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Chapter 1805: Sir Mongrel
Shadow Slave

Sunny was so stunned that he did not know what to say.

All he could think was...

‘What the hell?!'

No, really...

Him? A Knight of Valor?!

His mind short-circuited for a moment.

Of all the things Sunny had expected when a cohort of unfriendly soldiers invited him to the Castle, that one never crossed his mind.

Still standing on one knee, he raised his head and looked at Morgan with a dumbfounded expression. She studied his face for a few moments, then clicked her tongue and turned away.

"That will be all. You can go now."

Remembering that he had been allowed to rise, Sunny slowly stood up.

"Princess Morgan. Please excuse my impudence, but if I may ask..."

Before he could ask anything, though, the guards unceremoniously grabbed him and escorted him out of the hall. A moment later, the door was slammed shut, hiding her bewitching figure from sight,

Just like that, his very short and very baffling audience with Morgan of Valor ended.

Sunny was left standing in the corridor, not sure what to do.

He blinked a couple of times.

‘...Are they forcefully conscripting independent Masters?’

That was the only thing he could think of. But then, it didn't make any sense. If Clan Valor really wanted to conscript him into the army on the eve of war, they would have gone about it in a different manner. Forcing a Master with no loyalty to fight for them could do more harm than good.

Slowly, Sunny realized that a person who he had assumed was just passing by was actually standing still and staring at him. Composing himself a little, he looked up.

There was a dignified middle-aged man in a well-tailored livery standing in front of him. His grey hair was neatly combed, and his expression was perfectly stoic.

Noticing that Sunny was paying attention, the man nodded.

"Sir Sunless. I am Sebastian, the steward of the Great Clan Valor. Allow me to congratulate you on your knighthood."

Sunny took a deep breath.

'I'm not dreaming, am I?'

He exhaled slowly.

There was actually a steward named Sebastian in Bastion! That... that was just a little bit too much, wasn't it ?!

Worst of all, Sunny couldn't even sense the man's Rank. He could have been a mundane person or a Saint.

Sunny forced out a polite smile and said:

"Nice to meet you. Ah... please forgive my lack of manners. I have to admit, I am extremely vexed right now. Can... can you explain what is going on?"

The middle-aged steward nodded.

"Certainly, sir. You've just been granted the title of a Knight of Valor. Oh... additionally, you have also been appointed as the Knight Commander of the Ardent Wardens. What an honor."

Sunny closed his eyes for a moment.

"...Ardent Wardens? Who are these Ardent Wardens?"

The steward gave him a dignified smile.

"Ardent Wardens are a grassroots volunteer organization that holds various activities to enrich the daily lives of the elderly citizens of Bastion. Food drives, cultural events, interest clubs... and the like, Self-governed."

Sunny stared at him silently, struggling to maintain a calm expression.

"So, if these Ardent Wardens are self-governed... then why do they need a Knight Commander? No, wait. Why does a volunteer organization dealing with bored elderly people need one?"

The middle-aged man nodded seriously.

"Exactly!"

There was not a hint of sarcasm in his esteemed voice, but somehow, Sunny got the impression that he was being mocked.

He was very confused.

"...So what are my responsibilities as a Knight Commander, exactly?"

The steward lingered for a moment, then said in a solemn tone:

"There are none, Sir Sunless. Well... I should rather say that there is only one. It is to uphold the dignity of the Great Clan Valor. Don't do anything that would besmirch the prestige of the royal family, and you should be good."

He paused, and then added neutrally:

"Of course, you will receive a monthly stipend, as well as other benefits befitting a man of your station."

Sunny stared at him some more.

'Crazy! I'm going crazy!"

"So... let me get this straight. I was made a Knight, but I don't have to perform the duties of a knight. There is nothing I am responsible for, but I am going to be paid for doing nothing?"

Sebastian smiled.

"Your wisdom is unmatched, Sir Sunless. You put it all so eloquently."

With that, he walked away at a brisk pace and beckoned for Sunny to follow.

"Now, please come with me!"

Sunny suppressed a frustrated groan and hurried after the steward.

"Coming, coming... but, where are we going?"

The middle-aged man answered in a refined manner:

"As a Knight Commander, you are to receive a list of items. Two sets of full dress attire, two finely dyed tabards, a parade cloak with an embroidered crest, an unadorned winter cloak, an embroidered battle banner, a painted household banner, a leather waist belt with an engraved silver buckle..."

Sunny silently covered his face with a palm.

***

Some time later, he was standing alone in one of the courtyards of the Castle, holding a sizable pack. His expression was absent.

The steward had basically chased him away from the keep after assembling the list of items that a Knight was eligible to receive. The man had refused to answer Sunny's tentative question until the very end, finding inventive ways to tactfully dodge them every time.

It was just that... how could Sunny put it?

Steward Sebastian did not seem to have kept the truth from him on purpose. Rather, it looked like the dignified man was too embarrassed to answer directly, as if saying it aloud would be a disgrace.

Sunny stared into the distance silently.

‘...I guess I am a Knight of Valor now.’

Weirder things had happened.

Granted... just a few.

In any case, at least the whole thing was such a formality that he had not even been forced to give an oath of allegiance. Neither had he been issued any Memories - with the war approaching, Clan Valor did not seem keen to waste resources on a fake Knight. lіghtnоvelworld~. That was a good thing for Sunny, because he did not want to receive a sword forged by Anvil.

Nor was he capable of receiving one there was no Spell to facilitate the transfer of Memories between him and its carriers, after all.

He would also be receiving a monthly stipend of soul shards.

Sunny sighed.

'Wow, Nepotism is truly the best.’

By now, he had figured out that his sudden knighthood had something to do with his connection to Nephis. It was just that the initiative must have come from some other entity in the Great Clan, which was why the signals had crossed.

So, there was nothing left to do except return home.

Sunny was ready to take a step forward, but then froze for a moment.

He was currently in a courtyard... a different one from where he had duelled young Master Tristan, but the mood was quite similar.

There were more than a few unfriendly gazes aimed his way. Looking around, he saw various Knights and Squires, all staring at him with cold expressions.

Sunny gulped.

They had already hated him before for having the audacity to accompany their princess. Now that Morgan had knighted him for no good reason...

It did not look good! Even Sunny was starting to hate himself a little.

Who wouldn't hate a handsome freeloader?

'Gods... I won't have to fight another duel, will I?’

As a matter of fact, he had the feeling that, this time, there would be no duel.

Instead, there would be a thorough beating.

Or an attempt of one, at least!

Sunny looked around once more, noticing that several Knights were already approaching him slowly with dark faces,

'Right. I just need to defuse the situation. Be polite and keep calm. Be polite

One of the Knights snarled through gritted teeth:

"I didn't believe it... hey, you! Mongrel! Have you no..."

Sunny's eye twitched, and he opened his mouth to retort.

Before he could, however, there was a rustle of wings, and suddenly, a breathtaking figure was standing between him and the incensed Knights.

Shielding him with her radiant wings, Nephis frowned and looked at them scornfully.

"...What is going on here?”

Shadow Slave
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Comments 29

  1. Offline
    Rakha Purnomo
    Rakha Purnomo
    + 0 ⋅ 0 -
    ah, Sebastian, of course. How many butlers have we met with this name?
    Read more
  2. Offline
    GridDokja
    GridDokja
    + 1 ⋅ 0 -
    "Your wisdom is unmatched, Sir Sunless. You put it all so eloquently."


    Another wisdom praise quiet
    Read more
  3. Offline
    notslayerrr
    notslayerrr
    + 18 ⋅ 0 -
    Lord Mongrel is a universal constant
    Read more
  4. Offline
    Infinitevoid
    Infinitevoid
    + 18 ⋅ 0 -
    The princess and the knight fly away and live happily ever after
    Read more
  5. Offline
    Deathseeker
    Deathseeker
    + 11 ⋅ 0 -
    One chapter today, three tomorrow

    troll25
    Read more
  6. Offline
    ropero
    ropero
    + 8 ⋅ 1 -
    1807 Dream Come True


    They parted soon after.

    …For a little bit.

    Sunny might not have known a lot about women, but he knew enough not to try taking Nephis on a date immediately. Women had their mysterious rites and rituals, after all - if he invited her anywhere without giving her a chance to clean up and change out of her loungewear into something more flattering, he would have earned the scorn of the entire womankind.

    Granted, those light clothes of hers were flattering enough, already. Although not exactly sparse, they did a splendid job of accentuating every...

    'Pure thoughts!’

    In any case, the brief parting worked in his favor, as well. While Nephis returned to the Ivory Island to get ready, Sunny scrambled to arrange a few things. About an hour later, he was waiting by the riverside dock, holding the familiar picnic basket in one hand.

    It was a blessing that there were two bodies at his disposal here in Bastion. Otherwise, he would have never managed to prepare in time. Not only did he have to make arrangements, but he also had to quickly assemble a delightful meal for a romantic getaway. One body had been running around and outside the city, while the other had been busy in the kitchen.

    Luckily, he managed to finish everything in the nick of time.

    Suppressing a hint of nervousness, Sunny couldn't help but look up at the graceful silhouette of the Ivory Tower hovering among the clouds. He almost expected to see a beautiful figure descending from the sky in a mantle of sunlight... but due to the location of where they had arranged to meet, Nephis decided to be less conspicuous.

    If Changing Star had indeed landed on a lively street in all her radiant glory, the commotion caused by her arrival would not have been small. Therefore, she simply walked up to him like a normal person, appearing from an alley.

    Of course, there was still a big reaction. A Saint was not someone who could be ignored... and Nephis was not just any Saint. Wearing a simple white summer dress and no jewelry, she was still stunning. The passerby couldn't help but react to her beauty, and a lot of heads had been involuntarily turned.

    Sunny felt his heart skip, knowing that today, that beauty was just for him.

    As she approached with a light smile, he heard a quiet and melodious ringing. He had not told her a lot about the destination of their date, but he did tell her that it would have something to do with water-so, Nephis summoned the familiar pair of silver anklets, which were a Memory she had used on the Great River to help her move in the water

    Sunny couldn't help but smile when looking at her.

    Nephis walked over, stopped near him, and asked in a light tone:

    "So, Master Sunless... where are you taking me?"

    He hesitated for a moment.

    Out there in the waking world, it was winter, and bitter cold haunted the snowy streets. But here in Bastion, it was still summer. The entire city was bathed in smoldering heat.

    People were seeking shelter from the incandescent sun in the shade and longing for cool drinks. Of course, as Saints, both Sunny and Nephis could ignore the sultry weather... but that did not mean that they would not enjoy the refreshing feeling of cooling down their bodies.

    He smiled.

    "To a beach."

    Nephis tilted her head a little.

    "...A beach?"

    Sunny nodded.

    "It might sound a little silly... but actually, I've always dreamed of going to the beach. It's just that there were none where I grew up... actually, I'm not entirely sure if there are any left in the waking world."

    He paused for a moment, and then added with a smile:

    "But I've learned that there is actually one not far from Bastion. So... would you mind making a dream of mine come true, Lady Nephis?"

    She looked at him with a hint of mirth.

    "How would I dare refuse? I remember you telling me that you'd given up on having dreams. Fortunately, you seem to have found one, so I'd be delighted to help you fulfill it."

