Chapter 99: Use Seduction on Her
"Se… Seduction?"
The dim shadows scattered, stirring up layers of vortexes, and even the shadow servant's voice began to stutter.
He had imagined countless ways to overturn the Paradise—some cautious and methodical, others bold and aiming for a decisive strike.
Yet of all things, he never expected his captain to utter such a word.
The shadow servant instinctively looked up, wanting to see what mental state Rast was in when he said that.
Could it be that he had been tainted by some unspeakable entity?
Or perhaps he had simply misheard a word with similar pronunciation as "seduction"?
However, the youth before him still wore a calm expression.
Under the lamp's light, he was flipping through the intelligence scroll, his eyes clear, like stars quietly resting on the lakebed.
There wasn’t the slightest sign of corruption.
"Yeah, seduction. Is there a problem?"
"She’s a powerful being who controls the laws of death, one who can approach the legendary domain in her own territory."
"To kill her completely is not something that can be achieved by long-range sniping or the like."
"What we can rely on is only this—"
At some unknown moment, a crimson-gold dagger appeared in Rast’s hand.
Within the blade, blazing sunlight seemed to have solidified into form.
The shadow servant recognized this dagger that looked as though it were forged from molten gold.
It was a one-time weapon that Sisel, the leader of the Shoreguards, had condensed using nearly all his strength.
After it was completed, Sisel had been weakened for half a month.
At the same time, this was also the biggest trump card the organization had given their squad for this mission.
"As long as we find the opportunity to stab this dagger in, even a powerhouse near the legendary level would suffer serious injury."
"And when it comes to close-range opportunities..."
"What meticulous plan could allow one to get close without hindrance, gain the target's trust, and land a fatal blow better than seduction?"
Rast played with the dagger in his hand, smiling faintly: "It’s said that in ancient times, an assassin once tried to assassinate the king of the most powerful kingdom on the continent."
"When the sword hidden within the local map was drawn, the radiance of the blade pierced the sun in the sky, an extraordinary phenomenon later called 'White Rainbow Piercing the Sun'."
He flipped the page of the intel scroll. "I believe a dagger infused with all of Sisel’s legendary power should be capable of achieving something similar."
This time, the shadow servant heard clearly.
He hadn’t misheard earlier—Rast really did say the word seduction.
"But… I…"
The shadow servant instinctively opened his mouth to object but found himself momentarily unable to refute it.
Though it sounded absurd…
If they truly wanted to kill that queen in a single strike, then this method was indeed the most fitting and required the least sacrifice.
The only issue was…
Who in the squad would carry out this plan?
As that thought surfaced—
The moment the shadow servant’s gaze landed on the youth before him, he instantly had the answer.
"According to the intel scroll, the Queen of the Underworld was seemingly born powerful."
"She innately contained a relic of the God of Death and holds dominion over the authority of death."
"This type of naturally powerful, dominant woman..."
"Would more likely be attracted to a type that evokes a desire to conquer."
Rast’s tone carried a touch of contemplation.
In the next moment, the shadow servant felt the aura of the youth before him shift drastically.
The previously calm and enigmatic presence vanished, replaced by a wild and unrestrained ferocity.
It was like a lone wolf, exiled by the pack, wandering across the wastelands.
Yet beneath that fierce and rebellious aura, there lingered something fragile—like glass—that made one instinctively want to protect it.
What species was his captain, exactly? A Ditto? Or maybe a succubus?
But he had never heard of male succubi existing.
As a Tier 6 Shoreguard, the shadow servant had seen a lot over the years fighting alongside Leader Sisel across the continent.
Even legendary monsters of the deep sea and avatars of evil gods—he had encountered them all.
Yet looking at Rast seated at the long table, crimson-gold dagger twirling between his fingers like a fluttering butterfly, the shadow servant still felt cold sweat dripping down his back.
After a long silence, the shadow servant finally caught up with Rast’s train of thought.
Among the currently active Tier 6 members of HQ, he was considered the least aggressive and most cooperative by nature.
That might be why Sisel had chosen to transfer the shadow servant here as vice-captain.
"Captain, I have one final question."
"What is it… about my retreat?"
"Since you’re a Shoreguard, then you should know—"
"The moment we donned the Wing Emblem and recited the oath, we were already prepared for heroic sacrifice."
Rast’s voice was calm: "To sacrifice me alone, or to put the entire team in danger..."
"You should understand the priority between those two."
"Whether to sacrifice a few innocents to save the majority… such a trolley problem is not something Shoreguards hesitate over."
"It has always had a predetermined answer."
"If one day I become one of the innocent few tied to the tracks, then I hope you won't hesitate even a moment when you pull the lever."
Upon hearing this, the shadow servant's expression turned solemn as well.
Previously, he had only shown surface-level respect due to the leader’s orders, Rast’s position as captain, and his own nature.
But at this moment, he suddenly realized—
That within this seemingly young, and not particularly powerful youth...
There resided a noble resolve no less than that of any Shoreguard.
No wonder Leader Sisel had chosen someone not particularly outstanding in any way to lead this Paradise mission.
And no wonder Captain Rast could propose a plan like seduction so calmly.
It was because in his heart, compared to the fate of civilization and the beliefs of the Shoreguards, personal honor and shame meant nothing.
"However, Captain Rast…"
The shadow servant willingly used that title. "What I was going to ask is not about retreat, but something else."
"The Queen of the Underworld… she’s not into men."
"As the ruler of a nation, let alone selecting a king consort… within her palace in the royal city, only a few handmaidens are present—not even a single man is allowed to enter."
The shadows flickered as the shadow servant cautiously glanced at the youth before him.
"According to the intel department's limited analysis of the Queen of the Underworld…"
"She doesn’t seem to be interested in the opposite sex."
"Or rather—"
The shadow servant seemed to realize something, and the black mist-like shadows surged, covering what appeared to be his eyes.
"To use seduction on her…"
"Captain Rast, you may have to disguise yourself as a girl."
………