Shadow Slave novel Chapter 2722

Stepping out of a luxurious PTV, Cassie inhaled the stale air of NQSC. The city felt emptier than before... but also more anxious than before. People seemed to be moving ever-so-slightly quicker than they usually would, looking down as if pressed to the ground by the weight of fear.

Maybe it was her own anxiety coloring her perception, though. The general population was still unaware of the odd war happening in the shadows of both worlds, after all.

The war against Asterion and his spreading influence, which they were struggling to contain.

She sighed. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Shall I go up with you?"

Her driver today, once again, was Sid — even though most of the Fire Keepers were busy preparing to challenge the Third Nightmare these days, they still performed their usual duties, Escorting Cassie was one of them, due to the obvious limitations of her Flaw. She shook her head.

"No need. Considering the sensitive nature of the meeting, he won't be happy to see an unfamiliar face

Nephis and Sunny could not visit the waking world too often or for too long, but there was still endless work to be done here. So, Cassie spent her days between the Ivory Island and NQSC, with the latter taking most of her time as of late,

Today, she ventured into the city to attend a clandestine meeting with Saint Cor, Wake of Ruin. Usually, there would have been no reason for them to act secretly... but in the current air of distrust and paranoia, numerous things had become difficult,

Sid grimaced.

"What's the point of sending me to protect you if you'll just leave me behind?"

Cassie turned to face her and smiled. "What's the point of sending a Master to protect a Saint?"

Leaving her bodyguard behind, she entered an unremarkable building. It was not that she did not trust the Fire Keepers — it was just that any threat that could pose a hazard to Cassie would be absolutely deadly to her subordinates. She felt reluctant to risk their lives needlessly.

Behind the weathered facade of the building hid a luxurious and exclusive club, the kind where only distinguished Awakened could attain membership. Cassie was guided to a stylishly decorated lounge where Awakened and Masters rested in leather chairs, speaking quietly as they leisurely enjoyed expensive alcohol.

‘As she walked across the lounge, she subtly marked a few of them, sharing in their senses. Finally able to see, she secretly let out a relieved sigh.

The decor was subdued, but opulent. The mood was lavish, verging on decadent. Cassie's appearance would have caused a stir if not for the fact that she had long learned to blend into the background. Usually, a Saint's presence made them stand out, but Cassie's was the opposite. Her presence was simple to overlook and difficult to remember.

She approached the bar and took a seat, gesturing to the bartender to pour her a drink — something brewed in the Dream Realm, and therefore capable of affecting Awakened.

But not strong enough to affect a Saint Wake of Ruin had not arrived yet, so she had some time to kill.

Of course, there were myriad perspectives Cassie was keeping an eye on at all times. So, there was never really true downtime for her.

She was focusing on the events happening in Ravenheart when someone took a seat next to her. Cassie did not react, but studied the stranger through the eyes of the bartender.

He was not Saint Cor.

She did know him, though — the man was an Awakened who distinguished himself in Antarctica, Ascended, and later went on to pledge his allegiance to the Song Domain during the war in Godgrave. Now, he was a free agent, and on several recruitment lists she had compiled.

"Can I have what the lady is having?"

The man turned, opening his mouth to say something, then froze for a moment. "Saint... Saint Cassia?"

Cassie smiled politely.

"Nice to meet you!

The man remained silent for a while, staring at her with a perplexed expression. People often stared at her, safe in the assumption that she was blind and could not tell. This Ascended seemed more surprised than starstruck, though, which was a nice change of pace.

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