Shadow Slave

Sunny stared at Nephis, stunned by her answer. He didn't expect her to admit it so easily.

Meanwhile, she just shrugged.

"What? Was I supposed to deny it? Why should I? You are the one who is obsessed with lies, Sunny, not me."

The corner of Changing Star's mouth twitched.

"Actually, I have to thank you. If it wasn't for you, I would have never learned how to deceive people so easily. I had a very sheltered upbringing, for obvious reasons. Communicating with others had always been something I knew very little about."

She smiled darkly.

"How fortunate it was to meet you, of all people, on this forsaken shore. Lucky me. Right?"

Sunny blinked. What was she talking about? He remembered how, during their journey to the Dark City, Nephis had tried to mimic Cassie in how she spoke to people. Had she been studying him, too?

Neph took a step forward and pierced him with an intense, burning gaze.

"No one survives in the Dream Realm alone. I knew that I won't be an exception to this rule, so I watched Cassie and you and tried my hardest to learn from you both. That's when I noticed that nothing you ever said — or did — was true. Wasn't it?"

'Crap.'

Sunny felt a cold shiver running down his spine.

She scoffed.

"No matter what happened, you somehow always managed to keep your real thoughts, desires, and reasons hidden. I've never seen anyone so adept at deception. Congratulations, Sunny! The mind games you played with us were almost as devious as the mental hex of the Soul Devourer. It was nothing short of inspiring."

Star paused and

never even knew that such a thing was possible. Silly me. I didn't know a lot of

She smiled.

was learning how to use people from you. So please, Sunny, accept my sincere

her hand and stabbed a finger at him. Then, with anger in

you get the audacity to blame me for doing the same thing you do to everyone

trembled. Was she telling the truth? Did Neph actually learn how to

'Oh, no…'

model even if they tried. What a cruel twist of fate, to be sent

Sunny gritted his teeth.

"That's not the same…"

Changing Star scowled.

what I am doing different? I haven't told a single lie to these people. I gave them just enough truth to make them deceive themselves, just like you taught me. But what, now that it was turned around on you, it is suddenly not fair? Now you won't

She smirked.

am going to kill Gunlaug. After he is dead, the Bright Castle will become engulfed in a civil war, with each of the

Her eyes glistened.

and make a road of bones for the lucky few to reach the Gateway. That is my promise. That is the salvation I offer to the people of Dark City — a chance

be so nonchalant about the idea of causing the deaths of so many

at it from his own perspective, the perspective of someone who was used to surviving at all costs, to putting survival above all else. However,

learned that there were

was that much worse than a worthy death. Maybe, in her mind, she really

who gave her the right to make that decision

his head, he

to live here? Is Gunlaug really so bad that you would rather see all of us die than let us remain under his

Changing Star's face. With cold contempt ringing in her voice,

things. But I won't judge him for those. Who knows if any of us would have done any better? Keeping a thousand hopeless people alive in this hell is the kind of task that can turn a saint into a demon. No… there is only one crime he committed

Sunny raised an eyebrow.