Shadow Slave

Sunny froze for a moment, then smiled politely.

"Ah. In that case, it seems I'll be busy in the kitchen soon."

His face did not betray any emotions, but he was a bit rattled on the inside.

'What is up with today?'

He had wandered the Dream Realm alone for about three years after becoming a Saint, only returning to the embrace of civilization a year ago. So, the Brilliant Emporium had not been open for too long. In that time, Sunny had brushed sides with some members of the cohort, but it did not happen often.

And definitely not in any kind of meaningful way.

Which was how he preferred it. He was being contradictory in that desire, perhaps — after all, the very reason Sunny had chosen to open his shop in Bastion was because many of his old friends were here. Well... there was another reason, as well, but that was the deciding factor.

Still, while he could maintain a level of nonchalance while meeting people like Teacher Julius or the Irregulars, it was different with his former companions. Being close to them was both sweet and painful... but mostly painful. Which was why he both yearned to see them and preferred to avoid them at all costs.

Sunny knew that getting closer to the cohort members would only bring him anguish and torment. Nevertheless, he was sometimes tempted to abandon reason and ingratiate himself into their company once again.

Luckily, in the end, reason always won.

In any case...

'Calm down. You brought this on yourself, anyway.'

Not only was the Brilliant Emporium bound to attract the attention of local powerhouses eventually, but there was also Aiko. There were less than a hundred survivors of the Forgotten Shore alive now, and she was one of them. Many of the Fire Keepers were on friendly terms with her, so they visited her place of work often.

— as the elite battle force led by Nephis, they not only had access to the best weapons and equipment

Aiko's friends, too. That was how Sunny had established the partnership with the Beast Farm, in the

beckoned

in. I'll pour you something

was giggling as he jumped around like a rabbit, reaching his small hands toward Aiko. The petite girl, meanwhile, had sought refuge at high altitude and was floating near the ceiling with

"Auntie! Auntie! Come down!"

a resentful glance at Sunny, sighed, and glided to the floor. Catching the little boy, Aiko nimbly spun him around and then patted him on the

about we get you some ice cream, wolfie? Just... be a

a subdued expression

expressed nothing

Ling is a good

sound of his solemn voice, Aiko couldn't help but

"Alright. Then, let's go..."

In front of him was a bowl of ice cream, adorned with freshly cut strawberries... the ice cream was disappearing with a

cold

wondering if there would be anything left for other

of the

"Mommyyyy!"

sound akin to a torpedo hitting the hull of a warship, and

out a sigh, Sunny turned around and left the

being pushed back or reeling. She had easily caught the brat and raised him into a tight hug, laughing. The boy

there, dumpling.

dumpling! I'm

alright... but why are you

"Mooommy!"