The Clover hideout was unusually quiet that afternoon. Outside, the town hummed with the light bustle of midday life, but inside the shadows' domain, silence reigned — heavy, dignified, and dramatic.
It wasn't always like this. Usually, the place buzzed with the low chatter of agents, the scratching of pens on parchment, and the occasional crash from someone "testing" a new spell in the hallway. But today was different. Today, the boss was here.
Shadow.
The very name was enough to straighten backs, silence conversations, and make even seasoned operatives question whether their breathing was too loud.
Every sound — the creak of a chair, the clink of a cup, the flutter of a page — felt like it echoed under divine judgment. The agents had collectively decided that silence was the safest option when the master of the organization was present.
After all, one of them had whispered earlier, you never know when Shadow-sama might be meditating, plotting, or… thinking transcendent thoughts about the fate of the world.
Of course, in reality, the "master of the shadows" was simply enjoying a very comfortable cup of tea in the nicest room of the house.
Beta entered swiftly, her cloak fluttering behind her, clutching a sealed folder in both hands. Her expression was all focus and purpose, but her heart was pounding.
At last… news from the frontlines. Shadow-sama must hear this immediately!
She paused before the grand door to his room, composed herself, and knocked gently.
"Enter."
The voice from within was calm and deep — the kind of tone that could have come from either a wise king or someone who just woke up from a nap.
Beta stepped in, bowing low.
The room was surprisingly refined for a small outpost. The walls were lined with neat, dark curtains that softened the lamplight, and the faint scent of polished wood lingered in the air. A simple chandelier — more functional than grand — but still ridiculously more expansive than what there is in the guild hall, hung from the ceiling, its warm glow casting steady light across a clean wooden floor. The furniture was minimal but well-kept: a sturdy table, some chairs, paintings on the wall, a couch, and a teapot steaming gently on a tray nearby.
It wasn't the lavish grandeur of a noble's estate… but for a secret base built around a lie, it was absurdly well-furnished.
At the center of it all sat Shadow — or rather, Cid — reclining elegantly on a modest couch, a cup of tea in hand. His black cloak lay folded neatly beside him.
Looking at the cloak, Cid sighed appreciatively, silently praising his own flawless sense of timing and style — the mark of a true shadow connoisseur.
Wearing a black cloak during the day is inelegant. Absolutely no sense of style at all. You can't just parade around wrapped in darkness while the sun is shining. Shadows must know when to appear — that's what separates an amateur from a true Eminence !
Daytime is for subtlety, for presence without presence. The cloak is for when the world turns silent, when the light itself retreats in fear. That's when you wear it.
A faint breeze slipped through the cracks in the window shutters, teasing at his hair just enough to make the lighting dramatic.
Beta stopped in awe for a moment.
Shadow-sama's grace never falters… even in such ordinary attire, he radiates that same unshakable beauty. Truly, the world itself bends to his aesthetic.
A small silence ensued — Juvia stood mesmerized, lost in the divine sight before her.
Cid, completely unaware of her awe, was busy having a minor mental breakdown observing the room for the umpteenth time, with just his eyes moving.
This is really crazy. They're super loaded to have such a comfy room in such a remote place! I'm supposed to be the mysterious mastermind here, and yet somehow my "secret organization" is living better than I ever did.
Do they have sponsors? Hidden investors? A shadow crowdfunding campaign I don't know about?
Even after all the bandit loot I heroically "repurposed" to the poor — meaning me — the only room that can compete with this in terms of price is my Eminence Collection back home!
He took another sip of tea, maintaining his calm exterior, while internally calculating how much rent this place would cost in Magnolia.
Beta knelt, placing the folder before him with utmost respect. "Shadow-sama, the latest reports from the field."
He gave a slow nod. "Proceed."
Her voice was steady, her tone reverent — the delivery of gospel.
"Earlier today, Eisenwald had taken control of the Oshibana train station. The dark guild blocked all lines, trapping the passengers inside. Among them were Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Lucy Heartfilia, and Erza Scarlet."
She paused for breath, eyes flicking up briefly to gauge his reaction. He said nothing — only a thoughtful hum, perfectly timed.
Ah, as expected, Juvia marvelled. Even this is within his foresight.
Meanwhile, Cid's thoughts were running in a very different direction.
Wait, Oshibana? That's, what, three towns over? Or maybe just the next one… I don't really remember, but it's nearby. Pretty sure I heard the name yesterday, not long before we got here.
They're already at the climax scene? Fast pacing, this plot.
Well, after all, it's just a music arc, it's not like a demon will pop out of the flute or anything.
Beta continued, "The four engaged Eisenwald and neutralized their members with minimal collateral damage."
Minimal? I'll believe that when Magnolia stops having to rebuild itself every month.
"However," she said, "their leader, Erigor, escaped using wind magic and attempted to reach Clover to play the cursed flute."
Shadow leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing in the dim light — purely because it looked cool.
Ah, Erigor. The classic mid-boss type. Good visuals, great voice lines, low long-term impact.
Beta went on, completely unaware of his silent meta analysis. "Natsu pursued Erigor with his flying cat Happy, while Erza, Lucy, and Gray eliminated the remaining Eisenwald mages and followed him by car. Reports indicate that Natsu successfully intercepted and defeated Erigor before he could reach Clover."
She paused again, her tone turning grave.
"But during the aftermath, one of the Eisenwald survivors — a man named Kageyama — stole the Lullaby and fled. He is currently heading toward Clover. The Fairy Tail team is in pursuit."
Before he could even blink, Beta's voice followed, trembling with admiration.
"As expected of you, Shadow-sama! You already foresaw that someone from the dark guild would outsmart those who live in the light. The mages of Fairy Tail may be strong, but their hearts are too pure, too naïve."
She clasped her hands together, eyes shining with devotion.
"And you, Shadow-sama… you came here directly, to the very place where the cursed Lullaby would appear. Such precision. Such foresight. You truly move ahead of destiny itself!"
Cid froze for half a second, his mind catching up.
"EH? Did I?"
"EH?"
"Nothing," he said calmly. "Just… prepare yourself for this evening."
Beta straightened immediately, her voice sharp with resolve. "Yes, Shadow-sama!"
He rose slowly from his seat. A faint smile curved his lips — the kind of expression that carried more mystery than meaning.
"Tonight," he said softly, his voice low and steady, "the Lullaby will sing… and the melody that has slept for four hundred years will reveal its true nature to the world."
The words hung in the air like a spell.
Beta's breath caught. Her hands trembled as she pulled out a small, worn notebook from her cloak — her Shadow-sama best Quote Collection, carefully titled "The Words of the Eminence."
She scribbled the line down fervently, whispering as she wrote:
"Tonight, the Lullaby will sing… the melody of four hundred years shall reveal its true nature to the world."