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!»

—— —— ——

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

sink into his chair, raising a trembling hand to cover his face. He didn't even care if Nephis would notice

«I'm done for!»

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

his chiseled face. He was close to two meters in height and possessed a formidable build, oozing rugged masculinity. The makeup made him look extremely pale, and he seemed to be wearing a

took a shaky

«…These bastards!»

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

had avoided watching the movie version

no choice but to

He squirmed silently.

of the soldiers said

comrades? Cheer up! We are nearing Antarctica. Nightmare Creatures stand

leader cut him off with a

wrong. Don't underestimate the enemy, Heroes won't win this war,,, so, don't try to

added hoarsely, his rugged voice easily capturing the

monster! Be a fiend. That is how you will

for a very, very long couple

a convoy of refugees on a tumultuous journey across the Antarctic Center. He possessed a devilish charm and

displaying stunning power and indomitable courage. She was aloof, but noble and selfless, breaking the tide of several dire

paths intersected in the middle of the play, during the tragic siege of Falcon Scott, where a tentative

expressionless as he

it even make sense? Am I

look at Nephis, staring

I want to

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

of constantly spewing witty one-liners, sharing gems of jaded wisdom

that the play

The horror!

was feeling happy that there was no video streaming services

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

she was also looking at him at

the first act concluded, and the

her head a little and asked

you like the play,

out a

done in his

few moments, and then

well. I'm not a fan,

Nephis chuckled, then sighed.

I don't know what 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

looked at the curtain and shook

was in East Antarctica,

Sunny did not respond.