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."

eye suddenly twitched, for some reason. The poor man must have been nervous... Nephis

in the same pleasant

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

wanted to answer that he could,

delicious cake found its way into her

It was very strange.

my blood sugar low?

the spoon out of her mouth slowly, she nodded with a deadpan

Sunless hesitated for a

Great Clan Valor. Surely, the renowned forgemasters of your

a

are not a

instantly, and

"I see."

few moments, thinking about something.

kind of Memory do you wish

answered in an even

"A sword."

She needed a sword.

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

Kinslayer, and so, it did not

to try cutting the King of

charming enchanter remained silent for a while, studying her face with

could feel his desires faintly... they were subdued, as if something was obscuring them, but she discerned a volatile mixture of hopes

Swords, a little, maybe

her of someone else,

case, Master Sunless seemed to be sincere enough, and held no malice toward her. On the contrary, he appeared to have been inspired by her... a little bit

Inwardly, Nephis was surprised.

he... smitten

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

to hide his feelings. They didn't seem to be of the distasteful kind, either, although there was

healthy

such things, Nephis did not hold it

have felt a

my soul is

was already a good

Eventually, Master Sunless spoke: