword away and turned around.

He began to walk, leaving as the wind swayed his black coat.

"-The time is nigh."

"The time? The time for what?"

"Time for them to start acting-"

Suddenly, some kind of black liquid gushed from Shadow's feet.

The liquid rose all over his body, enveloping him like a whirlpool.

And after a blizzard, the liquid turned into a black smoke that made Shadow disappear.

The only thing left in that place where he was standing was Alexia's sword.

"He's gone... But who the heck are ‘they’?"

There are many things I still don't understand.

But it was already a breakthrough to know that Shadow was involved.

A small one, just like a small step.

Alexia thought that way, mocking herself as she turned away.

"Still no reinforcements arriving? We must hurry and secure the sce-"

Alexia stood there unable to finish her words.

"It can't... be..." All the guards were fainting.

In that one move Shadow had made, he had not only taken the sword from her, but also knocked all the guards
unconscious.

And of course, she hadn't noticed anything.

"There's still, there's still a very big gap between our powers... but someday... someday I'll..."

Alexia looked down as she clenched her fists tightly.

—--
Note for editors: I added the new chapter 1 Spanish translation of taikutsutl put in English with deepl, it may have
some passage that remained in Spanish so change it and some small error of translation, to you see if you want
to make the chapter 2 knowing that it will soon be replaced by that of taikutsutl.
it is also necessary to put back the povs
—-

Chapter 1: Nee-san's Return and the Progress of the Illness...!

*** Cid POV ***

The next day, everyone was talking about yesterday's commotion, Zeta and Delta's fight near the school.

"I heard that last night some people were using a huge magic power in the back of the school."

"That's what I heard too. Although I was sleeping by that time so I don't know much more."

Skel and Jaga put on a doubtful expression.

"Are they already securing the scene?" "It looks like it. I saw several teachers and others helping."

"But if all that happened in the back of the school, then the culprit sure tried to get into the girls' dorm. I'm pretty
sure it's some stalker."

"That's the weird thing. It looks like it happened near the men's dorms."

"Hm? So they tried to infiltrate the boys' dorms?"

"What do you think that person's goal was?"

"Isn't it obvious? They were probably looking for cute guys."

Skel said with a disgusted smile.

"Ah, that's right. There are a couple of handsome ones here too."

Jaga replied with another disgusted smile.

"Uh-huh, maybe."

And I played along and nodded.

These two aside, it was true that many of the students were talking seriously about this issue. Some assumed it
was the actions of someone who had a grudge against the school, others said someone wanted to steal the
artifacts from the labs, and still others believed it had something to do with the case of the missing students.

Sorry guys.

The truth is that it was just about the fight between a dog and a cat. I like the feel of the atmosphere here though,
with everyone thinking something evil is going on behind the shadows.

"We'd better get going. We have seminar in the next class."

"Wait a minute Cid, don't you dare leave this handsome guy behind."

"Wait for me a moment~ This handsome boy has to get ready for the next class."

I walked ahead of the two idiots and started walking.

Come to think of it, yesterday after the fight, my scene as an eminence in the shadows with Alexia sure was
amazing.

Yesterday I was literally an eminence in the shadows concerned about the cruel battle raging in the shadows of
the world and its outcome. I must say that my realistic acting skills created a work of art.

Not to mention the part where I tell her that we live in different worlds and show her a bit of my power.

A person who lives on the peaceful side of the world is not prepared to enter the cruel and dark side of it - I
always wanted to play such an elegant scene that has existed even before the time of Christ.

Just remembering it brings a smile to my face.

At this rate, I will go down in history as the perfect Eminence in Shadow.

"Master."

Strange, I thought I heard Zeta's voice.

"Master, this way."

"Oh." I was confused.

Suddenly a girl dressed in janitorial clothes grabbed me by the sleeve of my uniform. It was Zeta.

She was wearing the uniform of the school cleaning staff and hiding her ears with a cap.

"What are you doing dressed like that?"

"I'm infiltrating." Zeta answers me matter-of-factly, all while gluing her body to mine.

"Stop dialing me, you'll draw attention to yourself."

There were still many students in the hallway.

"It's just that, master, you still smell like dog."

"But if you rub me too much I'll smell like a cat."

"Hm."

I pushed Zeta away from me.

"And what happened to Delta?"

"I threw her off. She should be at sea right now." "Good. I won't ask for details on that."

When Zeta wants to run away, no one can catch her, so she did not hesitate to pick a fight with Delta.

"Hm, this way."

Zeta grabbed my hand and led me to an empty room.

Apparently it was a room that had not been used in quite some time, the air felt cold and smelled dusty.

"Make it quick, my next class is almost starting."

"I have a report."

She said, perking her ears up firmly.

Apparently she still wanted to continue playing spies.

"The attack on her failed."

"Yeah, I figured."

"But she's still on the other side."

"Got it."

"But the cult will send another assassin."

Zeta moved to the window and looked down.

I played along and stood beside him. Down there at the scene of yesterday's fight were several gentlemen and
teachers.

I imitated her and stared at them.

"It's probably him."

"Oh, so him."

"If he makes dangerous actions, I will intervene."

"I leave that decision to you."

Then Zeta quickly moved away from the window.

I also imitated her.

"Someone was watching us."

"There seems to be someone very perceptive among them."

"Hm, it's hidden in the dark."

I looked slightly out, and I could feel someone's gaze.

"What are you watching...? Ah, I must be going now."

The bell rang.

When I turned around, Zeta was nowhere to be seen.

It was recess.

I was with Skel and Jaga in the school canteen.

"Well, what should I eat today?"

"Lucky some people, aren't they, Cid-kun? You can eat whatever you want with the money you stole from me."
He had a point, but the money I earned from them I put into my funds to be an eminence in the shadows. I
wouldn't waste it on this kind of thing because it would affect my upcoming activities.
I am a man who has very clear priorities.

I think today I will choose the 980 Zenis lunch, a poor combo for nobles. I'm sure this kind of saving will help me
in the future.

"Long time no see, little brother."

Suddenly someone spoke to me from behind. There is only one person in the world who calls me "little brother".

"Hello again, Nina-senpai."

Her wine-red hair today was as silky as ever.

Her blouse was slightly open at the top, revealing voluptuous breasts, and her mini-skirt exposed her slender
legs. A modern style, but quite daring.
She is Nina-senpai, a third-year student.
"Where did you go all winter break? Claire was looking for you every day, and even forced me to help her. It sure
was tiring huh."

"I had several matters on my hands."

"Oh, so business eh."

Nina-senpai came close to me.

To tell the truth, she is quite small.

His total height is only as tall as my chest.

"It's forbidden to get in line." I said, trying to stop her, but she passed easily.

"Little brother, are you going to eat 980 Zenis' poor nobles' lunch again? How sad~"

"It's not sad. This savings will help me accomplish my big goal in life."

"Ya ya, whatever you say. But let me buy you something today, what do you want to eat?"

"The most expensive thing on the menu."

"Good. In that case it will be the deluxe lunch for super rich names of 100 thousand Zenis."

Nina-senpai ordered me the most expensive lunch of all.

She is my sister's best friend, and because of that she always treats me well. In fact, she is a great senpai who
does whatever I ask her to do.

The other time I told her I wanted to read a forbidden grimoire and she quickly brought it to me. It's still a mystery
how she got it, but the fact is that she behaves very well with me.

When I met Nina-senpai, that time and for the first time, I was glad to be my older sister's younger brother.

"I-Invite me too please!"

"Y-Yes, I want too!"

Skel and Jaga said, although very nervous about being close to Nina-senpai.

"But I already gave you guys a set of cards."

"Th-That's-That's right!" "Th-Th-Thank you so much for the letters, senpai!"

"Relax. It was my way of apologizing for the trouble Claire caused them."

Apparently she gave them the cards for that reason.

Thanks to Nina-senpai's influence we were able to get a first-class table by the window.

"Sit down."

"Yeah."

I sat down next to Nina-senpai and began to taste my rich lunch, while Jaga and Skel were on the other side of
the table eating their poor lunch.
The rich lunch was on another level. Everything was prepared and served to you by maids.

"Claire seems to be missing."

Said senpai while eating a carpacho.

"So it seems~"

I ate it too. I really didn't know what kind of fish this was, but it was very good.

"A while ago Princess Alexia asked me if I didn't know anything about her, but it's just that in the first place, that
day was like any other day. Don't you know anything, little brother?" "I don't know anything either really. But it
seems she's still looking for clues."

"Yes, there seems to be something that doesn't add up for her. And it's that there are also other students missing.
I'm already starting to worry."

"It's true, it's worrisome. And more so with all the hustle and bustle last night."

"You mean what happened behind the boys' dormitories? Yeah, what savagery." "Uh-huh~" "Now that I
remember, I saw the scarlet knights at the place. There seem to be more members now, but most of them seem
to be wimps."

"Ohh, you're well aware."

"I have my sources~" Nina-senpai replied with a wink.

"Will you also join the knights when you graduate, Nina-senpai?"

"I don't know. My grades aren't as good as Claire's."

"Huh? Really?"

"Are you surprised? I'm pretty famous for my bad grades."

"Ahh, and here I thought you were going to be this year's star student."

"Hahaha, that position is sure to go to Claire. She improves so fast that it's complicated to keep up with her. And
me, well I'm just a retrograde."

Nina-senpai replied as she happily spooned a spoonful of soup into her mouth.

The truth is that Nina-senpai has always seemed to me to be stronger than my sister, but well, people have their
reasons for hiding their true strength. Besides, Nina-senpai is a person full of mysteries.

"If I hear anything about Claire I'll tell you. You sure are worried about her, aren't you?"

"Worried? No, not at all... I mean, okay, I'm worried to death."

"You sure don't change at all... But well, it's true that there's no point worrying about Claire. If you need anything
from me don't hesitate to look me up."

Nina-senpai said it with a cute smile.

Meanwhile Skel and Jaga remained speechless as they ate their meager lunch of 980 Zenis.
 *** 3rd Person POV ***

"Hey, is it still a long way to go before we can leave?" (Claire)

Claire sighed in one of the school's classrooms.

Everything around her was surrounded by white clouds, without a single soul besides her.

"It won't be long now." (Aurora)

"How long do you think you've been saying that?"

"I told you it's almost over. I'm trying to expand the gap, but it takes time because your magic power is not
enough to do it."

"Ah, yes, well I'm sorry for having little magic power. Even though I don't look like it, I'm one of the ones with the
most magic power in the school."

"What a poor standard that school is."

"Will you stop annoying me?"

"I'm sorry, I told the truth without meaning to."

"Anyway, what's this about the gap?"

"A gap so you can return to your world."

"My world? First of all, where the heck am I?"

"Oops sorry, I can't tell you~" Claire again sighed. There were many things she didn't understand.

In the classroom, sitting cross-legged, she noticed an incongruity.

"Heh?"

Something was touching her legs.

As she looked more closely, she realized it was someone's half-transparent arm, a human arm full of blood,
clinging to one of her feet.

"W-What the heck is this thing!"

Claire stood up and began to shake her foot to free herself from the grip of that hand.

After she pulled her arm free, it fell to the ground, but as if growing out of it, a person bathed in blood appeared.

He was a dark-skinned man with sunken eyes and a large wound on his chest.

He was clearly a deadman.

"Be careful. It's a wraith."

"Wraith?"

"One of the heroes who were trapped in the eternity of this place, in the past. Please release him."
"Release him...? How?"

"I don't know, how about punching it, for example?"

"Ha." Claire put some of her magic power into her fist and punched the specter.

In doing so, it was shattered by the blow.

"That was disgusting."

"If the wraiths are already around, it means the seal is weakening... I think, this is bad."

"What seal?"

"Ah, forget what I said. Too bad, next time I have to say these things without you around to hear. Although you
should concentrate more on your magic power than your ears."

"I'm listening to you." After that Aurora went quiet again.

Claire continued to fight with the wraiths.

"How I wish I had my sword." Claire had left her sword on the other side.

So, she simply waited for Aurora to finish whatever she was doing while she defeated the occasional wraith.

The wraiths were becoming more frequent and the white clouds were increasing.

"Aurora, is it gonna be long?"

"A little more."

"Really?"

"Really. Too bad, though...we have a special guest."

"Huh?" Claire felt a presence behind her, and as she turned, there stood a man in a black robe.

His face was covered with a mask.

"At what point did he appear...!" Claire stepped back a little and stood at attention, but her stance was somewhat
awkward for her because she didn't have her sword.

While the man, who did have a sword and seemed to be accustomed to using it, was in front of Claire in the blink
of an eye.

"He's fast-!" Claire dodged the attack at the last instant and tried to get more distance.

However, the man in the black robe did not allow her to do so. He continued to attack.

"Guh."

After receiving the blow, Claire tried to get up, her feet shaking.

Although she took a good hit, apparently she could still fight.

Besides, it didn't look like the man wanted to kill her, so he probably wanted to capture her.

"You seem to be losing."

Aurora spoke to Claire inside her head.

"Keep quiet, the fight is just beginning."

"Really? Well, I can see how it's going to end."

"Shut your mouth! If only I had my sword...!"

"I don't think a sword will help you much in this case."

"Shut the fuck up!"

"Here he comes again."

Quickly the man pushed himself forward and closed the distance between them.

"Heh!?"

Everything happened very fast.

The man, who was already face to face with Claire, was suddenly sent flying by red tentacles.

Red tentacles appeared under Claire's feet, moving as if alive.

"W-what are these things?"

"Blood."

"Blood?!" "If you tried a little harder you could also activate this technique. After all you are-"

"...I am what?"

"... Nothing. Concentrate, the fight isn't over yet." Claire looked up. The robed, black-masked man was still
standing.

Blood rolled down his cheek and his mask was broken.

"You're from the knights..." It was someone she had seen when she was in her probationary period within the
knights.

"It's nice to see you again, Claire-san." The man said, waving with a smile.

"Viscount Jean. The commander of the fourth division of the third group of knights..."

"That is a false identity. I'm actually a Named Children, Jean ‘DarkSmile’."

Wasn't there a worse name? Claire thought, but didn't say it.

"I don't know what a named children is, but I didn't think you were the type to do this kind of act."

"To be honest, I didn't imagine you had this much power either. In fact, it's fascinating... you didn't have that last
time we did some research on you."

"Last time?"

"Don't worry, it's our business. In any case, it looks like it will be necessary to go back and investigate further
about you." After saying that, he took a stance with his sword.
Claire's tentacles also went into a battle mode, but for some reason, they lacked the strength they had shown a
while ago.

"Claire, this is bad."

"Heh?"

"I think I'm out of magic power now."

"You're a..." Claire said that as one of her eyelashes quivered.

"Looks like it's my lucky day. I'll be able to bring a great gift to my lord."

And then the one with the dark smile, just as his name said, put a grim smile on his face.

It was then that something resonated.

The sound of shattering glass was heard, and a part of the world surrounded by clouds broke.

"Heh?!"

From that place someone appeared.

She was a beautiful beast woman dressed in a jet black outfit, with a beautiful tail and golden colored ears.

She landed in front of Claire and deflected the dark smile sword's attack with a strange black mist.

"Guhh!"

The impact was so strong that it sent the dark smile flying.

Although the movement itself seemed slight, its force for some reason was overwhelming....

The woman shrouded in black mist had a calm, cool gaze.

"Who are you...?"

"Zeta."

She replied in a cold tone of voice.

"Walk away Claire, I don't know if she's an ally or an enemy."

Aurora told me that.

Claire was surprised at how unexpected it was to hear her speak nervously.

So she stepped back, keeping her distance.

"May I interpret your actions to ask if you have come to save me?"

"For now. I can't let the cult capture you yet."

"Huh?" The black mist shimmered for an instant and the next, Zeta was already behind her.

"Farewell."
Then she grabbed Claire by the collar of her shirt and threw her into the breach.

"Huh? What are you doin'!"

Claire raised a scream, but that scream along with herself was absorbed by the gap and disappeared.

Thus, only Zeta and the dark smile were left in this world.

"Tch... How dare you interrupt my mission." Jean ’DarkSmile’ face to face with Zeta.

"Hmm, nice to meet you."

"I already figured you'd come, Shadow Garden."

After saying that, he took a stance with his sword, while Zeta just stared at him without much interest.

"You seem pretty confident - are you one of the generals in Shadow Garden?"

"Did you notice?" Zeta's response was full of self-confidence.

After all, she knew she was the most powerful here.

"Of what?”

"My secret."

"You mean your power? I don't know what-"

At that moment, Zeta's magical power burst forth.

The power was so great and dense that it made the dark smile fall to its knees.

"W-what is this power...? Did you have this magic power hidden...?"

"Too bad. I could have left you alive if you hadn't noticed."

"W-W-What the hell are you talking about-"

"But now that you know, this is goodbye."

"What the fuck are you... huhhhh?!"

Suddenly, black tears sprang from the dark smile's eyes.

Then, from each of his orifices, a black mist came out, until finally his body exploded.

Zeta looked at his corpse and muttered.

"Hmm, the new technique is not bad."

Then she turned around and spoke to an empty space, where there was nothing in sight.

"We are done."

In response to that voice, the space there began to distort and from it, a beautiful woman with pinkish blonde hair,
dressed in a jet black suit clinging to her body, emerged. It was Victoria.

"Yes, Zeta-sama."
She knelt in reverence to Zeta.

"I confirmed Aurora's presence inside Claire-sama."

"Looks like we were right..."

"Hmm, now everything is connected."

"Do you think the cult has figured it out yet?"

"Not yet."

"So what do we do about the plan?"

"We will change it to plan C."

"Claire-sama will be the key to successfully realizing our plan. But that is, for us, our ideal future."

"My master told me to look into the future."

"Then that is our master's will..." Victoria clasped both hands together in front of her chest, as if praying.

"Let her know too that we will change the plan."

Zeta turned to black smoke and disappeared, while Victoria stood there, waving goodbye with a smile.

*** Cid POV ***

All that could be heard in the classroom was the sound of answer sheet paper and pens.

I looked around a bit and then at my test sheet.

"... I don't understand anything."

Now that the end-of-year exams were approaching, in-class pop quizzes were on the rise.

Those who scored poorly were sent reinforcement assignments, but these reinforcement assignments were too
much of a nuisance, too much.

You could tell that the teachers were desperate to try to keep the more idiotic ones from staying for the year.

So far I have followed my mob role, barely avoiding bad scores.

Claro que, copying.

But the more you copy, the easier it becomes to get caught.

-Issac-kun did not come to class today.

Issac-kun was the model student in our class, and his seat was next to mine, in a perfect position where I could
always see his sheet on exams.

In other words, a student who was only born with the goal of taking tests for me to copy answers from, and
thanks to him I had always maintained an unnatural balance in my scores.
But I didn't think I would miss classes!

At this rate I was close to getting a bad grade.

"¡Kuh...!"

The most important thing about cheating on an exam is not the cheating, but who you copy.

There is no point in copying it to the dumbest.

I looked to my right and saw Skel shifting his gaze suspiciously from side to side.

This guy is no good to me.

I looked to my left and saw Jaga looking suspiciously toward the bottom of his desk.

This one doesn't work for me either.

The only choice I have left is... the student in front of me, the daughter of a duke, Christina-san.

She is one of the top five students in the classroom, but there is one point against it.

Because of the position of his seat, I can only see half of his blade.

I already copied all the answers I could see in the middle of your sheet.

The problem is that at this rate I will only get 40 points, and you have to get 60 to avoid a bad grade.

Should I erase my presence and move so I can copy better? The problem is that even if I erase my presence, it's
not like I make myself invisible. And since we were in the middle of the day, in a wide space, if I move, they will
obviously see me even if I erase my presence.

I don't think it's hard to figure out that I'm copying and even more so when there were a lot of stares in the
classroom.

The other option was to move so fast that no one can tell I'm moving.

This I can do.

If I do it with all my speed, it's a piece of cake.

But here comes another problem.

If I move at a speed where no one notices it is me, they will still notice the rush of air created by my movement.

It is likely that the test sheets will fly away.

No, in fact, I think Christina-san can fly away.

But I had no choice.

I had no choice but to be so careful not to pick up a single gust of wind and so fast that no one would notice I was
moving.

I never thought that a simple surprise exam would force me to use my most powerful arts...

What's more, now I'm wondering if I can really do it...

So far I have trained to move very fast, but I have not trained to do it without releasing any bursts of air.

But if I get extra homework I will surely spend 2 whole days, that would really be a hassle.

"... I have no choice."

If I laugh here, I will lose my honor as a mob.

I increased my magical power without anyone noticing.

This is my true power, here I come.

And, at that very moment-

"You there! What do you think you're doing?!" "What?!"

You found me out?!

I quickly reduced my magic power.

But, the teacher wasn't really looking at me.

He was seeing a-

"Skel Gari!!! Were you copying!!!" "C-Cla-Clearly not sir, I swear I wasn't looking at Christina-san's answers!!!"

Skel said trembling with a pale face.

"Oh, thank you for confessing it yourself. I had already seen you from the beginning of the exam. Get out of the
class, you're going to get double the extra homework."

"I-It can't be..."

Skel's face looked like a dead man's as he walked out of class.

And as he did so, Christina-san saw it as one would see a pile of garbage piled up in the street.

W-Well, let's go ahead with the plan.

Again I raised my magic power - and then.

"You there! What are you doing?!"

Again?!

Surprised, I raised my face but the professor was not looking at me.

I was looking at the person sitting next to me.

"Jaga Imo!!! What do you have under your desk!!!" "N-No-nothing sir, I swear! I swear I don't have any notes to
copy under the desk!!!!"

Jaga said this while sweating profusely.

"Oh, good thing you confessed it yourself. Get out of class, I'll give you triple the homework." "W-weren't there
2...?" Jaga walked out of the class almost dragging his feet on the floor.

"The next person who tries to copy will have quadruple the homework."
Said the professor with a tenacious look.

Damn Jaga and Skel, they ruined my plan.

Because of him it was now more difficult to copy, because the teacher was now more attentive to all the students.

"... I will not accept that threat."

I raised my magic power.

I felt time begin to slow down.

I think I will be able to do it now.

This is my mob-fu style technique for cheating on exams... Technique number 49!!!!

"Admiren-"

I concentrated fully, and at that very moment, I heard something falling from the ceiling.

"..." It was all so sudden that all the students were totally speechless.

Suddenly Claire nee-san appeared and fell on the teacher, stealing the attention of all the students.

To tell you the truth, I didn't think my sister would pretend to be missing just to do this, I didn't think it would get to
this point....

"What did he mean he still won't let them catch me...!"

My sister stood up, stepping on the teacher as she yelled at nothing.

"Just tell me everything already! What is this special power I have!" It was then that she reacted and began to
look to all sides of the classroom.

"Claire Kagenou, this is not your class." Said the teacher sore from the footsteps.

"Ah, huh? I... Ejej."

Then his face turned red, and I couldn't tell if he was laughing or scared, it was a weird grimace.

"C- Excuse me! I'm so sorry!!!" He then apologized with a bow, turned around and ran out of the classroom.

Later she will be called to management, for sure.

But, first he appears out of nowhere, shouts at an empty space and exclaims to have a special power... it seems
that the disease is still progressing.

But that was a great help to me.

"... How fortunate that my sister came along and attracted attention."

Thanks to that I found myself smiling at having filled in all the blanks on my test.

Claire walked out of the teachers' lounge and sighed.

"What a lousy day I've had."

The evening light was filling the hallway. She had been at least an hour non-stop receiving lectures from one of
her teachers.

I could hear the voices of students in the distance, but there was no one in the hallway, only their footsteps could
be heard.

"Why of all places did I have to land in Cid's class? Now how will I look him in the face tomorrow?"

With flushed cheeks, she spoke to nothingness.

"It's all your fault."

"How cruel. I didn't do anything."

"So tell me what that was all about. I told the professor about being in a strange space, about the people who
attacked me and that I then escaped and landed on top of him and he didn't believe me at all. What's more, he
came close to calling a psychologist." "It's more if you don't know. If you knew, you couldn't go back to how you
are now." "But let's see, do you really want me not to say anything after everything I just went through? I'm angry,
you know?" "...I still can't say anything to you. I can't put you in danger."

"Too late, I just escaped from one. But that's fine, if you don't want to tell me anything, then I'll investigate on my
own, I won't let it end just like that."

"There's no point."

"Whether or not he has a case is for me to decide, not you, calamity witch, Aurora-san."

"Where did you hear that name...!" "I told you, I can look into-" Claire didn't finish her words.

In the hallway where she thought there was no one else besides her, a silver-haired girl appeared.

"I'm sorry for interrupting you while you're talking to yourself, Claire Kagenou-san, could we talk?"

She was the princess of the kingdom of Midgar, Alexia Midgar, watching Claire with interest with her deep red
eyes.

Claire's expression stiffened.

"I'm not talking to myself."

"Well, at least I don't see anyone else."

Alexia said that while pretending to look around for someone.

That made Claire's face stiffer than it already was.

"I'm sorry princess, but I have no interest whatsoever in having a friendly chat with you."

"Wow, is that hate I feel? But it's weird, this is supposed to be the first time we've talked." "Do you have sand in
your ears? I'm saying I have nothing to talk to the bitch princess played with Cid." Claire's gaze changed to that
of an assassin.

No, literally his eyes widened in anger.

"Excuse me? You may not know it, but there's a reason behind everything that happened! Besides, I never
played with him."

While Alexia averted her gaze slightly, rather uncomfortably.

"Aaah? And why so nervous? From here I smell that you're lying." "Speak for yourself, I'm not lying! What's more,
why are you behaving like this? And I was trying to be as respectful as possible to you just because you're her
older sister."

"I knew it, you're an ugly, lying cat."

Claire responded instantly, and this time Alexia clicked her tongue.

"Like father, like son, you can tell they are brothers. You're both equally disrespectful." "Huh? Do you really think
we look alike?"

"Th-That's what I said. You're both equally irrespe-" "Ahh, I see~ You're right, we are the same...hehe."

Claire smiled as vividly as a flower.

"What's wrong with you now?"

"You seem to be very perceptive!"

"Hmm...?" Claire grabbed Alexia by the shoulders and Alexia was taken aback.

"Well, did you want to talk about something?"

"Sí..."

"The truth is, I'm really busy right now, but that's okay. I'll make an exception for you."

"Thanks, I guess..." "By the way, how else do you think Cid and I are alike?" "I-In that we both have black
hair...(?)"

And so, the two of them walked shoulder to shoulder down the corridor lit by the evening light.

"... What is this place?"

"A special room where only people with influence can enter."

Alexia turned on the lamp to illuminate an elegant room.

"Influence?"

"I think you're forgetting that I'm royalty."

"Ahh, that's right." This damned really forgot about that; Alexia thought.

"Go ahead and sit down."

"What a beautiful chair, and the embroidery is also very elegant. What a waste of money."

"Tell me, don't they tell you that sometimes you talk too much?"

"No, never." Alexia and Claire were sitting in fluffy armchairs across from each other.

The two were alone in a huge room.

Alexia again looked at Claire.

She was a beautiful woman with red eyes, black hair, good at studies and fencing.
Moreover, it was said that his ability had grown so much that he was already in a probationary period within the
knights.

Putting aside how disrespectful she was, she was both like and unlike her younger brother.

"Why so serious?"

"Because I want to talk about something very serious."

"Lo sé. Pero lo siento, no te daré a Cid."

"I-I don't want it!" Alexia raised her voice and then coughed to change the subject.

"I want to talk about what happened this afternoon, when you fell on top of the teacher." "What, are you going to
scold me?"

"I just want to know what happened."

"I used all my magic power to jump up and enter the classroom and attack the teacher~ I think it's stress, but I
got out of control~ I really have no idea what I'm saying but that's the way things stood~ I already reflected~"
Claire said, repeating those memorized words.

"I don't want that off-the-record explanation."

"I only told you what they made me write in my letter of reflection." "But the truth is, something different
happened, didn't it?"

"What are you getting at?"

"I know very well that you've been doing research on the Diabolos demon." Accompanied by those words, Alexia
dropped the documents she found in Claire's room on the table in the room.

"Hey, that's mine...!" "I highly doubt you've been researching all this just out of mere curiosity."

"... What do you want to know?" Claire this time became serious.

"Everything. I want to know everything that's going on in this school."

"... You're not going to make fun?"

"I swear." "Really?" "Really."

Claire was silent and then averted her gaze.

He stared into nothingness, as if he were talking to someone who wasn't really there.

After a while, she shook her head.

"I'm sorry Aurora."

"¿Eh?"

Alexia was surprised by those words, she didn't understand her.

But it didn't look like Claire was talking to her, because she was still staring into an empty space in the room.
"I can't take this anymore. I don't know what to do, I don't understand anything-" Claire said that with her
shoulders shaking slightly.

"Sorry, it's nothing." He said that, smiling slightly.

"... Are you okay?"

"I'm not well at all, but that's exactly why I'll tell you everything. The truth myself I think it's ridiculous, so you're
free to believe me or not."

"I'll believe you."

Claire looked Alexia in the eye, she didn't seem to be lying.

"In that case, I'll start by introducing you to her."

