Shadow Slave

The shadow hid on the slope of a tall cliff, observing the wide highway that stretched north between the momuntaind and the ocean. The world was obscured by a white wall of snow, but it could feel slight tremors running through the ground.

Something was approaching.

A few moments later, two bright dots appeared inside the blizzard, slowly growing larger as their source drew closer. Then, powerful beams of light cut through the snowstorm, making the shadow shift its position.

...Several kilometers away, Sunny frowned with a troubled expression.

'People.'

What approached from the north was not a swarm of Nightmare Creatures or a lumbering monstrosity, but a small procession of civilian transports, accompanied by a handful of military vehicles. They cut through the blizzard, rolling down the highway at a slow speed. Several of them appeared battered and barely functioning. Soldiers could be seen manning the turrets, shivering in the vicious cold.

His scowl deepened.

"What are they doing here?"

"...Luster. Bring the Rhino to the edge of the coastal highway"

Leaving the carcass of the dead demon behind, Sunny walked forward. A few minutes later, he was standing on the snow-covered surface of the highway, with the Rhino positioned behind him. His silhouette was drawn against the backdrop of the blizzard by the beams of two powerful spotlights.

The convoy was already close, but they did not notice him yet.

Striking the butt of the Cruel Sight into the ground, Sunny hesitated for a moment, and then activated the [Light Eater] enchantment.

Immediately, the silver blade of the spear shone with brilliant light. It was as though a small sun bloomed in his hand. Somewhere behind, Belle and Dorn emerged from the APC, carrying their weapons with guarded expressions. Samara had climbed to the roof of the vehicle and was now laying on it, resting her chin on the stock of her rifle.

The other three Irregulars remained inside, protecting Professor Obel and Beth.

The radiance of the Cruel Sight was too intense to not be noticed. Finally, the soldiers protecting the small convoy reacted, turning the turrets in the direction of the unknown threat.

Their faces were tense and frightened. The lead vehicle slowed down.

those fools

voice. Calm and oppressive, it rolled across the highway, easily breaching through the howling of the

is Captain Sunless of the First Irregular

seemed to have preserved at least some of their composure. No bullet flew in his direction... not that a mundane bullet would be able to do him serious harm, let

strange convoy came to a screeching halt not too far away from the Rhino, forcing the transports to follow suit. A figure in a military uniform emerged from it, hesitated for a bit, and then headed toward Sunny. Judging by the lack

of frightened civilians, and their military chaperones were few and far between. Everyone seemed to be in a rough shape, tired, and numb. There were women, children, and elderly among the refugees, all scared and exhausted, but not

not a single

turned darker

soldier walked close enough to see him. Raising a hand to shield his eyes from the Rhino's lights, he mumbled in a startled

is

looked at him

hear you,

soldier flinched, and then lowered his hand, trying to stand

"Oh... sir! Sorry, sir!"

the effort

sighed and shook his

"At ease."

past the man's shoulder at the battered convoy, wondering

area. I thought that the First Army abandoned the

soldier remained silent for a while. Eventually, he

when the siege capital we were building was destroyed. A sufficient number of us had time to evacuate,

the details of how the city had been obliterated, except for that it had been done by a titan. Nevertheless, he could imagine the panic and mayhem that had ensued in

let out a

that direction was cut off. We gathered as many people as we

right with Sunny. He

it all the way here driving on

Sunny did not dare choose that convenient, but dire path. How did a bunch of

grew bleak. He lingered for a while, and then said

convoy at the start of it, Captain. This... this is just the ones that remain. I

Sunny sighed.