After I was led to a place to sleep, the cohort continued their meeting.
"Lady Nephis, you can't take him seriously. That guy is insane," Caster insisted.
"Yes, on that, I agree with Caster," Sunny added.
"But… what if he's right?" Kai didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.
"Yes. If he can truly do what he says, our chances of escaping will skyrocket," Effie added.
"Cass, was he the reason you told us to wait?"
"I didn't know he would come, Neph, but now I'm sure he was the reason."
"Hmm… then we'll see for ourselves what he does. At the very least, I have faith in his strength."
"Yeah, your boyfriend must be strong as hell," Effie teased. "Not only did he survive for eight months, but he also traversed through this hellhole and even killed a Fallen monster alone. And did you see his body? No way that was just luck."
"He is not my boyfriend," Nephis said flatly.
It must have been hard on him, she thought to herself.
I woke up when morning came, and to my surprise, Nephis was sitting on a chair a few meters away, asleep.
As I shifted, she stirred awake as well.
"Couldn't bear to leave me, my little Star?" I joked.
"That's my bed," she pointed out.
I was silent for a few seconds.
"My apologies. The kind soul who led me here—"
"I told them to," she interrupted.
I was speechless again.
"...Anyway, I have a demonstration to do. Let's go."
"Okay."
An hour later, the cohort and some of Nephis's followers had gathered, making our way toward the Bright Castle.
"Hey, Sunny," I said to my side. "Describe this Bright Castle to me."
"See for yourself," he grunted.
"How cold. You must have spent too much time with my little Star. Can't you see I don't see?"
"Cassie told us you're not blind. Anyway, why do you call her 'my little Star'? She doesn't seem to appreciate it."
"Is she really a stalker?" I mused under my breath.
"You told her," Sunny pointed out.
"Did I?"
"Yes."
"Anyway, isn't the name fitting? Her true name is similar too. You see, she shines with ambition so brightly you can't take your eyes off her. She's a bit rough around the edges, but she'll improve. I can tell she genuinely wants to help. And while I haven't seen it myself, people say she's also beautiful. Hahaha, I'm truly fascinated by her."
Without my knowledge, Nephis had been listening to our conversation and let out a small smile.
"Why are you smiling, Princess?" Effie asked, surprised.
"I didn't," Nephis replied instantly.
By the time we arrived at the Bright Castle, our numbers had grown large enough and we were granted an audience.
We stood in a grand hall filled with dining tables, and at the far end, an elevated throne loomed over us. A man sat upon it, five others standing at his sides.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Lady Changing Star?" the Bright Lord asked, his voice calm yet imposing.
"We have come to invoke the right of challenge," Nephis stated steadily.
"Oh? And what would that be about?"
"Your rulership."
"Hahaha, so be it," Gunlaug laughed, rising from his throne and stepping toward us. "I assume you will be the champion?"
"You are mistaken," Nephis said as I stepped forward, exuding a hint of pressure.