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."

respectful

Grace might have grown weak, but they are valiant

'...Right.'

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.

strong are

girl remained silent

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

He raised an eyebrow.

"Of sorts?"

let out a

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

flinched a little. After a few moments of silence, Nephis

enough to deal with two Masters. With a Transcendent Echo, those guards of yours stand no chance whatsoever. What is the point of them following you

Cassie smiled sadly.

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 it sad? The fact that I am only guarded by two Masters should tell you everything you need to know about how

trying to imagine what had happened to the real Fallen Grace... and real Dusk. He knew that the last sybil had

LO49 was proof that the civilization of the Great River had

meet it again if they

they reached the end of the pier and walked across a wooden plank to the deck of the ghostly ship. The crowd stayed back, with

her hands and staring into nothingness with her beautiful blue

you look at

was told, belatedly realizing that the blind girl must have used her Ascended Ability to share his perception. Although he didn't feel

someone as secretive as Sunny, sharing was an uncomfortable

wonder if she sees

threw a furtive glance at the Sin of Solace, who stood

ship for a while, allowing Cassie to study both its exterior and interior. She was the person who knew the true Chain Breaker best,

girl stopped near the sacred tree

of silence, she sighed

the Chain Breaker. I