The Shadow Organization Members Raised Through Pay-To-Win Are Too Strong

The morning of departure dawned.

As the expedition schedule was suddenly moved up by the Count’s order, I woke up earlier than usual.

And Chloe came to my side to help me prepare for the expedition.

‘Isn’t this too much?’

My appearance standing in front of the mirror looked quite impressive.

The silver armor gleamed in the light, and the cloak draped over my shoulders fluttered majestically.

Judging by the armament alone, one might think I had to subjugate the dungeon myself.

‘Well, we have to make a good show of it.’

This was all part of Count Benedict Hartwell’s scheme.

The Count wanted to catch two birds with one stone through this expedition.

The first was a gesture of courtesy towards the Holy Kingdom.

As the inquisitor died from a monster attack, there was a need to subjugate the dungeon.

The intent was to give the impression that our territory sympathized with the Holy Kingdom’s sorrow and was striving to ward off danger.

The second was to divert the people’s attention from the unfortunate incident in the mansion.

For the people exposed to the threat of monsters, dungeon subjugation was more important than anything.

If we dispelled the dungeon’s threat here, people would naturally forget the misfortune at the mansion.

As such, the success of this subjugation was imperative.

At the same time, the family’s support was overflowing as there was also the intention of having me gain practical experience.

“Young Master, the Count has appointed Sir Cael as the commander of this subjugation party.”

While I was in the midst of preparations, Edgar, the head butler, approached me and conveyed the information.

As the schedule was moved up, the Count must have also agonized over the issue of command authority.

‘Cael should be fine, right?’

Cael was a knight of the family who had a connection with me.

The one who escorted me from the outskirts.

Moreover, he lacked the typical arrogance of knights.

Even if it was the Count’s order, he taught me etiquette without reserve, making him the most trustworthy person at present.

In any case, from my perspective, it was convenient in many ways for a knight with ties to me to lead the subjugation party.

The family’s consideration didn’t end there.

“And you need not worry about supplies. Ample provisions have been prepared, so the Young Master can focus solely on the subjugation.”

‘As expected!’

I inwardly expressed joy at Edgar’s words.

The most important thing in an expedition was the supply of provisions.

When fighting, good supplies were necessary to boost the soldiers’ morale.

Moreover, if the head butler spoke to that extent, they had prepared abundantly.

‘There was definitely merit in maintaining a good relationship.’

If my relationship with Edgar hadn’t been good, he wouldn’t have paid attention to such aspects.

If that happened, the responsibility for issues arising during the expedition would have fallen on me.

Even if Cael was the commander in this expedition, I was ultimately the one in charge.

I bowed my head with sincerity.

“Edgar, thank you so much.”

“Hoho, the Young Master need not bow to me. And there was an order from the Count to depart immediately upon finishing preparations. I have already informed the knights, so you can leave at your convenience.”

Additionally, the head butler encouraged me and took his leave.

Normally, a departure ceremony would be held under the Count’s lead, but the current situation at the mansion was akin to a house of mourning.

‘Not akin to, it is a house of mourning.’

It was the incident of the Countess’s death.

In this situation, holding a grandiose departure ceremony wasn’t appropriate even for the Count.

‘We can just show results.’

It was a matter of subjugating a few nearby dungeons at the place where the inquisitor was attacked.

But I felt somewhat regretful.

Even if I went, I would merely be watching behind the knights.

‘Hmm…’

It may be natural as the Count’s son, but it was a pity to let this opportunity slip by.

‘Since I’m going anyway, can’t I showcase my true value?’

If that happened, I could firmly establish my position within the family at once.

Even if I didn’t aim to surpass Albert, it wasn’t good to let the gap widen.

However, no matter how much I pondered, no brilliant idea came to mind.

‘Let’s head out for now.’

Clad in silver armor, I took a step to go outside.

But,

“…”

A chilling sensation ran down my spine.

It was a strange feeling, as if someone was watching me.

An enemy? No, if it were an enemy, Emilia would have already dealt with them.

‘Could it be…’

Suddenly, one possibility came to mind.

“A-Are you feeling unwell?”

As my movement towards the outside stopped, Chloe asked worriedly.

I shook my head and quietly said.

“No, I’m fine. But I have something to think about, so could you leave me alone for a bit?”

“Ah… yes. If you need anything, please call me anytime.”

Chloe bowed and withdrew.

Alone, I whispered softly to my shadow.

“I know everything, so come out now.”

Others might see me as a madman talking to a shadow, but this wasn’t a mere feeling.

There was actually a being following me.

With my words, the shadow quivered and slowly revealed its form.

Its identity was none other than Celestia’s hunting dogs.

“Grrr…”

Three shadow monsters fawned over me, licking my hand.

It was somewhat awkward to see creatures with hideously protruding fangs acting cute.

Nevertheless, I forcibly smiled and patted their heads.

“…When did you get here?”

I was already acquainted with the shadow hounds.

Weren’t they the ones who discovered I was the Leader in the underground mine?

“And where is your master…?”

The problem was why they were here.

The fact that only the hounds were here meant Celestia had moved personally.

Could it be that she knew I was here?

“Huff huff-”

I had many questions, but all I got in return was them licking my hand.

“This is driving me crazy.”

I hadn’t given any separate orders to Black Raven recently.

Even if I did, there were absolutely no orders related to Celestia.

In other words, this was Celestia’s independent action.

‘She couldn’t be holding a grudge against me, right?’

In the game, I had deactivated Celestia.

Now that it had become reality, I had nothing to say even if she harbored resentment towards me.

‘No, that’s not it.’

Then how would one explain the Phantoms?

The Phantoms also endured all sorts of hardships following my orders, but weren’t they loyal to me?

‘Could it be different this time too?’

She would have come here long ago if she truly held a grudge against me.

The fact that she only sent her hounds meant there was another reason.

For now, the urgent matter was how to deal with the hounds before my eyes.

“Can you stay here without returning to your master?”

“Woof woof!”

I didn’t know what they were saying, but I fully understood their determination to stay with me.

They seemed to obey my words well, and in the first place, they were cash item summons.

They had strong combat power, so if they just stayed by my side, the issue of protection would be…

“Ah! We can do it like this!”

Suddenly, a role that perfectly suited them came to mind.

I reached out my hand towards the shadow hounds.

“If you don’t have anything special to do, want to come with me? I’ll give you something delicious.”

“Grrr…”

As if they liked my proposal, the hounds placed their front paws with sharp claws on my hand.

The delicious thing I would give them was none other than dungeon monsters.

And I planned to utilize Celestia’s hunting dogs to subjugate the dungeon.

* * *

Two individuals in black robes were situated on a mountain path.

They were dark mages.

“Tsk, the trail ends here…”

An old man with deep wrinkles lamented, touching the ground.

Tracing the energy, he could tell a dark mage and the inquisitor had fought here.

The problem was that the dark mages’ traces had vanished without a trace.

“It’s not just Simon. The energy of the guys who were with him also suddenly disappeared here. As if they evaporated…”

A total of three dark mages had disappeared here.

As the old man finished speaking, Malcar, who was behind him, spoke up.

“Hmm, are you saying it’s difficult to track even with Sir Shadwick’s power?”

Malcar was wary of that point.

Shadwick was a figure belonging to the elders among dark mages.

His skills were remarkable, especially in tracking the energy of death.

As even he failed to track the energy, Malcar had no choice but to view the situation gravely.

“Could it be that the Holy Kingdom intervened?”

The only thing that came to mind was the Holy Kingdom.

If they had used a holy relic, erasing traces cleanly would be nothing.

However, Shadwick shook his head.

“The energy of holy relics has properties opposite to death. Rather, if the Holy Kingdom had intervened, tracking would be easier.”

Shadwick fell into thought, caressing his wrinkled hand.

“This is strange no matter what.”

Moreover, five dark mages had recently died in succession.

It was certain as the energy connecting the dark mages had been severed.

“As if someone is targeting us.”

While Shadwick was pondering, Malcar drew up black magic and shouted.

“Who’s there!”

Shadwick also reflexively drew up energy and prepared to attack along with Malcar.

A being that wasn’t human appeared before them.

“C-Could it be…”

The startled Malcar stammered.

As a dark mage, he had faced countless deaths, but the energy he felt now was something he had never experienced.

A beautiful scent of death emanated from the being before his eyes.

It made no sense for death to be beautiful, but it truly felt that way.

“…Ah.”

As they continued to gaze at that being, the light vanished from Malcar’s eyes. Shadwick was no different.

The two dark mages bowed their waists, losing their senses.

And they spoke the name of the being from whom death was felt.

“We, are, in, the, presence, of, Ce, les, ti, a.”

Their bodies and minds were no longer theirs.

Celestia, the Succubus Empress, looked at Shadwick and snapped her fingers.

“I don’t like you.”

“As you command, ehehe!!”

Shadwick let out a mad laugh and embraced his head as if hugging a lover.

And the next moment.

Crack-

With a sharp sound of bones, his head twisted at a grotesque angle.

* * *

The subjugation party slowly advanced along a forest trail.

As the scale wasn’t small, they moved slowly.

The necessary supplies were loaded onto supply wagons, and knights and soldiers vigilantly guarded the surroundings as they proceeded forward.

And I was riding in a carriage.

As they were limited, Emilia and the twins rode the same one I did.

Emilia slightly bowed and stared intently at the shadow beneath my feet.

“…”

As expected, the shadow hounds were noticeable.

I had ordered them to hide as much as possible, but the fact that she noticed meant Emilia’s skills were exceptional.

‘I don’t need to worry about Emilia.’

Even if left alone in the dungeon, she would survive well on her own.

But the problem was those beside her.

‘Lena and Ray.’

The twin siblings I brought from the orphanage.

They came along as attendants, but being younger than me, I couldn’t help but worry.

In fact, a subtle tension was evident on the siblings’ faces.

‘As expected, their youth still shows.’

Anyone could see they had frightened expressions.

Even if they didn’t participate in the dungeon subjugation, the mental burden would be considerable.

However, being too nervous would inevitably lead to mistakes.

To relieve the siblings’ tension, I commanded Emilia.

“Emilia, take care of Lena and Ray.”

Emilia would know how to look after them well.

But Lena and Ray’s expressions seemed to darken further at my words.

‘Is it just my imagination?’

As I thought that, a translucent window appeared before my eyes.

[A member of Black Raven has hunted a dark mage.]

‘What?’

A notification appeared stating a dark mage had been hunted.