Eminence in shadow Volume 7(My Edition)

Not far from the dim, shadowed depths of Mitsuki's basement, a room of unparalleled opulence basked in the golden glow of the afternoon sun. Sunlight filtered through enormous, extravagantly adorned windows, their glass etched with the royal insignia of a bygone era. Each ray of light illuminated the room's sumptuous details, highlighting the rich tapestry of gold woven into every element of the decor.

In the heart of this luxurious chamber, a woman of striking beauty sat poised on a chair that rivaled any royal throne in grandeur. Her golden hair flowed like a cascade of molten sunlight, framing a face both deep and contemplative. Her piercing blue eyes held the weight of ancient secrets and wisdom. Long, elegant elven ears peeked through her tresses, marking her as someone of noble lineage.

With her ring fingers and thumb pressed gently against her temple, just below her eyes, she squeezed the bridge of her nose—a gesture betraying the struggle to contain her thoughts, as if she were lost in a world of tangled reflections.

"Sigh, I am tired," she murmured, her voice a soft echo in the opulent silence. Her expression shifted into a wicked smile, the corners of her lips curving with a sinister edge. "It's so frustrating to just keep them in check rather than annihilating them," she continued, her eyes gleaming with malevolent intent at the thought of her adversaries. "Those pack of fiends..."

Her smile deepened, relishing the dark satisfaction of her vengeful fantasies. But her reverie was abruptly interrupted.

Knock, knock.

The sharp sound broke the room's luxurious tranquility.

"Shadows overshadowing the lakes in the night," she said, narrowing her eyes slightly at the unexpected disturbance. "Enter."

The door opened with a low thud, and a small woman slipped into the room, moving so quietly that her steps were nearly inaudible, blending into the room's opulent surroundings.

"Lady Alpha..." she said softly, walking directly to the table and placing a few files before Alpha. "Reports on the Midgar Castle, Lady Epsilon's leisurely stroll through the forest, her meeting with Lord Shadow, and the surveillance system update."

"Mitsuki?" Alpha inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"The experimental subject brought by Lady Epsilon from a foreign land, along with several other non-magical objects. She is currently under Lady Zeta's supervision, working under Number 150."

"I see..." Alpha mused.

"She is now in the undercity, making final preparations for a demonstration against the cult's spies."

Leaning back in her chair, Alpha twirled the end of her golden hair between her ring finger and thumb, deep in thought. 'To think that Zeta implemented such sophisticated techniques... I didn't doubt it, but it's still impressive. Ah, speaking of impressive, I remember...'

"Anyway, what did Epsilon talk to Lord Shadow about?"

"According to Lady Epsilon's report, Lord Shadow was particularly impressed with the anti-magic field developed by Lady Eta and further refined by Mitsuki. It's designed to be compatible with the Shadow Sentinels and can be mass-produced for lower ranks if needed. They also managed to rescue the princess of the Zenon Kingdom, who could be used to manipulate the population. This happened right after she demonstrated the new technologies to Lord Shadow, and that's about it."

With an exasperated expression, Alpha tilted her head slightly and looked at the shadow standing behind her.

"And what was Beta's report? I know she was there too. No, tell me what is your report... TELL… ME… EVERYTHING!"

Before she could finish, her fist collided with the shadow's face. But as if it were just a projection, the shadow blurred and faded away. The figure reappeared in the far corner of the room, her lips curling into a fleeting smile that vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Then, Alpha felt her hand closing around the shadow's neck, lifting her into the air.

"Don't torture her, Alpha. You wished, and here I am..."

Out of nowhere, a figure appeared with deep blue eyes and medium-length blue hair. She wore jet-black, tight clothing adorned with golden lines forming intricate patterns, with a bit too much cleavage on display.

"Ooh… to think the cat herself would show up," Alpha remarked, her eyes softening as she released the shadow from her grip. But as soon as she noticed Beta's cleavage, her lips curled into a smirk.

"And why would I be the cat here, when you're the one who had Lord Shadow all to yourself for more than a month? After his arrival, while Epsilon and I were out of the country on an important mission, you monopolized him entirely. As for Beta, she cares about nothing other than 'the ritual of baby-making.' So you see, we just happened to wrap my hands and chest around his, and that's how our night started..."

Memory:

In the outskirts of the Zenon Kingdom, nestled within the bustling outskirt city, stood a tavern that resembled a fortress in the heart of the town. Inside, the warm glow of lanterns lit up the cozy space, filled with the quiet murmur of conversation and the clinking of utensils.

At a secluded corner table, two women sat close to a young man, one on either side of him, creating a quiet, intimate setting. The table before them was set with an array of beautifully prepared something like Japanese dishes. In front of one of the women, a bowl of something like miso soup steamed gently, the savory aroma mingling with a subtle hint of musk and peppermint that lingered in the air around her.

She lifted a spoonful of the soup to her lips, her movements slow and deliberate, savoring each sip as if it held something more than just flavor. Her deep blue eyes, filled with an almost ethereal glow, glanced over at the man beside her. He was fully absorbed in his meal, completely at ease, paying no mind to anything else around him.

A small smile played on her lips as she watched him. In that moment, her thoughts drifted to him, the one who commanded her loyalty and admiration.

'How amazing,' she mused silently, her heart swelling with reverence. 'Even our greatest ideas seem so insignificant in his almighty presence.'

Inwardly, he began his usual rambling,

'Aah... the church as a treasure vault of the Zenon Kingdom and the nearby region... hah, classic. A shadow that materializes from the void, unseen, unheard... and then vanishes like a true eminence in the shadows with all of theirs breath... hahaha... What a perfect setup. How much treasure are we talking here? 5,000, 7,000, or maybe a whopping 10,000 gold coins... just waiting for me?'

He continued munching on his food, completely at ease, as if these thoughts were the most profound revelations. After a few moments, he lowered the bowl, his expression as nonchalant as ever said...

Cid set down his bowl, his gaze sharp and resolute. "In the darkness of this world, it's time for all shadows to feel the weight of the true king of the abyss. The night itself will whisper who it must bow to. Let me be the storm that clears the skies—this is my domain."

Both Epsilon and Beta, who had been quietly eating with their faces cast downward, froze as Cid spoke. Their spoons halted mid-air, and their lips parted in surprise at the sudden intensity in his voice. But just as quickly, they regained their composure, their lips curling into soft, almost tender smiles.

As they resumed eating, their eyes shone with admiration and a warmth that couldn't be easily explained. The tension from before melted away, replaced by a sense of calm and contentment. Every word he said seemed to draw them in, making them feel more connected to him.

They couldn't help but be charmed—not just by his decisions, but by the way he carried himself, the quiet confidence that seemed so natural to him. There was something about him that captivated them, something that went beyond just loyalty or duty.

As they continued their meal, they found themselves more aware of his presence, grateful just to be near him. Every glance, every little gesture from him seemed to deepen that connection, making them feel like they were part of something special, something only they could truly understand.

By the time they finished their meal, the quiet satisfaction on their faces said it all. In his presence, they felt at home, a sense of belonging that filled them with a deep, lasting happiness.

After a few minutes, Beta and Epsilon found themselves sitting across the same table where they had just finished their dinner. The food had been cleared away, but the memory of the one they were discussing lingered in the air, almost tangible.

"What if Lord Shadow doesn't even let us join him in bed to begin with?" Beta asked, her tone light but laced with curiosity.

"He never stopped our advances to even begin with," Epsilon replied, her voice steady and calm.

"You say 'ours'...?" Beta's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. "Had anyone but Alpha made those kinds of direct advances toward Lord Shadow?"

With a contemplative smile, Beta propped her chin on her hand, her fingers lightly supporting her jaw. She leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Epsilon. On the other side of the table, Epsilon, her head resting on her entangled fingers behind her head, leaned back against her chair. Her long, bluish, crystal-like hair flowed down to the floor, adding a touch of elegance to her relaxed posture.

"...What? Hun... Why are you looking li—Aah... Why are you looking at my chest?" Epsilon stammered, her face flushing slightly.

"Ptfff... You're getting flustered just because I'm staring at them? Hahaha... What would you do if Lord Shadow found out you were enlarging your chest with slime to seduce him, while losing your sanity in front of him in case if he wishes to do....to do something... Hahahaha..." Beta's laughter erupted uncontrollably, her palm lightly slamming on the table as she held her stomach with the other hand. She laughed like a mad maiden who had just lost her mind.

"It won't ever—wait, how..." Epsilon's face turned as red as a cherry, and she stood abruptly as if a bomb had just been detonated. Her voice dropped to a near shout as she demanded, "How do you know... no... who told you?"

Beta continued to laugh, clearly enjoying Epsilon's flustered reaction, her eyes twinkling with mischief as the scene unfolded.

"Now, now, calm down," Beta said, her laughter subsiding into a teasing grin. "Why would I reveal my card to my esteemed rival?" She leaned back in her chair, still amused by the situation. "Besides, we should get going. If we don't hurry, Lord Shadow might fall asleep before we even arrive."

Both of them rose from there chair and went who knows where.

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(A/N: Hi! guys, once again sorry for the delay. Don't forget to tell me the about your thoughts. For talking about in regards to this work, you can connect to me at discord-https://discord.gg/CTjFdJJK)