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."

been nervous... Nephis knew

in

the Memories

could, but suddenly found

delicious cake found its way into her mouth. She didn't even notice

It was very strange.

my blood sugar low?

spoon out of her mouth slowly, she nodded with a

hesitated for a

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

seeing a reason to hide

precisely because you are

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

"I see."

Sunless remained silent for a few

do you wish to

in

"A sword."

She needed a sword.

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

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

foolish enough to try cutting the King of Swords

a

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

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

reminded her of

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

Inwardly, Nephis was surprised.

smitten by

Being a Saint meant having a

composure to hide his feelings. They didn't seem to be of the distasteful kind, either, although there was such an element, as well.

a healthy

such things, Nephis did not

have felt a tiny bit...

seems my soul is

was already

Eventually, Master Sunless spoke: