Chapter 3: The Scheming Shadows of Anti-Libra

Dark Demon Regal, a ruthless entity, will help me in my plans to destroy Libra. However there are many things I have to set up and make sure to reduce the chances to fail.

"S-sir Aeon!, why did you let those bastards go away like that, this way we can never achieve our goals." said one of my member.

"....I let them go intentionally..." I said

"!!?"

Everyone in the hall were discussing about what I just said, must be shocking for them. But I knew what I m doing.

"Silence...."

Everyone went silent the moment I stopped them.

"My real plan is not interrupted rather its progressing towards the goal." I said

Everyone looked confused at what I said just now. I already knew that Regal may lost his memories in the unexpected event so I was prepared for that and in the end it actually became a reality that he lost his memories. I intentionally allowed guild members to come into my base so that they take away Regal with them... I selected that girl named Voila for the plan to be executed. I need to make sure their bond grow stronger and stronger, the more their bonds get stronger the more I will benefit from it.

"Sir, did you called me? I m ready for any orders you give me." said Covurt.

"Is Zephyros still unconscious?" I asked.

"Unfortunately yes he is..." he said.

"You have assassin skills so I m gonna give you the task related to that and since you have the same ability as Zephyros it will be much easier for you as always."

"I m ready for any orders you give me Sir!"

"I want you to keep an eye on Voila and Regal and make sure they both are safe no matter what. Don't interrupt unless there is emergency otherwise just observe them what they are doing."

"Understood sir!"

He left after bowing his head. Now then.

"S-sir where are you going?" asked one of the member.

"I'm going for a mission on my own."

"w-what but why..we can do anything if you order us sir, you don't need to go and do the task yourself sir!"

"If this was something that you all can do I would have already ordered you to do this mission however this mission atleast requires me, don't try to follow me or you will be dead."

"gulp..."

"I will be back and take care of the base while I m gone."

"Understood!"

I left the Anti-Libra hideout and went towards a mountain, while walking I was thinking something...

Let's see who will be my enemy this time... I may get into trouble if they are stronger than me..

However I doubt that would really happen but I should consider the possibility of getting defeated by those protectors... Even if I get help from other members I doubt anyone would be capable to even give a scratch to those people...This fight will not be so easy but I must take that "Shadow Tear" an object that is essential for my plans and it's something that could turn the tables depending on the situations on the battlefield. The high level object that could act as the double edged sword...in other words it may even give you the horrible disadvantage depending on the situations but I was already prepared for that....The Shadow Tear is used to-

"So this is the place..." I said while not thinking about anything now.

I was in the mountain and reached a certain area where I saw nothing but only stones, trees and other normal things around however I'm sure this is the place...I used my magic energy and revealed the Ancient Shrine. I went inside the Shrine and in the depths of this Shrine I saw a figure which looked like the guardian.

"Who are you? And how did you know about this place or should I say how did you find this place?"

"So you must be the Ancient guardian, so you are not something like a golem or creature but rather a human or the human-like. Well I'm here to obtain the Shadow Tear, step aside so that I could take it...."

"So you think I m gonna let you get the Shadow Tear?"

"I honestly don't think I will not see any blood here...."

"Well it's only natural huh?"

We both went silent at the same moment. In that very moment, I suddenly summoned multiple shadows. This skill is similar to summoning magic but not same. Summoners summon shadows that has the same ability as the orginal entity, but my ability is to create shadows that doesn't possess any of the magical or physical abilities. These are mere Shadows who have decent level of physical strength and they act on my orders through magic energy. Shadows were reaching the target to attack but-

"Luminous shield..."

He used his technique to avoid shadows, furthermore this shield is more effective against any dark type attacks...I draw out my Shadow sword known as Eclipse sword. I dashed towards him as quick as possible and tried to invade through his barrier but his shield is truly strong. Even if someone uses this same ability they might still not protect themselves if they lack practice but this guardian was indeed strong.

"!?"

He suddenly used a lightning beam by focusing the light, but I stepped aside. He changed the direction of his lighting beam towards me every time I dodge. I tried to block his attack with my Sword but his lighting beam has enough power to even shatter the strong shields. I got hit by it and was forced back. I stand up again.

"You seem to be pretty fine even though you got hit by the powerful beam just now...you are not ordinary guy after all, that explains why you are able to come here." he said.

"Hm....I guess I won't be able to attack you like this....." I said.

