Shadow Slave

Sunny was internally cursing himself for deciding not to wear Weaver's Mask today.

Someone else was cursing him, as well.

The Fire Keepers were keeping their voices down, but they underestimated the hearing of a Saint.

"That guy... who does he think he is, critiquing our lady's appearance?"

"Says the man who hides his face behind a mask!"

"He must be as ugly as a toad! Frivolous! And shallow!"

He gritted his teeth behind the visor of the onyx helmet.

"What toad?! What the hell is a toad?! My face is so handsome that it can fund an entire business, you good-for-nothings!"

What did these fools know?!

Outwardly, though, he remained cold and detached.

Even if it took some effort.

"Having a secure base in an otherwise deadly region is already enough of a boon. If Valor wants to claim my temple, they can come and conquer it. Or rather.., they can try,"

The last words sounded especially sinister. His tone didn't change, but it sounded exceedingly threatening all of a sudden.

Nephis kept silent for a bit, then shrugged.

"I see. Do you know of any other Citadels in Godgrave, then? Advance knowledge of their locations can be just as Important."

Sunny glanced at the black skeleton.

...There are none on the surface. There are a few in the Hollows, though. I've seen a couple from afar. As for the sea of ash, even I am not brave enough to descend there."

She seemed interested in what he had said.

"You've explored the Hollows?"

Sunny nodded.

but not extensively. It is a

Death Zone called a place deadly,

lingered for

Eventually, she nodded.

make a report to the elders. It's time for us

igniting brighter in his eyes. At the same time, a tall and graceful figure appeared at

It was Saint.

elegance was nowhere

shoulder. That "something" was resisting and cursing desperately, powerless against the Shadow's

abomination! If you want to kill me, Just do

Sunny blinked.

...Human language?"

someone cursing in human language here,

Fire Keepers

the floor. The person rolled on the marble tiles and scrambled to their knees,

"S-stay back, demon!"

dried blood. He wore a torn armor that seemed to be a Dormant Memory, his body

back of his head crashed

moment, and then slowly looked up, his eyes widening in

appeared on his childish face, It was as if the young man's brain temporarily

"Uh...

He blinked.

"S... s... Saint Nephis?"

him silently. The young man looked at her, then at the Fire Keepers, then at Sunny. Finally, his gaze was pulled back to Neph's beautiful

His cheeks blushed uncontrollably.

you... am I dead? Is this

tilted her head a little, then said

is the Dream Realm. Are you a

he had not found anyone in the vicinity of his territory. He had assumed that either all of them perished in other parts of Godgrave,

send Sleepers to Godgrave, really. They

been precisely because of his presence that the Spell threw them here, It was a bit strange, to imagine that he was powerful enough to be a factor

In any case…

The young man gulped.

are Saint Nephis! Changing Star of the Immortal Flame! Lady Nephis! What... what are you doing

for a

Are we

his shoulders. A soft radiance enveloped them, spreading into the Sleeper's body.