Shadow Slave

There were a lot of startled glances directed at Sunny. Of course, it couldn't be helped - even though he was a Master, thus receiving a certain amount of respect and veneration from all Awakened, the warriors of a great clan still tended to treat government soldiers with a bit of disdain.

Watching a mere government envoy, no matter how distinguished, pull out two Transcendent Devils and a Terror out of nowhere must have been a bit of a shock for them. Especially because of how unlike the retainers of Valor Sunny looked - he was neither tall nor physically imposing, and in fact appeared more slender than athletic. In addition, while pretty much everyone around him was clad in a suit of heavy plate armor, he wore only a light tunic and a pair of dainty silk shoes.

It was almost as if Sunny was not taking the situation seriously.

...Or was powerful enough to be able to disregard the protection of durable armor despite the dire danger of the situation.

There was one intangible quality, though, that convinced the warriors of Valor that it was the latter rather than the former: Presence.

It was not a secret that Saints possessed a certain presence about them, and the most powerful of Masters did, too. Like Jet who emanated an illusory aura of cold, or Nephis who sometimes seemed to illuminate the space around her.

Presence was often hard to describe, but it was unmistakable. And the feeling Sunny gave off when he got serious was of the dark, cold, and deeply frightening variety. Like staring into the eyes of your killer, or maybe even of death itself.

So, the warriors of Valor were more than a little surprised. Obviously, Morgan was surprised the most. He stared at Sunny for a few long moments with a somewhat comical expression, then slowly shook her head and turned away.

"You are a man who is full of surprises, Master Sunless. This is a good thing... we might need to pull off a miracle or two today, in order to survive."

engage in these kinds of emotions. The battle was about

government forces had withdrawn, but remained at a distance to observe the clash.

and, shielded by it, the Awakened followed. Sunny could not see the Reflections and the Saints, but he knew that they were out there, somewhere. Ready

side of Valor, the mounted warriors shook the ground as they moved forward, gaining speed for a devastating charge. The phalanx of Awakened marched forward behind them, in perfect synchronicity, their formation like a wall of

the steel-winged thunderbird. The wind roared as she flew forward, and lightning danced around her body. Summer Knight was at the tip of the wedge formation of the charging cavalry, his lance shining with resplendent light. Saint was galloping atop Nightmare side by

them, both with grim expressions on their faces. Only Imp seemed unaffected by the dreadful scale and meaning of the scene in front

As soon as he thought it... The world

Awakened, followed by a swarm of winged abominations. All of

Sir Gilead. In a flash of claws of crimson eyes, Sunny made out the figure of a giant, monstrous

was

of the people participating in it. Each of the soldiers possessed unique Abilities and skills derived from them - no general, no matter how talented, could truly

though two thousand devils were unleashed onto the desolate plain,

could do was set certain tactics in motion and hope

valor of the combatants was much more important than in a battle of mundane soldiers, or even in one against

that a single individual's contribution could also exert great influence

Beastmaster's