Hmph - 1

The Knight was made of shadow.

I smiled with satisfaction, looking at the Shadow Knights that had taken on a rather plausible form.

*I'll have to see how they perform in practice, but for now, they look quite convincing.*

I reached out and waved my hand, and the Shadow Knights began to move in perfect unison, as if each possessed its own will.

"...?"

*I had ordered them to move on their own, but I hadn't expected them to move so perfectly, which left me bewildered.*

*Why?*

My mind filled with questions, as I hadn't implemented any advanced techniques that would allow them to move independently. However, rescue operations were the priority, so I pushed aside my distracting thoughts and got to work.

*They're doing a good job, by the way.*

Although they moved independently, perhaps because they were Shadow Knights I had summoned, they moved in perfect coordination, as if connected as one. I watched them, marveling as if observing a finely tuned, intricate process...