"My lord, didn't you say you would no longer interfere with us? Then why are you still willing to protect us?"
Zeta's movement as she leaned out the window came to a halt. After a brief silence, she shook her head with a trace of helplessness.
"Ah… that. Don't worry, I haven't gone back on my word. This is just a small favor from me as your friend, Zeta."
Remembering how he had previously declared the end of the Cult of Diablos game, Cid nodded in sudden realization. If Zeta had not brought it up, he would have forgotten about it.
"Heh, Master, you really have become gentle. But this world cannot run on kindness."
Zeta let out a bitter smile, her tone carrying both resignation and regret.
"It's not really kindness. It's just a bit of help, out of our friendship."
"My lord… do you remember what you promised me the last time we met?"
"Of course I remember."
Cid answered without hesitation. There was no way he could forget the Eminence in Shadow roleplay they carried out last time. An Eminence in Shadow bearing the hatred of the entire world. Just thinking about it sounded incredibly cool.
"Then I hope… when the time comes, you won't go back on your word. It was something we agreed on long ago, that I would act as the substitute and bring redemption to this world."
As she said this, Zeta gave off a feeling Cid could not quite describe. It was like someone on the verge of death calmly delivering their final words, yet wearing a smile with no regrets.
"I won't lie to you. Also… what's this? Is it yours, Zeta?"
Ignoring the strange feeling she gave him, Cid picked up a bag from the table with one hand and looked at her.
He had been curious since he came in. In his memory, he had not left anything on the table before going out, and Asia did not seem like the type to enter his room on her own.
Zeta only glanced at it once before casually looking away, focusing back on Cid. After steadying her emotions, she spoke.
"Some spoils I picked up. Master, you like this kind of thing, don't you? I thought I would bring it as a gift."
Cid paused for a moment. Magic power flowed out as he loosened the bag's opening. Inside were stacks of green banknotes, giving off a faint scent of fresh ink.
Nice one, Zeta. As expected of the one who understands me best among the Seven Shadows. Whether it is playing along with Eminence in Shadow roleplay or understanding my preferences, you are without a doubt number one.
Alright, decided. From today on, Zeta, you are the leader of Shadow Garden.
Just kidding. Alpha, your position is still secure. Though the main reason is that I already publicly said I was done playing the Cult of Diablos game. Otherwise, as Shadow in that game, it would be perfectly normal for me to have the authority to replace the leader of Shadow Garden.
"Heh, a joke from when we were kids, and you actually still remember it. Fine, I will take this as payment for helping you."
As he spoke, Cid used extremely fine magic that Zeta could not detect to inspect the pouch. After a quick estimate, there were probably several million zeni inside.
After confirming the amount in less than a second, he tossed the pouch back onto the table. With a flick of his right hand, a wine glass appeared out of thin air.
Zeta reacted immediately, preparing red wine and pouring it into the glass. Her movements were smooth and practiced, clearly not the first time she had done this. Keeping her hand steady as she poured, she spoke.
"I have always kept your teachings in mind, Master. I have never forgotten them."
"Let's go with that then. Zeta, who did you get this 'trophy' from? Whoever it was must have been pretty unlucky to catch your attention."
Taking a casual sip of red wine, Cid asked. He knew Zeta well. The so-called "trophy" she mentioned was definitely something she picked up on the spot. She was not the type to carry money around with her.
"I took it from a pair of meddlesome Church personnel."
"Meddlesome?"
Cid paused, looking at Zeta with a hint of confusion. This was the first time he had heard her describe someone that way.
"They were the ones who interfered first. Because of them, this operation failed, and the members of the Cult of Diablos escaped.
But in a way, they were also deceived, so I did not act against them afterward. I only took their funds as a small lesson."
Sensing the faint disappointment in Cid's gaze, Zeta explained.
She was not lying. The reason she had come to accept punishment from Cid, the failure of her "bait" plan, was entirely because of that pair of idiots from the Church.
If those two had not interfered and alerted the enemy, how could the Cult of Diablos have noticed something was wrong? Not only did they escape early, they even took the bait she had set.
If not for the fact that they were simply foolish and had not committed any real wrongdoing, she would have already thrown them into the sea. Taking their operation funds was already a very lenient response.
"A pair? Church personnel?"
Cid sensed something was off. Zeta's description immediately reminded him of the two idiots still crying in the living room.
It had to be a coincidence. With Zeta's stealth, she should have noticed them long ago. There was no way she would act so brazenly.
"Zeta, how long have you been waiting here?"
Even so, Cid asked.
"Not long. I had just arrived when you came in, Master."
…It really was you, wasn't it?
A faint tremor passed through his eyes. He began to suspect that Zeta was the one who had taken the funds for Xenovia and Irina Shidou's mission.
"Zeta, tell me what stood out to you about that pair of Church personnel. I'm a bit curious what kind of people were unlucky enough to run into you."
Zeta hesitated for a moment. Though puzzled, she still thought carefully before answering.
"If I had to say, the most memorable one would be the blue-haired woman among them…"
Cid stopped listening after that. He did not need to hear more.
Case closed. It really was you, Zeta.
Zeta did not talk for long anyway. She was not familiar with Xenovia and Irina Shidou. She had only given them that small, prank-like punishment because they had ruined her plan.
"I see. Sounds fine. Just be more careful next time."
Pretending he had been listening the whole time, Cid nodded.
"Yes, Master. Then I will take my leave."
Perhaps Zeta had said something else earlier. Hearing his response, she seemed to misunderstand. She walked past him, ready to leave, then paused briefly. Without turning back, she spoke in a sorrowful tone.
"Master, do not forget our promise."
With that, she vanished into the night.
After Zeta left, Cid walked over to the bed and erased the mark she had left behind. Then he looked around the room before glancing at the bag on the table.
"…What is this supposed to be?"