"...Who?" "It's a spirit named Aurora, though she's also known as ''the witch of calamity''. Say hello Aurora."

Claire said that pointing to a place where there was nothing.

Alexia tried to pay more attention, to open and close her eyes, but she couldn't see anything.

"She's the one I met when-"

Watching Claire talking while appearing to see someone who was nowhere to be seen, Alexia began to regret a
bit that she had told her that she would believe her.

"-And that was all that happened."

By the time Claire finished telling everything that had happened to her, it was already dark outside.

Only the sound of the lamp fire could be heard in the room, and after taking a sip from her coffee cup, Alexia
sighed.

"... I understood more or less everything."

“¿Y me crees?”

"Yes. The truth is that it all sounds crazy, but it's undeniable that it all fits together now." "Fits?"

"Yes. It all fits, the shadow garden thing, the Diabolos cult, what's going on at the school, everything. Although I
actually have a hard time believing the ghost thing." "I-I told you Aurora really exists! She's sitting there laughing
right now."

Alexia looked at the couch where no one was there.

"Well, leaving aside the ghost thing..."

"I tell you she does exist!" "I do recognize her name. The witch of calamity, Aurora. I believe one of the cult
generals mentioned that name." "Does the Diabolos cult have any relation to her?"

"I'm not sure. I tried to do some research, but I didn't find too much information about her. The only thing left in
the records is that she was a woman who caused a great disaster in the world."

"Aurora, what kind of mess did you make?" Claire asked the ghost next to her.

Apparently they were having a conversation.

"Oh, right, right. I see. Well, Aurora says she exterminated a race called orcs. Apparently it made her very sick to
her stomach just to look at them." "...I doubt very much that that was the reason."

"Isn't it...? Oh, right, right. Aurora says she was the one who scribbled on the sacred shield of Aegis. Apparently
she didn't know it was such a famous shield."

"That too! Besides, the sacred shield of Aegis is lost and no one has found it..."

"I see, that's not why either. So..."

"-Let's leave the subject of the ghost for another day. Let's better get on with what matters to us."

"But Aurora says she still has many anecdotes from her legend that she wants to tell."

"Another day I said! Let's get back to the main topic!"

Alexia coughed and changed the subject.

"First we have to unravel the mystery of the case going on at the school."

"It's true."

Claire finally got serious again.

"And about that space where you were locked up, the truth is that I also experienced something like that before,
in the ''Sanctuary''-"

Alexia explained everything she experienced at the sanctuary.

"... True, it sounds just like the space I was in."

"In other words, something similar to what happened at the shrine is going on at this school. And that guy you
fought with, the one with the dark smile or something, he's a cult member for sure."

"It was Viscount Jean of the third division of the knights." "Yes, to tell you the truth I was already expecting cult
members to have infiltrated the knightly order. Now all the more reason to be wary of them."

"And Iris-sama? She's the commander of the scarlet knights, can't she help us?" "My sister... right now she's
busy. In any case, there's no doubt that the cult is kidnapping the students and planning to do something with
them."

"Plan what?"

"Think about it. The same thing is happening in this school that happened in the sanctuary, that means the
situation could also be the same. In other words, it's likely that the demon Diabolos is sealed here in the school."
"Now that you mention it, I heard a rumor that Diabolos Demon's arm was sealed here... But wasn't it just a
rumor?"

Alexia shook her head.

"The truth is, I'm not so sure anymore." "Huh? Are you kidding?"

"I can't say for sure... But in the school there are forbidden books that talk about the history of this place. If the
arm of dominion really is sealed here, that information should come out in one of those books."

"And that book can't be obtained with the influence of royalty?"

"I could, but it will take time." "And then what will we do?" "Well, there's nothing left to do but steal it." Alexia put a
smile on her face.

"If we get caught we'll be in big trouble."

"We just have to make sure we don't get caught. This is something only we can do, because now we can no
longer trust the gentlemen, nor the teachers."

"But if I get caught I'm going to be out of a job for the rest of my life."

"Don't worry, I'll hire you for the rest of your life. I'm used to throwing money at people."

"And is it necessary to throw it away?" "It is important to make it clear who is up and who is down."

"Hmmm." "Anyway, we have to act now. Even as we speak, the cult is acting from the shadows and the garden of
shadows must also be scheming something. We have to do something before more victims continue to appear."

After hearing Alexia's words, Claire thought for a moment and then said.

"What if we leave it all to the garden of shadows?" "... There's still a lot I don't know about them. I don't even
know why they're fighting the cult, but as long as I don't know anything, I can't totally trust them."

"Really? Well, I say that because they saved me that one time in the lawless city." "Still... they're too dangerous.
With the strength they have, we would be lost if they decided to go against this kingdom. That's why I understand
my sister's concern."

"Yeah... I'll give you that one. I still remember how that Shadow guy single-handedly took down the blood queen.
If the blood queen's power was as the legends said, then Shadow's power is beyond our comprehension."

"I really want to believe that the blood queen was too weak to fight... because otherwise, I'm afraid this kingdom
will have to lick Shadow's boots to earn his favor." "I mean, if we get careless, they could be a much worse threat
than the cult."

"Exactly. Also within the garden of shadows there is a group of sequites called the 7 shadows. Each of them has
great power, equal to or even greater than my sister's... that is to say that the only power is not Shadow's but that
of his entire organization."

"You reminded me of that beast woman named Zeta... I was surprised to see Aurora so nervous when she saw
her. She said she didn't know if she was an ally or an enemy."

"I really hope they are allies, but at least for now... I still can't quite trust them, they are too dangerous."

Alexia pressed her lips together tightly.

"It's true... that's why we have to act on our own. Okay Alexia, I'll help you." "Thank you, Claire." Claire squeezed
tightly the hand on which the magic seal was engraved.

"Nothing will start if I don't make it start. And I need to know more about Aurora, about this magic seal and about
Shadow. Thank you, Alexia."

"¿Eh?"

Alexia did not expect such words from Claire.

"Thank you for listening to my story. I couldn't take much more of being alone in all this, but when you listened to
me and said you believed me, I felt a little better." "...Well."

"That's why I understand how you feel. It's hard to be alone."

"... It's not that I feel lonely really."

Alexia's voice trembled for an instant.

She simply did not want to see her sister swinging her sword as if possessed by something.

Rose went her own way leaving her alone.

And in Natsume she never trusted so she didn't count for her.

"Let's do this together." Claire held out her hand and Alexia reflexively took it. She could feel a welcoming warmth
coming from her.

"Thank you, Claire."

"You're welcome. Besides, with this I'll already have an excuse to keep an eye on you." Claire nodded and
suddenly squeezed Alexia's hand much tighter.

"Huh?" "It's worth helping you out on this if it'll keep a little dead fly away from him."

"C-Claire, you're hurting me."

"Oh, really? Forgive me Alexia. I'm happy to be able to work with you."

"Y-Yes, it would be my pleasure, Claire." Alexia squeezed back just as hard, and the two smiled together.
While a certain ghost looked at them thinking how alike they were.

Claire and Alexia stood in front of the door of a certain room in the girls' dormitory.
"Claire, are you sure?"

Alexia said hesitantly.

"I'm serious. I'll ask Nina so you can see that I'm telling the truth. Cid once told me that he had told Nina that he
wanted to read a forbidden grimoire, and the next day Nina brought it to him!" "Really~? I'm actually starting to
doubt it more."

"Relax. Cid would be incapable of telling me a lie."

"Nah, I don't believe that. That guy is a man full of lies and ambition." "Hey, don't say that about Cid."

"I just told the truth."

Alexia said that and then knocked on the door.

“Ya voy~”

Nina replied casually and then opened the door.

"Oh, Claire. That's good, I was already worried about you."

She was a small girl with wine-red hair.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Nina."

"Well, the important thing is that you're okay. But next time you're going to disappear tell me ahead of time." "If I
can I will."

"That aside, how odd to see you two together eh. Nice to meet you, Princess Alexia." Nina said looking at Alexia.

"Hello, nice to meet you Nina-san."

"Just tell me Nina, at what point did you two become friends?"

"We're still not friends."

"In fact I would say enemies."

Alexia and Claire gave almost the same answer.

"Oh well. Anyway, do you guys want to come in? I guess you came to talk to me about something."

She invited the two of them into her room.

Nina sat on the bed, and the two sat on a plush couch.

"Before we get into the subject at hand, could I ask you a question?"

Said Alexia who apparently didn't know which way to look.

"Sure, if it's something I can answer."

"Why are you in your underwear?"

Nina was actually in her underwear, a very sexy one in fact.

Despite being small in height, her figure was amazing, with voluptuous parts that could steal the glances of even
women.

"Because it's more comfortable."

"Do you always walk around like this?"

"The truth is, yes. It's just that the feel of the underwear they sell at Mitsugoshi is amazing, the best ever."

Nina said that with a smile as she showed off her underwear covering her curves.

"I can't believe it... By the way, you tell me the model number later."

"But sure. If you want I can also recommend some."

"Let's see." Alexia replied with a very serious expression.

"What's the point? If you're never going to show it to anyone."

Claire said laughing at her.

"Silence."

And Alexia looked at her angrily.

"We'd better get into the main topic quickly."

"It's true. It's almost time for me to go to sleep so keep it short as not sleeping hurts the skin."

"Yes, whatever you say. The only thing we want to ask you about is the grimoire. How did you get it?" "Grimoire?
I don't know what you're talking about."

"You don't have to lie, Cid told me so himself. He said you got him a grimoire."

"Your little brother? No way, I would never do that." "I told you, you don't need to lie."

"I'm seriously not lying. I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Really?"

"Seriously. Besides, how am I supposed to infiltrate those warehouses?"

"You see? I told you pooch lied to you."

Alexia said in a mocking tone.

"Sh-Shut your mouth! N-Nina, are you serious, you're not hiding something from me!" "Calm down Claire, I'm
telling you the truth!" Claire began to shake Nina by her shoulders, so hard that it made the clasps of her bra
come loose.

"¡Uhhhh~!"

While Claire all red bit her lips hard.

"Silly Cid!!! He lied to me again! This time I really won't forgive him!" "Now even you admit that he lied."

"Quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet! I've had enough, I'm going home!" "To your real home?" "To my room!" "W-Wait, hey!
We haven't planned anything for tomorrow yet..."
Claire all red with anger left the room while Alexia chased after her.

"Ah, sorry to have bothered you~"

"I don't really understand anything, but good luck."

After Nina said that, Alexia closed the door with a forced smile.

The room fell completely silent, and it was then that Nina got up and walked to the window.

"Good."

The already unfastened bra fell to the floor and her figure was reflected in the window glass.

There, on her left breast, she had a scar.

"... It's about time to act." She stroked that wound with one of her slender fingers.

And that gaze, a gaze as cold as ice, was peering deep into the darkness.

I like to walk at night.

I like how the moonlight illuminates the world and takes away all my worries.

Nowadays I have no worries anymore, but in my past life, I remember that I used to worry a lot when I had to
separate fact from fiction from an eminence in the shadows.

At those times I used to clear those doubts by training, but I realized that walking at night, being illuminated by
the moon, was a good way to reform myself.

Just by standing in this silent world and looking up at the moon, I could already feel like an eminence in the
shadows.

Sometimes there was the occasional motorcycle gang making noise, but at those times I could pick up a metal
bar and use it in the name of justice.

In any case, and as I was saying, since I entered school, I almost always go out for a walk in the evenings.

My favorite part is climbing to the top of the school buildings and observing everything from above.

"Kukuku..."

And laughing in this suspicious way only makes me look cooler.

The moon today was more beautiful than usual.

I took out the red jewel that I had already cleaned because it was with Delta's saliva, and then raised it towards
the moon.

Its color was a deep red, fantastic, and very beautiful.

"It looks like it has magic power inside. I wonder how much I'll get for this thing."

God, Delta sure did a good job this time.

I can't wait to see how much I get in Mitsugoshi for this thing.
If I get a good amount I think I will be able to buy the set to be an eminence in the shadows, a list of items I hold
dear to my heart.

For example, a black lion's mane, a dark vase, and also a...

"...¿Hm?"

Suddenly I looked to my side, and there on the roof of the school, right next to me, was an old man in a black
robe.

What is he doing here? How strange...

Hm? Wait, isn't that a tunic made from the threads of a black spider?! Yes it sure is, I would never mistake that
deep black color.

It is a garment made of the finest fabric of all.

"... What good taste the old man has." I was admired by the style the old man brought.

Her hair was down to her waist.

His face was deep, with a look as sharp as an eagle's, which made him look that much cooler.

I tried to listen to what he was mumbling.

"The plan is behind schedule..." Ah, he's a thief.

With that being the plan and being in this place, I can't think of anything more than that.

I guess it comes from the famous rare objects in this school.

In other words, he is an elegant thief.

"I already knew they were going to meddle. But it's okay...I just have to eliminate them."

He was saying all that without even knowing he was seeing it.

But I like him, his words have style.

Suddenly, the elegant thief turned around.

And our eyes met.

He had my presence erased but not my body, so as was obvious, he saw me.

"Huh?! Since when are you there?!"

"Ah, easy easy easy. I was just taking a walk." I tried to tell him I wasn't planning to interrupt him.

"You don't look like a gentleman, who the hell are you?"

"A simple student." "So a student... by the way you look, it seems to be true. Who would think that on my first day
I would discover myself a mere student."

"These things happen buddy. Well, I'm off."

"Wait. Now that you've seen me, I must kill you."

"Ah, easy, I wasn't thinking of arresting you or anything. I actually don't really care whether or not you steal
anything from this academy-"

I tried to tell him that but the elegant thief paid no attention to me.

"Just your luck, kid."

"Oh."

I dodged two scythes that were aimed at my neck by moving to the side.

It was pretty fast, and seemed pretty strong for a thief.

I would expect nothing less from an elegant thief.

"What, how could you possibly dodge it!"

The thief was cautious and kept his distance.

"Who the heck are you...? You don't look like an ordinary student."

The elegant thief asked in a low tone of voice.

"I really didn't mean to interrupt you." "You sure are from the knight's special forces. You're the first to dodge one
of my attacks."

"I'm just an ordinary student."

"Don't talk nonsense. Surely it was you who finished off the dark smile. No wonder my lord asked me to come,
me, the dark spider." "Ya, I think you have the wrong person."

"But how unlucky you are."

"Bad luck?"

"I am... stronger than the dark smile." The elegant thief this time lunged to cut off my arm.

Track.

But when the scythes hit my arm, there was a thud and sparks flew.

"W-Why couldn't I cut it?!"

Transform me oil.

I made the slime that was covering my clothes move across my arm to create claws.

"Those black clothes...you are from the garden of shadows..."

The sleek thief quickly took distance.

But, no matter how much distance it takes, the result is the same.

"How fast-!" I closed the distance between us and buried my claws in his heart.

"I-Impossible... this power is..."

"Hm?" He clenched his claws in my hands as he furrowed his eyebrows.

"It can't be... right here... disguising himself as a student... I'm sorry... so sorry... Fen... rir... sama..."

After saying that, the man spat out a large amount of blood.

"Good heavens. I really didn't want to kill him." I took his robe made of black spider web so it wouldn't get stained
with his blood and then him I threw off the building.

"- Ah, mierda."

I looked down but it was too late, the elegant thief had died when he fell.

I mean, it would have been nice if he had died when he fell to the ground, but to his very bad luck he landed right
on the school statue's sword.

And well, now it looked as if someone had executed him.

And now what do I do with his corpse? "... Well, whatever."

There was a lot of blood and I was too lazy to clean it all up.

I will leave it there as a surprise gift for students who live a normal and peaceful life.

"¿Hm?"

Then I noticed how a white-colored fog was enveloping everything around.

It was strange. A while ago there was no trace of fog.

"Is it fog...?"

But before I could get a good look at it, that white mist disappeared without a trace.

"Huh? Did I imagine that...? Nah."

I didn't imagine it, I was sure I saw a white fog.

"... Well, not that it matters either."

My life wasn't going to change just because I saw a trail of white fog, and in fact if I wanted to see fog, I could go
to the mountain and see it at any time.

Besides, I have something more important to do now; go to my room, hang on the wall this tunic made with
spider webs from a black spider and finally go to sleep.

This place was covered by a deep white fog.

And only four round lights were illuminating the place.

"The accuracy rate is very low... is it because the specimen is not the right one? But there's not much we can do.
It's been very difficult to find possessed ones lately."

In front of the lights, there was a thin man standing.

The man sighed as he wrote letters on a file in his hands.

"Still no word from the specimen search squad?" Closer, amid the red lights, was something else.
One person.

It wasn't one, it was four. The four people were floating in the middle of the red light, connected by what appeared
to be thin tubes.

The tubes were absorbing something from them, as if they were living beings, which made those people's faces
lack vitality.

"There's no more time... at this rate we're going to..."

The man circled around the red lights.

At that moment, he heard footsteps coming from the fog.

"How's it going, ''Willow''?"

The person who said that stood in the middle of the fog.

And then, the man he called "Willow" quickly turned around and fixed his posture.

"We have captured four students with a compatible type of magic. We keep missing their magic power, so we
believe the seal will sooner or later be broken-"

"Late or early? Also, are those four the same four from last time?" "I-if you'll excuse me, it's just that the garden of
shadows hasn't stopped interrupting us..." ''Willow'' swallowed saliva, nervously.

"I heard that."

"Yes, and so, it seems that the ones that are getting in our way are generals from the garden of shadows..."

"Ohh... The famous 7 shades?" The man whose face could not yet be seen said with interest.

"It is likely. If so, it's one of the 7 shadows we have no information about." "In that case it's probably Zeta." "Yes, I
heard that the person in question is good at hiding and running, so..." "I've never heard any reports of her
fighting, that's why I thought she wasn't the fighting type."

"That's right. besides, since she was probably the one who eliminated the dark smile, she must be much stronger
than a Named Children." "Ohh, interesting, and who did you call in as a replacement for the dark smile?" "I
wanted to be cautious so this time I called in one of the most powerful named childrens we have, the dark spider.
I think with him our plan this time will-"

"Ah, speaking of the dark spider, he just died." "... Huh?" "He was impaled in front of the school." "Excuse me
sir... really?"

"Really." "R-Really? Ah, excuse me, it's not that I'm doubting you. I imagine it was Zeta who eliminated you."
"That I don't know. But wow, they work fast in the garden of shadows, how I envy them. I too would like to have
subordinates that efficient."

"Haha..." "How do you plan to compensate us for the delay in this plan?"

"I will ask for more support from headquarters." "You know, our funds have been greatly reduced due to the
problem with the credit crunch last time. I imagine they can give you a 2nd and 3rd Children, but I wonder how
you're going to deal with this with a staff as weak as they are, hm?"

"W-Well, I..." "The garden of shadows already knows about the existence of these ruins. I don't think it won't be
too long before they get through the security system." "We've already identified the perfect subjects. One is Claire
Kagenou, and the other is Alexia Midgar. If you grant me permission, I'll order them captured and we'll end the
plan immediately."
"So Alexia Midgar..." "Shouldn't I capture her?" "... No, it's okay. Anyway Zenon already captured her once, I don't
think there's a problem with trying again. Anyway, we the Fenrir faction have been controlling the Midgar realm
for a long time already."

"In that case I will give the order to my subordinates."

"No, the one to go will be you personally, Suace."

"¿Eh?"

"Come on, I imagine you must miss that place. Besides we went to the trouble of preparing a place and role for
you at the school, so you should take advantage of it."

"B-But with all due respect, I don't think I have the strength to..." No sooner had he said that than a gust of wind
crossed the side of Willow's neck, leaving a small wound.

"If you use your position for sure you can manage to catch them."

"... Yes sir." "I don't have much free time now that I'm investigating the ruins. Don't fail me." "Yes sir."

Willow left the place as fast as she could.

"... Good."

And there in the middle of the fog something was being projected.

The image of two girls. One was a golden-haired beast woman and the other a pinkish-blonde-haired human.

Both were from the garden of shadows.

"This is Zeta, and I guess the other one is the famous ''saint''... So the garden of shadows took her in. I wonder
what the people in that country will do when they find out." At the screening, Zeta and Victoria were walking in a
haze.

And behind them, there was one more woman.

His clothing was different from that of the members of the garden of shadows and he also wore a robe covering
his face.

"They have already passed the third level of the security system. Now everything depends on the results of
Sauce..."

After muttering that, the man disappeared.

But the projection was still running in this empty room, so no one noticed that the woman with golden eyes inside
the projection was looking right in this direction.

—-
Note for editor, this chapter will soon be replaced by taikutsutl, try to focus on chapter 1 or towards the end
—-

(MTL Start Here)

Chapter 2: On the Morning of Shock, the School Skewers Murder Case!!

My awakening was exhilarating.

This was all thanks to me getting my hands on a silk black robe for free last night. I appreciated the robes shining
in the morning sun so I headed to school a step earlier than usual.

It's been a while since I've gone to school alone.

Skel and Jaga are always just barely late.

It's nice to get to school early every once in a while.

The faces of the students on the street were fresh, and I felt great when I passed through the school gate and
bathed in the morning sun...

"...This sucks."

"Why are you here, pooch?"

"Why is Alexia here?"

Alexia is there when I pass through the gate.

"You should be a little happy that you were able to see me this morning."

"Wow, I'm so happy."

"Of course you are."

"Okay, see you later."

"Don't run away. Wait."

I start walking quickly, and Alexia immediately follows me..

"Why are you following me?"

"If you run away, it makes me want to chase after you."

"Are you a wild animal?"

"It's an honor to be able to go to school with me."

"......"

"Why are you so quiet?"

"...Don’t say you have such a happy head.."

"Not as much as you."

We chatted as we walked, and for some reason, a crowd was forming in front of the school building.

I could hear the students murmuring amongst themselves.

“I-It’s dead...!”

“Who would do such a miserable thing...?”

“Hey, stay away! The knights are coming, so until then...”

Alexia and I exchange glances.

"It's a corpse!"

"Let's go."

It's my first surprise event in a long time in my unchanging school life.

It was only natural that my heart would race with anticipation.

I pushed my way through the crowd, my eyes sparkling, wondering what kind of corpse was there.

And then――I was stunned.

"Oh, you mean this?"

Come to think of it, I kicked him off the roof last night and left him like that.

I had completely forgotten.

"That's awful... To be skewered on the bronze statue's sword.”

"There must be a reason why he was killed in such a distinctive way."

"You think so?"

Alexia looks at the corpse with a serious expression.

"I wonder who they are. They don't seem to be affiliated with the school."

"I think he's a thief."

"They don't seem to be from the Knight order. They're probably intruders..."

"I think he's a thief."

"Maybe it's a cult, or..."

"I think he's a thief."

"You've been so loud for a while now. There's no way you're a thief."

"Right."

I don't care.

The students around us seemed happy, so now that I thought about it, we could say it went according to our
original plan.

“That’s scary... Don’t tell me that organization did it.”

“You still haven’t found any students whose whereabouts are unknown, have you?”

“There’s also the matter of the mana from the other day. Looks like there’s more to this case than meets the eye.”

She's happy, very happy.

The truth is, a fight between a dog and a cat, and a thief falling to his death. With this much excitement, I'm
satisfied as the mastermind.

What should I do? Maybe I'll disguise myself as a Shadow and try to liven up the event even more tonight.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"Hm? Oh, it's nothing."

Alexia’s red eyes look at me curiously.

"Do you two have a moment?"

Just then, there was a male student talking to us.

It was a handsome man with deep green hair... Isaac.

"Hey, Isaac. How dare you skip out on class yesterday?"

"Umm, I think it's Cid-kun. I had some business to attend to yesterday. Did something happen?"

"There was a quiz."

"There was a quiz, wasn't there? So?"

"No, nothing."

"That's fine, then. More importantly, schools closed for the day."

"I see."

"That's a terrible incident. We're going to be investigating the academy staff and the Knights from now on, so I
was instructed to leave the scene. There might be suspicious people lurking around, so be careful. Make sure
you don't leave the dorm."

"Hmm, hmm."

"It's dangerous, so be careful, pooch."

"Okay"

Just then, something snapped around my neck with a clack.

Is this a collar?

"I've finally caught you."

I turned around to see Nee-san there, smiling from ear to ear.

"H-Hey, it's been a while, Nee-san."

"It really has been a while. I wonder if the last time we met was before winter break."

"Y-You're right."

Crap, I let my guard down.

It was a pain in the ass, so I was acting to avoid meeting Nee-san.

"H-Hey, Claire. That collar..."

"What's wrong with this collar?"

"Was that Claire's collar?"

"That's right. It was supposed to be in my room, but for some reason the knights kept it. It was hard to get it
back."

"I-I see. What are you going to use it for?"

"What...? Isn't it obvious?"

Nee-san pulled the chain and laughed.

"Ah, yeah, that's right... I see, dogs need collars."

"Oh yeah, I need a collar."

"Um, I'm not a dog."

"What are you saying, pooch?"

"Cid, that's a strange thing to say. Let's go, pooch. I mean, Cid."

Nee-san tugged on my chain and dragged me in front of the audience.

When did these two get so close?

"How dare you forget your promise."

"Ah, ahaha."

I was taken to Nee-san's room and mounted.

"And on top of that, you're lying."

"Lies? What lies?"

"Which lie?"

She squeezes my neck.

Crap, I dug my own grave.

I had lied to Nee-san countless times, so I had no idea what lie she was talking about..

"I-It hurts..."

It's not painful.

"You're not lying to me, are you?"

"I'm not. I'm not."

I'm lucky.

"Really?"

"Really, really."

Nee-san brought her face close enough for our noses to touch and peered into my eyes.

"...Your eyes are beautiful. It's proof that your heart is pure. It doesn't seem like you're lying right now."

"Even if you lie to me, they'll find out right away. Why did you lie to me like that?"

"I know. You're talking about that lie. That thing, right?"

"That's right, Nina's lying."

"Nina-senpai's?"

Huh?

Did I lie about Nina-senpai?

"Don't tell me you forgot."

"I haven't forgotten. It's Nina-senpai's thing, isn't it? There are complicated circumstances that can't be explained
in a single word..."

"Hah... I bet you just said it because you wanted to show me your good side."

"Yeah, something like that."

"I can see through everything you're thinking about."

"Yes, I'll reflect on my actions."

"Fine, I'll forgive you. Just this once."

The conversation is over.

Despite that, Nee-san stared at me intently.

"Nee-san, you're heavy. Get off me... Ugih."

M-My neck...!

"Cid, did you say something?"

"N-Nee-san, you're light, you have an outstanding figure, and you're beautiful!"

"That's right, of course."

"Yeah, yeah, of course."

"Ufufu. Cid will always be Cid, no matter how old he gets. I want him to stay that way forever. I..."

Nee-san had a serious air about her.

"Nee-san?"

"As long as Cid stays the way he is, I intend to face any powerful enemy."

"Umm..."

Could it be that the disease is progressing?

"Cid, listen. The evil hands of a powerful organization are closing in on the school."

"Oh, that's the pattern."

"No, I can't tell you the details for your safety...! You can't stare at me like that!"

"I see―"

"I'm going to tackle the mysteries of the school. It's a dangerous strategy... But I feel like I can do it for Cid."

"Good luck!"

"Be careful, Cid. You're my brother, so they might target you. But Onee-chan will do her best. I'll take care of the
bad guys...!"

"Take 'em down!"

"Sorry for making you worry. I'm sorry I couldn't say anything important. But it's to protect you. It's all selfish, but I
want you to understand."

"Okay―"

"And... if I don't come back... I'll die" (people die when they’re killed)

Nee-san suddenly glared at the empty space in the middle of her tearful speech.

"Hey, Aurora, this is a touching scene, so could you be quiet? Eh, what? It's embarrassing, so stop it? What's so
embarrassing about that~?"

Her eyes met mine as I looked up at her with a straight face.

"Nee-san..."

"Ah, th-this is, n-n-n-nothing, I'm just talking to myself!"

"Nee-san, I know."

"Cid... Do you understand? There's a deep reason for this."

"Of course."

It’s a disease from my second year of middle school.

"Thank you, Cid. You're a little brother too good for me. If... if I die..."

Large tears streamed down my sister's cheeks.

"You'll be fine, Nee-san. You'll never die."

"Cid~!! I'll definitely, definitely come back!!"

"Yes, yes."

She hugged me so tightly that it broke my spine.

I hope this farce ends soon.

The long-awaited night had arrived.

I snuck out of the dorm and stood on the roof of the school as usual.

The school was on high alert, and the dorms were heavily monitored. The students seemed restless.

I didn't think the thief from last night would get this much attention. This kind of extraordinary feeling is exciting.

In my past life, I was the type to get excited whenever a typhoon came.

Even though it's the middle of the day, there's a strong wind and rain in the dim classroom. It's the best.

I feel like something's about to happen. Nothing happened, though.

Isn’t it my mission to use my experience from my past life to wake up something like that?

The students were tired of their ordinary school life, and they were expecting an event to destroy it.

"What should I do...?"

Four students went missing at school, then a certain dog and cat got into a fight, thieves fell off the roof, and
died... Isn't there a groundbreaking event that connects everything?

"There's no point in chanting a huge magic circle or incantation... Hm?"

While I was thinking about that, before I knew it, the area was covered in a white mist.

"Huh? Is this... abnormal weather from yesterday?"

Then my vision turned pure white, and I was in a white space that stretched on forever.

"Hmm? What is it?"

It's a fantasy.

We're suddenly transported to a different space. It's been there before, isn't it? I'm pretty sure it was in the
Sanctuary...

"Who are you?"

There was a girl in the white space.

She's a little younger than me, and she's wearing a pure white one-piece dress. Violet's beautiful eyes.

"Hey, it's been a while."

Our ages were different, but I could tell at a glance. She was Violet.

"Who are you? A new researcher?"

"Don't tell me you don't remember?"

"I-I don't know."

"Come to think of it, didn't you say something about memories?"

"Stay away...!"

The young Violet seems wary.

"You don't have to be so scared. I'm not an ally of justice, but I'm not a hopeless villain."

"Wh-Why are you here...?"

"I wonder why. Before I knew it, I was here. What about you?"

"I... I... Aaaaaah!"

She clutched her head and began to scream.

"Are you okay?"

"Why... am I... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

I scratched my head.

She looks like she's in pain.

"You don't have to force yourself to remember. I'm forgetful too. In order to focus on something important, I
quickly forget everything that doesn't matter and reduce my brain's memory."

"I-I... don't want to... Stop, stop already... Nooooooooooooooooooo!"

At the same time as she screams, a tremendous amount of magical energy is released.

"Whoops. Like I said, you don't have to remember."

I parried Violet's magical energy.

Just like that, I approached her.

"Stay away from meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

"What's with this magical energy?"

I was surprised.

The adult Violet-san was amazing too, but this was far beyond that.

But it’s easy to parry a straight line of magical energy.

As I walked, I shifted the vector of my magic and caught her.

"No, no, no, no, nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!"

"Yes, yes."

I embrace Violet and pour my magic into her.

It’s the same as healing demon possession. If you stick your whole body close to it, it’ll be more efficient.

"Let me go... Let me go..."

"It's okay to forget what you don't want to remember."

As she continued to channel her magical energy, her rampage gradually subsided.

The tension drained from my body as I relaxed.

"Wha... Is there anything you can't forget?"

She spoke in a quiet voice.

"I don't know. As long as I try not to remember, I think I'll be able to forget about it someday."

"...I can't."

"I see. Have you calmed down yet?"

"Y... Yeah."

I let Violet go, and she hung her head in embarrassment.

"Now then. How should I get out?"

"...Are you leaving?"

As I started walking, she pattered after me.

"Eventually. I'm trying to figure out how to get out."

The white space goes on forever. It doesn't look like there's an exit.

"Everyone will be gone."

"That's not true."

"Everyone's dead."

"There are times like that."

"Are you going to die too?"

"I won't die."

For now, I'll live for six hundred years. I'm still searching beyond that.

"Liar."

"Maybe."

"Don't go."
"...Would you be able to get out with me if I found an exit? It'd be easy if I blew it away."

The adult Violet disappeared because of that.

"I can't leave."

"I see."

"Don't go."

"...We'll meet again."

"Liar."

"I'm not lying."

"Then... give me that."

Violet points to my pocket and says

I took a red jewel out of my pocket.

"Hmm. This is mine, after all."

"It's kind of warm. It calms me down."

"It's just a jewel, you know?"

"No. That's something more important."

"I can tell."

"Yeah."

Just then, I heard the door close.

Violet twitches.

There's no door anywhere in this white space. But I definitely heard it.

“Hey, where’d she go?!”

I could hear her voice, too.

“Are you hiding?! Bang!”

"I-I have to go!"

"Ah, wait."

The white space was cracking.

“That’s enough!! You’re hurting me again~”

"Wait, I'll give you this."

I grabbed her hand, and then the white space shattered into pieces.
"--ru."

The red jewel I held out to her fell with a plop.

I was back on the roof.

The white mist, the white space, and the girl in the white one-piece dress had all vanished.

I picked up the red jewel and put it in my pocket.

"I wonder if Violet-san's nearby."

I sent magic particles flying, searching for her presence.

But I couldn't find it.

Instead

"So this presence is Nee-san and Alexia?"

What was she doing in a place like that?

"It's open. This way."

Even under the moonlight, two shadows infiltrated the library through the window.

Alexia and Claire.

Alexia invades first, wary of her awkward movements.

Just then...

"Hey, you're in the way."

"Ow!"

Claire rained down from above.

"What are you doing? I told you I'd make sure you're safe first!"

Alexia gets angry in a low voice as she gets trampled.

"They'll find out if you're lazing around. Speed is speed."

"Ah, geez. Get out of my way already."

Alexia moves Claire out of the way and stands up.

"Alexia, let's get going. We're going to make this a success no matter what."

"You're pretty motivated."

"There's a reason I can't lose. I have a place to return to."

Claire clenches her fists with a determined look in her eyes.

"...I don't really get it, but it's good that you're motivated."

Alexia leads the way and unlocks the door to the back of the library.

"How did you get that key?"

"Power."

"I see. So this is the archive of forbidden books?"

The room is lined with expensive bookshelves.

"No. This is the archive of books. The archive of forbidden books is in the back"

Alexia stops in front of a huge bookshelf.

"It's so big. I wonder if these are ancient script..."

"This bookshelf itself is an Artifact. There's a spell to it, aside from the fairy tales Father read to me when I was a
child."

"A spell?"

Alexia takes a deep breath.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk! Open sesame!"

The silence continued for a while.

"What are you kidding me for?"

"I-I'm not joking! I'm serious! This spell should be able to open it!"

"You idiot."

"Maybe the incantation was different. I think it was called 'chin-chin-pui-pui'"

And just then...

There was a rumbling sound, and a huge bookshelf opened.

"Yes... It really opened."

"Looks like your dick was right!" (TL Note: I will leave it because it is very funny)

Alexia says smugly.

"It just took a while because it's old."

Alexia and Claire advance to the end of the massive bookshelf.

"Amazing..."

Upon entering the archive of forbidden books, the two simply exclaimed in admiration.
The glittering chandelier beautifully illuminated the towering bookshelves. The books lining the shelves were
faded, but had a unique air about them.

"So, which book has the history of the school written in it?"

Claire said, her eyes following the spine of the endless book.

If we were looking for each book one by one, dawn would probably break.

"Make a wish."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Like I said, I'm not joking! Like this."

Alexia moves her arm strangely next to her head.

"What are you doing?"

"Creating the atmosphere. The history books of the school, the history books of the school, the history books of
the school... It's so small!"

"You idiot."

However, the next moment...

With a single ray of light, a book came flying through the air.

The book floats in front of Alexia’s face and automatically opens the first page.

"You're lying..."

"See? I told you."

"What a ridiculous Artifact. I want to destroy it."

"Stop it. It's a cute, obedient Artifact."

"So, what does the book say?"

Claire said with an annoyed expression

"Hmm. I can't read it."

"These are... ancient script."

"I can read simple ancient script, but this is a bit much. What about you, Claire?"

"I only use the basics of ancient script. It's an unpopular subject, and only students from academic schools take
it."

"Yeah, you're right."

"What are you going to do?"

"At a time like this... Translate it!"

Alexia makes a heart with her hands, along with her flirtatious voice.
"I feel sick. Of course I can't."

"You won't know until you try. It might have a convenient function."

“Y-Y-Y-You’re going to translate it, aren’t you? Dufufu...”

A disgusting voice echoed through the archive of forbidden books.

"Huh? You talked!?"

"Is someone there?"

The two of them looked around, but there was no one else in sight

“I-I-I-I’m the spirit of the forbidden library, aren’t I? I-I’ll translate for you.”

"That's the school's proud Artifact for you."

"Gross... This is definitely a fat voice."

"Hey, Claire, don't be so cruel."

“Ugh... Y-You’re going to stop translating...”

"Look, you're sulking."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry."

"Please translate it, Forbidden Library-san."

“Mufufufu... I-I’ll do my best to translate it! Wh-Wh-Where do you want me to translate it?”

"Umm, I'd like to know where Diabolos' right arm is sealed."

“I-I-In that case, it’s in the basement of the academy. There’s an underground ruin, right?”

"Umm... I see. That was easy..."

"...You're surprisingly capable."

Floating in the air, the forbidden book automatically flipped through the pages, the translated text glowing faintly

“A-A long time ago, the hero and Diabolos fought here, didn’t they? So that’s why Diabolos’s right arm fell and
was sealed away. So a lot of things happened from there, and ruins were built.”

"A lot happened?"

“Apparently, there was a conflict over Diabolos’s right arm. It’s not detailed, but it seems like a lot of things
happened and it’s hidden in the underground ruins.”

"I wonder how to get to the underground ruins."

“But it seems there’s a sealed church somewhere in the academy. You can get there from there.”

"Where? Where?"

“Dufufu... I-I guess I can’t tell you what’s not written.”

"Tch, so cold... For now, I know what the Diabolos Cult is after. They're trying to break the seal on the right arm."

"Why are they abducting students?"

"It's probably to break the seal. It's easy to break when it's close to the original magical energy you sealed away."

"So that's why you aimed for matching magical energy among the students. Would you like to search for this
sealed church?"

"...Before that, I'll try talking to Onee-sama."

Alexia speaks as if she’s made up her mind.

"Come to think of it, you're royalty, aren't you? Why didn't you do that from the start?"

"Do you think I didn't do anything?"

"Huh?"

"I've told you so many times. I told you about the school incident, the Sanctuary incident, everything..."

"Alexia..."

"But... this time for sure. I have proof this time, so I'm sure Onee-sama will believe me."

“A-Alexia-chan, good luck~”

"Shut up, you creep."

Alexia glares at me with eyes that look like they can kill someone.

“E-Eeek...”

"Alexia... Let's get out of the archive of forbidden books. They’ll find us if we stay here too long."

"Yeah. But before that, is there a book about the Diabolos Cult?"

There was a little silence.

“...It doesn’t exist here, does it?”

"I see... Then it can't be helped."

"See you later."

“B-Bye-bye... Be careful...”

Alexia and Claire’s bodies are enveloped in magical energy, and then before they know it, they’re back in their
original vault.

"With this book, I'm sure Onee-sama will..."

Alexia leaves the vault with the forbidden book clutched to her chest.

Just then...

"I wonder where you’re going with the forbidden book without permission."
"~~~!?"

Alexia and Claire turn around at the same time.

Behind the bookshelf stood a tall old man.

He had a long, narrow face, hollow eyes, and was glaring at the girls.

"Y-You're the head librarian..."

Alexia hides the forbidden book behind her back, but it’s too late.

"Princess Alexia. Even for you, the crime of taking the forbidden book without permission is grave. All the more
so for the ordinary student next to you."

Claire scrunches up her face as he looks at her.

Imprisonment, or expulsion. It might affect your brother too.

"I'll kill you..." Claire said in a small voice.

“Your eyes are steady.”

Alexia hurriedly pushes Claire aside.

"L-Librarian! There's a deep reason for this! Could you listen to me for now?"

"If you're talking Princess Alexia, there's no way I wouldn't listen."

"Thank you very much."

"Let's go somewhere else. Follow me."

With that, the head librarian left the library.

Alexia follows after him and asks Claire behind her in a low voice.

"Hey, what are you trying to do?"

"If I became a criminal, Cid would be made fun of!

Alexia sighs.

"Princess Alexia, please hurry."

"Oh, I'll be right there."

Alexia takes Claire by the hand and trots after the head librarian.

"Um, how far are you going?"

Alexia calls out to the head librarian walking in front of her.

His tall back continued down the dark hallway.

"It's almost time."

"If you want to talk, we can do it in the classroom."

"...Then let's do it here."

With that, the head librarian stopped.

We're in the middle of the hallway.

"Here?"

"Yes, I've finished preparing."

He turned around and smiled thinly.

“I don’t like the way you laugh.” Alexia furrows her brow.

"...Alexia."

Claire, who’s behind me, slaps Alexia on the shoulder.

"The fog..."

"Kiri?"

I look around and notice a white mist hanging over the hallway before I know it.

"Why is the fog here...?"

The fog rapidly thickens.

A cracking sound rang out from somewhere.

"This is the same as when I was attacked...!"

"The same?"

And then the world shattered.

The scenery was pulverized, as if a mirror were breaking.

"Wh-What is this?!"

She was supposed to be in the school hallway, but the atmosphere was completely different.

It was a world engulfed in white mist.

There's a sweet smell coming from somewhere.

"Alexia, draw your sword."

At Claire’s urging, Alexia draws her sword as well.

"We're surrounded."
"Huh?"

Searching for a presence, I saw multiple people on the other side of the thick fog.

He closes the distance between us bit by bit as he looks at me. It doesn't seem like a friendly atmosphere.

"I'm surprised you noticed, Claire."

"Ghosts are excellent."

"I see. So, librarian."

Alexia lowers her voice and points her sword at the librarian.

He stood in the fog with a thin smile on his face.

"What is it, Princess Alexia?"

"What is the meaning of this?"

Alexia wasn’t stupid enough to trust him after coming here.

"Man, you're sharper than I thought."

The head librarian pulled a large hatchet out of his pocket.

One in each hand.

"That's a dangerous weapon. I think the librarian should fight with pen and paper."

"Pen and paper draw ideals. Reality is built with swords."

Saying that, he readied his hatchets in both hands.

"I'll take the head librarian. Claire, take care of the enemies around you."

"Got it."

As they stood back-to-back, the battle began.

Two consecutive attacks from the hatchet came from the white mist.

Alexia takes her first attack half a step back to avoid it, parrying the follow-up attack with her sword

"Oh?"

Alexia counterattacks the wide-eyed librarian.

The sword, undeterred and natural, carved a shallow wound on the librarian’s cheek.

"Oh my, oh my."

He distanced himself from her and regrouped, then wiped the blood from his cheeks.

"I’m surprised. You move like a completely different person from the Princess Alexia I know."

There was honest praise in the librarian’s voice.

"I'm still growing."

"Even so, it's wonderful. A sword is imbued with the accumulation of that person. Before, you were just imitating
Princess Iris. But now you've sublimated it. No, perhaps it would be more appropriate to describe it as something
else mixed in."

"Do you have time to analyze it?"

"Yes, of course."

"―Even with this?"

It was Claire behind me who said that.

Multiple figures had fallen around her, and they shattered little by little and disappeared.

The head librarian's eyebrows twitched in surprise.

"2nd and 7th are wiped out, huh? Claire Kageno. She was the winner of this year's Bushin Festival. She wasn't
this skilled, but she seems to be using some strange power."

"...Were you watching?"

"You used red tentacles, didn't you? Interesting."

As he was fighting Alexia, he hadn’t missed Claire’s battle, either

Alexia and Claire face off against the head librarian.

"Now it's two against one."

"The tables have turned."

"Does it look that way?"

He had some leeway.

"You're strong. But the two of us can win."

"You're so young."

"You're so composed."

"I've given up."

"Given up?"

"I gave up on my sword. This world is vast. There are those above me. That's why I don't hate seeing talented
swords like you. I'm sure you'll surpass me in no time."

"If you've given up, surrender already. I'll have you tell me everything you know."

Alexia says, and the head librarian smiles thinly.

"You really are young. As long as you don't get hung up on your sword, you can fight in a different way."

"Huh?"
A sweet smell tickled my nose.

And then, with a clink, there were two overlapping sounds.

It’s the sound of Alexia’s and Claire’s swords falling to the floor

"Wha......!"

"Th-The power..."

"This sweet smell is a medicine that relaxes your muscles and confuses your magical energy."

The head librarian looked down at the two girls crouching on the floor, unable to bear it.

"Didn't you say you'd fight with your sword?"

"You have a bright future ahead of you, overflowing with talent. That's why you'll be paralyzed by someone like
me."

The head librarian took out a rope and tied their arms together.

"Tell me... Why are you doing this...?"

"...I wonder why."

"You're strong. So why are you doing this...?"

"...There's a higher one. My sword has already been broken."

"Broken...? What do you mean?"

He looked at me as if he were looking somewhere far away.

"There was once a magic swordsman called ‘Fenrir’. Have you ever heard of him?"

"...I don't."

"It should be there. Everyone who lives in this country knows it."

Alexia thinks of the contestants for the Bushin Festival and the Magic Swordsmen rumored in other countries, but
she has no idea.

"The magic swordsman called ‘Fenrir’... Could he be from a fairy tale?!"

"That 'Fenrir'. He was once known as the strongest magic swordsman, and made a name for himself throughout
the world."

"Wait! The Demon Swordsman Fenrir was alive hundreds of years ago! We don't even know if he really existed."

"He really did exist. Besides, he's still alive."

"No way, alive...? Don't tell me it's the Drops of Diabolos!?"

Alexia remembers what she heard in the Sanctuary.

That there was a being called the “Rounds” who gained eternal life through the Drops of Diabolos.

"You even knew about the Drops of Diabolos? I can't let you live."
"What are you going to do to us...?"

"It's a sacrifice. I didn't intend to lay a hand on you, but I haven't been able to recover much of my demon
possession lately."

He takes a bottle of liquid out of his pocket and brings it close to Alexia’s mouth

It smelled intensely sweet.

"Now then, please rest. To an eternal sleep that will never wake you up again..."

"Kuh..."

Alexia stops breathing and turns her face away, but her consciousness still fades bit by bit.

"Alexia!"

"Claire..."

Just then...

With a crunch, a sound like something being forcibly torn apart echoed through the area.

It felt like the world was being torn apart by a powerful pressure.

And then, the ceiling began to crack.

"What... is this?"

The head librarian put down the bottle and looked up.

A black shadow descended from the cracking ceiling.

Knock, knock.

A small, out-of-place landing echoed, and a black shadow rose to its feet.

"You..."

"You're..."

A man stood in the white mist, clad in a jet-black long coat.

"Shadow...!"

His long coat fluttered as he slowly drew his sword.

The head librarian readied his large hatchet with a grim expression.

"I didn't expect Shadow to show up personally... I didn't think there would be any reports."

"----You have terrible taste."

Shadow says, glancing at the librarian then at the two girls who are tied up.

"Oh, I didn't know you had bad taste."

"It's how you are."

"...Nothing like that."

The head librarian's face twisted, and he laughed as if he hated himself.

"Life can't go on like this. I was lost and broken in that vortex. And then I'll shame myself by living uncouthly. If
you say I have bad taste, that's exactly right."

The head librarian spoke in a calm voice.

"But it was also worth exposing my shame."

"...Oh?"

"Shadow, you are the final destination of my journey. A fitting end for a fool who has broken his sword and
betrayed his country."

"...Have you made up your mind?"

"Ever since Zenon was killed, I've vaguely known this would happen. At the very least, I'll be a swordsman in my
final moments."

A large hatchet swept through the mist, attacking Shadow.

There are plenty of things in the sword.

Alexia’s words come back to life in the back of her mind.

Truly, his slashes shone beautifully.

"Splendid."

Shadow overlaps his radiance with his sword.

All I had to do was stack them up.

The large hatchet was fragile and shattered.

"...It broke, huh?"

The hatchet, now just the handle, made a lonely clinking sound.

Shadow shakes off his sword.

Belatedly, the wind pressure of the slash drowned out the white mist.

The world cracks. With a cracking sound, the entire area is covered in cracks.

And then, the world split.

As if everything had been an illusion, they returned to the real world.

No, the head librarian collapsed in a pool of blood, indicating that it wasn't an illusion.

"Shadow... It wasn't even a match..."

The head librarian coughed and coughed up a lump of blood.

"----I still can't see what you're doing."

Shadow disappears, his jet-black long coat fluttering.

"...That's Shadow's sword."

Claire mutters to herself. She trembles at the strength to reject the head librarian, who is quite powerful, without
doing anything.

"You're getting stronger again..."

Alexia mutters in frustration.

Claire and Alexia work together to free themselves from their restraints and stand up. Then they look down at the
head librarian.

"Librarian..."

"I... can't be saved anymore."

He had a deep scar on his chest.

"Could it be that you were a famous magic swordsman?"

Alexia can’t help but listen. There’s a beauty to his final blow that only the first-class possess.

"No... I am a nameless Spellsword."

He shook his head and replied.

Even Alexia can tell that’s a lie. Looking at his arms, she sees old scars.

"That arm...?"

"I've been cut... I've been connected by the cult's technology, but I can't move like I used to. I used to be able to
use a more delicate sword."

"Who cut you?"

"...Fenrir. My sword was broken that day."

"May I ask what happened?"

"Very well... I will tell you until my life ends."

He looked down at the wound on his chest and spoke.

Alexia and Claire sit beside him.

"That was about fifty years ago, back when I was a knight in this country..."

The head librarian looked up at the foggy night sky through the hallway window, as if waking up a distant
memory.
"I won the Bushin Festival and joined the Knight order. I exposed the injustice, captured the bad guys, and was
promised a future promotion."

"You really were an excellent magic swordsman."

"There was momentum. That's why I found evidence of an injustice I shouldn't have touched. The existence of
pests in the Midgar Kingdom... no, all over the world. Princess Alexia must have noticed it too."

"...The Diabolos Cult, huh?"

"That's right. At the time, I didn't know the existence of the Diabolos Cult. That's why I assumed that the priests of
the Holy Church were committing injustice and entered the church."

"You went right to the church?"

"I was still young. I believed that if I was right, everything would be forgiven. I tried to bring the iron hammer of
justice down on the corrupt Holy Church."

I was working with my subordinates to investigate the church and gather conclusive evidence of injustice.

But... normal clergymen had absolutely nothing to do with injustice. They simply believed in the Holy Church and
spread their teachings.

It was the same for the believers. They were nothing more than pure believers in the Holy Church.

Only a small portion of high-ranking clergymen were committing injustice

We patiently monitored the priest and discovered a secret room beneath the church. When we descended the
long staircase, we were greeted by a repulsive sight.

The many rotten demon possessions were being put in jail, groaning and groaning. Some of them were hurt, and
some of them were planted with something unknown.

As we stood there dumbfounded, the door behind us closed.

It was a trap.

Sensing bloodlust, I quickly defended myself.

Then the tremendous impact sent me tumbling to the floor.

What I saw when I got up was my own severed left arm, the corpse of my severed subordinate, and the magic
swordsman standing in the center of it, Fenrir.

I gripped my sword with my remaining right arm and slashed at him in anger. As a result, I lost my right arm as
well.

"The Diabolos Order was used to eliminating ‘heroes of justice’ like me."

He dropped his gaze to the old scars carved into his arms.

"It was an overwhelming power. Fenrir brought an unconscious woman before me when I collapsed. She was my
wife. As the winner of the Bushin Festival and the head of the Knights, I must have been of use to the Cult. In
exchange for my wife’s safety, I sold my soul to the Diabolos Cult..."

"...What happened to your wife? If she's safe, I'll protect her."

"Fortunately, my wife lived her whole life without knowing anything."

"You didn't try to fight back?"

The head librarian shook his head sadly.

"The will to rebel has been severed along with my arms. Please be careful, Princess Alexia. You are trying to
walk the same path as me. What lies ahead is despair and an endless darkness."

Alexia takes the librarian’s grim gaze without averting her eyes.

"...But I must do it. As the princess of this country."

The head librarian narrowed his eyes brightly.

"You have become admirable. In that case, let me give you some advice in your final moments..."

The head librarian exhaled blood from the corner of his mouth along with his feeble breath.

"Do you know the purpose of the Diabolos Cult...Princess Alexia?"

"The resurrection of the demon Diabolos, right?"

"Then why is the Cult trying to revive the demon Diabolos?"

"Umm, well..."

Alexia is at a loss for words.

Even though I knew what the cult’s objective was, I hadn’t even considered its motives.

"There are two reasons. One is to gain even more power. The three heroes were all women. The demon
possessions were all women, too. Diabolos cells only adapted to women. That is why the Cult was only able to
obtain power through incomplete drugs."

With that, the head librarian pulled a red pill out of his pocket.

"That drug was used by Zenon."

"I'm a bad pupil."

"You didn't use it."

"It is a disgrace to the Spell Swordsman, after all... However, the Cult saw potential in this drug. They sought to
develop a perfect drug with no side effects and amazing results. That is why they have been researching the
blood of heroes for so many years. If they revive the Demon Diabolos, it will likely be complete. They will obtain
overwhelming power that surpasses even that of the Hero."

"This is bad."

"However, the second reason is more serious for the cult. You know about the Drops of Diabolos, don't you?"

"Wasn't it the Drops of Eternal Life?"

"They can only harvest twelve drops a year. If I drink the Drops of Diabolos, I can stop aging for just one year.
However, the amount of drops here is currently decreasing."

"What do you mean by 'decreasing'?"

"I don't know the cause. But if the amount continues to dwindle, eternal life will soon be lost. For the
highest-ranking members of the Cult, that was not something that could be forgiven. They thought that by
reviving the demon Diabolos, they would once again harvest a large quantity of the Drops of Diabolos, thereby
perfecting their eternal life. They, who have ruled this world from the shadows, have continued to run the rock
formations by the highest-ranking members of the Cult who held eternal life in their hands. However, if the Drops
of Diaboros were to be lost, it would waver... *cough*"

The head librarian caught his breath and looked up at the moon hanging in the night sky.

"Perhaps it was no coincidence that the Shadow Garden appeared in this era. The beginning of the end of a long
period of rule. That is why we must be careful... of them. Are they... allies of justice who protect the peace of the
world?"

Alexia can’t answer.

The only thing we knew about the Shadow Garden was that it was hostile to the Diabolos Cult. Almost everything
else was shrouded in mystery.

"Perhaps... they're trying to steal it from the Cult..."

"Snatch it? What in the world?"

"Eternal life... and this world... *cough* *cough*!!"

"Librarian...!"

"A-After the Cult falls... they’ll rule the world... Hah... Shad... dow... *cough*"

The head librarian coughed up a large amount of blood.

"Librarian!"

"Y-Your Highness Alexia..."

She took a pained breath and formed words.

"I'm counting on you... to protect this country's future...!"

The head librarian then breathed his last.

A beautiful woman with fiery red hair was examining the librarian’s corpse.

“I’m Iris Midgar, the princess of the Midgar Kingdom and Alexia’s older sister.” Alexia had sent Claire home first to
explain the incident to the knights

"Onee-sama, the head librarian told you about the Diabolos Cult's plan when he died. The one who kidnapped
the students at the academy was the right-hand man of Diabolos, the demon sealed in this land"

"That's enough."

Iris bluntly interrupts Alexia.

"Huh?"
"I'm tired of listening to your nonsense."

"A-Are you kidding me?"

Alexia asks back, dumbfounded.

"Alexia, listen. The Diabolos Order doesn't exist."

Iris looks at Alexia seriously.

"They don't exist... Onee-sama, what's wrong? We promised to investigate the Diabolos Cult together..."

"As a result of our investigation, we learned that the Diabolos Cult does not exist."

It wasn’t Iris who said that.

It was the tall man standing next to him. His snakelike eyes and pale skin gave him the creeps.

"What about you?"

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Princess Alexia. My name is Hubb, Vice-Commander of the Crimson
Knights."

"I'm Glenn's successor. He's an extremely talented and reliable man."

"...It's an honor."

Hubb smiled thinly at Iris’s praise.

"So, what do you mean by the existence of the Diabolos Cult? We should have gathered enough evidence
already."

"The Shadow Garden fabricated everything."

"Hey, a fabrication?"

"The Shadow Garden has committed many evil deeds. Starting with Princess Alexia’s kidnapping, attacking the
school, destroying the Sanctuary, mass-murdering the Kingdom of Oriana. There have also been reports of
damage all over the world."

"Like I said, that's because of the Diabolos Cult!"

"----Shadow Garden fabricated an organization called the Diabolos Cult and pinned the blame on them. They
created a criminal organization that doesn't exist to hide their evil deeds."

"Do you really think such violent logic makes sense!?"

"This is the proof."

"Huh?"

Hubb hands Alexia the thick documents.

On the cover was written “Fabrication of the Church of Diabolos by the Shadow Garden.”

"A thirty-four-year-old man confessed that he performed as a follower of the Diabolos Cult under the direction of
the Shadow Garden. His family was taken hostage, so he had no choice but to obey. A twenty-eight-year-old
woman was kidnapped by the Shadow Garden and forced to make materials for the Diabolos Cult. A
fifty-seven-year-old man"

"Don't be ridiculous!!"

Alexia tosses the documents aside.

"How can you believe such a scrap of paper?! This is a fabrication!"

"Princess Alexia, you don't know what to say. Do you think they're lying?"

"You can fabricate as many as you want!"

"Of course, we have physical evidence. This is based on the Shadow Garden"

"I've had enough!"

Alexia deflects Hubb’s arm as he tries to hand her something.

Hubb's eyes narrowed.

"Onee-sama, please wake up. Why do you believe in this man? Please look at me!"

Iris turns away from Alexia, who clings to her.

"You're the one who wakes up, Alexia."

"Please, Onee-sama. Diabolos' right arm will be released!"

"You are being deceived by the Shadow Garden. Everyone who thinks you are the Diabolos Cult is a detachment
of the Shadow Garden."

