Silence.
The room was not exactly quiet, yet an indescribable stillness hung in the air.
When Epsilon's gaze met Cid's slightly bewildered eyes, an eerie tension spread between the two of them.
Chi and Omega, who had followed her in, also froze for several seconds after following Epsilon's line of sight and seeing Cid lying on the floor. Their movements stopped at the same time, and they too were pulled into that silence, so quiet it was almost frightening.
"Well, Shiron-sama, this is the man I mentioned. He can be captured and used as a controller for the Faux Angels. We can begin right now..."
Of course, to feel the mood, one first had to recognize it. So there would always be a few clueless idiots who jumped out and ruined the atmosphere. No need to blame them.
Yes, exactly.
Lying on the floor with the back of one hand resting against his forehead, Cid silently shifted his cold gaze toward the female Vampire, who had completely failed to notice that Epsilon and the others had gone silent the moment they entered the room.
"Shiron-sama is very interested in your technology, but could you step outside for now? We need to examine him first and make sure there's nothing wrong with this gentleman's body."
Forcing her nearly frozen body to move, Omega managed a strained smile and asked them to leave so they could have a moment of privacy.
"Huh? Of course, of course. My lords of Netheril, please do as you wish."
Beatrice paused, a little confused as to why they had suddenly spoken up, but she simply assumed there were things they did not want her to hear. Smiling at once, she took her Beastman partner and left the prison cell.
"Click!"
"Bang!"
Almost the very next second after the two left and the prison door shut, three heavy impacts rang out at the same time.
"Heh!"
Straightening up and leaning against the wall, Cid looked at the three people who, the instant he sat up, had dropped to their knees, slammed their heads down, and shattered the floor in one smooth sequence. He tilted his head and let out a cold laugh.
To be honest, Cid had always known that his childhood friends were secretly involved in some shady gray-market businesses. But how to put it? When their troublemaking landed right on his own head, it was honestly... kind of amusing. Was this their way of asking him to punish his own people for the greater good?
I'm done for, I'm done for, I'm done for...
Epsilon's mind screamed wildly. Even though her forehead remained perfectly smooth and unharmed after smashing into the floor, cold sweat kept seeping out. Hearing her master's cold laugh, Epsilon was so terrified she was almost stunned senseless.
What kind of joke was this? She had come out to fish for some extra cash in her free time. She had not caught any fish, only to discover that the bait she was using was actually the boss himself. Who would not be scared to death? At the very least, Chi and Omega behind Epsilon were already on the verge of shock.
"Epsilon, you shouldn't be here. You should be somewhere else..."
Cid spoke in puzzlement, pressing a hand to his forehead with slight distress, as though he were wondering how to deal with this capable subordinate of his.
"Master, please let me explain!"
Yes. As long as I explain it clearly to Master, explain that I came here to investigate the Cult of Diablos, Master will definitely...
With that thought, Epsilon lifted her head and began to explain, only to stop dead the instant she met Cid's cold gaze.
Right. Of course. Magus Craft had contacted the Witches' Guild within the range of the Magic Network. As the one who controlled the Magic Network and possessed all the wisdom in the world, how could Master possibly not know about their invitation to surrender? And yet she had come here to deal with the Cult of Diablos purely for extra money, without reporting it to anyone!
And judging from the conversation between that idiot Vampire and Omega just now... oh no. This time, there was no clearing her name. Like it or not, she was the one who would take the blame.
Realizing this, Epsilon's fair face instantly turned pale. She really had only come out to make a bit of extra money. This was her first time meeting these people.
"For the sake of our friendship, I'll give you one chance. Go on."
Just as Epsilon was about to despair, Cid's calm voice shone into her heart like a ray of sunlight, nearly moving her to tears.
As expected of Master. Even with the evidence practically shoved in his face, he was still willing to give me a chance to prove my innocence.
At that thought, Epsilon instantly regained her senses and did not dare waste another word.
"As you command, Master. The reason I came here was to investigate the Cult of Diablos."
