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

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

we going to

down, picked up the

am

still friendly, but the implication behind his words did not promise

going to double-cross me, isn't

like Sunny had not been

gritted his teeth, then said

is just like you said… there's no quarrel between us. We can

Mordret chuckled.

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

slightly awkward step forward, as if not yet entirely

trust someone who refuses to look you in the eye, you

then backed away

not.

Mordret grinned.

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

step back, then asked

Why

smiling. When he spoke, Welthe's voice sounded cold and insidious,

Did you really think that I would not smell the stench of Dreamspawn on you? Huh? You better tell me, Sunless… why did Asterion send you to the

Sunny scowled.

'...What?'

If his eyes weren't closed, he would be blinking in surprise

are talking about. What stench? Why would I be sent by Asterion? I've never met anyone by that name, let alone knowing anything about their schemes! Are you hearing yourself,

the prince… the

froze, then tilted

be the truth. But if