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.

with your enmity against

silent for a

his voice sounded

lies in the fact that 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 better

Sunny shook his head.

Sovereigns to decide my fate. I would rather have the power to make such decisions for

to Nephis that he was telling

took a deep breath and

ignited in her eyes, and

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

at her for a

he supposed

are

question in her eyes, he added

skills, for example. Very few make an effort to earnestly learn the runic languages of the Dream Realm, relying on the Spell to do the translating for them. If they did,

smiled, hiding behind the motionless

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

He chuckled.

than to attach myself to someone like you. It's even better if I place you in my debt. A common enemy, a shared fate, and a little bit of leverage… is the perfect foundation for a lasting alliance, don't

The charming

should

did not look to Kai

she stared directly at Sunny

«You are lying.»

He frowned, taken aback.

pause, Sunny

just confirmed that

her head

to discern lies, but he is too honest, and too decent. There are many ways to deceive someone by telling the truth, and that is what you are doing, Lord Shadow. You are not telling me everything… which is fine. I don't need to know all your secrets. But I do need to know if

remained silent

«Damn it.»

why had she not forgotten all his lessons in

sighed

few moments, then allowed the mask of indifference the

destroy things, not build them. That this world needs killers and destroyers more than it needs saviors and

her, hiding

Song Domain right now. Elsewhere in the Sword Domain, a young father is developing a farm to feed his wife and child. lіght~nоvel~world~c`о/m. These people might not

grimaced and