Chapter 26: The Secret Order!

Chapter 26: The Secret Order!

Under the full moon's glow, three figures huddled beneath a tree on a cliff, their eyes fixed on an enigmatic, gray-bricked structure below.

"Disguise?" Damnatio blinked, making sure he hadn't misheard. Alfred pulled out three plain, white masks from his satchel, each featureless—no eye or mouth holes—and handed one to Damnatio and the other to Sebastian.

Haze Mask, Damnatio narrowed his eyes, examining the object. [1]

Among nobles, there are countless times they must perform "dirty" deeds that can't be traced back to them. To manage this, they often pool resources to craft magic tools that help conceal their tracks. The Haze Mask was one such device.

When worn, it bonds with the user's body, molding to their face and adopting a unique pattern that reflects their mana. Beyond that, it transforms the wearer entirely, altering their body shape to something general and unremarkable, and clothing them in pure black like a shadowed silhouette.

These masks are prized tools of the aristocracy, never to be found in public markets. Any attempts by smugglers to replicate and circulate them on the dark market are swiftly... handled by the nobility. Only a select few lower-ranking nobles have access to them, and only if they pledge allegiance to higher houses.

The Haze Mask was the result of a rare partnership between House Silva and House Kira, shortly after Conrad took office as Wizard King. Despite their mutual disdain, Sebastian and Lux had put aside their differences, knowing that to continue their work undetected, they'd need a tool even Conrad's sharp gaze couldn't pierce.

Needless to say, the artisan who crafted this device—after many sleepless nights and promises of wealth—had also been "removed" from the world. He knew too much.

The Haze Masks in the possession of House Silva and House Kira, however, were even more refined. After all, royalty could never settle for mere nobility's tools. Theirs not only concealed their bodies but also disguised their grimoires. Their covers and spines turned featureless black, and their auras dulled to a muted gray.

Sebastian nodded, his voice calm and steady. "Who knows who might be watching? It's only natural to take precautions. After all, we're about to hunt a general—something as high-profile as this will definitely attract attention."

Damnatio returned the nod, understanding the logic. Precautions were sensible, given the circumstances. What threw him off was the faint smile threatening to form on Sebastian's face.

Why does Lord Silva seem so... excited? Damnatio wondered, trying to make sense of it. Could it be nerves about the upcoming battle?

But anxiety wasn't even close to what Sebastian felt. No, the battle itself was a mere formality—a minor engagement. Just an Eight Shining General, he thought dismissively. Though the generals were ranked among the Clover Kingdom's captains and the Heart Kingdom's Spirit Guardians, everyone knew they were far from the same caliber. And this general? Even among the "elite," he was hardly worth a second thought. Fodder among fodder.

Sebastian Silva's excitement stemmed from something entirely different. What man doesn't secretly dream of becoming a shadowy figure, dressed in black, slipping through the night like some legendary shinobi? He could feel the thrill building as he imagined it: an unknown operative from a hidden organization, carrying out high-stakes missions while the world scrambled to uncover his identity, never suspecting House Silva's unassuming patriarch.

Holding the mask, Sebastian's fingers trembled with excitement. I can already see it—the world on edge, speculating, theorizing, never once suspecting me. A thrill of satisfaction washed over him. Is this what Cid Kagenou feels?

For a brief moment, he felt the addictive allure of becoming an "eminence in the shadows," of being the figure who moves unseen, taunting others with the barest hints, skirting the line of discovery yet always remaining hidden.

Does this make me a pervert? Sebastian chuckled to himself. But Damnatio's voice snapped him back to reality.

"Lord Silva... you're trembling..." Damnatio's voice held a note of hesitance. Sebastian felt a sheepish grin trying to surface, catching Damnatio's unsure, bewildered expression as he did.

Clearing his throat to regain his composure, Sebastian took a moment to look Damnatio over, a thought stirring that seemed to make the younger man visibly uncomfortable.

"Damnatio..." Sebastian began, his tone a little too casual, hoping to cut through the awkwardness.

"Yes, Lord Silva?" Damnatio straightened, trying to resume his indifferent, professional stance.

Sebastian nodded thoughtfully. "You can call me uncle, if you like."

An awkward silence swallowed the group. House Silva's Head Butler, Alfred Pennyworth, lowered his head, pretending not to have heard a thing. Damnatio, however, immediately recoiled, taking a step back, his hair practically standing on end as he stared at Sebastian with undisguised horror.

Pinching his nose, he replied nasally, "Lord Silva, please conduct yourself with appropriate decorum. That's Lord Kira to you."

Whatever tenuous partnership they'd had, Damnatio had now drawn a clear line, and the gap between them widened into a chasm.

Sebastian struggled to brush it off, forcing a casual shrug. Forget it, he thought wryly. If there were an FBI in this world, I wouldn't have a defense. I even gave myself the creeps saying that.

Without another word, Sebastian lifted the mask and placed it over his face. Instantly, the mask shifted, molding itself to fit him like a second skin. The featureless surface transformed: sharp, eagle-like eye slits opened, outlined in blue, revealing Sebastian's striking blue eyes beneath. A mouth hole shaped like an eagle's beak formed, and sleek silver feather patterns adorned the rest, giving it a fierce, dignified elegance.

His entire outfit morphed, flowing into a seamless black stealth suit from top to toe. His grimoire satchel melded into a belt pouch, and his grimoire itself lost all its markings, becoming a shadowed, featureless black.

When he spoke, his voice emerged altered—devoid of emotion, flat and mechanical, erasing any trace of his usual tone. "Gentlemen, it's your turn."

Alfred nodded and donned his own mask. It reshaped itself into a silver-gray wolf, with subtle fur-like patterns along its edges. Instantly, his clothing turned to match Sebastian's, a sleek black suit cloaking his now noticeably more athletic frame, adding a layer of muscle until he matched Sebastian's build.

Damnatio sighed, reluctantly following suit. His mask settled into the shape of a green owl, accented with brown feathers. His transformation was the most dramatic: his height increased, and his entire silhouette altered, making him nearly indistinguishable from the other two. [2]

Sebastian surveyed them with satisfaction. He pointed to himself. "I'm Blue Eagle," he said, then gestured to Alfred, "you're Gray Wolf," and finally to Damnatio, "and you're Green Owl."

Alfred and Damnatio nodded, both keeping their expressions neutral. Damnatio spoke, his voice equally robotic. "So, are we ambushing them here, over the dungeon?" He gestured to the arcane gray structure below.

Sebastian gave him a flat look, showing no inclination to answer.

Damnatio bit back an impending headache and sighed, though the Haze Mask rendered the sound completely devoid of feeling. "Are we ambushing them here, Blue Eagle?" he emphasized the name, earning a nod of approval from Sebastian.

"Negative, Green Owl," Sebastian replied, shaking his head. "The White Serpent will be here soon, and even if they're inside the dungeon, they might have ways to monitor what happens outside. Initiating a conflict here could alert them—and expose us."

He then looked over at Alfred, who nodded and pointed toward a distant mountain range beyond the dungeon. "As Blue Eagle previously instructed, I mapped out the direction from which the Diamond forces are likely to approach. The quickest and most discreet route for crossing our borders is through that mountain pass—the Galen Heights. That's where we'll set our ambush." [3]

Damnatio nodded in agreement, as Sebastian addressed them one final time. "Alright, gentlemen, it's time for the Secret Organization to make its mark on the world. We can't let Master L down!" Sebastian declared passionately, clenching his fist.

Damnatio blinked. Who's Master L?

Alfred made no comment, simply nodding in silent agreement. As long as my lord is having fun, that's all that matters.

Four Hours Later:

The horizon began to brighten as the first hints of sunlight crept up, casting an orange-red glow over the Galen Heights. The mountain range, usually untouched and empty of human presence, was soon disturbed by the arrival of a single cart—a cart made entirely of smoke, barreling forward across the rugged terrain.

Yes, a smoke cart, carrying around ten people.

Among them were seven indistinct figures—extras who needed no description.

At the front of the cart stood a young, striking man with a grimoire floating before him. His medium-length black hair framed a subtle mustache and a goatee, which gave him a mature, if slightly rakish, look. A triple-diamond headpiece adorned the right side of his forehead, marking him as someone of notable rank. He was Lotus Whomalt, a 22-year-old Adjutant General of the Diamond Kingdom—one of the youngest to ever hold such a title, and the mage responsible for the smoke construct propelling them forward.

To his left sat a young man of average height with messy red hair, blue eyes, and a frown that seemed too heavy for his sixteen-year-old face. He was Fanzell Kruger, one of the Diamond Kingdom's most promising talents in recent years, praised and groomed for greatness by his superiors—and even the king.

In the back seat of the cart, perched alone on a bench, sat one man in solitary dignity, his rank and presence setting him apart from the others. He was a short, elderly man with a hunched back and hair so gray it nearly obscured his eyes. His expression was unreadable save for the smug grin that crept from his nose down. Clad in a Diamond Kingdom uniform, he was none other than Yagos—one of the Eight Shining Generals, senior to most in the Diamond military, respected not only for his rank but also for his age and experience.

