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:

me very

Sunny froze momentarily.

kind of

meeting of theirs… yes, it was quite memorable. In fact, it was seared into his memory like a brand, still festering even after all these years.

as well. Back then, on the bridge in front of the Academy… he had been attracted by how aloof and detached from the 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, just like

Sunny smiled.

me… it was

him for a brief

a corner of her

were interrupted by Effie's excited

The two of you

plate of refreshments. As she was chewing,

a

the way, Master Sunless… it seems

that Neph's shadow was all alone, painted in black across the floorboards. Gloomy was currently serving as

Sunny shrugged nonchalantly.

I seem to have misplaced

with Nephis or here on the ferry, but once they reached the castle… he would prefer to keep the strange nature

«What to do?»

for a moment, then used Shadow Control to call over one 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

«Is this better?»

a couple of

I ever had a chance to

Sunny sighed.

anything worth bragging about. I had a cushy assignment at Army Command before ending up in a Nightmare. By the time I returned, there was nothing left to do but

Irregular Company and the Special Reconnaissance Unit before landing a position as a special government envoy to Clan Valor, technically assigned to Army Command. He wanted everyone to believe that he had been a mere paper-pusher in the vast military

than being known as a decorated officer who had fought

shook her head

Command… it's all the same. Everyone did their part. Anyone who survived that

Then, she grinned.

about a military discount next time I come to eat at the Brilliant Emporium? One soldier to another… wait, actually, how about

looked at

and then said in an exceedingly

«I don't know her.»

at her

Then, she whispered loudly: