Shadow Slave

On the way out of the castle, Kai was strangely silent. Sunny didn't mind, because he had a lot to think about.

Going back to that lodge… there were a lot of things there that he had hoped to never see, feel, or experience again. For a moment, he even thought about rushing straight back to his cathedral without making good on his promise.

But why should he? It's not like he asked to be invited back. Nephis was the one who wanted his help with something.

'Just pretend like you don't care. Also, demand to be compensated for whatever it is they want you to do. You're an outsider now, and your services won't be cheap.'

Yeah, that was the best option. He wasn't going to agree to anything that didn't serve his own selfish interests. And there were a lot of things that Changing Star, with her thriving hunting party and following, could provide him with.

There was this one thing in particular, something he really wanted to do, but couldn't on his own. Maybe they would be able to help him with that...

As they were approaching the lodge, Kai suddenly asked in a serious tone:

"Sunny… why did you want me to come with you, really?"

Sunny sighed. Glancing at the charming archer, he hesitated, then said:

"I want you to tell me if I'm being lied to."

Kai frowned.

"I thought that Lady Nephis was your friend. Why are you so wary of her?"

Sunny chuckled.

Was she a friend? Even he didn't know what exactly the two of them were to each other. Worse yet, he wasn't sure what they would become.

"She's the kind of friend you don't really want to lower your guard around."

He lingered for a moment, then added:

"There's also a guy called Caster. He's the one I especially don't trust."

The archer raised his eyebrows.

only good things about Caster.

Caster hadn't really done anything to deserve his hostility. But there just was something about the proud Legacy that gave Sunny a familiar

were capable of appearing so flawless. Perhaps he was

just gives me the

answer, Kai shrugged and followed

party had changed a lot since his last visit. It had already looked pretty presentable back when he was a member, but

first thing that caught the eye was that it had grown much bigger. During the months of his absence, additional structures were built to expand it both horizontally and vertically. Now, it was by far the

too, especially from the side that faced the white road. A couple of lookouts were visible on the roof, observing the ruins below. They were wearing armor-type

cry from how things were

busy with various tasks. Sunny froze for a moment, disoriented by all the activity. He almost felt as though

covering the stone floor and various tapestries hanging on the sturdy stone

gone from their eyes, replaced with energy and vigor. Sunny

hasn't Gunlaug put an end to all this

Nephis was almost asking to be destroyed. How was all

a young woman who greeted them with

help you

girl, trying to remember if he knew her. No one came to mind. Trying to remove the scowl from

"Neph is expecting me."

The young woman blinked.

Who

Sunny rolled his eyes.

You know… Changing Star of the Immortal Flame

young woman's

Let me show you

wasn't sure that he did. With all the changes that happened to the lodge, he had no idea where things

they passed the tiny room that used to belong to him. Just as they

he recognized a couple of things that the new owner left on the narrow cot. They were Caster's. A corner

'Figures.'

the Han Li clan. Well, whatever. The cot

hall of the old lodge. Now, it was separated from the rest of it by a thick wall, with a sturdy wooden

a deep breath, then

a lot of times

thought that his reunion with the cohort would happen in the presence of