"...The Cult of Diablos?"
Faced with Epsilon's firm answer, Cid fell silent for a few seconds. He seemed to murmur the name to himself, his calm tone carrying what might have been a trace of confusion, or perhaps none at all.
"Uh... y-yes. That's right... the Cult of Diablos."
At this point, Epsilon's voice hesitated again. After all, she did not actually know whether the Cult of Diablos had any connection to Magus Craft. She had spoken too decisively earlier. She should have answered Master with "suspected." If it was later proven unrelated, then it would become the crime of deceiving her lord...
"Ha. Ha. Hahaha..."
Cid laughed from sheer anger. He truly had been angered into laughing by Epsilon's answer.
At a time like this, after his subordinate had accidentally provoked someone she should never have provoked, Epsilon was actually trying to dump the blame onto a nonexistent evil organization and make a righteous clean break. It was honestly embarrassing.
Please. She sounded so guilty even she probably did not believe what she was saying. Did Epsilon think he would accept that? Did he look that easy to fool?
"That's right, Epsilon. Your answer is completely correct. It's the Cult of Diablos. Yes, this place is connected to the Cult of Diablos..."
Smiling as he nodded, Cid accepted Epsilon's explanation. Yes, everything was "Diablos's" fault. This place had absolutely nothing to do with Epsilon.
"Master, thank goodness."
After receiving Cid's confirmation, Epsilon revealed a deeply moved smile. She had truly been worried that if this place had nothing to do with the Cult of Diablos, then she would have provided false information.
That made sense. If this place had nothing to do with the Cult of Diablos, why would Master personally enter the game and let himself be captured as bait? She had really worried for nothing.
"Since you understand now, Epsilon, leave this place. The crisis here is beyond your ability. I'll handle it."
Cid spoke gently. Although he had already thrown the blame for his kidnapping onto the "Cult of Diablos," the accounts still had to be settled. At most, he would let Epsilon and the others off this once. Everyone else still had to die. Also...
"Do your best, Epsilon. My expectations for you don't stop here."
I'm very disappointed in you, Epsilon!
Really, Epsilon had truly disappointed Cid this time. Could she not show a little responsibility? If she admitted she had done it, he was not actually going to kill her.
"Huh? Thank you for your praise, Master. Master, I can help you deal with what comes next."
Not realizing Cid's true meaning, Epsilon froze for a moment, then hurriedly moved forward, wanting to act together with Cid. But Cid raised a finger and stopped her.
"Only by stopping now and then can you see what you truly need. Leave this place to me. Go do what you should be doing."
"?"
Seeing the confusion plainly written across Epsilon's face, Cid sighed. Whenever this happened, he missed the old days. Back then, with all seven of them together, their minds truly worked quickly. They would grasp his meaning very soon. Unlike now. Granted, part of the reason was that he had spoken a little too cryptically, but forget it. He could be more direct.
"Yuuma Tokoyogi. That is where you should be resolving things. Take her to the place she ought to go."
To be fair, Cid still had no idea what grand scheme Epsilon was working on, but that no longer mattered. He was willing to show her some consideration—but only as long as she did not drag him into it. Now that the trouble had landed on his doorstep, she needed to pack up that ridiculous plan of hers and leave, fast. Otherwise, she could hardly blame him for dropping the courtesy.
"...Your subordinate understands!"
A thoughtful look flashed through Epsilon's eyes. A few seconds later, realization dawned on her, followed by a strange expression.
"Good. Then keep at it, Epsilon. Out of everyone, you are the one I value most."
Cid nodded in satisfaction. Although the number had gone from seven to one, Epsilon was not a dog, after all. Her mind still worked quickly. Once he spoke a little more directly, she understood what he meant.
"Really, Master?"
Cid had praised her offhandedly, but Epsilon looked at him with excitement as though she had heard some incredible good news, wanting a clear confirmation from him.
...Yes, that was normal. Epsilon was exactly the kind of good child who easily got carried away the moment she was praised. Yes, good child.
