Chapter 158 (2/2)

”Ah… ahyauu…”

The man dropped to the ground, creating a large pool of blood.

”Wha!?”

”N-no, f.u.c.kin…”

”D-did this guy just punch a hole through…”

”Hyai…!”

Splich, splich.

The boy walked on the the b.l.o.o.d.y floor.

”— Done?”

He taunted the men, still grinning.

The remaining mens' faces stiffened.

”G.o.dd.a.m.n… w-we'll take 'im down with all of us!!”

”D-don't mess with me!!”

”D-Die, f.u.c.ker, dieeee!!!”

”H-hyi-hyeeeeeeee!!”

Four shadows converged on the boy. The flame in the lamp flickered.

— Dancing shadows.

Once the flame regained its calm, on the floor of the cellar lay 5 corpses with holes for a chest.

”— looks like we're done.”

No one answered now.

Splich, splich. The boy stepped over the blood as he walked away.

155. Soul Searching

I had left the kingdom of Midgar where I was born and raised, and now, have ended up in a concentration camp in Oriana. In this unknown land where not a soul knew me, I sought to find myself.

That's what this was after all. I journey of soul searching.

All the actions I've taken in my life has been for one purpose: to be a power in the shadows.

But am I truly on the correct path to reach my ultimate goal?

Is there not something more I can do?

I've had various thoughts on the matter, and I've narrowed it down to one thing that I believe I currently lack.

That is— Overwhelming might.

A power in the shadows must be strong. That is a given fact.

The issue is how to display that strength to the fullest.

Instakill my foes— the simplest idea. But it's dull and boring.

Show them power beyond imagination— of course I will. But that's still not enough.

Be unharmed no matter what the enemy dishes at me— YES! This!

As a power in the shadows, I will let them know despair by showing that their attacks mean nothing to me, then use power beyond imagination to instakill my foes!

The point is to make sure the enemy has exhausted all their trump cards, and being fine regardless. That is the moment when they will drown in despair and truly lose to me, and any witness to such a feat would surely gain an instinctive sense of overwhelming might that is a power in the shadows.

So the question is, have I done that for my enemies so far?

Have I sent them to the pits of despair?

I have not.

This was what I was lacking all this time! Overwhelming might!

With that reasoning in mind, I tested it out with those 5 hoodlums, taunting them to give me everything they had. It wasn't enough. It was not enough.

What am I doing trying to get some level 1 convict to throw out trump cards?

I should just instakill low-level plebs like that.

Here I was expecting those last 4 could launch a special combo suicide move or something. Imagine my disappointment.

Instakill any mobs, that's how a power in the shadow rolls.

And for boss characters, I make sure they exhaust everything they have, that's also how a taepodong dongs.

Though I'd need to kill some of them faster too. Depends on how much I can handle really. Gotta always adapt to the situation and get the best out of it. That's how a power in the shadows should be.

And doing that, I'll be one step closer to my supreme goal.

Happy with the knowledge that I'd learned and grown, I was on a stroll in the camp courtyard.

The icicles glistened under the morning sun.

My breath was white in the cold air.

Oops. Stepped on a body. Dead from frostbite.

Ah, what a refres.h.i.+ng morning.

As such, I was blending in with the all my other mob campmates when I noticed a familiar presence.

”Hm?”

Perhaps noticing me turning around, the other party did the same.

”—Eh?”

For a few moments, we stared at each other.

He… no, she looked like a man at a glance.

Her prison clothes were dirty and her head was wrapped up in a cloth, revealing only her amber eyes.

She was disguising herself to hide any feminine curves.

Epsilon uses her slime bodysuit to do something similar. Well, the opposite actually.

Yes, I know her.

”Miss… Rose.”

”C-Cid…”

Both of us were surprised.

After the thing at the G.o.d of War Fest, she was working part-time for Mitsugos.h.i.+ Co. as I recall.

Then how come she's here….?

Oh… I see. So she's been thinking too.

You can't be working part-time forever.

She's clearly thinking constructively about her future.

And so, she's also on a journey of soul searching.

She quit her job and is here— to take back her country.

In the first place, her killing the king was the start of all this.

So her being here is not surprise at all…

”Miss Rose… So, you're…”

I was so amazed by her resolve that I was at a loss for words.

Incidentally, the mana sealing collar on her neck was a fake.

Which means that she too infiltrated this camp. And gathering all these clues, there is only one conclusion to arrive at.

She, Rose Oriana— is OWL.

156. Sorry, Ya Lost Me.

”Cid… Why are you here, of all places…” Said Miss Rose, eyes wide in surprise.

”Uh, I was worried for a friend and travelled here. Then they said I was suspicious and…” I said in mob-like stutters, trying to get across the feeling that I got mistakenly involved.

”S-so, you were that worried for me…?”

”Huh? Uh, I mean…”

I just said 'a friend', not her in particular, but, actually, isn't her misunderstanding sort of convenient for now?

”Yes, that's right. I was so worried after what happened…”

”Cid…” She looked at me earnestly. ”I'm so sorry, because of me you ended up in this sort of place… Still, to think you could tell it was me right away…”

She finished with a slight smile.

”Oh, never mind me. I did this on my own accord so.”

”No, this is wrong! I, I… I can't… return anymore…”

She shook her head furiously, amber eyes stained in tears.

”Can't return?”

”…Please, just forget about me.”

”Eh…?”

”… I'm sorry, I can't say why. If I do, even you'd become involved…”

”Um, I don't understand.”

Sorry, ya totally lost me there.

”My feelings are still the same. On the last day we spoke, I said I wanted you to believe in me. And you did. You even came all the way here. And that's enough for me. I won't ask for anything more. So… please… I, I don't want you to get hurt because of me…”

Miss Rose tightly held my hands.

”Cid, you don't need to worry about me anymore. I'll make sure you escape from this camp. So please. Just, just forget about me…”

”… Okay.”

I nodded seriously.

Yeah, she's technically a criminal after all. A mob isn't someone involved with criminals.

Still, it's surprising how far she'd go to take the throne.

Very well. I should help out in a way that she succeeds.

”Thank you for understanding. You and I don't know each other… We're complete strangers and our paths with never cross again…”

”… Of course.”

”Farewell.”

She said, still smiling. The tears in her amber eyes rolled down her cheeks.

”Farew—”

I was about to also bid farewell when,

”Oi, you the one called Cid?”

Someone roughly grabbed my shoulder and turned me around.

”Yes, that is me…?”

All of a sudden, people from the Doem Camp were surrounding me.

”You're the brat Marco hired, right?”

”… Marco?”

Do I know a Marco?

”Don't play dumb!! Yer the one those guys called out!!”

The man grabbed me by the collar and looked mad.

”Eh, please, I don…”

I really don't know a Marco. People are misunderstanding things a lot today.

I made a stealthy glance at Mr. Zack, and and he just gave me a nod.

What's that supposed to mean? Why did you nod, man?

”Quiet down.”

Someone put a hand on the angry man's shoulder.

”Boss…”

It was the gray haired handsome man I saw in the cellar. Their leader.

”I am Maximilian. I run things around here. Five men have recently approached you for a task, no?”

”Uh…”

Oh. The drug and kidnap the princess mission.

Yeah, they all suddenly got holes in their chests so mission failed I guess.

”Those five were mysteriously killed last night.”

”A…!”

Wait, am I a suspect?

”You will tell us everything.”

Said Maximilian in a tone that won't take no for an answer.

”Y-yes…”

And so I nodded in a.s.sent. And with my shoulder still held, I was about to be taken away.

Which is when,

”Move it.”

One of the Maximilian's men shoved Miss Rose aside as she was standing blankly in the way.

”Ah…” I voiced worriedly.

”Hm? Do you know him?”

”…No.” I shook my head as she hid away her face. ”I don't know him.”

”Move along.”

I was then pushed to go wherever they would take me.

Behind me, I could feel her gaze on me the whole way.

157. Action Spy

Like that, I was brought into the cellar.

I was seated down on a chair with the underling's iron grip still on my shoulder. Around me were faces of the Doem Camp. In front of me stood Maximilian.

”Now…” The bossman looked down at me with cold eyes. ”Those five I mentioned. We found them this morning with their chests pierced through. You don't happen to know anything about that, do you?”

I could see traces of the blood from yesterday on the floor.

”I, I don't know anything, sir… please believe me!”

”Then tell me, what were you doing last night? Were you not supposed to drug the princess and bring her here?”

Ah, looks like he knows about that.

”Yes, I was indeed told to do just that. But I… I just couldn't…”

”So the nerves got you.” Maximilian said, his gaze turning sharper. ”And then, a coward like you had the audacity to carefreely stroll around in the camp. One would imagine you would go into hiding… no?”

”Hm…?”

H-he's right!

Me acting like I had this morning isn't something a mob like me should've been doing.

You're brilliant, Maximilian.

”N-no, that wasn't! I really was scared and…”

”You certainly looked fine to me. Until my men and I arrived, you looked not the least bit scared. Now, you will speak what you know.”

Maximilian drew his knife. The sharp blade glinted in the flame of the sole lamp.

Right. So I've failed.

Too bad. Let's kill them now.

I was about to go Shadow-mode and unleash slime h.e.l.l on them when— I sensed her coming.

Not a moment later, the lamp went dark.

”Someone's there!!”

She had arrived.

Wearing a pitch black slime bodysuit, with her slime sword, she launched a fierce attack towards Maximilian.

”d.a.m.n you…!”

Maximilian also reacted fast to the sudden a.s.sault.

He quickly turned and avoided the blade coming for his neck, then jumped back to take distance.

It wasn't a perfect dodge however, as blood gushed from his shoulder.

”b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You must be… OWL. And you're a woman.”

She didn't answer.

Some of the other men were already down on the floor near her. She's gotten more skilled.

”Hmph, seems you've made it easier for me.”

Maximilian took out a sword from a crate.

He fell into a loose stance and observed his opponent. Yup, he's somewhat skilled too.

”… Surround her.”

The remaining men also found swords and did as their boss had commanded.

If they'd been holding guns instead of blades, it would've been like some spy movie action scene.

So exciting.

I gulped in antic.i.p.ation.

And Maximilian made the first move.

He quickly closed the distance# and thrust his sword.

The point didn't reach her, as she had swiftly evaded with a half step and cut down a man who came from behind her.

As she did, Maximilian made his next move.

The man's swordplay was sharp and precise.

No risky, flamboyant movements. A logical sword. I didn't think I'd see this sort of sword in Oriana of all places.

The kingdom of Oriana had a culture of looking down on magiswordsmans.h.i.+p. The magiswords in of this country were either people of the lowest caste, or foreign mercenaries.

So what martial art does the high cla.s.s practice you ask? It's called blade dancing.

Yes, that's right, I said dancing.

They take a sword, and they dance with it.

Imagine figure skating while holding a sword, that's basically what it amounts to. Being the Country of Art, in Oriana, they hold blade dancing duels and victory goes to the most beautiful dance.

It goes without saying that blade dancing is total weaksauce in a real fight.

But for the people here, it seems that beauty is strength.

I mean, I can see how it could make sense, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say.

Whatever.

Basically, this is why I was surprised with Maximilian's swordplay. It made sense. At the very least, it made sense not in the Oriana kingdom way. One could claim it's the start of a new era for the nation.

He was using such a sword to a.s.sail OWL.

Swords sparks lit up moments of the dark cellar, and he was landing glancing strikes on the girl's body suit.

Maximilian was using numbers to his advantage to give her no s.p.a.ce to maneuver.

”Give up while you can. You will not win.”

Huh, things aren't looking too good for her. He's a handsome guy after all.

As I was thinking that, she made her attack.

Maximilian easily dodged, as he had much more s.p.a.ce to work with. He was taking full advantage of the stage.

He was far enough that the slash wouldn't reach.

Yet, suddenly— her sword extended.

”—!!”

If Maximilian hadn't craned his neck to dodge, his face would've had a hole in it.

The slime sword only grazed him, and blood flowed from his cheek.

Maximilian had barely dodged, but that position broke his balance and he had to step further back.

Taking advantage of the inattention, the girl swept away the men around her, cut down the cellar door and ran out.

”After her! Now!!” Maximilian roared, and his remaining man chased after her.

”Boss, what do we do with the kid?”

One of them said, noticing me.

”OWL takes priority. We won't need him anymore if we can capture her. Do not let her get away!”

Saying that, Maximilian also ran out.

Suddenly, I was the only person in the whole cellar.

”…What to do…”

Things were getting rather busy upstairs.

158. Cut Down Anything!

It'd been much too soon to make her move.

Rose ran across the camp hallways, still sensing pursuers behind her.

Her mission was to take Clara, the flag of the Royalists, and deliver her to her faction's army waiting outside of the city.

Originally, that role had belonged to Rose herself.

However, currently, Rose couldn't be considered an ally of Oriana under any pretense.

She was, after all, the traitor who murdered their king. The public already knew Rose as such.

She held no ability to lead her people anymore.

She could only remain in the shadows, never to return.

But she still wished to devote herself to her country.

For that reason, she had volunteered to take part on this mission.

To use her life for her people.

But then, he had appeared suddenly.

Cid Kageno.

The boy she had once wished to spend her life with.

That boy had worried for her, going so far as to travel to Oriana. When she learned of that fact, the emotions hidden in her heart became turbulent.

The happiness that he had sought her out.

The regret that she had caused him harm.

And mostly— grief towards his feelings that she could no longer answer.

No matter how deeply she loved him, she could no longer be with him. She was a criminal. Getting involved with her would surely lead him to misfortune.

So, she had resolved herself to give up, and yet—

They met. And Rose's feelings were raging to point of pain.

She wanted to dive into his chest without a care.

But she couldn't.

For after the momentary bliss, only cruel, merciless reality.