"No, Onee-sama!! Please, listen to me!!"

Alexia reaches out to Iris as she turns her back on me.

Smack.

Her hand was knocked aside.

"No way..."

"My enemy is Shadow. Even if it's my sister, I won't hold back if you get in my way."

With that, she left.

"The Crimson Knights are busy dealing with the Shadow Garden. Please excuse me."

Hubb said with a triumphant look on his face

Alexia watches her sister go, dumbfounded.

"Princess Alexia."

When I called out to her and looked next to her, I saw a familiar face.

"Marco..."
She was an early member of the Crimson Knights. She was still young, but Glenn trusted her, and she thought he
would succeed her.

"My apologies, Princess Alexia."

Marco said that without making eye contact and quickly left.

"Marco... You too?"

He didn’t answer the question. The knights carried the librarian’s corpse away.

The forbidden book falls from Alexia’s hand.

Her golden tail was wagging in the white mist.

"Runrunrunrun"

I could even hear her humming.

Her light steps are like a dance. A pool of red blood spreads around her, making a splashing sound.

"Zeta-sama, you're in a good mood."

Zeta suddenly stops humming when I call out to her.

"That was a good part of it."

"I'm sorry."

"Mmh."

The Zeta twirled the bloody chakram with her fingertips.

"Please don't throw it."

A small, hooded girl emerged from the white mist.

"I won't throw it. What about you, Wictoria?"

"We are proceeding with the plan."

"Mm."

"I have a report from Lady Wictoria."

"Mmm."

Zeta, who was spinning the chakram, suddenly threw it into the air.

Sticky.

A man's severed head descends from above. It crackes and crumbles, a shocked expression still plastered on its
face.

"Splendid work."

"Mm."
"I have a report from Lady Wictoria."

"Mmm."

"It seems that Shadow-sama intervened in the incident between Princess Alexia and Claire."

"Claire 'sama', huh?"

Chakrams cut through the wind, and the girl’s hood shook.

"I'm sorry."

"Be careful. So, where's your master?"

"We dealt with the head librarian and took the two of them out of the sanctuary."

"As expected. Now the Fenrir is cornered."

"Yes. My next move is limited. How about making progress on Zeta-sama's behalf?"

"Hm?"

"It's about analyzing the Sanctuary."

"Ah, it's already over."

"Already? It's only been a few days..."

"Ita's Artifacts are excellent."

Saying that, the zeta took out a strange device the size of a palm.

When she poured her magic into it, the device began to glow thinly.

"Visibility of magic circuits. You can tell where it flows and what it means at a glance."

A thin vein-like light spreads out. It pulses, connecting to the cylindrical red light.

Inside the four lights were students from the school connected to a narrow tube.

"They're trying to break the seal with their magical power."

"It looks like you don't have enough mana."

"That’s right. That’s why we needed the magical power of the descendants of the heroes, of high quality. How the
Cult sealed the demon Diabolos, and how they created the Sanctuary. I have more or less figured it out."

"Then, are you done?"

"Mm."

"What should we do? If we destroy this tube, we can protect the seal."

Zeta pondered a little as the hooded girl asked her.

But she didn't need to think about it. She already knew the answer. She just wanted to confirm her resolve.

"I won't destroy it."

"Is that all right?"

"I've already made up my mind."

With that, Zeta started walking through the fog.

I passed between the red lights and held my hand up to the massive door ahead of me.

"The right arm of the demon Diabolos is sealed up ahead."

"What do you intend to do?"

"I thought I'd pay my respects to her as a memento."

"Would you like to sign it?"

"That's fine. Zeta's here."

Then Zeta poured magic into the door.

Countless ancient letters were carved into the door, and several thick chains were wrapped around it.

"Want to open it?"

"I don't know. But she's the one who sealed the demon's right arm in this land."

"Her?"

"I'm sure he'll respond."

The zeta poured even more magic into it.

Then the door began to glow red, and a magic circuit spread through the space. The sound of creaking chains
echoed, and I could tell the door was trembling slightly.

However, the door didn't open.

Magic circuits focused in front of the door, forming a human form with that vein-like thin light.

"Stay back."

"Yes."

At Zeta's instruction, the hooded girl puts some distance between them.

Before long, the thin light faded, revealing a beastwoman standing there.

Golden hair, golden cat ears, a golden tail, and catlike eyes. She looked a lot like Zeta.

"This is..."

The hooded girl held her breath.

"Nice to meet you, beastman hero."

"Zeta-sama, what is this...?"

"Because I knew that."

The zeta spoke indifferently.

In that instant, the beastman hero mowed down his claws and reaped Zeta’s head.

Zeta's head flies through the air, turning into a black mist and disappearing. At the same time, Zeta's torso
disappears.

In the white mist, a black mist mixed in, and from it emerged an unharmed Zeta.

She was floating in the air, looking down at the beastman hero with those cold eyes.

"But I just wanted to confirm it."

That's what the zeta said.

The beastman hero didn't respond. He just looked up at Zeta with emotionless eyes.

"Do you remember the day you first met your master?"

Still floating, the zeta asked the hooded girl a question.

"Of course. There's no way I would forget."

The hooded girl said that, clutching her chest.

"Me too. I've never forgotten that day."

The zeta stared intently at the beastman hero, as if recalling the distant past behind him.

"I'm a little kitten, mostly picked up."

That was Zeta's resolve.

"Bye-bye, Hideo. I'm going down a different path from you."

The zeta turned on his heel.

The little hooded girl hurried after him.

"Are you sure? I haven't signed it yet."

"Yeah. We'll save the autographs for another time. We've achieved our current goal. We'll hide in the shadows
until the time comes."

"Then let's hide in the shadows."

The two girls exchanged words as they disappeared into the fog.

The beastman hero stared at his back.

Well, well. There was a terrible incident last night.

The culprit behind the series of disappearances was none other than the school librarian.

I witnessed the head librarian kidnapping Nee-san and Alexia and tying them up in a mysterious fog. What
terrible taste.

He was a pervert.

However, even though he was conflicted about himself as a degenerate, he was unable to stop the crime.

Everyone has their own reasons for living, but when that goal is rejected by society, people have to make
choices.

Will he pierce himself, or will he kill himself?

I was the former, and he was also the former.

The fact that the culprit behind the series of disappearances was a pervert was bad enough for a “strong shadow”
person, but well, this was the truth, so it couldn’t be helped.

People from the Knights of Favonius are coming and going from the academy this morning. They must be
investigating the librarian's case.

"Hm? That's..."

A black-haired female student trudged past the knights, hanging her head as she walked.

"It's Nee-san."

It would be a pain if they found me, so I'd usually hide, but that didn't seem necessary.

At this rate, she wouldn't notice me.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm~"

I hummed to myself as I basked in the pleasant morning light.

She's a student mob that can be found anywhere.

What should I do about her reaction to learning about the librarian’s incident? Should I be exaggeratedly
surprised like Mov, or should I tremble in fear...?

I passed by Nee-san as I thought about that.

"Wait."

At that moment, she grabbed me by the scruff of the neck.

"H-Hey, Nee-san, I noticed."

When I turned around, Nee-san was there, glaring at me.

"Of course. Anything else to say?"

"M-Morning?"

"Good morning, Cid. Anything else?"

"There's... nothing else."

I thought about it for a moment and said that. I couldn't think of anything to talk about with Nee-san.

"I'm depressed."

"Huh."

"I slumped my shoulders and looked depressed."

"Ahhh."

"It's only natural for a younger brother to have words for a depressed older sister."

"Hmm."

I thought for three seconds.

"You look down. Did something happen?"

"...You just barely passed."

"I just barely made it."

"Worry more. And guess what happened."

"That's reckless."

"Well, you seem to want to know, so I'll tell you."

"I never said I wanted to know..."

"You want to know, don't you?"

"I really want to know!"

Nee-san strangled me as I answered.

"It's noisy here, so let's go somewhere else."

"Umm, what about class?"

"The school is closed today."

With that, Nee-san looked back at the school building.

"The head librarian is dead."

She murmured meaningfully. I decided to be surprised like a mob.

I was elegantly drinking milk tea in the luxurious, inflamed reception room.

Apparently, this was a special reception room that only celebrities could enter. It was a mystery as to why
Nee-san, a country noble, could enter.
"Sorry. I can't tell you the details. I don't want to get you involved..."

Nee-san said that with a grave expression.

"But the Knights of Favonius are trying to bury the truth about the librarian in the darkness... I can't do anything.
It's so frustrating..."

"The truth about the librarian, huh..."

Of course she would try to hide the truth that the head librarian was a pervert. For the sake of the head librarian's
honor, I agreed to the Knights' plan.

"I don't think it's always good to be right."

I murmured.

"You mean I'm wrong!?"

Nee-san glared at me with fear in her eyes.

"I didn't say that. It's just..."

"But?"

I sensed from Nee-san that if I said something appropriate, I wouldn't get away with it for free.

"The darkness of the world is always deep. Not everyone can accept the depth of that darkness."

"...Does that mean we'll be confused if we make it public?"

"Probably."

The female student who was using the library would be very hurt and confused.

"But that doesn't mean it's okay to bury the truth in the dark!"

"Of course. That's why we need someone to solve the case from the shadows."

"Solving the case in secret..."

"That's right. Even if the truth is buried in darkness, it won't end there."

"I see... In other words, I just have to solve it."

"No, there's no need to be Nee-san."

"A being who can move freely despite knowing the truth... I was chosen after all."

Nee-san gripped the bandage in her right hand.

"No, Nee-san wasn't chosen."

"Cid, I'm the only one who can protect you."

"No, I can protect myself."

"I know. You don't want to worry me."

Nee-san hugged me.

"I'm going to protect Midgar Academy, this country, and you, Cid."

"...That's enough."

"I'll never let it end like this."

I took a sip of milk tea as Nee-san hugged me.

Milk tea really was delicious.

School was closed for the day, so when I got back to the dorm, Skel and Jaga immediately barged in.

"Man, what a dangerous incident. To think the head librarian would be killed."

"Indeed. Perhaps it really is the work of that organization."

"I feel like this isn't a laughing matter anymore."

"Everyone looked serious."

Skel and Jaga were relaxing and drinking top-of-the-line coffee like they owned the place.

It's my room.

"Wouldn't it be better to do a special assignment?"

I pressured her to hurry home as I spoke.

"We can do it later. We have plenty of time thanks to the school being closed."

"That's right. It's all over if you're too busy with your homework to savor your little happiness."

The two sipped their coffee.

"But why are you coming to my room?"

"There's high-grade coffee made from mitsugoshi in Cid's room, right?"

"There are high-class sweets made from mitsugoshi, too."

Jaga rummaged through the drawers on his own and unwrapped the chocolate.

"That's mine."

"What's wrong with that? We're friends, aren't we?"

"Besides, to be honest, I don't think I can buy it with your allowance."

"I've thought it was strange for a while now."

Suddenly looking serious, Skel and Jaga turned around.

"W-Well..."

Indeed.

High-grade coffee made from mitsugoshi costs over 2,000 zeni a cup. It's strange for a poor noble like me to
always have it in my room.

Gamma just sent me a ton of them.

"Cid, you're in debt, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"If that's the case, then hurry up and tell me."

"Eh, no, no, what do you mean by debt?"

"This is the flyer that was in your room."

Saying that, the hyohlu showed me a flyer.

"Mitsugoshi Bank's new service, 'Mitsugoshiribo payment.' Please tell me you have such a great debt."

"A-Am I supposed to pay you back...?"

I had a bad feeling about this, so I read the flyer. It contained a service that looked exactly like Ribo payment in
my past life.

Come to think of it, I told Gamma about Ribo payment.

"D-Did you borrow the hyohlu and jaga too?"

"Of course. I borrowed two million zeni right away."

"I'm a million zenies. It's the best to be able to pay off twenty thousand zenies every month!"

"Ah..."

It’s over, I thought.

"What's wrong, Cid? You look like you've figured something out."

"What's the interest rate on Mitsugoshiribo?"

"The interest rate was 2% a month, I think."

"Twenty-four percent per year. That's a low price among the capital's moneylenders."

I looked off into the distance.

"I borrowed a million zeni and paid twenty thousand zeni every month, so the interest rate is definitely twenty-four
percent a year."

"Yes."

"Yeah, but what's wrong?"

"Did you calculate when the repayment will end?"

1,000,000 zeni had a 24% annual interest rate, so it would add up to 240,000 zeni in a year.

And the monthly repayment was 20,000 zeni, so it would be 240,000 zeni in a year.

The interest rate for the first year was 240,000 zeni, and the repayment for the first year was 240,000 zeni.

In other words, just by continuing to pay interest, the repayment would never end.

"I don't know. It's been about five years."

"There's no need to go out of your way to calculate. You can just pay off 20,000 zeni every month."

"The Mitsugoshi Corporation really is conscientious to save us the trouble of calculating."

"...I think we should raise the payback a little more."

"What are you talking about? Mitsugoshi said 20,000 zeni would be fine, so there's no need to pay him back too
much."

"That's right. Rumor has it that some students borrowed ten million zeni. It's easy for nobles to borrow them, even
if they're students. As long as they have assets back home, it's okay."

I looked up to the heavens.

"Now then, shall we begin?"

"You know that we borrowed the money, right?"

With that, the two of them took out their cards.

"...Poker?"

"What, you scared?"

"I won't allow you to win or run. We have plenty of war funds."

"No."

I took a deep breath.

"Double push."

Then, she piled a stack of bills high on the table.

"Dammit! I'll remember that!"

"Th-This can't be... I-It's cheating! That has to be it!!"

Peep, peep, yell, hyohro and jaga.

"Yeah, yeah. It's already nighttime, so be quiet."

I grabbed them by the scruff of the neck and tossed them into the hallway.
"Wait! Let's have one last match!"

"I can't accept this! I can't let it end like this!"

"Sorry, but I don't have any business with people who don't have any money. Good luck paying them back."

I forcefully slammed the door shut and locked it.

"Why...? You practiced cheating so much."

"Impossible. Are you saying it all failed?"

"Is that even possible?"

"But that's the only way..."

"Dammit. I'll borrow it from Mitsugoshiribo again."

I can hear her whispering on the other side of the door.

Of course, I've crushed all the cheats. And if they come here to cheat, I have the right to return them with cheats.

I gathered the stacks of bills on the table and grinned.

"Skel and Jaga are my new piggy bank. Thank you for paying for them."

Money flowed from the Mitsugoshi Bank to Jaga and Skel, and I collected it.

This is survival of the fittest.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm."

Humming appropriately, I put the bundle of bills into the war funds box.

Then I called out to the other side of the window.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Zeta. You can come in."

Then, without a sound, a golden-haired beastman appeared

"Happy birthday, Master."

"Hm? Oh, I see. So you turned sixteen."

Before I knew it, the date had changed. Today was my birthday.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Honestly, I'm not happy about it.

That's how the life expectancy of six hundred years is reduced by a year.

I hadn’t yet reached the heights of being a “strong shadow” yet, so how short was life?

"Do you hate birthdays?"

"I don't like it. I don't have much time left in my life."

"I understand how you feel."

The zeta relaxed and smiled a little. It was a natural smile, unusual for her.

"Life is too short to achieve your goal."

"Mm. I know."

She agreed again.

Then she looked at me seriously.

"I have something important to discuss with you tonight."

"Hmm."

Are you talking about money?

Zeta's been taking care of me, so maybe I could lend her a thousand zenies.

"The master wants 'eternal life', right?"

"Of course."

I answered immediately.

If I had eternal life, I'd reappear a hundred years from now, when people forgot about me, and I'd never have
guessed he'd be able to do that legendary...play as many times as it took. As long as I had my life, I'd be able to
reset the “Yin powerhouse” play forever.

I intend to live for six hundred years with my magical power, but it’s still not enough to enjoy life at all.

I want to live forever as I am. Oh, God, please create a system to buy the lives of those who don't want to live
long.

"I understand how you feel, Master."

"Indeed."

"That's why I was working for it."

"Hmm?"

"Do you remember the day we first met?"

"Indeed."

I think it was a rainy day.

"It was a cold, snowy day."

It was a snowy day.

"Now that I'm possessed by a demon, I know how ugly people can be."
"Indeed."

"And I was thinking about the people who cornered us. About this foolish world."

She said, and her eyes grew cold.

From the first time we met, Zeta suddenly had this look in her eyes. This was pretty cool, so I'd secretly imitated it
before.

"People make mistakes over and over again. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and
over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and
over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and
over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and
over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and
over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and
over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and
over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and
over and over and over and over and over"

"Indeed."

"I thought it was okay for me to die. Even if I die, the world won't change. Even if I live, the world won't change.
But when I met my master, I realized there was something I had to do"

With that, Zeta began her folktale.

She was born to a high-ranking tribe among the beastmen.

The Golden Panther Clan.

It was said that if he gave that name, even the beastman king would show respect.

The Golden Panther Clan was accompanied by many tribes, and she was the eldest daughter born into a family
that had served as chief for generations. That was where she was named Lilim.

Lilim’s excellence had been outstanding since she was young, and she’d been raised with great care, thinking it
would be better to leave her at home rather than marry her.

The chieftain imported books for her and gave her a high-level education, which was unusual even for the
relatively intelligent Golden Panther Clan

She, too, loved to read, and longed to use that knowledge for the sake of her family.

That’s how Lillim had grown so quickly, truly, while being loved by her family.

It was around the time she turned twelve that something strange appeared.

Something like a black bruise had formed on her stomach. It was small at first, and she hadn't paid it any mind.
But it gradually spread, and Lilim, worried, consulted her mother.
My mother turned pale.

Then, without saying anything, she called for her father.

When my father appeared, his face was also pale.

Coming here, Lilim realized this was no ordinary matter.

He checked Lilim’s stomach and squeezed out his voice

"...Devil possession."

“Devil Possession.” Lilim ruminated in her head.

As far as knowledge went, she knew. Lilim, who had read so many books, was confident in her knowledge, even
among her family.

But that knowledge and the black bruise on his own stomach just couldn’t connect.

Demon Possession.

I ruminated over it over and over again.

Lilim then naturally wept.

She was intelligent.

As she accepted reality, she’d also guessed what would happen to her from now on.

Demon possession is defilement. Defilement must be cleansed before it spreads. That is the law of the family.

The problem was that the filth had been born to a particularly high-ranking member of the Golden Panther Clan,
and the patriarch’s lineage at that. This wasn’t just about him. It would be a huge problem that shook the clan.

"Father, please burn me at the stake."

Lilim wiped away her tears as she spoke.

"But..."

"The bruise on my stomach isn't that big. The filth is still small. If you burn me now, you can protect the house. I'm
sure the family will agree."

"But...!"

"Father, please. It's for the sake of the family. It's also for my brother."

Lillim saw the baby in her mother’s arms—the treasure that would become the heir to this house, born just six
months ago.

"Please... Please, please."

Lilim bowed her head and begged.

"...You must not."

"Father!"
"No! It was in an elven book. It said there was a way to cure demon possession."

"I can't trust that!"

"It says there are potions that cure demon possession."

With that, my father hurriedly began rummaging through the books.

To Lilim, his back looked much smaller than usual.

"What's wrong? Father, please hang in there. You mustn't cling to something like that. Mother, please say
something."

But my mother didn't say anything, keeping her face down.

"Here. It's written right here."

"Father! Enough already!"

Having said that much, Lilim’s words stopped.

Drops of water dripped onto the book my father held out to me. Lilim saw his tears for the first time.

"Father..."

"I'll definitely find him. So trust in my father and wait for me."

"Father...!"

She hugged me with her father's warm arms.

My mother joined them.

"Father... Mother..."

The tears she’d been holding back flowed from Lilim’s eyes.

The next day, my father set off on a journey.

My mother said, wrapping a bandage around Lilim’s stomach

"He said he'd be back in a month. You're going to hide it because you're suspicious. You absolutely mustn't go
outside."

"Yes, Mother."

"Don't worry, don't worry. I'll take care of the house."

My mother smiled softly.

Lilim smiled, too, when she touched the bandage her mother had wrapped around her. She felt like it would go
well.

And a month later...

Lilim was slapped awake in the middle of the night.

“There’s a commotion outside. Maybe my father’s back.” Lilim was led outside by her mother.

My father was there.

She was on her knees, bound with rope.

"Father...?"

Countless torches surrounded my father. Bloodstains stained his clothes.

"What is the meaning of this, you guys?"

My mother spoke in a brave voice.

"It seems the filth has left the clan."

One step forward from the group of torches was the head of the Golden Panther Clan’s branch family

"The filth must be cleansed at once. That is the law."

"......"

My mother stood silently in front of me.

"Where is the filth? Answer me."

The man from the branch family thrust his sword at his father's shoulder.

"...I don't know."

My father spoke in a hoarse voice.

"I see."

The man from the branch family stabbed his sword into his father's shoulder.

Blood gushed out, and I heard the sound of bones breaking.

My father didn't raise his voice. His face was downcast, and he didn't move an inch.

"How boring."

With that, the man from the branch family stabbed his sword again.

"Stop it! You'll be forgiven for swinging your sword at Nagao-sa!"

"I'll be forgiven. I'm the new leader of the Golden Panther Clan. He betrayed his family."

"What kind of proof do you have...?"

"A priest from the Holy Church came to the village and told me that it smelled like demon possession. Apparently,
in the east, the Holy Church collects demon possessions and cleanses the filth."

A new man stepped out from the group. The man was wearing priest's clothes and wearing a thin smile.
"The filth must be cleansed immediately. If left alone, the filth will spread throughout the village and lead to
destruction."

"...Liar."

It was my father’s hoarse voice that interrupted the priest.

"Did you say something, beastman?"

"I told you to lie, human."

Father took the priest’s scornful gaze head-on.

"What are you lying about?"

"Everything. Possessing demons is all nonsense of the Holy Church."

"That's an interesting thing to say. It looks like you've finally lost your mind."

A man from a branch family sneered at his father.

As if lured in, sneers leaked out from all around. Neither Lillim nor Lillim’s mother understood what their father
was saying.

Only the priest and his father had been glaring at each other the whole time without averting their eyes

"Do you have any basis for this, beastman?"

"The Golden Panther Clan is a long-standing lineage. Its chieftain has inherited the tale of a great hero. It is a tale
of a beastman hero, one of the three heroes who fought the demon Diabolos."

"A fairy tale, huh?"

"Yes, it's a fairy tale. However, it's a little different from the fairy tales passed down in the world. The three heroes
have become women, not men, and demon possession is considered a blessing, not a curse."

"That statement will be a blasphemous act against the Holy Church."

The priest’s gaze sharpened.

"I've been wondering this for a long time. A fairy tale passed down in the world and a fairy tale passed down in
the Golden Panther Clan. Why is it so different?"

"Nonsense. A fairy tale will fade over time."

"Is that so? It is a heroic tale that has been passed down only to the chiefs for generations. It will not fade so
easily. Above all, we are the Golden Panther Clan. The descendants of Lili, the hero of the Golden Panther Clan,
one of the three heroes who subjugated the demon Diabolos. That is the answer."

"...In other words?"

"The tales of heroes passed down to the Golden Panther Clan are the truth. The Holy Church twisted that truth."

My father said that with unclouded eyes.

Silence fell over the area for a while.

Before long, a small laugh contagiously echoed through the village as a loud laugh.
"Kuhahahaha, interesting, interesting! It's been so long since I've laughed this much!!"

A man from a branch family was holding his stomach and laughing.

"This is interesting."

The priest was smiling too, but his eyes were never smiling.

"I see, I see. So this is what you mean. That demon possession is the plaything of the Holy Church, and that it is
actually a descendant of a hero. That is why there is no need to purify the filth. Is that what you mean?"

The man from the branch family laughed as he spoke.

"...That's right."

"Don't be ridiculous!!"

An angry roar rang out.

"Do you want to endanger your family with your stupid fantasies?!"

"You may not believe it, but this is the truth...!"

"Don't be ridiculous!"

The fist of a man from a branch family punched my father in the cheek. Again and again and again.

Lilim couldn’t move. Her knees trembled, and she simply cowered.

"Now then. The entertainment is over."

Wiping his reddened fist, the man from the branch family spoke.

"Where is the filth?"

"...!"

Father smiled a little at the corners of his lips.

"If you don't tell me, I'll burn them all at once."

"It's the same even if you say it. You just want to tease me."

The man from the branch family fell silent. That was the answer.

"In that case, I'll do as you wish."

The man from the branch family drew his sword.

"S-Stop it!"

Everyone’s eyes gathered on Lilim.

"I-I... I... I..."

Lilim’s knees shook violently.

"I-I'm... agh, a demon..."

Lilim wrung out a pathetic voice.

My vision blurred with tears.

In the midst of it all, my eyes met those of my father, who was looking straight at me

"Listen to me."

My father's voice was unusually gentle.

"The Golden Panther Clan is the descendant of Lili, the hero who once saved the world. They are a family with
proud blood. Why did Lili give us tales of heroes? Did she only let the chieftain inherit them for generations?
There is a reason for that. We have a mission."

"Father...!"

"You have the blood of a hero in your veins stronger than anyone else. You are a strong, wise, and proud
daughter. Lilim, head east. There is someone in the Midgar Kingdom who will cure demon possession. That is
where our mission lies."

"F-Father... I..."

"I'm sure Lilim can do it."

With that, my father looked at my mother.

"Take care of them."

My mother gave a small nod and pulled Lilim closer.

"You think I'll let you get away?"

They were already surrounded by beastfolk men.

"I'll let you escape. Even if it costs me my life..."

There was a creaking sound, like something was creaking.

It was coming from my father's body. Something was pulsating inside him.

The next moment, my father’s restraints burst open and an enormous amount of magical energy overflowed.

"Wh-What's with that power!?"

The man from the branch family screamed.

"The Golden Panther Clan still has thick Beast Bloods. I manipulated and freed them."

My father's golden hair had grown.

It was like a mane mane, as if it was returning from man to beast.

"I-Impossible. That's not...!"

"This jutsu, passed down only to the chieftain, is a forbidden jutsu that shaves away his life."
My father was crying tears of blood.

My muscles wriggle.

Blood gushes out of my veins.

"Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!"

Then it turned into a raging beast, blowing away the beastmen’s enclosure.

My father stood in Lilim and the others’ way to protect them.

"Go!! Run!!"

"Father, come with me!!"

"I won't!!"

Lilim was shocked to see her father’s face when she turned around.

"...!"

My father's face had become half-beast.

"My father will eventually become a beast. Before that happens..."

"I... I don't want to! Father!"

Lilim reached for her father's back, but it didn't reach him.

"That's an interesting power. I didn't think there would be a descendant of that thing here."

The priest had swung down the dark red chain and cut in.

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

My father's right arm deflected the chain.

The thorny copper at the end of the chain bursts.

"This is amazing...! It looks like collecting demon possessions will be an unexpected benefit."

"Go, Lilim!! Run!!"

My father and the priest clash.

In that momentary opening, my mother picked up Lilim and dashed off

"Father... No, nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!"

The last time Lilim had seen her father’s back was very large.

My mother, holding Lilim, was sprinting through the deep forest.

I don't hear footsteps. My mother is a master of stealth.

However, the presence of pursuers was gradually closing in.

Some of the Golden Panther Clan members had special noses. They must have joined their pursuers.

"Let's split up."

My mother stopped in front of the river and lowered Lilim. The forest was cold at night, and the snow was
flickering.

"My mother will follow the river to the southeast. Lilim, cross the river and head east."

With that, my mother entrusted the little brother she was carrying to Lilim.

"Take care of my brother, Lilim."

"I don't want to! Together with Mother!"

"Don't be so selfish. Just a little patience. Let's meet up in the Midgar Kingdom."

My mother hugged Lilim tightly.

"Then... why are you entrusting your brother to me?"

"Lilim..."

"I can't fight. I can't run as well as Mother."

"Lilim, listen."

"My brother should be better off with my mother!"

"Listen to me, Lilim!!"

"No...!"

Lilim buried her face in her mother’s chest and shook her head.

"Lilim..."

"If I hadn't become possessed by a demon, if I had been burned at the stake... Father... It was my fault...!!"

"That man was reborn as Lilim. When I saw him reading a picture book to you, the man who always swung
nothing but his sword, I thought he was going to lose his nerve. He always said that this girl was a genius."

"Father...!"

"Watching you grow was the greatest joy for us. Lilim... You certainly can't fight. But you're a very clever girl. You
have the knowledge to overcome hardships. So don't worry."

"Mother...!"

"Lilim, please take care of this girl."

Mother held out her little brother. The baby, who knew nothing, stared blankly at Lilim.

Lilim accepted the baby, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Thank you, Lilim. We've been happy ever since you were born."

"Mother... I swear to you, in the Midgar Kingdom...!"

"Lilim, go. Cross the river and get rid of the smell."

Lilim extinguished her scent in the shallow river, turning around again and again as she went deeper into the
eastern forest

My mother watched her go, then sprinted along the river to the southeast.

Those loud footsteps echoed through the forest at night.

To the east.

As if driven by something, I head east.

