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.»

smile appeared on

of enchantments

needs!»Sunny hid a smile and put the vambrace back in the box. Then, he asked, pretending to do it

the young woman in front of him was Lady Telle of the White Feather clan. She was the daughter of Saint Tyris and Master

had never known that the standoffish girl was actually the daughter of his benefactors, mostly because of how young her parents looked. Determining

to Bastion that Sunny realized his mistake.

and still being in the doghouse because of having challenged

She fell silent abruptly.

am I telling

woman looked at Sunny

strangely enough, she blushed a little and looked

parents are fine. They are awfully busy,

perplexed by her reactions, but just shrugged

«Unsurprising.»

very few Legacy Clans being led by two Saints. The White Feather's prominence had risen greatly since their exile to Antarctica — and therefore, so had their duties. No one could discard

smiled and lowered his head

good to hear. I wish them

—— —— ——

Belated Apology and leaving the Brilliant Emporium in good spirits. Aiko was happily counting the money,

created would serve Saint Roan well,

enjoy tea and snacks after a long day of work. The evening crowd receded, and the sun disappeared beyond the horizon. Moonlight and darkness enveloped the streets of Bastion, and

left, leaving Sunny

hall, and then went to

surrounding him, full of countless people… Sunny felt painfully

today, he couldn't help but feel

for a while, watching the pale moon slowly move across the

sighed

go to bed.

day had

when the Silver Bell suddenly rang again. Surprised at the appearance of a late customer, Sunny raised an eyebrow and walked

sorry, but we are about to

died on

in a seawave cloak. Her hair was like a cascade of pale gold, and her eyes…

eyes, the young woman's ethereal, otherworldly beauty

turned her head in the direction of

afraid I'm a

silent, trying to overcome

what is

emotions and put on the