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

a Saint who lived in a literal Death Zone called a place deadly, then it had to be worse than

lingered for a

Eventually, she nodded.

know enough to make a report to the elders. It's time

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

It was Saint.

her dark elegance was nowhere to

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

to kill me, Just

Sunny blinked.

...Human language?"

cursing in

the Fire

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

"S-stay back, demon!"

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

moment later, the back of his head crashed into

a moment, and then slowly looked up,

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

"Uh...

He blinked.

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

The young man looked at her, then at the Fire Keepers, then

His cheeks blushed uncontrollably.

I dead? Is this

her head a little, then

Dream Realm. Are

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

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

It was a bit strange, to imagine that he was powerful enough to be a factor in the decisions made by

In any case…

The young man gulped.

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

a moment,

here? Are we close to

A soft radiance enveloped them, spreading into the Sleeper's body. The wounds covering it started to heal, and an expression of deep relief instantly appeared on his