Shadow Slave

Nothing else happened on their way back to the siege capital. It had grown harder to eavesdrop on Morgan and Madoc once again, so Sunny didn't learn much about the consequences of Beastmaster's mocking message. He did, however, understand from small hints and clues that Valor's own ambush had gone slightly better than the one prepared by Song.

Most of the ambushers even survived, and were now following a different route to return to safe territory. The great clans had basically exchanged slaps. What would come next were actual blows.

...It was nice to return back to civilization. Sunny slept in a soft bed, had a hot shower, and prepared himself an actual meal. Despite the dire war raging somewhere on the continent - two wars, even - his routine was strangely mundane and peaceful.

He even received a video message from Rain - the network in East Antarctica was not nearly as in shambles as it had been in the Antarctic Center, so the bandwidth allocated to him allowed for such frivolities from time to time.

To Sunny's slight disappointment, Rain only spoke about what was happening in her life for a short while, using the rest of the recording to demonstrate the progress she was making in her training and ask for pointers.

The message ended with a few carefree sentences:

"Oh... by the way, do you remember the classmate I told you about? The one whose sister is an MWP pilot in Antarctica. Apparently, her unit got into a really bad situation, and she only survived because a Master named Devil saved her. Thank the gods... I can't even imagine how her family would have felt if not for him. Anyway, if you know that guy, buy him a drink. Better yet, try to stay close to him. He is apparently some sort of a big hero, so you'll be safer with him. Uh... what I am trying to say is that you should be careful. Take care of yourself. Bye!"

The message ended, leaving Sunny in amused silence. He shook his head.

'What are the chances... and what the hell does she mean, do I know that guy? Have I not told her that people call me the Devil of Antarctica? I'm sure I bragged about it...'

Then, he went about composing a response, first going over her technique and swordsmanship, then adding a few phrases at the end:

"Yes, I do remember. As for the Devil... as it happens, I know him pretty well. That guy is indeed amazing. He is also very powerful, handsome, and disgustingly rich. Your classmate's sister was really very fortunate to meet him. He mostly keeps company with Saints and beautiful Legacies from the Great Clans these days, but since you asked, I'll go buy him a drink right after finishing writing this message..."

and sent the message, then fulfilled his promise by walking to the nearest

on the street, watching the refugees sheltered within the city walls go about their daily lives. The atmosphere in the siege capital was not at all light - in fact, it was charged by distress and dread - but it was not at all as heavy as it had

lived here,

a healthy pace. Nephis, Cassie, Effie, Kai, and Jet were all doing

Song clan were going to arrive soon. Preventing the clash between them and the forces of Valor from spilling

his coffee, then took a walk toward the headquarters of the Valor clan. His duties as a government envoy could not wait... there were issues he had to pass along, reports he had to make, and secrets he

within the compound to fetch him on behalf of Morgan. The Princess

walked through the corridors of the lavish compound, Sunny glanced

she want

a

sure. She seemed excited about something... well, as far as

short span of silence, he asked

me out with something in the

slowed down

"With what?"

considered his words for a

Chained Isles. The flying ship Noctis left behind can now descend through the Crushing, right? It will only take a couple

Cassie smiled.

Tower has drifted east of the Tear, though, so the journey might take a

the main one was on the Shipwreck Island,