Shadow Slave

Sunny had been full of bitter resentment when the performance started, but by the end of it, he was in an excellent mood. Watching Nephis dance with her sword, treating her to a picnic, going for a leisurely stroll arm in arm, and enjoying a romantic play together... the day was shaping up great.

Sadly, their time together would soon come to an end. All that was left on the schedule was dinner at an upscale restaurant - after that, Nephis would disappear for a few days or a week, busy with all her other responsibilities.

So, he had to make the most of this dinner appointment.

‘I'll take the chance to seize up the competition.’

However, Sunny knew that he was fooling himself.

In truth, the Brilliant Emporium could not even be considered a competitor of the lofty restaurant his café was a place where people could enjoy delicious, but relatively simple food in a cozy atmosphere. The establishment where they were entering right now, though, was where the affluent citizens of Bastion came to waste money and show status in splendid surroundings.

He felt inclined to treat such extravagance with disdain, but found himself unable to do that after being led to a private booth by an exceedingly respectful waiter, Comparing the immaculate attire and flawless manners of the young man to how Aiko usually behaved, Sunny was suddenly unsure of his judgment.

Perhaps these rich folks were really onto something...

But then again, he was richer than all of them combined. Sunny never flaunted his wealth, but it would have been hard to remain poor after hunting Great Nightmare Creatures for years. And since he didn't really have expenditures like the need to maintain a clan, he was probably the wealthiest man in Bastion, second only to the King of Swords himself.

So, logically, it was the Brilliant Emporium that set the standard of luxury. Everyone else could only hope to imitate his unique style!

Still...

Sunny hands trembled when he sat down and saw a large, empty plate in front of him.

'A ch-ch-charger plate!’

How fancy!

And what was it made of? Was it... the famed Aegis porcelain? That porcelain could only be made from the mystical clay found in a remote region of the Sword Domain, the precise recipe kept secret by the artisans employed by the Legacy Clan presiding over those lands.

The tablecloth was made from sublime silk. The utensils were pure silver, The table itself... damnation, he recognized that wood! That was titanwood, the same as the instructor's cafeteria at the Academy!

At least his chair was, in all ways, inferior to the Shadow Chair. Otherwise, Sunny would have been quite disheartened.

Nephis sat down across from him and smiled.

"I doubt that they will serve us anything as delicious as what you make, Master Sunless. Still, please try to enjoy yourself."

Sunny looked at her with gratitude, suddenly feeling a lot better.

'Right. Who cares about how fancy the plates, silverware, and furniture are? It's the food that matters!'

Paying attention to form over substance was a silly thing to do, like valuing flowery prose over an engaging story. Sunny might have acted like a bit of an idiot at times, but at least he wasn't that misguided.

He stared at Nephis silently while the waiter was pouring fragrant wine into their glasses, enchanted by her exquisite beauty. The light of a magical chandelier was reflecting from her silver hair, and her fair face was illuminated softly. The privacy of the luxurious booth created an intimate atmosphere...

then that a sudden thought entered his mind, and he felt

looked away and lowered his head

approaching. Which meant that he had to tell Nephis the

one in the future... In fact, there

sense

She remained silent for a few

you feel uncomfortable earlier, Master Sunless. Because of the subject of

at her in

I

Nephis smiled.

"That's a relief."

wineglass back

on the white tablecloth, close enough that Sunny could reach and hold it. Of course, he did no

asked, her

talk about in such

He raised an eyebrow.

"Such situations?"

for a few moments, then reached for

you know, on a date. Ours is a fake one, but we should probably make an effort to make it look

bewildered for

smiled and

afraid I have no idea. I don't think I've

of surprise, which

widened a

thought you... a man

Sunny chuckled.

kind of man you think I am, but your impression of me is probably wrong. In

moment, and

"It most definitely is."

sip of wine and

that one ought to know about a potential partner, romantic or not. You know... background, views, aspirations. Who they are, what they want. Things

face for a while, then

your experiences in Antarctica. What was why 1... actually, never mind! What I wanted to say is that 1 don't really know a lot about

and shook his

"First Evacuation Army, actually."

She seemed surprised.

"Then..."

the local Awakened had no choice but to join the Southern Campaign. The members of the First Army, however, were all from the core

Sunny chuckled.

grunt. It's just that I had a friend in the chain of command, and was invited to join the effort before the news broke. It's a bit shameful to admit, but... I threw a big tantrum back then and accepted

if trying to picture him throwing a tantrum in her mind. Eventually, she shook her head

you doing something like