Shadow Slave

In the aftermath of the Castle Guard's annihilation, the core members of the cohort gathered in a small room that was situated not far away from the great hall. From there, they could hear the bodies of the slain Guards being stripped of anything valuable and then dragged away to be disposed of... lest they attract the hordes of hungry Nightmare Creatures.

Just like that, the former most powerful faction of the Bright Castle was no more.

Judging by the expressions on everyone's faces, no one had been aware of the secret alliance between Nephis and the Handmaidens. Perhaps with the exception of Cassie.

But none of them dared to ask Changing Star about it.

Well, Sunny had no such problem.

Staring at their intrepid leader with a dubious expression, he said:

"So when did you start working with Seishan?"

Nephis glanced at him, then shrugged indifferently.

"Soon after you left."

A slight spark appeared in her eyes.

"Why? Are you surprised?"

Sunny remained silent for a bit, then shook his head.

"No, not really. I figured out that your spy was one of the lieutenants a long time ago. I just didn't know which one. But I thought that either your cooperation ended with Gunlaug's death, or that they double-crossed you as soon as you got rid of him for them."

Changing Star smiled darkly.

"...She wouldn't."

Sunny frowned slightly, then asked, his voice full of cold, calculating curiosity:

join your faction when all of this had started? Why go to such lengths

hand to stop her from answering and

say anything. I can guess. If the Handmaidens joined us directly, the power of the faction would have been too immense. And that would pressure the other three lieutenants into joining forces against it instead of fighting among each other. Then, we would have really had to end things with an all-out battle,

glanced at

"Correct."

and Gemma from considering an alliance, but they also eviscerated the Castle Guard without losing a

Sunny

problem. His frown

the information she provided. Why the change of heart?

velvety voice suddenly

can

'What the hell?!'

around and saw the beautiful woman standing right in front of him.

without alerting

Seishan had been able to sneak up on him one bit. Things like that were not supposed

gave them a reserved

myself. I am Song

eyes narrowed. A strange

did not miss that sudden

is reacting this way can mean only one thing.

He studied every detail of her appearance, from the modest cut of her velvet

At least not the ones

one little detail of her appearance did give

his gaze, Seishan offered a polite

herself, like many other girls orphaned by the Nightmare Spell. As such, it is my duty and ardent

lingered for a few seconds, then

yours. I followed Gunlaug because only he was able to give people a chance to survive the Forgotten Shore. And I will follow Lady Changing Star, because only she can give us a chance to

to discuss anything, everyone stared at Kai,

yeah. All of this is true.