Thus, no matter how it tore apart her hear, Rose told him clear words of parting.

And it was supposed to be over with that, it was—

Until Maximilian took him. The inside of Rose's head had went blank.

Maximilian was a dangerous man.

He was one of the Named Children of the Order of Diabolos and held the t.i.tle 'Coldblood'. He was also allied to Doem who held the reins of the anti-Royalist Faction.

On the face of it, he was one of Doem's underlings, but within the Order, their positions were that of equals. As such, they were fellow compet.i.tors.

Word was that, based on the results of their occupation of Oriana, one of them may get promoted to a seat of the Rounds.

In other words, even they were underlings to a degree.

A Knight of the Rounds apparently also has a hand in Oriana's current turmoil— one Sir Mordred.

Shadow Garden has been scouring everywhere for this Sir Mordred, without any results.

But this man held a very prominent position within the Order, that is known for certain.

The aim of Shadow Garden is to find and eliminate him.

To do that, Shadow Garden has been aiding the Royalists take back Oriana so as to drive the Doem Faction to a corner.

Which evidently leads Rose's own goal of protecting her country.

Rose was well aware of her duty. She was.

But before she had realized, she had already drawn her sword at Maximilian.

—I can't.

—I should still bide my time.

—I need to find Clara and take her out of here.

No matter how much she tried to reason with herself, her feelings had won out overwhelmingly.

I've got to save him!!

Which leads us to the present.

Surely, soon enough, the whole camp would know that OWL had infiltrated the premises.

Rose was still worried whether her sister Clara would believe in her.

Plus, the matter of the traitor among those around the princess. Rose had wanted to eliminate that danger before contacting Clara… that wouldn't be happening now.

”There she is!!”

”Over here!!”

Behind her were Maximilian's men, and in front of her stood armed guards.

Never stopping, Rose readied her black blade—

”Haaahhhh!!”

Cutting down any obstacle.

159. Beacon of Revolt

The camp was in a frenzy.

Guards were running every which way, and sounds of destruction could be heard from the courtyard and halls.

Clara, who was in her private quarters, spoke. ”Is it true that the OWL has appeared?”

The princess's pink blond hair shook in the cold wind.

”It appears so, milady. For some time now, the guards have been shouting that they'd found this OWL.” said Guin standing at her side.

”Right...”

Meaning that OWL was in a bad situation.

While they usually opted on the side of caution, it might also be prudent to see this as an opportunity.

Clara had to make a decision now. For Oriana, and for the loyal retainers who had followed her all this time.

”What do you all think we should do?” She queried the people of the Royalist Faction surrounding her.

”We must save the OWL and escape together! We will surely be able to join back with the army!”

”We don't yet know whether this OWL is enemy or ally! We should wait and see!”

”The guards are all busy outside! We have to make our move now or never!”

”We mustn't make rash decisions! Think of the greater cause!”

Her retainers staunchly voiced their respective stances.

Guin said calmly, ”We must have caution. We do not know if OWL is an ally. And even if we do save him, there is no guarantee we can escape the camp with his aid.”

Then, they all turned to Clara.

”Your highness, what do you wish to do?”

And demanded her decision.

Clara felt her chest tighten as if her heart was being squeezed.

She glanced around the room, looking at each of her people's faces.

More of them favored the wait and see approach. It was a matter of course. They wouldn't have a second chance. Failure most a.s.suredly meant death.

And Clara understood that the chance of success was not favorable.

Still—

If they don't act now, would they even get another chance so opportune?

As things stood, they were on the palm of Doem's hand. Who knew if they'd all be sent for the guillotine tomorrow?

Was it really fine to let go of this chance in uncertain hopes for the next?

Had those who wanted to wait not realized that the chances of a similar event happening were exceedingly low?

Clara closed her eyes and contemplated. Her hands felt awful with sweat.

Perhaps it was that these people had gotten too accustomed to the camp? She was sure they had a stronger sense of danger during the time when they were first put here.

They no longer had the leisure of choosing their opportunity— was what Clara believed.

Then again—

Clara once again looked at the faces of her people.

Yes, most did want to wait. They were older and better experienced, they were the majority.

Clara was but a la.s.s of 15.

Weren't their opinions more learned and wiser than her own?

Furthermore, were she to ignore the majority outright, wouldn't they doubt her judgement as a liege?

And if that happened, the Royalist Faction would fracture.

Yes, Clara should just listen.

Yes, if she listens, then they won't…

”I, I believe we should...”

”— Your Highness.” A man had spoken up, interrupting her.

He was a man in his middle years, a man with skin bronzed by years of work under the sun.

”Listening to everyone's opinion is good. But you shouldn't stare at their faces so much.”

His speech was hoa.r.s.e and unrefined, yet had a certain nostalgic feeling for her.

”Batt...” Clara spoke his name.

He was the gardener that Clara had known since childhood. He knew neither politics, not war. What he could do, and do well, was make the royal gardens a stunning sight to see.

Yet it was his words that rang most true for her.

Recently, she'd developed a habit of checking everyone's faces and expressions.

She wasn't confident in herself.

She was scared.

She wanted to rely on something outside herself…

”Gardener! Milady didn't ask your words!” Guin glared at Batt.

”Stop that! He too is one of us.”

”How so? He's a mere gardener. What can he do?”

”He is because he's here. A mere gardener had no reason to follow me here. And yet Batt did. Because he too believed in me.”

”So what if he did. It would be foolish to glean a gardener's wisdom.”

”I said stop, Guin. Not another word about that.”

Clara and Guin locked eyes. Guin looked away first.

”... My apologies, milady.”

”It's fine. I know you always mean the best for us.”

Saying that, Clara once again gathered her thoughts.

She went to the root of it, what was her goal, what did she want to accomplish.

For a single instant, she remembered her childhood, where she, batt and her sister played together in the beautiful royal gardens.

If it was her, she would…

”We will help OWL, and escape. This is our chance, we must give it everything.”

Glancing at Batt, she saw him smiling.

”Very well. Men, you've followed Princess Clara until now, what say you? Are you ready!?”

”Ready as can be!”

”We've been waiting patiently for this very day. Let us show those usurpers they can't hold us down!”

The men all stood.

From a secret compartment in the wall, they picked up hidden weapons.

Even Clara received a sword of her own.

She couldn't use it, of course. But just the act of her holding a blade had meaning in itself.

”Now, let us raise the beacon of revolt.”

The daily life in the camp ended at this moment.

160. I Can Hear Him But From Where…

By the time I climbed upstairs, what I saw was as expected, chaos.

”R-run 'n hide!! They got swords!!”

”No, we gotta escape, ya dingus!! It's now or never!!”

The numerous prisoners in the courtyard where shoving over one another.

I was caught up by the wave of feet and trampled.

And splendidly at that. Very mob.

”Boof!? Agaagagaaaaa!!”

Oh, this kind of reminds me of newscasts where they report people dying in mosh pits and such.

I wouldn't though.

”Urgh!! Elgh!! Buffo!!”

I was kicked around like a soccer ball and spat blood everywhere.

And once the storm pa.s.sed, I lay there like a piece of driftwood.

”Hwah!? C-Cid!? What happened!?”

While I was sated of my mobly desires, Clara came and shook me awake.

”Ugh, my head...”

”Oh, thank goodness you're alive. I'm so sorry, you got swept up again because of our...”

She propped me up against an unpopulated wall.

”Don't fret, I'll come back for you soon. For now, I have to complete my duty.”

She then stood up and turned her eyes towards the courtyard.

She was watching the Royalists, her people, holding weapons and fighting the camp guards.

”Show no mercy!! We're getting out of here!!”

”Move your feet, time is of the essence!!”

Swinging their swords, they cut down their captors.

And it wasn't only those of the Royalist Faction that were fighting there. Even the rabble, who didn't belong to any faction, were taking the opportunity to give the guards a piece of their fists.

”f.u.c.k! Where'd they get those weapons…!!”

”This isn't looking good, call in reinforcements!!”

Clearly outnumbered, the guards were quickly losing ground.

To the eye, it seemed that the Royalists had the upper hand in this field.

However, I was sensing a large number of people approaching from outside the walls. Most likely, reinforcements for the guards. Some of them were magiswords too.

Magiswords are going to snuff out this riot instantly.

All the camp prisoners had mana sealing collars, after all.

A magisword against an ordinary civilian is like pitting an adult against a child. The child being the certain loser.

”Good. We're pus.h.i.+ng them back!!”

”Now, let's get the OWL and we can—!”

And then, mere moments before they had overpowered the guards— the gates to the outside opened.

Revealing armed reinforcements charged with suppressing them.

”Halt!! Drop your weapons and surrender!!”

”Ha? Reinforcements!? Why now—!”

”This is bad. We didn't expect them so soon...”

Yeah, I also felt like they got here a bit too fast. But now that it's happened, the tables were all but turned.

”No— We should have more time still. So why...”

Clara's face was that of frustration.

Looks like she also didn't expect to be stopped at this point.

In trained movements, the newly arrived guards encircled the premises.

”W-we're innocent!”

The factionless who had been going with the flow, all gave up instantly.

”T-that's right, we weren't planning to...”

And they were so lively just minutes before.

Anyway, only the Royalists still looked like they had some fight in them. Their faces were grim one and all, but nevertheless kept a hold on their weapons.

”Final warning, drop your weapons.”

Said a man who seemed to be the head guard.

The Royalists still wanted to fight, but they had no chance.

”Sorry Cid. I need to go.”

Clara whispered to me. Then she stood up, firmed her resolve, and stepped forward as the Royalist leader.

And it ended just like that… or so it should have. Making sure no one was watching, I made my own preparations.

”Everyone, that's enough...”

Standing in front of her loyal retainers, Clara spoke.

And that's when I, erasing my presence, used super speed and took on Shadow's voice.

”—Seems the fight is over.”

Shadows voice resounded from everywhere.

”Huh? What was that!?”

”Who's there!? Show yourself!!”

”I can hear him but from where!?”

With my presence completely concealed, no one here should see me.

”—Do you not have a duty to fulfil?”

This is exactly what I wanted to do.

The moment when all hope seems lost, a voice from the shadows makes its entrance!

”What is going on? Is that the OWL?”

”No, that isn't OWL.”

”Just find him! He's got to be close!”

The rabble are going into a slow panic. Nice.

”—Know that your sister still fights. So long as you don't falter, surely you will reunite…”

”Eh, my sister…? Wait, who are you!?”

I replied with power in my voice.

”My name is Shadow… I lurk in the shadows, hunting the shadows...”

”You're shadow!? The one who appeared at the G.o.d of War Festival…?”

”Shadow!? The man said to have defeated Beatrix, that Shadow…?”

”T-there's no way! Why the h.e.l.l would Shadow be here!?”

”Shadow being here means, isn't Shadow Garden allied with the royals…?”

Yes, YES, hype it up!

”—If you lack power, let me loosen your shackles.”

I said, launching the many pieces of slime I prepared underground, and breaking every single mana sealer at once.

”T-the collar...”

”B-but how, it's completely destroyed...”

”So it's true, he really is Shadow… why…? No, this is our chance!”

As the hundreds of collars broke and fell, I said some final words.

”—Struggle, fight. Grasp your fate with your own two hands...”

I then let off explosive mana, dying the courtyard a brilliant purple.

161. My Time to s.h.i.+ne?

So began the counterattack.

The men of the Royalist Faction surged up their mana and began attacking the guards.

”Triple Tornado Slas.h.!.+”

They shouted out their special move names like the above. This one apparently required you to spin in the air three times before swiping down your sword.

The whole thing looked extremely r.e.t.a.r.ded, but that's what magiswords be.

The guards weren't falling behind much either.

”Swayback Spin!!” Yelled another man, dodging a thrust from a guard. Right, good dodge, I'll give you that.

But do you have to keep spinning like a ballerina?

Both offense and defense seemed to involve lost of dance and rhythm.

I mean, sure, as an enterprising power in the shadows, I too put value in the performance, but too much is careless and unnecessary.

”b.u.t.terfly Step!!”

”Death Spiral!!”

It seems shouting out the name each and every time is also part of it.

Let's just say it's like the ”Men, dou, kote!!#” in kendo.

The type of 'strength' I'm going for is completely different from what they consider strength, but actually witnessing it is sort of refres.h.i.+ng in a way. Just goes to how that everyone has a different way they see fighting.

As a matter of fact, even though it looks to me like they're messing around, they're all completely serious.

But along with actually winning, they also try to present beauty in their sword.

For them, true victory consists of also beating the opponent in style.

They have mutual rules that both parties agreed to adhere to.

So honestly, I shouldn't make fun of it too much.

Anything goes in a fight, and might is right— that is my way. That is how I choose to fight.

But that shouldn't mean I can just deny any other forms of fighting.

It's been a long time since I had a chance to observe a style so different from my own. It's exciting.

Go for it!!

Yeah, you too, enemy team!!

Nice, now, a swift kick to the b.a.l.l.s!!

What are you doing spinning there, go for the nuts!!

Argh, fine, then stab the eyes, now's your chance!!

Stop spinning already, what the h.e.l.l man!!

Sink your teeth in, right in the jugular!!

Daamn, he keeps spinning… fine, you do you.

Hey, maybe striking the crotch and eyes are forbidden or something. Can't you like, bend the rules a bit, and do it stylistically?

This kind of reminds me of the martial arts tourneys I used to watch on New Years TV. I was young and immature back then.

Oh, huh, it's almost the end of the year here too…

As I was ruminating in my thoughts, the tide of battle had once again s.h.i.+fted in favor of the Royalists.

Most of the guards are down. They aren't all severely injured but mostly exhausted of their stamina.

With all that spinning, why am I not surprised.

Also, the Royalist guys aren't delivering any finis.h.i.+ng blows to the downed enemies.

What, is that supposed to be some kind of chivalry on their part?

Like medieval knights, or sengoku samurai? I don't really get it, but they seem to have a 'way' of the blade dancer.

Perhaps these blade dancers have developed a style of fighting much more civilized that the rest of the world.

If all wars were fought this way, world peace might've been a lot less of a problem.

I wouldn't like it though.

I love the kind of world where pure and unadulterated violence beats all. What I was witnessing currently was frankly a bit too white dove for me.

Okay, looks like it's over.

”Victory for Oriana! Now, you shall stand aside.”

”D-d.a.m.n you...”

”We won, we really won...” Clara sighed in relief.

Yup, all's well that ends well. Wait, now that I think about it, I didn't get much time to s.h.i.+ne.

Ah well, it's just a concentration camp event. I'll be sure to get more chances once outside. Maybe…

So while I was considering making a forced appearance anyway, one man made his move.

”This farce has gone on long enough...”

He, one of the Royalist guys, muttered and then suddenly cut down one of his allies.

The middle aged man who was slashed down his back collapsed to the ground.

”Batt!! Stay with me, Batt…!” Clara screamed and ran over to the downed man.

”Guin!! What, why...” She thundered at the man who cut one of their own.

”He was an obstacle for my goals. That goes for you too, milady...”

”Guin, I don't understand...”

”Then let me show you.”

He then pointed the tip of his sword at Clara's neck.

”I don't plan on giving my life for a clueless la.s.s like you.”

”N-No, Guin, you told me, you said that you believed in me...”

”Well, I lied. You don't have the right to rule over others. Didn't you know? All your so-called subordinates laugh behind your back every time you look at their faces for confirmation. They call you the idiot yes-girl.”

After listening to his jeers, Clara held her head down in shame.

Right, I should come out sometime soon.

— And then.

”Good work, Guin.”

Said the gray haired man— Maximilian.

162. The Ringleader is Here!?

Thick clouds had blocked the sun, and a light flurry had begun.

”I did it for my own purposes. Following you is at least better than listening to this foolish girl.”

”Very well. I do not care either way, so long as you do as you're told.”

”I'm expecting to be well compensated once Lord Doem gains the country.”

”That you will.”

Clara could only stare in mute shock as Guin and Maximilian casually conversed.

She thought, if it was my sister, something like this would've never happened.

If in her place it was Rose, as originally intended, they wouldn't have suffered so many cruel betrayals.

Because her sister was strong, dependable, and so people believed in her.

Clara couldn't become like that no matter how much she tried.

Because she wasn't strong, Guin had betrayed her.

Because she wasn't strong, Batt was cut down.

And now, they were at the end of their rope.

”It should've been her, not me...”

Wasn't that the root cause?

She, a girl who knew nothing, couldn't have stood leading others. Her sister would've at least suspected Guin.

Even she had heard talk that a traitor may be in their midst.

But she couldn't even imagine that it'd be Guin, this man who'd served her family for so long.

Thinking back, there were many points where he seemed to be scheming something, but she'd waved those thoughts away as imaginings.

Her people had fought so hard, and they'd even gotten aid from Shadow. Yet, she still lost.

Clara was already shedding tears. She felt horrible for the people who'd put their trust in her, she fest horrible for Batt.

”Do you see this, OWL! Reveal yourself now! That is, if you care for the fate of this girl!”

Only Maximilian spoke in the courtyard slowly filling with snow.

The wind grew stronger and the snowfall increased along with it, creating a curtain of white.

”There is no one else to lead the Royalists once this girl dies. After all, all her other blood kin are gone.”

Blood, that's right, blood. Maximilian was right. Clara was only chosen for her royal blood, not because she was a good leader.

Still, there were those who genuinely believed in her, and stayed with her.

Clara wiped away her tears and looked at the cold ground where Batt lay. The blood that had spread out from under him colored the snow red as it fell.

His back was slowly moving.

He was still alive.

She might still be able to save him.

So, the fight, Clara's fight wasn't over yet.

”I will wait 10 more seconds. 10… 9… 8… 7… 6...”

Clara began thinking. What can she do?

Something, anything, she just needed to find…

”5… 4… 3…”

Clara looked around herself, and then she noticed something.

Behind Maximilian stood a man of the Doem Camp. The man who had warned her about the traitor among her people.

He was looking at Clara, he was awaiting her order to strike.

Clara nodded.

Yes, there was still someone who believed in her.

”2… 1...”

Maximilian stopped counting.

”...What is the meaning of this, Zack?”

Zack was holding a knife at Maximilian's throat.

”See that gardener lyin' b.l.o.o.d.y over there… That's my pops.” Zack spoke with wrath wreathing his voice.

”Oh, so you were our traiter after all… Perhaps a survivor of the secret royal guard? I recall they were all executed.”

”I'm still a trainee.”

”A weakling then… I should've been more thorough I suppose.”

”I might be weak compared to you. But even us weaklings have ways to fight. Now, kindly let Her Highness free, boss.”

Zack had her knife at Maximilian's neck, which Guin had his sword at Clara's.

”I wonder, should I…?”

Said Maximilian in a bored sigh.

163. Sigh, really didn't want to make a scene, man~

”I didn't quite plan on making a scene, quite frankly...”

Maximilian took in his surroundings with just moving his eyes.

He saw Clara at Guin's mercy, Batt bloodied and laying still, and of course, the knife at his own throat.

”Well, aren't you calm. I can slit your throat anytime I want, buddy.”

”Kuku… I suppose you think you have the upper hand now. Sad to say, I don't quite see it like that.”

”You ain't makin' sense.”

”My only concern is how much of my power I should reveal to you lot. I'd sincerely wanted to end this maintaining the face of a minor villain.”

”The face of a minor villain…? Wait, so you're involved with them… the real Evil lurking in the shadows…?”

Zack took a quick glance at the black haired boy laying propped up a side wall.

”Ho… Zack, you seem to know something you shouldn't… how unfortunate.”

”... Unfortunate?”

”Yes, indeed very unfortunate… since now I must kill everyone here.”

”-- WHAT!?”

Suddenly, Maximilian had vanished. Having lost sight of his mortal foe, Zack's knife was now stuck in thin air.

The next instant, snow flurried upwards and blood rained down.

”Gahhh…!!”

Multiple bodies fell to the white ground, dying it red.

At the center of them stood Maximilian with a sinister smile. He flicked his sword to shed off the blood.

”Y-you cut your own allies…?” Clara uttered in shock.

The ones that Maximilian had cut down were indeed-- the guards and other member of the Doem Camp.

”... Indeed. They were closer as well as complacent. If I must kill everyone other than you, then the order matters not much.”

Maximilian said easily with a shrug of his shoulders.

”What, in the blazes! I'm on your si--!”

”--You're no exception, Guin.”

Guin's head flew.

Warm blood spray hit Clara's face, and the sword at her own neck clattered to the ground.

Slowly, Guin's headless body fell backwards.

”N-no… Guin...”

Clara fell on her a.r.s.e trying to move away.

Just when they were supposed to be at a standstill, the situation had changed instantly and dramatically.

Prisoner and guard alike had been cut down without distinction… as if their lives held no value whatsoever.

They'd fallen powerlessly all by the hand of one man.

”W-what kind of… monster are you...”

”Me a monster? Surely I'm but a simple criminal, put here as punishment for my crimes. Just your average prisoner.”

”T-there's no way… you're no prisoner...”

”Kukuku… whatever do you mean?”

Maximilian looked down gleefully at Clara.

”f.u.c.kin' 'ell. Yer Highness, please run!!”

Zack picked up the sword Guin had dropped.

And without delay, he charged at Maximilian.

”I plan to leave you for last.”

”--!”

Maximilian's form blurred, and Zack's blade struck only air.

Then,

”Gahh!!”

Zack was knocked off his feet.

Blood sprayed from his back.

”Z-Zack--!!” Clara screamed.

Zack fell on the snow in agony.

”Yes, I will kill you last. Writhe in agony and watch. I will now begin culling all your comrades. I will bring you Royalists true despair...”

Clara's retainers stood before her.

”L-Lady Clara, you must escape...”

Their trembling swords told all too well their fear.

All of them knew-- they wouldn't survive Maximilian's slaughter.

”Right… suppose I shall take my time with this. Come out now, OWL. The more you hide, so much more will they die. Come out if you wish to save them. If you can defeat me, that is...”

Maximilian looked over each of Clara's people one by one.

Clara was shaking in the knees, desperate to escape.

As for Zack--

He, despite his carved back, was crawling along the snow.

He sought only one thing.

To go where he lay… at one corner of courtyard, the black haired boy.

”...P-please...”

Even as blood dripped out from his mouth, Zack clawed the snow with trembling fingers so as to approach the boy.

”Please… you're… our last, hope...”

As for the boy, he was already half covered in snow.

”Just, do something… whatever your goals are… just help us, for now...”

Finally, Zack reached where the boy lay.

”I'm beggin' ya, just save Her High...”

He swiped away the snow covering the boy.

-- And saw,

”...Huh?”

Only a lump of black slime taking his shape.

A vast burst of mana shook the earth.

164. The Power of Diabolos

Violet mana tinted the blizzard sky.

”Kuh… what monstrous mana...!!”

Maximilian grimaced feeling the raw blast of mana.

In the middle of the snow storm, one man landed onto the ground before him. A man in a jet black longcoat.

He wore a deep hood, and covered his face in a mask. He was--

”My name is Shadow… I lurk in the shadows, hunting the shadows...”

A voice as if from the depths of the abyss.

”You're… Shadow...”

Shadow Garden was a recognized threat to the Order. An hidden organization that boldly opposed them.

They had exposed the existence of the Order to the world. They couldn't be taken lightly.

Even the combat potential of Shadow Garden rivalled that of the Order. Their leaders.h.i.+p, known as The Seven, are rumored to house individuals of equal measure to a Knight of the Rounds.

And within this shadowy organization, most mysterious of all was the man Shadow himself.

Every member of the Order said to have fought him had been eliminated, and the only places he'd been witnessed, to date, were at the G.o.ddess' Challenge and the G.o.d of War Festival.

His strength was measured at… Undefeatable.

Maximilian suddenly recalled what Doem, who had witnessed Shadow first had, had said: ”It's hard to believe that thing is even human. He's like Diabolos... No wonder he noticed our existence...” Doem had rambled on like that one drunken evening.

Maximilian had dismissed it as the alcohol talking.

But now, after feeling that vast magic, he was starting to understand his colleague's fears.

”Your mana, it is certainly interesting… it far surpa.s.ses anything mere mortals can contain. And it is dense. Far denser than anything I've seen.”

Maximilian calmly scrutinized the mana that kept gus.h.i.+ng out of the man like the blizzard was carrying it away.

”Indeed, you're as impressive as the rumors claim… Greetings, Shadow...”

Maximilian's lips curved upwards.

Shadow still stood there coated in violet mana.

”I welcome you to the kingdom of Oriana. I do not know what your goals are in this land, but your luck has just run out. I am Maximilian 'Coldblood'. I specialize in people boastful of their mana such as yourself… As such, I shall dissect you thoroughly to find how exactly you hold so much!”

The next moment, Maximilian disappeared.

The ground settled snow surged upwards and a figure blurred into existence behind Shadow.

”Behind you, fool.”

Maximilian slashed Shadow clear down the back.

He felt his sword strike.

”... How?”

Shadow simply stood there, unfazed.

Then, as if that attack had been an illusion, the man in black turned and faced Maximilian.

”Oh, were you doing something…?”

”--Tsk, manahouses are always so painfully slow.”

Maximilian clicked his tongue and took distance.

”That coat must be an artifact. A good one too to have blocked my sword. I shall relieve you of it soon enough...”

Once again, Maximilian vanished.

”Over here.”

Maximilian was approaching from behind.

--But before that.

”Wrong way.”

Before Shadow could turn, Maximilian appeared from under him.

”-- Weakling.”

Maximilian's strikes came from all directions, and even from above, successively and without pause.

Shadow couldn't even react as he was cut away at from every which way.

Then finally--

”It is done.”

One last powerful blow sent Shadow to the ground.

Shadow rolled on the snow before cras.h.i.+ng on the camp wall.

”All artifacts have a limit to their endurance. Now your precious coat is finished.”

Maximilian moved his gaze from Shadow to something to the side.

”So you finally show yourself-- OWL.”

At some point, a female form had been already standing where Shadow lay collapsed-- dressed in her pitch black bodysuit, it was OWL.

165. Where is He?

”How sad, OWL. You're all but too late--”

”Kindly, shut up.”

OWL turned to Maximilian.

”... You dare.” Maximilian's tone raised in ferocity.

”You're of no concern now.”

”Foolish. Shadow is finished, and the same fate awaits you next--”

”You don't seem to realize that you've been played.”

”Played...?”

”Lord Shadow, please allow me a question.”

OWL asked Shadow who was buried rubble.

”... You may.”

Shadow answered after a pause.

Violet mana then blew away the debris, and Shadow slowly stood up.

”You! So you have that much power still--!”

Maximilian was half in a panic but in contrast, OWL was calmness itself.

”Sir, why do you not show your true power?”

”... I wished to fully judge the power of that man. For reference, as it were...”

”For reference… I understand now. I have one more thing I must ask.”

OWL asked with a tinge of anger in her tone.

Shadow nodded his a.s.sent.

”What is the meaning of this…?”

OWL blew the snow at her feet away with her sword. The powdery white pulled away to reveal a black form.

This was-- the lump of slime that had taken the form of Cid Kageno.

”Please answer truthfully. Cid… where is Cid!?”

OWL roared as if to overpower the howl of the blizzard around them. Her voice contained fierce resolve.

”That voice...” Clara stared at OWL as it to ascertain something.

OWL's attention was wholly towards Shadow however.

Shadow took a moment before answering.

”Cid is safe...”

”But where is he?”

”... Must you know?”

”--!”

Shadow and OWL stared at one another for some time. A silent tension rising between them.

Then…

”You have saved my life, granted me power, and have shown me the path I must tread. I… do not want to doubt you. So I shall trust those words… But.”

OWL paused her words to glare sharply at Shadow.

”If the words you said are false… If you've put Cid in danger… I will not forgive you!”

Shadow gave OWL as sidelong glance.

”I do not need your forgiveness. Regardless of what you may learn or think of me, my path shall not waver...”

OWL narrowed her eyes to that.

”Now… I shall return to the fight.”

Shadow looked away from her, and silently drew his sword.

”I shall return to my mission as well.”

OWL approached Clara.

”Princess Clara. My charge is to deliver you to the Royalist base of operations.”

”OWL, you… I heard say that our people had a secret plan, is that your role in all this?”

”I am not alone. We are currently aiding your faction. I had wanted to provide a proper explanation, but time is of the essence. Please follow me, this may be our last chance to leave the capital.”

Clara stared at the hand OWL had offered.

”Are you… No, nevermind… Let us go, I will trust you.”

”Your Highness, are you sure it's safe to trust her…?”

Her retainers were agitated.

”I am. After all, she should be much more...”

Clara's voice petered off on that line of thought.

”Then please follow after me. We will be heading underground and meet allies en route.”

OWL hoisted Batt onto her back and headed for the camp gates.

”Halt. You will not pa.s.s me!”

Maximilian was about to charge at OWL.

Which was when a powerful bloodl.u.s.t a.s.sailed him to the core, halting him in place.

”What-- this is unreal--!?”

Maximilian jumped from his spot in a panic.

”-- But can you pa.s.s me?”

This bloodl.u.s.t that seemed to cause tremors in the earth-- was of course that of Shadow.

He had managed to arrest Maximilian to the spot with but a glare.

”Shadow--!!”

Maximilian glared back, rage building on his face. That was all he could do.

He could only watch in spite as OWL left the premises together with the Royalists.

And once the last of them, Zack, was also leaving, the bloodl.u.s.t became even more fierce.

”--!?”

Zack s.h.i.+vered and turned around.

Shadow was looking at him.

Zack was dripping in sweat and repeatedly nodded at the man in black.

A silent conversation seemed to take place.

Then, Zack left, ran away as fast as his feet could take him...

166. Demon Lord Unleashed

”Is that your p-plan, to intimidate me? Foolish, you don't stand a chance--!”

Maximilian braved the out-of-this-world bloodl.u.s.t and rushed at Shadow.

His sword followed a straight path to the man at incredible speed. Its tip surely to pierce the throat.

-- Yet.

”-- WHAT!?”

That tip was caught between Shadow's fingers.

”Let me bestow you some advice...”

Shadow spoke in a soft voice.

”Let, go…!”

Try as he might, Maximilian couldn't dislodge his sword from between the man's fingers. It was as if the blade was stuck into a boulder. It moved not no matter how much he pushed and pulled.

”Show me all your power-- if you don't wish for a swift death...”

Shadow released the sword, causing Maximilian to pitch over and fall.

He quickly stood up and glowered at Shadow.

”You will not underestimate me…!”

He then pulled out a red lozenge and swallowed it.

”Now you'll pay for that att.i.tude. I will have you know despair.”

Maximilian's mana surged and his eyes were dyed blood red.

”Behold-- It is your death that will be swift!!”

Maximilian blurred.

He was suddenly behind Shadow.

”-- An afterimage.”

A slash faster than sound cut Shadow from behind.

It wasn't able to cut through Shadow's longcoat.

Shadow turned around.

Faster than that, Maximilian once again blurred.

”That too-- an afterimage.”

Yet again, Maximilian cut Shadow from behind.

”As I thought, you have no means of reacting to my speed. Yes, that is inevitable. I am not your average Awakened I'll have you know...”

Seeing how slowly Shadow was turning back, Maximilian spoke.

”I am no 3rd-- I am a 2nd.” He sneered and blurred once again.

”Slow! You're too slow, Shadow!! Now taste the power of a true 2nd of the Order!!”

Maximilian's voice came from all directions.

Relentlessly, he made slash after slash upon Shadow.

His afterimages seemed to be everywhere at he did.

”This is my sword-- the Coldblood Kaleidoscope!”

The myriad Maximilians in the fierce blizzard truly appeared as if he came out of a cold and deadly kaleidoscope.

”Soon enough, that artifact of yours will be exhausted! That will be your end!!”

The endless slashes had numbered to more than a thousand now.

Shadow couldn't do a thing, he just stood there and took it.

Each slash caused the snow to jump, turning everything white.

And finally, it ended.

”Huff… huff… fool.”

Maximilian wrested control of his breathing.

The ground around him was gouged.

Coldblood Kaleidoscope tended to have that effect on the landscape.

It was impossible to stay standing after a relentless onslaught like that.

Maximilian was about to sheathe his sword, when,

”WHAT--!”

Beyond the veil of snow, stood a form.

As the uplifted snow slowly drifted back to the ground, the ident.i.ty of the form was made clear.

”It's not, possible...”

That form was of course-- Shadow.

Shadow was standing there, having withstood Coldblood Kaleidoscope-- without injury.

Without a scratch on him, the man in black stood as if the fierce rush from just now was but an illusion.

”How are you uninjured after my Coldblood Kaleidoscope!? Th-this is impossible, no artifact like that could exist...”

”Artifact…? Might you be curious about this?”

Shadow said indicating his garment.

”There's no other way! I am stronger than the likes of you! Just because you have that ridiculous artifact, don't think…!”

”This, is no artifact. It is made of Slime.”

”Th-that is absurd! No Slime can withstand what I did!!”

”Correct. By itself Slime is very weak as material. However, what would happen if it were to be infused with mana of incredible proportions…?”

”H-hah, idiocy. Indeed Slimes are said to have high mana conductivity. However, handling it as material is impossible. The mana paths aren't even similar to that of a human's.”

”All too true… In that case, what if we mix in human flesh…?”

”Ah--!”

”Combining a great number of Slimes with one's own flesh. It is similar to attempting to mix oil and water. But it is possible to fuse them using mana.”

”Impossible… you merged human mana paths with that of a monster… You would need an unimaginable level of control to achieve such a feat!”

”Verily. To my knowledge, those in this world who can perform such a task-- is I and I alone.”

”-- Y-you lie! You lying scoundrel, do you think I will believe that...”

”Oh? Even if I show you this…?”

Shadow's longcoat warped.

Within the white blizzard, the jet black garment expanded to both sides like wings.

No, they were wings.

Jet black wings like that of the devil had manifested out of the coat.

”T-that… isn't, no, that's not...”

Maximilian could think of only one material able to change shape so freely.

--Slime.

And nothing else.

”M-monster… you're, you're no human, you monster!!”

His expression warping, Maximilian rushed at Shadow.

However, the blazing speed of his sword was easily stopped by the now transformed devil wings.

”Slow...”

”N-no… you can't react to my speed...”

Despair dyed Maximilian's face.

The pair of wings had split into four.

They flapped once, allowing Shadow to be lifted into the air.

Maximilian was speechless.

”Know this. The quant.i.ty of my mana is not so different from your own.”

Jet black wings flapped in the white blizzard sky.

”If well compressed, it only appears hundred-fold more powerful when released. I simply do that whenever I use it… like so.”

Shadow gathered mana in his wings.

The violet mana collected on the wings and appeared as small feathers.

”Hyii… Monster… no, Demon Lord…!”

”Quality easily trumps quant.i.ty when it concerns mana. And quality comes from control. To that end, the amount of control you can exert while you release… determines everything.”

Those feathers, were beautiful yet cruel as the devil himself--

”I. AM. ATOMIC RAIN.”

As they fell on Maximilian.

Violet mana rain dwarfed the raging snow storm.

Its light enveloped Maximilian, erased the snow and swallowed up everything.

As it fizzled out, having ended everything, only a large crater remained where the walled camp once stood.

All was quiet for a time.

Then, the jet black wings flapped, taking their bearer high into the snowy sky.

167. Mordred

Rose was quite familiar with the intricate underground escape tunnels under the capital.

After all, she'd been taught how to navigate them if it ever came to it. However, these tunnels were not connected to the concentration camp, and so, the other members of her squad had patiently dug a hole nearby to connect to it.

Rose, Clara and several others were now walking along those tunnels having jumped down the hole.

Shadow would have ample strength to deal with Maximilian. Rose couldn't imagine Shadow losing to him. If there wasn't that issue considering Cid, she would've trusted him fully even. She might've even been in awe and respected Shadow for his strength alone.

But Cid-- was he truly in a safe place?

It was worrying.

But for now, she just had to trust that Shadow wasn't lying. She couldn't abandon her duty and go searching for Cid.

Still, if Cid really was safe as Shadow claimed, it raised even more question.

Why was that Slime there? What reason did Shadow have to make a faux Cid?

Rose didn't understand.

Could it be-- Cid and Shadow were connected somehow…? Rose thought back on her image of Cid. She couldn't see anything about him that would be related to Shadow.

Before long, they had made it to the location where her squad members would be waiting.

Small holed leading to the surface was the only source of light in these tunnels.

There was a figure in black propped up against a wall.

”... 664?”

Rose let down Batt from her back and slowly approached the figure.

”Where is 665? What…!?”

The woman in black who was sitting with her back to the wall was definitely her squat leader, 664.

She was injured. Blood had drenched the wall behind her.

”664!? What happened here!?”

Rose quickly crouched down to her.

”...-un.” said 664 in a weak voice.

She was breathing, at least.

”I'll help you right now!”

”R-...-un, 666.!”

”Eh?”

And then, something came.

From a direction where no one was supposed to be, one man suddenly came walking.

”... What!?”

He had practically no presence. Rose couldn't comprehend how he'd appeared as if from thin air.

It was almost as if he was there all along.

”Seems Maximilian failed.”

Said the man, looking at Clara and her troupe.

It was a cold voice.

He was a tall man, with hair white as snow swept to the back of his head.

He had a sort of chilling beauty to him.

”... 665!?”

Rose's cry echoed into the tunnels.

The man was holding 665 in one hand.

”She was a disappointment too.”

He said as he threw down the beaten woman at Rose's feet.

”--!”

Rose quickly caught 665 as she fell and checked her breathing.

”...ugh.”

She was unconscious but breathing, yes.

”I'll make you pay!!”

”S-stop, don't fight him, 666!”

664 cried out to her as she was drawing her sword.

”Why!?”

”You, can't beat him… he is… Mordred.”

”Eh!?”

Rose was aghast and stared at the man, who in turn gave her a curt bow.

”I am indeed Mordred. It is a pleasure… Princess Rose.”

Behind Rose, the people following Clara stirred. Rose asked Clara to lead them a safe distance away.

”... You have the wrong person.”

”I see, if that is how you want it, I shall comply.”

Rose glowered at Mordred, who in turn looked at her with a bemused expression.

”Shadow Garden… so the organization opposing us has come here too. Rather than the Key of the Oriana, I personally find you bunch much more interesting.”

”... Key of Oriana?”

”Did Shadow Garden not intervene in this war for the sake of obtaining the Key? Oh, perhaps you didn't know?”

Rose didn't answer.

She had become a member of Shadow Garden, but that didn't mean she knew everything. Shadow Garden was a large organization. The Seven who lead them all held unbelievable strength, and the special forces known as the Numbers all had strength equal or surpa.s.sing that of Rose. Rose was only a single cog in the machine.

Still, this Key of Oriana seemed to be something that could concern her personally. Would they fill her in on it if she asked?

”I will not reveal anything. We need to be somewhere.”

They had many injured. Mordred was clearly stronger than she could handle, but she could at least buy time for them. Rose drew her sword.

”Don't fight, leave me and go...”

”Leader...”

”Y-yeah, I'm your squad leader, and that's an order...”

664 weakly got to her feet and stood in front of Rose.

Mordred observed the two with cold eyes.

”I am interested in Shadow Garden, as I've said. Much more so than the Key...”

”... So you will block our path?”

”As one of the Order, I mustn't let you run free. But I believe letting you go now would be quite beneficial to me.”

”Meaning?”

”My interest in Shadow Garden is quite deep. I'm specifically interesting in your leaders.h.i.+p, The Seven.”

Mordred said with a cold grin.

”... Yes, she was quite enjoyable indeed.”

”... Enjoyable?”

”Yes, very. So much that I'm willing to let you go past me.”

Mordred retrieved something from his pocket.

As he opened his palm, something drifted down from it. Bright like spring water-- they were strands of hair.

And rose happened to know someone with such beautiful and strange hair.

”Wait, that's--”

That clear springwater hair was that of Epsilon.

”She was… quite enjoyable.” kuku, Mordred chortled.

”Go on, pa.s.s at your leisure. The Doem Faction and Royalists will clash soon enough. However, this is not your ordinary civil war.”

Mordred was beginning to s.h.i.+mmer into the background.

”This is a proxy war between the Order and Shadow Garden… how fun.”

He disappeared, leaving only dry laughter.

”So that's, Mordred...”

It will become an increasingly difficult battle with him around, Rose thought.

More Spoilers

The text is made white. Highlight to reveal rough spoilers of untranslated sections.

The 8th arc isn't over, but here's what happens after this.

Cid contemplates how to be a mob and ends up joining a recruitment drive for the royalists.

Problem is, the people organizing the drive fully know that most of the new recruits will die on the next mission.

To prevent that, Cid does some mana puppetry, making normal people as strong as magiswords.

He then met up with Epsilon again and went into some ruins were the hero Freyja was sealed up.