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.

Guard led the three of them inside, Gemma raised his head and glanced in their direction

hear it correctly? One of you three wants to invoke

looked him right in the

"I do."

the impassioned, scornful, furious speech of condemnation that Jubei had given in this hall three days ago. The

know what that

at him without showing any sign of fear,

"I do."

The tall Hunter sighed.

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

really did not want to see her die for no reason. However, his words

"No need."

sighed again, then

it your way then. Who are you here

idea. That's why he wasn't

am here to accuse the Pathfinder known as

had led to Jubei's challenge,

of whispers rose from the crowd, Gemma blinked. With

they commit while performing their duties is my crime, so I will be the one to answer for it. Are

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

not even flinch. However, she did pierce

amount of soul shards while gambling, but refused to pay.

a bewildered look written clearly on

doing the

Kind of ingenious, actually. Who

hunt to a misdemeanor that had nothing to do with Andel's role as a Pathfinder, she effectively prevented any of the lieutenants from fighting on his behalf. At least if

a seasoned Pathfinder any less of a threat than one of Gunlaug's

even allow a challenge like

his questions, the tall Hunter

A… a gambling debt? You

shook her head

I've never