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.

things

hadn't really done anything to

intentions were capable of appearing so flawless. Perhaps he was wrong, but the policy of always assuming the worst

just gives me the

Kai shrugged

Changing Star's hunting party had changed a lot since his last visit. It had already looked pretty presentable back when he

was that it had grown much bigger. During the months of his absence, additional structures were built to expand it

too, especially from the side that faced the white road. A couple of lookouts were visible on the

was a far cry from how

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

decorated interior, with warm carpets covering the stone floor and various tapestries hanging on the sturdy stone walls. No, the main difference was in

almost gone from their eyes,

an

almost asking to be destroyed.

young woman who greeted them

Can I help you

came to mind.

"Neph is expecting me."

The young woman blinked.

sorry. Who

Sunny rolled his eyes.

Nephis is expecting me. You know… Changing

young woman's

Let me

knew the way, but truth be told, he wasn't sure that he did. With all the changes

Just as they were walking by, Sunny glanced inside and saw that it

new owner left on the narrow cot.

'Figures.'

seemed as though he was thoroughly replaced by the scion of the Han Li clan. Well, whatever. The cot was not very comfortable anyway, unlike his luxurious wide bed in the hidden

woman led them to the area that used to be the central hall of the old lodge. Now, it was separated from the rest of it by a thick wall, with a sturdy wooden door

deep

that moment a lot of times in the

he never thought that his reunion with the cohort would happen in the presence of an unreasonably attractive, washed-out pop