Shadow Slave

'Mordret… he has taken Welthe.'

Sunny shifted, lowering the Cruel Sight and slightly turning its blade. His heart was full of unease, his mind in the throes of a dark premonition. The banished prince had already been monstrously powerful… how much more deadly would he become in a body of a Master?

A few things were now clear, at least. Out of the two Ascended knights, Welthe had been the more powerful one. Her Aspect possessed Abilities that could debilitate her enemies, all the while enhancing her own physique. That was why she had been the one to sap Mordret of a large portion of his strength and attack him.

And yet, it was strange to see that the Prince of Nothing had struggled to defeat her so much, and for so long. If he couldn't win against one of the Masters, how had he ever planned to face both?

However, if he had decided to take Welthe's body and thus couldn't harm it too much… that would explain his tardiness. Fighting an Ascended elite while not being allowed to wound her was a dreadfully harsh task.

Had Mordret been aiming for Welthe's body from the start, or had he changed his plans on the fly when the opportunity presented itself?

Was his intention to take Sunny as his vessel just a ruse, a misdirection… or was Sunny still in danger?

'No way… he already has a body of a Master. There is no reason to abandon it for the sake of mine. Right?'

"Ah! That is much, much better!"

Mordret straightened, then stretched, looking at his own arms with curiosity. He clenched Welthe's fists, then grimaced slightly and let his hands relax. Finally, the Prince of Nothing turned slightly and looked at Sunny with a smile.

"...Wouldn't you say, Sunless?"

Sunny lingered for a moment, then nodded cautiously.

"I guess. How does this work, exactly? Are you an Ascended now?"

Mordret's smile widened a little.

"So curious. Your inquisitive nature is truly worthy of an Academy researcher."

questions like always,

then concentrated

How are we going to escape this

Prince of Nothing bent down, picked up the saber, and

have a plan. It's just… I am not sure that you are

still friendly, but the implication

He's going to double-cross me,

Sunny had not been planning to

his teeth,

just like you said… there's no quarrel between us. We can just go our separate ways.

Mordret chuckled.

much. But, Sunless… if you really want to be my

awkward step forward, as if not yet entirely used

you in the eye, you know. Why don't you look

then backed away

rather not. My eyelids

Mordret grinned.

But oh well… to tell you the

another step back,

Why is

smiling. When he spoke, Welthe's voice

I would not smell the stench of Dreamspawn on you? Huh? You better tell me, Sunless… why

Sunny scowled.

'...What?'

eyes weren't closed, he would be blinking in surprise right now. Did Mordret really

stench? Why would I be sent by Asterion?

prince… the Dreamspawn… could it

then tilted his

how curious. You can't lie, so this must be the truth. But if you never met Asterion, why do you reek