"That's right. After all, Epsilon, you're the only one who discovered my true intentions."
Anyway, no matter what, he would just find some random excuse and praise her first.
"Eek!"
Epsilon happily made a sound where she stood. After she came back to herself, she looked at Cid again with anticipation written all over her face.
"Then, Master, does that mean you permit me to rebuild Shadow Garden in Netheril?"
That was about enough. Shadow Garden was a game. She was above ten thousand and below only one person, yet after running under the terrorist organization he had seized, she still wanted to keep playing it?
"Mm. If you can do it."
Although he really wanted to refuse, Netheril was an organization he had casually seized in the first place. It had always been something done for fun, so Cid did not care all that much.
"Thank you, Master. I believe Alpha and the others will be very happy when I tell them this news."
Please do not drag them into this. They still want to live properly.
"We'll talk about the future when it comes. Right now, go do what you should be doing. Don't disappoint me, Epsilon."
Cid grumbled inwardly. Seeing that Epsilon still had not begun moving, he urged her again. But Epsilon looked troubled.
"Um, Master..."
"What is it?"
"Right now, I don't know the location of that girl, Yuuma Tokoyogi..."
Epsilon spoke awkwardly, feeling deeply embarrassed herself. She had just been praised as unique and given permission to rebuild Shadow Garden, and now she had to admit she could not do something. It was truly shameful.
She's your subordinate. Are you serious about not knowing where she is!?
Cid was so shocked that he froze for several seconds. In the end, he could only sigh. Forget it. It was normal. Maybe Epsilon and the others were acting on a play-it-by-ear basis.
Thinking this, Cid sensed the Magical Power seed he had planted inside Yuuma Tokoyogi. But when he perceived her location, he froze for a moment.
Why... would she be there?
Although he was puzzled, Cid did not dwell on it and transmitted that location into Epsilon's mind.
"Thank you, Master. Your subordinate will go handle it now."
Memorizing the address in her mind, Epsilon respectfully bowed with her subordinates behind her. Then she stood, pushed open the cell door, and walked outside.
"Shiron-sama, how was it? I told you..."
Beatrice, who had been waiting outside, saw the door open and Epsilon step out. Delighted, she moved forward to ask about their cooperation, only to be shoved against the wall by Epsilon, who ignored her completely and walked away.
"Wait, Shiron-sama! What do you mean by this? Did we do something wrong? My lords, please say something for us..."
Beatrice hurriedly got down from the wall and tried to speak to Chi and Omega behind her, but the two of them followed closely behind Epsilon and ignored her as well. Not daring to make a move, she could only watch helplessly as Epsilon and the others left.
"What... happened?"
"I don't know."
Beatrice and her Beastman partner looked at each other. As if realizing something, Beatrice turned a savage expression toward the cell door that had already closed.
"Yes. It must have been that bitch's man inside who said something. That's why Shiron-sama and the others changed their minds so quickly and decided to leave..."
As she spoke, she exchanged a look with the Beastman. Both of them looked vicious as they pushed open the door, intending to find out from Cid what had happened before killing him to vent their anger.
"Creak!"
The scraping sound of the old door being pushed open rang out. Beatrice and the Beastman stepped inside. A breeze rose without wind and blew against their faces, making them narrow their eyes slightly as they looked into the cell, only to find that the cell before them was already empty.
"Where did he run off to..."
She opened her mouth to ask, but before the next word could leave her lips, what arrived faster was the sudden darkness before her eyes and a heavy drowsiness spreading through her mind.
A thin line of blood appeared at the same time on the necks of the female Vampire and the male Beastman. Then came the weightless sensation from the sensitive skin of their heads.
Two heavy objects struck the floor, followed by a rolling sound. The light shone onto the wall, casting the shadows of two headless corpses standing there.
"Boring."
In the corridor behind them, Cid yawned. After confirming that Epsilon and the others had left, he flicked the blood from his sword and slowly walked deeper into the building.