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 the Great Clan Valor could supply them with, but also spent most of their time on calamitous battlefields, earning plenty of

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

sighed and beckoned Little Lings

I'll pour you something cold

his small hands toward Aiko. The petite girl, meanwhile, had sought refuge at high altitude and was floating near the

"Auntie! Auntie! Come down!"

sighed, and glided to the floor. Catching the little

we get you some ice cream,

put on a subdued expression and looked at her with his

entire being expressed nothing but well-

is a good

solemn voice, Aiko

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

his legs in the air. In front of him was

was drinking a glass of cold lemonade

if there would be anything left for other customers after Effie was

he heard the sound of the Silver Bell

"Mommyyyy!"

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

turned around and left

was perhaps the only person who could withstand the full force of Little Lings excited pounce without being pushed back or reeling. She had easily caught

dumpling. Missed

not a dumpling! I'm a

but why are

"Mooommy!"