"It has been a long time, my Lord!"
In a comfortable, minimalist white room, a beautiful elf in an elegant, perfectly fitted gown knelt on one knee before Cid, her bright blue-green twin tails falling neatly behind her. One hand rested on the tall, firm "slime" on her chest.
"Mm, it really has been a while."
With one leg crossed over the other, Cid leaned back in his chair with effortless composure and looked down at the elf beauty kneeling before him. Her appearance was breathtaking, her features so finely defined they seemed carved by the heavens themselves.
Kneeling before him now, with hair and eyes as clear as a mountain spring, a graceful figure, and two gorgeous "slimes" far larger than Beta's, was Epsilon, one of the Seven Shadows and Cid's childhood friend.
Ah... Those two "slimes" hanging from such a slender waist, swaying so easily with every step, stealing the eyes of men and women, young and old alike with their overwhelming presence, truly made Cid curious.
Curious about just how far her research into slime had actually gone...
That was right. Unlike the joking way others used the word "slime," the ones hanging from Epsilon's chest right now were "real slimes."
"So, in what capacity have you come to see me now, Epsilon?"
The corners of Cid's mouth lifted slightly as he spoke in a gradually weightier tone, though his face still carried a bright, teasing smile.
Epsilon was different from the other Seven Shadows. Compared to the rest, she was much more... realistic. She was the kind of strong person who did not care at all about the games he had once played with them.
Although he had not asked much about Epsilon, Cid had still heard Beta report that Epsilon had betrayed Shadow Garden!
Well, never mind that. Even though Beta had said Epsilon had betrayed Shadow Garden at the time, it was definitely just some small disagreement between them. Beta had simply used the "Cult of Diablos vs. Shadow Garden" setting he made up to explain it to him. After all, by then, he had already declared Shadow Garden disbanded.
Cid lifted the empty stemmed glass that had appeared by his hand at some point. Of the two beautiful elves who had arrived with Epsilon and now stood at Cid's left and right, the one with short golden hair pulled the cork from a bottle of red wine and respectfully poured it into his glass.
Girls were like that. Eight people in one dorm meant eight different chat groups, so a little conflict was perfectly normal. At times like this, all he needed to do was believe in their wisdom and friendship, stay out of it, and wait. Before long, they would somehow make up again for no clear reason.
He still remembered Beta's indignant expression when she said Epsilon was ungrateful, unworthy of being one of the Seven Shadows, and demanded an "immediate execution" order from him.
Ahhh... He understood. He completely understood. Beta had only been asking him for a way to back down without hurting her pride, like someone who, after a fight, claimed she wanted the other person dead just to keep up appearances, only to trap herself with her own words. So he had simply muddied the waters and soothed the furious-looking Beta.
Cid gave his wrist a light turn, watching the blood-red wine slide around the glass. He brought it to his nose, took in the faint fragrance, and slowly drank.
That said, he was rather curious how Epsilon planned to face him now.
Shadow Garden had already been disbanded by him. Epsilon had fallen out with the others and betrayed Shadow Garden. In the current "Cult of Diablos vs. Shadow Garden" game, Epsilon had already been removed. If they continued following that setting, then Epsilon did not need to act like the other Seven Shadows at all. Or had they already made up?
Forget it. No matter what, something this small could not possibly turn into anything serious. Do not underestimate his intelligence network. Or his emotional intelligence!
"Please forgive me, my Lord. I have not come before you as the Fifth Seat of the Seven Shadows of Shadow Garden..."
Speaking with perfect composure, the beauty with lake-clear eyes raised her head, a confident smile on her lips.
Mm-hmm. So the conflict still hasn't been resolved? Then he had to treat her according to the Epsilon-defection setting...
"At this moment, I have come before our supreme Emperor, His Majesty Roland Augustus, as the First Seat of Shadow Guardians, Netheril's highest operational organization; as Chief Court Pianist; and as the holder of the highest authority over the Magic Network!"
Pfft...
A tiny crack instantly appeared on the surface of the stemmed glass in his hand. The red wine that had already reached Cid's throat nearly sprayed from his mouth, but he could no longer care about that.
Keeping his expression unchanged so Epsilon would not notice anything was wrong, Cid slowly turned his head and looked down at the burning intensity in Epsilon's eyes. Yet it felt as if the gravity pressing down on him had suddenly multiplied several times over, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.
No, why had he heard that name today, a name he had nearly forgotten and placed on his blacklist!
And from Epsilon's mouth, no less. Was he hallucinating?
"An interesting way to put it. Though everything had already appeared in subtle hints, it was never stated outright. It seems, Epsilon, that you have found another correct path!"
Stay calm, Cid. The person in front of you was not someone you could simply silence. For now, just follow the script, praise Epsilon, and ask what exactly happened.
"Yes. I have understood everything."
Epsilon raised her head without the slightest trace of fear and looked straight into those pitch-black pupils that seemed like a black hole. The pressure on her body felt as though it had suddenly grown several times heavier.
Fine sweat formed on her forehead, and her heartbeat quickened. Epsilon knew that whether her future would be radiant or dark depended entirely on this moment.
"You gave us new life, like light piercing the darkness of night. You wished for us to grow strong on our own.
Now, I have found the truth. The trial you gave me has come to an end.
Though my victory may not have been entirely fair, we were all beings who lived in darkness from the start.
Please, my Lord, grant me another chance. Under your wise command, I am certain I will defeat Netheril of the Witches' Guild, receive your favor, and gather Shadow Garden together once more."
Epsilon declared those words aloud, her clear voice ringing through the room. Then silence fell, so quiet that the sound of breathing and heartbeats could be heard.
As if affected by the atmosphere, everyone grew tense. Even the two elves Epsilon had brought with her, now standing beside Cid as attendants, trembled nervously.
"Clap, clap, clap..."
In the end, Cid, whose back had been soaked with sweat moments earlier, was the first to clap. He looked at Epsilon, who had just delivered that speech, with a face full of relief.
He understood. He understood everything!
No wonder Beta had said Epsilon had betrayed them. No wonder Beta was still sulking at Epsilon. No wonder Epsilon had joined Netheril...
Although there were still parts he did not understand, none of that mattered anymore. He had figured it all out!
First, Epsilon really had defected. Not in the "Cult of Diablos vs. Shadow Garden" game sense, but by actually leaving the Mitsugoshi Company and jumping ship to Netheril.
And after switching sides, Epsilon had probably discovered his other identity through some means, so she had come all this way to ask him for special treatment!
How shameless. Not only was Epsilon showering him with flattery, she had even dragged Shadow Garden's name into it. How was he supposed to refuse now?
To be honest, Cid was feeling rather troubled.
First of all, he believed that thanks to his "Offline Monarch" management style, he had already been stripped of real authority by those witches from the former Library, now known as the Witches' Guild.
It was just like during the "Cult of Diablos vs. Shadow Garden" game. All he needed to do was serve as Shadow Garden's figurehead leader, sidelined by Alpha and the others, listening to whatever intelligence Beta and the rest casually brought him, then nodding along. As for Shadow Garden's actual operations, those could be left entirely to Alpha and the others.
After a full year of hands-off management, he had successfully lost every shred of power. Otherwise, he would not have minded helping Epsilon through the back door.
Second, Netheril was doomed. He was just waiting for the Witches' Guild to betray him so he could cut ties with that dark chapter of his past.
Finally, the look on Epsilon's face, as if she intended to build a career in Netheril, frightened him a little.
If Epsilon really climbed into Netheril's upper ranks, how was he supposed to make his sacred break? How was he supposed to cut and run?!
No. I have to remind Epsilon that I've already been stripped of power, and that I might make a sacred break at any moment.
"As for an opportunity... this other path may be far more difficult than the one you walked before."
Give up on Netheril. Go back to the Mitsugoshi Company now. I'll smooth things over with Beta and the others, get them to do me a favor, and everyone can still have a bright future.
Cid lightly tapped his fingertips against the corner of the table, trying to persuade Epsilon in words that were not too hard to understand.
"I can no longer find my original path, nor do I wish to return to it. I believe I can serve you better in Netheril.
My Lord, please believe in my eternal, unwavering loyalty to you. I will give everything I have and never fail the trust you have placed in me!"
Is your conflict with Beta really that serious?! You would rather start over alone than return to your little group with Alpha and the others?!
And do not think that just because you flatter me and put on this loyal act, I will be fooled into opening the back door for you. The flattery does feel good, but if I can't do it, I can't do it!
Looking at Epsilon's burning gaze and that expression overflowing with loyalty, Cid became suspicious. He feared that the moment he told her the truth, that he could not give her special treatment, Epsilon would immediately change her tune.
"Hahaha... In that case, Epsilon, do you... have the resolve to shoulder everything and reach that supreme position?"
Are you sure you want to climb all the way to the top of Netheril?
"I will achieve it, Shadow-sama. My loyalty to you is witnessed by the sun and moon!"
Epsilon shouted the words aloud, ignoring the twisted expressions of the two subordinates she had brought with her, as though they had just witnessed something incredible. A flame seemed to ignite in her eyes.
"Good. Then let me see it. I will wait for you at the end of that path. If you fall along the way, then return to the place where you belong."
Good, good. Let's make this clear first. I'm staying neutral in your struggle with those witches, Epsilon, so forget about getting any special treatment. Are you still going to abandon the Mitsugoshi Company, which is like family to you, and try to make your way in the unfamiliar world of Netheril?
"Yes. Thank you, Shadow-sama, for granting me this opportunity. I will seize the final victory and restore Shadow Garden's glory!"
Damn it, there was no saving her. Looks like he could only help fish Epsilon out when she inevitably crashed and burned.
Seeing that Epsilon was not disappointed at all, but instead looked as if she had received permission and was fired up with excitement, Cid wanted to slam his head onto the table.
Feeling somewhat exhausted, he glanced at Epsilon's two subordinates standing beside him. They both seemed stunned by the conversation between Epsilon and him.
The short-haired golden elf in men's clothing was naturally pale, so it was hard to tell much from her face. But the other one, a dark-haired half-elf with healthy chocolate-colored skin and gold-silver eyes, had gone pale with fright.
You two think so too, right? Epsilon's behavior is a blatant act toward Alpha and the others... Wait, something's wrong here!
Guided by some strange instinct, Cid's eyes instantly saw through the bodies of the two elves. He saw the Magical Power seeds inside them, the seeds that belonged to him alone...
Shit. So you two are traitors too!
Cid was genuinely shocked. For the first time, he felt that Epsilon might really have done something major. It seemed Epsilon had not merely jumped ship by herself, but had taken her whole team with her...
"Say, Epsilon. Did you tell Beta and the others about this trial I gave you?"
Putting career matters aside and speaking only of your relationships, do you have any intention of making up with Beta and the others?
His voice was low and distant. Under the force of his shock, Cid's tone was a little too cold, and to Epsilon, it sounded like the final hurdle she needed to clear in order to satisfy him.
"Of course not, Shadow-sama. I know that all of this is a trial you have given us. Until the other Seven Shadows discover and understand it on their own, I will not help them cheat..."
You know nothing! Don't dump this mess on me!
Cid widened his eyes as he stared at Epsilon, who was speaking with a proud expression. He understood exactly what she meant.
Unless Beta and the others lowered their heads and apologized first, they could forget about making up!
"Enough, Epsilon. Report to me how far this operation of yours has progressed. And what is the situation on the Witches' Guild's side?"
Forget it. The situation with his childhood friend had become a little too complicated. Cid felt it was better not to meddle. Time would smooth everything over eventually.
Rather than worrying over the messy relationships among his companions, he would rather use Epsilon to learn about the Witches' Guild, which, in his mind, had already used his "Offline Monarch" system to strip him of power.
"As expected of Shadow-sama. Everything is already within your grasp!"
"?"
"Rest assured, my Lord. I have already fully seized the Cult of Diablos' tentacles. I will definitely protect that girl!"
I don't understand a word of this... Wait, I get it. She knows I can't open the back door, so now she's spouting nonsense to fool me.
"Good. I will always be watching you."
"As you command!"
Watching Epsilon lower her head, Cid erased his presence and vanished from their sight.