Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Guardian Shadow (3)
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Chapter 11
Guardian Shadow (3)
“Is that enough to convince you? For example, when that Niberis attacked, why go through the hassle of setting up a stage in a deserted area? Honestly, with that level of power, they could’ve just wiped a rural village off the map and gotten on with it, right?”
“Hmm…”
He had a point. No matter how you looked at the circumstances of Niberis’s attack, it involved an absurdly convoluted process.
Kairen spoke up.
“It’s because they’re careful not to be seen by human eyes at all. If a human who isn’t a Dragon Demon Worshipper spots them and realizes what they are, the Guardian Shadows will notice and track them down.”
“What?”
“Ah, of course, the system isn’t foolproof. For instance, if I—a member of the Guardian Shadows—spot Dragon Demon Worshippers, then my sighting is as good as the whole organization knowing. But if it’s an ordinary person, there’s a high chance it’ll be overlooked. The more witnesses, though, the greater the odds that the Guardian Shadows catch on.”
“No, wait. That’s not what I’m asking.”
“Then what?”
“What you’re saying is…”
Azel realized the implication of Kairen’s words and shivered.
“...that ordinary people who know nothing—anyone who isn’t a Dragon Demon Worshipper—effectively serve as a surveillance network for the Guardian Shadows?”
“That’s right.”
Azel was dumbfounded.
4
Azel rarely lost his composure, but this time he could only stare at Kairen with a blank expression.
Who could pull off something like that? Using every non-worshipper as a tool to monitor Dragon Demon Worshippers? And then having those ghost-like beings act on the intel to eliminate them?
Anyone capable of that could claim to be a god, and you’d have to believe them.
A moment later, Azel asked,
“Do you really think that makes sense?”
“I know it sounds like nonsense to you.”
“And yet?”
“The problem is, it’s true. I get how hard it is to believe. I felt the same way.”
“...”
“The Guardian Shadows exist to thwart the prophecy the Dragon Demon Worshippers talk about.”
“Prophecy?”
“That the Dragon Demon King Atein will one day overcome death, return to this land, and create the right world.”
“Sounds exactly like the kind of prophecy a cult would have.”
“Doesn’t it? But they take it as absolute truth. They lurk in the shadows, building their strength for that day. Unfortunately, unlike other cults, they’re incredibly powerful… with so many organizations that we can’t even grasp their full extent.”
“So many organizations?”
Azel asked, puzzled. Not a large number of members, but a large number of organizations?
Kairen explained.
“Yeah. For example, I’d never even heard of this ‘Dragon Shadow’ group that attacked you. And yet they were made up entirely of elite operatives—sane, ambitious types who could carve out a spot anywhere.”
Azel had handled them easily, but not one of the Dragon Shadow members was weaker than Zail or Boer. Quadruple masters were powerful fighters, sure, but these guys transcended that level. Every single one was a force even Arietta couldn’t take lightly.
“It’s widely known that their stronghold is in the Dark Snowfields… but their members form countless organizations, operating in strictly compartmentalized cells. And there are so many of them, we can’t know or counter them all.”
“Hmm…”
“Without the Guardian Shadows, the world would be in far worse shape than it is now, and the Dragon Demon Worshippers would be running rampant.”
“Hm. There’s one thing that doesn’t quite add up, though.”
“What?”
“When the Dragon Shadow attacked the princess, we realized midway through that they were Dragon Demon Worshippers. But the Guardian Shadows didn’t show.”
“Were there Western Border Guard soldiers with you when that came to light?”
“No. It was just the princess, me, and two others.”
“That’s why. I told you at the start—the system isn’t absolute. The more people who witness it, the higher the chance it reaches the Guardian Shadows. And the more populated the area, the denser the surveillance. It’s tighter in big cities than in the sticks. Somewhere like Ballan Forest? The watch is much weaker.”
“Hmm. I see.”
Hearing that, the Dragon Demon Worshippers’ movements started to make sense. Attacking in Ballan Forest, sealing off attention with barriers on a deserted mountain path—it was all out of fear of the Guardian Shadows.
Azel asked,
“Who the hell created something that massive? I’d believe it if you said the god of magic.”
“No one knows.”
“What?”
“Nobody knows why the Guardian Shadows were born or how they operate. Someone might, but it’s not anyone I know.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Guardian Shadows choose their own members from the living. And since even we members don’t all know each other…”
“So it’s such a mess you can’t even call it a proper organization.”
“Can’t deny that. Anyway, yeah. In this country, only about five of us know each other.”
“Including you?”
“Yeah.”
“Only five…”
“We’re all one-man armies with major influence, but it’s still not enough to handle the Dragon Demon Worshippers. That’s where the Guardian Shadows come in for us.”
“So ‘Guardian Shadow’ is both the organization name and what you call them?”
“Exactly.”
“Hmm…”
Azel frowned as he gazed at the Guardian Shadows. No matter how he looked, he couldn’t pin them down. It had been ages since he’d felt this way.
Kairen asked the Guardian Shadows,
“Are you thinking of recruiting this guy?”
Otherwise, why reveal their identity and explain? Guardian Shadows weren’t the type to articulate clearly for human ears—when Kairen joined, another member had explained it to him.
‘I had to swear a vow of silence not to reveal it if I refused, and even then it was through a magic ritual.’
That vow was magically binding; even Kairen couldn’t break it.
But they’d revealed themselves to Azel without any restrictions. It was honestly irritating. Their behavior was just too inscrutable.
“No…”
“What?”
“Not now… not yet……”
“We’ll watch……”
With that, the Guardian Shadows vanished like smoke.
In the silence, Azel said,
“They come and go like ghosts. And they even cast suggestions to keep people away.”
“In hiding from notice, they’re no different from the Dragon Demon Worshippers.”
From the moment the Guardian Shadows appeared, no one had entered the garden. Not only that—anyone peering out windows from the building had likely seen a cleverly disguised illusion instead of reality. The Guardian Shadows had put up barriers around the area.
Kairen continued.
“Anyway… they only show themselves to members who know them. This time, they came through me—someone who’d directly encountered them—to gather intel. Not just on bystanders, but firsthand.”
“Does actual conversation even work with them?”
“Theirs is hard to understand, but they seem to get what I say. Not certain, though.”
“Hmm.”
“I have no idea why they trust you enough to reveal themselves.”
“Well, this proves I can trust you on the Dragon Demon Worshipper stuff, right?”
“Hmm…”
Kairen made a displeased face. After staring at Azel for a moment, he said,
“Regrettably, yes.”
“‘Regrettably’ being the kicker there.”
“Shut it. Have some more drink.”
Kairen grumbled as he poured Azel another glass.
5
Once they had horses and travel supplies, the group picked up speed again. They’d already left Western Border Guard territory for a while, so Boer took charge of deciding their route.
“Purely by schedule, it’ll set us back about two days, but stopping at the Bentar Marquessate to restock on food seems best.”
“Let’s do that.”
Arietta agreed readily. Before, she’d have pushed to go as fast as possible, but with Kairen along now, they had breathing room.
A few days on the road left Boer and Zail restless. Battle fatigue had kept them in check for a bit, but both were in their prime, full of vigor. Training was their way of life—riding and traveling left them with energy to burn.
By the time they reached the Bentar Marquessate three days later, Azel was sparring with Zail and Boer again.
“Was nice having a break from you bugging me.”
“You’re too stingy. Though I get why—Sir Azel’s worth the attitude.”
Boer grumbled. He was starting to treat others more casually now.
Zail chuckled and cut in.
“Since Sir Azel finds us annoying, how about we spar each other?”
“Sounds good. You play with the princess, Sir Azel.”
“Hey, now.”
Azel watched Zail and Boer, who’d bonded surprisingly well, with disbelief. They’d been at each other’s throats when the journey started, but surviving a brush with death together had made them buddies.
That was when it happened.
“Sparring, huh? Mind if I join?”
“Uh, D-Duke?”
Boer jumped. Kairen had appeared out of nowhere. Boer bowed deeply.
“We couldn’t possibly…”
“Arietta said you’ve sparred with her too. Why not me?”
Kairen grinned. Known as the Dragon Sword Duke, he often sparred with his knights back in his domain—not just to hone himself, but to guide them.
“Don’t worry, I’m used to this. I won’t overdo it and hurt you.”
“B-But…”
“Back home, they’d line up eagerly when I offered. Out here, I’m yesterday’s news.”
“No way. It’s an honor just to hear you say it, Your Grace.”
Not just Boer—Zail looked honored too. In Rurein Kingdom, Kairen was a living legend, an idol to young knights.