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."

poor man must have been nervous... Nephis knew that meeting

continued in the same

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

he could,

delicious

It was very strange.

blood sugar low? Yeah. That must be

out of her mouth slowly, she nodded

hesitated

the Great Clan Valor. Surely, the renowned forgemasters of your clan have no shortage of powerful Memories they've created.

shrugged, not seeing a reason to hide the

are not a forgemaster of Clan

instantly, and leaned back with a

"I see."

few moments, thinking about something.

kind of Memory do you wish

answered in

"A sword."

She needed a sword.

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

and

cutting the King of Swords down with one of

a while, studying her face with a strange

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

Swords, a little,

of someone else, as

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

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

at 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

a healthy man,

to such things, Nephis did

a tiny bit... pleased with

is recovering faster, this

was already a

Eventually, Master Sunless spoke: