Shadow Slave

The four people in the room reacted to his arrival differently.

Nephis seemed to be indifferent, as always. However, Sunny knew her well enough to notice a strange tension hiding in the depths of her calm grey eyes.

Caster greeted him with an amiable smile, but there was coldness hiding behind it. It seemed as though the handsome scion was not happy about this turn of events. Did he see him as a rival for Neph's attention, or was there more to it?

In any case, it was not Sunny's problem. He did not plan on returning to the cohort on a permanent basis. Caster could have all the attention to himself.

Effie looked at him with a genuine surprise.

"Doofus? You are actually alive?"

Sunny blinked and stared at her for a few moments, then said in an acrid tone:

"Sorry to disappoint."

She shook her head.

"No, no. Just… how the hell did you manage to survive three whole months in the ruins?"

He grinned.

"What can I say? I had a good teacher."

Since Effie was the one who taught him how to navigate the Dark City, that compliment was directed at her. However, the huntress simply shook her head.

"No student of mine would be stupid enough to actually live in the ruins. Not to mention returning looking so… feral."

'Do I look feral?'

Sunny took a mental picture of himself. Ragged clothes, dirty hair, a crooked grin, a hint of madness burning in his eyes… no, he couldn't see anything wrong with how he looked. In fact, the thought he looked great.

With an offended frown, he glanced at Effie and said:

"Yeah? Well… you look like you've gained a little weight."

…In all the right places.

'Focus, fool!'

huntress glared at him for

eat. But

there

the most out of all of them. The changes were not instantly apparent, but to Sunny, who knew her so

girl seemed more… mature? She looked older, somehow. It was as if there was an invisible weight pressing down on her, the kind that people usually

back, Sunny. I'm so happy

him a polite smile, she grew silent and turned away. This… wasn't exactly the kind of welcome he had expected from her. He had been sure that

shy

he already knew the true reason for

the vision. That

dread, he sat down on one of the chairs and offered another one to

you guys want

Caster exchanged glances. Before saying anything, Caster walked over to the door and closed it. After that, he summoned a Memory that looked like a bone flute and placed it on the table. Immediately, something in the room

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"What is that thing?"

handsome young man sat on a chair next to

Memory has an enchantment that creates a cone of silence. No one outside

with the Bright Lord, Gunlaug himself. Suddenly, he felt an irrational desire to be anywhere else but in this brightly

He sighed.

Bright Lord is finally ready to obliterate you all? Can't say that I'm surprised. If anything,

Effie giggled.

"Oh, did he ever…"

glanced at her, making the huntress fall silent, and turned

make a move. We have withstood his previous attacks, but they were just a rehearsal. A few provocations to test out strength. Now, he is ready

Sunny raised his eyebrow:

me help the great and mighty

and Nephis a strange look, then cleared

it to heart, princess, but I sort of agree with Sunny. What can this little imp… uh, no offense, Sunny…

"Hey! Offense taken!"

then looked

last person in the Dark City I would want

face. A few moments passed in silence, with everyone staring at him. Finally,

Surprise, everybody! I am actually not a weakling.

glared at Effie and added in a

mistake. Actually, everyone except for you already knew.

However, Neph interrupted him: