A Stroll in the Forest

EPSILON

Epsilon recognized the name Milia.

It was a story from the days before her Master had enrolled in the academy. Shadow Garden was still a fledgling organization back then, consisting of nothing more than the Master and the Seven Shadows.

At the time, the Cult of Diabolos had kidnapped the Master’s older sister, Claire. In the process of getting her back, the girls had completely annihilated a Cult Branch.

The executive in charge of that branch was a man named Olba. And the name carved into Olba’s Dagger was Milia—his daughter.

Further investigation had revealed that the Cult was holding Milia hostage to keep Olba in line.

Eventually, Milia was found.

However, she had been transformed into a mindless monster by a Cult Experiment. Alpha was supposed to have disposed of her.

Does this mean the Cult recovered her corpse?

"You people really have no souls, do you...?"

Epsilon glared at Doem, who maintained that insufferable, flippant smirk.

"I’m sorry you went to all the trouble of coming here to finish me off, but I’m afraid the tables have turned. I think I’ll have you leave the head of one of the 'Seven Shadows' right here."

A beautiful girl emerged from the shattered remains of the coffin.

Looking at those innocent eyes and that Grey Hair, Epsilon could see the faint resemblance to Olba, whom she had seen only once.

Doem retreated, using Milia as a human shield.

"…!"

Epsilon stepped back as well, her guard up.

She could feel a Magic Power emanating from Milia's body that rivaled the ghost of the Hero Freya.

The commotion outside the tent was drawing closer.

It seemed Kai and Omega’s diversion had finally reached its limit. This position would be completely surrounded any second now.

—Time to pull out.

Doem would get away for now, but they had successfully shaved down the Cult’s fighting strength. More importantly, uncovering the Cult’s latest plan was a massive win.

It would be foolish to let my emotions cloud my judgment and make a mistake now.

Utilizing her Precise Control, Epsilon concentrated her Magic Power into her blade.

Milia reacted to the sudden movement instantly.

However, Epsilon wasn't aiming for her.

Her target was the man behind her—Doem.

Epsilon swung.

The concentrated Magic Power transformed into a vacuum blade, hurtling toward Doem.

"What?! Milia, protect me!"

Milia, who had been about to pounce on Epsilon, reacted to Doem’s command and pivoted mid-air.

She threw herself into the line of fire, unleashing a burst of enormous Magic Power that negated the blade entirely.

Behind her mask, Epsilon’s eyes widened slightly.

I didn't think she could just brute-force a cancellation like that.

Still, the move served its purpose.

Epsilon leaped through the tent's opening and vanished into the darkness of the forest.

"After her, Milia! Don't let her escape, no matter what!!"

Epsilon felt the presence of a massive Magic Power pursuing her through the trees.

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SHADOW

I was the one who’d cooked up this grand Assault Operation for my Elite Shadow Unit, but after I split off from Epsilon and the others to sprint through the woods at full speed, Violet-san’s Finger started acting up.

She was wiggling around inside my pocket, restless.

"Hey, stop it. That tickles."

I didn't really have a choice, so I stopped running and pulled Violet-san out.

"What’s up? What’s the matter?"

Violet-san twitched on top of my palm.

"Are you hungry?"

Tap, tap. She slapped my palm.

"No? Ah, do you need to use the bathroom?"

Smack, smack. She punched my palm.

"Man, I’m stumped."

I took a look around to see if there was anything interesting nearby.

It was just a normal forest.

However, a gorgeous moon was hanging in the sky.

"The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it? But I’m kind of busy right now, so let’s look at it together later."

Violet-san’s Finger started fidgeting.

Reading body language is hard.

She hopped off my palm and started rolling along the ground like a little tumbleweed.

"Oh, are we going for a walk?"

I decided to follow her.

After walking for a bit, a faint light and a gathering of Magic Power began to swirl in the middle of the woods.

The glow grew brighter and brighter until it coalesced into the form of a woman.

"Yo. We meet again."

I gave Freya-san a casual greeting.