The Shadow Organization Members Raised Through Pay-To-Win Are Too Strong

When I arrived in front of the main gate of the orphanage, I took a moment to catch my breath and look around.

The only person who came with me was Emilia.

In fact, Count Benedict offered to provide an escort of knights and servants, but I declined.

‘That’s not possible.’

I thought about it and came to a conclusion.

As a nobleman, if I volunteer, would the knights and servants just stand by idly?

I was afraid that trying to improve my image would backfire and make the servants resent me.

So I decided to take a carriage to the vicinity and visit the orphanage with just Emilia and myself.

‘Well, the knights are still scattered around the area anyway.’

With knights stationed along the way, there were no real security issues.

I looked at the main gate of the orphanage with a relaxed mind.

The gate was old, and rust had formed in various places.

When I pushed the door with my hand, the rusty hinges creaked as it opened.

“Hmm.”

The financial situation seems worse than I thought.

Above all, there were no children to be seen in the yard.

“……”

Seeing that sight, a thought suddenly came to mind.

‘Is it because of me?’

Don’t places like schools or the military do things like environmental beautification when a high-ranking person visits?

I thought it was probably the same thing here.

Since I, a nobleman, was visiting, they deliberately controlled the children.

‘It’s no different here than on Earth.’

In other words, the longer I stay here, the less time the children have to play.

‘I’ll have to be mindful and do this moderately.’

Leaving behind a bit of regret, Emilia and I walked through the yard.

An old woman with white hair was waiting for us in front of the building.

“Greetings to Lord Ethan Hartwell of the Hartwell Count Family. I am Zenobia, the director in charge of this place.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Director Zenobia.”

The name of the orphanage director was Zenobia.

Deep wrinkles were etched into her face.

Along with the traces of time, her plain attire reflected a life of hardship.

After all, even as an elderly person, she was still volunteering for the children’s sake.

A sense of responsibility as the director running the orphanage could be felt.

‘But she gives a good impression.’

Love for the children could be felt from her warm smile.

Plus, with her glasses, she exuded an intellectual and kind feeling.

‘By the way, she seems familiar…’

Somehow, her face felt familiar.

It must mean that the director’s impression was that comfortable.

However, at my greeting, the director bowed her head.

“I was worried about whether you experienced any inconvenience during your long journey. Originally, a teacher should have greeted you first, but they were too busy caring for the children to pay attention. I apologize.”

Along with an apology for not properly coming out to greet me, she explained the circumstances of the teacher who was taking care of the children.

But I didn’t mind.

Apologies for what?

Looking at the orphanage building, there’s probably only one teacher.

How difficult must it be for one person to take care of all the children in the orphanage?

Above all, I had a comfortable ride in a carriage to the vicinity.

So there was no need for the director’s apology.

I answered with a smile.

“It’s alright. The children are our future and hope. I should be grateful to you, Director, for nurturing that hope.”

In reality, population was no different than strength.

If children are born and grow up safely in the Hartwell territory, they all become future power.

So even the children in the orphanage are precious, one by one.

I spoke with sincerity from my heart.

“……”

Director Zenobia took a moment to collect herself at my answer, then guided us to her office.

“Well then, let’s discuss what kind of activities you will be doing in the future, Lord. It will truly be a great help to the children.”

Zenobia skillfully prepared tea and placed cups in front of me and Emilia.

And I listened attentively to Zenobia’s words while drinking tea.

Most was about the orphanage’s situation and how donations were used.

Above all, Zenobia made a special request to me.

“First of all, I understand your intention to volunteer. However, I ask that you reconsider for the children’s sake.”

She actually stopped me from volunteering.

“If there are any circumstances, I will consider today as you having volunteered.”

In other words, she’s saying that even if I just sit still, she’ll count it as me having volunteered.

Come to think of it, the director’s words made sense.

If I, a nobleman, directly volunteer, it would be burdensome not only for the director and teacher but also for the children.

Didn’t I experience something similar in my previous life?

I nodded at the director’s earnest request.

Then the director smiled.

“Ah, by the way, you mentioned wanting to see the children, right?”

The director’s eyes changed.

After all, I didn’t come to the orphanage simply to volunteer.

If a suitable person were available, I was planning to see the children and make them my hands and feet.

Now, it was time to put aside our mutual pretenses and have a real conversation.

“Haha, this is quite embarrassing. It’s as you say, Director. As an illegitimate child, I don’t have anyone on my side in the mansion.”

I didn’t have high expectations anyway.

If there was a child in the orphanage who looked useful, I was planning to make them my subordinate.

Although I have Chloe as a servant, she’s not completely mine.

And Emilia, who came here with me, is still being educated.

However, Emilia shouldn’t end up as just a servant.

From the beginning, Emilia was meant to be a liaison with Bella, so I planned to gradually send her outside.

The reason for bringing her here was also a stepping stone for the future.

Then I needed a real servant to assist me.

The director seemed quick-witted and understood what I meant.

“Indeed, I see. I understand clearly. As it happens, we provide thorough education to the children in our orphanage. You won’t be disappointed.”

I felt a bitter taste at the director’s words.

This isn’t Earth.

So the children in the orphanage are in a situation where they have to make themselves useful no matter what.

The director probably knew this fact too and provided various education to the children.

During the time when children should be running around and playing, they are studying to get a job.

I suddenly made eye contact with Emilia.

“……”

Emilia gave a slight smile. If I hadn’t become an illegitimate child, she would have lived a life no different from the children here.

Afterward, I talked with Zenobia and had various conversations.

And I was able to meet the children briefly.

‘They all seem so mature.’

Perhaps due to their circumstances, the children’s faces were dark.

I felt bothered for no reason.

Since I came all the way, I decided to take two children with me.

I came to volunteer, but doing nothing and just leaving felt wrong. If what the director said is true, wouldn’t it be perfect to make them my servants?

I made a few suggestions to the director and asked her to recommend suitable children.

“I understand, Lord. However, the children also need time to prepare. Is that alright with you?”

After all, from the children’s perspective, the orphanage was like their home.

It would be sad to suddenly say goodbye to friends they’ve been living with.

Putting aside other nobles, I could understand.

“I understand. I will send a carriage soon.”

With that, my schedule ended.

* * *

The illegitimate son of the Hartwell Count Family, Ethan, left the orphanage.

“……”

Zenobia, the director of the orphanage, looked in the direction Ethan disappeared.

And she muttered softly.

“Lucy.”

“Yes, Elder.”

At the director’s words, a young woman appeared.

“How did the investigation go?”

Zenobia, who was called the Elder, gave an order to Lucy, the only teacher at the orphanage.

The content of the order was to gather all information related to ‘Ethan.’

In the first place, the orphanage they are at is not an ordinary orphanage.

It was an orphanage managed by Zenobia, an Elder of the Elders Council of Black Raven.

So there was a need to investigate information about Ethan, who approached this place.

“Yes, first of all, Lord Ethan is indeed the illegitimate son of the Hartwell Count Family. Of course, he is not a member of Black Raven, and it seems he has been living in a village on the outskirts of the duchy until now.”

Up to this point, he was just an ordinary illegitimate child.

However, Lucy’s story continued.

“But we discovered one strange thing.”

“A strange thing?”

The Elder asked back at the mention of a strange part.

“That’s right. It was confirmed that the nearby mine was attacked before Lord Ethan left the village. And it was also confirmed that Celestia was involved in the mine attack.”

Celestia is the Succubus Empress whom the Leader personally sealed.

According to Lucy’s report, the Vice-Leader independently released the seal.

“Celestia, who was released from the seal in that way, sent her hunting dogs to the mana stone mines.”

“……”

Why did the Vice-Leader release Celestia’s seal?

Why did Celestia’s hunting dogs go to the mana stone mines?

What the Elder focused on was the location.

There are several small villages nearby.

And the illegitimate son of the Hartwell Count Family also grew up in one of those villages.

The distance between them was not far.

“And it was confirmed that the magician who accompanied the illegitimate son from the Count’s Family is a direct disciple of Adeline.”

“……!”

The Elder’s eyes widened at the sudden influx of information.

Adeline is the Master of the Fire Magic Tower and a member of Black Raven.

Even if the direct disciple is not a member of Black Raven, the influence of the Tower Master is inevitable.

At first glance, these seem to be unrelated individual events.

The Supreme Council ordered the destruction of the mana stone mine by releasing the monster sealed by the Leader.

An illegitimate son from a village near the mine happened to be accompanied by a direct disciple of a Black Raven member, the Master of the Fire Magic Tower.

And Ethan, the illegitimate son, visited this orphanage.

Saying he needs children to become his subordinates.

Of course, the children at this orphanage are not ordinary either.

They are the ones who will be responsible for the future of Black Raven.

The Elder recalled what Ethan said.

– The children are our future and hope.

As if he already knew everything.

Moreover, there was one more piece of information.

“Come to think of it, Lucy, the Supreme Council recently warned us, right? That Phantom has started to move.”

“… That’s right.”

Even the appearance of the Phantom, the Leader’s secret guard.

Could all of this be a coincidence?

‘No way…’

The Elder shook her head.

Coincidences become inevitabilities when they continue.

And that’s exactly the current situation.

Several coincidences were staging a single play.

As if it were someone’s scheme.

“Hmm.”

The Elder became lost in thought.

From the moment she received the letter from the Count’s Family saying their son was coming to volunteer, she felt something was off.

Because a typical nobleman would donate money, not volunteer their time.

The moment a single vague guess she had was turning into certainty.

The words Ethan said flashed through her mind.

– As an illegitimate child, I don’t have anyone on my side in the mansion.

In other words, he wants loyal people who only follow his orders.

– It won’t be too difficult for the children either. They just have to follow what I say.

That means to follow his every instructions.

– If possible, it would be good to have one boy and one girl.

Those words were also correct.

Since the tasks that can be performed differ depending on gender, it would allow for a wider variety of missions.

Ethan’s demands were relentless.

And connecting the recent events with Ethan’s actions led to one possibility.

“…Phantom.”

The Elder muttered.

It wasn’t just a guess, but a certainty.

“From now on, assume Ethan is the Phantom and list the information.”

At the Elder’s command, Lucy showed a surprised expression.

The Phantom is known for not revealing themselves as they are a secret guard.

But now they’re suddenly revealing themselves?

However, Lucy also felt uncomfortable denying the Elder’s words.

“If Lord Ethan is the Phantom, as you say…”

Only then did Lucy’s eyes widen.

Why did the Supreme Council destroy the mana stone mines by releasing Celestia’s seal?

And could the existence of the illegitimate son from a village near the mine and the involvement of the Fire Magic Tower be a coincidence?

Finally, the Supreme Council warned of the Phantom’s activities, all intertwined into a single incident.

“N-No way…!”

As Lucy was surprised, the Elder nodded.

The mana stone mine was just a distraction.

The real target was elsewhere.

The target was the Hartwell Count Family.

The mage from the Fire Magic Tower probably carried out the noble’s request.

‘Of course, the blood confirmation would be false.’

The real illegitimate boy was dead, and Ethan, who likely belongs to the Phantom, must have taken his place.

“……”

The Elder, who had thought this far, got goosebumps.

All of this was as natural as flowing water.

It must have been the Leader’s plan.

“We were greatly deceived.”

The Elder expressed frustration.

The Phantom was right in front of her, yet she didn’t sense anything.

In fact, no power was felt from Ethan at all.

He must have concealed his power.

‘To think that even I, an Elder, couldn’t detect it…’

That meant the Phantom’s level surpassed the Elders Council.

And such a Phantom was asking for help.

‘It must be an important mission.’

Moreover, the Phantom only moves according to the Leader’s orders.

Broadly speaking, the Phantom’s current request was no different from the Leader’s command.

Zenobia didn’t know what the mission was, but she had to grant the Phantom’s request.

The Elder, having organized her thoughts, gave an order to Lucy.

“Lucy, send Lena and Ray to the Hartwell Count Family. The Phantom will be satisfied with them.”

Upon hearing the order, Lucy momentarily trembled.

Because Lena and Ray were the twin siblings with the most brutal personalities even within the orphanage.