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!»

—— —— ——

distinct locations. On one, a military boat

his chair, raising a trembling hand to cover his face. He didn't even care if Nephis would notice his strange behavior. He just wanted

«I'm done for!»

wearing a black armor standing on the snowy cliff, gazing 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

with a stolc expression on his chiseled face. He

a shaky

«…These bastards!»

be inspired by him. He could live with the brutish guy… but the well-proportioned

had avoided watching the movie version at all

had no choice but to

He squirmed silently.

soldiers said to his comrades

We are nearing Antarctica. Nightmare Creatures stand no chance against

off with a

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

and added hoarsely, his

Be a fiend. That

knowing that he was in for a very, very

play followed two Ascended. One of them was an antihero only known as the Captain, who 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 resolve,

army in the early 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

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

was perfectly expressionless as he watched

does it even make sense? Am

embarrassed to look

I want

even if it twisted most facts to fit the narrative presented by the government propaganda machine at the time. It was just that… Sunny had been

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

of all, he felt that the play

The horror!

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

manifest a swarm of shadows and collapse the roof of the theater,

looking at him

then, the first act concluded, and the

tilted her head a little and asked

you like

forced out a

he had done in his life… and he

few moments, and then said in

I'm not a fan,

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 calamity

the curtain and shook

on a real person. I was in East Antarctica, though, so I wouldn't know. He

Sunny did not respond.