    The corner of Neph's mouth twisted upward, and she added with a hint of teasing in her tone:

    "However... are you sure that you don't just want to see me in a bathing suit, Master Sunless?"

    He looked at her seriously.

    "I promise that I don't just want to see you in a bathing suit."

    His tone was earnest... but there was a subtle accent on the word "just".

    She laughed.

    "If you say so. Then... how do we get to this beach?"

    Sunny offered her his arm.

    "Follow me."

    Once she wrapped her arm around his, he guided her to the dock.

    There were several rivers feeding the Mirror Lake, and one it gave birth to. That river was much more modest than the great River of Tears that flowed through the entire Song Domain, but it was still deep and full. Its destination was also the same it flowed south, toward the Stormsea.

    Bastion was much further south and closer to the Stormsea than Ravenheart, so the river wasn't very long. It could be quite dangerous for the same reason - powerful sea monsters sometimes entered the estuary and swam far upstream, attracted by the smell of human souls.

    They never reached the Mirror Lake, though, because the Citadel of Clan Dagonet stood between Bastion and the sea. The powerful abominations from the depths always died trying to breach the river fortress.

    Nevertheless, the length of the river between Bastion and the stronghold was not entirely safe. But Sunny judged that nothing in this tamed region of the Dream Realm could seriously threaten him and Nephis. Very few things out there that could.

    What he cared about was that there was a wild beach not too far down the river. It was beautiful, peaceful, and remote... a perfect place for a date on a hot summer day.

    That was where he wanted to take Neph.

    There were several wooden longships tied to the pier, their bows carved to resemble dragons and serpents. These drakkars belong to Clan Dagonet, and were used to patrol the river and guard the trade ships coming from the Stormsea. There were also several barges meant to deliver supplies to the river fortress and the town that had grown around it.

    Most Importantly, there were plenty of small river boats.

    ‘Thanks, Alko…’

    Sunny guided Nephis to one of the boats, which he had rented from the owner in advance. It was just large enough to fit two people and a bit of cargo, with a single pair of oars at the stern.

    She looked at it curiously.

    "Are we sailing down the river?"

    Sunny hesitated for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

    "Well... more like rowing down the river? Oh, I'll be the one handling the oars, of course. Why, you don't like it?"

    'Should I kill Aiko? A little.’

    Nephis looked at the boat, then at the river, and finally back at him.

    Eventually, she smiled.

    "No. I love it."

    Sunny let out a relieved sigh.

    'Aiko can live. Should I give her a raise?’
    Read more
    1. Offline
      ropero
      ropero
      + 8 ⋅ 1 -
      1808 Down the River


      Sunny held Neph's hand to help her step into the boat, then untied it, pushed it away from the berth, and jumped inside nimbly. His movements were so light that the boat did not rock at all.

      Nephis sat down on the bench at the front, while he took his place on the bench at the stern. They were facing each other, with only the picnic basket between them.

      He took the oars and moved them gently, guiding the boat to the middle of the river. It floated smoothly, cutting the water with a pleasant sound. The lively streets of Bastion crawled past them, with plenty of interesting scenes to be seen. The further from the shore they moved, the quieter it became, until the bustle of the city had turned into a quiet hum.

      Sunny was not looking around, though. He was looking at Nephis, and in turn, she was looking at him.

      Both were smiling.

      Nephis leaned to the side and lowered a hand into the water. Watching her fingers cut its surface, she sighed deeply, and then closed her eyes for a moment. Her features relaxed.

      "How peaceful."

      Hearing her say that made him happy.

      Sunny extended his shadow sense in all directions, so he knew that there were no Nightmare Creatures hiding under the water. He did not spoil the mood by telling her to be careful. Instead, he used the few moments she had her eyes closed to stare at her with an unabashed craving.

      Then, he averted his eyes and concentrated on rowing.

      After a while, Nephis looked at him with a subtle smile. The city was behind them by then - there were no other boats on the river, and no ships in sight. The only sounds breaking the silence were the rustle of water and the soft splashes produced by the oars.

      She leaned back a little and asked in a leisurely tone:

      "Won't you grow tired from rowing?"

      Sunny chuckled. It was obviously a question asked for the sake of being polite. He was supposed to be a Master, after all - guiding a small boat downriver would not tire him. He could have used a measure of strength suitable for an Ascended and sent the boat flying at great speed to strain himself, but then the oars would probably explode into splinters.

      That wouldn't be nice at all.

      "Oh, I might not look it, but actually, I'm quite strong."

      He let go of one of the oars for a moment and showed her his hand.

      "These hands of mine can crush mountains."

      Nephis laughed.

      "I'm sure. Still, I feel guilty watching you do all the work."

      Sunny remained silent for a moment. Then, his smile turned a little daring.

      "Why don't you come here and help me, then?"

      She looked at him, then rose with a smile and moved to the rear bench. Sunny shifted to the side to give her some room. A few moments later, they were sitting side by side, each holding one oar.

      The bench wasn't quite wide enough to fit two people, so their bodies were pressed tightly against each other.

      The cool breeze was caressing them gently, and the sun reflected beautifully from the surface of the water. The river was peaceful and quiet. Sunny could feel the heat of her body through his clothes, and she could undoubtedly feel his.

      He inhaled deeply.

      Rowing a boat in this manner was a little tricky. The oars had to move both simultaneously and with equal amounts of force - otherwise, the small vessel would either turn to the shore or start spinning in place.

      But Sunny and Nephis easily fell into a comfortable rhythm. They were perfectly in syne - the oars rose and fell in tandem with each other, and the boat remained perfectly straight.

      It was rocking a little, though, and due to the fact that they were so close, each holding an oar with one hand, maintaining balance was a little tedious,

      Sunny moved his free arm and wrapped it around Neph's waist, firmly holding her in place. She glanced at him with a smile, then did the same.

      Just like that, they remained silent for a while, rowing in harmony while enjoying the breeze, the peaceful quiet of the river, and each other's warmth.

      The silence between them wasn't awkward or tense. Instead, it was comfortable and soothing, easing their tired minds.

      After a while, Nephis looked at him and asked:

      "What are you thinking about?"

      Sunny lingered for a moment, then shrugged slightly.

      "Just... life, I guess. How it is sometimes full of sorrow, and sometimes full of joy."

      She studied his face carefully, then turned to enjoy the view of the river.

      "Interesting... my life is quite different, I think. I am content at times, and at other times I am resentful. But I don't really feel joy or sorrow that much. Mostly, I am just... focused. Actually, I feel a little guilty if I am too happy or too sad. It makes me feel that I have allowed myself to become distracted."

      He looked at her curiously.

      That was how Nephis was. She lived in service of her goal... which didn't mean that she was miserable. It just meant that her mind was preoccupied with practical matters, and she mostly drew both satisfaction and discontent from the actions undertaken to realize her aspiration.

      That was a valid way to live a life. Still... Sunny felt that she was being too harsh on herself.

      He hesitated for a moment.

      "Really? Then, when was the last time you felt joy? And when was the last time you felt sorrow?"

      Nephis looked at the river with a faint smile. She remained silent for a bit, then answered in an easy tone:

      "I don't quite remember."

      Sunny kept looking at her, not saying anything.

      Was it because it was not important to her, so she had forgotten?

      Or was it because her joys and sorrows had all been connected to him?

      He hugged her tighter.

      Sensing it, she turned to face him and smiled.

      "What about you?"

      Sunny blinked a couple of times and answered honestly:

      "Why, I am full of joy right now."

      Hearing Neph laugh, he smiled brightly.

      "As for sorrow... I had to throw out a batch of strawberries because there were too few customers in the café as of late. That was really sad."

      Her laugh grew a little louder. That made him happy, as well.

      After a while, Nephis looked at him, lingered for a few moments, and then said neutrally:

      "This... was a really great idea. I have a bit of history with boats, you know."

      Sunny knew, of course. From the boat she had built from the bones of a demon to cross the Dark Sea to Ananke's ketch, the two of them had shared many poignant moments while rocking on the water.

      Nephis sighed.

      "I once sailed down a great river with a dear person. That person is gone, but the fondness remains."

      He couldn't do anything but hold her close.

      Sunny knew that she was talking about Ananke. But even though she could not remember him, these words described the two of them, too.

      Looking ahead, he smiled and said:

      "Then, it's good to forge new memories, To remember them fondly as well, one day in the future."

      Eventually, the beach he had wanted to take her to appeared in sight.

      By then, basked in her warmth, Sunny felt a bit regretful that it did.
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  7. Offline
    Максим Довбняк
    Максим Довбняк
    + 22 ⋅ 0 -
    Chapter 1807: Dream Come True

    They parted soon after.

    …For a little bit.

    Sunny might not have known a lot about women, but he knew enough not to try taking Nephis on a date immediately. Women had their mysterious rites and rituals, after all - if he invited her anywhere without giving her a chance to clean up and change out of her loungewear into something more flattering, he would have earned the scorn of the entire womankind.

    Granted, those light clothes of hers were flattering enough, already. Although not exactly sparse, they did a splendid job of accentuating every...

    'Pure thoughts!’

    In any case, the brief parting worked in his favor, as well. While Nephis returned to the Ivory Island to get ready, Sunny scrambled to arrange a few things. About an hour later, he was waiting by the riverside dock, holding the familiar picnic basket in one hand.

    It was a blessing that there were two bodies at his disposal here in Bastion. Otherwise, he would have never managed to prepare in time. Not only did he have to make arrangements, but he also had to quickly assemble a delightful meal for a romantic getaway. One body had been running around and outside the city, while the other had been busy in the kitchen.

    Luckily, he managed to finish everything in the nick of time.

    Suppressing a hint of nervousness, Sunny couldn't help but look up at the graceful silhouette of the Ivory Tower hovering among the clouds. He almost expected to see a beautiful figure descending from the sky in a mantle of sunlight... but due to the location of where they had arranged to meet, Nephis decided to be less conspicuous.

    If Changing Star had indeed landed on a lively street in all her radiant glory, the commotion caused by her arrival would not have been small. Therefore, she simply walked up to him like a normal person, appearing from an alley.

    Of course, there was still a big reaction. A Saint was not someone who could be ignored... and Nephis was not just any Saint. Wearing a simple white summer dress and no jewelry, she was still stunning. The passerby couldn't help but react to her beauty, and a lot of heads had been involuntarily turned.

    Sunny felt his heart skip, knowing that today, that beauty was just for him.

    As she approached with a light smile, he heard a quiet and melodious ringing. He had not told her a lot about the destination of their date, but he did tell her that it would have something to do with water-so, Nephis summoned the familiar pair of silver anklets, which were a Memory she had used on the Great River to help her move in the water

    Sunny couldn't help but smile when looking at her.

    Nephis walked over, stopped near him, and asked in a light tone:

    "So, Master Sunless... where are you taking me?"

    He hesitated for a moment.

    Out there in the waking world, it was winter, and bitter cold haunted the snowy streets. But here in Bastion, it was still summer. The entire city was bathed in smoldering heat.

    People were seeking shelter from the incandescent sun in the shade and longing for cool drinks. Of course, as Saints, both Sunny and Nephis could ignore the sultry weather... but that did not mean that they would not enjoy the refreshing feeling of cooling down their bodies.

    He smiled.

    "To a beach."

    Nephis tilted her head a little.

    "...A beach?"

    Sunny nodded.

    "It might sound a little silly... but actually, I've always dreamed of going to the beach. It's just that there were none where I grew up... actually, I'm not entirely sure if there are any left in the waking world."

    He paused for a moment, and then added with a smile:

    "But I've learned that there is actually one not far from Bastion. So... would you mind making a dream of mine come true, Lady Nephis?"

    She looked at him with a hint of mirth.

    "How would I dare refuse? I remember you telling me that you'd given up on having dreams. Fortunately, you seem to have found one, so I'd be delighted to help you fulfill it."

    The corner of Neph's mouth twisted upward, and she added with a hint of teasing in her tone:

    "However... are you sure that you don't just want to see me in a bathing suit, Master Sunless?"

    He looked at her seriously.

    "I promise that I don't just want to see you in a bathing suit."

    His tone was earnest... but there was a subtle accent on the word "just".

    She laughed.

    "If you say so. Then... how do we get to this beach?"

    Sunny offered her his arm.

    "Follow me."

    Once she wrapped her arm around his, he guided her to the dock.

    There were several rivers feeding the Mirror Lake, and one it gave birth to. That river was much more modest than the great River of Tears that flowed through the entire Song Domain, but it was still deep and full. Its destination was also the same it flowed south, toward the Stormsea.

    Bastion was much further south and closer to the Stormsea than Ravenheart, so the river wasn't very long. It could be quite dangerous for the same reason - powerful sea monsters sometimes entered the estuary and swam far upstream, attracted by the smell of human souls.

    They never reached the Mirror Lake, though, because the Citadel of Clan Dagonet stood between Bastion and the sea. The powerful abominations from the depths always died trying to breach the river fortress.

    Nevertheless, the length of the river between Bastion and the stronghold was not entirely safe. But Sunny judged that nothing in this tamed region of the Dream Realm could seriously threaten him and Nephis. Very few things out there that could.

    What he cared about was that there was a wild beach not too far down the river. It was beautiful, peaceful, and remote... a perfect place for a date on a hot summer day.

    That was where he wanted to take Neph.

    There were several wooden longships tied to the pier, their bows carved to resemble dragons and serpents. These drakkars belong to Clan Dagonet, and were used to patrol the river and guard the trade ships coming from the Stormsea. There were also several barges meant to deliver supplies to the river fortress and the town that had grown around it.

    Most Importantly, there were plenty of small river boats.

    ‘Thanks, Alko…’

    Sunny guided Nephis to one of the boats, which he had rented from the owner in advance. It was just large enough to fit two people and a bit of cargo, with a single pair of oars at the stern.

    She looked at it curiously.

    "Are we sailing down the river?"

    Sunny hesitated for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

    "Well... more like rowing down the river? Oh, I'll be the one handling the oars, of course. Why, you don't like it?"

    'Should I kill Aiko? A little.’

    Nephis looked at the boat, then at the river, and finally back at him.

    Eventually, she smiled.

    "No. I love it."

    Sunny let out a relieved sigh.

    'Aiko can live. Should I give her a raise?’
    Read more
    1. Offline
      Максим Довбняк
      Максим Довбняк
      + 22 ⋅ 0 -
      Chapter 1808: Down the River

      Sunny held Neph's hand to help her step into the boat, then untied it, pushed it away from the berth, and jumped inside nimbly. His movements were so light that the boat did not rock at all.

      Nephis sat down on the bench at the front, while he took his place on the bench at the stern. They were facing each other, with only the picnic basket between them.

      He took the oars and moved them gently, guiding the boat to the middle of the river. It floated smoothly, cutting the water with a pleasant sound. The lively streets of Bastion crawled past them, with plenty of interesting scenes to be seen. The further from the shore they moved, the quieter it became, until the bustle of the city had turned into a quiet hum.

      Sunny was not looking around, though. He was looking at Nephis, and in turn, she was looking at him.

      Both were smiling.

      Nephis leaned to the side and lowered a hand into the water. Watching her fingers cut its surface, she sighed deeply, and then closed her eyes for a moment. Her features relaxed.

      "How peaceful."

      Hearing her say that made him happy.

      Sunny extended his shadow sense in all directions, so he knew that there were no Nightmare Creatures hiding under the water. He did not spoil the mood by telling her to be careful. Instead, he used the few moments she had her eyes closed to stare at her with an unabashed craving.

      Then, he averted his eyes and concentrated on rowing.

      After a while, Nephis looked at him with a subtle smile. The city was behind them by then - there were no other boats on the river, and no ships in sight. The only sounds breaking the silence were the rustle of water and the soft splashes produced by the oars.

      She leaned back a little and asked in a leisurely tone:

      "Won't you grow tired from rowing?"

      Sunny chuckled. It was obviously a question asked for the sake of being polite. He was supposed to be a Master, after all - guiding a small boat downriver would not tire him. He could have used a measure of strength suitable for an Ascended and sent the boat flying at great speed to strain himself, but then the oars would probably explode into splinters.

      That wouldn't be nice at all.

      "Oh, I might not look it, but actually, I'm quite strong."

      He let go of one of the oars for a moment and showed her his hand.

      "These hands of mine can crush mountains."

      Nephis laughed.

      "I'm sure. Still, I feel guilty watching you do all the work."

      Sunny remained silent for a moment. Then, his smile turned a little daring.

      "Why don't you come here and help me, then?"

      She looked at him, then rose with a smile and moved to the rear bench. Sunny shifted to the side to give her some room. A few moments later, they were sitting side by side, each holding one oar.

      The bench wasn't quite wide enough to fit two people, so their bodies were pressed tightly against each other.

      The cool breeze was caressing them gently, and the sun reflected beautifully from the surface of the water. The river was peaceful and quiet. Sunny could feel the heat of her body through his clothes, and she could undoubtedly feel his.

      He inhaled deeply.

      Rowing a boat in this manner was a little tricky. The oars had to move both simultaneously and with equal amounts of force - otherwise, the small vessel would either turn to the shore or start spinning in place.

      But Sunny and Nephis easily fell into a comfortable rhythm. They were perfectly in syne - the oars rose and fell in tandem with each other, and the boat remained perfectly straight.

      It was rocking a little, though, and due to the fact that they were so close, each holding an oar with one hand, maintaining balance was a little tedious,

      Sunny moved his free arm and wrapped it around Neph's waist, firmly holding her in place. She glanced at him with a smile, then did the same.

      Just like that, they remained silent for a while, rowing in harmony while enjoying the breeze, the peaceful quiet of the river, and each other's warmth.

      The silence between them wasn't awkward or tense. Instead, it was comfortable and soothing, easing their tired minds.

      After a while, Nephis looked at him and asked:

      "What are you thinking about?"

      Sunny lingered for a moment, then shrugged slightly.

      "Just... life, I guess. How it is sometimes full of sorrow, and sometimes full of joy."

      She studied his face carefully, then turned to enjoy the view of the river.

      "Interesting... my life is quite different, I think. I am content at times, and at other times I am resentful. But I don't really feel joy or sorrow that much. Mostly, I am just... focused. Actually, I feel a little guilty if I am too happy or too sad. It makes me feel that I have allowed myself to become distracted."

      He looked at her curiously.

      That was how Nephis was. She lived in service of her goal... which didn't mean that she was miserable. It just meant that her mind was preoccupied with practical matters, and she mostly drew both satisfaction and discontent from the actions undertaken to realize her aspiration.

      That was a valid way to live a life. Still... Sunny felt that she was being too harsh on herself.

      He hesitated for a moment.

      "Really? Then, when was the last time you felt joy? And when was the last time you felt sorrow?"

      Nephis looked at the river with a faint smile. She remained silent for a bit, then answered in an easy tone:

      "I don't quite remember."

      Sunny kept looking at her, not saying anything.

      Was it because it was not important to her, so she had forgotten?

      Or was it because her joys and sorrows had all been connected to him?

      He hugged her tighter.

      Sensing it, she turned to face him and smiled.

      "What about you?"

      Sunny blinked a couple of times and answered honestly:

      "Why, I am full of joy right now."

      Hearing Neph laugh, he smiled brightly.

      "As for sorrow... I had to throw out a batch of strawberries because there were too few customers in the café as of late. That was really sad."

      Her laugh grew a little louder. That made him happy, as well.

      After a while, Nephis looked at him, lingered for a few moments, and then said neutrally:

      "This... was a really great idea. I have a bit of history with boats, you know."

      Sunny knew, of course. From the boat she had built from the bones of a demon to cross the Dark Sea to Ananke's ketch, the two of them had shared many poignant moments while rocking on the water.

      Nephis sighed.

      "I once sailed down a great river with a dear person. That person is gone, but the fondness remains."

      He couldn't do anything but hold her close.

      Sunny knew that she was talking about Ananke. But even though she could not remember him, these words described the two of them, too.

      Looking ahead, he smiled and said:

      "Then, it's good to forge new memories, To remember them fondly as well, one day in the future."

      Eventually, the beach he had wanted to take her to appeared in sight.

      By then, basked in her warmth, Sunny felt a bit regretful that it did.
      Read more
      1. Offline
        Kiber
        Kiber
        + 5 ⋅ 0 -
        Я думаю, что в следующих главах Санни признается Нефису прямо на лодке middle
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        1. Offline
          Kiber
          Kiber
          + 2 ⋅ 0 -
          Я немного не понимаю, как переводчик смог перевести слово Лодка в Одежду frost
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          1. Offline
            Максим Довбняк
            Максим Довбняк
            + 9 ⋅ 0 -
            Lol, maybe translator knows something we don’t know? very-shy

            He must finally kiss her! But it seems to me at the end of their picnic on the beach. And I would like him to admit that he is the Lord of Shadows, he promised to say before the war. And the story is already coming to this (after that it remains to close the arc with Rein)
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            1. Offline
              Dummybaron
              Dummybaron
              + 3 ⋅ 2 -
              Full Moon... Mirror Maze... Weaver Part... I must not lose hope for progress, I still have hope...
              Read more
  8. Offline
    Blizzard
    Blizzard
    + 0 ⋅ 2 -
    turns out i was completely wrong and couldn't think of the obvious
    Read more
  9. Offline
    ZEXOS
    ZEXOS
    + 24 ⋅ 1 -
    1806. Shadow in Distress


    Seeing that a literal Saint had fallen from the sky, the approaching Knights froze and looked away in embarrassment - or rather, they tried.

    However, they were too mesmerized by Neph's appearance. With her beautiful white wings, tousled silver hair, and flawless figure, she looked nothing short of stunning. It was as if a celestial deity had suddenly descended into the mortal world, illuminating it with her pure light.

    Additionally, she wasn't wearing her usual elegant attire or polished armor. Instead, she was dressed in simple clothes made out of soft white fabric, which seemed almost like loungewear, and contoured the graceful lines of her body well.

    Too well, maybe...

    Suddenly, Sunny felt an overwhelming impulse to walk in front of Nephis and shield her from their gazes, instead.

    ‘What are you staring at, bastards?'

    To be fair, there was nothing lascivious in their gazes. Instead, the Knights were strangely stuck between embarrassment, admiration, and a bit of remnant contempt directed at Sunny, It was a funny sight.

    "...What is going on here?"

    Neph's voice was cold, and her expression was stern. White sparks danced in her piercing grey eyes.

    The Knights shivered, instantly losing their rancor.

    "N-nothing, Lady Nephis."

    "We apologize for our rudeness."

    "Please don't mind us..."

    She scowled.

    "If there is nothing going on, then I suggest you be on your way."

    Her voice was even, but the seasoned Knights suddenly turned pale. A moment later, they were gone... it was quite amazing, actually. The skills of these warriors were truly formidable - if Sunny did not know any better, he would have thought that they were blown away by the wind!

    'What a splendid movement technique...'

    Knights of Valor were known for their indomitability in battle, but it seemed that they knew a thing or two about how to retreat, as well.

    While he was considering admiring their swift withdrawal, Nephis huffed quietly and turned to him. Her scornful expression instantly disappeared, replaced by a subtle look of concern.

    She lingered for a moment.

    "I am sorry, Are you alright?"

    Sunny couldn't help but gaze at her deeply, taking in every little detail of her, Eventually, he remembered himself and answered In a slightly stifled tone:

    "Ah... yes. I am fine."

    Then, he tilted his head a little, glanced at the distant silhouette of the Ivory Island, and looked back at Nephis.

    "I'm sory, Lady Nephis... but did you just jump down after noticing that I'm in trouble?"

    He had not put two and two together immediately, but now that he took a better look at her, there were a few strange details. Her comfortable clothes, unkempt hair, and slight signs of agitation were far from the composed image Nephis usually presented to the public.

    So, it wasn't hard to surmise that this appearance had not been planned.

    Nephis froze for a moment, glanced down at herself, then awkwardly swiped a lock of her hair back, putting it behind her ear.

    Sunny could have sworn that she blushed a little.

    "Ah... well. I happened to be free when Cassie informed me that something was afoot. So... here I am."

    She studied his face to make sure that everything was indeed alright, then looked at the pack in his hands in confusion.

    "That said, what exactly happened? She only told me that you were taken to the main keep."

    Her expression hardened.

    "Did someone harass you? Was it my sister? What did she say?"

    Sunny remained silent for a few moments, not knowing how to answer.

    Eventually, he gave her a reassuring smile.

    "Oh, no, nothing like that. Nobody harassed me. 1 was indeed summoned by Princess Morgan, but for a different reason. It's... well, I'm not sure how to say it..."

    Neph's frown only deepened.

    "A... different reason, you say? What reason might that be?"

    Sunny coughed.

    "Well, it's like this. She made me a Knight of Valor."

    He did not know what Nephis had expected to hear, but it definitely wasn't this. For a moment, she seemed startled.

    "What?"

    He smiled helplessly.

    "It's how I said. I was given the title of a Knight and the post of the Knight Commander of the Ardent Wardens. Oh... the Ardent Wardens are a group of volunteers who do community service, mainly taking care of the elderly. Yeah... I was told that my only responsibility is to maintain the prestige of the royal family... whatever that means..."

    Nephis stared at him for a while, then sighed and covered her face with a hand. After a few moments of silence, she said in a flat tone:

    "I am sorry. It's my fault... they were probably unhappy with me dating a man of no background. I expected opposition... but who would have thought that Morgan would be so accommodating?"

    Sunny blinked a couple of times.

    "Oh. So it's because of my lowly background. I see."

    She lowered her hand and looked at him with a startled expression.

    "No! I didn't mean it like that."

    Sunny smiled.

    "I know. You're not a conceited person. If anything... to be honest, between the two of us, I am probably more of a bigot. I actually have quite a prejudice against the Legacy clans. Although... it might be a bit bold of me, to admit something like that while attempting to court a princess of a Great Clan. Oh well, what can I do? That just goes to show how the lack of pedigree results in a lack of common sense and decorum..."

    Hearing his lighthearted tone, Nephis relaxed a little. She lingered a little, then met his smile with a tentative one of her own.

    "Then... I am grateful that you are willing to put your prejudice aside and give this princess a chance, You are an admirably broad-minded person, Master Sunless."

    He laughed.

    "No one has ever accused me of being broad-minded before. It's just that I would have to be mad to let my pettiness stand in the way of seeing you, Lady Nephis."

    Then, he suddenly froze.

    'Right'

    Weren't they supposed to go on a date in a few days?

    Meeting her today, therefore, was a bit awkward. What was he supposed to do? Pretend that they had not made plans? Or try to woo her right now?

    Noticing his puzzlement, Nephis asked:

    "What's wrong?"

    Sunny hesitated for a few moments.

    "No, it's nothing. It's just that... to be honest, I've been thinking about our date a lot. Constantly, even. I've been looking forward to it so much that meeting you all of a sudden is a bit of a shock. Well... I know that you are terribly busy, Lady Nephis. So, I'll see you in a few days?"

    She looked at him silently for a while.

    Then, she smiled subtly.

    "Actually, I'm not that busy, How about we just make it today?”
    Read more
  10. Offline
    ropero
    ropero
    + 24 ⋅ 0 -
    1806 Shadow in Distress


    Seeing that a literal Saint had fallen from the sky, the approaching Knights froze and looked away in embarrassment - or rather, they tried.

    However, they were too mesmerized by Neph's appearance. With her beautiful white wings, tousled silver hair, and flawless figure, she looked nothing short of stunning. It was as if a celestial deity had suddenly descended into the mortal world, illuminating it with her pure light.

    Additionally, she wasn't wearing her usual elegant attire or polished armor. Instead, she was dressed in simple clothes made out of soft white fabric, which seemed almost like loungewear, and contoured the graceful lines of her body well.

    Too well, maybe...

    Suddenly, Sunny felt an overwhelming impulse to walk in front of Nephis and shield her from their gazes, instead.

    ‘What are you staring at, bastards?'

    To be fair, there was nothing lascivious in their gazes. Instead, the Knights were strangely stuck between embarrassment, admiration, and a bit of remnant contempt directed at Sunny, It was a funny sight.

    "...What is going on here?"

    Neph's voice was cold, and her expression was stern. White sparks danced in her piercing grey eyes.

    The Knights shivered, instantly losing their rancor.

    "N-nothing, Lady Nephis."

    "We apologize for our rudeness."

    "Please don't mind us..."

    She scowled.

    "If there is nothing going on, then I suggest you be on your way."

    Her voice was even, but the seasoned Knights suddenly turned pale. A moment later, they were gone... it was quite amazing, actually. The skills of these warriors were truly formidable - if Sunny did not know any better, he would have thought that they were blown away by the wind!

    'What a splendid movement technique...'

    Knights of Valor were known for their indomitability in battle, but it seemed that they knew a thing or two about how to retreat, as well.

    While he was considering admiring their swift withdrawal, Nephis huffed quietly and turned to him. Her scornful expression instantly disappeared, replaced by a subtle look of concern.

    She lingered for a moment.

    "I am sorry, Are you alright?"

    Sunny couldn't help but gaze at her deeply, taking in every little detail of her, Eventually, he remembered himself and answered In a slightly stifled tone:

    "Ah... yes. I am fine."

    Then, he tilted his head a little, glanced at the distant silhouette of the Ivory Island, and looked back at Nephis.

    "I'm sory, Lady Nephis... but did you just jump down after noticing that I'm in trouble?"

    He had not put two and two together immediately, but now that he took a better look at her, there were a few strange details. Her comfortable clothes, unkempt hair, and slight signs of agitation were far from the composed image Nephis usually presented to the public.

    So, it wasn't hard to surmise that this appearance had not been planned.

    Nephis froze for a moment, glanced down at herself, then awkwardly swiped a lock of her hair back, putting it behind her ear.

    Sunny could have sworn that she blushed a little.

    "Ah... well. I happened to be free when Cassie informed me that something was afoot. So... here I am."

    She studied his face to make sure that everything was indeed alright, then looked at the pack in his hands in confusion.

    "That said, what exactly happened? She only told me that you were taken to the main keep."

    Her expression hardened.

    "Did someone harass you? Was it my sister? What did she say?"

    Sunny remained silent for a few moments, not knowing how to answer.

    Eventually, he gave her a reassuring smile.

    "Oh, no, nothing like that. Nobody harassed me. 1 was indeed summoned by Princess Morgan, but for a different reason. It's... well, I'm not sure how to say it..."

    Neph's frown only deepened.

    "A... different reason, you say? What reason might that be?"

    Sunny coughed.

    "Well, it's like this. She made me a Knight of Valor."

    He did not know what Nephis had expected to hear, but it definitely wasn't this. For a moment, she seemed startled.

    "What?"

    He smiled helplessly.

    "It's how I said. I was given the title of a Knight and the post of the Knight Commander of the Ardent Wardens. Oh... the Ardent Wardens are a group of volunteers who do community service, mainly taking care of the elderly. Yeah... I was told that my only responsibility is to maintain the prestige of the royal family... whatever that means..."

    Nephis stared at him for a while, then sighed and covered her face with a hand. After a few moments of silence, she said in a flat tone:

    "I am sorry. It's my fault... they were probably unhappy with me dating a man of no background. I expected opposition... but who would have thought that Morgan would be so accommodating?"

    Sunny blinked a couple of times.

    "Oh. So it's because of my lowly background. I see."

    She lowered her hand and looked at him with a startled expression.

    "No! I didn't mean it like that."

    Sunny smiled.

    "I know. You're not a conceited person. If anything... to be honest, between the two of us, I am probably more of a bigot. I actually have quite a prejudice against the Legacy clans. Although... it might be a bit bold of me, to admit something like that while attempting to court a princess of a Great Clan. Oh well, what can I do? That just goes to show how the lack of pedigree results in a lack of common sense and decorum..."

    Hearing his lighthearted tone, Nephis relaxed a little. She lingered a little, then met his smile with a tentative one of her own.

    "Then... I am grateful that you are willing to put your prejudice aside and give this princess a chance, You are an admirably broad-minded person, Master Sunless."

    He laughed.

    "No one has ever accused me of being broad-minded before. It's just that I would have to be mad to let my pettiness stand in the way of seeing you, Lady Nephis."

    Then, he suddenly froze.

    'Right'

    Weren't they supposed to go on a date in a few days?

    Meeting her today, therefore, was a bit awkward. What was he supposed to do? Pretend that they had not made plans? Or try to woo her right now?

    Noticing his puzzlement, Nephis asked:

    "What's wrong?"

    Sunny hesitated for a few moments.

    "No, it's nothing. It's just that... to be honest, I've been thinking about our date a lot. Constantly, even. I've been looking forward to it so much that meeting you all of a sudden is a bit of a shock. Well... I know that you are terribly busy, Lady Nephis. So, I'll see you in a few days?"

    She looked at him silently for a while.

    Then, she smiled subtly.

    "Actually, I'm not that busy, How about we just make it today?”
    Read more
    1. Offline
      ZEXOS
      ZEXOS
      + 14 ⋅ 0 -
      Bro has fastest hands in the west.
      Read more
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