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."

suddenly twitched, for some reason. The poor man must have been nervous... Nephis knew that meeting her had that

in the

that the Memories I create are top-notch. That said,

that he could, but suddenly

was because, at some point in time, another bite of the delicious cake found its way into her mouth. She didn't

It was very strange.

sugar low? Yeah. That must

mouth slowly, she nodded with a deadpan

hesitated

a princess of the Great Clan Valor. Surely, the renowned forgemasters of your clan have no shortage

seeing a

are

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

"I see."

silent for a few moments, thinking about something.

Memory do you

in an even

"A sword."

She needed a sword.

one that suited her well. Nephis had slain numerous Nightmare Creatures with its sharp edge, and had won countless battles while wielding

Anvil of Valor had branded the Kinslayer, and so, it

wasn't foolish enough to try cutting the King of Swords down with one of

remained silent for a

were subdued, as if something was obscuring them, but she discerned a volatile mixture of hopes smoldering beautifully somewhere

a little, maybe because both of them were

reminded her of

enough, and held no malice toward her.

Inwardly, Nephis was surprised.

he... smitten by

sure, but something like that would not be an unfamiliar situation. Being a Saint meant having a strong effect on people, and

decorum and composure to hide his feelings. They didn't seem to be

healthy

did not hold

she might have felt a tiny bit... pleased with that

seems my soul is

was already

Eventually, Master Sunless spoke: