Shadow Slave

Nephis was surprised to see a plece of cake in front of her. The cake was placed on a beautiful porcelain plate, and even had a fresh cherry on top... it was not like she had never seen one before, but desserts weren't exactly a mainstay of her diet.

'Right. It's a café, as well.’

She picked up a small silver spoon and tasted the cake, simply to not seem impolite.

'I wonder if he is really capable of forging a Memory that would not lose to those created by Valor... huh... wait... why is it so tasty?'

Placing the spoon down, she looked at the handsome shopkeeper and remained silent for a moment. Eventually, Nephis said:

"It seems that you have already recognized me, Master Sunless. I'll be straight, then... I need a Memory forged, and a potent one at that. Saint Cassia informed me that you are a talented enchanter who is only unknown because you prefer to keep your talents hidden. I can understand why, and it even makes things easier. But are you really good enough to satisfy the needs of someone as powerful as me?"

The young enchanter looked at her, a strange expression appearing on his charming face for a moment.

Was he, perhaps, stumped by her question and felt insecure about his talent? Creating a Memory for one of the most renowned Saints in the world was not an easy task, after all.

Master Sunless coughed and briefly looked away. Seeing that subtly bashful expression of his... made Nephis understand why this cafe was so famous. Needless to say, it was probably not because of desserts.

[Cassie... what the hell?]

Cassie's pleasant voice resounded in her head a moment later:

[What?]

Nephis kept her expression neutral.

[Why is this enchanter you found so... so...]

Cassie answered innocently:

[So what?]

Nephis sighed.

[...Never mind.]

It was a silly question, anyway. She had just been startled a little.

Master Sunless, meanwhile, seemed to find his confidence again and answered with a faint smile:

"I can promise that you'll be satisfied, Lady Nephis."

some reason. The poor man must have been nervous... Nephis knew that meeting her had that effect on many

in the same pleasant

Memories I create are top-notch. That said, can I ask

he could, but suddenly found

the delicious cake found its way into her mouth. She

It was very strange.

my blood sugar low? Yeah. That must be

spoon out of her mouth slowly, she nodded with

Sunless hesitated

a princess of the Great Clan Valor. Surely, the renowned forgemasters of your

a

are not a

He understood what she meant instantly, and leaned back with a hint of amusement gleaming

"I see."

for a few moments,

Memory do you

answered in an

"A sword."

She needed a sword.

Kinslayer... was a beautiful weapon. It was an immensely powerful weapon, as well, and one that suited her well. Nephis had slain

Valor had branded the Kinslayer, and so, it did not really belong to her

the King of

remained silent for a while, studying her face

if something was obscuring them, but she discerned a volatile mixture of hopes smoldering

of Swords, a little, maybe

reminded her of someone else,

held no malice toward her. On

Inwardly, Nephis was surprised.

he... smitten

situation. Being a Saint meant having a strong effect on people, and it was

least Master Sunless had enough decorum and composure to hide his feelings. They didn't seem to be of the distasteful kind, either, although there was such an element, as well. Of

a healthy man,

to such things, Nephis did

have felt a tiny bit... pleased with that

my soul is recovering

anything was already a

Eventually, Master Sunless spoke: