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.

care if Nephis would notice

«I'm done for!»

actress 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.

stolc expression on his chiseled face.

took a shaky

«…These bastards!»

inspired by

he had avoided watching

however, Sunny had no choice but to

He squirmed silently.

of the soldiers said to

We are nearing Antarctica. Nightmare Creatures

off with a

underestimate the enemy, Heroes won't win

a dark grin and added hoarsely, his rugged voice easily capturing the

fiend. That

in for a very, very long couple

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

mysterious female warrior who joined the 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 refusing to say

respectively. Their paths intersected in the middle of the play, during the tragic siege of Falcon Scott, where a

was perfectly expressionless as he watched

but.., how does it even

embarrassed to look at Nephis,

want

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

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

felt that the play

The horror!

that there was no video

of shadows and collapse the roof

was also looking

the first act concluded, and

head a

you like the

forced out

was one of the hardest things he had done in his life… and he had put his head back after

for a few moments, and then said in

directed well. I'm not a fan,

Nephis chuckled, then sighed.

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

at the curtain and

is based on a real person. I was in

Sunny did not respond.