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

a literal Death Zone called a place deadly, then it had to be

for

Eventually, she nodded.

know enough to make a report to

loud noise, Fiend shifted slightly, the infernal flames igniting brighter in his eyes. At the same time, a tall and graceful figure appeared at the entrance

It was Saint.

right now, her dark elegance

something on her shoulder. That "something" was resisting and cursing desperately, powerless against

abomination! If you want to kill me, Just

Sunny blinked.

...Human language?"

someone cursing in human language here, in

and the Fire Keepers

The person rolled on the marble

"S-stay back, demon!"

his face smeared in mud and dried blood. He wore a torn armor that seemed to be a Dormant Memory, his body riddled in deep

the back of his head crashed into

then slowly looked up, his eyes

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

"Uh...

He blinked.

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

looked at her, then at the Fire Keepers, then at Sunny. Finally, his gaze was

His cheeks blushed uncontrollably.

you... am I

head a little,

the Dream Realm. Are

after the winter solstice and sent them to Song. This year, though, 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, or the Spell did

motive the Spell had to send Sleepers to Godgrave, really. They had absolutely no chance to survive here... the last batch had

threw them here, It was a bit strange, to imagine that he was powerful enough to be a factor in the decisions

In any case…

The young man gulped.

walt, you are Saint Nephis! Changing Star of the Immortal Flame! Lady Nephis!

a

is here? Are we close

hands on his shoulders. A soft radiance enveloped them, spreading into the Sleeper's body. The wounds covering it started to heal, and an