Shino looked at the three hundred million Zeny, then at Gamma and Beta.
“This money wasn’t earned through official channels.
Let’s split it between the three of us.” “The idea that ‘it is impolite not to return a favor’ was yours, Lord Phantom.
All of this should go to you,” Beta said firmly.
“I disobeyed your orders earlier by killing that man; I have no right to a share of the spoils,” Gamma added.
“Please, take my portion as well.” “That doesn’t seem right,” Shino countered.
“You both did the work.” “Lord Phantom, you’re looking at this the wrong way,” Gamma said with a smile.
“We already belong to you.
Therefore, this money naturally belongs to you as well.” “You are independent individuals.
How can you say you belong to me?” “Without you, we would be nothing more than laboratory gunk in a Cult research facility, living out a nightmare,” Gamma replied.
“You saved us.
It is only natural that we belong to you.” “Exactly,” Beta chimed in.
“Lord Phantom, you’ve spoken of causality before.
According to that logic, your act of saving us is the ’cause,’ and our presence here to serve you is the ‘effect.’ We are essentially your personal property.
You saving us was the seed; our gratitude is the fruit.” Since they had put it in such absolute terms, Shino found it difficult to refuse any longer and accepted the three hundred million Zeny.
“By the way, what is the current liquid capital of the Mitsugoshi Company?” “Roughly five hundred million Zeny.
The bicycle business has already recouped our initial investment.” “I see.
You’ve worked hard.
I’ll find a way to get some more help for you soon.” “You’re too kind, Lord Phantom!
It’s no trouble at all!” Once he confirmed the shop was in good hands, Shino went to find Alpha.
“Are the plans for the destruction of the Tenth Seat’s base ready?” “They are.
However…” Alpha paused, her expression thoughtful.
“What is it?” “It feels like a trap.” “A trap?
Explain.” “There are reports of many ‘Possessed’ individuals being held at the Tenth Seat’s base.
Normally, they would be moved to specialized research facilities immediately, but the Cult seems to be intentionally leaking information that they are being kept there.” “So, you think they know Shadow Garden is composed of former Possessed patients?
They’re using them as bait to lure us out.” “That is my assessment.” “If they want to see our strength so badly, let’s give them a show they’ll never forget,” Shino said.
He thought to himself: *And I’ve found the personnel I need to relieve the pressure on Beta and Gamma.* The following night at midnight, Shino and the others arrived at the base of the Tenth Seat of the Round Table.
The security looked laughably lax; the guards were nodding off, looking like they could fall asleep at any second.
Just as Shino was about to give the signal to move, Cid appeared out of nowhere.
“What a coincidence.
You guys are here too?” *Is this the mysterious Lord Shadow?* Alpha thought in awe.
*We didn’t even call for him, yet he found this place on his own!* “What are you doing here?” Shino asked.
“Did you guys get lost too?” “Eh?” Alpha blinked in confusion.
“Never mind.” *Is Lord Shadow using ‘getting lost’ as an excuse to maintain a low profile?* Seeing Alpha’s “I see, so that’s how it is” expression, Shino realized she had fully “Shadow-fied” the situation in her head.
“We found a Cult base and plan to destroy it,” Shino said.
“Since you’re here, Shadow, why don’t you join us?” *As expected of a fellow Eminence in Shadow—he can spin a lie right on the spot!* Cid thought admiringly.
*I can’t let him outdo me!* Shadow flickered in front of the guards.
“Who goes there?!” “I am Shadow.
He who lurks in the shadows and hunts the shadows…” Cid made short work of the two “mobs” and charged inside.
“Let’s keep up!” The Seven Shadows followed closely behind Cid, while Shino took the rear to guard against any ambushes.
Suddenly, a massive, hidden iron gate slammed shut at the entrance, sealing them in.
“Shadow Garden…
you’ve walked right into it!
I didn’t spend all that effort setting this trap for nothing!” A figure appeared before the gate.
“Remember the name of the man who kills you: the Tenth Seat of the Rounds, ‘Red Sands’ Cabrent!” A tan, muscular man holding a massive greataxe stood before them.
Simultaneously, Cult soldiers appeared from every corner, and rows of high-tech firearms were aimed at the group.
Cid had already charged deep into the facility to kill fodder and hadn’t noticed the trap behind him.
“Attack!” Thousands of Cult members swarmed toward Shino and the Seven Shadows.
“I’ll leave the small fry to you girls!” Shino lunged straight for the Tenth Seat, Cabrent.
“Come to your death then!” Cabrent swung his colossal axe.
Despite its size, he wielded it as easily as a sword, spinning it rapidly in a showy display.
“I’ll let you die with the knowledge of what killed you!
This is one of the ten legendary Forbidden Weapons—the Sky-Rending Axe!” “Star Sword!” The two top-tier weapons collided.
To Cabrent’s horror, the “legendary” Sky-Rending Axe shattered instantly upon impact!
*(Note: In the original timeline, Alpha and the others destroyed the Tenth Seat’s base after Claire was kidnapped.
Following its destruction, the Tenth Seat’s position was taken over by Zeta’s nemesis, Petos.)* — [Total Bonus Chapters Achieved: 0] [Ptreon.cm/Prince_of_LanLi for 50 adv chs.
20% discount right now.
Throw spirit stones to this humble one *dogeza*.]