Shadow Slave

Sunny grinned behind the mask.

«What can I say? I wasn't always a recluse.»

She contemplated for a few moments, and eventually nodded.

«Alright. Then, my next question. Let's presume that you are correct, and I do, indeed, harbor such an interest. But what about you? What is your reason?»

Sunny chuckled.

«Would you believe me if I said that my reason is exactly the same as yours?»

Nephis thought for a moment, then shook her head.

«Not really.»

He tilted his head a little.

«Well, fair enough. It's not. In truth, I don't have as great a grudge against the Sovereigns as you do. I do despise them a great deal, true, but to answer your question… I guess it has to do with what I desire.»

She pierced him with a heavy gaze.

«And what is it that you desire, Lord Shadow?»

He laughed coldly.

«Oh, nothing much. A nice house with a scenic view, somewhere warm and pleasant, Tasty meals and good company. Enough money for a comfortable life. Safety and well-being… stuff like that.»

Nephis blinked a couple of times. She seemed quite surprised by that answer.

«You live in a dark temple in the middle of a Death Zone, surrounded by dreadful Nightmare Creatures. But all you desire… is a nice house and tasty food?»

Sunny stared at her emotionlessly.

«Don't forget the good company.»

He paused, then added evenly:

«You might think that it's a simple wish, Lady Nephis. But that is the thing… in this world we live in, even a simple wish like that is insurmountable. One would have to be a god to live without worries. No. Actually, even becoming a god might not be enough.»

She frowned.

to do with your enmity against the

for a

his voice sounded dark and

they insist on dictating the shape of the world where I live, while not possessing enough competence to keep it safe. Their methods, their callousness, and their hubris are both misguided and loathsome. What

Sunny shook his head.

the Sovereigns to decide my fate. I would rather have the power to make such decisions for myself. I've fought long and hard to gain

silently, signaling to Nephis that he was telling

deep breath and

sparks ignited in her eyes, and a faint

could have moved independently or made alliances with all kinds of other people. Yet, you chose

stared at her for

he supposed to

you are Changing

in her eyes, he

example. Very few make an effort to earnestly learn the runic languages of the Dream Realm, relying on the Spell to do the

behind

that changes, but rather one that causes change. A star that brings ruin and misfortune, but also opportunity. We live in a time of great upheaval, and is there a better person to forge an alliance with than someone who is fated to be at the center

He chuckled.

to someone like you. It's even better if I place you in my

at Kai. The charming archer hesitated under

should be

Nephis did not

directly at Sunny and

«You are lying.»

He frowned, taken aback.

pause, Sunny said in an

Saint Nightingale just

her head

are doing, Lord Shadow. You are not telling me everything… which is

silent for

«Damn it.»

had forgotten him, so why had she not

sighed and

a few moments, then allowed the mask of indifference the Lord of

me once that people like me are born to destroy things, not build them. That this world needs killers and destroyers more than

looked at her, hiding behind an expressionless

right now. Elsewhere in the Sword Domain, a young father is developing a farm to feed his wife

and added