Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute! (The Eminence in Shadow)

(30) Bastard

Author: Aizawa Daisuke

　Looking down at the school garden, Nu narrowed her eyes behind her glasses. Originally, she was supposed to be a second year student here. She believed she had a peaceful and prosperous future, and she never had any doubts, until the day she was expelled for possession.

　After all, it was all an illusion.

　Family, friends, and peace, all of which Nu believed in and she never doubted, were in a tower built on thin, thin ice. With a mixture of envy and pity in her eyes, she watched the students pass through garden.

　Some of them are familiar faces.

　Nu was the daughter of a marquis, and had a wide face in society.

　She was spending bright days. It's a long time ago now. And she was erased from the history of the marquis family and became something that never existed.

　I wonder how many of my former close friends remember Nu.

　When I think about it, there is such a child. It would be reported with contempt rather than familiarity. This is what it means to be possessed by a demon. There's no need to go out of your way to visit the school during the day just to meet Shadow.

　She just couldn't give up the slightest bit of hope. In one corner of this peaceful school, there is still a place for her. She wanted to have such a foolish dream.

　Nu laughed.

　Even if she doesn't have a place on the surface of the world, she has like-minded companions.

　And... next to me is my beloved master, he started fighting alone.

　And he will continue to fight even if he is the last man standing.

　His existence supports Shadow Garden.

　Everyone is weak, so they want to cling to absolute existence. If God is absolute to the world, he is absolute to the Shadow Garden. But he is better than God. Because if you open your eyes, it's there and if you reach out your hand, you can touch it.

"Hmm, what happened?"

"There is garbage"

　Nu picked the lint off his shoulder.

　I look at his face and speak.

"Please keep it a secret from Gamma-sama. If they find out that I infiltrated the school during the day, they will get angry."

"Okay, but I'm surprised you can change it with makeup."

"My face is thin and it's easy to change my impression."

"Hey, then what about this Mitsugoshi Company?"　

"Yes, I look older than my actual age."

"Well, how old are you, by the way?"

"Is a secret"

　Nu smiled brightly.

"I will report on yesterday's man in black."

"Hm..."

"We interrogated the man in black, but we were unable to extract any information. His mind was already broken due to strong brainwashing. From other characteristics, it seems that the man in black is the 3rd child of the Diablos Church."

"Hm?"

　Diablos Children.

　The Diablos Church kidnapped poor orphans and ordinary children and if they discovered the slightest magical talent, and raised them in special facilities. In that place, the rigorous training and brainwashing education also drug administration were repeated. It is said that less than 10% of the people who graduate from the facility are alive.

　The 3rd children were called as a failure among them and it was an existence that was discarded as a discarded piece... Because his mind was corrupted, information didn't leak... but his combat power is far surpassed that of other knights.

　It was said that when he reached 2nd rank, his spirit stabilized and when he became one of the few 1st ranked, then he had world-class abilities. Naturally, Nu omitted this level of knowledge, as there was no need to explain it to her.

"It's clear that the cult is behind the series of incidents, and I can imagine that its purpose is to lure us out."

"Hm"

"But that's not the only goal. A few days ago, the 1st Named Children were confirmed in the royal capital. The one that was confirmed was Rex from the 1st Children's Rebellion Game. Seems they're gathering for a specific purpose. However, we lost track of Rex and are currently investigating."

"Oh?"

　Named Children.

The name given to them among the Diablos Children who have made a special contribution to the organization. Most of the ones mentioned are the former, but there are very few people who are mentioned as the 2nd.

　And in addition, there are people who have climbed from Named to Knights of Rounds, and within the organization, the Named is said to be the gateway to the Rounds.

　And actually.

　There is a former Named Children 1st in Shadow Garden.

　All of this information was provided by her. Naturally, Nu removed that there was no need to explain this much to him.

"Please be careful. The cult is plotting something."

"Ah"

　The sun is going down over the horizon.

　The afterglow dyes the clouds madder.

　Fanning his slightly sweaty neck, Nu stood up.

　She also stretches next to him and stands up.

　Perhaps there was a future where the two of us would spend our school days chatting like lovers. Nu laughed at his unskilled self. But for now.

"Look, aren't you supposed to escort a lady."

"Escort? Like this?"

　Nu wrapped her arm around his left arm that was held out.

　As it is, the two of them start walking together.

　Surely, there must have been such a future, New smiled.

　A male student was shouting something in the distance.

"Poop bastard!"

　Nu clicked his tongue.

　The face of the boy who ruined the atmosphere was familiar. Trash that once nudged Nu in social circles. She decided later that he would definitely beat him.

　The guy next to me was rolling his eyes for some reason.

　Nu hugged my left arm tightly.