I'm gonna increase my output a little bit. I admit I have to use little bit more power now....I dashed again and he used his lighting beam. This time he also used a little bit more power as me, but it's gonna be different. I slashed his beam into half pieces and his attack got nullified but he used another lighting beam and repeated the process over and over again until I get hit by it. He was maintaining a distance from me that gives him advantage from not getting hurt during battle and on the other hand I was just neglecting all his attacks knowing that my counter to his beam may fail sometime. I slowly tried to reach him while neglecting his beams but he had anticipated this and was maintaining his distance every time I tried to close distance.

"You are persistent..." he said.

"..."

Apparently no matter how much speed or strength I m increasing, he is still able to keep up with me. However I outperformed him and finally managed to close distance and then I suddenly attacked him but he immediately used Luminous shield however I knew he would do this while also increasing his shield strength but I still attacked the shield and torn it into pieces and my sword directly slashed the guardian, he was forced back. He stood up again and he was not badly hurt from my attack but not for long. I immediately made my move before he could act and slashed him so many times, he was trying his best to avoid my attacks or use his shield but he was not able to use his shield... because I made a close distance between us by taking advantage of his lack of close combat skills. His reflexes are still good, despite in the disadvantage he is desperately trying to dodge my attacks while trying to maintain a distance but I was not letting him to do it.

"Nice, I never thought you have enough strength to surpass my full strength but I will use my one of the powerful magic in this close combat....." he said

".....!?"

"Nova burst.."

He suddenly made sphere of light on his palm and forced that sphere towards me. In that moment the sphere exploded....

"What!? H-how it could be possible...n-no way...!" he was shocked to see me alive.

Honestly I was hurt but he underestimated my strength. I was saved by my endurance and defence. Though it hurts a lot because this skill was not ordinary one. This magic skill requires great amount of magical energy to use it. The user creates a sphere of light and attack with it which then explodes when hit by it. He seemed to be strong but he lacked his capacity to contain magic energy so no matter what if you don't have capacity to contain magic energy then it's obvious you will run out of it quickly in battles. If he had more energy left within him he would have given me trouble but it seems I won. I came near to him.

"Huff huff No matter what.....I will not let you use Shadow Tear. You will have to kill me if you want to obtain it." he said.

"...very well." I said.

I slashed his neck and his face detached from his body. He was now dead. I turned towards the gate and started moving. I opened the gate and went to the room and there I found the Shadow Tear.

"So this is how it looks like...." I muttered.

I already saw how it looked like but only in books not in reality. I went near it and took it.

"....!?"

Rumble Rumble..Rumble..

The shrine is collapsing. I must hurry back. After 5 minutes before the collapse of shrine I escaped the shrine and was standing watching the collapsed shrine.

".....The first phase is done....."

I started heading back to the Anti-Libra base. On my way, while killing monsters I was thinking about Grand Summoner that how he had won against the Dark Demon Regal. If he was also sealed away maybe then I would have tried to wake the Grand Summoner and control him but it seems like when Grand Summoner sealed Dark Demon Regal he also vanished and was never seen. No one even knows about the Grand Summoner's name.

"...I wonder how that Summoner got limitless energy..." I muttered in curiosity.

Well in any case I can't do anything about it now but it's good Regal existed for my plans to be executed. He must be staying with Voila and improving their bonds. A bond that will become so strong that it will be impossible to break... I m waiting for that moment. After sometime I reached my destination, I was at Anti-Libra base. When I entered the base and went to the depths of hideout, everyone welcomed me and bowed their heads towards me.

"Welcome back Sir Aeon. How was your little journey sir?" asked one of the member after welcoming me.

"There was a little trouble but I took care of it so did you found something Covurt." I asked him.

"As expected from you Sir Aeon you are strong indeed! Now I will report what I got."

He said that Voila and Regal reported to the guild and then this information spread throughout the kingdom. He also told me that Regal at night secretly tried to take his own life but Voila stopped him. It seems like my plan was almost doomed but thanks to Voila that she saved him. Maybe I should have sent Covurt a little earlier so that even if Voila was sleeping and Regal tried to take his own life then Covurt could prevent it, but I was lucky that he was saved by Voila.

"So Regal is that kind of person who will even sacrifice himself to protect his friends...." I muttered.

I also heard that they became best friends in just 1 week. 1 week ago I awakened him and I failed to identify any malice from him. It seems like I was right after all. His kind nature and his bonding with Voila will benefit me.

"Did you get any more information from the Curie...?"

"Apparently Regal joined the guild while putting up a fake name of him. His fake name is Ryuji. Curie also told me their bonding is growing stronger day by day."

Everything is going according to the plan. Though I was surprised that Regal would try to take his own life. Even though everything I predict would not always go as I planned but still this was surprising for me.

"Good, make sure to not let eyes off of them even for a second. Keep an eye on them and notice their every move." I said.

He bowed and then left. Since Libra and guild know about our existence, it will be a little tough for me. But that doesn't mean I'm in a tight spot. I planned to kill Arbiters one by one using my followers and it seems like one of them survived and reported to Libra and then guild also got this information. I don't care whether they know about our existence or not. I got so many reports from my followers that they successfully eliminated some of the Arbiters. Elimination of Arbiters are secondary priority for now so even if someone survives from our assualt I would not be surprised. At night, I was standing on the rooftop. I saw only darkness around, and a person came out standing behind me. It was Chloe's sister Isabelle.

"Why are you here Isabelle...." I asked.

"Don't you think its against your plans that you let Voila take Regal with her?" Isabelle said.

"Your perspective is very limited Isabelle, Regal is someone that should stay with Voila to fulfill my plans."

"And what kind of plan is that? Look, I joined your Anti-Libra because I have my own reasons. I have no interest in your plans at all." she said.

"You joined us because you want your revenge, right? You want to take revenge against Libra for what they have done to you..."

She averted her eyes while clenching her first.

"You won't understand anything..." she said with slight sadness...

"Perhaps I do understand. You care about Chloe, don't you?" I said.

"....Why did she choose to stay with Libra even though she knows about it?..." she asked.

I suddenly got a question for her..

"It seems you know that I tried to kill your sister...but why is it you act like you never noticed." at my words she looked sad.

"....You already know about what I am..." she said.

"I do know about it...you were fine with killing her....but now you don't..." I said...

"Why is it happening to me.....?" she asked.

"You can't do anything about it, but do you resent me now for trying to kill her?" I asked.

"Not really... because it was me who wanted this....but at the same time I never wanted it to happen!" she said...

I took her in my group not because she wants revenge or something but she was truly strong in terms of fighting strength and what's more her complex feelings will someday increase her fighting strength with a strong resolve....She is like a double edged sword just like Shadow Tear, but I m not afraid of any of it. If I achieve my goals then I should also take some risks. Though as I said before, I can't predict the future perfectly no matter what....

"You should sleep now..." I said.

"What are you doing here? Why don't you also sleep?" she asked.

"..." I didn't replied.

"Ok fine I m going now...you are annoying..." she said and left...

"This is how it goes huh?"

The one leading the Libra is Jystice who has authority over Arbiters. I believe that guy must have been planning to counter us when he knew some of Arbiters were killed. It seems people are aware of our presence now. I went back inside and tried to get some rest myself.

The Next morning came. I got a report from Covurt that Voila and Regal are also trying to find us just like others. The whole Kingdom was looking for us. It's obvious since they know about a part of my plan to try to revive Regal. Voila and Curie made sure to keep it hidden that Ryuji is Regal. They made a false statement that says I have not yet summoned the Regal to ensure that no one should panic. Curie did her job very well as I expected. Voila and Regal agreed to this not only because they don't want to create panic but also hide Regal's identity forever and try to find a solution to help Regal. Yes, that's exactly you should all be thinking that you might win.

"What are your orders sir?" said one of the member.

"For now we need to be hidden so taking action is useless for now, just make sure to move the base when they find the hideout. Though it will not be that easy to find us." I said.

"U-Understood!"

I want to see Regal and Voila's bonding getting strong, for that...

"Zephyros, how is your wounds now?"

"I m completely fine sir."

"I m giving you an opportunity to take your revenge against Voila and kill her..."

Everyone were shocked when they heard about it.

"W-what but I thought you want her to be alive!?" he said with a puzzled look on his face.

"Do as I say it will be fine and I won't have any complaints if you kill her..."

Everyone were confused at what I was saying.

"I-if that's your wish sir! I always wanted to take revenge against that bitch." he said

"Good, take this weapon. This weapon will help you to go back a few seconds into time to avoid critical attacks..."

"W-woah this is great with this weapon I will be able to kill her this time!"

This weapon is truly dangerous that can backfire if you don't use it carefully however that's precisely why I didn't told him what drawback this sword has. Sometimes it's better to sacrifice a pawn to generate more advantage.

"Yeah... goodluck with your mission then....do not disappoint me..." a useless pawn like you should never exist.

That's why It's better to sacrifice you for my sake, for the sake of Anti-Libra. He left thinking this is an opportunity but this will be his last journey.

"This is!?The weapon called Eternity echo...! But why did you do that sir? Zephyros was one of the captains right?" Said Nova, who is also a captain.

"That's precisely why I lend him the weapon, only those who are strong can handle that sword. Zephyros is strong and I was thinking about giving him the weapon when he becomes useless for us. After all he is the last ranked captain among you captains." I said.

I personally don't want Zephyros to be sacrificed but in order to make that sword unseal the demon that resides within the sword I need to sacrifice people who could handle this sword, Zephyros was one of them. That demon is not like Regal who is the strongest but still a demon is a demon who possess so much strength and I found that the demon will follow your orders if you sacrifice and offer people to the demon. I will use this opportunity to destroy as many Arbiters as possible so that I won't find much trouble in executing my plans and furthermore when Zephyros will try to kill Voila I will able to accomplish one of the primary goals. I can sense and almost predict what will happen. Covurt is loyal and will do his task no matter who stands in his way so basically I don't have to fear that Regal will die in the process.

"There will be a new Captain joining the ranks from now on.... Isabelle."

"Are you sure about this! She will betray us if we are not on guard!"

"Don't worry believe me she won't betray anyone here." I assured them it was fine.

"If you say so..."

With Shadow Tear I can fulfill my plans, I will annihilate Libra and move onto my main plan....

"Isabelle take your squad and go to hage village to destroy it...and along the way find Zephyros and take him to the village with you.."

"Understood..."

I'm not planning to do anything right now but atleast I m setting up the stage for a battle between Voila and Zephyros. I already informed Curie to send Voila and Regal first to Hage village when Isabelle will start attacking the village along with Zephyros. I ordered Isabelle to take strongest ones from the squad to handle Arbiters and high level guild members that may appear.

"Are you sure about this..." Said Nova.

"Relax see yourself what will happen." I had a smirk on my face.

The upcoming battle may become bloody battle. I stood up and started moving.

"W-where are you going sir!" Said Nova.

"Come with me Nova and you all take care of the base." I ordered them.

"Understood!"

On the hallway, both Nova and me, we were walking.

"What do you really think about this all Nova, About my plans? Do you think it's all nonsense that I m trying to kill Voila?" I asked to see what Nova thinks.

"I would never doubt your perspectives and judgment Sir Aeon, but I guess I do think a little bit that your plans might fail..." He said

"I appreciate your honesty, I have a question for you. What would people do normally once their loved ones, friends, family are killed by someone?" I asked.

"...They would take revenge?" He said.

"Correct, their hatred and personality changes dramatically. That's what will happen but with the slight change...."

He was confused what I really meant by it.

"Are you saying something similar will happen in this battle?" He asked.

"I m currently going to the Hage Village and see the battle myself."

"What!?"

"I want you to come with me and see yourself what happens next, you will understand what I meant."

"Understood."

I was not planning to participate in battles or something rather I personally wanted to see their bonding. If I see that their is not much development then I will forcefully take Regal with me. According what Covurt told me so far if what he said is true that's good but I want to confirm it with my own two eyes. I might be able to see Regal's new potentials that he may have developed in one week and re- analyse it to evaluate him based on his achievements so far. I can also watch how strong Voila could be, even though it's not my concern but I should never underestimate my opponents. If you want to achieve your goals you should also struggle and make efforts. I will also analyse Isabelle to judge whether she would be useful or not. I will discard her as well If she doesn't meet my exceptions.

"...."

Apparently Nova was thinking something.

"What are you thinking?" I asked.

"Well....is it really okay to sacrifice Zephyros? He is very loyal to you and doesn't seems completely useless...."

"I get what you are saying but you must refrain from thinking about him anymore and besides I don't think I will ever sacrifice you because you are very useful just like Covurt. So you should not be afraid of getting sacrificed or discarded."

".....yes understood."

As long as he understood that's fine. I will even sacrifice myself if the situation calls for it. But I must create the choas that I always wanted...I won't let my plans go into waste. For the sake of my plans I m ready to do anything to achieve it...There is no room for mercy. For now I should go and see what unfolds in this event...It will be indeed interesting....

To be continued...

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