95.

Kagura eventually fell asleep in her father's arms after crying. Noctis then picked up Kagura and went to their room.

Noctis saw the three kids listening to Irene's stories. When Noctis came inside carrying a sleeping Kagura, Irene spoke up.

"Okay kids, story time is over, we'll continue this tomorrow, okay? Get some sleep because we'll be going out to play tomorrow." Irene clapped her hands and stood up.

Noctis then put Kagura on the bed and covered her with a quilt. Noctis then made a 'shush' gesture and the kids understood.

Noctis then went back to their room alongside Irene. When they entered the room, Irene asked Noctis.

"So? What happened? Why does Kagura have dried tears?" Irene asked.

"I may have said too much. I talked about Dimaria's reason for being strong and I said know that Kagura's brother is alive." Noctis said.

"What?! Since when?! Why haven't I heard this from you?! You...!" Irene asked.

"When we escaped from rosemary village. I think the purpose of the dark guild is to kill the adults and capture the children, I don't know maybe for labor or experiments. I don't have proof but I saw them using something like a sleeping magic on children and they killed the adults in the area." Noctis said with a frown.

"Noct, we will talk about this. But for now, how will we find Kagura's lost family?" Irene calmed down after thinking of the more important things.

"Do you still sense them? The shadows?" Noctis asked. When they left for the journey, Irene notified him that there's a big group following them. Noctis then asked what they look like and Irene described them as people wearing black uniforms. That's when Noctis knew that the shadows have been following them.

"Yeah. They are 500m away from us. A safe distance I must say. For normal scouts, they wouldn't be able to sense them since their position is always far away." Irene said and Noctis nodded.

"Tell me their location, I'll talk to them. I'm their new leader after all. Time to put my plans into motion." Noctis said and Irene looked at him surprised.

"You already have a plan?" Irene asked.

"Yeah, quite a big one but it would take a long time before I can reap the benefits." He said.

"Let me go with you." Irene said.

"No, let me handle them. Stay here with the kids. Just tell me their location. It won't take long, I'll be back." Noctis said and Irene nodded and gave the location to Noctis.

"Go home faster. We have a lot to talk about." Irene glared at Noctis while he wryly smiled. He realized why Irene is mad. Even though he got used to taking care of a mature Erza, she, Kagura, Pitou, and Dimaria are still basically children. They might understand some things if you explained it to them and work your way around the truth but just straight up telling the truth without softening the blow would hurt his family.

Noctis then went out and followed Irene's instruction as he looked out at the place Irene was talking about and instantly teleported.

Noctis dropped into a sea of forest and spoke.

"I know you're in there. No need to show yourselves. Listen, I'm your new team leader and if you have any problems with me being your leader, come and take the position from me. I won't be leaving this circle. If you managed to make me move out of this circle, then you win. If you don't have any problems with me, stay where you are. I'll wait for a minute." Noctis said as he made a small circle around him and summoned a wooden sword.

30 seconds have passed since Noctis declared the challenge and no one made a move. B y the 45th second, shadows started jumping from tree to tree and fired long range spells and arrows at Noctis.

"Shinra Tensei." Noctis pushed all of the projectiles coming to him.

"Banshō Ten'in." Once Noctis knew of their location he pulled them in closer to him and struck them with a sword with knocking.

"You done? I'll wait for another minute." Noctis said and this time, no one came out of their hiding.

"If there's no more then pick your comrades up and go back to the dark." Noctis said and few shadows went down and picked their comrades before going back to the embrace of darkness.

"Now that that's out of the way. As your leader, my first order of business will be, changing your group name. I don't want shadows. What I want are Ghosts." Noctis said and no one objected and followed their leader obediently.

"As for your first mission, I want the Ghost to be split into two division. One will work inside the territory of Lucis while the other will work in other kingdoms. The job of those inside are training top quality spies that would get information all over the world. As for those outside, obviously you would get information from the kingdom you are assigned to. City, towns, or villages, no exception. You will get information... without being caught or show your face, it is hard, I know. But remember, Ghosts don't exist, they just vanish." Noctis said to the now Ghost members.

The Ghosts felt the mission tasked for them is hard but they know that with their new King, being the former leader, he would also like the idea of spreading influence outside of Lucis.

"Go, and report back to my brother about the new organization. Also there's one more task I want you to do as shadows. I want you to find the exact location of the Tower of Heaven. I want the information ASAP." Noctis then waved his hand and the Ghosts went back to tell their king of the new leader's decision.

"*Sigh* I can never get used to being a leader." Noctis sighed as he shook his head.

Noctis then went back and had a long talk with Irene who made him kneel for a few hours while she berated him because of his stupidity.

------------------------------

I'm posting this early because I'm going to work overtime. I know it is short but I don't really have that much time anymore.

With the company having another new partner, we have a lot to do so we're going to work on that. Also I might not be able to update much because you know, work.

I'm back to reality people.