Shadow Slave

Some time later, the three of them were walking across the pier, followed by an excited crowd. The two guards were not far behind, either - they never left Cassie's side. The golden chain was ringing softly with each step she took.

The elderly citizens of Fallen Grace were overflowing with joy at the sight of their young and beautiful priestess, though, seemingly oblivious to the ominous meaning behind the golden shackles. The news of the arrival of two Outsiders had spread throughout the city, as well.

The mood was festive.

Sunny studied their faces through the shadows, then turned to Cassie and said silently:

"You seem to be very popular. They absolutely adore you."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"...It's Dusk, not me. And how could they not? She was a wise and benevolent ruler, not to mention a champion of the city. It was because of the sybils that the River People could defend themselves against the Defilement. Most importantly... I am both the most powerful Awakened and the only Outsider left in Fallen Grace. If they lose their faith in me and their love for me, then all they'll have left will be despair."

She let out a wistful sigh.

"They only love me because they have no other choice."

Sunny remained silent for a few moments, somewhat stunned by how cynical that statement sounded. It bothered him a great deal, for some reason.

Then, he shook his head.

"Still, you must have done a lot to earn their trust. Surviving a year in the Third Nightmare could not have been easy. Especially alone."

He had already seen Fallen Grace and its people. They were not the kind of force he had hoped to find... and while Cassie had not gone into detail when describing her attempts to defend the city against the attacking Defiled, it was easy to surmise that protecting it was more of a burden than a boon.

Her days must have been filled with countless battles and narrow victories. It was a miracle that Fallen Grace still stood.

She smiled.

"Ah... well, yes. After the initial chaos, I led the remaining warriors into battle many times, and killed many abominations. It was indeed not easy. But I wasn't really alone."

gestured to the crowd following them at a respectful distance,

are valiant and brave. I also had several Echoes to assist

'...Right.'

Desert, a Fallen Demon with six arms. That Echo had been given to one of the Fire Keepers before his cohorts challenged a Seed of Nightmare. She would have arranged for

Sunny tilted his head.

are your Echoes,

remained silent

also an artificial Echo Neph procured for me from the clan, as well, equal in power to a Fallen Monster. And... there is an Echo I earned here in the Tomb of Ariel myself. A... Transcendent Beast, of

He raised an eyebrow.

"Of sorts?"

out a quiet

of the senior sybil I killed. I try not to summon her where

a little. After a few moments

Transcendent Echo, those guards of yours stand no chance whatsoever. What is the point

Cassie smiled sadly.

them, and I can easily break out of these chains. They know it perfectly well. But they are loyal and devoted to their duty... and so, I remain in chains out of respect for their devotion. Isn't

what had happened to the real Fallen Grace... and real Dusk. He knew that the last sybil had been buried at sea, her body

of LO49 was proof that the civilization of the Great River had met

if they failed to conquer

plank to the deck of the ghostly ship. The crowd stayed back, with only the two guards following them aboard

staring into nothingness with her beautiful blue eyes. After a

can you look at the sacred

did as he was told, belatedly realizing that the blind girl must have used her Ascended

as secretive as Sunny,

if she

furtive glance at the Sin of Solace, who stood motionlessly below the tree, and suppressed his

to study both its exterior and interior. She was the person who knew the true Chain Breaker best, after all, so they needed her judgment to

sacred tree and gently placed her palm on the white

few moments of silence, she sighed and

the Chain Breaker.