A/N: Like I said before this chapter is just something slow and character focused rather than something that really moves the plot further. Like a quick breather, I'd say.

Leon Fou [now Rapha] Barfort: Renowned adventurer and current crown prince. / previously: Hiro (pre:isekai)—Lea of Bart's Fort (The true founder of Holfort and lover to the Saintess Ann and Mary)—JOU_MOU_ (someone who used to work in Luxion's facility.)

Angelica Rapha Redgrave: Daughter of Duke Redgrave and ex-fiancé to Julius/ Previously: Ann of Bart's Fort (aka Saintess Ann and lover of Lea of Bart's fort). / Also goes by Angie to close friends and loved ones.

Olivia: Commoner from the Kagenou Barony. / previously: Mary (lover and companion to Ann and Lea. What happened to her is a mystery). / Is also known as Livia by her close friends and loved ones.

Cid Kagenou: fiancé to several famous elves but just a regular mob you'd find anywhere / previously: Minoru Kagenou (Pre:isekai and possibly post[this fanfic only, details on that to come]) / Also dons the secret identity of "Lord Shadow." Leader and founder of The Shadow Garden.

Alice [Kagenou: Cid's personal elf servant, lover, and childhood friend / previously: Beatrice (this is non canon, but all of Shadow Garden had identities before joining so I made a name up for her.) / Dons the secret identity of "Alpha" or "Lady Shade." Co-leader and second founder of The Shadow Garden, first of the Seven Shades. The name "Alpha" is only used by those in Shadow Garden.

Other Shadow Garden Members: All of the seven shades have secret identities. They see their Shadow Garden names as their true names and will use that in their own thoughts. But to everyone not in Shadow Garden that sees them as their secret identities will use those names.

Beta: Natsume Kafka, renowned writer.

Gamma: Luna of Mitsugoshi, owner of said store and many others, richest Woman in the world.

Delta: Sara, certified good girl.

Epsilon: Shiron, amazing musician known internationally.

Zeta: Zetan. Previously known as Lilim, named after the therianthrope hero, Lili.

Eta: Goes by Eta Lloyd Wright, renowned Architect.

Charlie: Known previously as Carla Fou Wayne.

Yankee: Known previously as Stephanie Fou Offrey

Foxtrot: Sherry's mother.

Aurora: Called Violet by Cid. Known as the Witch of Calamity, and the Demon Diabolos.

Disclaimer: I don't own Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs nor The Eminence in Shadow. The only Beta reader here is the elf.

-Cid/Minoru/Shadow-

After using my serious dash with the girls, I finally managed to make my way home. But before I can rest after everything—which admittedly I'm only mentally tired, physically I'm just fine—I see an unfamiliar face in my dorm room.

"Oh, welcome home!" chirped the green-haired golden-eyed nun elf. She seems to have been sweeping given by the broom in her hands.

"…Hello." I greet back.

Now, to be fair, I'm pretty used to seeing elven women in my home. Especially elven maids, and I don't just mean Alpha. Several of the numbers take jobs as maids and will help clean up things whenever me and Alpha are out and about. However, I haven't seen this girl before, and Alpha would've told me about anyone coming over.

Discretely, I ready my slime. Staring at this seemingly kind woman that upon closer inspection looks a bit to… well, let's say I don't think there's a mean bone in this woman's body.

Why's she in a nun outfit though?

"Uh, what's your name." I ask.

"Oh, my apologies, my name is Yumeria!" The woman smiles again, her face giving me the impression that she'd say "ara-ara" and "ufufu" naturally without it being sexy like when Gamma says it.

"What about me?" asks Violet from within my head. "I say those things too you know. Am I sexy when I say it?"

Weren't you sleeping?

Despite the fact Violet hasn't manifested herself in front of me I can tell she's pouting half-heartedly, "I'm not so lazy as to sleep all day…"

It's been a couple of hours.

"What about you? How are you not tired after letting off that huge blast and not sleeping for a week?" asked Violet.

Oh, I don't really need to sleep for long periods of time. Plus, I can let off atomic power a bunch more than that usually, it's just that I had to build up the mana that time.

I feel Violet impishly grin, "Ooh~ scary."

CLICK*

I look behind me to see a tired looking Alpha walk in.

"Oh, Lady Shade! Welcome home." Said Yumeria with a bow.

I give Alpha a quick hug and kiss, to which Yumeria and Violet let out a quick 'ufufu' at. Alpha returns it and smiles, despite being tired.

While holding her close, I whisper to Alpha, "So… is this a new number or…"

"Oh." Said Alpha as she looks over to Yumeria who waves before going back to sweeping, "Uh. After your heist the plan I was going through kinda changed and… we had to… take her from the church."

I raise a brow, "You kidnapped her? That's new."

"We didn't kidnap her…" said Alpha as she looked away, always have been unable to lie to me. It's adorable, and also extremely useful. But more importantly, it's adorable.

"Can she leave?" I ask.

"…No." whispered back Alpha.

I chuckle and kiss Alpha on the forehead again.

"Well, she doesn't seem unhappy, do we plan on recruiting her?" I asked.

Alpha nods, "I believe that we could possibly recruit her on the surface level. Then have her spy on Leon and his group for us."

I look back to Yumeria who is happily humming to herself. Then back to Alpha.

"Do you think she'd be able to spy for us…?" I can't help but question.

"That woman looks like she'd get distracted by a passing butterfly…" points out Violet, and I can't help but agree.

Alpha makes a so-so gesture, "Not in the way we usually do. I figure we can say that we hired her as a potential wet nurse for Olivia and Angelica."

My eyebrows shoot up, "They're pregnant?"

"It's a matter of time, really." Said Alpha, to which I have to agree. All of Leon's girls essentially took turns on who can't walk in the morning. It's a little gross that one of said girls is my sister, but I can appreciate how happy she is. Plus it's a good idea to be up to date on what Leon's getting up to, given that he's likely going to be too busy to really talk to us and let us know himself. "Oh, speaking of which, have you ever thought about baby names? I don't think it's ever come up before. I know you named all of us and the others, but I would like to know ahead of time."

Yumeria and Violet gasp happily. Had Violet manifested I'd imagine they'd have joined hands and gone "kya!"

Myself, I blush a bit. How daring.

"C…Can't say I have." I admit. After all I always figured it'd be something to do in the future. Plus, I don't think our cool as heck code names should be someone's birth name. Like, as a parent I'd feel bad if my kid got picked on for having an extremely unique name. If they chose a cool name later when they're older, that's a different thing.

Alpha smiles, and her ears wiggle slightly, "Well… perhaps we should talk about it for a little bit."

I nod before a thought occurs to me, "Let's… avoid any names of the past heroes."

After all, why would I wish to name my child after someone who lost.

"something" Jr. always seemed kinda lame to me, too.

-Leon-

I open my eyes with a difficulty I hadn't been expecting to come with said action, only to see a ceiling that I have unfortunately become all too familiar with over the years.

I see the white, fluorescent lights that I see could only exist in one place, at least to my knowledge. I'm in the infirmary of Partner. And what's worse? I see that there's a couple of girls who are sleeping, likely waiting for me to wake up.

I love seeing my girls. But man…

I am in trouble~

Speaking of, I hear one of them start to come to with a cute grumble of, "Mm…"

I look over to the side where the sound came from and see the now wide-open eyes of one Claire Kagenou…right next to my face.

"ALHHDLHASDGA!" I shout in a very manly voice as I jump off the bed straight onto the couch where Livia and Angie were waiting, hitting their thighs, causing them to also shout in surprise, which means they jump up and drop me onto the ground. Luckily I'm fine, whatever put me in the infirmary wasn't really bad enough to do anything but tire me out.

(Ooh~ You were right, our master's antics are rather amusing!)

[Quite, and fortunately we shall faithfully be able to record every second of it.]

As I rub my head, followed by feeling Livia and Angie healing me slightly as they help me up, I glare at the now pare of orbs staring down at me. The fact that there is now a pair makes it seem like…

"Why are there two of you?" I ask with suspicion and a growing dread.

"You…" said Angie as she fussed over me alongside Livia, "You missed a lot while you were asleep for the past week Leon."

My jaw drops as I shout, "A WEEK?"

I look around the room and see Claire, Livia, and Angie all share some looks.

"Yeah… maybe we should start explaining what happened after we got back from you fighting Minoru?" offered Livia.

Claire nods, "In that case, I'd be the best to explain."

Livia sweatdrops at this, "Er. Claire, maybe I should instead."

Claire puts her hands on both hips and glares at Livia, "Whaddya mean?"

"Well… you were kinda…" tried Livia.

Clarice sighed and turned to me while Claire was essentially kabedoning Livia, looking like a cat glaring at a capybara.

"I'll just tell you what happened after the third day. Because that night is when things started changing thanks to an old friend of ours." Said Clarice.

-Clarice-

Right, so Leon, you were asleep for an entire week. Honestly after your showing at The Goddess' Trial, it was really what we expected given how hard you fought…

Well okay, I really just thought you'd be asleep for a couple of days, we're all asleep here because we've been worried since you were out for an entire week.

Er, anyway, back to the fourth day. See on the third night a huge violet-blue explosion came from the arena, basically wiping it, and most of the surrounding city out. Most people were okay since they were cleared out after Lord Shadow's fight with The Calamity Witch, but I think all the members of the clergy that were left probably… well, not that there's anything we could use to tell.

Because of this we had to decide to leave. But the thing was…

"What do you mean we're leaving!?" shouted Claire at the top of her lungs, "My baby brother and sister are still out there somewhere! We have to find them!"

Angie, no less worried but more composed, "We have to think of everyone who came with us Claire. You saw that huge explosion that just went off! I want to look for our friends too but-"

"CID AND ALICE ARE WORTH MORE THAN 100 OF THOSE INGRATEFUL LITTLE SHITS" roared Claire angrily.

Honestly it kinda scared most of us since it seemed like we might have to knock out Claire. But then-

[Pardon me Lady Claire, but Luna would like to talk to you.]

I remember breathing a sigh of relief. I mean, I know I like dressing and acting tough but…

I don't think I could ever bring myself to hurt one of my friends.

!

Eh!?

Leon!? Wha-

Hey! Stop patting my head!

Didn't you stop too quickly…

Ehehe, good boy.

Fweh!? Don't just call me a good girl out of nowhere!

A-Anyway-

Back to Claire, she calmed down a bit, almost like she turned on a dime. I guess she didn't want to worry Luna too much. So, she straightened her hair, took a deep breath, and motioned for Luxion to patch Luna in.

Bzzt*

["H-Hello? Is this thing working? It should be glowing red when it happens right?"] asked Luna over the video call. Her face cutely inspecting the video and stretching a little as she got closer to the camera.

"Yeah, Luna. We can see you." Said Claire. I then saw her open her mouth to say something, but then Luna smiled.

With a finger over her lips, Luna gestured for all of us to watch quietly as she panned the camera over to reveal the adorable sight of Cid, Alice, Sara, and Zetan all in one big cuddle pile.

Claire stared real hard at the sight. As she took a good long look, she gripped Luxion's body real hard and said with her whole heart, "Luxion. Luxion, I need this image for all eternity. Luxion."

[…Understood Lady Claire. I shall create a painting for your room later. Please unhand me.]

"Miss Luna," whispered Livia, "How… how did they get there?"

Luna shrugged before putting a hand to her chin and leaning on it while looking in the distance, "Honestly, I'm not sure where to begin. They… kinda just showed up?"

"Wha…?" I couldn't help but utter.

Luna smiled apologetically, ["Well the thing is that some weird magic circle showed up a little bit ago and they popped out. Tired, but otherwise fine. As far as our doctors could tell they're suffering from low mana, likely the price of whatever sent them here. I did administer a blood test just in case, and it is them."]

It was strange, but so was most of everything. I remember looking around the room and saw everyone kinda bewildered.

Stranger, it was Deirdre who had came up with the solution, "Perhaps they had been saved by Shadow Garden once again? After all we know that one of their employees is working for Mitsugoshi. And, given what we know about their goals, it likely aligns with making sure that Mitsugoshi—a company that mainly consists and hires demi-humans—stays afloat."

Luna nodded. ["Well, as much as I don't like hearing such things about my own company, I suppose you're right. If anything were to happen to those two."] Luna closed her eyes and took a deep, shaky, breath before continuing, ["Well, I don't even want to imagine."]

From there we decided to keep going to Midgar. After we got there though…

-Angelica-

I'll take over from here. This had been roughly on the fifth day, although it happened that night around 10PM.

See once we docked and gotten most everyone out of Partner, we had another visitor. A woman clad in the darkest black.

"Lady Shade," I greeted behind my seat on Partner's bridge, as we had taken precaution and sent one of Luxion's many robot bodies to meet her this time.

From what we could see on the screen, Lady Shade had smiled back. She was accompanied by a woman who had a long scarf that seemed to be a few inches from the ground. But what was more important was that they each seemed to be holding something familiar.

[Pardon, Lady Shade. But I believe you are holding something that belongs to Old Humanity, and Old Humanity alone.]

Lady Shade merely smiled with a shrug as the woman with a scarf tossed an orb in the direction of Luxion's robot. When caught, it revealed a familiar looking orb.

"You… you're just going to hand it over?" I couldn't help but ask as the other girls shared similar looks of confusion.

Lady Shade seemed to slump her shoulders slightly as she turned and left with one remark, "Just take it. I already have something pretty similar."

With that the two of them vanished into the night.

-Leon-

I took in the information as best I could. It's a lot, but time to rest is something I already had a week of.

"So… where's Milaine and Himawari?" I asked. I figure that Deirdre isn't here since there's only so much space to sleep around here.

Angie answers, "They had taken a ship midway through our return trip. Believe it or not, but you actually did get up to help send them off."

I furrow my brow in confusion, "Wait what? I thought I was asleep this entire time."

"You kinda got up sometimes, but you weren't exactly acting like yourself. From what Luxion had told us it was basically the same as you sleepwalking and talking." Explained Clarice.

"Huh… I guess that's why I don't remember anything." I say as I do my best to recall anything I did. Seeing as I couldn't I decided, with much trepidation, to ask, "I… didn't do anything embarrassing did I?"

The girls all look at each other, start smiling, and then file out of the room.

"Wha-!? Hey! Girls!?" I shout in a desperate plea as they all leave while giggling, I don't chase after them due to my legs having fallen asleep. Though I can't tell if one of the girls cast a spell or if I was just listening to them for that long. Probably doesn't help that I was asleep for an entire week essentially.

Sigh*

I decide to just sit down and wait for them to come back. In the meantime I look to the two orbs circling above me like the dirty vultures they are.

(Fufufu~ Such an amusing master you are. I look forward to seeing you and your progeny bring life for years to come.)

[You do understand you will not be allowed to experiment on any of them, yes?]

(Oh poo…)

…I'm going to ignore that. Luxion probably has my back.

Actually, speaking of Luxion, I could probably ask him couldn't I. I look to said orb, "Luxion, was there anything notable I did while I was up and about? I don't remember any of it."

[Hm. Well I suppose nothing to major. You essentially acted like you were drunk.]

I breathe a sigh of relief this time, "Okay, I guess that's good."

(Didn't he rut with the Queen before she left? I suppose he didn't manage to impregnate her, but that's notable for men his age, isn't it?)

Wat.

[Ah, yes. I had filed it under unimportant due to how many other women he has seduced already. In this case it was obvious it'd happen eventually so I felt no need to bring it up.]

I raise a hand and I see both orbs move in such a way that makes me feel like they rolled their eyes at me before they display a video for me.

A/N: Here's the Leon x Mylene Lemon

Julius' Mom~ Has got in goin' on~

A/N: Lemon over.

In the present, Leon looks over to Luxion. "Say, there's a Mitsugoshi in Midgar as well, right?"

[Yes, it's their main location as I recall. Luna had informed me that your order was nearly complete. Shall I ask her on the progress once more?]

"Yeah…" said Leon as he did his best to calm down Balmung by splashing cold water on his face, "I-uh, want to go ahead and do what I set out to do."

(Oh? And what would that be?)

"Be better than the men before me in their lives. Though, unfortunately Mylene will have to wait a bit on that." Said Leon.

-Alpha-

Beta, Gamma, and I watch as Leon leaves with his custom-made jewelry, happy for him and our other friends. Once he's out of sight, I decided to turn to the others, as we had gathered for business as well. Cid is gone, as he is helping Eta with some project.

"Now, what was it you said that Princess Alexia proposed?" I asked.

Beta had smiled before scoffing as to mock Alexia, "She wanted me, Rose, and her to create an alliance. She was a bit frustrated with her place as a spectator it would seem. She essentially wanted to create her own 'shadow garden' to be blunt. *pfft* as if she'd be clever enough for that."

I exchange a look with Gamma before looking back to Beta, "You do recall that she is part of a large noble faction that spans multiple kingdoms, right? Which we are technically a part of due to our connections to Cid and Lady Claire."

"Er-uh, but that doesn't count! Besides she didn't even mention any of them as part of this new alliance!" insisted Beta.

I merely sighed and decided to continue. I suppose revealing to Beta that Alexia is likely the reincarnation of Freyja, one of Minoru's (and therefore Cid's) past lovers wouldn't go over well right now. They have plenty of time to grow closer, if Cid should ever decide to take Alexia as lover this time anyway.

"Gamma, how was your trip to Madlid?" I ask.

Gamma smiles, "As we had planned, I was able to acquire a lot of land from the Velgata empire. Lord Rude was rather desperate to give me the land I asked for, even at a cheap price. Our plan of a real estate bubble is coming to fruition!"

I smile proudly at Gamma. Despite what Gamma may think, she's invaluable. Not only because I consider her family, but because I truly believe that none of us would have been able to create Mitsugoshi as she had. She often remarks that she's useless due to her poor combat ability, but given her success rate when it comes to all matters business I can't help but disagree. Cid does as well, but I can't recall if he has given such praise to her face… something to remind him of later, I suppose.

Beta then looks around, "That reminds me, where's Delta?"

Chi, a blonde elven woman with short hair that covers one of her eyes, speaks up. "She… hasn't returned yet."

Epsilon, who had been busy removing the make-up from Omega's body that we used to disguise her as Cid, chimes in, "Don't tell me… She's still in the Sacred Land?"

Oh dear, I can already imagine her howling at the top of her lungs after climbing a tall building.

As Omega finds herself free of Epsilon's ministrations, she offers, "Shall we go retrieve her?"

Epsilon forces Omega back down and shakes her head, "Just leave her be. She'll come back when it starts to get cold."

As I watch everyone go about their day, Beta sitting down to write her novel, Gamma filing away some ledgers, Epsilon cleaning Omega as she often does for Eta… I can't help but smile.

It reminds me of how things were when they first started.

All those years ago, when everyone had to live in a house that Cid and I had created for them with the use of his Shadow Wisdom. I would visit more often than he did, although that was mainly due to how Claire had religiously doted upon him when given the chance. But I would recall all the nights in which the others would enjoy a bit of free time.

Eta and Zeta lounging about as Gamma and Epsilon would get dinner ready. Beta reading a book while Delta naps contentedly. And I would wait for Cid to return to us. Yes, it was because I wanted to begin the members' training in earnest, to have them be ready to protect our little found family at a moment's notice. After all, we had no way of knowing how far the Cult truly reached back then. But… I also recall how even in our young age, I felt like a wife waiting for her husband to return after a long day of work.

Heh.

Even now, I find the sight of everyone: shades, the numbers both named and not, all interacting a precious sight.

But then I find my peace interrupted as Nu brings news.

"Lady Shade," greets Nu with a bow, "We've received word from the Oriana Kingdom. The prime minister, Duke Perv Asshat, is making his way to Midgar."

I feel my face furrow, as the time for fond recollection is over. I appear to intimidate Nu slightly with this, so perhaps I am a bit upset at having the moment ruined. But I can apologize later.

"Perv Asshat… So, they're hoping to stir up more trouble in the capital, are they…" I note, knowing that we are going to be apart of another incident in due time.

-P2W-

"Then it's true…" said Iris.

Alexia agrees, "Yes. I can only conclude that the Church itself is up to no good."

They are inside Mitsugoshi's spa resort. It is a gorgeous hot spring within a baroque-style building.

"The attempt on the previous archbishop's life, and the man who replaced him—this has to be related to the Cult of Diabolos." Said Alexia as she adjusted her towel, "I'm afraid I don't know any more than that though. All the proof has been covered up, and I can't find any other means of re-entering the Sanctuary. A facility of that scale could never be kept hidden without some significant covering up."

Iris folds her arms, "And the only organization with that much power and influence is…"

Alexia draws closer to Iris, shouting, "I don't care if it's high-handed. We must investigate the Church! If we go on the pretense of following up on leads related to incidents here in the capital, no way can they turn a blind eye…Not even they can refuse…!"

With her eyes shut, Iris agrees, stating, "I said as much to our father… His majesty." Iris opens her eyes and glares in Alexia's direction, not meaning to intimidate her own sister but doing so as she recalls her own father, "He insisted that I leave the matter be."

Alexia's jaw drops, "but…!"

Iris scoffs, "It's quite like His Majesty to avoid rocking the boat. I surmise he wants to avoid causing any undue turmoil with the Church in order to avoid upsetting our allies in Oriana and receiving a visit from their king. Not to mention that everyone from the school of Holfort is now going to attend the Bushin Festival given that they don't have a school to return to."

"Undue…?" asks Alexia.

"I've been looking into the matter with Beatrix's help, but essentially we need to either present clear evidence or demonstrate we have the strength to overcome any sort of national crisis in order to force his hand." Said Iris, before she smirks. "In that sense, I suppose it's most fortunate for us that the Bushin Festival is to be held this year."

"The Bushin Festival…!" remarks Alexia.

Iris nods, "The prestige of successive wins at the festival would be the perfect way to draw further backing from the knight orders. And if we bring home the honor of victory at an international tournament to the kingdom, it will also solidify support among the citizenry. Once we're in such a position, neither His Majesty nor those in the palace will be able to ignore what we have to say."

Alexia nods before pausing as a thought occurs to her, "But Iris, what if the Shadow Garden or the Cult try to hatch some sort of plot? They've already been maneuvering behind the scenes of every big event so far. I suspect the Bushin Festival will be no different…"

Iris shakes her head, "Don't worry about it. With Beatrix's as well as Leon's help, we should be protected from any such happenings."

"Leon!" realizes Alexia, "He's been fighting the Shadow Garden for years! Shouldn't we ask him for help?"

"No. Although I do trust and care for him, unfortunately, doing so will only prove our father right. I need to prove my own strength, lest father ship me off to Holfort and be nothing more than a breeding mare for Leon." Said Iris. Clenching her fists and teeth as she recalls how Lady Shade had so easily shown her the gap in their power, let alone the way the incident at the Academy made her feel so helpless. "At any rate, we cannot turn our backs on this. If they dare show their faces at the Bushin Festival, we will put an end to them. Simple as that. Both the Cult and the Shadow Garden… but more importantly, why did you pursue them in the Sacred Land? If Leon in his armor could barely manage to take out a copy of their leader, why were you so confident?"

Alexia twitches as though she'd been stabbed by Iris' statement.

"I gave you permission to investigate the archbishop and nothing more." Said Iris as Alexia looks away with a guilty smile, "When did I say that you were to follow dangerous groups into dangerous locations? Not to mention that you forced Rose to accompany you."

"I-It wasn't like I went after them because I wanted to…" lied Alexia, "It was more like evacuating in the face of an emergency… or maybe willful negligence… Oh dear, I think the heat is making me dizzy! I'll just head to the cold bath!"

Alexia hurriedly exits the sauna. Iris watches her go with a rueful smile that abruptly turns forlorn.

"…I need to build my own strength. Not borrow it from others. My own order is beginning to doubt me as some of the core members nearly lost their lives right away. I nearly squandered their lives despite drawing them to my side after so much arm-twisting." Iris takes a deep breath and wipes the sweat out of her eyes. "Victory is my only course. I will put on a show of strength and carve a path forward, as I always have. It is the only way…"

Just as Iris makes her vow, she hears a satisfying clap from outside the sauna.

"Huh?" questions Iris.

-P2W-

Rose practices alone, swinging her sword beneath the pouring rain. The stroke flashes through the air with no wasted movement. However, Rose is not satisfied. She swings her blade again and again.

"…No." said Rose as she recalls the swordplay she had seen back during her attempt to rescue Alexia alongside the others in Leon's faction. As well as the swordplay she had once seen wielded by a boy wearing a bag upon his head. "That beautiful swordsmanship…"

Just as she readies her sword again…

"Agh!" shouts Rose as pain shoots through her chest. She clutches at the offending area instinctively and her eyes widen in horror as she sees that spreading from her cleavage, the fain traces of possession can be seen…

-Gamma-

Unlike what most people likely would believe, I think that my lord and love deserves the entire world. If he were to ask, I would do my best to purchase it as a gift for him, and whatever I could not buy would be worthless. Whatever he would ask of me, I will do without a second thought, knowing that he has some kind of greater purpose in mind.

So, when he returned with Eta from whatever they were doing in Alexandria, and asks "Gamma, I need you to test something for me… and I need a favor from you, but more on that in a little bit."

Of course, I accepted straight away.

He took out a modified slime suit, with bits and bobs sticking out of it. I was thrilled that my lord and love thought of me first when the opportunity to practice a new weapon arose, Beta is Eta's favorite test subject, so I know that the decision was Cid's.

"Er, Cid… not that I would ever doubt you, but are you sure you want Gamma to test this?" asked Alpha.

As Cid is completely unable to deny anything of Alpha, I felt myself grow disappointed, knowing that they were likely going to ask someone else. I'm rather sturdy you know? I'm sure Cid chose me for a reason.

But before I can sigh and slump in place, Cid shakes his head. "I made this specifically for Gamma."

I could feel my ears wiggle faster than ever before at those words.

Eta then walked up to me as Alpha took a step back, the new slime coating me and I feel a few armor pieces lock into place. My new appearance is different compared to my normal outfit, as it's a black and red dress. Gauntlets overtake my arms and legs, with some purple gems highlighting each. The suit no longer covers my entire body, and instead the dress ends at my thighs, met by the boots a little underneath. My head has a headdress that reminds me a bit of Victoria's, although the 'horns' are pointed down and to the outside rather than up… finally, I suppose I should mention that my chest… has the undersection exposed rather than the top.

If my lord and love desires this, I have no reason to refuse.

A/N: It's the demon Gamma outfit from the game, minus turning her hair white.

My lord then takes out a blade and walks in front of me. Given that we're in the throne room we have quite the large amount of space to duel.

"I want you to try and hit me, just as you think the others would." Commanded Cid.

Everyone takes a few steps back. Which, for as much as I understand why, it does hurt. But still, I won't just disobey my lord and love over a few hurt feelings. So, I do my best to mimic Alpha, whose swordsmanship I admire above all else… save my lord, but he's unachievable due to my clumsy nature.

But…

As I dash in, I realize something. I'm not tripping.

I run the entire length of the room straight into my Cid's chest.

He chuckles, "You're supposed to try and hit me."

"Ah!" I gasp, backing off and readying myself, thinking what just happened must have been a fluke. Or an act of love. "My apologies! I'll do it right this time!"

I charge in and swing. As always, my sword makes a loud *SWISH* noise, but-

Clang!*

My blade meets Cid's. My eyes water, but I continue. Another swish, met again by another clang. And again, and again, and again.

"Try other swings." Encourages Cid.

Exhilarated I do my best to mimic Alpha, swiping the width of my body and then following in by leaning my body into it. I see Cid slide back a few feet.

I didn't trip. I didn't drop my sword. I hit him. I hit him.

"Again!" commanded Alpha.

I begin to perform more swings. My sword is much heavier than Alpha's and it only has one edge, so I should change things a bit. I perform more slashes, Cid begins to fight back.

I don't trip.

Cid performs a feint, and I back off. He smiles. I smile back, and I can feel my smile stretch my cheeks harder than ever before.

I don't trip.

I charge in again, this time swinging down, catching Cid's sword with its weight.

I don't trip.

I do something I've only seen Alpha and Zeta do, and while our swords are connected on the ground I force my legs up, kick Cid in the face, and then perform a backflip by jumping up and kicking off of his chest.

I land on my feet, and I. Don't. Trip.

Cid licks blood off of his lip and looks at me with a feral grin. He says something in a language I have yet to learn, "「Good.」" before he changes his stance from a defensive one to an offensive one. He turns to the other women in the room. "Alpha, Beta, Epsilon. Follow Gamma's lead."

The other girls take out their own swords and we all face Cid. He grins and the bracelet on his arm shifts back to a mask. The slime around him begins to shift into the form of many different weapons. He raises his arm and then fires them at us.

I look to the girls, "Epsilon, use your harp to weaken the slime. Beta, use your bow and arrow to take out all the projectiles as they form." I turn to Alpha. The woman I admire the most. The one I envy the most. The one I have done my best to follow in her footsteps. The one I want to hear is proud of me. "Alpha, with me. We'll take on Cid."

The girls all grin, as giddy as I am, and we go towards all the weapons as planned. For once in my life I'm not forcing everyone to work to make up for my mistakes, instead we're working together full of confidence. I see the weapons fly by me but I can trust that they're not going to hit me thanks to my sister-wives. We meet Cid whose grin likely is only matched by mine own and perhaps Alpha's.

We swing at him, and he meets us both with one sword. He pushes us off but while we slide back I grab Alpha and throw her back to him. She follows up as I run behind her, slashing at Cid. She performs a few parries, thrusts, jabs, and even uses her pommel. All her blows are met by Cid in greater detail. She's pushed back.

I see…

I need to fight like him.

I jump up and begin to spin my body, slashing at Cid like a spinning top. He pushes me back but has to use his whole body to do so. Alpha catches me and throws me back into the fray. I begin exchanging blows with Cid. He has to dance around me, forcing me to keep moving my legs.

I feel my breath become heavy but I can't bring myself to care about air right now. I exchange blow after blow with Cid. Alpha joins in again and I feel myself able to work with her in tandem without any difficulty. If I feint, she closes in. If Cid tries to access her blind spot I cover it. If Cid uses a kick, she meets it and forces him to turn.

Finally, I see my own opening.

An opening that Alpha doesn't notice.

An opening that only Cid himself could capitalize on.

But I need to try and emulate him…

No! I need to surpass him! I need to become stronger than Cid so that he'll rely on me! And! AND! I'LL GO EVEN FURTHER THAN THAT!

With a loud cry of "HYAAAAAH!" I jump while slashing, a move Cid had dubbed the rising spin attack. Something I've seen him do time and time again. A sight that's mesmerized me as he's defeated cultists and bandits underneath the moon's pale light.

And I did it.

However, Cid catches my foot and forces me back to the ground. As he had swiped at me I spin as I fall. And I briefly catch the sight of him able to decapitate me should he have chosen to. But instead he flicks my nose.

I fall to the ground, and see a hand outstretched to me.

"You're still a few years too early to beat me… but I suppose it's only just that now, huh?" said Cid as he pulled me up. He smiles that boyish grin that captured all of our hearts the day we had to leave him to try and match him. My heart throbs roughly as I witness him and hear his next few words, "Gamma the clumsy is no more… No, I dub you with a new title. Gamma the Devoted!"

I begin to cry.

Cid adorably panics but before I can wail I feel a hand behind me push my body towards Cid. It was likely Alpha but I don't care about that as much as I care that Cid immediately wrapped me in a hug and patted my head to calm me down.

"I…WAAAAAH! I'M NOT USELESS ANYMORE!" I cried.

Cid's hand stops and he forces me to look at him, "What? Who called you that!? I'll beat them up!"

I point at myself. Cid bites my cheek.

As I sniffle and nurse the area, Cid continues, "Why on earth would you think that?"

"Bu-but… the only thing I'm good at is… *sniff* business. B-but… If I don't have Mitsugoshi… I'm nothing! WAAAAAHHH! Now I'm not! I'm not useless!" I cried, hugging Cid again.

He hugs me back, waiting for me to calm down for a bit before pushing me back and wiping my tears, "Gamma, I don't think you understand how impressive Mitsugoshi really is. Besides, if you didn't have Mitsugoshi, you'd have to just create Mitsugoshi again. We kinda need it after all, and there's no one else who could possibly do that."

"You could." I mumble into his neck, biting it slightly.

He pats my head again, before breaking my world view once more with his next few words, "Gamma. Did you ever stop to think why I never started a business on my own while you girls were separated from me?"

"…Because we told you about ours?" I said.

"No, because I had no way of doing so. I have no idea how to start a business, just to run one. Hell, for most of my Shadow Wisdom, I think if it weren't for you girls, I never would have been able to bring it to life." Admitted Cid.

I don't believe him in the slightest, but I hug him for all I'm worth. Alpha and the other girls can't hold back their joy and join in. Even Eta.

After about a solid 30 minute group hug that I dearly wish lasted longer, Cid brought up his request. In all honesty, at this point he could have asked me for the Midgardian kingdom and I'd have taken it over for him within the day.

Instead, Cid asked, "I want to participate in the Bushin Festival while hiding my identity."

I quirk my head, "Hiding your identity? May I know why?"

A complicated expression crosses Cid's face as he replies, "Sorry, I'd rather keep the reason to myself… I can't reveal it to anyone."

I look over at everyone. Even Alpha doesn't know. I suppose that makes sense. None of us saw it coming that he'd interrupt the Goddess' Trial as he had done, we just needed to do our best to keep up with him. In the end, his choice had been the optimal one, as always, and so we just need to follow his lead this time.

I motion to one of the subordinates that usually help me up whenever I trip. She's crying as though she's proud of me. I cough and do my best to clear my throat as I issue my order, "Bring it here."

The woman hands me a special slime in a make-up container, and I Cid up to his throne as I prepare to place it on him.

"Now, if you will excuse me, Cid." I say as I get some of it on my fingers.

"Hm? What's this?" questioned Cid.

I answer with a smile, my face likely still red and puffy from my crying, "Slime—modified by your god-like Shadow Wisdom. By running magic through it, it takes on the exact same feeling as skin. Now just apply it like so…" I say as I rub it over his face.

"Nice how anyone can use it," mentions Cid.

I nod, "I currently have Eta producing it in mass quantities."

Eta briefly flashes a V before she goes behind Cid's throne to plug some things in. I bring a mirror to Cid's face so that he can see his new look, and for the most part it mainly looks like he gained a few dozen pounds. I still think he looks rather fetching, but that's my personal bias.

"But this just feels like I have clay stuck to my face." Points out Cid.

I shake my head, "That was merely the first step. Next we will carve the slime and color it so you resemble a different person."

"Gotcha." Said Cid.

Nu walks up and brings up a book of people we had killed in the past, asking, "What kind of face would you like?"

"Something kinda weak." Said Cid.

"Weak…" I say as I look over the book before stopping and pointing at one, "Well then, how about this fellow here? Mundane Mann. Lazy and unskilled as a dark knight, he was disowned from the nobility five years ago and passed away after Delta, I mean, he died in obscurity."

Nu nods, "Your builds are similar, so he would be a good fit."

"I like it. He's got the perfect face and backstory." Confirmed Cid. "Make me Mundane."

Nu bows, "It shall be done."

I take a device from Eta and flick the switch. The slime is sculpted in the blink of an eye. Once the device is removed from Cid's face I bring he mirror out once more and show him his appearance.

"What do you think?" I ask.

Cid turns his head so he can see its new appearance from all angles, "Oh yeah, I see it now…! I look like a real wuss!"

I frown a bit, not enjoying the sound of my lord and love talking down to himself, even in the context it is.

Cid gets up, changing his posture to match his appearance. "…Suppose I'd better slouch if I wanna really fit the part, huh." Cid then changes his voice as well, "Sloped shoulders and a dull voice and expression ought to help, too."

I smile, thoroughly impressed by him as always, "Excellently done, my lord. You once said that posture and gait can reveal how physically adept a person is. And here I see that you have put those words into practice masterfully."

Cid then looks over to me, "You know, it's been a bit since the two of us have had our own mission. Why don't you join me this time?"

I did not think this day could possibly get better… I turn to Nu, "Nu, pinch me. I must be dreaming."

Nu pinches both sides of my cheeks at full strength. It hurts.

I'm not dreaming.

Cid looks over to the same subordinate from earlier, and asks for one of the slimes I just used. She brings it even faster than she had for me, of course, and he begins to mess with my face. He doesn't even look at the book offered as he messes with my appearance.

He then finishes his work and shows me the fruits of his work. A woman long black hair in a pony tail with a green underside, glasses, and my same mole stares back at me.

"During our mission, you shall be known as Xianyun. A sword master from the east, and I'll be your disciple." Said Cid.

Ah I see! In order to explain Mundane's disappearance the excuse of him going to another country to train under the masters of the east makes total sense! Sasuga Shadow-sama!

Plus, if he wants to win the tournament, now he has a possible explanation as to how he was capable of doing so!

…But still.

I can't help but wonder why he needs to do this under a secret identity.

-Cid/Minoru/Shadow-

"You can't keep ignoring me you know?" said Violet.

I'm not ignoring you.

I feel Violet put one hand on her hip and use the other to wag a finger at me, "Oh really, then how come every time I try to tell you about the Cult and how real it is you immediately stop talking to me Minoru?"

I'm Cid.

Right?

I mean I do still have my memories as Minoru.

But maybe I'm Shadow.

Or…

Maybe I should just not be any of them for a bit. Because right now none of them make sense to me.

.

.

.

A/N: Okay, so I think I'll have a bit more of wind up in the next chapter. But that kinda goes with everything in that chapter anyway, so. Basically, Leon's going to do romance stuff and get some scenes with Iris, while Cid and Gamma cement themselves as Xianyun (yes it's the one from Genshin Impact. Natlan came out and I've been using her to run around) and Mundane Man.

Also I imagine most of you thought it would've taken longer for Cleare to be handed over, as well as the gem, but I thought it would've been funnier this way.

Now let's answer the comments.

QQ:

Someone ani: Yup, that's basically it. Minoru was isekai'd, messed with the cult but didn't have magic so he could only do so well, especially after everyone he loved was killed due to his own choices. Then he became 'possessed' out of grief and so Lea, Ann, and Mary had to kill him. Then Minoru reincarnated into Cid.

Yeah, I really liked the truth seekers event. Originally I wanted to include more of it, and potentially write more of Stephanie and the others. But I think I'll save that for the second invasion. Since that's when more stuff with Fanoss is going to come up.

Bladist: Glad you liked the chapter.

It will likely change it a bit, but also I feel like there's a lot I can do with what I set up that would make things stick to canon but also change it. We'll see.

You're a bit a head with the p4 reference actually. But there's some more growth to be had. I do like P3, it's my favorite story actually, so I'll reference it at some point.

I actually got Yukime in game, so I'll be able to write her. But as for the John Smith Arc… well sometimes you hurt the people you love to help them.

Zackman2k12: If you're talking about the last bit, then that's a bit funny considering that's basically straight from the game.

Thanks!

Ao3-

Jinxiaogon: thanks, that means a lot. :D

Rugbeat90999: Yeah the obsessions in shadows guy updating daily was crazy. I think he stopped once he moved onto the second fic though. Guess he lost steam or passion, hope he's having fun still.

There's a link to my pixiv in later chapters.

Thanks!

Rainsensei: I'm joust going to answer in English this time. So basically, Cid is already stronger than Minoru, so his past memories wouldn't make him stronger like everyone else. At least physically. But emotionally/mentally, Cid's beginning to change.

Anisomeone (1) : I love their dynamic too. Luckily two of her in MoG so I can get a good feel for their dynamic. It's strangely similar to his with Gamma's but with it feeling like they're equals almost.

Yup, the teasing runs in the blood. I love writing those scenes.

I actually was going to write a Eta lemon this time, but lost motivation. I think I can write it in next chapter though. If not the one after.

Wolfpaladin: I like that term, sync. Good point, cid doesn't know about that yet. I'll have to show that off.

Glad you liked the stuff with Minoru's past life in regards to Mary.

I mean, Zeta's plan could just involve other ways.

It was going to be this chapter, but I decided to just save it for later. Hope you liked the Mylene one though.

Anisomeone (2): I do plan on involving that bit again.

Deathfang1920: thanks!

BOY4_GOW: I do have ideas. Not sure when to use them though.

I'll get into it more later. But I explained the basic timeline in a reply to ani someone or someone ani, I forget.

Yeah, Cid didn't have the magical strength back then so he had to be honest. For what it's worth, Lea actually did try to help Minoru achieve his dream.

I'm not sure I understand point 4, maybe you could rephrase it?

As for point 5 though, I mean I think that's just canon that the cult is that old. Not sure though.

Totntotbt: It's more of a sidequest. I mean, how do you even look for that? As for the slime thing… well, I'll show off a bit in Eta's planned section. Though technically, I did in this chapter with Gamma.

Funny you said that about his fantasy.

I didn't consider bringing back the Yandere, but now that you mention it, Yandere Livia would be totally fun to work with.

SB-

MWKillKenny84: So I don't know what "Lina Inverse-grade blast of power" means, but I'll take your word for it.

At the end of the day, the memories inside the relics were nothing more than that. Memories. And how well do you remember how other people work? Especially after a thousand years? So yes, I suppose you could argue that the spirits/memories were a bit reduced.

Plus, I feel like that as what's essentially ghosts, it makes sense that they'd only care about their unfinished business.-

Guest: I get what you're saying, but I'll argue that the scene still makes sense. After all, Cid only sees the two when they're with the other girls. The line says specifically just them together, as there wasn't and still aren't many times when either go somewhere with someone one on one.

But let's agree to disagree.

Golden Nova: yeah, power balance wise Leon needs to collect the stuff from the past. Now he technically has his own Eta, lol.