Shadow Slave

They left the Impact zone in a government transport. The ride was much less luxurious than Nephis' destroyed PTV, but Sunny, who had crossed countless kilometers in shaky military vehicles, did not mind.

«…I wonder how much that PTV cost.»

If Sunny had lost something that lavish and expensive, he would have been cursing the dead gods and drowning in bitterness. But Nephis did not seem to mind the loss too much.

Granted, her mood seemed a little strange.

As they drove past the burned remains of the PTV, she stared at it intently, a distant look in her eyes.

«Are you alright?»

Sunny wished that it was him who had asked that, but the Lord of Shadows was not that considerate. So, he had kept silent, and Kai spoke in his stead. Nephis lingered for a few moments, then looked away from the wreckage and sighed.

«Sure. It's just that… the situation is so familiar. But the outcome is entirely different. Times have changed.»

It seemed that she was reminiscing about the past, just like Sunny. He had contemplated how different the dread of having to face a Nightmare Gate for the first time felt from today's battle, where he did not even have to lift a finger, Nephis, meanwhile, must have been comparing the powerlessness she had felt as a child to today's attempt on her life.

The difference had to be quite startling, considering that she was one of the most powerful Saints in the world now.

The transport moved along the streets of NQSC at a moderate speed. The news of what had happened, however, was spreading much faster.

Sunny did not even want to imagine what kind of storm would rise when people learned that Changing Star, humanity's darling, had almost died to a human assassin while defending innocent lives from a descending Nightmare Gate.

The people responsible for the government's propaganda would be losing their minds by now. They were great masters of both disseminating and suppressing information, but this time, the incident was too sensational, and the parties involved were too renowned. There was no stopping this story from spreading far and wide, so they could only try to control it the best they could.

The government… was in a tight spot.

It was a bit ingenious, actually. Nephis was so beloved and venerated largely because the government had once decided to make her into a shining symbol for the whole of humanity — she had worked very hard to build upon that foundation, of course, but the government was responsible for the initial push.

Now, however, someone had taken the fruit of their labor and used it against them. The public outrage caused by an attempt on Changing Star's life would be proportional to the amount of effort the government had put into turning her into someone who was revered and admired by all.

That reputation of hers had only grown more exalted in the last four years, reaching unimaginable heights.

undermine the government

continued to contemplate who was behind the attack while the transport rolled across the streets of NQSC, eventually reaching

a modest manor stood apart from the bustling city, surrounded by

Immortal Flame clan, which served as the base of operations for the Fire

vehicle stable. Kai sent the driver and the guards assigned to Nephis by the government away. Sid also bade them farewell and left, lamenting the

a strange bunch… Nephis led her two guests

and through extensive use of runic magic, Sunny realized that what she had planned wasn't really to

had suspected

indifference, then pulled out

is not

standing, leaning on a wall with one shoulder, while Nephis sat across from Sunny

«Indeed.»

tilted his head a

I know what the purpose of this

smiled faintly, remained silent for a moment,

know what Saint Nightingale's

«Ah.»

back, perfectly

sense lies, does

also never made a point of keeping it a secret.

Nephis nodded.

have an honest conversation, you and

a habitual liar, Sunny couldn't help but grow tense at these words. There were so many things he was deceiving the world about… had she learned one or two

necessarily the case. Nephis could have

none of Sunny's

the mask. After

am the most honest person in the world, after

stared at him for a moment, then glanced

very strange expression, hesitated

…She seemed perplexed.

Sunny suppressed a chuckle.

did you want to discuss