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Shino looked at the three hundred million Zeni, then at Gamma and Beta.
“This isn’t money earned through proper channels, so let’s split it three ways.”
“Returning a favor is only proper — that was Phantom-sama’s suggestion.
It should all go to Phantom-sama,” Beta said.
“I just disobeyed Phantom-sama’s orders.
I’m not qualified to share the spoils.
My portion should go to Phantom-sama too,” Gamma added.
“That’s not right.
You both contributed.”
“Phantom-sama, that’s not how it works.
We both belong to you, so the money rightfully belongs to you too,” Gamma said.
“You’re both independent people.
How can you say you belong to me?”
“Without you, we would’ve become the Cult’s test subjects, living a life without sunlight.
You saved us.
Naturally, we belong to you,” Gamma replied.
“Yes, Phantom-sama.
You spoke before about the law of cause and effect.
By that logic, you saved us, so we can be here to help you.
If you hadn’t saved us, we wouldn’t have anything.
So we are your personal property.
You saving us is the cause — our repayment is the effect,” Beta added.
They’d put it that way.
Shino couldn’t keep refusing, so he accepted the three hundred million Zeni.
“By the way, how much liquid capital does Mitsugoshi Company have right now?”
“About five hundred million Zeni.
The bicycle business has already recouped the initial investment.”
“I see.
You’ve worked hard.
I’ll find some people to help you out.”
“Phantom-sama is too kind.
It’s no trouble at all.”
After confirming there were no issues with Mitsugoshi Company, Shino went to find Alpha.
………………………
“Are the preparations for destroying the Tenth Seat’s base of the Round Table Knights ready?”
“They’re ready, but…” Alpha paused thoughtfully.
“What’s wrong?”
“This looks like a trap.”
“A trap?
How so?”
“There are many Demonic Possession victims at the Tenth Seat’s location.
Normally, they’d be moved to specialized research facilities, but they’re deliberately advertising that the victims are there.”
“So you mean the enemy knows Shadow Garden is an organization founded by former Demonic Possession patients, and they’re using those victims as bait?”
“That’s right.”
“If they want to see our strength, then let them have a good look.”
I’ve found people to relieve Beta and Gamma’s pressure, Shino thought.
After all preparations were complete, at midnight the next day, Shino and the others arrived at the Cult’s Tenth Seat base.
The security here looked laughably lax.
The guards were dozing off, looking like they could fall asleep any second.
Just as Shino was about to make his move, Cid appeared.
“What a coincidence.
You’re all here too.”
“So this is the mysterious Shadow-sama?
We never intended to call him, yet he found his way here himself,” Alpha marveled.
“What are you doing here?” Shino asked.
“Did you all get lost too?”
“Huh?” Alpha tilted her head.
“Nothing.”
Is Shadow-sama trying to use ‘getting lost’ as an excuse to brush this off?
To keep a low profile?
Seeing Alpha’s expression of enlightened understanding, Shino confirmed it, Alpha had already been Diablos-fied.
“We found one of the Cult’s bases and plan to destroy it.
Since you’re here too, Shadow, let’s do it together.”
As expected of a fellow Eminence in Shadow, able to make things up on the spot.
I can’t fall behind either, Cid thought.
Shadow flashed in front of the guards.
“Who goes there!”
“I am Shadow.
He who lurks in the darkness and hunts those who dwell in shadow.”
After killing the two small fry, Cid charged straight inside.
“Let’s follow.”
All Seven Shadows followed behind Cid, while Shino took a position behind them, guarding against anyone ambushing from the rear.
At that moment, a hidden giant iron gate slammed down at the entrance.
“Shadow Garden.
You’ve fallen for my trap.
It wasn’t in vain that I painstakingly prepared this ambush for you.” A figure appeared in front of the gate.
“Remember, the ones killing you are the Round Table Knights’ Tenth Seat.
Codename: Red Sand.
Cabrunet.”
A burly man with wheat-colored skin spoke, holding a giant battle-axe.
At that moment, Cult soldiers emerged from every direction.
A large number of high-tech firearms aimed at Shino and the others.
Cid had already charged straight to the deepest part to kill the mooks, completely unaware of the situation here.
“Attack!”
Thousands of Cult members charged at Shino and the Seven Shadows from all sides.
“Leave the small fry to you.”
After saying this, Shino charged straight at the Tenth Seat.
Red Sand.
Cabrunet.
“Coming to die, are you?”
Cabrunet swung his giant battle-axe.
In his hands, the enormous weapon moved as nimbly as a sword, and he even spun it rapidly in a flashy display.
“Let me make it clear before you die!
My battle-axe is one of the legendary Ten Forbidden Weapons — the Sky-Splitting Axe.”
……….
“Stellar Sword!”
The two top-tier weapons clashed.
Under Cabrunet’s stunned gaze, the Sky-Splitting Axe in his hand shattered completely.
…………….
(If following the original plot, Alpha and the others destroyed the Cult’s Tenth Seat base after Claire was kidnapped.
After its destruction, the Tenth Seat position would be taken by Zeta’s enemy, Petos.)
…………
➤ Next: Overwhelming Strength — The Fight Begins