Shadow Slave novel Chapter 2830

Not long before that, Effie had a nice breakfast with her family. Little Ling was boasting about his studies, while her husband was listening to him quietly and chuckling from time to time.

“Oh? Did you hear that, dear? Our son is interested in history now. Didn't you mention that you were fond of history too, when you were little?"

Ling stared at her thoughtfully.

“Huh? Mom was little once?"

Effie scoffed.

“Yeah, well. I couldn't really go anywhere when I was a kid, so I read everything I could get my hands on. I liked history too."

Her husband took her hand.

“You hear that, rascal? Not only was your mom little once, but she was also a bookworm..."

Soon enough, the breakfast was over, and its warm atmosphere dissipated. Effie saw her husband off to the gates of their estate and kissed him goodbye. He had business to attend to in the city today, while she was supposed to depart for the Castle after handing Little Ling off to his tutor.

Instead of hurrying back inside, however, Effie remained motionless for a while, looking at the street.

Then, she sighed and turned away. Entering their home, she called Ling and sat him down in front of her.

“Hey there, dumpling. Were you excited for your lessons today?"

He hesitated for a few seconds, then asked instead of answering:

"What's wrong, mom?"

Her smile faltered for a moment.

"Wrong? Nothing is wrong. It's just that I want you to do something for me."

Little Ling nodded.

“Of course! What is it?"

Effie pulled the Black Beast Locket, which was hanging around her neck, out.

"You see... Uncle Sunny is away right now. So, Auntie Aiko is all alone in a huge castle. I was thinking that maybe you'll go keep her company for a bit... what do you think about that?"

Little Ling's eyes ignited with enthusiasm.

“Really? Can I really go? Really?!"

Effie nodded with a smile, then patted his head.

“Sure. Oh, and that castle? It's a bit scary, but actually... the castle is alive. It can even walk around."

The boy's eyes widened.

"Wait. Uncle Sunny had such a cool castle this whole time, and he never even invited me once?"

Effie chuckled.

“Well, you can go take a look now."

Little Ling raised his fists into the air.

"Yes! I can't wait to tell dad!"

A subtle shadow ran across Effie's face.

“You can't tell dad yet. Once Uncle Sunny is back, I'll come pick you up. You can report your findings to us then — like an explorer. Okay?"

Little Ling suddenly seemed unsure.

"Uh... what, we are leaving right now? What about dad? What about my lessons?"

Instead of answering, Effie placed her hand on his shoulder. The locket hanging around her neck shimmered and collapsed into a rain of sparks, which then flowed like a torrent into Little Ling's chest.

"It's a bit dark where the castle is, so if you want to go somewhere sunny, just hop inside the Beast Farm. Okay? Actually, why don't you go there right now? Take a walk and then nap a little. By the time you come out, you'll already be with Auntie Aiko."

Little Ling seemed frozen in place.

"Mom! You gave me a Memory! It's your locket, mom!"

Effie patted him on the head.

“Take good care of it for me, alright?"

Some time later, Ling was safely hidden inside the Black Beast Locket. Picking it up from the floor, Effie sighed and then closed her eyes.

The realm boundary parted in front of her, and she appeared in the waking world.

Her absence would be noticed soon... in fact, she was willing to bet that the Dreamspawn was watching her every move. So, she could not be seen delivering the Black Beast Locket to its destination. Instead, she glanced at her shadow and said quietly:

"Come out."

A moment later, two crimson flames ignited in the darkness, and an enormous black steed rose from it, looking at her with chilling intensity.

Walking up to the tenebrous stallion, Effie untied the cord of the Black Beast Locket and then tied it carefully around his neck.

"Bring him to the Forgotten Shore... to Aiko. Make sure that no one sees you."

The black steed snorted in protest.

"I know that you were ordered to protect Bastion, Little Ling, and me. But I am telling you to do this instead. Sunny would have agreed if he were here, so go."

The stallion stared at her for a few seconds, then briefly pressed his nose against her shoulder and dissolved into the shadows.

Left alone, Effie sighed heavily and then reached for her tether.

Nightmare was protecting Little Ling... so, it was up to her to protect Bastion and herself.

‘I just hope... that I am wrong.'

But soon enough, she learned that she hadn't been.

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