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…"

hesitated, then gritted his teeth and fell

turned to the imposing

for so long, and

grimaced and looked at her with an amused expression. Sunny did not take his eyes off of Tessai, however,

from her face,

in fact. We are awfully curious to see that evidence and hear those witnesses.

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

you think that you

calmly looking at him. Then, her eyes suddenly shone with furious white light. In a voice that promised agony and death, she said with

to stop

expression. It seemed as though he was being torn

a mask, though. A masterful

Triumph and jubilation.

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

Changing Star was as far

demon

the morose giant with something that resembled pity. Meanwhile, Tessai

you wish. Come with me to the Castle, if you want. Bring your

***

was walking in the front, holding the tall huntress by the shoulder. Her hands were tied behind her back with

and the members of Changing Star's faction were right behind them, throwing menacing looks at each other. Their faces were grim and full of resentful indignation. Sunny had

and more slum dwellers surrounded them, their

"They got Effie!"

"Bastards! Let her go!"