Shadow Slave

There was a private box reserved for Nephis and Sunny. They were guided there by a young stagehand, who was visibly struggling to maintain decorum while bursting at the seams with excitement. It was not every day that Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan visited a theater! In fact, Sunny was pretty sure that she had never participated in these kinds of social activities before.

“There would be a freshly embossed plaque nailed in the foyer of the theater by tomorrow, no doubt. Something like “This humble establishment has enjoyed the patronage of the brightest of stars” or «We are proud to have hosted Her Royal Highness, Saint Nephis of Immortal Flame.»

Such a simple thing was enough to enhance the theater's prestige twofold.

«I wonder if this place is secretly sponsored by Cassie.»

The box was luxuriously furnished, dark, and elevated above the auditorium high enough so that no one could see what was happening inside.

Sunny felt frustrated at the fact that his heart was almost racing.

Letting out a sigh, he glanced at the stage and took a seat, The curtain had not been raised yet, and the audience was filling in with excited whispers. He was distracted for a moment when Nephis sat down near him, their shoulders almost touching.

«This private box is a bit cramped, isn't it?»

Well, it couldn't be helped.

He remained silent for a moment, then asked in a neutral tone:

«By the way, what play are we watching?»

Nephis looked at him with a hint of surprise.

«You don't know?»

Sunny shook his head.

«I'm afraid I don't.»

She seemed a little embarrassed, for some reason.

Nephis hesitated for a while, then coughed awkwardly.

«…Actually, I don't know either. Cassie… Saint Cassia arranged it. I assumed you would have been informed.»

Sunny chuckled.

«Well, it will be a surprise then. Who knows, we might enjoy it a great deal.»

Actually, he didn't really care about the contents of the play. He doubted he would be able to concentrate on the actors, anyway, when Nephis was so close to him, in the darkness.

Soon, the lights dimmed, and the curtains were slowly pulled. The audience held its breath.

At the same time, Sunny's smile froze on his lips.

In fact, he had stopped breathing entirely.

His expression slowly crumbled, and he barely suppressed a tormented groan.

Because right at that moment, he saw the title of the play above the decorations. Written in a purposefully messy scrawl, several words were displayed on dark background…

[The Devil of Antarctica.]

«Oh, no!»

—— —— ——

the decorations were divided into two distinct locations. On one, a military boat sailed on an icy sea. On the other,

even care if Nephis would notice his strange behavior.

«I'm done for!»

was quite austere, but somehow managed to accentuate every curve of her quite… distinguished body very well. Her

face. He was

a shaky

«…These bastards!»

the square-jawed man were supposed to be inspired by him. He could live with the brutish guy… but the well-proportioned

had avoided watching the movie

no choice

He squirmed silently.

soldiers said to

We are nearing Antarctica. Nightmare Creatures stand

the leader cut him off

soldier! However, the message is wrong. Don't underestimate the enemy, Heroes won't win this war,,, so,

and added hoarsely, his rugged voice easily capturing

a fiend. That is how you

for

led a convoy of refugees on a tumultuous journey across the Antarctic Center. He possessed a devilish charm and a cynical personality, but displayed a surprising amount of valor and

stages of the campaign, displaying stunning power and indomitable courage. She was aloof, but noble and selfless, breaking the tide of several dire battles while refusing to say anything about

quickly became known as the Devil of Antarctica and its Guardian Angel, respectively. Their paths intersected in the middle of the play, during

expressionless as he

does it even make

was too embarrassed to look at

I want to

it twisted most facts to fit the narrative presented by the

been in the habit of constantly spewing witty one-liners, sharing gems of jaded wisdom with the admiring

he felt that the

The horror!

that there was no video streaming services in

a strong desire to manifest a swarm of shadows and collapse the roof of the theater, he furtively glanced

also looking at him at that

the first act concluded, and the

head a little and

you like the play, Master

out

one of the hardest things he had done in his

lingered for a few moments, and then said in a

directed well. I'm not a

Nephis chuckled, then sighed.

the Southern Campaign as well, after all. It must be unpleasant, to see a

at the curtain

Captain is based on a real person. I was in East Antarctica, though, so I wouldn't

Sunny did not respond.