While girls were asking his lovely Violet (also known as Aurora (also known as Diabolos)) about all interesting things that happened during her time, Cid was trying to fix his broken picture of reality.

For starters: it turned out that Demon Diabolos from myths and legends that threatened to destroy this world did indeed exist. She's standing right there and is hugging him right now, to the envy of Shades.

Then it turned out that she's not original Diabolos, oh no! Well, she is original, but in a different sense. His lovely Violet was injected with some otherworldly creature's DNA, and that turned her into a monster… and yes, that claw in the sanctuary was indeed a part of her. And yes, just as he thought, guys were complete dogshit at their job, judging by the fact that out of a large number of children they took only four survived, and even then one turned into a monster… Oh, yeah, turns out the other three were heroes, one from each race. And these 'scientists' job was so horrible the Beast's DNA even went down to their descendants, resulting in a thing known as Demonic Possession. Just so you know, whatever he did with girls so long ago was his attempt ever, and even then he made sure to fix it all in a way that would only bring benefits! In short: they sucked at upgrading.

And it also turned out that this otherworldly creature wasn't even that strong! It was a combination of Violet's own genetics and the creature's DNA that created an unstoppable monster that was Diabolos… At this point she admitted that whatever job Cid himself did with her Astral Body and a part of her previous body was way superior, as even now she was comparable to what she was on peak of her power, and Violet still had to adapt to new body. A small thing, but it did warm his ego. Oh, it also made Zeta look at him like… He doesn't even know how to compare that, just know that if he ordered her to bring twenty virgins she would probably just ask what type he likes.

Well, all in all, it changed… nothing.

Literally nothing. Girls were still with him and didn't plan to go anywhere (though they looked at still cuddly Violet with obvious envy… he will headpat them later), his lovely Violet was with him, his sister supported every plan of his, he had plans for three heroines, he had a lot of stuff to do with his magic, there's still a whole Sanctuary waiting for him to uncover how it works… Even if these guys that mutated Aurora are still alive he will just rip their hands off and then place on their asses. Because that's where their hands belong after the horrendous work they did.

"…To think that Cult of Diabolos, in fact, was not even a cult…" Zeta chuckled, "Considering how they treat you, it's more like you are a valuable resource for them."

"Mhm," Violet placed her head on his shoulder, "And other poor children… Especially the three that went against me back when I rampaged across the world…"

"So…" he turned attention to himself, "What do you want me to do?"

"What do you mean, Master Shadow?" Alpha asked with some kind of… caution?

"I mean, it's obvious that these guys are complete shit," at their job, too, "so what are we gonna do? Should I go there myself?"

He has a lot of confidence in his powers. If even Violet at her peak confirmed that she was still way weaker than fully serious him, then these cultists were piece of cake.

"My Lord, that's too dangerous!" Epsilon panicked, "What if you get hurt?! There are a lot of strong people in the Cult, especially those twelve Knights of Rounds! We even fought one in the Sanctuary!"

"Really? Who?" now he was interested.

"Oh, Bossman, it's that bald man I told you about!" Delta chipped in.

"Bald man?… Now wait a moment…"

He turned his attention to Shadow World where Sanctuary currently resided and started searching over the place. Sure enough, there was one unregistered citizen: the bald man… Wait, wasn't that Nelson, the one who was talking during Goddess' Trial?

"Hey, guys, be dears and bring this man to me."

"Lord Shadow?" Epsilon turned her head, puzzled, but her question was answered when Nelson emerged from the shadows.

"Thank you, that's for you," and he dropped a bit of his mana to shadows. Sure enough, they immediately exploded in joy.

Nelson coughed up and looked at him.

"Hmph! I don't know what that trick was, but know- A-Aurora?!" oh, an interesting pale color Nelson turned here.

"Hmm… I remember you," he didn't know his lovely Violet can look so scary… Well, she was Diabolos after all, "You were one of the people who experimented on me back then, now weren't you?"

"B-But you are just a memory! You shouldn't be able to exit the Sanctuary!… And where is it, anyway?!" oh, baldy finally noticed the elephant in the room… or the absence of one.

"Ara~" what's that voice? "Now that's something you aren't worthy to know, mister researcher…"

And then he filtered their banter off. By that point he was completely disappointed: the so-called eleventh Knight of the Rounds was nothing more but a weakling in his eyes. No, really, he couldn't even tell the difference between him and bandits he killed on daily basis! Honestly, if he's not wrong, any of the Shades can completely wreck him… well, maybe not Gamma, but she was no fighter, either; even then she had a bodyguard in form on Nu, the thirteenth… Wait, if girls all knew that all this Cult thingy is real, does that mean?…

He actually created an organization that controls the worlds from the shadows! He succeeded!

He succeeded so hard even he himself didn't know about its existence! Now he has to reward the girls, and a lot! They did all this hard work for the sake of him and his goals, and he didn't even show them some praise… Well, he did, but he thinks it was obviously not enough, especially considering Gamma had to practically rise her company from ashes of old one.

But on second thought… Was it even that big of an achievement for him now? Like, he's so strong that apparently even the previous strongest being of this world was completely humbled in front of him, so was it even worth it now? No, girls did a great job, especially considering they were children back then, but… Why stop here?

He already confirmed the existence of other worlds. He has the prototype of teleportation device (suspicious looking door) on his hands. He can go way further. He can create an organization that spans multiple worlds and controls them from the shadows! He can go to new worlds and stage new plays! Or even in this world; he still has three heroines, after all. Even though he may have ascended past this world, he still has some attachment to it.

Yep, it's decided! He will make this world his residence and will come here to just chill with everyone. He may even continue his mob act… What 'may', obviously he continues it!… No, wait, then he will not have time for his research and world-hopping shenanigans. Decisions…

"…Master Shadow?" oh, Alpha is calling him.

"Yeah?"

"You weren't answering our questions. Is something wrong?" oh, she worries about him.

"Nah, just thinking: do you want me to take their heads or will you go there yourself?" that's a serious question! He wanted to save some bunch of it for his plays! Their lives depended on the girls' answer!

"…Master Shadow, are you sure you can do this?"

"Sure, sure, I already told that he's no different for me than everyone else we hunted down before."

"…So Lord Shadow sees no difference between Cult's fodder members and the high-ranked ones…" fodder?

Oh, right, since all of that turned out to be real obviously they had their own forces… But he honestly just saw them as some weak bandits. He will need to dip in Shadow Garden's documents… Or not and let girls continue doing that? Eh, he will ask for the brief report, then work from that.

"So, your choice?"

"I offered my life for you, my Lord, and for eradication of Cult of Diabolos. I say we need to destroy them once and for all," thank you for your opinion, Zeta, that's +1 for destruction!

"Boss, you are not taking me to hunt?"

"No, this time I will go alone."

"Bo-o-o… But alright, Bossman, you can hunt to your hearts content!" that's two on destruction.

"Lord Shadow, they pissed you off long enough," since when? "Moreover, they subjected countless innocent children to fate worse than death! Please, restore justice!"

"Huh, that's three already," he counted.

"Master Shadow, I always followed you and your goals. Whatever you say and whatever you wish will be my task to complete," damn, he didn't know Alpha was so hardcore.

"And I always gave you free will. And I give you now. Choose."

"Then, of course, I shall choose death of Cult leaders," she smiled at him.

"Then it's decided by majority, and I doubt anyone else will object, anyway."

"So, my gallant knight, are you going to defeat the evil and restore the peace of this world?" Violet's eyes were shining! Literally!

"Indeed, my lovely Violet, indeed," huh, why is it so quiet all of sudden?

"…Master Shadow, your what?" hey-hey-hey, Alpha, no need to suddenly cast a freezing smile towards him!

"...Well then, my dear Shades, I have a task at hand. I shall return by the dawn," he thinks eight hours should be enough for them to calm down.

"Master Shadow, wait, I meant-" by-y-e!

Cid immediately went into the shadows and focused on Shadow Entities. He gave them task to find everyone else with energy similar to that of old man's… And yes, to exclude old man himself and his lovely Violet, since it was because of her cells they produced their drugs.

Oh, first target found! He didn't even bother with any introductions? Not cool, man! Every self-respecting evil force will always reveal their evil plans! Quickly take away that dummy! Great, now- what's with Shadow Entities all of sudden?

Souls?! They can actually take souls?! And they are crying because they can't take these yummy snacks that would level them up as he ordered to do everything as fast as possible?!

No-no-no, do teach him, now! Soul Manipulation is very cool! He doesn't know what to do with it yet, though, but the potential! The cool factor!

Uh-huh, like this, like that… And his first soul, taken!… Where to store them, though?… Oh, his Shadow Core can store souls for the time being!

Another base, fodder too? Snap their necks and quickly store the souls… Eh, their souls are kinda trash if he's being honest, but when there's no fish… Hmm, he felt like someone was watching him? Probably Cult reacting to his actions and now trying to see who is that brave guy… He-he, it's him! The Shadow! The one who lurks in the shadows! Literally! And he hunts down the shadows of this world! Sometimes literally, too!

But he has to be quicker, or else they'll run around, and where to find them, then? No, he will find them, but then he may not make it by the dawn, and he already promised!

Oh, he actually found the Knight! Lucky!

"Hmph, you have the guts to intrude into the Cult's territory," the red-headed guy tried to intimidate him, "Heed my name and fear! Mordred, ninth Knight of the Rounds!… And what, exactly, are you doing?"

"Oh, don't mind me, I am just digging a grave for you," Cid blinked innocently as his slime suit quickly dug into the ground.

"Ha, with your measly powers? Know this: should you dig the grave, you will be the one to use it as your bed-!" Cid already finished with his grave only to realize how useless his action is. Why would he need to dig a grave if he can just feed this guy's body to his Shadow Entities?

And Entities did liven up upon hearing about food!

"You- You! Stop! Don't you dare-!"

Entities immediately ripped him apart and now looked at Cid with happy eyes. One even brought up guy's soul, maybe someday he will find a way to use them? Entities need them for some reason, after all…

Hmm, the attention becomes stronger…

Oh, another three Knights? Scratch plays, they might run away soon. Appear from the shadows, dagger to heart, take the soul, run. Cannon fodder will go to Entities.

Another two guys tried to brag that they are fifth and tenth seat, respectively, so he listened to them out of the last ounce of respect. His names were Fenrir and Petos… Was this Yggdrasil lore or what?… Come to think of it, this world clearly had a lot of medieval age Earth references… Eh, he will think about that later.

You know, after meeting with Jormungandr and Hel (Knights too) he definitely thinks that something was suspicious. Like, when people talk about Knights of Rounds, everyone surely thinks about Arthur Pendragon, right? So why these guys are from Scandinavian myths? He definitely has to think about that later… Later.

Nelson is one, Mordred is two, plus three, plus two, plus two… He took nine. Three left.

Strangely, even though someone was practically watching him, none of the knights he found even knew about him. Was it the last ones?

Upon killing them with surprise factor Cid concluded that something else was at play. Eh, he will think about that later, now-

"Daring little thief, aren't you?"

"And you are?" Cid turned around to see a woman of divine beauty.

"Ho? Going to Church made in my name and not even knowing who am I?" woman was clearly smirking… but in her name?

"Oh, you are the… How was even that…" her smile died out, "Breastrix?"

"Beatrix, you little thief," she frowned. "And you took what was mine."

"And what, exactly, was yours?" like, she should not have been angry at him for taking out these guys, right?

"I could care less about their actions as long as they bring me faith energy," the what now? "Hmph, it seems like you, mortals, don't even know about this simple concept. The more people believe in you, the more faith energy you accumulate. The more faith energy you accumulate, the easier it is for you to defy the laws of reality. And you, little thief, just took the souls that were producing the faith energy for me. Either you give them back to me and take the slave contract, or…" the threat was obvious.

Though, there was one question he wanted to ask…

"And you wanna say they will not bring any faith energy to me?"

"Are you idiot?" she rolled her eyes, "Obviously, not. Only Gods can accumulate and use faith energy. You are a mortal, strong, I will admit that, but a mortal nonetheless."

Oh, good, so it was not because of faith energy he did everything he did. He can now try and find a way to get this new energy! Because it seemed really interesting!

"So, your answer?"

"Well, first, let me introduce myself."

"Hmph, go on, then, amuse me," she smirked. Oh, just you wait!

"I… Am…"

"Was the pause necessary-"

"Atomic."

In the next moment, a targeted explosion completely evaporated the place as well as the body of poor Goddess. The only thing that protected her soul and mind was large amount of faith energy that she accumulated over millennia.

Because, in truth, she was no bona fide Goddess. She was a mere spirit born from the beliefs of people that went to the Church of Beatrix. She has risen in power way above anything that was in this world and saw no need to better her abilities, relying on her raw power whenever something dangerous for denizens of this world appeared, as nothing could ever come closer to her… that is, until Cid himself came with similar power level and polished to infinity abilities.

Now, Cid was staring at the resisting soul of 'Goddess' Beatrix. Well, she still had something interesting to his senses that all the Cult members didn't have, possibly that access to faith energy? He was never actually interested in reincarnation and soul topics, and it seems like he should have been! Because it's yet another field of research! Who knows, maybe via using these souls he can create actual life? He will need to strip them of their memories first, obviously, but the perspectives!

Alright, now he thinks he's finished here. Well, at least with heads of organization, if words about Twelve Knights are to be trusted. He couldn't be bothered to go and try to find every single one of the members because apparently not everyone takes these interesting drugs so it was kinda hard to search for literally every cult-affiliated guy, so let's leave them to girls. Moreover, he needs lots of people to play his stages, and these leftovers will fit in just nicely!

He still needs some cannon fodder for his heroines, after all. How can you grow if there's no opponents? Right, right! Of course, if they go out of the line, he will intervene, but outside of that? Leave them be. Hmm, other dimensions, though… Can he bring something else out of them to create even more exciting plays? Girls will surely like it!

Oh, right, he needs to go back and tell that everything is done, they will just need to focus on the remains… That is, if they manage to find them. He couldn't be bothered to do that. He wants to go back, relax for a bit, and deep dive into studying the Sanctuary! Oh, he also promised cuddle time to Beta and body modification to Epsilon…