Lilim ran through the dark forest. The winter nights were cold, and her arms and legs were as cold as ice.

Then, around dawn, she made her way through the forest.

"This is..."

This was the first time she’d seen the beach, and the endless expanse of water. But as knowledge, Lilim knew.

"...The ocean."

I licked the seawater to confirm.

"Salty."

There was no mistaking it.

"Father... There is nothing."

She exhaled white breath in the sky. Snow fell from the sky.

I sat down on the cold beach and lowered my head.

"There is... nothing to the east. Where is your mission...? Where is the Kingdom of Midgar... Mother?"

My legs felt like sticks, and I couldn’t take another step.

The black bruise extends all the way to my chest. It hurts.

Her arm had a younger brother. Lillim had to protect the little life she’d been entrusted with.

"Let's go... Let's cross the sea."

I know there's a country across the sea. I don't know if that's the Midgar Kingdom, but my father said it, so I'm
sure it is.

My mother is waiting for me there. Maybe my father is there too.

There should be a fishing village on the coast. Let's get on the boat somehow.

Lilim started walking again.

At that moment...

"Oh my, so this is where you were."

That priest stood in front of Lilim, his bloody chains jingling.

"St...stay away...!"

She backed away with trembling legs.

"Now then, here is the question. Where is the demon possession?"

The priest raised his bare head with a twisted smile.

"This man was different."

"F-Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

It was my father's severed head.

His blood-soaked neck gave the impression of a grand end.

"This woman was different too."

The priest raised another severed head as he spoke.

"Motheryyyyy!"

It was my mother's severed head.

My mother had died, her eyes wide open, staring at something.

"Why... Why?!"

"Now then, there are only two left."

The priest abandoned their heads and walked over to them.

"Nooooo... Father... Mother...!"

"There are very few cases of male demon possession, but it's not zero."

"Ngh... S-Stop... D-Don't lay a finger on my brother!"

Lilim hugged her brother, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Now then, which one of you is possessed by the devil?"

"I... I am possessed by a demon, so please, my brother...!"

"Good girl. I'm glad you're honest."

With that, the priest patted Lilim’s head with his bloodstained hand.
"Hii......!"

"We may have known each other for a long time. Allow me to introduce myself. I am a high-ranking priest, Petos.
You will be a valuable test subject."

"Oh... My brother..."

"Don't worry. I have no business with children who aren't possessed by demons."

Then, Petos stroked his brother’s neck with his chain.

"So I won't let you suffer. I'll kill you."

Blood sprayed everywhere.

My brother’s head fell from Lilim’s arms.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

"Kuku, kukukukukukuku. Now, let's celebrate."

Petos let out a twitching laugh as he looked down at the screaming Lilim

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Why, why!!"

"Today is a wonderful day. Thanks to you, the path to the Rounds will open."

Lilim gathered the three heads that had fallen to the ground.

My father, my mother, and my brother.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I'll kill you... I'll definitely kill you!!"

Lilim screamed, her eyes brimming with hatred.

But Petos ignored Lilim and turned his back on her.

"Are you done?"

Then I call out to the forest. Just then, a group wearing strange robes appears.

"Yes, every last one of them."

"Show me."

Countless severed heads tumbled across the beach. They were all the heads of the Golden Panther Clan.

"We've dealt with all the Golden Panther Clan members. Now there's no leak of information."

"I see. That's good."

Those were the words directed at Lilim.

"Your father's revenge is dead."

Petos smiled and threw a severed head at me. It was the severed head of the branch family.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

Lilim kicked off the beach and leapt at Petos.

However, Petos’ chain sent Lilim flying.

"Cough... K-Kill... me..."

I can't put any strength into my body. My consciousness is fading.

"Restrain him and send him to Valliora's lab. I'll lay the groundwork for the faction."

That was when Lilim’s consciousness cut off.

When Lilim awoke, she found herself inside a carriage.

Her arms and legs were restrained. Her mouth tasted of blood.

"I'll kill you all... I swear it."

When she murmured, the man on watch snorted with a “Hah.”

"I'll kill you...!"

Her tears had already dried up.

The only thing supporting her was hatred.

What I need is power.

Knowledge is useless. No one can protect them. Pure power is what opens the way for them.

"I want power...!"

Lilim wished.

The power to destroy this restraint, the power to kill that priest, and

『You want power?』

A voice rang out from somewhere.

"Ah...?"

I surveyed my surroundings, but aside from the man on guard, there was no one there.

『Do you want power~?』

This time, I hear it clearly. It's a low voice that sounds like it's coming from a deep abyss.

"I want it...! If only I had power... If only I had power!!"

"Haha, the kid's gone mad."

The man on guard didn’t seem to hear, but it definitely reached Lilim’s ears.

Even if this was a hallucination, or a demon, it didn't matter to her.

I just wanted power.

“If you want power, I’ll give it to you.”

And then, a bluish-purple magical energy appeared inside the carriage.

"Wh-What is this light...!?"

The carriage came to a stop, and the men entered from outside.

"What happened?! What is this magical energy?!"

The bluish-purple magical energy turned into fine grains, forming a spiral pattern.

A human shadow appeared in the center of that spiral—a young man clad in a jet-black long coat.

"How did he get into the carriage?!"

"Capture him! Pull him out of the carriage!"

“I Am...”

The boy raised his jet-black sword in the center of the mana.

The atmosphere trembles from the vast amount of magical energy.

Lilim saw the overwhelming power converging on the jet-black sword.

This is what she sought.

The power to crush everything.

『Atomic Return.』

My magic bursts.

The sound faded, and the world was dyed in a bluish-purple light.

"...About sixty points. It's still incomplete."

The boy’s voice woke Lilim up. She seemed to have passed out.

"This won't reach you. I've been aiming for..."

He was muttering in the center of a large crater.

The carriage had been blown away, and that eerie group had vanished without a trace.

Lilim trembled.
However, this emotion was not fear.

"U-Umm..."

"Hm? You're awake. For now, let's get rid of the demon."

With that, he unleashed his bluish-purple magic.

It warmly enveloped Lilim’s black bruise and glowed.

The bluish-purple magical energy was regenerating her skin as if rewinding time.

"No way... That can't be."

When the light subsided, the black bruise had vanished cleanly.

The demonic possession that tormented Lilim had been cured with ease.

"This one's worth ninety-five points. The controls are close to perfect. It's tiring, though."

"I wasn't wrong..."

Tears welled up from the bottom of my heart.

"I wasn't wrong... Father wasn't wrong..."

"Hm?"

"I heard that demon possession is a descendant of a hero... that there are people in the east who can cure
demon possession... It wasn't all wrong."

"I didn't know you'd be able to tell that story so far..."

"So why...? Why did Father, why did Mother...? Why...? They were all not wrong...!"

The boy scratched his head.

"...That's because of the Diabolos Cult. It's all the Diabolos Cult's fault."

"The Diabolos Cult...?"

"That's right. The men from before aren't from the Holy Church. They're actually from the Diabolos Cult. They're
hiding the truth, burying the hero's child in the darkness of history, and trying to revive the demon Diabolos. The
hero's child is a hindrance to them"

As he spoke, his jet-black long coat fluttered.

"We are the Shadow Garden. Those who hide in the shadows and hunt the shadows"

"The one who hides in the shadows and hunts the shadows..."

Lilim’s heart trembled.

I feel like everything's connected.

"Father wasn't wrong after all."

"That's right."
"There is someone in the Midgar Kingdom who will cure demon possession. That is where our mission lies,
Father said."

"Hm? I see."

"You are my mission."

Yes, this was her mission.

Her father’s death, her mother’s death, and her brother’s death.

They had sacrificed their lives to protect Lilim.

"I want power... I want the power to hunt them!"

"Very well. She'll be here soon."

"Her...?"

Then, the darkness of night wavered.

It was a beautiful golden elf, clad in a jet-black bodysuit.

"I told you to wait a minute! We can't keep up with your speed."

She seems to be in a bad mood.

"But the mission is over."

"I can tell just by looking. It looks like it's a cult carriage, though it's pulverized. I always tell you to leave evidence
behind."

The elf girl stared reproachfully at the boy.

The boy scratched his head.

The elf girl sighed in resignation.

"So, this time, she's..."

She looked at Lilim.

"That's right. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Huh? Hey!"

"Then ask Alpha for the details."

Leaving those words behind, he suddenly disappeared.

"Geez! She'll be gone soon."

"Um... What about you?"

When Lilim asked, she smiled softly.

"Sorry for startling you. I'm Alpha. I'm the first seat in the Shadow Garden. Nice to meet you."
"Alpha... I..."
Alpha stops Lilim from introducing herself.

"Wait. You're going to live under a different name from now on."

"Huh?"

"We are those who hide in the shadows and hunt the shadows. To us, our appearance is only temporary. The
shadows are our true form. We may never be able to return to the surface world again..."

Saying that, Alpha holds the mask in her hand.

Her beautiful, clear blue eyes fixed on Lilim.

"If you're prepared for that, then take it. The sixth seat of the Shadow Garden, {Zeta}."

"Zeta... I'm Zeta..."

Lilim murmured as if biting down.

"You seem prepared. You have strong eyes. But..."

"...I want power."

"You have more than enough potential. You will eventually gain great power. But that hatred will one day..."

Alpha stops mid-sentence.

She stared at Lilim with those blue eyes for a while. And then

"No, it's nothing."

She said sadly. White snow continued to fall quietly from the night sky.

"Yeah, that was tough."

When Zeta finished telling him everything, he said that while looking outside.

Her words were blunt.

But those words seemed to envelop everything. After all, Zeta didn't seek thin sympathy.

"Yeah. It was tough."

That's why Zeta answered so casually.

The hatred I felt that day pushed deep into my heart and put a lid on it. Unnecessary emotions interfered with my
plans.

At some point, her number of words had dwindled so that her emotions wouldn’t leak out in the blink of an eye.

That seemed like a desirable change for Zeta. Because it felt like she was slowly approaching her goal, following
the changes in her emotions and body.
"I'm an abandoned cat. A petty kitten that was mainly picked up. That's why I've been thinking about what the
world my master wants. My master won't tell me much. It was a little difficult for me."

"I see."

"Yeah. That's right."

He held a wine glass in his hand.

The zeta quickly prepared some wine and poured it into the glass. Then, he snuggled up next to him.

"The Lord desires eternal life. Even I know what that means."

"I'm surprised you figured it out."

"The master is looking far into the future. The same goes for me."

"I see..."

He was looking at the deep darkness outside the window. Zeta was looking at the deep darkness outside the
window, too.

"I will revive the demon Diabolos."

"...I see."

"So you won't stop after all."

"I have no intention of denying that choice."

"The Lord is too kind. That's why he can't choose."

"You think so?"

"The world doesn't move out of kindness. That kindness is the shackle of its master."

"...Is that so?"

"That's right. I'm not kind. Even if I endanger the world, I'll revive it."

"...She'll hate you."

"I don't mind. That's what the world needs"

The zeta leaned against his shoulder hesitantly.

"The world hates me in place of my master. That's my duty."

"I see..."

The zeta turned away from him.

"When the time comes, you'll cut me off..."

Leaving those words behind, she disappeared into the night.

The zeta stood on the roof at night, looking down at the school. Its golden tail swayed in the cold winter wind.

"The time has come."

The zeta muttered.

"Finally, huh?"

"You've made your decision, haven't you?"

There were two shadows behind Zeta.

One belonged to Wictoria, and the other to a woman with a deep hood.

"I will revive the demon Diabolos."

Zeta said.

"What did Shadow-sama say?"

Wictoria asked.

"We talked. That's all."

"You didn't get permission?"

"I didn't intend to gain anything from it in the first place. I just wanted to stop if I could."

"In other words, I couldn't stop you."

Wictoria smiled.

"Yeah. From here on out, I'll do everything on my own."

"You will be betraying the Shadow Garden, though."

"I don't mind. Alpha is too kind. She has no vision after defeating the Cult. But I am different."

She narrowed her ice-purple eyes.

"I will revive the demon Diabolos and obtain eternal life. And I will manage the world forever."

"That's where Shadow-sama becomes a god."

Wictoria blushed in ecstasy.

"...She'll resent you."

The hooded girl, who had been silent until now, spoke.

"The Lord sought eternal life. I will bear all the sins."

"Now, shall we go? Glory to Shadow-sama."

"...I'll proceed with the plan."

Wictoria and the hooded girl disappeared without a sound.

Only Zeta remained on the roof.

She stared down at the school lights.

"I will take everything. Eternal life, control of the world. And... a complete world where no mistakes will ever occur
again..."

The school's lights flickered in the darkness of the night. They awakened Zeta's memories, like torches from that
day.

"This is my mission...!"

She hugged herself tightly to make sure.

Don't worry, my knees aren't shaking.

My heart is calm.

I let out a deep white breath in the night sky.

"Father... Master... I've gotten stronger."

She murmured to herself.

"They've penetrated all the way in, huh..."

The Fenrir murmured in the white mist.

A pool of blood and two footprints remained in front of the unharmed device.

"It should have been able to destroy the device. Did it notice that it lacks magical power...? No, even if that's the
case, it should have been destroyed."

The bloody footprints led between the devices to the door in the back.

"The door won't open unless the seal is broken. I wonder why they broke in..."

Fenrir walked to the door where Diabolos’s right arm was sealed.

Then, I realized that the defense device had been activated.

"I wonder if Lili turned him away."

That was the only reason I could think of.

Either way, the Shadow Garden would probably appear again. There wasn’t much time left.

"...You seem troubled."

Just then, a voice rang out from the white mist.

The Fenrir immediately flipped around and unleashed its sword. The sword pressure split the mist.

There was a priest.

"Oh, scary."

He smiled thinly.

"Petos, huh...? At least say hello. I almost killed you."

"It's been a while, Fifth Seat Fenrir-sama of the Rounds. Your swordsmanship is impressive. I'm shocked."

"...Hmph."

In that last attack, the Fenrir fired with the intent to kill. Petos wouldn’t have been able to block it with his original
strength.

However, Petos had no wounds. He was an unpleasant man.

"If I fight properly, I won't be able to win."

"I wonder if you're the kind of man who'd fight properly. The tenth seat of the Rounds, Petos-kun."

The Fenrir spat out those words.

"So, what do you want?"

"You seemed troubled, so I thought I'd lend you my strength."

"Do you think I'd borrow it from an inhuman like you?"

Fenrir snorted.

"Oh, how inhuman. I am simply loyal to the Cult."

Petos’ smile deepened as he spoke.

"...Let me ask you one more time. What are you doing here, Petos? We're not close enough to make small talk."

The smile vanished from Petos’ face as Fenrir put her bloodlust into it.

"The repeated failures of the Fenrir faction have become a problem for the Round Table Council as well. It seems
the release of your right arm has been delayed."

Petos glanced at the cylindrical device.

"I think it's about 60% progress."

"Sixty percent, huh...? As I'm sure you're aware, my left arm has been released due to the Sanctuary's collapse.
The number of drops is expected to decrease even further this year."

"So Aurora is refusing after all."

"Yes, more than usual. She has been refusing. She is probably regaining her sense of self now that she has been
released."

"What a pain... So, how many are there?"

"Nine grains... That's what I'd like to say, but they might turn into eight. Fortunately, thanks to the Shadow
Garden, the number of Rounds itself has decreased, but... Whoops, that was inappropriate."

Petos chuckled, wondering what was so funny.

"If there are fewer drops than expected...or if a new Rounds are appointed. Fenrir-sama, you will not have any
this year."

"You've become great, Petos."

The Fenrir unleashed a sword filled with bloodlust.

It severed Petos’s jacket and formed a thin line of blood around his neck.

"Whoops..."

"You think you're on equal footing with me as a newcomer?"

"This was decided at the Round Table Council. I only came to tell you that. The Round Table sees the Fenrir
faction's blunder as such."

The Fenrir clicked its tongue slightly to suppress its bloodlust.

"...Did Loki incite it?"

Loki was the leader of a faction that had been hostile to Fenrir for years.

"Loki-sama... was also present at the meeting."

"You agreed, didn't you, Petos? We might run out of drops for you."

"No, I'm always on your side, Master Fenrir."

The Fenrir snorted at Petos’ words.

"It's probably the fault of the cult that made light of the Shadow Garden in the first place. The first report was
about five years ago. An attack on a demon-possessed carriage by an unknown group. If we had dealt with it
there, we wouldn't have been able to increase it this much."

"...That happened, didn't it?"

"As a result of sitting cross-legged on eternal life, the Cult has become as dull as a fat pig. In addition to the
twelve seats that were originally vacant, Nelson and Mordred have fallen. Honestly, the quality of the Rounds is
so degraded. You’re nothing more than a replacement for the ten seats that Shadow killed you two years ago.
Normally, you wouldn’t have been able to become a Rounds."

"In a way, it's like I was able to become a Rounds thanks to the Shadow Garden. I'm grateful to them."

Petos said mockingly.

"Excuse me, my mouth slipped... But the Round Table has finally raised its heavy hips. They're serious."

"That plan... The Shadow-Hunting Jaw."

"I wonder if it'll go well."

"I don't like the idea of Loki being the leader, but it'll be a good opportunity. We need to figure out what she's
capable of. Is Shadow really the real deal...?"

"...Do you think it's a fake?"

"That's not what I'm saying. But if it's the real thing, then it's far too far removed from reality. Either it's a
legendary-class Artifact, or maybe it's someone from hell, or it has the same technology as the Cult..."

"What if they're normal people?"

"That's exactly what I'd like to see. If it really exists, I'd like to see it. Either way, it's been hundreds of years since
the Round Table last cooperated with us. You'll learn its meaning sooner or later."

The Fenrir smiled fearlessly.

"I see... Well then, as a newcomer, I shall quietly obey. I am part of the plan, after all."

"Don't get all wet, Petos-kun."

"You too, Master Fenrir. If you fail to free your right arm and the ruins fall into the hands of the Shadow
Garden...!"

Petos stopped speaking and braced himself.

Magnificent magical energy overflowed from the Fenrir.

"Who are you talking to, Petos? I'm a Fenrir. I've been in the fifth seat of the Rounds for a long time. I'm proud of
that. I'll definitely release Diabolos' right arm."

"...That's what makes you Master Fenrir."

"We will revive the demon Diabolos and gain complete life. To that end, I won't complain no matter what it takes.
Even if this country collapses..."

"...The result is everything. I came here to save Master Fenrir."

"I told you. I don't need your help."

"This is the Round Table's decision. Please use this Artifact."

It was a nasty collar with a clock-like hand.

"...What's this?"

"It's the latest Artifact developed in the Cult's lab. It looks like Master Fenrir is having a hard time gathering mana.
I think it'll be useful."

"...I'll use it if I feel like it. Still, I didn't think you'd come all the way here just to use it. I wonder what's gotten into
you."

"I was merely following orders. I am a man loyal to the Cult, after all. Changing the subject... I heard that a golden
beastman visited these ruins."

Petos asked casually, as if making small talk.

However, Fenrir sensed something in the tone of his voice and guessed that this was the main issue

"A golden beastman, huh? I wonder..."

Of course, the seven golden shadows remained in Fenrir’s memory.

But I have no intention of being kind enough to teach you.

Fenrir’s gaze met Petos’.

"If you find her, please let me know."

It was Petos who looked away first.

"I wonder if there's something wrong with that beastman."

"No, it's nothing worth talking about. Excuse me."

With that, she quickly disappeared into the fog.

"A golden beastman... Petos wiped out the Golden Panther Hyohyo tribe and obtained a sample. That was the
foothold for his promotion to the Rounds. No way... He's a survivor of the Golden Panther Clan."

He was looking at a cylindrical device with about sixty percent magical energy stored in it. He didn’t care how he
did it, so he took it at face value.

"It's gotten interesting."

The Fenrir bared its fangs and laughed.

The Kingdom of Oriana, destroyed by the Black Beast, was being rapidly restored with the help of the Shadow
Garden

Alpha narrows her eyes from the royal castle as she watches the sunset.

"So, have you made up your mind?"

I ask the girl behind me.

There was a beautiful girl with honey-colored hair—Rose Oriana.

"Will I be forgiven?"

Rose said that with wavering eyes.

"You will not be forgiven. Many of the people still hold grudges against you."

"As I thought... I cannot become the king. It will only cause chaos in this country."

"In times of peace, that might be the right thing to do. But it's different now. If you know what's going to happen to
this country, you'll know you have no other choice."

Alpha turns around, then turns her stern eyes toward Rose.

"You know that the alliance between the Kingdom of Midgar and the Kingdom of Oriana has been broken. The
Holy Church officially sees the Kingdom of Oriana as a heretic state. Trade in the Kingdom of Oriana will be
severely restricted and dried up soon. Sooner or later, the neighboring nations will be ordered to subjugate the
Kingdom of Oriana. I don't know how many countries will move, but this country without proper forces can't do
anything about it. Annihilation."

"A heretic state... How did this happen?"

Rose clenched her fists and hung her head.

"The Cult is afraid of this country..."

"Why do you fear such a small country?"

"They're scared lambs. That's why they're afraid of sunlight."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Eternal life is a symbol of humanity's desires. Those who obtained it feared being taken from them more than
anything else. If they took control of the world, there would always be those who tried to take it from them. That's
why they hid. They chose to keep eternal life secret so that it would never be taken from them, and to use the
Holy Church to rule the world from behind the scenes. That's how they feared the sunlight."

"A frightened lamb..."

"But the antagonism between the Oriana Kingdom and the Diabolos Cult has connected the two sides of the
world. If we let the Oriana Kingdom run free, the Diabolos Cult will eventually be dragged out onto the stage.
They're afraid of that."

"...The Shadow Garden is going to use that, isn't it?"

Rose looks at Alpha sternly.

"That's right. We're going to use the Kingdom of Oriana. That's why I lent you a hand."

"With the power of the Shadow Garden, we should be able to defeat the Cult. Why the Oriana Kingdom...?"

"Because that won't destroy the Diabolos Cult."

"...Huh?"

"People die. The country will be destroyed. However, religion will never perish. Even if we defeat the Diabolos
Cult, it will not end. That is what religion is. As long as there are those who believe in it, it will last forever."

"No way..."

"Don't underestimate the Cult. If you make an enemy of the Cult, you'll be cut off by the masses. Most of them
are good citizens, including the people who believe in the Holy Church and even the priests. The Cult will use the
Holy Church to agitate the masses and come to kill them. No matter how powerful the Shadow Garden is, it won't
be able to kill all the Holy Cultists in the world. That's why the Kingdom of Oriana needs it. To drag the evil beings
known as the Diabolos Cult into the limelight and sever the relationship between the Holy Church and the
Diabolos Cult."

"How do you cut them off?"

"I will have the Holy Church abandon the Cult. What the people believe in is the Holy Cult, not the Diabolos Cult.
By making that clear, the Cult of Diabolos will become the common enemy of the world. To that end, we must win.
The neighboring nations will eventually come to subjugate the Kingdom of Oriana. There, we will win. Win, and
declare to the world that the enemies of the world are the Cult of Diabolos."

"So that's why you're telling me to become the king."

"In order to destroy the Cult, we need a nation that stands out in our place. The battle between the Oriana
Kingdom and the Holy Church is a proxy war between the Shadow Garden and the Diabolos Cult. If you are
prepared to become king, we will support you from the shadows."

"...Will I become a great king?"

Rose hung her head and squeezed out the words.

"You are not a king in times of peace, but a king in times of need. What a king needs in times of peace is the
kindness to be admired by the people and enrich his country. But things are different. What a man needs in times
of need is strength. The strength to bring pain, sacrifice, and be resented by the people, yet to achieve his goal."

Alpha stares at Rose with those beautiful eyes.

"Rose Oriana, you must become a strong king."

"A strong king..."

Rose bit down on those words.

Instead of saying it aloud, I repeat it in my mouth. And what comes to mind is my own weakness.

"I'm weak..."

"Only those who know how weak you are can become stronger."

A single tear streamed down Rose’s cheek.

"If there's anything I can do for the Kingdom of Oriana and the people that Father left behind... I want to protect
this country, no matter how much he hates me. I..."

Rose wiped away her tears and looked up.

She then drew her thin sword and touched it to her long, honey-colored hair.

"I... don't want it to end with me being weak."

Saying that, she drew her thin sword.

Her cut honey-colored hair danced in the wind.

"I will become a strong king."

Rose's hair had become shoulder length.

"As long as you are prepared for that, I swear that the Shadow Garden will never betray you."

Alpha smiles gently.

Then I called Numbers 664 and 665. For some reason, they were both wearing maid uniforms.

"I'll keep these two by your side. It's better for those who are used to it."

"Thank you very much."

"There is no need to be formal. You and I are equals. You will become a strong king, won't you?"
"Yes... Ah, yes, I will become a strong king."

Rose spoke as if she wasn’t used to it.

"Hehe... Number 666 is cute."

"Well, it's fine, isn't it? If you'd talked to me about it, it would have been solved much faster."

Numbers 665 and 664 said that in quiet voices.

"Thank you, both of you."

"You're welcome"

"I-I'm the squad leader, so don't forget that."

"I know, Squad Leader."

Rose gave them a gentle smile.

"We'll inform you of our plans from now on through Numbers 664 and 665, so prepare the family registers and
positions out front. It's best to keep the connection between the Shadow Garden and the Oriana Kingdom a
secret for now."

"I'll hire you two as my personal maids. The family register is up to you."

"Please do... Looks like someone's here."

Just then, the door to the room opened and an indigo-haired girl entered.

It is the third seat gamma of Shichiin.

For some reason, Gamma was dragging a girl along.

"Alpha-sama, are you here?"

"Oh, Gamma came to the Kingdom of Oriana too."

"Considering the future, we have closed the Mitsugoshi Company within the Kingdom of Oriana. Instead, we are
preparing to expand our base in the Shadow Garden."

Gamma lowers her voice a little as she speaks.

"That's Gamma for you. I'm glad she's working so fast."

"What about Princess Rose?"

Gamma gives Rose a sidelong glance.

"I've made up my mind to walk with us."

Alpha says, looking at Rose as well.

"I look forward to working with you."

Gamma responds to Rose’s greeting with a silent bow of her head

"Alpha-sama. I have two things to report. May I speak with you here?"
Gamma seemed concerned about Rose being here.

Rose guessed that she still didn’t trust him.

"I've prepared another room."

"I don't mind."

That’s what Alpha answers, interrupting Rose.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I don't mind."

Saying that, Alpha looks at Gamma and Rose.

I don't mind. What will you do?

That’s what Alpha is asking.

"...I don't mind either."

"Me too."

Gamma and Rose replied.

"First, about the equipment Beta recovered in the Demon Realm the other day."

"You mean Notopa-kon and Tabure-to."

"I had Eta investigate everything. Eta, explain."

With that, Gamma calls out to the girl who dragged her along.

"Speep."

A cute sleeping breath leaked out from the girl.

"Hey, Eta, wake up!"

Gamma grabs Eta by the shoulders and shakes her with all her might.

Eta’s head swayed back and forth, hitting Gamma’s nose.

"Pegya!"

The shock woke Eta up.

"Mnah?"

She's Eta. She's in the seventh shadow, mainly studying the wisdom of the shadows.

"...Where am I?"

Eta leisurely looked around.

It was a petite elf.

Her long, dark hair bounced off the plectrum in her bedhead.

"C-Come on, report that incident to Alpha-sama!"

Gamma speaks while holding her nosebleed.

"Report...? Oh, about Notopa-chan."

"Th-That's right."

"Umm, Hoko-kuu."

Eta sleepily looks over at Alpha.

"Nootopachin and everything that uses electricity were broken. I took it apart and looked into it, but it was
probably the electromagnetic waves from when we passed through the gate."

"Do you think you can fix it?"

"Not right now. But we'll figure it out eventually."

"I see... Guess there's no helping it. Let's just wait patiently. Beta always brings things powered by electricity."

"That's not true. The techniques used are extremely high. Even if you can't move them, you can learn a lot of
different techniques."

"Really? That's fine, then. But Beta was depressed, wasn't she?"

"She was crying."

"Something worth crying about?"

"No. She was depressed, so I mixed some medicine into her tea to make her feel better."

"...And?"

"She suddenly took off her clothes and started crying. I don't know why, but it's interesting."

The corners of Eta’s lips curled into a grin.

Alpha lets out a big sigh.

"...Next month's research expenses will be greatly reduced."

"Huh? Why?!"

"I told you not to do human experiments without permission. Reflect on your actions."

"Whaaat? Even though there are sacrifices to the development of wisdom in the shadows."

"I don't mean ‘eh’. Also, if you find any technology that might be useful in this world, report it to me again."

"Whaaat?"

"There was one more thing you brought back, wasn't there?"

Alpha's eyes narrow.

"Things... Ah. That otherworlder woke up earlier. I don't understand the language, so I'm talking to Beta right now.
Her name is Ema."

"Ema... did you learn anything else?"

"I think your body is almost the same as a human's. But I don't know the details yet. If it's okay to do human
experiments, I'll know right away."

"Leave it to Beta until things calm down. Don't do anything weird, absolutely."

"Whaaat?"

Eta nodded reluctantly.

