The train rattled softly as it approached Clover Town, its wheels humming a steady rhythm beneath the stars.
Outside the window, the countryside blurred into silver streaks, painted by moonlight. Sparse lights dotted the horizon—lonely farmhouses, quiet watchtowers, and the distant glimmer of the sea.
Inside the carriage, Shadow sat perfectly still, cloak draped neatly over his knees. His reflection in the glass was calm, composed, and faintly illuminated by the lantern light overhead (in Juvia's head)
Across from him, Juvia sat with her hands folded in her lap, posture straight and professional, but her eyes sparkled every time she glanced his way.
Shadow-sama… traveling beside you like this… Juvia's heart might melt… no! Juvia must stay composed! Dignified! Professional! Juvia must show her best side to Shadow-sama!
Her inner turmoil flickered across her face for a split second before she schooled it back into perfect calm.
Cid, of course, noticed nothing. He was far too busy admiring the stars and mentally rehearsing the lines he would say when the Lullaby began to play.
The train hissed to a stop at Clover Station. The night air greeted them with a cool whisper as they stepped out—fresh, slightly salted, carrying the faint scent of pine. Lanterns lined the street, their flames swaying like sleepy eyes.
They stepped out of the station, greeted by the cool night air. The moon hung high above the rooftops, its light spilling over cobbled streets and rows of stone houses wrapped in ivy. Far ahead, on the hill, the great Hall of Guild Masters loomed like a silent sentinel over the sleeping town.
Juvia walked a step ahead, her voice soft.
"Clover… It's a small town, Shadow-sama, but one of great importance. Every year, the guild masters of Fiore gather here to hold their conference. The meeting has already begun, but Eisenwald will make their move tomorrow. Their agent, Kageyama, is currently returning to their headquarters with the Lullaby."
Shadow's gaze moved across the lantern-lit roads, the distant outline of the hall, and the subtle hum of unseen anticipation in the air.
He gave a slow, approving nod. "Yes. Quite a fitting scenery for such a beautiful piece of music."
Inside, Juvia's heart nearly skipped a beat.
Only Shadow-sama could describe a melody of death as something beautiful… as expected of his boundless grandeur!
She straightened, hiding her excitement behind her usual composed expression. "We have secured a small base nearby. Our agents have already spread across the area to monitor the situation."
Shadow hummed quietly, cloak stirring faintly in the night breeze. "Agents?"
"Yes, my lord," Juvia replied with pride. "We have ten people stationed here."
"...Ten?" His voice rose straight, followed by a faint pause that lingered in the air.
Juvia blinked, misinterpreting the silence instantly. "Is… is that not enough?" she asked quickly, a hint of panic slipping into her tone. "If you wish, we can summon reinforcements! Beta will see to it personally!"
Shadow raised a hand, calm and absolute. "No. It's nothing."
His tone was even, composed — but behind that perfect façade, his mind was spinning.
Ten? Ten agents? Ten extra just for a tiny subplot of a little nice piece of music? Isn't Juvia too extravagant? Why are there ten people involved? Did they bring stage lighting too? Are we doing background choreography now?
But anyway… she's doing all this just to accompany me in my play as the Eminence in Shadow. I can't really blame her for it. In fact… I can only praise such commitment.
"You did well, Beta,"
Juvia froze for half a heartbeat, her cheeks flushing pink. "Th-thank you, Shadow-sama…" she stammered softly, lowering her gaze, her voice trembling between pride and delight.
Inside, her heart was screaming.
He praised me…! He actually praised me! Juvia will remember this moment for eternity!
Regaining her composure, Juvia resumed her walk, her cloak brushing lightly against the ground, her voice soft but bright. "Shadow-sama, this way. The hideout is nearby."
They passed through a narrow side street tucked behind the main road. The buildings here were older—bricks faded, shutters half-closed, air tinged with the musk of old wood and iron. At the end of the alley stood a modest door beneath a sign that read Closed for Renovation.
Beta knocked three times in a precise rhythm. The sound was swallowed instantly, as if the night itself obeyed the code. The door creaked open. Inside was darkness—warm, thick, familiar.
Shadow entered first, steps soundless on the worn floorboards. The lanterns inside flickered to life one by one, revealing a surprisingly well-kept space.
Stone walls reinforced with steel braces. Stacks of documents tied with black string. A map of Fiore stretched across the far wall, dotted with small glowing pins marking various cities. A long table occupied the center, bearing sealed letters, weapons wrapped in cloth, and a single black rose in a glass vase.
It was elegant and quiet—an operation cell fit for espionage and secrets.
Shadow's eyes swept the room.
Excellent. Hidden in plain sight. Functional yet atmospheric. Truly, Shadow Garden's aesthetic sense is impeccable.
Now that I think about it, it's incredible, he mused. Even in this small town, they've established a base. My friends truly are thorough. I only made up a lie at the beginning — saying that "Zeref is still alive somewhere, preparing to destroy the world with his subordinates and his demonic creations" — just to have a reason to create an organization in the shadows. But they actually believed it so much that they built an entire shadow network to keep track of everything in this country! Amazing initiative, girls. You have my congratulations!
He nodded once, slow and deliberate. "You've done well."
Juvia's eyes lit up like stars. "Shadow-sama, your praise honors us! This hideout is one of our smaller bases, but it is fully equipped for communication and intelligence gathering. We rotate agents here regularly."
A long pause stretched between them, filled only by the soft flicker of the lanterns.
Then, slowly, Shadow straightened, his cloak whispering against the floor as he turned toward the window.
"The stage is set," he said quietly, his voice calm but carrying a weight that made the very air seem to still. "Tomorrow… the cursed lullaby will sound. Heaven and earth will tremble, and the world shall bear witness."