Shadow Slave

After the five of them walked inside, Nephis remained silent for a few moments as she looked around. Although her face was still and stoic as ever, Sunny could have sworn that he noticed a hint of curiosity reflected in her cold grey eyes.

After a while, she asked:

"This is your home?"

Due to her sheltered upbringing, Changing Star had probably never been in a normal residence. Strangely, she was someone who had only experienced living in upscale manors and squalid Dream Realm slums, with nothing in between.

Still, Sunny was not discouraged. He grinned and nodded proudly.

"Yes. Bought it fair and square, with the contribution points from my first research paper. I own this place!"

Nephis hesitated.

"What happened to the walls?"

His smile dimmed a little.

"...Effie happened."

Of course, he had long cleaned the mess that the huntress created after Ascending. However, Sunny had been too preoccupied with other matters to enact proper repairs. As the result, the guest bedroom only had a flimsy curtain covering its irregular-shaped entrance, but no door.

'Maybe I should get to it…'

Sunny cleared his throat, then gestured at the living room section of the main space.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'll make us something to eat."

stood in front of the open refrigerator for some time, thinking. For some reason, Sunny had a strong desire to cook up

them out on the cooking surface,

should do the job. Omurice? Do I have

it, the discussion reached a poignant moment. Cassie was finishing describing the important details of the reason for their

doesn't know that yet, so their response was only mildly aggressive. Sky Tide of White Feather took most of the blame for his escape and

paused, and

Realm. For the past six months, Sunny's contact in the government acted as an intermediary to arrange a peaceful negotiation. It seems that Valor is finally ready to talk, but they aim to recruit at least one of us

The blind girl sighed.

nothing short of tremendous. If they can't get all of us, they are determined to at least make sure that we don't pledge allegiance to their competitors. Of course, now that you are here, the situation has become even more fraught with tension. Valor will

then said in an

to have to burden you with all that right

remained silent for a few moments, then shook

You were right to

grim and thoughtful look appeared

conversation silently. He was darkly perplexed by the fact that his life had turned out in such a way that encountering words like "loyalists", "government contact", and "allegiance" in a casual conversation did not seem

Changing Star with curiosity

our problem with the great clans is. What's your problem with them? I thought that you, of all people, would have been chummy with the

at her without

"They want me dead."

blinked a couple of

"What? Why?"

Changing Star shrugged.

to ask

thinking.

"So was Caster…?"

Nephis simply nodded.