Shadow Slave

Inside the lacquered box, an intricately engraved vambrace was laying on black silk. It was forged from a light silvery metal and decorated with a pattern resembling interlaid feathers. The vambrace emanated a feeling of restrained power, and just from a passing glance, one could tell that it was an extraordinary item.

Awakened Telle, however, seemed unimpressed.

Well… from what Sunny could remember, she always seemed that way. The young woman raised an eyebrow.

«Master Sunless. From what I remember, I commissioned you to procure a suit of armor.»

He smiled.

«Your memory is stellar, my lady. But don't be concerned… this vambrace possesses a rare enchantment that allows it to unfold into a full plate of impregnable armor, just like what you wished to purchase. The process only takes a second, and consumes very little essence. While such a trait might bring a slight inconvenience in case of a sudden attack, it also makes this Memory uniquely adaptable.»

Telle's eyes gleamed.

«…I assume that it can be used by a Saint?»

Sunny nodded.

«Indeed. It can accommodate any type of Transformed creature up to about fifty times the size of an average human. The speed with which the vambrace unfolds remains the same. Of course, the essence expenditure grows in proportion.»

He continued to smile, but really, Sunny wanted to cry on the inside.

That was because it took him an incredible quantity of magical alloy to create the damned vambrace. The thing looked small, but he would have had to bankrupt the Brilliant Emporium in order to purchase the materials needed to forge it… if anyone would even sell them to him. In the end, he had been forced to track down and kill a dozen Corrupted Beasts with metallic carapaces to complete the commission.

Which meant that Sunny had not suffered a loss… but he could have sold all that Transcendent steel, instead!

His heart was bleeding.

In fact, he was even lamenting the cost of the expensive lacquered box with silk furbishing that Aiko had made him buy for the vambrace.

«But it is for a good cause.»

Sunny had to remind himself why he had put in extra effort to make sure that this Memory was particularly potent and durable.

Awakened Telle finally showed a hint of satisfaction. She studied the Memory for a few moments, then asked in a slightly warmer tone:

«You have conducted a thorough study of its other enchantments, of course. What are they? Oh, and what is its name?»

Sunny carefully picked up the vambrace and began the description:

«My lady, this Transcendent Memory of the Fourth Tier is called the Belated Apology. Apart from the unfolding enchantment, it also possesses three others. One vastly enhances its physical durability. The other grants the person wearing it greatly increased protection from elemental attacks. Finally, the third enchantment might interest you the most. It allows the master of the Memory to make it as light as a feather.»

on the

of enchantments was almost perfect for an

That is exactly what my father needs!»Sunny hid a smile and put the vambrace back in the box. Then, he asked, pretending to do it only out of politeness: «Oh? And

of him was Lady Telle of the White Feather clan. She was the daughter

bumped into her a few times in the Sanctuary of Noctis, and later in Falcon Scott. To his shame, though, he had never known that the standoffish girl was actually the daughter of his benefactors, mostly because of how young her parents looked. Determining

was only after coming to Bastion that Sunny realized his mistake. Telle smiled

being in the doghouse

She fell silent abruptly.

I

young woman looked at Sunny

enough, she blushed

my parents are fine. They are

a bit perplexed by her reactions,

«Unsurprising.»

The White Feather's prominence had risen greatly since their exile to Antarctica —

and lowered

to hear. I wish them all the

—— —— ——

Telle of White Feather ended up purchasing the Belated Apology and leaving the Brilliant Emporium in good spirits. Aiko was happily counting the money, as

would serve Saint Roan well, he

day of work. The evening crowd receded, and the sun disappeared beyond the horizon. Moonlight and darkness enveloped the streets of Bastion,

leaving Sunny in the

cleaned up the dining hall, and then went

surrounding him, full of countless people… Sunny

couldn't help but feel it

watching the

sighed and

then go to bed. Everything else can wait

day had

the Silver Bell suddenly rang again. Surprised at the

but we are about to

words died

in front of him, stood a delicate young woman in a seawave cloak. Her hair was like a cascade of pale gold, and her eyes…

young woman's ethereal, otherworldly beauty

a moment, then turned her head in the direction

afraid I'm a bit late,

remained silent, trying

is

put on the polite smile of a humble