Shadow Slave

Changing Star's words brought the room to dead silence. On both sides of it, people were slowly preparing themselves, dark resentment burning in their eyes. It felt as though the tension reached critical mass and was about to explode into a storm of violence.

Only three people remained calm and unaffected by the direness of the situation: Nephis herself, Sunny… and Tessai.

The giant bared his canines in a grin. His eyes, however, remained cold as ice.

"What a… revelation. And here I was, thinking that you are a great defender of justice. Were you not, Changing Star? Or is your sense of justice reserved only for the crimes of those who don't serve you?"

He sighed and added, his voice full of disappointment:

"That huntress of yours is accused of murder. Why are you trying to prevent me from bringing her to justice? I thought that you, of all people, would not get in the way of fairness."

Nephis frowned.

"Accused does not mean convicted. Why do you claim that she is guilty?"

Tessai stared at her and said, his low voice sending tremors through the stone hall:

"There is plenty of evidence. There are plenty of witnesses. So many people came forward to give a testimony! Her guilt is undeniable. How will you answer that, Changing Star?"

Sunny smiled slightly.

'How peculiar. So many people apparently saw Effie slaughter those fools. Did I imagine killing them or what? I was a bit crazy at the time, to be fair. Ha.'

Before Nephis could answer, Kai suddenly took a step forward and shouted:

"That is impossible! I…"

man hesitated, then gritted his teeth and fell silent, glaring at Tessai with burning

the imposing giant and

from the Dark City for so long, and wasn't informed of these… developments. If this is the case, then by all means, take her

amused expression. Sunny did not take his eyes off of Tessai, however, his

disappeared from her face, replaced by

am coming with her. All of us are, in fact. We are awfully curious to see that evidence and hear those witnesses. And, most of all,

of dissatisfaction appeared on Tessai's face. With a deep frown, he looked down on Neph from his oppressive height and said in

do you think that you can come,

a few moments, calmly looking at him. Then, her eyes suddenly shone with furious white light. In a voice that

going to stop

giant stared at her with a complicated expression. It seemed as though he was being torn between pride… and

a mask, though. A masterful performance to hide

Triumph and jubilation.

with the excuse of bringing Effie to justice, but his true goal had always been Nephis. She was the one Gunlaug wanted to destroy. And now, she was bringing herself to him, like a lamb going

did not know was that Changing Star was as far from a lamb as one could

a demon in sheep's

Tessai slowly

you wish. Come with me to the Castle, if you want. Bring your rats with you. All of you will witness the brilliance of our

***

the front, holding the tall huntress by the shoulder. Her hands were tied behind her back with a flimsy rope — more of a symbolic gesture than a real restraint, considering Effie's strength. Nephis was keeping close, her face calm and

were right behind them, throwing menacing looks at each other. Their faces were grim and full of resentful indignation. Sunny had hidden himself in the crowd, not wishing to draw any attention. Now, he was moving with it, feeling the restless agitation through the chaotic movement

slum dwellers surrounded them, their

"They got Effie!"

"Bastards! Let her go!"