The calm young man, a faint smile on his lips, met the gaze of the beautiful blonde nun.
Because of its remote location, the café was quiet. Aside from the staff member at the counter, only the two of them were inside.
Cid picked up his coffee, took a sip, then set it down. Resting his cheek on his left hand, he looked at Asia lazily. Meeting her expectant gaze, he spoke with ease.
"I don't think you're useless at all, Asia. As long as something is alive, it must have its own meaning for existing. That meaning doesn't disappear just because of how you see yourself. That's how I understand life.
Of course, if you really think you have no value, then right here and now, in the name of Shadow, I formally invite you.
Asia, would you like to become my assistant?"
"Cid-san…"
Asia's eyes slowly widened.
"I'm clumsy… do I really have what it takes to be your assistant, Cid-san?"
Cid smiled calmly.
"Of course. To become my assistant, all you need to do is…"
His expression suddenly froze.
"The World!"
Time stopped once again.
In the frozen world, Cid fell into deep thought.
An assistant to an Eminence in Shadow… what exactly are they supposed to do?
The question echoed in his mind.
Honestly, he had no idea.
He had only invited Asia on a whim. It just felt like someone of his status should have an assistant. On top of that, Asia seemed easy to persuade, had a clean background, and fit the image he had in mind, so he went for it.
As for what an assistant was actually supposed to do, he had never thought about it.
After all, he hadn't even figured out how to properly become an Eminence in Shadow yet. How could he possibly know what an assistant should do?
His situation really was miserable.
Other Eminence in Shadow types had some kind of main storyline driving them forward. He didn't.
All he could do was wander around every day, looking for "NPCs" to pick up side quests.
…Alright, getting off track.
The priority right now was figuring out what an assistant should actually do.
Cid, think. Use your rich experience as an Eminence in Shadow.
Uh… uh…
Let me think.
Alpha and the Seven Shadows were tricked by him at first. Later, after realizing what kind of person he really was, they even brought in others to play along with him. That couldn't count as proper experience.
And Netheril was even worse. The witches did believe him, but everything went completely off the rails. What started as a hijacked organization turned into a full-fledged magic empire. The "Roland Augustus" Eminence in Shadow persona had basically become the image of a Netheril emperor.
Even the name Netheril came from a game he played in his previous life.
…
But thinking about it carefully, even though both experiences had gone off track, they still had some value.
Whether it was Alpha or the witches, they all shared a few traits.
Beautiful. Intelligent. Rich.
Cid glanced at the motionless Asia, then quickly looked away.
It seemed… maybe… possibly…
Asia didn't quite meet those criteria.
Relying on her to make money was out of the question. She was pretty, yes, but not particularly smart. Maybe slightly smarter than Delta, but not by much. As for her healing ability, it was useless to him.
He looked at Asia again.
Seeing it like this, she really was just as she said. Not very useful. Not suitable to be an assistant.
…Alright.
Decision made.
He'd just find a way to talk her out of it.
"Snap!"
Cid resumed his earlier posture and snapped his fingers. Time began to flow again.
"Being my assistant doesn't require great power. You just need to stay by my side and handle small tasks for me. Things like cleaning, cooking, taking care of my daily needs, and at critical moments, helping me provide false testimony. So, Asia, are you confident?"
"Yes, yes, I can do it! It's just… Cid-san, I understand the first three, but what does 'providing false testimony' mean?"
"...!"
"The World!"
Time froze again.
This time, Cid leaned in close and carefully examined Asia's expression, confirming that she genuinely didn't understand and wasn't pretending.
He fell silent.
"Snap!"
Time resumed once more.
"Asia, you do know that my true identity is Shadow, a man wanted across the world, right?"
Asia nodded, and Cid continued.
"Since you already know, it's easier to explain, Asia. I have three… no, two identities. One is Shadow, and the other is Cid. Shadow is a fugitive wanted across the world, while Cid is just an ordinary student.
These two identities are completely separate. I don't want Shadow interfering with Cid's peaceful life. But sometimes, I have no choice but to become Shadow during the time that belongs to Cid, to handle things I must do. And that's when you come in."
"Me?"
"More precisely, not you personally, but the assistant to an Eminence in Shadow.
When I become Shadow during Cid's time, Cid essentially disappears. If someone investigates that missing period, it could expose Shadow's identity and disrupt Cid's peaceful life. What the assistant needs to do is fill in that missing time. For example, by saying I was with you during that period. That's what false testimony is."
After hearing his explanation, Asia lowered her head and pressed her lips together, asking hesitantly,
"D-Do I have to lie?"
"Yes."
As Asia lowered her head, Cid burst into laughter internally.
This was his plan.
He would use Asia's devout faith and the doctrine that forbids lying to make her back down. Of course, he couldn't say it so directly. He had to maintain the composed image he had carefully built in front of her.
"To walk in the darkness, you must be prepared to become part of it.
I know you're a devout nun, Asia, but I still hope you'll seriously consider my invitation. I truly…"
"I accept, Cid-san."
Asia raised her head. Her voice was soft, but firm.
"The… ahem. Asia, I hope you'll think it through carefully before answering. I don't want you to regret it later."
Not that he meant it. Right now, he just wanted her to back out.
"No, Cid-san. I've already thought it through. When you become Shadow, it must be to save more people. If my sin alone can allow more people to live, then I'm willing to bear that sin by myself.
Anyway… I was already destined for Hell. If I can help you, Cid-san, that's enough for me."
Her voice grew softer toward the end, but Cid could clearly see it in her eyes.
She had truly resolved herself to go to Hell.
Normally, he might have been moved, having someone believe in his Eminence in Shadow path so completely.
But right now, all he felt was trouble.
…It's fine.
He still had another move.