As they approached the Galen Heights, Yagos cast a sidelong glance at Fanzell, his voice rasping with a hollow, eerie cheerfulness. "Don't tell me, you're still on the fence about this mission, Fanzell?"

Fanzell stiffened, then quickly stood and saluted. "Sir, no, Sir!" His face turned impassive as he locked eyes with where he imagined Yagos' eyes to be, his tone resolute.

Yagos' grin didn't falter—in fact, it seemed to deepen as he let out a chilling chuckle. "Good, good. It would dishearten me to have to snuff out such a promising talent... for insubordination."

"I wouldn't dare, Sir!" Fanzell replied sharply, ignoring the burning glares from his so-called comrades.

Neither Fanzell nor Yagos caught the brief narrowing of Lotus' eyes or the fleeting frown that crossed his face as he listened from the front of the cart, controlling the smoke spell with his back turned to them.

Yagos paused, nodding slowly. "Everything we do is for the sake of the Diamond Kingdom. You understand that, don't you?"

"Yes, Sir!" Fanzell answered firmly.

Yagos' twisted grin stretched wider, almost grotesque, as he finished his probing. "At ease, soldier."

Fanzell dropped his salute and returned to his seat, his expression unchanging. On the surface, he looked calm, composed. But inwardly, he sneered.

Lotus paused, frowning slightly before nodding. He got to his feet and offered Fanzell a hand. "I should be asking you that, Fanzell," he said, trying to muster a smile.

Fanzell nodded, his face damp with sweat as he accepted the hand. "Yes, sir... And thank you for saving my life!"

If they weren't on a battlefield, he'd have bowed and saluted, but right now, staying alert was the priority.

Lotus nodded, waving off the thanks. "It was nothing." It really was nothing. He narrowed his eyes. When he'd tackled Fanzell, ready to sacrifice himself to save the kid with such a promising future, he'd noticed something strange—the beams heading toward them had suddenly shifted, skimming just past his leg instead.

What is this about? Lotus's gaze shifted to his seven fallen comrades, their grimoires flickering out, confirming the worst—they were dead. He glanced over at Yagos, the only other and true survivor, his powers barely enough to save him.

Noticing Yagos scanning the area, too preoccupied to focus on them, Lotus felt a mix of emotions. I don't know if I should be thankful, happy, or scared. Thankful that Yagos hadn't noticed the odd shift in the attack—didn't see it and wonder if they were somehow connected to the ambusher; happy that their superior was alive, keeping some hope alive; or scared that the attacker seemed to have... other plans for them.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Yagos yelled, fury radiating from him as his mana flared, searching for their assailant. His usual smug pride was gone, replaced by a desperate edge.

Was this a Clover Kingdom trap?! Yagos's mind raced, immediately suspecting Lux had betrayed them, or maybe had been playing them all along.

Unaware that Lux was dead, Yagos hadn't received the news yet. Word spread slowly, even with spies, and the Diamond Kingdom had only recently been informed. They hadn't had the chance to pass it along to him, and even if they had, Yagos likely wouldn't retreat. Losing their promised payment mattered, but wiping out a squad of magic knights and striking at the Clover Kingdom's power was too tempting.

While Yagos continued cursing the dead Lux, inching closer to Lotus and Fanzell with the plan to use them as shields in case of another attack, he stopped, startled, as the unexpected happened.

Lotus and Fanzell froze too, watching as a puddle of water spread across the path in front of them. Suddenly, three figures leaped out of it.

They were of the same height and build, each clad in identical black, featureless stealth suits. Their only distinguishing features were the masks covering their faces.

The figure in the middle, arms folded behind his back, wore a blue eagle-like mask. To his right, standing slightly behind him with hands clasped in front, was another figure in a wolf-like mask, and on his left, arms at his sides, stood the last one with a green owl-like mask.

"Who are you?! What force do you belong to? State your affiliation immediately!" Yagos demanded, his grimoire floating before him as he edged closer to Lotus and Fanzell.

Lotus and Fanzell mirrored his actions, their grimoires hovering in front of them as they studied the mysterious trio.

The middle figure spoke, his voice altered and emotionless. "Our organization is not something sinners like you deserve to know. For now, you may call us the Secret Order."

Secret Order? Lotus, Fanzell, and Yagos exchanged subtle glances, none of them showing any hint of recognition.

"What is that?! Explain yourself!" Yagos snapped, his usual arrogance in full display. Used to commanding respect, he ordered them as if they were his subordinates, failing to grasp that these people owed him no answers.

The man in the blue mask ignored him and turned his back to face the other two masked figures.

That infuriated the trio—being shown someone's back in battle meant one of two things: either the person was inexperienced or didn't see them as a threat.

Lotus, Fanzell, and Yagos weren't geniuses, but they were seasoned enough to understand it was definitely the latter.

A vein popped in Yagos's forehead as his mana flared again. He pointed angrily at the man in the blue mask. "Don't you dare ignore me, boy!"

"Mucus Magic: Mucus Wave!" he bellowed, sending a huge wave of yellow mucus hurtling toward the trio, ready to engulf and suffocate them.

But the scene he'd envisioned—of them writhing and burning under his attack—never happened. Instead, Yagos and his comrades watched in shock as the mucus wave froze just before it reached the masked figures. Then, before their stunned eyes, the yellow slime shifted to a pure ocean blue and reversed direction, surging back toward them.

Shit! Lotus cursed inwardly, reacting quickly. He conjured smoke platforms beneath all three of them, and with a swift gesture, Fanzell summoned a gust of wind that lifted them just in time to dodge the massive wave, that flooded the area below.

Hovering in the air, Yagos trembled as he pointed at the man in the blue mask, still turned away. "H-How did you do that?!"

Yagos was rattled. In all his years, he'd never experienced someone not only wrest control of his magic but also turn it against him. Yet the man in the blue mask ignored him, speaking in that same emotionless tone to his companions.

"Gray Wolf, Green Owl," he said, turning to face the three Diamond soldiers at last. Pointing to Lotus and Fanzel, he commanded, "Capture them. Master L wants them alive." Then, gesturing dismissively at Yagos, he continued, "As for this trash, I'll eliminate him."

Gray Wolf nodded, his body cloaked in a silver-gray aura that extended to Green Owl, lifting them both into the air to face Lotus and Fanzell.

Green Owl blinked under his mask. Who's Master L?

Meanwhile, the man in the blue mask stepped forward, summoning steps of solidified water beneath him. The pressurized water formed stable platforms, though it wasn't ice, and he ascended without so much as a splash.

As he climbed the steps with calm, measured strides, hands clasped behind his back, he finally addressed Yagos.

"Remember the man who killed you," he said coolly. "Blue Eagle."

Omake:

As the trio of masked figures observed the smoke cart near Galen Heights from a cliff, Blue Eagle turned to the others.

"Green Owl, Gray Wolf, I need your input on something."

Green Owl ignored him, giving the silent treatment, so Gray Wolf cleared his throat. "Yes, what is it, mast— Blue Eagle?" he stammered, quickly correcting himself under Blue Eagle's intense gaze. Blue Eagle gave an approving nod before moving closer to the cliff's edge.

Clasping his hands behind his back, he peered down at the distant scene. "How should we approach this group?"

Green Owl's focus snapped back. Finally, he's being serious, he thought, seeing a chance to contribute something useful. "If either of you can get me near the cart without being seen, I can restrain their magic—"

"Stop." Blue Eagle cut him off with a dismissive wave.

Was the plan really that bad? Green Owl wondered, frowning, until Blue Eagle spoke again.

"These are just fodder. We don't need anything fancy to handle them. No, I'm talking about something far more important!"

Green Owl blinked, confused. "And what... would that be?"

"Our entrance, of course!"

Huh? Green Owl blinked again, while Gray Wolf quickly looked down, pretending not to hear.

"Every team needs to make a memorable debut!" Blue Eagle declared, raising a finger to the sky as he continued with conviction. "This is more crucial than life itself. Our aura and reputation are on the line! If we don't make an impact when we appear, no one will ever take us seriously!"

Silence settled over the group as Green Owl blinked yet again. Then, abruptly turning on his heel, he began walking away. I'm done here.

"Come back, Green Owl!" Blue Eagle called, but he was met with nothing but silence. "This is insubordination! If you return now, I'll personally vouch for you to Master L—"

Green Owl stopped and spun around, his voice dripping with exasperation. "Who the hell is Master L?!"

Meanwhile, far away in the Clover Kingdom, in the base of the Grey Deer, Julius slumped over a mountain of paperwork, signing off the tasks he'd let pile up. I need an assistant, he sighed inwardly, rubbing his left eye in frustration.

"Weird, why does my eye suddenly feel so itchy?" he murmured.

If Julius had a mirror, he would have noticed a swirl of darkness in his eye—something was unsettled.

Author's Notes:

[1] It is not a canon device, made by me

[2] Owls are seen as wise, and in many literature depictions as forces of justice and judgment. I would think if Damnatio had a spirit animal, it would be an owl

[3] Galen is Greek for calm and peaceful, a name inspired by Golan Heights

[4] Join the Discord Server at: https://discord.gg/s3MME8X8a