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!'

for a few

girl got to eat. But also… wanna

there

of all of them. The changes were not instantly apparent, but to Sunny, who

blind girl seemed more… mature? She looked older, somehow. It was as if there was an invisible weight pressing down on

back, Sunny. I'm so happy that you

and turned away. This… wasn't exactly the kind of welcome he had expected from her. He had been sure that the blind girl would

shy

reason for her subdued attitude. He

the vision. That

the feeling of dread, he sat down on one of the chairs

did you guys want to

and 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

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"What is that thing?"

on a chair next to Changing Star and

No one outside this

to do with the Bright Lord, Gunlaug himself. Suddenly, he felt

He sighed.

obliterate you all? Can't say that I'm

Effie giggled.

"Oh, did he ever…"

huntress fall silent, and

Bright Lord is indeed about to 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 to act in earnest. And that's

Sunny raised his eyebrow:

help the great

gave him and Nephis a

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 is

"Hey! Offense taken!"

then looked at

act, Effie. Sunny might behave like a cowardly weakling, but 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

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

Surprise, everybody!

at Effie and

mistake. Actually, everyone except for you already knew. It

However, Neph interrupted him: