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!»

—— —— ——

into two distinct locations. On one, a military boat sailed on an icy sea. On

if Nephis would notice his

«I'm done for!»

down at the audience with a somber look. The armor design was quite austere, but somehow managed to accentuate every curve of her quite… distinguished body very well. Her blonde hair moved slightly in the artificial wind,

Army. Their leader was standing at the bow, peering ahead with a stolc expression on his chiseled face. He was

took a

«…These bastards!»

supposed to be inspired by him. He could live with the brutish guy… but the

was why he had avoided watching the movie version at all

Sunny had no choice but

He squirmed silently.

moment, one of the soldiers said to his comrades

nearing Antarctica. Nightmare Creatures stand no chance

him off with

Don't underestimate the enemy, Heroes won't win this war,,, so,

dark grin and added hoarsely,

Be a fiend. That

for a very, very long

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 resolve, as well, hiding a compassionate heart under the snide facade

courage. She was aloof, but noble and selfless, breaking the tide of several dire battles

as the Devil of Antarctica and its Guardian Angel, respectively. Their paths intersected in the middle of

was perfectly expressionless as he

does it even make

too embarrassed to look at

I want to

talented. The story was not even that tasteless, even if it twisted most facts to fit the narrative presented

not been in the habit of constantly spewing witty one-liners, sharing gems of jaded wisdom with the admiring soldiers, and looking soulfully into the distance every other

felt that

The horror!

I was feeling happy that there was no video streaming services in the

and

she was also looking at him

first act concluded,

head a

do you like the play,

out a

the hardest things he had done in his life… and he

moments, and then said in a flat

I'm not

Nephis chuckled, then sighed.

Cassie was thinking… you participated in the Southern Campaign as well, after all. It must be unpleasant, to see a censored version of the

the curtain and

a real person. I was in East Antarctica, though, so I wouldn't know. He must have been quite a

Sunny did not respond.