Shadow Slave

Back in the Brilliant Emporium, Sunny was standing motionlessly in the middle of the dining hall. His face was frozen.

The streets of Bastion had long turned dark, and he was enveloped by a peaceful silence.

Some time later, he looked down and stared at the gloomy shadow.

'I... did not imagine the whole thing, did I?'

The shadow stared at him back and shrugged. Nevertheless, it seemed strangely elated.

'Maybe?'

No... Nephis had definitely been here just now. Her plate was still on the table, and her glass was still mostly full of water.

Not only had she been here, but Sunny was now apparently making a soulbound sword for her.

Slowly, his face paled.

'...What did I do?!'

It all seemed perfectly reasonable and cunning in the moment. Not only would he be able to fulfill his ambition of replicating the [Bound] enchantment with Neph's help, but she would also reveal the secrets of her Transcendent battle art to him, completely of her own volition.

Not to mention the hefty sum he would earn for the commission. But now, Sunny was panicking!

Why did he insist on spending lots of time with her? That was the exact opposite of what the humble shopkeeper was supposed to do! His only task was to stay as far away from Nephis as possible and live a tranquil, peaceful life.

And now, in the span of just a few days, Sunny ended up being entangled with Nephis and Cassie both. Somehow.

'This wasn't a part of the plan!'

But it was also... not that bad?

Despite how contrary to his plans the current situation was, Sunny found himself smiling.

In fact, despite his panic, he was just as elated as the gloomy shadow.

much so, even, to the point that his second avatar was currently humming a happy melody in Ravenheart... which made

Sunny abruptly stopped humming.

'...Crap.'

done

***

had visited the

him for a moment and then asked, her voice

yeah? Who else came in? Was

the unfamiliar name,

Who is that? Is there a new

shook her head and looked

have visited the Brilliant Emporium, but both waited until I was gone to spend some time with you alone. Am

blinked a couple of

that is a strange way of putting it, but yes. That is basically

She nodded.

I shouldn't be

Sunny was starting to get

would be happy! We'll get a pile of soul

Aiko yawned.

give me a fat bonus, then." Her tone told him to leave her alone, but

the ceiling. He stared at her

"What are you doing?"

Aiko responded sarcastically:

the liquor. I just made an inventory yesterday, so don't think I'll fail

threw his arms

you talk to

She scoffed.

Don't think I'll fail to find out how much you

a few curses and went about getting ready

few days passed in idle tranquility. There was not much happening in the Brilliant Emporium, so Sunny simply waited to be

same situation. The elders of clan Valor were taking their sweet

Ravenheart was busy, since he and Rain were in the initial stages of

was distracted by the sound of plates rolling in the dining hall. Looking up from the stove, he wiped his