That cut... just who couldhave..."
Sunny took a step back and bent over, breathing heavily. By his side, Cassie swayed, struggling to catch her balance after her rapier was shattered by Morgan's attack.
...Today, the princess had decided to face the two of them at the same time.
The spar was an especially grueling one. They gave a good fight, cooperating with each other so flawlessly that it almost seemed as if they shared one mind. But, in the end, the princess mercilessly drove them both back. She seemed possessed, attacking with such power and ferocity that
Sunny found it almost unnecessary to downplay his abilities.
He pretended to be utterly exhausted - there was little need to pretend, really - and lowered his sword.
"That... that was a good fight, Lady Morgan."
She glanced at her own blade, which was nicked all over and utterly ruined, then threw it aside with frustration.
"Yes. You did well, too."
After catching his breath for a couple of seconds, he slowly straightened and glanced at her with a complicated expression.
"But... are you troubled by something? Your technique seemed a bit distracted today."
Morgan stared at him for a few moments, her face turning cold.Eventually, she said with a hint of discontent in her voice:
"That is not something for a person like you to concern yourself with. Come to think of it... I won't need your services in the next few days, Master Sunless. So make yourself scarce."
Just what he wanted. Sunny put on a suitably alarmed expression andlowered his gaze.
"Ah... as you wish, my lady."
She lingered for a few moments, then scoffed and left.
Sunny and Cassie were left alone in the training room.
It had been two days since the slaughter in the abandoned factory. Morgan seemed to be suspicious that something irregular had taken place in the underground production hall, but not a drop of that suspicion was directed at Sunny.
He had hidden his traces well, and no one within Valor could ever imagine that someone like him was capable of wiping out ten cohorts of Awakened from the great clans, let alone doing it with such insidious and flawless, almost diabolical precision.
As for Sunny, he was effortlessly playing the role of someone who had no clue about what had happened.
Glancing at Cassie, he shrugged.
"What's up with her?"
The blind girl turned her head to face him, then remained silent for a while. Eventually, she said:
"You don't have to worry." Sunny frowned.
'What was that supposed to mean?'
Did Cassie know something? If anyone would, it was her.
He shook his head, then dragged his tired body across the room to place the training sword back into its stand.
If Cassie knew, she would keep silent.
But, in any case, Morgan's polite suggestion to disappear for a few days was very timely. No matter how confident he was that he had avoided all suspicion, it was best not to parade in front of emissaries of Valor for a while.
And, to be honest, Sunny was long overdue for a little vacation.
Placing the sword down, he looked at Cassie and asked:
"Hey, about that favor I asked? How about we go to the Dream Realm for a little while? I seem to be free all of a sudden." The blind girl smiled slightly.
"Sure, no problem."
She carefully placed her broken rapier on the floor and added:
"I already told Nephis. She's free, too." Sunny froze for a moment, then made a face.
'Damn oracles...'