Deep within the Undercity, sheer cliffs plunged into the abyss like a colossal crater carved by a comet millennia ago. Strange, unseen monsters shrieked along the strata, while eerie eyes watched from shadowed crevices.

No human could descend directly into this abyss—not even on a hawk mount. Only the colossal lion-faced demon bats ruled these skies, ridden by vampire warriors. They patrolled the pit, hunting desperate surface-dwellers who dared trespass.

No one would guess such a terrifying chasm and its savage beasts truly served a petite girl.

In the deepest chamber, I slumped against Feyn Senior’s chest. Humiliation, guilt, and the sting of defeat swirled inside me. Yet, despite everything, I couldn’t bring myself to hate this mature woman holding me.

Her experienced fingers brushed my lips. "Obey your senior sister. Understood?"

I suppressed the urge to suck her finger, leaning weakly against her supple chest. "Even if I obey you... my subordinates—Sulia, Seth, Leox—they’re as powerful as you. They’ll never submit!"

Feyn gently tucked my sweat-stuck hair behind my ear. "They won’t obey *me*. But they’ll obey *you*. Publicly declare I’ve surrendered to you. Grant me a title. Simple."

"So you’ve planned everything..."

"Give me your hand."

"Huh?"

She pulled a teleportation ring from her cleavage, placed it between her lips—the hoop stretching her mouth into a perfect "O"—then guided my finger, sliding it onto me with her mouth.

"Senior... you didn’t have to return it like *this*," I mumbled, cheeks burning. "What if I take it and betray you?"

"You won’t." She tilted my chin up, thumb prying open my lips. "Because you’re my captive now."

"N-not at all..." I stammered, face crimson.

***

The next day, demonic flames bloomed in the Dark Princess’s council hall. Guardians from every layer had gathered—except the Cavern Lord standing guard outside—alongside chieftains of Fiendish Monsters.

Clad in a high-collared black cloak, I strode past the throng toward my throne. Behind me followed a raven-haired knight in form-fitting black armor, radiating dark energy. The Fallen Lady Angel’s armor had transformed seamlessly on Feyn Senior, making her the epitome of a seductive Dark Knight. Who’d believe this woman was once the Holy Daughter of Light—a chaste Temple Knight—just a day ago?

Only I knew Feyn’s duality.

Beneath my cloak, I wore what she demanded: a sheer full-body black mesh suit under minimal armor. I’d never choose such attire, but her word was law.

Settling onto the throne, I crossed my legs, cheeks flushed as I announced with forced confidence: "This battle was our triumph! We repelled the human elite Temple Knights, slew and wounded their strongest warriors, and captured their leader—Tianlin Feiyan, the Empire’s twenty-third-ranked Temple Knightess!"

"ROAR—ROAR—ROAR!"

"LONG LIVE THE PRINCESS—!!"

"WE LOVE YOU, PRINCESS!"

The mindless Fiendish Monsters cheered wildly.

But Sulia, Seth, and Bessdaitiel watched Feyn with wary, heavy gazes. She ignored them.

"Tianlin Feiyan. Step forward."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Feyn strode up the dais with long, precise steps.

"Tianlin Feiyan, I name you Dark Knight—my personal royal guard. You rank equal to the layer guardians, Seth, and Bessdaitiel. You answer only to me. Stay by my side."

A stunned murmur rippled through the hall. Guardians exchanged grim glances.

"Princess!" Sulia, the crimson-leather-clad swordswoman, stepped forward. "She’s a human Temple Knight! Untrustworthy! