Shadow Slave

Nephis and Effie were staring at him in surprise, maintaining a smile.

Sunny cursed inwardly.

Over the years, he had gotten used to his Flaw, and it rarely landed him in real trouble these days. That was why he had relaxed a little, allowing himself more leeway while holding conversations.

There was also the fact that the true reason why the Flaw was so dangerous, his True Name, was gone now.

But there were still things he should not say!

«Crap.»

Sunny remained silent for a moment, then said calmly:

«Lady Nephis might not remember, but we actually met before.»

It would have been extremely inconvenient if she asked when or where, so before either Nephis or Effie could, he added of his own accord:

«We briefly met in Antarctica, near the end of the campaign.»

Both statements were true, and since he had volunteered them without being prompted, there was no question that would have demanded a more precise explanation. Of course, the statements were also not connected to each other, and although each of them was factual, together, they created a false impression.

…That Sunny had met Nephis for the first time in Antarctica.

She raised an eyebrow.

«Really? I think I would have remembered someone so…»

She paused without finishing the sentence, remained silent for a moment, then added evenly:

«Remembered someone, so to speak.»

«Huh?»

Her wording was a bit odd.

Sunny pretended to be embarrassed.

«Oh… it was on the day the Sword King defended the SQSC. It might not have been very memorable for Lady Nephis, considering everything else that was going on. Well, I was also covered in dirt from head to toe, so anyone would have had trouble recognizing me « She stared at him for a few moments, and then asked suddenly:

meeting me very memorable for

Sunny froze momentarily.

of question is

his memory like a brand, still festering even after all these years. That was the moment he had learned about his existence being erased from the hearts

world young Nephis looked, standing there calmly with her headphones on. He had also felt a subtle sense of kinship with her, because she had been the only other Sleeper wearing the standard-issue police tracksuit,

Sunny smiled.

it

gaze on him for a brief

corner of her mouth curled upward

later, though, they were interrupted

I can't! The two of you are too

plate of refreshments. As she was chewing, her gaze

lingered for a bit,

it seems that you don't

across the floorboards. Gloomy was currently serving as an avatar, after

Sunny shrugged nonchalantly.

seem to have

without a shadow while he was strolling with Nephis or here on the ferry, but once they reached the castle… he

«What to do?»

of the wild shadows populating the ferry. After it glided across the deck and glued itself to his feet, in reverent awe at the prospect of pretending to be the Lord's own shadow, he shaped it to resemble the contours of

«Is this better?»

blinked a couple

you were in Antarctica, as well? I don't think I ever had a chance to ask. Were

Sunny sighed.

had a cushy assignment at Army Command before ending

been a member of the First Irregular Company and the Special Reconnaissance Unit before landing a position as a special government envoy to Clan Valor, technically assigned

a decorated officer who had fought on most of

shook her head

same. Everyone did their

Then, she grinned.

time I come to eat at the Brilliant Emporium? One soldier to another… wait, actually,

looked at

remained silent for a moment, and then said in an exceedingly even

«I don't know her.»

stared at her

Then, she whispered loudly: