After my conversation with Grid, I returned to the inn. The girls were on the first floor having dinner while I was in our room, contemplating what my next steps should be. Though it wasn't intentional, the fact that I damaged the ring gave me some time to act, albeit only until the next day.
Anyway, honestly, I couldn't see myself infiltrating a heavily guarded place without being noticed by anyone. For starters, that wasn't even my expertise. Glasy hadn't returned yet, so I couldn't ask her to do it for me. Moreover, Glasy wasn't exactly discreet, which ultimately left me with only one plausible option.
"Shade"
As soon as I pronounced that name, a black vortex appeared right in front of me. Shortly after, Shade appeared, bowing. As always, her manners were impeccable. Additionally, her black hair seemed to shine in the darkness, giving Shade an angelic appearance.
"You summoned me, my king?"
Upon hearing Shade's words, a smile spread across my face. Although it was a bit peculiar to be addressed as a king, I can't deny that it's amusing, especially considering that Shade is technically stronger than me. In the end, any man would be pleased to be called a king by such a beautiful woman.
Coughing lightly to push that thought out of my mind, I resumed my serious gaze at Shade.
"I have an important task for you, an investigation. It's crucial that you remain entirely discreet and go unnoticed. Are you confident that you can handle it? Oh, and please, raise your head"
Honestly, it was peculiar to have to ask her to raise her head, but I felt she wouldn't do it unless I said so. Upon hearing my words, Shade lifted her beautiful face and fixed her eyes on me.
"Is someone causing you discomfort, my king? I can promptly eliminate this unwanted presence if you wish"
In reality, I had already considered that it would be considerably easier to resolve this situation if I chose to permanently end Darian. I doubt anyone would notice if I used Shade's power and revealed my true form. However, Grid seems to have personal issues pending with Darian.
So, I chose to prioritize Grid's desire. Although I sympathize with the events that affected Leona, resulting in the loss of her mother, I must acknowledge that I am only a third party in this complex situation. In short, while I feel inclined to assist Grid, I do not share the same vengeful sentiment that motivates him.
"Normally, I would have accepted your idea, but this time there's a reason why we can't eliminate our target, at least not for now"
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
As I uttered these words, Shade nodded and waited for more details.
"I want you to investigate a man named Darian, a noble from Anima. Find out if he has any involvement in the death of Leona's mother. Any information we can use as evidence will be valuable"
Listening to my words, Shade nodded before being swallowed by a vortex and disappearing from the room. For now, I can only hope that she discovers something that can prove Darian's involvement in the death of Leona's mother. Either way, I wonder what Grid will do if our suspicions turn out to be true.
***
After bidding farewell to her king, Shade emerged once again in the heights of Anima, contemplating the entire realm before her eyes. Despite the kingdom's shimmering lights, nothing compared to the beauty of her king. As these thoughts permeated Shade's mind.
Three black dogs, with gleaming red eyes, suddenly appeared as if they had always been there. The animals approached Shade slowly before lowering their faces in a sign of submission.
"Go, investigate the streets and gather information about this man"
Upon hearing these words, the three dogs howled at the full moon and disappeared without leaving a trace, as if their previous presence was just a fleeting illusion.
Shade did not remain motionless either. In a matter of seconds, she reappeared in another location, a rather elegant-looking room, more precisely an office. As she observed a painting adorning the room, a smile blossomed on Shade's lips.
"It seems that the information from my lovely children was correct"
Shade discovered this location after receiving information from one of her offspring, specifically, the dogs that had left earlier. It is worth noting that Shade did not give birth to them, but being the pillar of darkness, in simple terms, Shade was the first dark point that appeared in the sea of colors, therefore, everything that came after is considered a descendant of Shade.
While surveying the room, Shade found nothing particularly of interest to her king. With elegant steps, she approached the bookshelf. With a snap of her fingers, dozens of books on the shelf began to float and open; quickly Shade's eyes scanned the vastness of knowledge.
"Nothing that my king is looking for"
She affirmed, closing the books and placing them back on the shelf. Next, Shade went to the wall, more specifically, to a wall that seemed out of place. How did Shade know? Simple, the shadows were not positioned correctly on the inside of the wall.
With a gesture of one of her hands, a rumble echoed in the room before the wall opened, revealing a safe. With a smile on her face, Shade snapped her fingers, and the internal gears of the safe began to turn as if they had a life of their own. In a matter of seconds, the safe opened, and to Shade's satisfaction, there was a single document inside.
As she took the document, Shade's smile widened as she read the content. While immersed in reading, the door was abruptly opened, and a man entered.
"Who are you? What are you doing here? This is a private place. If you don't answer, you could be arrested for unauthorized privacy invasion in a noble's residence"
None of the man's questions received an answer. Nevertheless, his gaze remained perplexed as he observed the beautiful woman before him, whose being seemed to have been sculpted like a work of art. Without uttering a word, the woman disappeared into a vortex, leaving the man astonished.