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!»

—— —— ——

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

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

«I'm done for!»

austere, but somehow managed to accentuate every curve of her quite… distinguished

at the bow, peering ahead with a stolc expression on his chiseled face. He was close to two meters

a shaky

«…These bastards!»

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

was why he had avoided watching

however, Sunny had no

He squirmed silently.

that moment, one of the soldiers said to his

up! We are nearing Antarctica. Nightmare Creatures stand no chance against the heroic soldiers of

him off with a sharp

the message is wrong. Don't underestimate the enemy, Heroes

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

fiend. That

he was in for a very, very long couple of

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

female warrior who joined the army in the early stages of the campaign, displaying stunning power and indomitable courage. She was aloof, but noble

middle of the play, during the tragic siege of Falcon Scott, where a tentative romance bloomed between them against the bleak backdrop of

was perfectly expressionless as

does it even make

embarrassed to look at Nephis, staring

want to

were quite talented. The story was not even that tasteless, even if it twisted most facts to fit the narrative presented by the government propaganda machine at

habit of constantly spewing witty one-liners, sharing gems

he felt that the play

The horror!

was no video

shadows and collapse the roof of the theater, he furtively

looking at

concluded, and the lights

head a little and asked

you like the play,

out

hardest things he had done in his

and

well. I'm not a

Nephis chuckled, then sighed.

participated in the Southern Campaign as well, after all. It must be unpleasant, to see a censored version of the calamity you lived through on the

at the curtain and shook

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

Sunny did not respond.