"I understand what happened to Eta. So, what's your second report?"

Alpha speaks to Gamma.

"The second is about Zeta in the Midgar Kingdom. Have you received any reports from Zeta?"

"I don't. Honestly... That girl doesn't report to me at all."

Alpha sighs again.

"I came to check on you before coming to the Kingdom of Oriana, so I'll report it to you."

"You're a lifesaver, Gamma."

"The Fenrir faction is on the move. It seems they're abducting students from Midgar Academy. We've recovered
most of the demon possessions, so they're having a hard time breaking the seal."

"So, what about Zeta?"

"Well... it hasn't moved yet."

"It's not moving?"

"Yes. I believe you have grasped the movements of the Fenrir faction."

"She acts on her own a lot, but she's definitely excellent. I wonder if something happened."

Alpha sounds a little puzzled.

"The Fenrir faction may have declined, but they have ruled the underworld of the Midgar Kingdom for a long time.
And the Fenrir is one of the earliest Rounds. We cannot underestimate it."

"The collapse of trust should have inflicted enough damage on the Fenrir faction. I didn't think there were many
forces or funds left, but... I wonder if it's the bottom power of the early Rounds."

"Perhaps we should send someone to support them. Delta is in the Midgar Kingdom, but I don't think those two
will be able to cooperate."

"You're right..."

Alpha says vaguely, gazing at the scenery outside.

"I'm busy preparing the base, and Eta is busy with her research. Beta has to deal with otherworlders and take
care of paperwork, so... Epsilon's the one who's free. There are a few other numbers..."

"There's no need."

Alpha says, still gazing off into the distance.

"But... will you be okay?"

"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be fine. She's always been like that."

Gamma thinks it’s an uncharacteristically optimistic idea from Alpha.

"I have a bad feeling about this."

"...I still remember the day I first met her. I've never seen her look so sad, as if she hated everything in the world.
I welcomed Zeta as a family so that her emotional scars could heal... She's changed."

Alpha turns around and stares at Gamma with those blue eyes.

"So don't worry... We're family."

Alpha smiles. It's a gentle smile that envelops everything.

Alexia is looking up at Midgar Academy’s school building, bathed in the sunset.

The students walk past Alexia after class.

"I can't trust the knights. Onee-sama..."

I murmured, recalling my conversation with Iris the other day.

My sister has changed, and not a single word of Alexia’s reaches me.

"I have to do something..."

Somewhere in this school, the Cult is trying to revive Diabolos’s right-hand man.

If I can't trust anyone, I'll have to do it myself. If I can stop my right arm from reviving and get some solid
evidence, everyone will believe me.

"Hey, you're in the way."

"Ow!"

Suddenly, Alexia turns around, pushed by an incredible force from behind.

Against the backdrop of the setting sun, a beautiful black-haired girl crossed her arms.

"Claire..."

"If you stand there, you'll get in the way of my advance."

"A-Advance?"
It didn't make any sense.

Claire looks at Alexia with mysterious confidence in her eyes.

"You look depressed. What's wrong, Alexia?"

"I... was thinking about what to do next."

"Oh, what a coincidence. Me too."

"And Claire?"

"That's right. Even if the truth is buried in darkness, it won't end there. We need someone to solve the case from
the shadows."

"...?"

"Besides, I might not have told Alexia... but I'm the chosen one."

Claire raised her right hand, engraved with a magic circle.

"It's my duty to save the world and protect Cid. That's why I was given this power."

"Huh...?"

"If our goals are the same, then I won't hesitate to cooperate. Let's go."

"H-Hey!"

Alexia doesn’t really know what’s going on, but Claire tugs on her arm.

But strangely enough, it wasn't unpleasant.

"Where are you going?!"

"The church."

"Do you know where it is?!"

"I can feel it. My right hand is throbbing."

Claire stopped, making a serious face.

"Aurora doesn't say anything, but I can tell. She's hiding something. The ache in my arm is guiding me to the
truth"

With that, Claire unwrapped the bandage on her right arm.

The magic circle carved into it shone faintly.

"That sounds kinda fishy..."

"It's getting stronger little by little The moment is near."

And then, the magic circle shone noticeably brighter.

"It's coming!"
The next moment, the world cracked and shattered like glass.

"Y-You're kidding!"

Alexia remembers this scene. It’s the same one she saw when the head librarian captured her.

And then a white mist engulfed the school.

"Wh-What is this!?"

"Why is Kiri at school...!?"

Kiri covered the entire school, including the students who were on their way home.

I stood on the roof, looking down at Midgar Academy, bathed in the sunset.

"I don't mind. If that is what the world needs, then I shall be resented by the world. That is my mission."

As I murmured, adding an arrangement to Zeta's last night's line, I felt something tingling in my heart.

"...This kind of development works too."

Shadow, the man who rebels against the world.

He shouldered the burden of sin all by himself in order to protect the world. He was pretty cool.

"You're good too, Zeta. I didn't think you'd be able to boil down the settings this much..."

I'll take this as a token of my respect to her.

No, wait. Come to think of it, I said something similar a long time ago.

"In the first place, we are not those who walk the path of justice, but we are not those who walk the path of evil.
We are merely those who walk the path of our own"

I stood at the tip of the roof and struck a cool pose.

Then her uniform flutters in the wind.

"If you can do it, bring all the sins of the world with you. We will accept all of them."

She really is cool.

That's definitely what I said. It looks good on the sunset roof.

"In other words, chronologically speaking, I'm first. There's no problem with me opening and closing it. In fact,
they're opening and closing it."

So if there's a chance, I'd love to use it.

Still, this is a good opportunity.

I’ve been neglecting the training around the lines lately, so it might be a good idea to return to the basics for the
first time in a while.

"----It's an afterimage."

"Yin, at least make me eat."

"The wind is wavering That's the scream of the soul."

As I said that, I struck poses one by one.

In my past life, I used to do secret training on the roof like this all the time. It brought back fond memories.

"The school building is bathed in the sunset... I'm the only one on the roof... I'm looking down at the students
going home and smiling meaningfully... I have a feeling something's going to happen..."

Everything was perfect.

I raised my right hand and muttered in high spirits.

"It's coming!"

The next moment, the world shattered into pieces.

And then a white mist began to fill the air.

"...Huh?"

The white mist engulfed the school, as if to separate it from the outside world.

The fog soon grew thicker, and before long, not even the sunset reached it.

"......"

I blinked several times and surveyed my surroundings.

"...Wh-What?"

I had a feeling something was going to happen, but I didn’t think anything was really going to happen.

I could hear confused voices coming from the schoolyard.

"Wh-What happened!?"

"I-I have to let the teacher know!"

"Sensei, we're having a staff meeting outside. There's no one left!"

The students who were still at school had gathered.

"Hmm... The mysterious white mist... The isolated school... and me smiling on the roof... That's nice."

I don't really get the details, but this is definitely a flag for the event to start.

"The white mist... will eventually envelop the world in silence."

I muttered meaningfully and left the roof.

When I descended the stairs and came out into the hallway of the school building, it was dark with a thick fog.

It seems more than half of the students have gone home.

"I wonder what this fog is."

I thought the head librarian had used some kind of Artifact, but the head librarian was no longer there.

I tried searching for the fog with my magical energy, but all I knew was that it was a strange fog.

"...It's fine."

At the end of the day, how to enjoy the fog is more important to me than what this fog is.

Shall we meet up with the other students first? Or should we suddenly appear in Shadow?

"What should I do~?"

I skipped nimbly down the hallway. Just then, I heard a shout in the distance.

"An event?"

I skipped toward the scream.

"I think it came from around here..."

Several doors were lined up at narrow intervals. This was a private study room.

It was mostly empty, probably because it was almost time to go home, but there was one locked door, and I could
hear noises coming from inside.

"Hmph!"

I tore the doorknob off the lock and entered the room dynamically.

"Wh-What the hell is this!?"

There was a male student in the room.

He was clutching his neck and groaning. I recognized his face.

"You're my classmate... Um... Suzuki-kun, right?"

Oh, that's right. He was a student who didn't have much shadow over me. I'd used him as a reference a few
times to show respect for his thin shadow.

According to my Mobrist, she was a distant relative of Christina-san, a branch family of Duke Hope's family.

"Y-You're Kageno-kun! Help me, I can't get the collar off!!"

"A collar...?"

There was a nasty collar around Suzuki-kun's neck. It didn't suit a regular Mob.
"That's bad taste. That's not like you."

"It got stuck on its own! It doesn't seem like it'll come off, and it's been making weird noises for a while now..."

I can hear a small beep, beep, beep, beep...

There was a timer on the collar, and the moment I saw it, it dropped to zero.

A long warning sound rang out.

"Ah."

"Ah...!"

Then, Suzuki's head snaps open.

A spray of blood splattered all over the room, and I guarded it with my slime to keep it from getting dirty.

Suzuki’s severed head tumbled to the floor, and his reproachful eyes met mine

"...I had a feeling it was going to explode."

You're a little late.

Gassho.

"Now then... I wonder what this collar is."

I picked up Suzuki's collar.

The nasty collar was charred. The timer had stopped pointing to zero.

"Hmm..."

I poured magic into the collar and looked into it.

Furthermore, I used my knowledge from my past life to develop extremely advanced and precise deductions.

As a result

"It's a collar-shaped bomb that explodes when the timer reaches zero!"

I continued to deduce.

"Hmm, hmm... Normally, the timer decreases over time, but this seems to be different. The needle moves up and
down depending on the magical energy. It feels like it absorbs magical energy when you touch the collar. In other
words, this is a bomb that when you put a collar on it, it absorbs magical energy and explodes to zero!"

Even among the class, Suzuki was troubled by how low his mana was. He’d gone to the study room to train his
mana, and when he’d run out of mana, he’d been unlucky enough to get caught up in this incident and died in an
explosion.

"...There's always one truth."

I grinned.

The question is, when and where did she put the collar?
"Normally, you'd notice a collar like this right away. People who don't notice are really stupid..."

I had a bad feeling about this, so I touched my neck.

It had a collar on it.

When did she...?

"...It must have been installed in an extremely advanced way that no normal person would have noticed."

If I had to guess, it must have been put on when the white mist came out.

I made a mirror out of slimes and observed my collar.

Without a doubt, it was the same collar as Suzuki’s

The timer for the remaining amount of mana is 999, and it's bugging out. It feels like the mana is being sucked
out bit by bit, but it's faint compared to the total amount, and the amount of natural recovery is overwhelmingly
greater.

"Hmm..."

To be honest, I could do anything if I tried to remove it, but of course I rejected it.

There was no choice but to participate in the “collar bomb event” after all.

For the time being, I temporarily cut off the magic circuits inside my body and adjusted the amount of mana
remaining

"Suzuki had low magic power, so... Okay, that should do it."

I adjusted the amount of mana so that the timer was around 600.

In about ten seconds, she’s drained of about one of my magical energy and is decreasing.

The rest of my life is an hour and forty minutes.

As for why I went out of my way to adjust it to the amount of mana left in Suzuki-kun’s body, of course...

"...He's a powerful shadow who disguises himself as a dead student and conducts undercover investigations.
Hehehe, he's cool."

For some reason, Suzuki-kun, who had been a dull student, started muttering meaningful words after the
incident.

And when his hidden power was revealed and he cornered the true culprit, he revealed his true identity...!

I'm getting excited.

"With the slime makeup technique from New and the slime plastic surgery technique from Epsilon... This is it."

Checking in the mirror, I saw that no matter how anyone looked at it, it was Suzuki-kun.

Just in case, his student notebook and other trinkets are all open and ready.

"Now then, let's go!"

I skipped out of the study room even more nimbly than when I first arrived.
Alexia and Claire are gathered in the auditorium to talk.

"There's no doubt about it. This collar absorbs magical energy. When the timer reaches zero..."

Alexia’s eyes are drawn to the corpse of a student who’s died from damage to her neck.

"It's dangerous to disarm it too."

Claire poured magic into her collar to check several times, but every time, she felt an unpleasant resistance.

If I stimulated it, it might explode.

"Anyway, make sure you don't use any useless magical energy. Be especially careful if you don't have much
mana left."

Alexia calls out to the students.

The students who had been caught up in the white fog had gathered in the auditorium. Many of them had already
left the school, but even so, the number of students entering the auditorium was still increasing.

There was, after all, a nasty collar around their necks.

Alexia’s collar points to 1303, while Claire points to 1917.

"Phew... I've looked around, but I don't think I've seen any reliable teachers."

The one who said that was Nina, a female student with a short, petite skirt

"I see. It looks like we'll have to do something about it ourselves."

"Nina, was Cid there?"

"My brother wasn't here. He's probably back at the dorm."

"Thank goodness..."

Claire breathed a sigh of relief

"Still, how on earth did this happen? A mysterious white mist and a nasty collar. I can't get in touch with the
outside. I don't have a clue what's going on."

"...Shadow Garden."

The one who murmured that was a male student with deep green hair.

"The students' whereabouts are unknown, and the librarian's mysterious death. There were rumors that an
organization called the Shadow Garden was involved in that. My father works for the Knights of Favonius, so I've
heard a lot about it."

"...I believe you are Isaac. I have heard that you are a promising Magic Bladesman. But do you have any proof
that the Shadow Garden is the culprit?"

"Proof? Alexia-sama, you ask strange things. They have a criminal record for taking over the school, don't they?"
"...Do you have a motive?"

"They're a heinous criminal organization. They have no motive. They kill people to satisfy their desires, like a
game."

Agitation ran through the students listening to the conversation around them.

"Th-The Shadow Garden again..."

"I... almost got killed in that incident... *hic*"

"What the hell...? How did we end up like this?!"

"Calm down, everyone! Isaac, don't say anything that'll make me feel uneasy."

"Excuse me."

Isaac shrugged. But he couldn't shake the anxiety of the students.

"It's dangerous to decide who the culprit is based on a small amount of information. What we need to do is
remove this collar and escape. Am I wrong?"

"But I don't think it'll be easy to escape."

It was Nina who said that.

"I tried to find out how far this fog went, but it didn't seem like I could leave the school grounds. There was
something like an invisible wall."

"In that case, I wonder if there's any way to remove the collar..."

"It'll be difficult. It looks like a pretty complicated Artifact. I don't know what'll happen if I touch it carelessly."

"You're right..."

A heavy silence spread through the auditorium.

"No... I don't want to die yet!"

The male student trembling by the wall stood up and started running.

"Me too!! I won't... die here!!"

Several more followed him to the exit of the auditorium.

"W-Wait a minute!!"

Alexia calls out to stop him in a panic.

But the moment they stepped out of the auditorium, blood sprayed everywhere.

"Wha~~!"

A translucent sword had pierced the students.

The one holding the sword was a lifeless, ghostly warrior.

"That's... a ghost!"

"What's a ghost?!"

"I don't know, but Aurora said it was a ghost!"

Claire and Alexia draw their swords and run.

Isaac and Nina followed suit.

"Haaah!"

"Hey!"

Multiple ghosts disappear without a single flash of inspiration from Alexia and Claire.

However, a large number of ghosts were still wriggling outside the auditorium.

"When did you get this many?!"

"That's a lot. It's going to take a lot of effort."

"Both of you, be careful how much mana you have left."

Nina’s warning came from behind me.

Startled, the two of them checked each other's collars.

"Let's pull!"

"Close the door to the auditorium!"

While Alexia and Claire push the ghost back, Nina and Isaac close the door.

"Hurry up, you two!"

The two of them slid into the auditorium just in time for the door to close.

The two of them check their collars as they catch their breath. Alexia is 1238 and Claire is 1825.

"This isn't good... At this rate, we'll run out faster than I thought."

"That's right. How long do you have left, Nina?"

"Huh...? I guess I am."

For some reason, Nina pretended to hide the timer.

"Then you won't be able to see it."

"Ah, yeah. You're right."

Nina slowly showed me the timer. That number was very common.

"784, huh? That's less than I expected."

"At this pace, my life is only two hours away. Isaac..."

"I'm 1367."

"That's an honor student for you. Your mana capacity is top-notch, too. Let's check everyone's mana reserves for
now."

Alexia and the others confirm the amount of magical energy remaining for the students in the auditorium.

"The lowest number of students is 300, huh..."

Having finished confirming, Alexia suppresses her voice and speaks.

"It looks like you used up your magical energy during your independent training after school. If you don't do
something within an hour, her life will..."

Claire’s gaze is fixed on a pale, trembling female student.

"There's a lot of students who don't have much mana left. We don't know how long we'll be able to protect this
place."

The ghosts were pounding on the door to the auditorium. The students were building a barricade of chairs and
desks.

"What should we do, Princess Alexia?"

Isaac asks Alexia a question.

"I don't know what to do..."

I hadn’t expected to get caught up in the white fog, and there was no way I’d know how to disarm the collar.

Alexia’s gaze wanders, as if seeking an answer.

At that moment...

"At this rate, we'll just wait for death..."

Her voice was by no means loud.

However, strangely enough, there was a strength to echo through the auditorium.

"...I have an idea."

A male student is leaning against the wall of the auditorium. He languidly brushes back his dark brown hair and
slowly walks in front of Alexia and the others.

"What about you...?"

"I'm Suzuki."

He looks directly at Alexia. She has a slightly bad look in her eyes, but she’s an ordinary student you can find
anywhere.

"...She's in the same class as me."

Isaac added.

"Suzuki-kun, huh? You said you had an idea. Can you tell me?"
"You're right..."

Suzuki slowly surveyed the students in the auditorium as he spoke.

"First of all, our forces are limited. Most of the students here don't have much mana left, so they'll run out as soon
as they engage in combat. If it comes to combat, they'll literally end up cutting down their lives as they fight. It's a
huge mental burden. I don't think they'll be able to fight properly."

"...You're right."

It was an appropriate analysis.

He is calmly analyzing the current situation under these tense circumstances.

"There are only a few people here who have enough mana to spare. In other words, there are only this many
people who can be of use in battle. There, the students will be divided into two squads."

He looked over at the students making the barricade as he spoke.

"The first unit is the Defense Force. The students with a small amount of mana remain in the auditorium, saving
mana as they defend. And the other unit is"

Suzuki looks around at Alexia and the others.

"Special Attack Squad"

"Hey, what are you doing?!"

Just then, a female student’s voice interrupts Suzuki’s statement.

Alexia and the others, who have been listening with bated breath, disperse their tension.

"Even though you're from a branch family, please don't talk impertinently to Princess Alexia. You just need to
build a barricade over there. If you do anything unnecessary and ruin the reputation of the main family, I'll have
you take responsibility."

Behind him stood a beautiful girl with light red hair.

"Umm, you're..."

"I'm Christina Hope. I'm a distant relative of Suzuki."

"...She's a classmate too. She's excellent."

Isaac added.

"It looks like Suzuki caused you a lot of trouble... I usually know better than that."

Christina tugged on Suzuki’s uniform and tried to take him with her.

Alexia is the one who stops it.

"Wait. He has a point."

Christina reluctantly released Suzuki.

"Good grief. Christina-nee-san hasn't changed a bit."

"You're talking big to me, the head of the family."

"This is an emergency. I will do something reckless."

"What are you trying to do?"

Suzuki let out a small sigh at Christina’s grim gaze

"Let's get back to the topic at hand. I'll create a special-attack squad with a small amount of mana remaining.
Then I'll break through the ghost enclosure and cut off the source of this phenomenon. That's my plan."

"I wonder what the source of the phenomenon is."

"Our magical energy is being sucked away by this collar. Have you considered where the magical energy it
absorbed is headed?"

"Well"

Alexia focuses on detecting magical energy.

As I did, I felt minute magical energy flowing out of my collar.

"If you follow this magical energy... I'm surprised you noticed."

"Suzuki, you..."

Christina was a little surprised, too.

"It's a simple deduction. Anyone can tell just by thinking about it a little."

He spoke without a care in the world.

"...Indeed, it is splendid. However, I wonder if it can accurately trace magical energy."

It was Isaac who said that.

"The minute magical energy is quickly disrupted. I am opposed to Suzuki-kun's plan. He was not an excellent
student, flattered. No, to put it bluntly, he was an inferior student."

He looks at Suzuki with suspicious eyes.

"You're right."

Christina nodded as well.

"I'll be honest. You're not worthy of my trust, Suzuki."

Isaac turned a stern gaze on Suzuki.

Everyone's eyes are focused on Suzuki.

"Trust, huh...? Heh."

Suzuki let out a small laugh.

"...What's so funny?"

"Nothing. It's just, well... I didn't think the person I least trust would say that to me."
"What do you mean...!?"

Meanwhile, it was Claire who opened her mouth.

"I agree with Suzuki's plan."

"Claire...?"

"My right hand is throbbing... towards the flow of magical energy. That's why I can feel it, and I won't make a
mistake... I can trace magical energy."

Claire turned her powerful eyes on me.

"Claire... Understood. Let's go with Suzuki's plan."

Alexia says

"Wait a minute! I can't trust you."

"We don't have much time. We can't have a strategy meeting forever."

"But..."

"Isaac-kun, even if you don't agree, we're going to go alone."

"I think I agree with Suzuki-kun's plan."

Nina raised her hand, too, and Isaac broke.

"Ugh... Understood. I agree."

"Let's decide on the members of the Special Assault Force. First, Claire, Isaac, and I. Do you think we can make
it this far?"

Claire and Isaac nod in response to Alexia’s question.

"Also, if possible, I'd like you to help too, Kristina-san."

Christina had 1179 mana left.

"If it's a request from Princess Alexia, I'll help."

"Thanks. For now, the four of us will"

"I'll go too."

Nina raised her hand.

"But there's still a lot of mana left..."

Alexia looks troubled.

Nina had 784 mana remaining. It was by no means a number she could afford.

"Nina will be fine. Her magical energy is normal, but she's pretty reliable."

"...Okay. Nice to meet you too, Nina-senpai."

"I'll do my best not to be a burden."

"More importantly, weren't you 784 earlier?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

For just a moment, Nina’s expression froze

"Nina's mana reserves. I feel like they haven't decreased for a while."

"You think so? I lost 10 points because I was 794 earlier."

"Really?"

"That's right. Claire is forgetful."

Saying that, Nina gently stroked the timer on her collar with her finger

Then, the number dropped by one.

"Ah, 783."

"See? We've lost a lot."

"What? I thought there was a way to keep my mana from decreasing."

"There's no way that's possible."

Nina sighed in exasperation.

"Well then, these five will be the Special Assault Force."

"I'll go too."

It was Suzuki who said that.

"Of course it's impossible. You only have 541 mana left."

"I'm against it too. He'll only be a burden."

Christina and Isaac objected.

"If you get in my way, I'll just abandon you. I have no intention of asking for your help."

That’s what Suzuki said calmly.

"I agree. If we get in the way, we can just abandon them and use them as decoys."

Nina interrupts Alexia and says

"It's a little irresponsible."

Claire chides me.

"He's saying that's fine. Besides, his analytical skills should be useful."

"Let's take her with us after all."

It was surprisingly Christina who continued.

"If I get in the way, I'll take responsibility as the head family. Isn't that fine?"

Christina gave Suzuki a stern look.

"...No problem."

He nodded quietly.

Alexia takes the lead in explaining the strategy to everyone.

Some of the students protested, “You’re abandoning them!” but there was no time to convince them

The six of them exit through the back door of the auditorium without being noticed. Claire and Alexia quickly take
care of the ghosts that are likely to get in their way and hurry on ahead.

Meanwhile, Christina was observing Suzuki without him noticing.

He stood calmly in the white mist, even against ghosts who didn't know where they would attack from.

"...That's strange."

Christina murmured in a voice so quiet no one could hear her.

Her relationship with Suzuki was distant relatives and classmates. Nothing more, nothing less. She didn’t know
him that well.

But even so, he knew what kind of person Suzuki was.

She shouldn’t have been the kind of person who could act boldly in front of Princess Alexia or stand calmly in
actual combat

It's like she's a completely different person... It's like she's changed so much that I can't help but describe her that
way.

But Suzuki's face and voice are definitely hers.

"...I heard you were hiding your true power."

In order to avoid getting caught up in the conflict between the main family and the branch family. It's a weak
motive, but it's not like there's no possibility.

"...The effects of Artifacts and drugs."

This was the only other possibility I could think of, but it still didn't feel right.

However, there was no mistaking that something had changed about him.

If Suzuki was an existence that would harm the main house, Christina had no intention of hesitating to dispose of
him

That's what Christina was thinking Just then...

"It's dangerous."

Christina gently tugged on my shoulder.

Immediately after that, the phantom sword fight passed right in front of Christina.

"You bastard!"

The girl’s reaction was to be expected, as she mowed down her sword and sliced through the ghost.

The ghost turns to dust and disappears.

"Impressive, Kristina-nee-san."

"...You saved me."

She turned to Suzuki and said that. If it weren't for him, she might have taken a blow.

"I only did what was natural for a branch family."

He spoke curtly and hurried on. I couldn't read anything from his back.

"This way, huh?"

Claire follows the minute traces of magical energy through the building. She occasionally presses down on the
bandage on her right hand and seems to be concerned about something.

"Is there something in her right hand?"

"It's a unique trait. It can sensitively sense magical energy."

Alexia responds to Isaac’s question with a suitable answer. There’s no way she can say that an incomprehensible
ghost like Aurora is possessed.

"The secret of the winner of the Bushin Festival?"

"Something like that, I guess."

"The fog is thick. We don't know where we'll be caught off guard."

"You're right."

"But don't worry. I'll protect Princess Alexia's safety."

Just then, Alexia suddenly draws her sword.

Then she cuts through the arm of the phantom that stretches out from her feet. Alexia puts her sword away as
she watches the phantom disappear into dust out of the corner of her eye.

"―Did you say something?"

"No... Nothing."
The six of them proceeded in silence for a while.

"Did you hear that?"

It was Nina who stopped walking and said that.

"What... is this... a scream!?"

Alexia and the others strain their ears and definitely hear her scream.

"There might be students who haven't escaped yet. What should we do?"

Claire, advancing ahead of us, turns around.

"But we don't have time to spare."

Isaac warned him. Just as he’d said, he’d already consumed nearly twenty percent of his magical energy from
the time he’d left the auditorium to this point.

"...Let's go save her."

Alexia hesitates, then makes her decision.

We all raced through the school building to find countless ghosts wriggling at the end.

"Ghosts... surround the classroom?"

"Looks like there's a student inside!"

Claire screams.

"No, not outside, either."

What Nina discovered were countless tragically sliced corpses.

And the girl who's about to be penetrated.

"Eeek... H-Help!!"

I won't make it.

Everyone thought so.

However, a blood-red tentacle reached out. The tentacle tore through the ghosts surrounding the female student
and rescued her.

"Now!"

At Claire’s command, the six of them charged into the swarm of ghosts.

Claire manipulates the red tentacles to open a huge hole in the swarm of ghosts, Alexia slashes through them
one by one with a motion that isn’t wasted, and Isaac blows them away with his magic-infused hearty sword.

These three were the main forces in battle.

Nina, Christina, and Suzuki all fought modestly behind their main force.
Nina was dealing with the ghost Claire had missed, while Christina was fighting out of the corner of her eye,
worried about Suzuki

And as for Suzuki... he was just standing there.

He hadn't even drawn his sword.

I lean against the wall of the hallway, watching the battle from the sidelines. Its existence is extremely alien.

Thanks to the efforts of the five, the ghosts were annihilated.

Christina was the first to speak after the battle was over.

"If you don't want to fight, you're just in the way."

"I only avoided pointless battles because I didn't have much mana left. It didn't seem like it would be a problem if
I wasn't there... Could it be that you needed help?"

"There's no need. Just stay behind me and tremble."

"That's reassuring."

The two exchanged words indifferently.

That sense of distance felt far more distant than that of my classmates or relatives.

"Are you all right? What about me?"

Claire was watching the girl she’d saved.

"M-My arm..."

The female student's face twisted.

"It's broken. I need to rest..."

Claire glanced at the female student’s mana reserves, which were already under a hundred.

"It's dangerous here. Let's go into the classroom."

Alexia tries to open the door to the classroom.

"W-Wait! Help me, when I get back to the classroom, I'll...!"

The female student screamed with a desperate expression.

Just then, the door to the classroom opened behind me.

"Oh my, Princess Alexia. Please, come in."

"You're... the vice president."

There was a female student with bewitching beauty: Eliza, the vice president of the student council.
"Okay, I'm fine now."

Eliza treated the injured female student with a gentle smile.

"Th-Thank you very much... Lady Eliza..."

The female student’s voice was trembling. It definitely wasn’t from the pain. Next to Eliza was a large student in
her aide’s arms.

"There's still so much left."

Alexia surveys the room.

Excluding Alexia, Eliza, and the others, there were still eight students left—and four bodies.

"I was suddenly enveloped in a white fog, and then I was attacked by an incomprehensible monster... But since
I'm the vice president, I fought desperately to get everyone together."

There was a barricade at the exit of the classroom.

The barricade is stained with blood. Blood is splattered all over the walls.

Alexia steals a glance at Eliza’s mana reserves. Those numbers are 1971.

"You have a lot of mana left, don't you?"

