"Fufufu... This world has forgotten pain... But soon it shall remember—because I, Saintess Evernight, have returned!"
"....."
Igaris looked at the figure in Darkened Sky, momentarily surprised by what he was seeing.
She has a flawless, porcelain complexion with striking violet-blue eyes that hold a calm, commanding gaze. Her dark hair is styled elegantly, accented with hints of violet, and crowned by two large, curved black horns that add an aura of mystery.
Large, white feathered wings spread from her back, contrasting the darker surroundings and enhancing her celestial presence. She wears a flowing white gown adorned with gold and dark embroidery, accentuating her regal and graceful form.
A sculpted metallic corset wraps around her waist, blending beauty with strength. Delicate jewelry, including drop earrings and a pendant, completes her queenly appearance.
Behind her glows a halo-like circle with soft orbs and golden patterns, giving her an ethereal, divine backdrop.
She floated in the dark sky like a figure who seems to embody both heavenly grace and demonic power.
"Thud, thud, thud!"
Instantly, all the undead, including the Commander, bowed with their heads pressed against the rocky ground—except for the surviving undead under Igaris's command.
Igaris watched the scene unfold, realizing he had unleashed someone who could be dangerous for the entire world.
But then, a notification appeared, confirming the Acquisition was successful.
---
[ Name: Evernight ]
[ Species: Fallen Angel ]
[ Power Rank: Master (!!!) ] (AN: Check Auxiliary volume for full Ranking system)
[ Loyalty: 50% ]
[ Abilities: Necromancy, Eternal Curse, Divine Healing, Chains of Judgment (!!!) ]
---
As he was busy reading through her information, the Saintess Evernight finally turned her attention to Igaris.
Her purplish eyes shimmered with faint amusement as she watched him.
With a soft flap of her white angel wings, she hovered gracefully toward him, ignoring all the other undeads.
"After eras, I awaken... only to find some human boy touching my thigh, hmm?"
Saintess Evernight's voice was smooth but carried a sharp edge. Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she hovered closer.
"Who are you, boy?"
"Ahh, it wasn't intentional," Igaris replied, a little flustered.
"Anyway, from now on, I'm your Master. So this much mistake you should be able to adjust to, shouldn't you?" he added, trying to assert control.
But her expression darkened at the word Master. A chill crept into the air, and the aura she radiated grew heavier, palpating like a storm ready to break.
"Be careful what you say, human boy. Do you even know who you're speaking to? No one is worthy to become my Maste—"
She suddenly paused mid-sentence, her eyes widening.
"What... what is this?"
Her voice faltered, confusion overtaking her prideful tone.
"A soul binding? And this strong... this complex? On me, of all beings?"
She stepped back, visibly shaken.
"This is more terrifying than my own necromancy... No... no, this can't be. It's impossible!"
Her eyes locked on Igaris, now filled with a mix of disbelief, awe, and something bordering on fear.
"Who... are you?"
After letting out a chuckle, Igaris replied calmly, "Like I said, I am your Master. The name is Igaris Vance. Remember it—"
"From today onward, you must obey every command I give. Otherwise… you already know what could happen."
Evernight landed on her feet, but it felt as if the very ground beneath her was slipping away.
"No. I won't accept this. I would never," she said, shaking her head in denial.
Then, suddenly, dark energy flared to life behind her, coiling like living tendrils. Her once serene eyes turned pitch-black, and her delicate fingers twisted, manifesting into razor-sharp claws.
"Not good," Igaris muttered, recognizing the frenzy overtaking her. He instinctively raised his hand for defence.
"I will kill you!" she roared.
And without warning, she charged at him like an incarnation of wrath and chaos.
At this moment she was no longer a saintly angel, but an enraged demoness.
However, before she could even get close, her body suddenly collapsed to the ground, trembling violently. Agony radiated from deep within her soul.
Igaris had finally activated the "Punishment" tethered to the Soul Binding.
It worked like a pull. Just a slight tug on the bond, and yet, the effect was devastating.
Evernight writhed on the rocky floor, her angelic form convulsing as if seized by an intense, uncontrollable fit. Her wings twitched, her claws scraped at the ground, and her screams echoed like broken music in the hollow citadel.
Igaris winced.
He felt a flicker of guilt.
But for the sake of his life and his ultimate goal, he had no choice but do it.
The surrounding Undeads just watched in utter silence. Not a single one dared move or speak.
The environment was steeped in darkness and dread, broken only by the ragged, pain-filled cries of the Fallen Angel.
After some time, while Igaris's body had fully healed, Evernight slowly rose to her feet.
A deep frown creased her flawless, porcelain-like face.
Her long lashes cast shadows over her striking violet eyes as she gazed at Igaris, her expression unreadable.
He had ruined what was supposed to be a moment of triumph—her long-awaited return from death.
The thrill of resurrection, of tasting freedom once again, had been shattered.
She should hate him.
And yet... even that hatred flickered uncertainly, caught somewhere between loathing and something she couldn't quite name.
A strange pull lingered between them, an invisible thread that sparked conflicting emotions.
Something foreign and intrusive had already tried to sink into her mind, gently whispering that she should serve him. Obey him.
Yet her pride, her will, resisted. The Soul Binding was powerful, yes, but not absolute. Not yet.
Still, after that soul-wrenching punishment, she knew the truth with terrifying clarity: she could not harm him. Not directly. Not indirectly.
Even the mere thought of hurting him sent a stabbing pain through her very soul. A raw, primal agony that left her breathless.
So she did what she had always done in moments of crisis: she began to think.
Rationally. Coldly.
She could choose end her own life now. But that would mean surrendering her goals. Giving up everything she had meticulously planned over countless years. Her resurrection, her schemes, they would all be for nothing.
No. She didn't want that.
If she wanted to reclaim her power, her autonomy... she had to play along. For now.