Chapter 52: Shadow Garden - Recap
"...Yes, Alpha. That's exactly what happened. Alexia Midgar has been completely overpowered by him. Though, I don't believe he's stronger than any of us; it just doesn't add up."
The reports were hard to believe.
The shock isn't about him defeating some big shot or anything like that.
It's evident there's been a profound shift in his personality, and it goes beyond that. His strength surpasses our initial estimates. Our spies are unable to gauge the full extent of his power, indicating he's no ordinary individual, to say the least.
According to the reports, Fray von Garoff hasn't utilized even a trace of Magical Power from beginning to end.
While Alexia Midgar may be weak, dismissing her while using Magical Power without deploying one's own is no simple feat.
What could have possibly transpired with this Fray von Garoff? Has he fallen prey to the Cult's machinations? Yet, it's perplexing. A pawn usually relies on an artifact's energy to showcase its strength, but our surveillance confirmed no such power fluctuations linked to an artifact.
We've been keeping a watchful eye on the Garoff Family for several months now.
The eldest, typical noble trash, revealed no discernible connection to the cult upon thorough investigation.
'The Younger Brother, instead...'
We do not have proof, but his movements have always been shady.
Given the Cult of Diablos's unawareness of our presence, their minions often display a lack of caution in concealing their activities. This facilitates our acquisition of valuable intelligence.
Presently, we've compiled a substantial list of confirmed cult members and identified numerous individuals serving as mere pawns in their schemes.
Left with the responsibility by our leader, Shadow-sama, he entrusts us with the task of handling the Cult, although the specifics of his endeavors remain shrouded in mystery.
It's challenging to decipher the workings of his astute mind. From his perspective, our efforts might seem trivial, akin to child's play. Shadow-sama could be silently observing our progress, evaluating whether to place more trust in our capabilities or take matters into his own hands.
"I must give my all!"
As Beta, I am dedicated to our master. He is my savior, my anchor. Whatever role or task he assigns, I am prepared to fulfill without hesitation.
---
It all started 3 days ago.
A perplexing piece of information reached us - the eldest member of the Garoff Family barely escaped an attempt on his life within the confines of his own room. Strangely, our network of spies, meticulous as they are, failed to discern any details about the assailant. They witnessed nothing, yet the evidence from within confirms a genuine attempt on his life, presenting an enigma
Could the assailant have effortlessly eluded our watchful eyes, slipping through the web of our spies unnoticed?
A single figure dominated my thoughts, a person with the prowess to orchestrate such a feat without leaving the faintest trace.
The possibility of Shadow-sama's involvement lingered in my mind.
However, the perplexing aspect lay in the inconclusiveness of the attack. If our revered leader aimed for the Eldest of the Garoffs to die, why not finish him? Was there a cryptic message he was seeking to convey...?
We racked our brains trying to find answers, but we ended up empty-handed. Our leader operates on a level beyond our comprehension, making it impossible to decipher his intentions completely.
But what raised even more suspicion was what occurred next.
Following the attempt on his life, the Garoff heir underwent an abrupt transformation, manifesting in an icy demeanor towards everyone in the manor. Extracting any morsel of information from him became an exercise in futility, with the looming threat of alerting the hidden Cult within the Garoff Family.
The description reads, "A man capable of making you tremble in fear if you gazed into his eyes for too long. Someone to not mess with." It's baffling
He seemed fully aware of their spy status, yet permitted them unrestricted movement as long as they kept their distance.
Locking himself within the Duke's Library, he conducted a swift overhaul of his instructors, dismissing some and enlisting others. Our attempts to infiltrate proved futile, each spy unceremoniously ejected, reinforcing the spies' initial observation that he could discern their true identities at a mere glance.
I would've already suspected he was a member of the Cult, was it not for this particular point.
Why tolerate our spies' unchecked presence in his territory? It's a question that nags at me, but probing too soon could jeopardize our overarching strategy. We must bide our time and avoid unnecessary risks, ensuring our primary objective remains unaffected by peculiar occurrences.
---
He did all this in the span of two days, before returning to the Academy. Upon arriving, he made a beeline for this Library, offering me a prime opportunity for interaction. However...
'What's he up to?'
A shiver ran down my spine as I watched him, nearly drooling, reaching for a book on Magical Power.
Well, I can't really judge him too harshly. I've definitely had that same look on my face while reading the stories Shadow-sama told me. I've scribbled down notes on them secretly to keep them fresh in my mind...
'That's the wrong book to start with Magical Power, though.'
"If you're interested in Magical Power, this book is a great choice"
So, I decided to approach him and test the waters myself.
---
The moment our eyes locked, it became evident.
'This man is cunning.'
Despite the numerous descriptions, it was clear he was no ordinary individual. Witnessing him firsthand clarified why the spies refrained from prying further.
We can't leave a possible threat to our plans on his own, after all.
But, there was still an open question.
'Why the sudden change? Or, is it possible that all he had shown us up to now was fake? If that's the truth, then...'
Someone of high caliber, someone our spies couldn't even see nor perceive, attempted to assassinate him.
All of a sudden, his character has completely changed.
He has not killed or discarded any spies of Shadow Garden, instead allowing them free reign within his home.
Is he and our master scheming together?
I couldn't help but think of something like that.
Is Shadow-sama evaluating our capabilities, urging us to uncover the truth independently? If that's the scenario, I pledge to exert my utmost effort in unraveling the enigma surrounding Fray von Garoff.
---
That's what I cautioned myself about before he plunged the Academy into even greater chaos.
Not only did he triumph over Alexia Midgar, but he also gallantly carried her to the infirmary, ensuring that nearly the entire academy witnessed the spectacle.
It was akin to shouting to the whole world that he and she were already an item...
Wait.
"I see, that's what he's aiming at...!"
We know Zenon Griffey is a Cult Member and also Alexia Midgar's fiancée. I don't yet know if Fray von Garoff is an ally of our great master or anything of the sort, but...
If he's plotting to use Alexia Midgar as bait to draw the master behind Zenon Griffey out of hiding, that might just be the missing piece to complete the puzzle...
"Alpha, I want to call all the Seven Shadows for a meeting. I might have figured something out here..."
---
Author's Note:
Misunderstanding time?
For those who know Eminence in Shadow, they may recall it's all built upon funny misunderstandings.
Well, we can also argue that the Seven Shadows are smart when it comes to anything but their beloved Master...
I'm sorry for not uploading sooner, but I am currently stuck between a high amount of studying I have to do, coupled with some minor problems of real life I had to fix, but as it's said in the synopsis, I guarantee at least 1 ch/day!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone