«By the way. Nightingale… it's a bird, isn't it? Huh. 1 dislike birds.»
Kai froze, looking at him with a troubled expression.
Sunny stared at him for a bit, then leaned forward, raised a hand… and patted him on the shoulder.
«It's alright. I'll make an exception for you, Saint Nightingale. Since we're friends.»
With that, he turned to Nephis and said without any emotion:
«I am ready to leave.»
She was staring at him strangely.
Morgan was, as well.
Sunny tilted his head a little.
«…What?»
The two of them glanced at each other, then shook their heads at the same time. 𝒻𝓻𝘦𝑒𝓌𝑒𝓫𝓷𝑜𝓋𝘦𝓵.𝓬𝘰𝓂
«No, no. It's just that… you have a unique way with words, Lord Shadow.»
«Nothing.»
The former was said by Morgan, while the latter was said by Nephis.
He smiled behind the mask.
«Curious, I've been described as unique twice today. I am starting to suspect… that it is not a compliment.»
Morgan smiled pleasantly and said in an exceedingly polite tone:
«It isn't.»
Shaking her head, he bowed to Kai lightly and turned away, heading for the PTV that had driven them here.
Sunny followed, giving Nephis a chance to say a proper goodbye to the charming archer. She caught up with them soon, wearing a complicated expression.
Or rather, her expression was as stoic as always. However, Sunny could feel a bit of tension hiding in the depths of her grey eyes.
They passed the military vehicles and approached the PTV. The Fire Keeper who had driven it, Sid, was already back — she had joined the volunteer Awakened before the Gate opened, intending to lead them into the battle.
Of course, their participation had not been necessary, in the end.
Sid was on her way to open the passenger door when Nephis stopped suddenly, looking at the PTV with a frown.
Sensing her unease, Morgan and Sunny stopped, too.
Morgan glanced at Nephis, raised an eyebrow, and asked with a hint of amusement in her voice:
«What's the matter?»
Neph remained silent for a few moments, studying the luxurious vehicle somberly. Then, she slowly turned away and looked at Sunny.
«Lord Shadow… I apologize.»
He blinked a couple of times.
Was she apologizing for having dragged him to an opening Gates? No, Nephis saw the fight against the Nightmare Spell as a sacred duty of all Awakened. She would not have apologized for something like that.
What then?
Hiding his confusion, Sunny asked in a cold tone:
«What for?»
Her expression remained calm when she answered:
«It seems that I am about to be assassinated. Sorry for the inconvenience.»
«…What?»
Before Sunny could react, Sid unlocked the passenger door and pulled on the handle.
In the next moment, the PTV disintegrated in a blinding flash, and the roar of a deafening explosion thundered above the snowy park.