Chapter 93: Raid on Mitsugoshi

My sister has returned to the capital and due to the dangers she faced out there, I didn't allow her to go out again. She will not get in the way of Gettan's plan now. The counterfeit bills plans shall go smoothly from here. It's surprising to hear from Sherry that she joined Shadow Garden though. I don't know how to feel about that. But anyway, Sherry has returned to the Necromancer's base with not just good news but also spoils of war. I gave her a kiss as a reward.

I'm now looking at several corpses of Shadow Garden members, with their remaining magic still allowing their slimes to still behave like bodysuits, allowing me to also secure some samples of their signature weapon. From my brief analysis of the slimes, it seems that Shadow Garden mixed the slimes with human flesh, allowing the slimes to possess similar magic circuit to human's in order to facilitate an easier control over them. Fascinating invention indeed.

They have been an elusive bunch but thanks to Gettan's scheme and my reliable apprentice, I've managed to obtain their precious corpses. A living specimen would've been better but I'll take what I can get.

Whilst studying their magic circuits, I realized how much potential that Awakened Ones, individuals who adapted to Diablos Cells and overcame Demonic Possession similar to the Three Heroes, has. Even grunt soldiers of Shadow Garden are Awakened Ones. That's why they are stronger than average knights. Beatrix is one as well. I wonder how beautiful the magic circuits of the Seven Shades are if their grunt soldiers already possessed such beautiful circuits. I can't believe I've ignored such potential for so long.

Truly… between the Awakened Ones, the Blood Queen and my research on souls… Which one should I prioritize? Not to mention I have to act as Don Jon… Ahh… I'm so busy! So much to do, so little time!

Speaking of Don Jon… I've been sitting in that sofa for far too long! Now that John Smith's bank robberies and the counterfeit bills plans have bore fruit and the recent news I heard about their employees having some kind of labor strike, most likely in response to their imminent collapse, have put much pressure on Mitsugoshi, I suppose I should pay them a little visit later.

But first, the corpses and their magic circuits! For now I should start with them because the fact that they are within sight makes me can't wait to study them! Heh heh heh.

"Claude? What are you laughing at?"

"Oh. You've noticed me chuckling, Sherry. I was… fascinated by their corpses… by what's hidden inside the black exteriors. Can't wait to strip them off and properly examine them." I said whilst grinning. Sherry seemed to find my words scandalous. It took me a second before I realized the implication of what I said and I gasped at the realization. "I meant examine their magic circuits, Sherry! Magic circuits!"

"Claude, you pervert!" Sherry shouted whilst hitting me in the chest repeatedly.

Haaahh.. Why does this thing always happen to me? Oh well… The corpses can wait. I should go for Mitsugoshi first after all.


It is evening in the Midgar Capital's Mitsugoshi main office. Mitsugoshi has started to feel the effects of the counterfeit bills circulating in the market and their banks started to see some bank run, where many of their customers started to have doubts about paper money and began withdrawing coins en masse. And with their funds being affected by John Smith's robberies, they can barely keep up with the withdrawal requests. Gamma still has faith in her lord's plans, which is why she kept working even when it's already late.

Gamma is working hard into the night before she suddenly noticed how quiet the night is. The building would usually still be brimming with life even in the late hours as Shadow Garden's activities intensify during the night. Tonight though, it's eerily silent that Gamma noticed even with how busy she is.

"What's going on!? Where is everyone!?" Shouted Gamma as she left her room and found the building somewhat abandoned. Only a few personnel remained and even they are not showing enthusiastic expressions. Eventually Nu arrived to deliver her report.

"Lady Gamma! T-The Numbers found out the truth about John Smith… and they've begun abandoning their posts! Faith and morale in Shadow Garden is at an all time low!" Nu reported.

"How did they found out!?"

"I believe 612 is the one who spread the news! They said she caught Lord Shadow's scent on John Smith and began assuming that Lord Shadow has turned against us!"

"Dammit! Bring her to me! And keep the Numbers in line! It seems that we must reveal the truth now that they've found out…" Gamma stopped herself as she heard an explosion on the side of the building.

"Dammit… We had to be attacked at a time like this!?" Gamma muttered as she sensed foreign magic signatures entering the building from the direction of the explosion and began scattering around the building. The lack of personnel caused the security of Mitsugoshi to drop significantly, which is how they couldn't detect intruders until it is too late.

"Nu! Gather everyone still available and defend this building! The rest of you, brace yourselves for a fight!" Ordered Gamma as she and everyone else brandished their swords, though not the usual slime weapons but mythril ones in order to conceal the connection between Mitsugoshi and Shadow Garden. Nu obeyed her superior's orders and left the scene.

They stood guard in front of Gamma's office, where important documents are stored, before eventually several footsteps began echoing in the dim hallways.

The man who walked in front emerged from the darkness. His white suit stood out compared to his minions who wore black suits.

"Good evening, Lady Luna. We finally meet each other. I see that most of your employees have abandoned you. It seems that you're unable to satisfy their monetary needs." Greeted Don Jon as he stood facing Gamma, his signature walking staff in hand.

"Good evening, Mr. Don Jon. At least I didn't slaughter them like you did your people, though." Gamma said while frowning.

"Well… you could say they URNed it. Heh heh heh." Said Don Jon, whimsically telling a pun. No one seemed to understand his joke and thus the hallways became silent for a few seconds.

"Come now, milady. Do not ruin such a beautiful night with a frown. I bring great news for you and your company!" Said Don Jon to break the silence, pretending as if he didn't tell a joke that no one laughed at seconds before.

"What, you're going to tell us to invest in your Ponzer Plan?"

"Even better. I'm offering you the chance to work for me, the same as what Snow Fox Corporation had done. Accept my offer and your company will survive the imminent collapse and be guaranteed protection." Don Jon made his offer. Gamma can only continue frowning as she realized Don Jon's aim. Robbing her and threaten her with more violence unless she pays tribute. But even if Don Jon didn't employ such a Viking-like strategy, her answer is clear.

"After robbing us, you're telling us to work for you in order to survive? How absurd! I refuse!"

"I see. It's a shame that you cannot surrender willingly even though I could've saved your company from collapse. Now I will be forced to make you work for me unwillingly." Don Jon declared as he ordered his men to wreak havoc with a single hand gesture. His men moved quickly to attack the girls but the expected death of the Mitsugoshi employees didn't happen. Instead it was Don Jon's men who got slashed and collapsed one by one.

"Hoo… Your employees are better trained than I thought." Don Jon remarked amusedly.

"Ready to give up?" Gamma taunted with a grin.

"Hardly. We're just getting started." Don Jon snapped his fingers and a huge figure eventually emerged from the ceiling. Said figure wore black trench coat and a hockey mask and carried a huge axe. His huge form, clad in black, intimidates Gamma and the girls. His huge axe is stained with fresh blood, which no doubt belonged to Mitsugoshi employees. The sight both angers and intimidates Gamma.

"You called, boss?" The huge masked figure asked his master.

"Kill them, Boar."

"Huh? Killing a bunch of girls again? Tonight's going to be boring." The masked figure called Boar complained but nonetheless obeyed his master. He brandished his axe and was about to strike Gamma but... his axe is blocked by a blonde haired feminine figure clad in black who appeared all of a sudden, whose entrance is sensed only by Don Jon, whose face is very familiar to him. The blonde haired elf's sudden appearance brought a smile to Gamma's face.

"Hoo… Finally someone strong!" Boar exclaimed excitedly and prepared to fight the blonde haired elf but was interrupted by Don Jon.

"Finally! Shadow Garden has appeared! I would ask you what interest does Shadow Garden have with Mitsugoshi but I'll do it later. For now, let us speak with our blades." Said Don Jon as he unsheathes a blade hidden within his staff whilst grinning towards the blonde elf, who just stared at him warily.

"Boss… let me fight her!" Boar requested, itching to fight the blonde elf.

"No. She's mine. You can have the others." Don Jon said. Boar groaned in frustration but obeyed nonetheless and stepped back to face Gamma instead.

The blonde elf and Don Jon continued staring at each other before suddenly both of them bursts into action, appearing in front of each other and locking their blades, causing shockwave that shook the entire building. They then jumped out of the building to take their fight elsewhere.

"Heh. That old man. Always not allowing me to have fun. Even that John Smith fellow gets more fun than I do. No matter. Hope you girls are ready to die!" The Boar declared, pointing his huge axe in front of Gamma and the Mitsugoshi employees accompanying her.

"Lady Ga—Luna! This guy seems strong! What should we do!?" Said one of the Mitsugoshi employee whilst trembling.

"Retreat! You're no match for him! Go assist the others!"

"But Lady Luna! What about you!?"

"Just go! You must go and survive! That's an order!" Exclaimed Gamma. Her words made the girls shed a tear.

"Y-You too, Lady Gamma! You must survive too!" Shouted one of them before they run to the other direction to assist their comrades in defending the building from the rest of the invaders.

Gamma stood alone against the imposing form of the Boar. His intimidating figure is made more terrifying by the enormous amount of magic he exudes. She knew that even with the power that Lord Shadow bestowed upon her, which greatly exceeds his, she is still no match for him due to how unskilled she is with the blade. Her encounter with the Named Child called Sergey Gormann years ago was proof of that.

She considered running away but no doubt he will chase after her and catch up with her in no time the moment she tripped on her high heels like she usually did.

No choice but to face him head on!

"You done? Now let's get into the killing!" Boar shouted as he jumped towards Gamma, his axe aiming to chop her head off. In response Gamma did the unthinkable… she tripped face down and dodged the attack.

"What!?" Exclaimed the Boar, flabbergasted at how his opponent dodged his attack, a move he did not anticipate at all with his instinct.

"Just a coincidence! Take this!" The Boar once again shouted and tried to attack again but…

"Ugyahh!?" Gamma's head hits his chin when she stood up all of a sudden.

"Aghh! What the!?" He grunted as he staggered back, not expecting such a force from her simply standing up.

"Oww! How cunning of you to hit my head when I stood back up!" Complained Gamma as she rubbed her hurting head and her bleeding nose.

"Tch… What the hell is with this chick!?" The confused Boar stood warily and used all his senses to try and predict her movements.

"Hmph! But now I shall show you my prowess!" Gamma declared as she coated her sword with enormous amount of magic.

"What the… My instinct was certain that she's a weakling! Has my instinct dulled down because of that old man!?" The Boar said as he found his opponent more ridiculous by the minute.

"Take this! Swish Swish Swish Swiiish!" Gamma thrusts and slashes at random direction. Although her form is terrible and her aim even more so, her power is undeniable. Her attacks, which never lands on her opponent, destroyed walls, the floor and ceiling around them.

"Tch! This chick's crazy! She has no form just like me and her aim is terrible… but what's with this power!?" The Boar continued to dodge, sensing that he may be unable to block her attack even if he tried.

"SWISH SWISH SWISH!" Gamma continued her assault but this time she poured more power into her attack, causing the ceiling to collapse on Boar, though it didn't hurt him.

"Heh. What an enemy. I can't read you at all! In all my years I've never encountered someone like you! If I wasn't ruined by that old man, my blood would be boiling with excitement right n-" The Boar's words are cut as his cheek is also cut by one of Gamma's stray attacks. He couldn't react to that attack at all because his instincts, dulled by his new undead form, didn't warn him about the stray attack. Even if his instincts were at his best, he still wouldn't be able to react to a threat which is more of an accident than intentional attack that he's trained to read in his previous life.

"Heh! Whatever! Let's see if you can handle this!" Shouted Boar as he poured an enormous amount of his magic into his axe, trying to shoot a beam of destruction. But as he poured his magic, the axe started to crack… starting from the chip damage it sustained from his encounter with Gettan.

"Of all the times…" He complained, regretting his neglect of weapon maintenance before one of Gamma's stray attacks hit the axe, causing it to explode. The explosion engulfed the Boar and blew Gamma away.

"UGYAAAAHHH!" Screamed Gamma as the explosion threw her away. She eventually crashed against a wall and was stuck there with her feet above her head.

"Ughh… That hurt…"

"Gamma! Are you okay!?" Shouted Beta, arriving with reinforcements.

"I'm… okay… In fact… I won!" Gamma said as blood drips from her nose because of tripping earlier. But she ignored it as she is so happy at her accomplishment.

"Your nose is bleeding." Beta remarked.

"Ah! It's been so long since someone said that. It seems that things are going to get better now!" Gamma said with a smile, happy that someone finally commented on her nosebleed like usual, something that hasn't happened since Don Jon and the MCA launched their schemes which stressed Gamma out. The return to usual habits is a good sign to her.

"That's not a good thing, you know. I'm really amazed that your face never suffered permanent damage from all the tripping." Beta remarked with a confused face.

"Anyway, where's Lady Alpha? She came with me as reinforcements." Beta asked.

"She's currently facing Don Jon."


Author's Note:

Don Jon started to get his ass out of the sofa! Also, Juggernaut's undead form has AI that severely negates his specialty, which is fighting creatively, because he didn't follow any established fighting style and just fought the way he wanted to. The AI that controlled his corpse cannot be as creative as the real one no matter how advanced it tried to emulate him and thus he was defeated pretty easily by Gamma in this chapter. But…

Bolvar57: Se ha abierto la caja de pandora.

Al fin habra no-muertos de shadow garden, esperé mucho para ver esto. Ojalá que cuando se enfrenten a sus antiguas camaradas no salgas con el poder de la amistad o algo asi, y se vuelvan contra Nagash seria muy estúpido y un poco gracioso. Tienes planeado darle artefactos especiales a Nagash? Por que nada de lo que tiene es único solo se refieren a su equipamiento, como su bastón, su túnica etc... Deberían tener un nombre, algo que los haga especiales y terriblemente poderosos.

Answer: Yes there will be Shadow Garden undead. And they will be mindless undead minions. You will see the reason soon.

And I haven't elaborated on the full effects of his equipment, especially his staff. Maybe later.

HundredMasks: wait, is it gonna be revealed that Acolyte will fully revive necromancer by giving him Claude, and from the looks of it, Shadow's 'Infiltration' is about to trigger a schism in his group, this is setting up so much that I'm genuinely happy to read it

Answer: No. You shall see how the body snatching lore would unveil soon.

And the chaos within Shadow Garden is already starting. And I hope I'm not overwhelming you with so many subplots.