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!'

him for a few moments, then

to eat.

there was

out of all of them. The changes were not instantly apparent, but

It was as if there was an invisible weight pressing down on her, the kind that people usually accumulated with the flow of years. Her demeanor

I'm so

from her. He had been sure that the blind girl would give him a hug, at least. That was

is shy because of

already knew the true reason for her subdued attitude. He

vision. That damn

the feeling of dread, he sat down on one

what did you guys want

that, he summoned a Memory that looked like a bone flute and placed it on the table. Immediately, something

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"What is that thing?"

young man sat on a chair next

a cone of silence. No one

had to do with the Bright Lord, Gunlaug himself. Suddenly, he felt an irrational desire to be anywhere else but in this brightly lit room. The wide window began to look

He sighed.

finally ready to obliterate you all? Can't say that I'm surprised. If anything, it's strange

Effie giggled.

"Oh, did he ever…"

the huntress fall silent, and turned

previous attacks, but they were just a rehearsal. A few provocations to test out strength.

Sunny raised his eyebrow:

help the great and mighty Changing Star of the Immortal

gave him and Nephis a strange look,

it to heart, princess, but I sort of agree with Sunny. What can this little imp… uh, no offense, Sunny… do that we can't? I mean, he

"Hey! Offense taken!"

Star smiled, then looked

in fact, he's the last person in the Dark City I would want to face in combat. He is far more dangerous than anyone thinks he

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

the secret is out of the box. Surprise, everybody! I am actually not

Effie and added

mistake. Actually, everyone except for you already knew.

However, Neph interrupted him: