Shadow Slave

Even Rain was stunned to hear that.

It was news to her that someone had tried to kill Lady Nephis. Was there really such an idiot in the world? That woman had survived the Forgotten Shore, conquered the Second Nightmare as a Sleeper, Transcendent during the Chain of Nightmares, fought against Great abominations side by side with the King of Swords, and triumphed in countless terrible battles as a Saint.

There were literally only two people in two worlds who were harder to kill than her.

But the fact that Clan Valor was trying to openly accuse Clan Song of the assassination attempt was even crazier. Not only that, but they were asking the Queen to surrender one of her daughters and a Master from a vassal clan. There was no way that she would agree… what were the rulers of the Sword Domain thinking?

The whole situation seemed… incongruous. Rain had a feeling that she was dreaming, since reality simply couldn't be like that. It was just too irrational.

Then, a spark of anger ignited in her heart.

«Just which bastard tried to harm Lady Nephis? And who do these Valor people think they are, accusing the Song Domain of something that terrible?»

However, that spark of anger was quickly extinguished. She knew how rumors and propaganda worked, so she wouldn't allow her feelings to be manipulated that easily without knowing all the facts.

There was an unpleasant residue left in its wake, though. Rain was quite fond of Ravenheart and the people she knew there. Even though she was a little distant from most because of her government family and the secret she was keeping, they were still her friends and neighbours. She felt like a part of a wonderful community… it didn't feel nice to see that community being falsely accused of something appalling and dirty.

The rest of the laborers were even less composed. Their gazes grew darker.

«Those Valor bastards have lost their minds. How dare they try to take Lady Silent Stalker?»

«They've been trying to suppress our Song Domain from the very start. Do they think that we'll just roll over?»

«Gods, I never took those rumors seriously, but what if they had really been taken over by the Skinwalker?»

«Maybe Changing Star staged the whole thing herself…»

«No way! Lady Nephis would never participate in such a vile scheme!»

«But.., but what if Skinwalker took her, too…»

«Silence.»

That last shout did not come from the laborers.

Turning slightly, Rain saw young Lady Tamar standing a few meters away, looking at them with a grim expression. Her eyes were so dark that it was a little scary.

The healer, Fleur, was standing behind her, trying to pull her away.

«Tamar, calm down… they didn't mean it.»

But the Legacy simply ignored her attempts to discharge the situation and took a step forward.

Tamar studied them with a heavy look. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the empty bottle of alcohol, and then,

you think that you can just run your

Her tone was harsh.

dignity of the Queen. Is it fun to slander people

had caused the entire outburst, coughed

far! It's not

silently for a moment,

done something like that.

laborers seemed to shrink

my lady… we were

Tamar away, and

of silence, one

Star is indeed righteous and honorable. But, hell… she

damn, are they even people? I bet they were the ones

«How terrible…»

frowned and concentrating on

and lay silently in the darkness for a while, mustering

while,

do you think Lady Nephis

subdued chuckle came

she alright? You bet. Why, I just saw her recently… we went for a picnic, watched a play, and shared

scoffed. She had no energy to react

Eventually, she said:

It has always been a bit strange how eagerly people villainized the Sword Domain. But, how can I put it? Now, it doesn't seem

remained silent for

thought that he wasn't going to answer, but then the

think

She was confused.

«Huh?»

«…East?»

He sighed.

what is east

Rain frowned.

east of

But, beyond them…

widened

«The Sword Domain?»

teacher spoke in a light tone, his voice barely audible in the small

admiring the road construction, haven't you? Going on and on about roads, infrastructure, civilization, and so on. I agree, actually, it's kind of neat. The funny thing is, the technology

Rain raised an eyebrow.

«Really? I didn't know.»