Shadow Slave novel Chapter 3121

The city was dead and quiet as they walked toward the distant wall. The streets were empty, with not a soul around. An eerie silence suffused the world, as if they had taken a wrong turn somewhere and somehow ended up in hell... if hell did exist, then Effie imagined it looking similar to this.

She had seen all kinds of horrors in her life, and the blackened ruins — collapsed buildings, bodies scattered in the dust, the smell of rot and ash permeating the air — were nothing new to her. The devastation itself was not hell... the knowledge of all the human pain, despair, and broken dreams that lay hidden under the rubble was.

Effie was glad that Morgan and Seishan had chosen to accompany her on this dreary walk. Otherwise, it would have felt too lonesome.

As they approached the city gate, however, the situation changed.

She had ordered most of her soldiers to pull back, but somehow, a grand welcome was waiting for her. Countless soldiers — all gaunt and battered — had assembled to see their commander off, forming two human walls on both sides of the road.

They did not cheer, and neither did they say anything. However, as Effie approached, she could see everything they wished to say in their eyes.

The soldiers saluted her silently as she walked past, their reserved expressions betraying a storm of turbulent emotions. Sorrow, reverence, pain, courage — she could see all of it, and more.

But most of all, what she saw was strength. These people were all wounded, hungry, exhausted, sick, and losing hope. But none of them had broken — none of them was entertaining the thought of giving up.

So, she thought she'd give them a good show.

Straightening her spine, Effie met the gazes of her soldiers and smiled. It was a confident, easy smile — one that betrayed no hint of fear or hesitation. The same smile they had seen countless times.

If the young prince of the dying city had been honest when he said that they would remember her, Effie wanted them to remember her like this.

It was a strange wish, considering that all of them were mere phantoms conjured by the Spell, and would be gone once the Nightmare was over.

What meaning was there in being remembered by forgotten phantoms? Finally, they reached the gates of the city. There, a lone figure was waiting for them, standing in the middle of the road — barring their way.

It was Kai, of course.

Morgan and Seishan slowed down, allowing Effie to approach him alone.

As she did, she whistled quietly.

‘Uh-oh. Kai is not happy...’

Indeed, it was as clear as day. The others had tried to hide their emotions, but he did not bother to — his face was dark and somber... desperate, even. There were black circles under his eyes, and his gaze was scathing.

Bruised eyes, sunken cheeks, chapped lips...

‘Goodness.'

Kai had really let himself go. The world had to be ending.

“Effie...”

Stopping in front of him, Effie smiled.

“Why the long face?"

He stared at her for a moment, then frowned.

“There has to be another way. You don't have to... you must not. We can come up with another plan. Please, reconsider."

Effie studied him silently for a short while, then chuckled.

“You know me, buddy. I am not a very considerate person. It took me a lot of effort to consider this one plan... now, you expect me to reconsider the whole thing? Gods have mercy, I cannot."

He refused to be placated by her lighthearted tone, looking at her with dark intensity.

Effie sighed.

“It's a good plan, Kai... it's the only way. You know it. Each of us just needs to do their part. My part is a bit flashy, but it's not the most difficult. In fact, I might be getting off easier than the rest of you."

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