The Eminence in the Shadow Strikes

I sat back, absorbing the report from my spies. "So, the Cardinal World is stirring once again… and the Seven Luminaries have been moving from the shadows."

Velzard crossed her arms, her expression cold. "I never trusted that Western Holy Church. Their hypocrisy runs deeper than most realize."

Testarossa chuckled, swirling a glass of wine in her hand. "Sabotaging their own people? That's amusing. It only proves how fragile their grip on power truly is."

Ultima pouted. "So they got rid of Adalmann and Albert because they were afraid of being surpassed? That's pathetic."

Carrera smirked. "Humans do love their politics. But these Seven Luminaries… if they're strong enough to train Chosen Heroes, we can't just ignore them."

Diablo nodded, his crimson eyes gleaming. "They are relics of an old order, clinging to power through deception and fear. But their game is ending."

I exhaled, deep in thought. "Luminous allowed them to operate, but it seems they've gone beyond their purpose. They manipulated the Crusaders, eliminated rising talents, and even dared to dispose of Adalmann and Albert, who could have been great assets."

I glanced at my gathered subordinates. "For now, we continue watching. But I have a feeling that soon enough, we may need to intervene."

Velzard smirked. "And when that time comes?"

I smiled darkly. "Then, the legends of the Seven Luminaries will truly fade into myths."

As the reports continued to roll in, I couldn't shake the growing sense of annoyance at Yuuki's constant scheming. Manipulating Hinata into thinking Rimuru had killed Shizu? That was the last straw.

"Enough of this nonsense," I muttered under my breath, sitting at my desk as the latest update settled in. My lovers, the Eminence in the Shadow, were quietly watching me from across the room, sensing my growing frustration.

"Yuuki is playing a dangerous game," Testarossa remarked, her voice sweet but laced with malice. "He thinks he can manipulate the world like a puppet master, but it's time for someone to teach him what happens when you pull the wrong strings."

"Indeed," Velzard added, her icy blue eyes narrowing in disdain. "He may think he's the cleverest in the room, but he forgets that there are those who are much more skilled at subtlety and control."

"It's almost cute, isn't it?" Carrera grinned, her sharp teeth flashing. "Yuuki thinks he can mess with everyone without consequences. He's forgotten who's watching from the shadows."

A small smile crept onto my face as I turned my attention to my lovers. They were exactly right. Yuuki was getting cocky, thinking that his manipulation of Hinata and the merchants would go unnoticed. But he had no idea who he was dealing with.

"I think it's time to remind him that not everything goes according to his plan," I said, standing up. "I'll send the Eminence in the Shadow to teach him a lesson. He needs a firm reminder of what happens when you mess with those who don't take kindly to such tricks."

Testarossa's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, I can already imagine the look on his face when we show up. It will be most… enlightening."

Ultima tilted her head, a slow, sadistic smile forming on her lips. "Let's make sure he knows that there are consequences for trying to manipulate the wrong people."

"Indeed," I said, turning to them all. "It's time for his spanking."

The air in the room shifted, the atmosphere thickening with the promise of what was to come. The Eminence in the Shadow, my most deadly and efficient agents, had long been my eyes and ears in the world, and now it was time for them to show Yuuki just how quickly things could turn against him.

"You four," I began, addressing my lovers with a cool, calculating tone. "I trust you know how to deal with him."

Carrera winked, her eyes gleaming. "We'll make sure Yuuki learns that his games come with real consequences."

"Let's teach him a lesson he won't forget," Velzard added, a fire igniting in her eyes. "No more schemes without repercussions."

Testarossa's smile curled into something dark and predatory. "Consider it a personal favor. No one manipulates my plans without paying the price."

I nodded. "Very well. Go, and let's ensure that Yuuki understands that not everyone can be played like a pawn."

-----_____----

The city of Engrassia was calm under the moonlight, but within the Grand Freedom Guild, darkness was about to descend. Inside his private chambers, Yuuki Kagurazaka was seated at his desk, lazily skimming through paperwork, while Kagali stood nearby, giving him updates on various schemes in motion. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows on the walls, but neither of them suspected what was about to unfold.

Then—the lights went out.

The once dimly lit room was swallowed in absolute darkness. The air grew cold, thick with an overwhelming pressure that even made Yuuki stiffen for a moment. Kigali tensed, her instincts screaming danger.

"What the hell is this…?" Yuuki muttered, his easygoing demeanor replaced by sharp alertness.

The oppressive silence was deafening.

Then—a whisper.

A voice, low and haunting, drifted through the darkness.

"You have crossed the line, Yuuki Kagurazaka."

The words came from everywhere and nowhere. Kigali snapped her head around, but her eyes saw nothing. No presence, no movement—just an overwhelming sense of being hunted.

Suddenly—shhhkk!

A razor-thin black tendril shot out from the void, grazing Kigali's arm. She barely managed to jump back before another attack sliced through the space where she had just been standing. The darkness itself was moving.

"Assassins? No... something more than that." Yuuki gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay calm. He activated his magic, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark. "Identify yourselves!"

No response.

Then, they struck.

A shadow darted from the ceiling—Testarossa. Her form was a blur, a specter of death as she brought her hand down in a slicing motion. Yuuki barely raised his arm in time, reinforcing it with magic, but the impact sent him skidding across the room, his desk splitting in half.

At the same moment, Kigali felt something coil around her throat—a black tendril slammed him into the floor. She growled, struggling, but the more she fought, the tighter it became.

A cold voice whispered in his ear—Ultima.

"Squirm all you want. You're already caught."

Yuuki rolled to the side, barely dodging a crimson energy blade that Velzard brought down in a flash. He retaliated with a burst of anti-magic energy, forcing his attackers back for a second.

But that was all the time they gave him.

Carrera appeared behind him, her palm pressed against his back.

"You're wide open."

BAM!

A shockwave exploded, sending Yuuki crashing through the bookshelf, splinters flying everywhere. Blood trickled down his lip as he coughed, his body screaming in pain.

Still, he smirked. "Damn… you girls don't play around."

Before he could even blink, Velzard grabbed his face and slammed him into the floor, cracking the stone beneath them.

Kigali, still struggling against Ultima's restraints, watched in horror as Testarossa casually walked over, her heels clicking against the broken floor.

She crouched beside Yuuki's barely-conscious form, her expression deadly calm.

"We could kill you right now."****" Her voice was almost gentle. "But that's not our order."

Yuuki's vision blurred as he felt a finger trace along his throat—Ultima's.

"You love playing with people's lives," she whispered, "but tonight, we're reminding you—some games aren't meant to be played."

Carrera leaned in, her grin sharp and gleeful. "Next time, we won't be so nice."

Kigali gasped as the shadows around her suddenly vanished, and she collapsed to her knees, coughing violently. When she looked up—they were gone.

Yuuki, bloody and unconscious, lay sprawled across the broken floor.

But beside him, a single black card lay resting on his chest.

Engraved in gold letters were the words:

"This is your warning. There will not be another."