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.

fools don't start

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

First Irregular Company.

flew in his direction... not that a mundane bullet would be able to do him serious

follow suit. A figure in a military uniform emerged from it, hesitated for a bit, and then headed

and studied it. The transports were full of frightened civilians, and their military chaperones were few and far between. Everyone seemed to be in a rough shape, tired, and numb.

there was not a single Awakened

turned

Raising a hand to shield his eyes

is the

looked at him

hear

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

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

the effort to

sighed and shook his

"At ease."

he looked past the man's shoulder at the battered convoy, wondering what

area. I thought that the First

soldier remained silent for a while.

losses when... when the siege capital we were building was destroyed. A sufficient number of

except for that it had been done

man let out a

of those who escaped retreated north, but for many of us, that direction was cut off. We gathered as many people as

story did not sit right with Sunny. He

way here driving on

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

face grew bleak. He lingered for a while,

the start of it, Captain. This... this is just the ones that remain. I have three hundred and forty free

Sunny sighed.