Sherry was crying.

Today she lost her beloved foster father and avenger her mother by killing her murderer. Sadly, murderer and father turned out to be the same person, and now she didn't know what to do.

"This is why I didn't want you to witness this…" man in black coat spoke, his red eyes looking at the side.

Cid Kagenou, or Shadow. Her first friend in the academy, the one who gifted her chocolate and cheered her up. And from the other side, leader of organization that seeks to destroy the Cult her father was affiliated with.

"A-And then what?… Living my whole life in lies?…" she sobbed.

"If you simply knew that it was Shadow who took away your father, then maybe… Maybe you would just make it your goal to kill him and believe your father was innocent… Hmm, I don't know…"

"N-No…" Sherry shook her head, "it's b-better that I know… t-this…"

"Ah, better the bitter truth than a sweet lie…" he sighed.

"M-m…."

She stayed in his embrace.

"What will you do next, Sherry?" she felt his hand ruffling her hair.

"I-I don't know… I got an invitation to Academic City of Laugus, and before that I refused in fear that something happens to fath- to Assistant Principal… But now I don't know…"

"Then how about you join me?"

"C-Cid?" she raised her head to look at him.

"Yeah, join us. We have cookies!" she slightly smiled at his attempt to cheer her up, "But seriously, it's obvious that you need someone that would support you, and as much as I want to… I am still a single person, moreover, a man at that… Girls would surely know better how to help you out."

"Girls?" she focused on the important part.

"Yeah, as they said most Possessed are women, so-o-o, when you see a lot of women in that place, don't get surprised."

"P-Possessed? But isn't that-"

"Oh, right, forgot y'all think that this is some kind of incurable disease," Cid rolled his eyes, "Yes, Possession can be treated, yes, the knowledge about it is suppressed, yes, by the Church, yes, something shady is going on, no, I don't read your thought, everything is written on your face and I answered these same questions multiple times."

She pouted at his words.

"Right, right, so, do you accept? One of my friends is really obsessed with science and researches, to the point where she often forgets to eat and has all moral inhibitors turned off, so she would really need someone equal to her that would check out for that."

Of course, by this point it was understandable that Cid wanted to make sure Sherry got a group of people that would help her cope with her loss, and that just coincidentally overlapped with her being a brilliant researcher…

"M-m-m! I accept!"

"Great!" he smiled at her, "Come, I'll introduce you to Eta, she would be delighted to meet you!"

Sherry froze.

"Eta? A woman with brown hair and purple eyes that, a highly renowned architect that made a building for the biggest store in the Capital, Mitsugoshi, with prestige enough to go to any ancient ruins as she pleases? That Eta?" she couldn't believe her ears.

"Oh, didn't know she's that famous…" Cid rubbed his chin. "But yes, she's also a heavy sleeper and clings to everyone. Just saying."

"Great, there are no casualties," Iris sighed in relief.

The women in black — Shadow Garden — have just finished evacuating the last batch of students.

"I don't see Cid, though…" worried Alexia was frantically checking every corner in hopes of finding her boyfriend.

"Excuse me, miss," Rose Oriana addressed one of the black-clad women, "is Cid Kagenou here? Male, raven hair, black eyes, usually in white shirt, looking seemingly average…"

"Hmm, there was only one boy that met your description…" Shadow Garden member spoke, "he's currently with Sherry Barnett, consoling her after… what happened to her father."

"Oh…"

"So it seems your suspicions were correct, Alpha of Shadow Garden…" Iris noted.

"Indeed," blonde elf calmly replied, "and it seems like our job here is done."

"As you command, your Ladyship," black-clad women bowed.

"I assume your only goal is to eradicate this… Cult of Diabolos, right?" Alexia interjected.

"Correct, that is our main goal and the reason behind creating Shadow Garden," Alpha confirmed.

"So… who is Shadow?"

"Master Shadow…" elf frowned, "is the person who we all owe our life to. That is the most I can say. Unless he himself decides to reveal his identity to the world, it is not our right to speak of him."

Iris was not satisfied with that answer, but did not wish to antagonize the group. After all, their strength spoke for them, moreover they were the saviors that appeared in hour of need. It would go against her morals to speak ill of them.

Alpha observed her subordinates calmly, then nodded. In the next moment, they disappeared. Shortly after the magic barrier surrounding academy was lifted, restoring the colors back.

"Well, everything is well that ends well…" Alexia smiled, "And I guess I gotta give Cid some reward after that; not only he survived all of this but also managed to help Sherry Barnett."

"You're right," Iris nodded, "that's the best outcome we could wish for. Shame we couldn't take Shadow Garden as a part of our forces, but in retrospective it's better that they don't reveal themselves to broad public that much."

"Mhm," very profound, full of wisdom, allowing you to peek in the ways of Heavenly Dao itself. That was Alexia's answer.

"Hold on, where's Claire?" Rose realised something — or rather, someone, — was missing.

"Probably ran off to find Cid," Alexia waved her hand, "honestly, I would do the same, but I don't wanna intervene with him consoling our researcher, and I know personally how good he is at soothi- Ahem!" she blushed.

"Oh, there was something between you and him that I don't know about?" Iris chuckled seeing her sister heating up in embarrassment.

"Shut! Shut it! There was nothing! You hear me! Nothing!…"

Claire Kagenou was on a mission.

The barrier fell, women left. It's time!

She knows for sure where her brother is. With Sherry Barnett. She must hurry and catch him before he leaves the scene!

All the information she received prior to that only confirmed her suspicions. Her beloved brother knew for a fact that attack would happen and used the power of his organization to defend against it, saving countless lifes! Oh, but also she was indeed correct in the fact that his organization was full of beautiful women. Like, look at that blonde elf! Even Claire herself was jealous of her beauty!

Oh, it's fine. She will just find her little brother and drill some sense in that genius, but empty head of his. Though it would probably ruin his reputation if she does that in front of his own subordinates… Or were they subordinates, even?

Who knows, maybe he's just a doctor there?… Nah, no way, her brother is the coolest, so he's definitely high-ranked, maybe even one of the leaders!

She will definitely beat some sense into him, though. He shouldn't keep secrets like that from his sister, after all! It's absolutely unacceptable!

Right, she's near the point.

She can see Sherry Barnett and some man in black coat walking from the Assistant Principal's room. He was hugging researcher as she was crying. Poor girl, from what Claire heard Assistant Principal turned out to be one of this Cult members. And that man in black coat is 100% Cid that is way too kind for his own good and now yet another hus- woman is attracted to him!

Oh, he noticed her. He turned around in her direction, but seemingly disregarded her presence. Hmph, he just doesn't know yet what awaits him once she gets her hands on him!

Cid was thinking about this attack.

On one hand, the academy was indeed attacked by the terrorists, which allowed him to check out a line from his roleplay list.

On the other hand, it was too lame! No, they were prepared and all, but he didn't expect that him trying to manipulate the anti-magic field would result in reversal of effects! After that students practically beat everyone up by themselves while his girls evacuated everyone in cooperation with princess Iris' forces. Actually, that's kinda good, since having good relationships with government would be beneficial to their business, but…

He couldn't even have fun! The only participation he got to have was against Lutheran — who turned out to be the driving force behind the attack, how cliché — and even that drove poor Sherry to tears…

To be honest, it was one of the few times when he actually genuinely pitied someone. Researcher was so kind and innocent that in case she didn't hear Lutheran's speech Cid was willing to take the blame himself.

Hmm, maybe that's for the best. His girls were professionals in helping, if their words about six and something hundred were to be believed, so they will quickly cheer her up!

Oh, there they are.

"Alpha," he nodded in a cool shadowbroker way.

"Master Shadow, mission accomplished. Our forces did not suffer a single injury, there are no casualties from civilian side," she bowed.

"Great job, Alpha. And you did a great job, too," right, even if technically they are girls' forces, he still to play the role of benevolent boss and thank them!

"Thank you, Lord Shadow!" man, Shades surely instructed them great! Look at this convincing expression of happiness!

"Right, Alpha, is Eta here?"

"She is currently developing new product for…" elf eyed the researcher… Oh, yeah.

"Sherry Barnett joins us under Eta's wing. After what happened to her… I couldn't bear to leave her alone," and he's very serious now.

"Of course, Master Shadow," Alpha nodded gravely, "Eta would not mind an assistant of her level. Moreover…"

She made a sign for her forces to go away. They quickly dissipated.

"Moreover, it seems you are as kind as always, aren't you?" elf smiled warmly at him.

"Ahem, well, you see…"

"No need, I understand everything," Alpha nodded and turned her head to Sherry, "I hope you do realize that all of this is of utmost importance?"

"Y-Yes… But I am ready! I don't want for a-anything like t-that to happen again!"

"Understandable wish…" Alpha nodded, "Nu."

Oh, here's the brown-haired clerk slash student slash spy master.

"Lead her to Eta. Make sure our Research Department head doesn't do anything… unnecessary to her."

Nu looked at him. Hmm, good to know that even now they play for him!

"Do as Alpha says. I did not place her as my right hand for nothing," profound master look №13, go!

"Understood. Then I shall take my leave," thirteenth bowed. "Let's go, miss Sherry."

"Wait, aren't you that woman from before?…"

"Indeed, I was…"

As they went away, Cid relaxed.

"Well, that was good. Hope you got anything out of it, Alpha," he smiled at her.

"Ah, Master Shadow, I think it's not the time yet," she shook her head.

Right, a little stalker of his sister behind him.

"Claire Kagenou," mysterious look №1, go!

"Cid Kagenou," she nodded at him.

"There are things in this wor- eh?"

Hold on, what?

"Claire Kagenou, I am afraid you have mistaken me for someone else…"

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"Nuh-uh."

"Yuh-uh."

"Come on, Cid, I know everything," she rolled her eyes, "about you living a double life, about you having a cure for Possession, about you being in a mysterious organization… Anyone with working brain in my place would realize that something was off when you seemingly don't grow in power at all, yet I do each time we spar. And your suspicious disappearances, and you going away to Mitsugoshi each time this brown-haired woman comes to talk with you…"

'Maybe if I don't say anything, she will go away…'

"Oh, and now you're trying to be silent in hopes I will get bored and go away!"

'Goddamit…'

"And don't forget to tell me, what relationships do you have with all these women in your organization! Because as far as I know Possessed are mostly women, and all your members were, in fact, women! Even this elf one!"

In despair Cid looked at Alpha, conveying a cry for help.

She smiled at him and nodded.

'Thank you, Alpha! You're the best-'

"This is my message to my Master…"

'No, wait, hold on, Alpha, where are you going?!'

"This is a fight you cannot win…"