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.

extensively. It is a deadly

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

for a

Eventually, she nodded.

enough to make a report to the

shifted slightly, the infernal flames igniting brighter in his eyes. At the same time,

It was Saint.

her dark elegance was nowhere to

shoulder. That "something" was resisting and

want to kill me, Just do it quick! W-why are you tormenting

Sunny blinked.

...Human language?"

cursing in

the Fire Keepers were similarly

and unceremoniously dumped her burden on the floor. The person rolled on the marble tiles

"S-stay back, demon!"

very dirty youth, his face smeared in mud and dried blood. He wore a torn

the back of

a moment, and then slowly looked up,

expression of utter shock appeared on his childish face, It was as if the young man's

"Uh...

He blinked.

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

Fire Keepers, then at Sunny. Finally, his gaze was

His cheeks blushed uncontrollably.

I dead?

tilted her head a little, then said

is the Dream Realm. Are you

a handful 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

They had absolutely no chance to survive here... the last batch had only

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

In any case…

The young man gulped.

are Saint Nephis! Changing Star of the Immortal

paused for a moment,

here? Are

soft radiance enveloped them, spreading into