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 about Caster. Why him

done anything to deserve his hostility. But

Perhaps he was

just gives me

with this answer, Kai shrugged and followed Sunny into the

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

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

heavily fortified, 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 Memories and holding

cry

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

reason for it was not the neat and tastefully decorated interior, with warm carpets covering the stone floor and various tapestries hanging on the sturdy stone walls. No,

gone from their eyes, replaced with energy and

an end to all

everything that he saw, Nephis was almost asking to be destroyed.

thoughts were disrupted by a young woman

Can I help

stared at the smiling girl, trying to remember if he knew her. No one came to mind. Trying to remove the scowl from his face, he answered in a

"Neph is expecting me."

The young woman blinked.

sorry. Who

Sunny rolled his eyes.

You know…

young woman's eyes

I see. Let me show you the

he did. With all the changes that happened to the lodge,

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

new owner left on the narrow cot. They were Caster's. A

'Figures.'

clan. Well, whatever. The cot was not very comfortable anyway, unlike his luxurious wide bed in the

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

took a deep breath, then

imagined that moment a lot of

with the cohort would happen in the