Shadow Slave

By the time the three of them were led to the grand hall of the castle, the news that there was going to be another challenge had yet to spread through the entire fortress. Because of that, there was no crowd there, just a few dozen people who had happened to walk past and heard the commotion. However, their number was growing with each minute.

Standing before the entrance to the hall, Nephis was calmly looking forward, her thoughts a mystery. She seemed to be steady and collected. Sunny, on the other hand, was very nervous.

Just what was Changing Star planning?

Glancing around to make sure that no one could eavesdrop on their conversation, he leaned to her and whispered:

"You're not really going to fight one of Gunlaug's lieutenants, are you?"

Because that would be suicide. No matter how talented and strong Neph was, she couldn't hope to win against someone like that, at least not before absorbing enough soul shards to even the odds at least a little. Those people had not gotten to where they were by pure accident, too.

They had talents of their own.

Nephis didn't turn her head and simply said:

"...The walls have ears."

Sunny gritted his teeth and was about to retort, by at that moment, the Guard that had led them inside appeared from the grand hall, threw a dark look at them, and spat:

"Come on in, fools."

Changing Star simply walked forward, leaving Sunny and Cassie no choice but to follow.

Inside the hall, a small crowd of people was staring at the entrance. When they saw Nephis, a wave of confused whispers ran through their ranks.

"Who is that?"

"Never seen her before."

"There's something strange about that girl…"

The whole situation was much less ostentatious and theatrical than that on the day of Jubei's death. Most of the lieutenants weren't even here, not to mention the Bright Lord himself. Only the leader of Hunters, Gemma, was sitting on the steps leading up to the empty white throne. On his face, there was a slightly sullen expression.

To Sunny's relief, Harus was nowhere to be seen.

them inside, Gemma raised his head and glanced

I hear it correctly? One of you three wants to

him right in the eyes, and answered

"I do."

meaning behind those words. It was the polar opposite of the impassioned, scornful, furious speech of condemnation that Jubei had given in

do know what that means,

stare at him without

"I do."

The tall Hunter sighed.

is indeed true that anyone has the right to invoke the Right of Challenge. But throwing your life away is a really stupid thing to do. I'm sure that you had to suffer a lot to make it this far. Everyone here did, pretty much. So how about you think about it some more

wasn't unfriendly. In fact, it seemed sincere, as though Gunlaug's lieutenant really did not want to see her die for no reason. However, his words fell on deaf ears. Neph just tilted her head a little and

"No need."

sighed again, then shook

then. Who are you here

the idea. That's why he

here to accuse the

crime had led

wave of whispers rose from the crowd, Gemma blinked. With an unhappy scowl on

of both Hunters and Pathfinders. Any crime they commit while performing their duties is my crime, so I will be the one

his breath, knowing that Neph's next words would decide their

she did not even flinch. However, she did

has lost a considerable amount of soul shards while gambling, but refused

at her, a bewildered

was doing the

actually. Who knew

that had nothing to do with Andel's role as a Pathfinder, she effectively prevented any of

of a threat

would Gemma even allow a challenge like that

his questions, the tall Hunter raised his eyebrows

A… a gambling debt? You want to...

shook her

never even met