Shadow Slave

Indeed, the gallant man was none other than Quentin, the healer and melee specialist of Sunny's old cohort of Irregulars.

Quentin's soul had been swallowed by the Call when he lost consciousness during the siege of Falcon Scott. As a result, he was pronounced missing in action by Army Command... but no one had any illusions. Everyone, including Sunny, had thought him dead.

However, the gallant healer proved everyone wrong. Somehow, he had not only managed to reach a suitable Seed of Nightmare in the hellish white desert without succumbing to its many perils, but also conquered that Nightmare alone.

There were a few people among the members of the Evacuation Army who had managed a similar feat, but still, Quentin's return could only be described with one word.

A miracle.

Sunny did not like that word too much, though. It detracted from Quentin's own effort, resolve, and incredible determination to survive. He was a man who had once clawed his way out of a cocoon made by an abominable spider, after all, while being digested alive. So, perhaps Sunny should have given him more credit.

In any case, Quentin had survived. His physical body had long been destroyed by the time he Ascended, so the Spell created a new one for him, sending it to the Citadel where he was anchored at that time.

Sunny had only learned about it a few years after becoming a Saint. Knowing that the gallant healer was alive brought him a bit of solace.

Before, he was under the impression that most of his soldiers had perished. Now, he knew that only a half of them had... which was better, somewhat.

Maintaining a facade of polite indifference, Sunny silently pushed Aiko into the kitchen and showed Quentin to the table where Beth, Kim, and Luster were waiting. They met the healer warmly.

"Master Quentin, good morning!"

"Hey, Quentin!"

"Well, if it isn't Mr. Big Shot Ascended..."

Quentin smiled in embarrassment and took a seat.

Sunny followed Aiko into the kitchen, ignored her glare, and retrieved the additional glasses.

'Strange...'

He had opened his shop in Bastion because that was where most of the people he knew were. There were not that many good restaurants here, yet, and certainly very few run by a Master. Not to mention the Memory side of the business. Therefore, it was inevitable that he would run into an old acquaintance or two sooner or later.

gained many customers through word of mouth. Those old acquaintances recommended the new

of the people he had known were also

survivors of the Antarctic Center

had happened before, Sunny would have thought that [Fated] was pulling

was free of such concerns now. Coincidences were

'Free...'

smiled neutrally as he placed the glass

like

made an order, and Sunny left. As he was walking away, he saw Kim pouring the whiskey into the glasses. The sound of laughter disappeared, and the smiles disappeared, as

few moments, their faces solemn. Then, they gulped

remained standing on the table, untouched. Sunny had an idea of what his customers were going to talk about, so

was there, waiting for him with a

away! Boss... listen... I can serve that dreamy... uh...

she noticed something on his face

moments

are being strange

her impassively, then

are from the First Evacuation Army, and they are here for a reason. Leave them

She coughed awkwardly.

you were in Antarctica,

he had gone through the Southern Campaign — without going into details, of course. That was because the situation there had been extremely chaotic, and many people ended up being forced to challenge Nightmares with no warning. Few

by simply saying something like "Oh, I sort of stumbled into a Nightmare in Antarctica". That was also a perfect conversation killer, dissuading

it was

patted Aiko on the shoulder and went to cook Quentin's

ready. The breakfast crowd will arrive

cooked another omelette, brewed some coffee, and delivered both

reception desk, Sunny picked up

could not help but catch bits and pieces of the conversation his

mood at their table gradually turned lighter. They joked, laughed, and shared news about

point, though, his expression

talking at the moment, his pleasant voice tinged with

something strange a few days ago,