"Was Lady Cassia there, as well?"
"Did you fly on the Chain Breaker?"
Rain rolled her eyes.
Then, unexpectedly, she opened her mouth and said in a tone of nonchalance:
"You guys, leave Lady Tamar alone. Also, if you want to know about Changing Star, just ask me. You might not know, but she taught me swordsmanship once. Oh... Nightingale gave me a few archery lessons, by the way. And I used to scold Saint Athena because she leaves dirty plates around the house... tsk, that slovenly woman..."
‘What the hell am I doing?’
Why was she spouting nonsense? That was not like her at all!
But... unexpectedly, it was also a bit fun.
‘Oh, no... teacher has corrupted me…’
The porters stared at her, then exploded with laughter.
"Right... so, Rani, what is Lady Changing Star like?"
"Are you sure that she taught you swordsmanship? Didn't you teach her, instead?"
"No one has seen that Shadow Lord without mask. Maybe it was Rani all along!"
Rain spared them a bright smile.
"...Well, have you ever seen me and the Lord of Shadows in the same room?"
There was another bout of laughter.
Some time later, the roasted meat was finished, and the members of the survey team went back to their tents. The three Awakened decided which one of them would guard the camp first and followed suit.
Rain spent several hours revolving her essence. Deep at nighth, she finally sprawled on her sleeping bag in total exhaustion.
She lingered for a while, then asked quietly:
"Hey, Teacher, Do you know about that Lord of Shadows?"
He remained silent for a while.
"Sure. I know him quite well. Why are you asking?"
Rain smiled in the darkness.
"No, no reason. It's just that... you are a shadow, and he's the Lord of Shadows. So, uh... is he like you superior?"
Her teacher's voice revealed a hint of indignation.
"Who, that clown? My superior? Ha! If I wanted to, I could erase him from existence with a thought."
She chuckled.
"But he has a huge temple and a bunch of powerful servants. He also seems close with Lady Nephis... didn't you say once that you're practically her boyfriend? Sorry, I don't mean to sound rude... but it seems more like he is her boyfriend, instead..."
Her teacher was appalled.
"I did say that. And, by the way... I am! I asked her on a date, and she agreed. She was delighted to agree, even! Who can resist my charm?"
Rain grinned.
"I'm just saying. That Lord of Shadows, he seems to know what's what. Won't the other shadows mock you for being an underachiever because of him? No temple, no servants, no beautiful Saintess hanging on your arm... ah, I pity my poor teacher... teacher is such an ascetic..."
Instead of an answer, a threatening grow! resounded from the darkness.