It has been about 3 years since the establishment of Shadow Garden. Alpha and I have both become 13 years old, and my older sister Claire is now 15. There is no particular meaning associated with the age 13, but that is not the case with the age 15. When the children of nobles reach 15, they have to attend a school in the royal capital for 3 years. Nee-san is pretty much the rising hope of the Kagenou baron family, so my mom is all pumped up with setting up the farewell party and all that. Yep, rising hope indeed.

(T/N: Nee-san is what the MC calls his older sister.)

All thats fine and all. Really. But problem is, when it came day for her to actually set off for the capital, she up and disappeared. Thus the enormous tumult at the Kagenou house at the moment.

When I came into the room, it was already like this.

So says my father in a dandy voice. His face isnt too bad either.

There is no sign of a struggle, but the window was indeed forced open from the outside. The fact that neither I nor Claire was alerted means the kidnapper very skilled indeed.

My dandy dad places one hand on the windowsill and looks off into the distance. All thats missing from this picture is a whiskey glass in his hand.

And hair

So?

A chilling voice is directed at him.

Very skilled, so theres no helping it? Is that what youre trying to say?

Its mom.

No, no of course not. I was merely stating the facts

So answers my dad as cold sweat rolls down his face.

You STUPID BALDYYYYYY!!!!!!

Hiii, Im sorry, Im very sorry!!!

By the way, Im air. Nothing is expected of me, and neither do I cause any trouble. Thats the position in this family that Im striving to maintain.

But well, Nee-san was a pretty good person, so its a bit of a pity. The crime happened at night when I was at the abandoned village, so there was nothing that I could have done either.

I quietly listen to my parents bickering and, at the first chance I get, return to my own room. I place my palms together in the direction that Nee-san had disappeared, then dive into my bed.

Then.

You may come out now.

Yes, my lord.

Immediately, my curtains sway slightly, and a young girl wearing a black slime bodysuit steps out.

Beta, huh.

Yes, my lord.

Same as Alpha, she is also a young elf girl. But where Alpha has blond hair, Betas is silver.

She of the cat-like green eyes and a mole under her eye was the third person to join Shadow Garden. Even though I told Alpha in moderation, but Alpha brings them in like stray cats or something so their numbers keep growing.

Wheres about Alpha?

Searching for traces of Claire-sama.

Fast reaction. You think Nee-san is still alive?

Likely so.

Can she be saved?

Possible, yes but might require Shadow-samas help.

Ah by the way, theyre calling me Shadow. Cus Im the master of Shadow Garden, fufufu.

Is that what Alpha said?

Yes, my lord. She said that since they have a hostage, it would be best to bring our full force.

Heeh~

To be frank, Alpha has gotten quite strong. The fact that even Alpha is asking for help must mean that someone of very significant power is involved.

My blood boils

I clench my fist while instantaneously releasing magic to create a small explosion.

Theres no particular meaning to it, but I like this kind of theatrics.

I can hear Beta murmuring As expected with surprise.

As of late, I havent been in lack of a sparring partner, what with Alpha and Beta and Delta and the crew, but something fresh is good every once in a while. Above all else, I want to play at being a power in the shadows, so this seems like a good opportunity.

Its been a while since I last got serious

Just like so, Ive also gotten used to exuding the aura of a power hidden in the shadows.

Also, lately Alpha and Beta have taken to fleshing out our setting even further, so its been a blast.

The criminal is, as expected, part of the Order of Diabolos. Even more, he is one of their upper echelons.

One of their echelons, huh. So why did they kidnap Nee-san?

They suspect her of being a Descendent of the Heroes.

Hmph, those sharp-eyed bastards

So yea, like that.

Furthermore, theyve also been gathering research and saying things like As expected, your words were entirely correct and About a thousand years ago, Diabolos descendents and From this stone monument we can glean clues that point to the existence of the Order of Diabolos and other similar such. I mean, I cant read ancient letters so how would I know? I bet Alpha cant really read them either, so she just lays out all these ancient-looking materials and whatnot of a similar general feeling in front of me, so that we can feel like were making some headway in investigating the Order. Im sure that must be it.

Please take a look at these documents. These are the hideouts that we think Claire-sama might be held in, based on our latest intel.

After saying that, Beta plonks a huge pile of paper on my table. Ok seriously, I have no idea what to do with all this. More than half of it is in an ancient language and the rest is filled with indecipherable mathematical equations or something. Damn, you guys have gotten good at making up this kind of stuff. Ill admit, you all have gotten even more pro at it than me.

While ignoring Betas explanations, I take out a throwing knife and throw it at the map on the wall.

Thunk.

With a dull sound, the knife pierces a certain point.

There.

That place? What is there?

Thats where Nee-san is.

But that place, theres noth- no, wait, could it be!

Beta hurriedly rummages through the materials as if shed just realized something.

Um, yeeaa, I just randomly threw that knife, alright?

But wow your acting is good, Beta. I can see where this is going youre going to tell me that there is a secret hideout at that location, arent you?

In conclusion, after comparing various sources, it seems that there is indeed a high possibility that there is a secret hideout at the location that Shadow-sama just pointed out.

Called it.

But still, to read through this enormous amount of materials in a split second and even deduce the location of a hidden hideout as expected of Shadow-sama.

You still lack training, Beta.

I shall double my diligence.

Seriously, shes good. Even though I know its acting, but I can still feel the emotions that shes conveying. Youve got all the important points down pat, Beta.

I shall inform Alpha-sama at once. Will we move tonight?

Mm.

Beta bows, then takes her leave. Her eyes are glittering and all, such that I can totally feel the respect and whatnot. Cheers to her Academy-level acting.