"Sorry I'm late," Lilia said, bowing slightly, polite as always. "Master Zeref asked us to deliver an important document to the Duchess first."
Duchess Shopia—Zeref's mother. That terrifying woman was one of the reasons we could operate freely in this region.
"No problem," I replied. "You're right on time."
Kagura and Kaguya, the twin gold and black foxes, emerged from the shadows in the corner of the room—their hallmark ability as high-tier fox demi-humans. Their beautiful fox ears and tails swayed gently. Kagura with golden fur and Kaguya with black, both wearing custom light armor. Their eyes shone with the same determination.
"All present," Kaguya said flatly. "Let's begin."
I walked to the large table and spread out the documents I had written and revised for weeks. Zeref had already approved the structure and even given several important suggestions.
"Listen carefully," I said, my voice firm and clear. "Our organization will operate in three main divisions. Each division has specific roles, but must be able to cooperate with the others."
I pointed to the first document.
"First Division: Intelligence"
"Leader: Lora"
Lora nodded, her expression serious.
"This division's duties are to gather information, spy on enemies, build an informant network, and map operational areas. You are the eyes and ears of the Shadow Corps."
"Members: Lora as leader, Sasa as deputy, and we will recruit a special team of scout-archers as well as informants from various walks of life."
"For recruitment," I continued, "we will use the Ferez Trading Company network. Our best employees—who have already undergone character and loyalty observation—will be recruited as informants. They don't need to know about the Shadow Corps. Just give them assignments to collect information under the pretext of 'market research' or 'business surveys.' Their wages will be covered by the company."
Lora spoke in her characteristically soft voice, "I've already started building an informant network in three major cities through Ferez branches. Merchants, tavern staff, even some city guards—any of them can provide valuable information. And they think they're only working for an ordinary trading company."
"Good," I gave a thin smile. "Next."
I pointed to the second document.
"Second Division: Strike"
"Leader: Myself."
"This division's task is mission execution, target elimination, direct combat, and high-level infiltration operations. You are the sword of the Shadow Corps."
"Members: Me as leader, Tina, Mira, Mia, and Kaguya."
Tina grinned. "I can finally use this spear freely."
Mia added brightly, "I can't wait to hunt again!"
Kaguya only nodded in silence, but the intimidation around her said enough.
I moved on to the third document.
"Third Division: Support"
"Leader: Nora"
Nora smiled with confidence.
"This division's duties are supportive magic during missions, healing, base defense, crafting magical items, and logistics coordination. You are the heart of the Shadow Corps—without you, the others cannot operate."
"Members: Nora as leader, Lilia as healing specialist, Karina as buff and support specialist, and Kagura as defense specialist."
Lilia spoke gently, "I've prepared various healing potions and antidotes for multiple poisons. Our secret laboratory beneath the Ferez warehouse in the East District is already fully stocked."
Karina added, "I've also studied high-level buff magic from the books Master Zeref gave me. With this, I can increase your physical strength by up to 50% during battle."
"Perfect," I nodded in satisfaction.
"Now, about funding," I took out a thick ledger. "This month, Ferez Trading Company generated a net profit of 150,000 gold coins. Of that amount, 50,000 will be allocated to Shadow Corps operations. The rest is for business expansion and an emergency fund."
Nora added, "Operational funds will cover: purchase of weapons and armor; potions and magical items; informant wages; travel expenses; bribes for corrupt officials if necessary; compensation for rescued victims—housing, food, and job training."
"Ferez also functions as the perfect cover," I explained further. "Our warehouses in various cities can serve as safe houses. Our trade caravans can transport agents without arousing suspicion. Our employees can serve as eyes and ears. And most importantly—no one will suspect that a successful trading company is the headquarters of a secret organization."
"Each division will operate independently but remain coordinated," I explained. "We'll use the crystal communication devices Master Zeref provided to stay in touch. These devices can send real-time voice messages within a fifty-kilometer radius."
I looked at each of them in turn.
"Remember—we are shadows. We move unseen, strike without a sound, and vanish without a trace. Our identities must remain secret. By day, we are employees of Ferez Trading—merchants, accountants, couriers, warehouse guards. But when night falls and the mission begins, we are the Shadow Corps."
Tina raised her hand. "What about recruiting new members? We need more people for large-scale operations."
"Good question," I smiled. This was the most important part.
"We will recruit through two channels:"
"First Channel: Ferez Trading Company."
"We already have over two hundred employees. They are street children, freed slaves, orphans—people we recruited and gave a new life to. They are loyal because we gave them hope."
"From those two hundred employees, we will choose the best—those with strong character, high loyalty, and combat potential. We will train them secretly under the pretense of 'company security training.' Those who pass will be recruited into the Shadow Corps."
"Second Channel: The streets."
"Just like before. We seek children who have no hope, who have nowhere to return to. Just like we once were."
Silence fell for a moment. They all remembered their past.
"But," I continued firmly, "we won't recruit carelessly. Every candidate must pass three selection stages:"
"First Stage: One-month observation."
"For candidates from the company, we observe them while they work. For candidates from the streets, we give them simple jobs at the company and observe. We will assess character, loyalty, and potential without their knowledge."
"Second Stage: Basic skills test."
"Combat, survival, and quick-thinking. They will be tested in dangerous—but controlled—situations."
"Third Stage: Oath of loyalty."
"If they pass the first two stages, they will be told the truth—that Ferez is merely a cover, and they are being recruited into a much larger secret organization. They will be given a choice: to join or not."
"If they agree to join, they will swear a soul oath to the Shadow Corps and to Master Zeref. This oath is magical—if they betray us, the oath will take their life."
Nora asked, "Aren't we being too cruel?"
I stared at her sharply. "This isn't about cruelty. It's about survival. One traitor can destroy the entire organization. One leak can get us all killed. It can put Zeref in danger."
I exhaled. "But we will also give them everything—training, shelter, food, fair wages, family. They will become part of something greater than themselves. We will treat them well, as long as they remain loyal."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
I slid the map on the table and pointed to a spot along the border.
"For our first mission as an official organization," my voice turned cold, "we will strike the slave-trading syndicate operating on the border between the Helios and Gloria kingdoms."
All eyes focused on the point I indicated. The area was a gray zone—neither kingdom fully controlled it—making it the perfect place for illegal activity.
"Our intelligence shows they have three large warehouses where victims are held before being transported to the black market. In total there are about seventy victims—mostly children and young women."
I saw anger flicker across several faces. They knew exactly how that felt.
"The operation will take place three days from now, precisely on a moonless night. Darkness will be our ally."
Lora produced several detailed maps. "I've prepared escape routes, detailed layouts of the three warehouses, and information on guard numbers. There are around forty to fifty guards, mostly Bronze (Mid to High). But there are three at Silver level—they're the captains."
Nora added, "I'll set up emergency teleportation seals at five different points. If anyone is gravely wounded or we need a rapid evacuation, just step on a seal and you'll be teleported straight to base."
Mia asked, in a tone unusually flat for her, "Silent kills or frontal assault?"
I looked at all of them, serious.
"No survivors."
My voice was cold as ice.
"We will erase that syndicate from the map. Every guard, every slave trader, every person involved—will die that night."
I paused, then continued more gently.
"But our first priority is rescuing the victims. Do not let any victim be harmed by our fighting. Use clean, quick methods. No torture, no games—we are not monsters like them."
Everyone nodded, faces set and serious.
"Intelligence moves first to ensure our information is accurate. Strike executes. Support stands by for victim evacuation and healing. Everything must be perfectly coordinated."
"We have three days to prepare. Use the time wisely."
I stood in the midst of them, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.
"Before we end this meeting," my voice echoed through the room, "there is one last thing we must do."
"Place your hands on the table."
One by one, all members stepped forward. We circled the strategy table, placing our right hands on the cold ebony surface.
I looked into each of their eyes—Tina, Lora, Nora, Sasa, Mira, Mia, Lilia, Karina, Kagura, Kaguya. Ten people who had become my family. Ten people I would lead toward their fate.
"Today, we swear," my voice rang with emotion, "the Shadow Corps will be the protectors of the weak, the blade that punishes the wicked, and the shadow feared by darkness itself."
I channeled chaotic Mana into my palm, and the others followed.
"Repeat after me," I said.
"We swear with our souls…"
They all repeated in unison, "We swear with our souls…"
"For Master Zeref alone…"
"For Master Zeref alone…"
"For justice alone…"
"For justice alone…"
"We are the shadow…"
"We are the shadow…"
"That protects the light!"
"That protects the light!"
As the last words were spoken, a dark—yet not malevolent—aura began to envelop us all. Dark-violet chaotic Mana flowed from our hands, merging into a single ring of light spinning above the table.
This was the soul oath—a magical bond that could not be broken except by death.
The light burst in a brief flash, then seeped into each of our bodies. I felt warmth in my chest—a sign that the oath had been sealed.
"From now on," I said with a quivering voice, "we are siblings. We are the Shadow Force."