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,

the slender saber laying by the former Master's feet, then concentrated on the corpse of the female

what now? How are we going to escape this

Prince of Nothing bent down, picked

do have a plan. It's just… I am not sure that you are going to like it very much,

his spine. Mordret's tone was still friendly, but the implication behind his words did not

going to double-cross

it's not like Sunny had not been planning to do the

teeth,

quarrel between us. We can just go our separate ways. Maybe even work together… uh, for

Mordret chuckled.

that very much. But, Sunless… if you really want to

a slightly awkward step forward, as if not yet entirely used to

hard to trust someone who refuses to look you in the

then backed away

not. My eyelids

Mordret grinned.

well… to tell you the truth, we wouldn't have become real friends,

step

yeah? Why is

Nothing stopped smiling. When he spoke, Welthe's voice sounded cold and insidious, full of endless

Did you really think that I would not smell the stench of Dreamspawn on you? Huh? You

Sunny scowled.

'...What?'

was genuinely confused. If his eyes weren't closed, he would be blinking in surprise right now. Did Mordret

would I be sent by Asterion? I've never met anyone by that name, let alone knowing anything about their schemes! Are you hearing

the prince… the

then tilted his head

lie, so this must be the truth. But