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.

hope those fools don't start shooting

its [Sonorous] enchantment, Sunny augmented the volume of his voice. Calm and oppressive, it rolled across the highway, easily breaching through

of the First Irregular Company.

bullet flew in his direction... not that a

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 an armor-type Memory and the way the man was holding to the collar of his coat, shivering in

their military chaperones were few and far between. Everyone seemed to be in a rough shape, tired, and numb. There were women, children, and

there was not a single Awakened among

mood turned darker

hand to shield his eyes from the Rhino's lights,

is the

looked at him

can hear

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

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

despite the effort to sound professional,

sighed and shook

"At ease."

the man's shoulder at the

you are, and why you are in this area. I thought that the First Army abandoned the southern reach of the

for a while. Eventually, he

suffered heavy losses when... when the siege capital we were building was destroyed. A sufficient number of us had time to evacuate, taking the civilians with us. However,

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 the

let out

but for many of us, that direction was cut

about that story did not sit right with Sunny.

all the way

was too dangerous. Even Sunny did not dare choose that convenient, but dire path.

man's face grew bleak. He lingered for a while, and then said

it, Captain. This... this is just the ones that remain. I have three hundred and forty free civilians in my

Sunny sighed.