Shadow Slave

Before Sunny could answer, the atmosphere in the lavish hall seemed to change slightly. It was as though a wave of invisible energy rolled through it, making the air feel colder and sharper. Wake of Ruin sighed and turned around, looking at the empty space in the middle of the spacious chamber.

It had been empty before, but now, four people were standing on the lacquered floor, surrounded by the scent of the Dream Realm. For a moment, it felt as though they were simply a memory of a forgotten nightmare. But then, the feeling disappeared, and they were simply... there.

It was not often that Sunny saw Saints enter the waking world, and he had to admit that it was an eerie thing to witness. Were Awakened and mundane people as startled when he suddenly appeared out of thin air in front of them?

That idle thought streaked across his mind and disappeared without a trace when Sunny realized who exactly he was looking at. His eyes widened slightly.

Four people... and, by coincidence, he knew each of them.

The first one was Sky Tide. The Saint of the White Feather clan appeared as she always did - tall, slender, with a posture like that of an arrow. She wore a light armor of lustrous steel, and her hair fell like a cascade of pale gold. Tyris looked austere and beautiful, but also slightly inhuman because of her strange amber eyes and vertical pupils.

She stood apart from the other three, who all wore intricate suits of lusterless black armor.

The first of the three immediately attracted Sunny's gaze. His heart moved slightly... Nephis looked different in the colors of house Valor. The black armor created a striking contrast against her ivory skin, silver hair, and cool grey eyes. She looked like a beautiful dark spirit that took the form of a deadly knight to sow the seeds of discord and ruin in the mortal world.

The second person was Morgan of Valor. Every time Sunny saw her, he was unnerved by how much she resembled her older brother... however, although Morgan and Mordret looked very much like reflections of each other, her demeanor was entirely different.

Morgan had black wavy hair and alabaster skin. Her suit of armor was adorned by a vermilion cape, which was the same vibrant color as her vivid scarlet eyes. Her entire being radiated the feeling of lethal sharpness, as if she was a living blade.

However... it was the third person that made Sunny's eyes widen in guarded shock.

He was a tall and severe man, with sharp facial features and even sharper eyes. His hair was black as Morgan's - in fact, there was a lot of familiar likeness between them - and touched by silver at the temples. His strong figure radiated an almost palpable feeling of authority and pressure, and his steely blue eyes were calm and piercing. The armor he wore was simpler than that of the other two, as though the man did not need its protection.

frown appeared

What the hell is

other than Saint Madoc, the Whispering Blade... brother of Anvil and the nominal leader of the great

turned his head and smiled calmly, somehow making

"Wake of Ruin."

man was standing in front of Sunny and Jet, staring at the newcomers with a neutral expression.

I have to admit... your appearance is a bit

pleasant smile widened

right for me to be here? My clan announced its full support for the brave men and women of the Evacuation Army. That,

tried to read the silent conversation that was happening between the two Transcendents. Surely, their words had other meanings... Saint Cor was probably trying to understand why the Sovereign had gone as far

slightly, then

support and make sure that nothing untoward happens. The true leader of this expedition is my niece,

and then threw an

my other... niece... will be supporting her in this endeavor. I trust you know Changing Star. The three of us are the vanguard of

for a few moments,

case, welcome to Antarctica, Lady Morgan.

glance toward Whispering Blade, and then said

in your group, as well as the granddaughter of Immortal Flame... and yet all three of you seem to be subordinated to a young woman

the fearsome Transcendent, and then smiled. It seemed that his barely disguised provocation had no

was calm

mistaken, Saint Cor. Clan Valor takes this matter extremely seriously. Which is why I have

Wake of Ruin sighed.