"I was blessed with a bloodline. My parents are my pride."

Eliza sounded a little proud.

"I see... What are you planning to do now? The students are gathered in the auditorium, so I think it would be
safer to move there."

"That's what I'd like to do, but I'm worried about moving. We don't have much mana left."

Except for Eliza and her aides, all of the students in the classroom had less than 300 left.

"Shall we go together part of the way?"

"I'm relieved to hear that."

Alexia and the others leave the classroom, waiting for the preparations to finish. The female student is trembling
until the very end.

Alexia, Claire, and Isaac take the lead along the way.

It was to keep the students who didn’t have much mana left from exhausting themselves.

However, Alexia’s mana reserves aren’t all that lenient, either

"We're under 1000..."

Alexia mutters to herself.

As my mana reserves dwindled, I felt death approaching.

"I'm 1,100."

"I still have 1300. Leave it to me when you're in pain."

Isaac and Claire continued as well.

The two of them have more leeway than Alexia, but they’re still wearing down their minds.

However, the one in a tougher position than anyone else was the girl I had saved earlier.

"Ah, ahh, no..."

She trembled as she watched the numbers slowly dwindle.

Its mana capacity was 59.

She probably has about ten minutes left, but there's nothing I can do about that.

"Uu...... uuu......"

When she finally started crying, no one could find the right words to say to her.

Just then, I felt multiple magical reactions around me.

"Be careful!"

I surveyed the area, but there was nothing there, surrounded by a white mist.

No, magical energy gathered in the white mist, and it took on the form of a ghost. A ghost was being created from
the fog right now.

"You bastard!"

Alexia and the others slash before it can move.

However, there are a large number of ghosts to be created.

Christina, Nina, and the other students in the rear joined the battle, and the cramped school building became a
mixed battle of people and ghosts.

"Dammit, from behind!"

"You bastard!"

"Eek, don't come any closer!"

However, there were those among them who did not fight.

"Aren't you going to fight, Eliza?"

It was Suzuki who asked that question.

"Don't call me Eliza-sama. It's not time for me to fight yet. Aren't you the one who won't fight?"

Eliza dodged the phantom's sword with elegant footwork and laughed derisively.
"I have less mana left than Eliza-sama, so I thought Eliza-sama would be the first to fight."

"Hey, shut up, first-year."

The large male student in his aide glared at Suzuki. He, too, was only using the bare minimum of magical energy
to protect Eliza.

Suzuki smiled a little as Eliza and her two aides glared at him.

"I feel sorry for her. Even though I treated her, she's going to die."

Suzuki said, looking at the female student whose remaining magical energy had finally shredded to ten.

She was desperately fighting the ghost with her injured arm and what little magical energy she had left.

"It can't be helped. There's nothing we can do now."

Her remaining magical energy was decreasing.

Six, five, four...

"That's not true. According to my research, this collar had an interesting function."

With that, Suzuki approached the female student in the middle of the battle.

He deflected the phantom sword swung at the female student with the palm of his magic-infused hand.

With a smack, the sword burst into pieces.

"Huh?"

The female student looks up at Suzuki with a surprised expression.

There was another smacking sound.

The next thing he knew, the phantom’s jaws had been smashed to pieces. Suzuki slowly lowered the palm he’d
swung out.

"What did you do?"

Eliza spoke in a stern voice.

"It's a simple taijutsu. It's nothing to make a fuss about."

Suzuki smiles lightly and touches the female student’s collar.

Three, two, one... Those numbers are decreasing.

It was clear that she wouldn't be saved.

"Ah, ahh... No, I don't want to die... Please!"

She spoke as if clinging to him.

"I'll be fine."

With that, Suzuki poured magic into his collar.

The next moment, my mana reserves skyrocketed. Fifty, one hundred, one hundred and fifty...

"Ah... Thank you..."

Mana Remaining at 251.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

"Suzuki... What did you do?"

The one who said that was Christina, who had finished her battle.

Most of the ghosts had already been subjugated, and Claire had just cut down the last one

Watching the battle end, Suzuki starts talking.

"In the classroom, I examined the collars of the students who had been sacrificed. When I tried pouring magical
energy into them, the collars began to accumulate magical energy. So, I thought maybe..."

Everyone was listening to what Suzuki had to say.

"This collar has the function of handing over mana. The mana it receives is pooled and consumed by the other
person's collar. In other words, if you hand over mana to a student with a small amount of mana remaining, you
can put off the explosion."

"I'm surprised you noticed..."

Alexia sounds impressed.

"This might reduce the number of victims."

Claire said.

"The student with the most mana remaining is...Eliza-sama. Of course, you will cooperate, right?"

Suzuki says with a smile.

Eliza smiled as well.

"Once we get to the auditorium, I'll think positively about it."

"I'm glad to hear that. By the way... there was something bothering me when I checked the corpses of the
students in the classroom."

"Something on your mind...?"

"There were marks on the corpse's limbs."

"...It's not just your imagination?"

Eliza’s eyes wavered for a moment.

"There's one more strange thing. Everyone's collars exploded."

"What about it? It's only natural that the collar would explode if it ran out of magical energy."

"You're right. But now that I think about it, it's a very strange situation. They were detained while their collars
exploded and they died. I wonder what happened."
"...I wonder what you're trying to say."

"Perhaps there are people who have tried the same thing against a living human. They pour mana into it, make it
use mana. They examine the collar's activation conditions, see if it can be removed... And she's the one who
struck the decisive blow."

Suzuki pointed to the female student.

"When I handed over the mana, she said, ‘Thank you.’ But that’s strange. Normally, you’d be surprised. You don’t
know that mana can be handed over, so... you all knew, didn’t you?"

The female student turned pale and trembled.

"I-I..."

"You knew, didn't you?"

"...I’m sorry. Eliza-sama is an archnoble, and she can’t disobey... Students who disobey her are restrained, their
collars removed, or forced to expend until their mana reaches zero... It turns out that they can hand over their
mana within that."

"It was strange that only Eliza-sama had abnormal amounts of magical energy left. All the other students had less
than 300 mana left. It was as if they’d adjusted it."

"...We all gave magical energy to Eliza-sama. But I didn't have much magical energy, so I couldn't give it to her,
so I went to the hallway..."

And then the female student burst into tears.

"If it's true, it's a serious situation."

Alexia glares at Eliza.

"So... what are you going to do?"

Eliza sighed and spoke.

"So you admit your guilt."

"A crime? I was trying to help the students as the vice president. I didn't know at the time that it would explode if I
tried to remove the collar or lost my magical power."

"How dare you be so blunt...! How are you going to explain how you stole the students' magical energy?"

"I didn't take it from you, I took it from you. Of course, I was planning to distribute it fairly later."

"Do you really think you can make excuses like that?"

"Normally, I'd pass through... but it'd be a bad idea to split it with Alexia-sama. That's right, let's make a deal."

"A deal?"

"I still have 1,900 mana left. If you'll let me go, I'll give you this mana, okay?"

Alexia clicks her tongue slightly.

The students’ mana had dwindled from the battle just now. If they accepted her mana, they might be able to help
them.

But if she accepted the deal, that meant she would overlook her crime.

No matter how Alexia may be, it’s not easy to go against a deal with a great noble

"...Will you really give it to me?"

"Yes, of course. Depending on the conditions, it's okay to give away a lot of magical energy."

Eliza smiled confidently.

She understood that there was no way she could refuse.

Alexia looks around at the students. Their faces are filled with impatience and exhaustion. Their lives are being
whittled away at this very moment.

To help them, we have no choice but to accept the deal.

"Okay. I'll accept the deal..."

Just as Alexia is about to say that...

"You don't seem to understand the situation."

Suzuki says, putting it over Alexia’s voice.

He stood behind Eliza.

"Whaaat? When did you get here?!"

"----Don't move."

Mizuki stopped Eliza and her aides from frantically looking back at her in a low voice

His hand was touching Eliza’s neck...no, her collar.

"Eliza-sama, you know what will happen if I tear this collar off right now."

"...What are you trying to do? You know what will happen if you do this to me!"

Eliza looks incredibly threatening.

"Suzuki, stop. Even the Hope family doesn't want to oppose her yet."

Christina said the same.

"Good grief. No one seems to understand the situation."

Suzuki sighed so that everyone could hear.

"What do you mean by that...?"

"Eliza-sama, there is nothing here that has protected you until now. The power of the great nobles, the power of
the faction, and the wealth you have built up cannot reach all the way into this white mist."

"I'm Eliza. I represent the Midgar Kingdom."

"What of it? Will it protect you at this very moment? What will everyone say if I kill Eliza-sama in this white mist?
Will those whose magical energy has been stolen by you testify for you?"

Eliza glared around at the students.

Not a single student was trying to meet Eliza’s gaze

"Do you understand? The position you're in..."

Suzuki whispered into her ear.

And then I put strength into that collar.

"...Okay, I'll apologize."

Eliza spoke softly.

"You don't need to apologize. Please share your magical energy with the students."

"...Of course."

As she said that, Eliza’s eyes stagnated with such hatred that it seemed like she could kill someone with her gaze

"Is that all right, Princess Alexia? This is an emergency. Eliza-sama will be punished in court after everything is
over. And of course, if necessary, my punishment as well."

"Are you sure? If you threaten a great noble, then Suzuki-kun might be treated harshly."

"I am prepared."

"I see... What about the Hope family?"

Alexia asks Christina.

"If you can give Alexia-sama's testimony in court, then the cause is here. It won't be such a bad result."

Christina said indifferently.

"Thank you."

Suzuki bows his head slightly.

"Not really... I have my own thoughts."

Christina turned away in a huff and spoke.

After that, magic was handed over.

Eliza's mana was down to the remaining 400. She decided to share 1,500 with the students who didn't have
much mana.

"I'm sure you already know this, but stealing their magical energy again is forbidden."

"Let's hurry to the auditorium. I can't stand being attacked by ghosts."

After handing over the mana, the group split into two groups.
Eliza and the students go to the auditorium, and Alexia and the others follow where the magical energy goes.

"Remember that...!"

As she left, Eliza glared at Suzuki and said,

However, he glanced past Eliza one by one, as if looking at a stone on the side of the road.

"It's all an illusion... It all happened in the white fog..."

And then, with her back still turned, she spoke meaningfully.

Alexia and the others leave the building and follow the magical energy from the collar.

The ghost attack had calmed down since then, and there had only been sporadically small battles

"Just who is he...?"

Alexia lines up next to Christina and asks in a quiet voice.

"He's a distant relative of the Hope family. I don't think he had any special talent. But..."

Christina’s gaze was fixed on Suzuki, who was walking at the tail end

"You're no ordinary person. It's not easy to acquire the courage to face an archnoble head-on."

"He was using physical techniques I've never seen before, even in battle. Perhaps he was hiding his true
strength."

"I wonder if there's a reason..."

"I don't know. But I intend to take care of him from now on."

"That sounds like a good idea..."

It would have been a waste to let her go. Besides, it was dangerous.

"You should be careful. He knows too much. He's like a completely different person."

The one who said that was Isaac, who had lined up at some point

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's about the collar. He said he investigated it himself, but I don't think he'll be able to investigate that much in
the short time he was in the classroom. He was the one who noticed the magical energy coming out of the collar.
Maybe he knew everything from the start. If you think about it that way, it makes sense."

Saying that, Isaac narrowed his eyes sharply.

"I was watching the situation calmly, and when the white mist formed, I became a different person... because he
was a traitor."

"...Do you have any proof?"

"I don't have any conclusive evidence yet. However, I will definitely grasp it. Please be careful, Princess Alexia."

Saying that, she quickened her pace.

Isaac’s words did have a point.

The sudden change in Suzuki after the white mist formed was more than enough to convince him that he was on
the Cult’s side

If that's the case, then we're being led by Suzuki.

"...A thin man."

“Mm-hmm,” Christina said

Christina was looking at Isaac as he walked in front of her.

"It's thin?"

"No, it's nothing."

Christina shakes her head at Alexia’s question.

"...It looks like the magical energy continues inside."

Claire stops at an old, small church at the edge of the academy.

"I didn't know there was a church here."

"There wasn't."

It’s Nina who answers Alexia’s question

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. This place didn't have a church. Before the white fog enveloped it."

With that, she opened the door and went inside.

There was a silence inside the church, as if it had been forgotten by the people. The chair was covered in dust.

Alexia warily advances in front of the pedestal-like area at the far end.

"Under here."

Claire spoke up. I could feel the faint air flowing from under the pedestal.

"Hmph!"

Claire kicks off the pedestal without hesitation, but only a dull sound echoes.

"Ow! What the hell is this?!"

"A magical barrier... An Artifact. You need a key to move it."

Nina touched the pedestal and spoke.

"What's the key? Where is it?"

"I don't know either. It'd be nice if it was nearby..."

"Let's look for it."

We all search the area for a while, but we find no clues.

"No good. There's nothing here."

Alexia says

"Same here. Do you really have any leads?"

Isaac looked dissatisfied

"We don't have much time. We have to hurry..."

Alexia has only 500 mana left. Even though there was a battle along the way, she’s more exhausted than I
imagined.

The magic power of the students in the auditorium was probably decreasing as well.

"It'll be hard to decipher Artifacts. I'm not a specialist, after all."

It was Nina who said that.

"There's nothing here, either."

It seemed they hadn’t been able to find Christina and Suzuki, either.

Then, a heavy silence descended.

All I could do was stare intently at the pedestal. I was at a standstill.

Just then, a small thud rang out. I looked over to see Claire slamming her right fist into the pedestal.

"It's useless, Claire."

Alexia stops.

But Claire slams her right fist down again. A duller sound than before echoes through the room.

"Please... Lend me your strength. There's something I need to do. I can't let this end here..."

Claire then unwraps the bandage on her right hand. Isaac and Christina catch their breath at the sinister magic
circle carved into it.

"Well..."

"Please, Aurora, lend me your strength. I've been silent for a while now, but I know you can handle it."

Claire simply speaks to her right hand.

"What is she doing?"

"Who are you talking to?"

"Shhh, be quiet."
Alexia silences Isaac and Christina.

"Please... Please, Aurora... Answer me... Answer my voice!!"

Just then, Claire’s magic circle began to shine.

The light dyed the area red, carving countless ancient characters into the pedestal.

"Wh-What is this power?!"

Isaac’s shocked voice.

"Open it, open iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!"

The red magic engulfed the pedestal, and then the bullet burst.

And thenthe pedestal disappeared without a trace. Below the pedestal, the stairs to the basement continued.

"Amazing..."

Christina murmured, dumbfounded. The vast amount of magical energy Claire had displayed defied common
sense.

"You answered me, Aurora... Kuh... My right hand is throbbing... This is the price of my power...!"

Claire panted heavily and held her right hand in pain.

"Are you okay, Claire?"

Alexia supports Claire’s shoulders.

"Don't worry. Let's hurry. We don't have much time."

Claire forced herself to catch her breath and act tough.

"Let's go. To save everyone."

Then I descend the stairs with Claire leading the way.

It was a long, long staircase.

Because of the darkness and the fog, I can barely see in front or behind me. Silently, only the sound of my
footsteps echoes.

Eventually, by the time we reach the end of the stairs, Alexia’s magical energy, which had been 500, has
decreased to 450.

"It's a big door."

An enormous door appeared in the dimly lit basement.

Alexia and the others all open the heavy door.

Beyond that was a slightly open space. To the left and right were rows of broken prisons. The cell was empty.

"Is this... a dungeon?"

Alexia and the others advance cautiously. After a while, they hear something heavy moving behind them.

"I wonder what it is..."

Claire murmured in wonder.

I can’t see what’s happening behind me in the darkness. Alexia turns around, feeling like she’s forgotten
something important.

"In the basement of the church... I went down a long staircase to a secret room... and then the door closed
behind me."

Alexia remembers the librarian’s words. The situation is very similar to what it is now.

"--! Go back, don't trap me!!"

Alexia runs behind her in a panic, but the door closes with a loud noise.

At the same time, gas gushes out from a small hole in the ceiling. A sweet scent fills the area.

"Hold your breath!"

But it was too late.

One by one, they lose consciousness and collapse. And in the end, Alexia is the only one left.

"In a place like this..."

As her consciousness fades, Alexia sees a young man wearing a gas mask.

"Oh dear, I didn’t think you’d slip into a place like this, Princess Alexia."

"Don't tell me you're..."

"Exactly. I am a traitor."

Isaac laughs low inside the gas mask. Alexia reaches for her sword and lets go of her consciousness.

"Uuu..."

Christina awoke from a deep sleep.

My body feels heavy, and I can't remember. My last memory ends just as I descend to the ground or prison.

"This is..."

Her limbs were restrained against the wall.

I try to escape, but I can't muster the strength. It looks like my magic is sealed.

"Oh, it looks like you're awake. Impressive."

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw Isaac there.

"Why... am I restrained?"

Christina said.

"Because I restrained him."

"I see."

"You're not surprised, are you?"

"I thought you were a thin person. You're hiding something. Most people like that."

"It'll be helpful."

"What about the others?"

"Princess Alexia and Miss Claire are under my master's command."

"My master?"

"Yes, under my master."

He repeated the same words. It seemed he had no intention of saying more.

"Suzuki-kun is sleeping there."

Isaac pointed to a wall a short distance away.

Suzuki had been restrained there, just like Christina.

"Suzuki..."

A sigh of relief escaped Christina.

"Unfortunately, he may not wake up again."

"Wh-What do you mean?"

"The gas that put you to sleep is a dangerous drug for those with low magical power. It's not uncommon for you
to fall into an eternal sleep."

"Suzuki..."

"That's not like you, Christina-san. You're just a low-ranking noble from a branch family, aren't you? There's no
need to be sad."

"That's true, but..."

Christina realized she was shaken when Isaac pointed it out.

He was right—Suzuki was just a low-ranking noble from a branch family. To Christina, the daughter of a duke,
there had to be plenty of replacements.

"I thought his power would be useful to the Hope family... That's all."

"I see. Well, it doesn't matter if Suzuki-kun lives or dies."

"It doesn't matter..."

Christina glared at Isaac.

"Yes, it doesn't matter. I'm just going to finish my work..."

"What are you going to do?"

"Christina-san's body has high potential. We will make use of it in our organization."

"What's an organization? You mean the rumored Shadow Garden?"

"The Shadow Garden? Please don't lump us in with such a short-lived organization. We have ruled the world for
a long time... Let's stop. It would be pointless to talk to you about this. After all, we will become dolls who have
lost their hearts."

With that, Isaac took out a syringe filled with red liquid.

"Let's finish our work quickly. We won't make it in time for the commemorative revival of our right arm. You should
be able to become Child 2nd. Unfortunately, Suzuki won't even be able to become 3rd."

Isaac smiled derisively and pressed the syringe against Christina’s arm.

"Stop...! That's right, where is Nina-senpai!?"

"...That woman is gone."

Isaac scowled.

"She disappeared?"

"I did put them all to sleep, but they disappeared before I knew it. There's no way they'd get out of the Sanctuary
alive anyway. Honestly, it's a letter of apology later..."

Saying that, Isaac put strength into his syringe.

"Nooooo!"

"It's time to say goodbye~"

Just then, something moved at the edge of my vision.

"It's so noisy... Even though I was sleeping so comfortably."

Her voice was that of a sleeping Suzuki.

"S-Suzuki...!"

"Hey, you're awake!?"

"You can tell just by looking. Is it that surprising?"

He yawned listlessly and yawned.

"W-Well, whatever. Waking up won't change the outcome. I'll dispose of you first, since you're an eyesore."

Isaac took the syringe and headed toward the restrained Suzuki.

"Disposal?"
"Hmph. I'll turn you into a silent doll."

The needle of the syringe pierced Suzuki's neck.

"You're going to dispose of me?"

Suzuki says, and smiles at the corners of his lips.

"----That's impossible."

The next moment, Isaac’s body shook. The syringe containing the red liquid fell off and rolled over.

"Wha... *cough*... *cough*"

Suzuki’s right arm was hitting Isaac’s stomach.

The palm of my hand.

An intense palm strike had struck Isaac’s abdomen.

"Impossible... Why is your restraints undone...? Your magical energy should have been sealed!"

Isaac backed away, clutching his stomach. Blood bubbles dribbled from his lips.

"It's simple. You just have to dislocate the joints."

With those words, Suzuki undid the restraints on his left arm. His joints morphed with movements impossible for
a human, and once he was freed from the restraints, they returned to normal like reverse regeneration.

The restraints on his legs were equally incapacitated.

"Impossible...!"

"So, what are you going to do? Weren't you going to dispose of me?"

"...Don't underestimate me."

Isaac’s eyes were stained with indignation and not anger.

"How dare you mock me, you inferior...!"

He drew his sword and readied himself.

Suzuki also reached for the sword at his hip, where he tilted his head in confusion

"What about my sword...?"

The only thing on Suzuki’s hip was Saya the scabbard.

"Unfortunately, I've disposed of the weapons."

"I see."

Suzuki took a single fountain pen out of his pocket. Then he removed the lid of the fountain pen and pointed its
tip at Isaac.

"Then... this is enough."

"A-A fountain pen...? Don't be ridiculous!!"

Isaac's magic gushed out.

He stepped forward in an instant and swung his sword in a horizontal slash. The sword’s trajectory was certain to
cleave Suzuki in two.

As long as the fountain pen doesn't get in the way.

Suzuki had blocked the sword with the tip of his fountain pen.

A shrill sound like glass breaking rang out, and Isaac’s sword shattered into pieces.

Suzuki sticks out his fountain pen.

"Wha Gahyuu!"

Then, a sharp tip pierced Isaac.

One, two steps, Isaac slowly retreated.

He touched the fountain pen in his neck with eyes like he was looking at something unbelievable.

"*cough*... With a fountain pen like that..."

*drip*.

Red ink dripped from the fountain pen.

"It'd be a problem if you didn't return it. I can't keep a diary without it."

Suzuki grabbed the fountain pen stuck in Isaac’s neck.

"Wait... Stop... Stop it, stop iiiiiiit!"

At the same time as the fountain pen was pulled out, a large amount of blood gushed out.

The ink of blood stained the floor.

"Ah... ahh..."

Dumbfounded, Isaac knelt down.

Then she looks up at Suzuki and opens her eyes wide.

He was looking at Suzuki’s collar, which had an unbelievable amount of mana remaining.

"What... is that magical energy... *cough*"

Isaac coughed up blood as he collapsed.

"I'm...... here...... *cough*...... aah......"

The blood drained from his neck without end, and before long, his breathing thinned out.

Suzuki mutters, staring boredly at the bloodstained fountain pen.

"That's dirty. I don't need it after all."

Then he threw Isaac's dead body on top of them.

He turned around and walked over to Christina.

Christina was flustered when the bad-looking Suzuki looked down at her.

"Ah... umm..."

For some reason, her heart was racing. Not knowing what to say, she stared up at Suzuki.

"I'm glad you're safe."

Suzuki released Christina from her restraints.

"Th-Thank you, Suzuki..."

She spoke in a soft, fading voice.

"I only did what was natural. Now then, let's hurry. I'm worried about the other students."

"U-Um, wait, Suzuki!"

Just as Suzuki was about to start walking, Christina stopped him.

"Umm... I seem to have misunderstood you. I'm an inferior student who can't do anything... But that's not true."

Christina looked down in embarrassment.

"If you don't mind, once this incident is over, we'll go to the main house."

"----Christina-nee-san wasn't wrong. Suzuki was an inferior student."

That’s what Suzuki said, his back still turned.

"Huh? But that's..."

"You're not wrong. You're not wrong at all."

Suzuki’s voice was colder than Christina had ever heard before

"Ah... Did I say something to offend you...?"

"No, nothing. It's just... you shouldn't get involved with me. The path before me is covered in blood... I can't live in
a world where sunlight shines on me."

Suzuki never turned around. He spoke with his back to her, as if rejecting the world.

"What do you bear...?"

"I have a mission. I bear the sins of the world, and yet I must carry out it... If you get involved, you will be hurt and
stained with blood."

Then, Suzuki finally turned around.

Christina gasped when she saw his eyes. They were as inorganic as glass beads, as if they lacked all emotion.
But that's not it.

Deep inside the glass ball, emotions swirled like black flames.

Suzuki gently reached for Christina’s neck.

Christina’s slender jaw lifted, and Suzuki’s face drew closer

"Suzuki..."

A voice like a sigh escaped my lips.

Christina closed her eyes, entranced by his deep eyes.

And then, a dry cracking sound rang out.

"Huh...?"

When I opened my eyes, the collar had disappeared.

"Ah... The collar... How?"

He didn't answer Christina's question. Before he knew it, his collar had vanished as well.

"We don't have much time. Let's hurry."

Suzuki turns around and walks away. His back is lonely.

"W-Wait, Suzuki!"

Christina chased after him so that he wouldn't leave her behind.

“It’s about time you woke up. This isn’t a very good situation.”

Claire woke up feeling like she’d heard a voice in her head.

"This is..."

There, in the white mist, she was restrained in a place like a nasty examination table.

Alexia is also restrained next to me.

"Are you okay, Alexia?! Wake up!"

"Ugh... Where am I...?"

Alexia wakes up as well. The two of them look around and catch their breath.

"This is...!"

"What the hell is this...!"

There were four cylindrical capsules. Inside were red liquid and humans.
"Don't tell me this is a student whose whereabouts are unknown..."

"There's no mistaking it. It's the student on the missing persons list."

"Why are you doing this...?"

"It absorbed the mana. In order to revive the demon Diabolos... Let's get out of here quickly. We'll suffer the same
fate."

Alexia tries to release her restraints, but they won’t budge. Claire tries the same thing.

"It looks like her magical energy is sealed."

"...That bastard Isaac. How dare he do that."

Alexia spits out the words.

Just then, the cylindrical capsule began to move. Red liquid flowed out of the two capsules with a dull sound of
movement.

"Wh-What?"

"I don't know..."

Just then, a voice rang out from behind me.

"You're awake. Perfect timing. I just finished preparing the capsule... About 10 percent left."

With that, a young man with silver hair appeared.

The two of them were at a loss for words for a moment at the sight of her beautiful figure, as if she’d just slipped
out of a fairy tale world.

"What about you...?"

"I'm a Fenrir. The fifth seat of the Rounds."

"Ah... You're a Fenrir?!"

The boy who called himself a Fenrir is as young as Alexia and the others, or maybe even younger.

"In the face of eternal life, apparent age means nothing."

As Fenrir spoke, she stood in front of the two capsules where the red liquid had left them.

"What are you going to do?"

"I'll have you enter this capsule. To revive Diabolos' right arm. I was planning to suck the magic out of the collar,
but it's convenient for you to come all the way out here. Thanks to you, I saved me a lot of trouble."

The Fenrir laughed derisively.

"The school is in an uproar right about now. I think I'll get away with it for free."

Claire said.

"Who's going to punish us? The knights? Or you?"

"W-Well..."

"We're from the underworld. We'll never be able to reach you from the outside."

"The Shadow Garden is here..."

Alexia speaks softly, and the Fenrir stops moving.

"So the Shadow Garden will punish us... Kuku."

He chuckled a little.

"What's so funny?!"

"I didn't think the princess of a country would cling to some unknown group. I thought it was pitiful..."

"Ngh..."

Alexia's face turns red. The sound of her teeth grinding echoes.

"In the first place, will the Shadow Garden really punish us? Just what is this organization called the Shadow
Garden? You guys don't know anything about it."

As he spoke, he pulled the body of the thing that had been a student out of the capsule and threw it away.

"They're from the underworld, just like us. They don't punish us. Even if one of us loses, the one who wins will
rule the underworld again. That's all."

The Fenrir turned around. Her eyes were dyed red.

"Now then, the preparations are complete. It's time to revive"

The Fenrir headed toward Claire first.

"Claire Kageno. I received a report that you use a strange power."

Standing beside the examination table, Fenrir lifted her chin.

"...Let me go!"

"It's true that the blood is thick, but it's not abnormal. Well, I guess you'll understand once you investigate."

With that, I press the syringe containing the red liquid against Claire’s neck.

Claire shook her head to resist, but the Fenrir’s power was strong.

"It's useless."

The needle of the syringe pierced my neck.

Just then...

“Honestly, how long are you going to make me wait?”

Aurora’s voice echoed through Claire’s head, and dense magical energy overflowed.

The syringe shattered, and the restraints burst.

"Whaaat? What's with that magical energy?!"

The Fenrir put some distance between them.

“I’ll lend you a little strength.”

"Thank you, Aurora."

With that, Claire draws her sword and destroys Alexia’s restraints

"Nice one, Claire."

Alexia draws her sword as well.

"Aurora... and you said that, Claire Kageno."

The Fenrir was staring straight at Claire.

"I told you. Do you know Aurora?"

"Kuku... I see. Let's see if it's real. Bloody fangs... Answer my call."

Fenrir pulled her sword out of thin air.

The sword was long enough to surpass his height and had a stagnant, blood-red blade

"Blood Fangs... The magic sword of the swordsman once known as the strongest. Don't tell me..."

Alexia murmurs. I feel a shivering pressure from her magic sword.

“Be careful, Claire.”

"I know. Will you not fight for me, Aurora?"

“You don’t have much mana left. If I use my body, the loss is huge. Besides, you might need to learn how to use
your power, too.”

"...You're right."

Claire honed her magical energy inside her body. Little by little, she began to grasp the sensation of two foreign
powers mixing together.

And with that, Claire closed the distance between them in a single bound.

However, the Fenrir catches Claire’s sword lightly.

"Is this all...? What?"

A red tentacle was wrapped around her blood fangs. The tentacle extending from Claire’s right arm moved at her
instruction to entwine them.

"With this power!"

"Don't underestimate me."

The Fenrir swung its blood fangs. That was all it took for the red tentacle to burst.
Claire had entered her next move.

I stepped inside the range and dodged the blood fangs, then mowed down the Fenrir's torso.

A dull thud rang out.

The Fenrir had blocked Claire’s sword with the hilt of its blood fangs

"A-A hilt!?"

"I won the Bushin Festival once... But in the end, it's just a child's sword."

The Fenrir flipped its blood fangs and deflected Claire’s sword, then struck her chin with its hilt

"Uguu."

The impact is light. Claire immediately jumps backward to soften the force.

But the inside of her mouth snaps, and her lips turn red. As Claire loses her balance, Fenrir’s follow-up attack
approaches.

In that instant, the Fenrir stopped moving.

For some reason, there was a sword stuck in his left shoulder.

"Impressive. If I'd moved like that, I would've been stabbed in the heart."

It was Alexia.

"I knew you were waiting for an opening. But when did you..."

The Fenrir drew its blood fangs and took a step back. Blood gushed from its left shoulder, but he paid it no mind.

"Hah."

Breathing sharply, the Fenrir swung its blood fangs. The blow was sharp, imbued with an enormous amount of
power.

Alexia readies herself to block with her sword. Her movements are by no means swift. The magic in her sword is
small, too.

There was no way I could block it.

Blood fangs pulverize Alexia's sword. Just before she does, Alexia takes half a step back. Then she changes the
angle of her sword and unleashes the impact.

"Huh."

Then she counterattacked.

With the shortest of movements, the smallest of magical energy, I hit the Fenrir’s vitals.

The Fenrir was a dead body.

It looks like all I can do is wait for Alexia’s stab to pierce me with her blood fangs.

However, the Fenrir kicked off the floor with its forelegs.
With a tremendous vibration, the floor cracked, and he regained his balance with movements impossible for a
normal person

Alexia’s sword pierces the sky, leaving a single scratch on Fenrir’s cheek.

Just like that, the Fenrir made a wide berth.

"The sword of an ordinary person... The sword that was compared to Princess Iris and despised..."

"I'm sure ordinary people didn't throw it away."

"I'm looking forward to a hundred years from now. Swords pile up. But that's why the gap between us is so
great..."

With that, the Fenrir closed its eyes.

"Let's get a little serious..."

The atmosphere changed.

A bottomless magical energy welled up from within the Fenrir.

At the same time, his hair turned white. Several deep wrinkles were carved into his face, and his arms and legs
withered thinly.

Then, he slowly opened his eyes.

The innocent boy had transformed into a withered old man.

"So that's what it really looks like..."

He was such a weak-looking old man that it felt like he’d collapse if I pushed him.

Alexia and Claire, however, never underestimated him, because in contrast to his appearance, the weight of the
pressure had risen tremendously

Cold sweat ran down my cheeks.

“I remember... Midgar’s demon.”

"A Midgar demon?"

Claire picked up Aurora’s murmur.

“He’s a manslayer feared in the Midgar region long ago. He just kept greedily slaying people in order to increase
his own power. He should’ve already aged...”

"I didn't know there was someone who knew that name. Is it Aurora?"

The Fenrir spoke in a hoarse voice

"The Witch of Calamity... So she really is the real deal. Are you trying to take her place?"

"Aurora, what do you mean?"

“Concentrate. That’s how his technique works.”

"But!"

"Claire!!"

"Huh?"

The Fenrir’s blood fangs stretched out.

The blade, as long as a whip, closes in on Claire’s neck.

Dumbfounded, Claire gazed at the oncoming death

But the next moment, Claire’s eyes turn purple. Over a hundred tentacles fly out, deflecting the blood fangs and
closing in on the Fenrir.

"Kukuu...... This is it, this power."

Fenrir dodges the red tentacles raining down on her incessantly with willowy body movements.

The tentacles grazed his body over and over, turning his clothes into rags.

But he couldn't even scratch his body. And suddenly, all the bloody tentacles burst and disappeared.

"Gh... My magical energy..."

Claire falls to her knees, breathing raggedly. Her purple eyes. Her magical energy is thirty-six left.

"You've weakened, haven't you, Aurora? Or have I become stronger?"

"...It's just that my body is weak."

Then, the fangs of blood blow Claire away.

"Ugh...!"

She barely managed to avoid a fatal wound, but she rolled, unable to even take the fall.

Claire’s eyes then went from purple to red.

"How dare you do that to Claire!!"

Alexia attacks.

Her movements were short and minimal, but the Fenrir far surpassed them.

What Alexia sees is a red afterimage.

And then, her sword shattered into pieces.

"Y-Yeah..."

"Swords pile up... The peak of over a thousand years is too far away."

With that, the Fenrir readied itself high above her.

"My sword..."

Her sword shattered into pieces. The humiliation of her past came back to her.
I've been training so that I'll never feel frustrated again. But no matter how much I pile up, the peak of my sword
is far away.

Tears form in the corners of Alexia’s eyes.

"----It's over."

Blood fangs swung down from above.

Just then, I heard a sharp whistling sound. The Fenrir stopped attacking and quickly moved out of range.

With a click, a fountain pen pierced the ground.

"Who are you?"

"You're..."

There was an ordinary male student with a bad look in his eyes, Suzuki.

"Are you all right?"

He slowly walked over to her and drew the fountain pen stuck in the ground.

"Princess Alexia, come here."

Saying that, it’s Christina who makes Alexia retreat.

"I-I'm still..."

"That's reckless. I don't have any magical energy."

At some point, Alexia’s magical energy has also fallen below a hundred. Biting her lip, Alexia looks over at
Suzuki.

"Fenrir is strong. He can't do it alone."

"I don't think Suzuki will lose for free."

Christina’s eyes were clear as she said that. Suzuki faced Fenrir alone.

"Let me ask you one more time. Who are you?"

The Fenrir fixed its gaze on Suzuki.

"I'm Suzuki. I'm a freshman at Midgar Demon Swordsman Academy."

Suzuki said, spinning the fountain pen around in his palm.

"Just a student, huh..."

Suddenly, the Fenrir mowed down its blood fangs. The red blade bent like a whip, grazing Suzuki’s bangs.

"For a mere student, she understands the distance."

"Distance? What are you talking about?"

Saying that coolly, Suzuki stepped forward.

That was the Fenrir’s range. Fenrir’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“Cutlet.” Suzuki’s footsteps echoed awfully loudly.

Footsteps rang out again.

The next moment, a barrage of blood fangs began.

From up, down, left, and right, red afterimages rained down at incredible speed. Each and every one of them was
beautiful, like a dance that captivated my eyes.

In the center of it all, Suzuki readied his fountain pen.

There were four of them on either side, sandwiched between her fingers like claws.

The tip of the golden pen shone.

Then the red sword dance and the golden light crossed paths.

Kin, kin, kin, the sounds of countless battles rang out in succession.

Red afterimages and golden light danced in the mist.

"Amazing..."

Dumbfounded, Alexia mutters:

The Fenrir’s sword was unmistakably worthy of being one of the strongest. And it was impossible to gauge the
strength of the Suzuki as he crossed paths with that sword with his fountain pen.

Compared to the Knights of the Midgar Kingdom’s Royal Guard and the seven swords of the Vegalta Empire,
they weren’t even remotely inferior...

"He's too strong..."

Christina muttered.

Just as she’d said, Suzuki’s abilities were far beyond those of a student

"Who is he?"

Alexia’s question is only natural.

"I don't know. But he bears a great burden. He said he had a mission he had to complete."

"Mission... The power to do that..."

Alexia clenches her fists.

"Miss Claire, are you all right?"

Christina helped Claire to her feet.

"S-Somehow... Suzuki-kun is fighting."

Claire sounded pained.

"We cannot keep up with this battle. Let us see it through."

"Yeah..."

Claire firmly pressed her right hand, engraved with a magic circle.

In the fog, the battle between Fenrir and Suzuki continued.

The situation is slowly tilting.

The red afterimage is pushing against the golden light. The tip of the fountain pen, shining in the mist, slowly
retreats.

The factor was the gap between them.

Fenrir’s blood fangs were far longer than a normal sword’s, and Suzuki’s fountain pen couldn’t even reach a
normal sword

As a result, the Fenrir attacked one-sidedly, and Suzuki had no choice but to go on the defensive

"The outcome has been decided. You, too, will see that the gap between you and those who seek to master
martial arts will never be closed."

I could hear Fenrir’s voice between the barrages.

"I wonder if that's true."

Suzuki kicks off the ground and flies.

Then she readied her fountain pen and threw it at the Fenrir.

The eight fountain pens turned into golden light.

"You're wasting your time scratching your feet"

As the Fenrir retreated, it dealt with the fountain pen with its blood fangs.

Several of them grazed his body and inflicted wounds, but that was all. There was no longer any way to resist
Suzuki, who had thrown his weapon.

That was supposed to be the case.

"What?!"

In midair, Suzuki held eight more fountain pens at the ready.

"The ultimate technique, {Gold Storm}."

And then, one after another, fountain pen after fountain pen.

Its many lights rained down on the Fenrir like rain.

"You're pissing me off!"

However, even Fenrir’s skills were extraordinary.

He dodged the rain of fountain pens with flowing movements, and deflected them with his fangs of blood if he
decided he couldn't dodge them.
The golden rain fell to the ground without hitting the Fenrir.

And then all the rain stopped.

An unbelievably large number of fountain pens stuck in the ground.

The Fenrir stood in the center of it all. He didn’t move an inch. No, he couldn’t move.

"Checkmate."

Because Suzuki was standing behind him.

"So the fountain pen is a decoy?"

"They say that a pen is stronger than a sword."

Suzuki placed a single fountain pen against the back of Fenrir’s neck.

"He took one, huh? It seems I played a little too much. It's been a while since I've played with him. I can't help but
be happy. An old man's bad habit"

"Shut up."

Still not listening to Fenrir’s words to the end, Suzuki stabbed her fountain pen.

It pierced the Fenrir’s neck, and blood gushed out.

"*cough*... You impatient young man. Listen to the old man until the end."

With a gleam, Fenrir’s eyes turned red.

An enormous amount of magical energy overflows, knocking the Suzuki away. The wound on his neck heals, as if
regenerating backward.

"The game is over. Let's start with the small fry..."

Fenrir’s face turns toward Alexia and the others. Her first prey is Christina, one of them.

"Ah...!"

Christina's spine trembled as the red glint in her eyes glared at her. She felt like she was being crushed by a
pressure she had never felt before.

"Goodbye, young lady."

Then, a red slash swung down at Christina.

She simply stared dumbfounded at the approaching death.

Just before the blood fangs bisected her, a figure cut in.

The figure picked her up and took the slash in her place.

There was a spray of blood.

"Suzuki... You...!"
The figure was Suzuki.

"I'm glad you're safe... *cough*"

Suzuki coughs up a lot of blood.

"Suzuki! Suzuki, are you okay!? Why me...!?"

"There's something I need to apologize to you for..."

Suzuki’s mouth turned red as he spoke.

"You don't have to apologize. Right now, more importantly, your"

"No, it has to be now. Because I..."

"―Eh?"

"...I'm not a Suzuki."

The tone of Suzuki’s voice changed.

A low voice, as if echoing from the abyss. Her eyes turn red.

"He's dead. My true form is"

The many fountain pens stuck in my blood are melting away.

It became a black slime, enveloping Suzuki’s body.

"S-Suzuki..."

Christina and the others retreated at the bizarre sight.

The black slime enveloping the Suzuki wriggled ominously as it appeared

"My name is Shadow. I am the one who lurks in the shadows and hunts the shadows..."

The man in the jet-black long coat and hood pulled out his black sword.

"Shadow?!"

Alexia’s shocked voice.

"Shadow..."

Christina was surprised as well. However, as she looked up at Shadow, she felt her heart thump.

"A Shadow, huh? I knew you'd come..."

The Fenrir doesn’t seem shaken. It’s filled with magical energy as it faces Shadow.

"So you disguised yourself as a student and waited for an opening. You're a man I can't let my guard down."

"What? It's just a sideshow."

"You're blatant. You're doing something elaborate for a mere sideshow. I'm no longer senile enough to misread
your intentions."
"...Oh?"

"People lie to hide things they don't want to know. There's a truth behind lies."

"That makes sense."

"You went out of your way to disguise yourself as a student to avoid fighting me head-on. That was caution. You
tried to hide your fear of me by lying about it being a sideshow."

"Heh... Don't make me laugh, old man."

"If that's the case, then it's a shame. It's a shame how powerful the man called Shadow is. It's fun to see him
surpass my expectations when he reaches the peak of his sword after an eternity."

Saying that, the Fenrir readied its blood fangs.

"Want to try it?"

Shadow lightly readies his jet-black sword.

"That's what I was planning to do from the start."

The Fenrir's hips fell deep. He drew his blood fangs far back, and half of his body fell.

"Shado, don't disappoint me."

The next moment, the white mist swirled, and the Fenrir disappeared.

"Koryuu Kenjutsu Ultimate: Kutsutsu Senmi"

A Fenrir appears behind Shadow.

Blood fangs had already been swung out, taking the form of a lingering heart.

"Oh... So you blocked it."

Fanrill spoke cheerfully.

There was a single scratch on Shadow’s long coat—the claw marks the Fenrir had left behind

"I've blocked fast swords many times before. But this sword... is slow."

Shadow repairs the wound on his long coat and turns around.

"Did you realize it was too late just once?"

A white mist swirled around the Fenrir.

"...Interesting."

Shadow quietly assesses the flow of that magical energy.

The next moment, the Fenrir disappeared again. Another wound was carved into Shadow’s long coat. It was
deeper than the first blow.

"Let's block it again."

The Fenrir takes the remnants behind Shadow.

"You really are late."

Shadow strokes the wound on his long coat to repair it.

"Can you see the sky?"

"I looked at it just before, but I couldn't see it."

"Then how can you block it?"

"The moment the blade touches you, you pull back. That's all."

"Juho, huh? I heard there are martial arts that incapacitate attacks like willow."

"I've never learned anything."

"So you're a natural, then?"

"I'm not that pretentious."

"Then why?"

"Training."

"Oh... That is the truth of martial arts."

Then, the Fenrir lowered its hips deeply again and readied its blood fangs.

"Then take the training of the Old Wolf."

A white mist swirled around me.

"...I see."

Shadow swings his sword at the empty space.

"Splendid."

And then, the Fenrir disappeared.

The next moment, a Fenrir appears behind Shadow. Blood gushes from Fenrir’s shoulder.

"...So you saw right through me."

Fenrir pressed down on the wound on her shoulder as she spoke.

"No, I followed the flow of magical energy."

"I see... So the trick's broken."

"Sora-nii is an afterimage of magical energy. The pair is a slow sword that conceals its presence to the limit."

"Indeed. When you were looking at Sora-nii, I had already swung my sword. You saw right through me. I see your
true power."

The Fenrir turned around and readied itself again.

"Are you going to continue?"

"Of course. I've been waiting for this day for so long. There is no moment more enjoyable than when I test my
own training. I can't swing my sword alone."

Then, she extended her fangs of blood for a long time.

"Accept my ultimate technique, which has sublimated the sky rank, Shadow."

The Fenrir swung its blood fangs out.

However, Shadow had dodged before that.

The white mist splits, carving scars into the ground. Blood fangs like whips run after them.

With the order reversed, that attack and defense was accelerated even further by Fanlill’s technique.

Blood fangs were increasing.

One, two, three... Each time the Fenrir swung its blood fangs, the number increased until it was finally nine.

The Fenrir laughed, its nine blood fangs at the ready.

"This is the peak of the sword, the blood fangs of the sky."

Nine blades attack Shadow from all directions at the same time.

"Oh..."

Shadow exhales.

"So all the blades you can see are afterimages?"

Then he closed his eyes as if he had given up.

The next moment, Shadow’s body dances with the Nine Slashes.

To the right, to the left, up, downIt was cruelly discarded, like a violent doll game.

"Shadow~!"

"Shado-san!"

Alexia's and Christina's screams. They sound like they're being treated that harshly.

The Fenrir looks down at Shadow, who’s fallen limp.

Shadow’s fingers twitch.

"...Is it over?"

It was Shadow who said that.

"I can't even scratch it."

The Fenrir spoke up.

It was a strange conversation, as if the winner and loser had been reversed.

The Fenrir swung its blood fangs at the fallen Shadow.

The blood fangs easily bisected Shadow, and then carved deep wounds into the ground. However, there was no
blood coming from Shadow’s body.

On the contrary, her body was faintly disappearing.

"Afterimages, huh..."

Fenrir murmured in resignation.

"You showed me your precious sword."

A voice came from the fog.

Knock, knock, knock, nine footsteps echoed as nine Shadows appeared.

"Just once..."

The Fenrir held its breath.

Nine black swords stretched out. They danced in the mist like dragons.

"Splendid!"

There was a hint of joy in Fenrir’s voice

"Ultimate technique - Ato the Ninth and Mimi Hanging Bitter."

Then, nine dragons devoured the Fenrir.

The first bit off his right arm, and the second bit off his left.

The third bit down on his right leg, and the fourth bit his left.

The fifth and sixth cut their torsos in half, the seventh pierced their chests, and the eighth severed their heads.

And then---the ninth one puts its head in its mouth.

"Are you still breathing?"

Shadow speaks to the severed head the ninth one is holding in its mouth.

"Goff... In his final moments, he saw the peak of martial prowess... He showed me something good."

In a hoarse voice, Fenrir spoke.

"The peak of martial prowess doesn't exist."

Shadow sounds bored as he says that.

"What are you saying? You're the one..."

"There's more at the end of the peak. That's all..."

"Oh my..."

"When people think that's the peak, they stop walking."

"I see, so that's why I..."

Regret appeared on Fenrir’s face.

"...I can't see the peak yet."

And then, the ninth dragon’s jaws closed.

The Fenrir’s head shatters with a thud. The Shadow flutters its jet-black long coat and disappears into the white
mist.

"W-Wait, Shadow!!"

Alexia shouts. Shadow stops in the fog.

"Tell me! Who are you? What are you fighting for?!"

Alexia waits for a reply.

However, Shadow keeps his back to her and doesn’t respond.

"I want to protect this country! I don't want to make the people dear to me feel sad! I've decided to fight for that!
You!? Can we trust you?!"

"Don't get involved... That's what I said."

"This isn't the time to be saying that!! We're fighting desperately! If we're as strong as you, it might be a trivial
problem. Maybe we're worthless. But... even weak people like me are living desperately!!"

Shadow slowly turns around.

Blood-red eyes stare at Alexia.

"We will eliminate obstacles for the sake of our objective. That's all..."

She spoke in a low voice that seemed to echo from the abyss.

"What is your goal... Shadow, what do you intend to do with the world!?"

Shadow’s expression moves for the first time at Alexia’s question.

He smiled a little.

Then she swung her jet-black sword to the side. Beyond it was an eerie device in the fog.

A metallic sound echoed as the device was cut in half.

"The collar..."

I look over to see Alexia and Claire’s collars broken.

"Shadow!"
When I turn around, Shadow is gone. I can’t find any trace of him anywhere anymore.

"If only I were stronger..."

Alexia clenches her fists hard.

"Miss Claire... are you okay?"

Christina supported Claire.

"Y-Yes..."

Claire clutches her stomach as she speaks. She might need treatment.

"Princess Alexia, let's get out of here. I wonder where the exit is..."

Just then, I heard footsteps from the fog.

"Hey. I finally found you...!"

From there appeared Nina, a petite girl.

"Nina... Thank goodness. Where have you been?"

Despite the pain, Claire’s face broke into a smile.

"Sorry, sorry. I just barely managed to get away from Isaac, but I got lost. But I found an exit."

“Tee-hee-hee.” Nina laughed and pointed at the exit.

"I can count on you. Shall we go?"

Alexia says and turns her back on me. In that moment, Nina moves quickly.

Alexia falls first. Next, Claire and Christina fall at almost the same time.

It was a frighteningly fast move.

Nina looked down at the three unconscious men and murmured

"Geez, what a waste of time."

She let out a small sigh, then turned toward the fog and changed her voice.

"I'm ready... Zeta-sama."

And then, a golden-haired beastman and a pink-blond girl appeared.

"Good work. Why don't you go into the Shadow Garden as well?"

Wictoria addressed Nina.

"If it's just the numbers, I can become one in no time..."

Nina looked at Zeta in confusion.

"Nina is better off not being in the Shadow Garden. It's precisely because she can move on her own that she
betrays us."
Zeta said.

"Then, I will continue as I have always been."

"Yeah. I'll be Claire-sama's best friend as always. Until the time comes..."

"...Yes."

Nina made a white robe out of her slime and pulled her hood low over her head. Then she picked up the
unconscious Claire and proceeded to the innermost door of the Sanctuary.

Zeta gave the order, fixing Claire to a pedestal engraved with ancient script.

I poured magic into the pedestal, and flames lit up to the left and right of the door.

"I can't back down now."

Nina turned to Zeta.

"Yeah."

"But Lady Alpha's policy is..."

"Alpha is naive. In her way, the evil ones will cling to her, and the world will repeat its mistakes. So, we will rule
the world... so that no mistakes will ever occur again."

The zeta stared at the flames on the pedestal, as if imagining something beyond the many swaying flames.

"Shado-sama, who has gained eternal life, will become a god. There is no need for holy religion in this world. We
will preach new teachings."

Wictoria said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"...Is this really okay?"

"This is our mission."

Muttering that, Zeta poured magic into the pedestal.

The magical symbols on the pedestal danced, connecting it to the chain-sealed door.

The chain creaked as it shone.

"Guuuuh! Gah......!"

Claire, fixed on the pedestal, trembled.

The girl’s red eyes opened wide, and her face twisted in pain as she screamed.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

"Claire!"

Nina sidled up to Claire.

"Zeta-sama, Claire!"
"It's just a rejection reaction. It'll settle down soon."

"But..."

"Her body is essential to controlling the revived Diabolos."

And then, little by little, the chain broke.

A new sinister magic circle appeared in Claire’s right hand.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

Claire screamed.

At the same time, the chain shattered into pieces, and the door at the far end opened.

There was nothing there. It was just an endless expanse of darkness.

Claire’s magic circle shines brightly.

"It was a success."

Wictoria flashed a bewitching smile.

"Your right arm and your left arm are together. Nina, you stay close to Claire-sama and keep an eye on her."

The zeta carefully examines the magic circle engraved on Claire.

"So... this is your choice, Zeta-sama..."

Nina muttered to herself. She wiped Claire’s unconscious sweat off her face.

"Alpha and I... We'll find out which choice is correct sooner or later."

With that, Zeta turned her back on me and started walking.

"Until the time comes, we will lurk in the shadows..."

And then, she disappeared into the depths of the deep darkness.

I was in a pure white space.

She was satisfied that she had been able to play a good role and fight for the first time in a while.

That old terrorist's sword was pretty interesting. So that's what it means to be old.

It was cool, so I opened and closed it, but thanks to that, I was able to connect to the best finish possible.

Learning enemy techniques in the middle of a battle, then retaliating with them. This is also romantic.

And Suzuki's performance was also wonderful.

By impersonating him, the depth of Shadows has increased, hasn't it? He appears and disappears, and there are
shadows in places with light. He truly is a powerful man in the shadows.

While I was thinking about that, I found myself here.

"This is..."
I look around.

I recognize this place. It's where I met Violet-san, a child.

"Hey, we meet again."

In the middle of the white space was a small girl hugging her knees.

She was covered in wounds.

"...Are you okay?"

I poured my magic into her, healing her wounds.

"Uuu..."

The girl looked up.

Her face was stained red with tears of blood.

"...Thank you."

"You're welcome. What happened?"

"Nothing. It's the same as always."

"I see."

"Yeah."

She looked up at me and smiled.

"We finally meet, Onii-chan."

"Finally?"

"It's because I'm strong at the center."

"Hmm... That's right, this."

Saying that, I took a red jewel out of my pocket.

"It's important, isn't it?"

"...Are you sure?"

"100 million zeni. You can pay for your promotion."

"Thank you."

Saying that, the girl took the red jewel.

"I've been waiting for this."

"I see. Can I ask what it is?"

"This is..."
The girl laughed.

The corners of her lips hung up like a crescent moon.

"This is... my..."

The girl’s face twisted like an ugly monster’s, and then ominous magical energy overflowed.

The pure-white space was being painted black.

The girl moved her lips slightly and muttered.

“ Malice.”
I couldn’t hear her voice, but the girl definitely said so.

And then, dark emotions swirled.

Men, women, old men, and children appeared one after another, disparaging the girl. But in the next, they were
transformed into a messy lump of flesh by some unknown monster.

It repeated hundreds or thousands of times, and before I knew it, I was standing on the roof of the school.

It's the place where I first met Violet.

I could see the setting sun in the distance.

It was an ordinary, peaceful school.

"Hmm... Maybe I shouldn't have given it to you?"

I tilted my head.

The silver-haired girl was looking down at the schoolyard with those red eyes.

"All we got from investigating the Knights of Favonius was the testimonies of the students. We didn't find any
evidence..."

The silver-haired girl leaned against the empty classroom window and murmured.

"So, why did you call me here?"

In addition to the silver-haired girl, there was an ordinary boy with black hair in the classroom.

"Because you're also involved."

"That's why I was sleeping in the dorm, and there was nothing wrong..."

"Only Claire hasn't woken up since then. The knights want to hear about it."

"Oh, it's about Nee-san. But I don't know anything, so there's nothing to talk about."

"Yeah. You really don't know anything. You don't know what's going on in this world, or how deep the darkness of
the world is..."

Saying that, the silver-haired girl smiled a little.

"Like I said, there's no point in asking me."

"The Knights of Favonius don't think they'll gain anything from it. It's just a matter of form."

"...That's fine, then."

The black-haired boy sounded dissatisfied.

A cold winter wind blew in through the window, fluttering the girl’s beautiful silver hair.

"It's cold, so I want you to close it."

"Hey, pooch."

The silver-haired girl ignored the black-haired boy’s request and continued the conversation.

"I'm really jealous of how peaceful you are."

"Is that sarcasm?"

"No. I wish for peace."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

The silver-haired girl smiled as the black-haired boy replied.

A black-haired boy was called from outside the classroom.

"Okay. The knights are calling for you, so let's go."

The black-haired boy put his hand on the classroom door.

"Hey, pooch."

The silver-haired girl called out to stop him.

"...Have you ever wanted eternal life?"

"I really want it."

With a groan, the boy’s head flipped around at an incredible speed.

"I-I see."

"If I can get my hands on it, I don't mind destroying the world."

"I was wrong to ask you."

"Let me know if you find her."

The black-haired boy said that with a straight face and left the classroom.

Left alone, the silver-haired girl let out a small sigh.

"Eternal life, huh... Shadows aren't snobs like pooch. If Shadows want eternal life, then the world..."

The silver-haired girl looked up at the sky.

The stagnant gray sky stretched on forever.

“I wanted to be a powerful person in the shadows!” Thank you so much for purchasing Volume 5. And I’m sorry to
keep you waiting.

Over a year and a half had passed since the previous volume, and a lot of things had been going on in the
meantime: stories about TV anime adaptations and video game adaptations.

As of December 2022, the TV anime is being broadcast well. As the original author, I've been involved, but I've
made it a very wonderful anime.

To everyone on the anime staff, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude. Thank you very
much.
And the truth is, Master of Gardens, the game project for this work, was also proceeding in secret.

In The Seven Yin Retsuden, which depicts Nana and the others' exploits in a voluminous story, I have overseen
all the stories.

Furthermore, in the main story of re-examining the main story, I forced you to add my own writing scenario.

We're currently in the middle of a service delivery.

There are a lot of stories that weren't told in the original, so I'd be happy if you played with them.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the game staff. Thank you very much.

Furthermore, it has been decided that the figures will be made into figures. The two of them, Alpha and Beta, will
become figures. This one is of excellent quality as well.

We've decided on a lot of other projects, including the commercialization of goods, and a lot of things have
happened in the past year and a half.

Among them, the editor in charge of supporting the writing of the fifth volume, which hasn’t progressed at all, with
two tripods. And Tozai-sensei, who’s always drawn the best illustrations and materialized the world of “I Want to
Be a Shadow Powerful Person!” Araki-san of the Balcolony, who’s decorated this book with a wonderful design.
I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who’s been waiting for me.

Thank you so much!

...Furthermore, I’m writing the sixth volume sharply so that it can be delivered faster than the fifth! See you later!

Daisuke Ouzawa