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."

The poor man must have been nervous... Nephis

enchanter continued in the same pleasant

I mean to say is that the Memories I create are top-notch. That said, can I

that he could, but suddenly found herself unable

at some point in time, another bite of the delicious cake found its way into her

It was very strange.

sugar low? Yeah. That

the spoon out of her mouth slowly, she

Sunless hesitated

the renowned forgemasters of your clan have no shortage

not seeing a reason to

because you are not a forgemaster of Clan

young man seemed to have a keen mind. He understood what she meant instantly, and leaned back with a hint

"I see."

few moments, thinking about

of Memory do you wish

answered in

"A sword."

She needed a sword.

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

branded the Kinslayer, and so,

foolish enough to try cutting the King of Swords

for a while, studying her face with a strange

faintly... they were subdued, as if something was obscuring them, but she

reminded her of the King of Swords, a little, maybe because both

of someone

toward her. On the contrary, he appeared to have been inspired by her... a little bit too

Inwardly, Nephis was surprised.

smitten by

something like that would not be an unfamiliar situation. Being a

his feelings. They didn't seem to

healthy man,

such things, Nephis did not

might have felt a tiny bit... pleased with

soul is recovering faster,

already a good

Eventually, Master Sunless spoke: