Shadow Slave

Nephis walked forward with her usual impassive confidence. It was as though the magnificence of the towering hall, the rows of armor-clad honor guards, and the distinguished guests surrounding them did not deserve her attention, let alone apprehension. Her face was still and inscrutable, and her eyes were cold and focused.

As the rest of the cohort followed behind her, Sunny couldn't help but feel uneasy. Right now, he was especially frustrated at his lacking ability to read her moods. He just hoped that Changing Star was not going to try and assassinate the members of the Valor clan as soon as she saw them.

'No, no way… she wouldn't. Right?'

Their arrival caused a bit of a stir. Many eyes were suddenly directed at the four members of the cohort, but it was nothing compared to how many people were staring at Nephis, either openly or in secret.

She did not pay them any attention, so Sunny looked straight ahead and pretended to not care, either. Of course, he was tensely studying everything and everyone around them through his shadow.

Somehow, he felt as if he had returned to the Red Colosseum. Sunny almost expected the people surrounding them to start chanting "glory!" at any second.

Of course, that did not happen.

The cohort walked up the stairs and entered the grand hall, where they were led to massive doors that were carved of familiar wood.

As the doors opened into a vast chamber full of exquisitely dressed people, a loud voice announced:

"Lady Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan! Ascended Song of the Fallen! Ascended Raised by Wolves! Ascended Nightingale! Ascended Sunless!"

For a moment, every conversation in the hall paused. Everyone turned to look at the new arrivals.

Sunny frowned.

The amount of pressure that crashed into him was enough to make a mundane person kneel. It was not that the guests were consciously exerting it, just the side effect of so many powerful people being gathered in one place.

hundred Masters and a handful of Saints in the crowd, with each of the latter basically glowing like a beacon of power in the sea of people, surrounded by a small island of empty space. A very large chunk of humanity's defensive capabilities were

have felt as if a mountain landed on her. And

wave of whispers rose, barely audible in the harmonious

"It's her."

Star

It's the heiress of Immortal

enough to create a commotion. The other four members got a lot of attention, too, as the brightest stars of the younger generation of Awakened. Both their SS designations and the rapid speed of their Ascension made them

toward the tables that offered drinks and refreshments. As she did, the arrival of another guest was announced, causing the excitement of the crowd to subside a

Sunny… felt incredibly awkward.

uh… what do

Kai simply smiled.

time to walk around and socialize, but in this case, there is no need. Everyone will come to us. So, just enjoy yourself, smile, and answer

Sunny shifted his shoulders.

'That is terrible advice!'

smile, knowing what was at stake? As for being polite… politeness often required a person

somehow making it seem as if they all just happened to walk by. However, all their attention was concentrated on Nephis. Barely anyone

Which suited him fine.

is an honor to meet

proud, young lady. I was actually friends with your

your parents. The memory of their valiance was forever

clan that seemed to be rising from

feel the flames burning in her

was filled with masterfully suppressed

would be,