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.

kind of question is

still festering even after all these years. That was the moment he had learned about his existence being erased from the hearts of everyone who knew him, after

young Nephis looked, standing

Sunny smiled.

it was

him for a

a corner of her

later, though, they were interrupted by Effie's

two of you are

of refreshments. As

for a bit, then

the way, Master Sunless… it seems that you don't have

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

Sunny shrugged nonchalantly.

I seem to

shadow while he was strolling with Nephis or here on the ferry, but once

«What to do?»

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 his body and

«Is this better?»

blinked a couple of

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

Sunny sighed.

had a cushy assignment at Army Command before ending up in a Nightmare. By the time I returned, there

mention that he had 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 to Army Command. He wanted everyone

suited his harmless persona much better than being known as a decorated officer who had fought on most of the deadliest battlefields of the

shook her

Everyone did their part. Anyone who survived that hell

Then, she grinned.

at the Brilliant Emporium? One soldier to another… wait, actually, how about a family discount? Princess and I, we are practically sisters!

at Nephis

for a moment, and then said in an exceedingly

«I don't know her.»

stared at her with a betrayed

Then, she whispered loudly: