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

finally, there

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

down on her, the kind

I'm so

from her. He had been sure that

she is shy because of

Sunny had a feeling that he already knew the true reason for her subdued attitude. He

the vision. That damn

down on

what did you guys

to the door and closed it. After that, he summoned a Memory that looked

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"What is that thing?"

sat on a chair

enchantment that creates a cone of silence. No one outside this room will be able to hear what we're

enough to tell Sunny that they were going to discuss something that had to do with the Bright Lord, Gunlaug himself. Suddenly, he felt an irrational desire to be

He sighed.

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

Effie giggled.

"Oh, did he ever…"

glanced at her, making the huntress fall silent,

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 why I

Sunny raised his eyebrow:

the great and mighty

gave him and Nephis a strange look, then cleared her

princess, but I sort of agree with Sunny. What can this little

"Hey! Offense taken!"

then

his 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

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

the box. Surprise, everybody! I am actually not a weakling. Who could

Effie and added in a mocking

for you

However, Neph interrupted him: