The Chronicles of Master Shadow: The Complete Edition (In Progress)

SHADOW

“The time is ripe... Tonight, we walk the world of shadows...”

I let the words hang in the air, dripping with as much mystery as I could muster. I was currently doing my ‘Enigmatic Leader’ bit, sitting in my high-backed chair with my legs crossed, facing away from the door.

I could practically feel Beta’s gaze on my back. To her, I probably looked like a man standing on a lonely, distant peak. To me? I was just trying to make sure my posture looked cool in the reflection of the window.

I swirled a wine glass, letting the vintage liquid catch the glow of the antique lamp. I didn’t actually know a thing about wine, but this bottle looked expensive, so I figured it’d help the aesthetic. Based on Beta’s wide-eyed expression, it was working. She was even staring at the paintings I’d used to decorate the place.

Specifically, she was gawking at The Monk's Scream.

I’m pretty sure I picked that up in some dusty ruin or bought it off a shady merchant, but hey, it looks depressing and rare, which fits the vibe.

I could see her mouth hanging open, probably wondering how a mere mortal could obtain such a “phantom masterpiece.” It’s simple, Beta: when you’re a professional roleplayer, you develop a knack for finding the best props.

“The world of shadows,” Beta whispered, her voice trembling with reverence. “With the moon hidden tonight, it is truly a world suited for us.”

I glanced at her over my shoulder and took a slow, deliberate sip of wine. Nailed it.

“Preparations are complete,” she reported.

“I see.”

I made my voice sound like I’d already seen the future. In reality, I was just guessing she’d finished whatever it was Alpha had told her to do.

“By Alpha-sama’s order, all mobile personnel in the vicinity have been concentrated in the Royal Capital. Their number is 114.”

“114 people?” I repeated.

Beta flinched like I’d just slapped her. Wait, did I sound disappointed? I was just doing the ‘stoic repetition’ technique.

“M-my apologies...!” she stammered.

Is she worried about the head-count? “I wonder if they hired Extras...?” I mused.

Beta looked blank. Right. I keep forgetting they don't have movie terminology in this world. Note to self: keep the meta-talk to a minimum.

“No, it’s nothing. Just talking to myself.”

“Understood!”

She didn’t push it. She never does. She probably thinks I’m contemplating the structural integrity of the universe or something. Honestly, it’s a lot of pressure being this admired.

“The operation is a simultaneous raid on the Cult of Diabolos Fenrir Faction Hideouts scattered throughout the Royal Capital,” she continued, regaining her composure. “We’ll be tracking Princess Alexia’s Magic Power traces and moving to secure her immediately.”

I nodded, acting like I was actually processing the tactical map.

“Gamma has overall command, Alpha-sama is on the field, and I’m the assistant. Epsilon’s on rear support, and Delta is the vanguard—she’s the signal to start. The unit composition is—”

I raised a hand, cutting her off. Too much exposition. I’ve already got the ‘Shadow’ part down; I don't need a briefing on the logistics.

I pulled out a letter and flicked it toward her.

“It’s an invitation.”

Beta caught it and scanned the lines. Her face went from confused to absolutely livid in three seconds flat. Man, she really gets into character.

“This is...”

“I feel bad for Delta,” I said, stood up, and let my coat flare out behind me. “But... I think I’ll play the prelude myself.”

“Yes! I shall arrange it at once!”

“Follow me, Beta. Tonight, the world shall know us...”

I turned around, making sure the shadows hit my face at a perfect forty-five-degree angle. Beta looked like she was about to vibrate out of existence from pure joy.

---

SHADOW

The ‘invitation’ led me deep into a forest path, not far from where Alexia had been snatched. I showed up in my mid-garb—my boring student uniform—just to set the stage. Beta was lurking somewhere in the trees, hiding her presence like a pro.

After a few minutes, two guys showed up. One of them tossed something at me. I caught it with one hand without looking.

A shoe? Real mature.

“This is... Alexia’s shoe,” I muttered. Step one of the ‘Framed Protagonist’ trope: The Planting of Evidence.

Two guys stepped out of the brush, wearing Knight Order gear. I recognized them instantly—the same two goons who had interrogated me earlier.

“Yo, handsome,” one smirked. “Caught red-handed with the Princess’s shoe? That’s a bad look.”

“And check it out,” the other laughed. “It’s covered in Magic Power traces. Guess we found our guy. Cid Kagenou, you’re under arrest.”

Oh, this is gold. They’re actually going through with the ‘Corrupt Knight’ routine. I love it when a plan comes together.

“I see. So that’s how it is,” I said, giving them my best ‘I’ve-seen-through-your-conspiracy’ eyes.

“Yeah, that’s how it is!” The guy sneered. “If you’d just confessed earlier, we wouldn’t have had to go through all this trouble. You could’ve saved yourself a lot of pain.”

They drew their swords and moved in. They’re actually closing the distance? Against me? These guys are the definition of ‘Mob Characters.’

“Now then, Cid Kagenou. You’re under arrest for kidnapping.”

“Don’t bother resisting. It’s a waste of time.”

One of them leveled his blade at my chest, laughing.

Time to start the show.

“Oh?”

I caught his blade between two fingers. Before he could even blink, I pivoted. I didn’t even use my hands. I just let the Jet-black Dagger hidden in my boot slide out as I swung my leg in a high arc.

Squelch.

Blood sprayed as my blade grazed his throat. He collapsed, gurgling and clutching his neck.

“You bastard! What did you do?!” the second one screamed, lunging at me with a desperate, clumsy swing.

I tilted my head an inch to the left, letting the blade whistle past. Then, I swept his leg. Or rather, I swept the bottom half of his leg off with another kick.

“AAAAAAAaaaaahhh!!”

He hit the dirt, staring at the stump where his knee used to be. The fountain of red was quite the visual.

“My leg! My leg!” he shrieked, trying to crawl away. “Y-you can’t do this! We’re the Knight Order! If we die, you’re the first person they’ll come for!”

I walked toward him, my steps slow and heavy. I made sure to walk right through the trail of blood he was leaving. Aesthetics, Cid. Always remember the aesthetics.

“Hie...! Y-you’re dead! You hear me? Dead!”

“When dawn breaks,” I said, my voice dropping an octave into that gravelly Shadow tone, “the bodies of two knights will be found.”

“T-that’s right! You’re finished!”

I moved. It was a blur to him, but to me, it was just a casual stroll that ended behind his back.

“Hie?!”

I swung my right leg one last time.

“Because when dawn breaks... everything will have ended.”

His head took flight.

I stood there for a moment as the blood rained down around me, then I triggered the slime suit. The student uniform dissolved, replaced by the full ensemble: the Jet-black Boots, the form-fitting bodysuit, and the Jet-black Longcoat that billowed perfectly in the wind despite the lack of a breeze.

I pulled my hood low, making sure the Magician's Mask caught the moonlight so my glowing red eyes were the only thing visible.

---

BETA

OH. MY. GODS.

I was hiding in the bushes, and I nearly lost consciousness. Shadow-sama was... he was a god. No, he was more than a god. The way he transitioned from that pathetic student persona into the majestic ruler of the night... it was art.

I scrambled to pull my ‘The Chronicles of Master Shadow’ notebook from my cleavage. My pen was a blur—shubabababa!—as I sketched his silhouette against the spray of blood.

Dignified. Beautiful. Lethal.

I quickly jotted down today’s entry for Master Shadow's Quotations next to the drawing. Total elapsed time: 4.8 seconds.

I can’t wait to get home. The west wall of my room is almost full, but I’ll find space for this masterpiece. Writing the Chronicles is the only thing that keeps me sane.

Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the distance.

“Delta, huh...” Shadow-sama murmured, glancing toward the city. “The nocturne has begun. Beta, let us go.”

“Y-yes! I'm coming right now~!”

I shoved my notes back into my cleavage and sprinted after him. Shadow-sama is so focused on his grand design for the world that I’m sure he hasn’t noticed my little hobby. It’s better that way. A loyal shadow needs no recognition!