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.

good things about

anything to deserve his hostility. But there

Perhaps he was wrong, but the policy of always assuming the worst had too clean of a track record

gives me

this answer, Kai shrugged

had already looked pretty presentable back when he was a member, but now, the

of his absence, additional structures were built to expand it both horizontally and vertically. Now, it was by far the largest building in the outer settlement, almost starting

the white road. A couple of lookouts were visible on the roof, observing the ruins below. They were wearing armor-type Memories

far cry from

tasks. Sunny froze for a moment, disoriented by all the activity. He almost felt as though he had

and various tapestries hanging on the sturdy stone walls.

of hopelessness was almost gone from their eyes, replaced with energy

an end

asking to be

thoughts were disrupted by a young

Can I help

No one came to mind. Trying to remove the scowl from his face, he answered in

"Neph is expecting me."

The young woman blinked.

Who is

Sunny rolled his eyes.

is expecting me. You know… Changing Star of the

young woman's eyes

Let me show

way, but truth be told, he wasn't sure that he did. With all the changes that happened to the lodge, he had no idea

that used to belong to him. Just as they were walking by,

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

'Figures.'

though he was thoroughly replaced by the scion of the Han Li clan. Well, whatever. The

young woman led them to the area that used to be the central hall of the old lodge. Now, it was separated from the rest

deep

had imagined that moment a

with the cohort would happen in the presence of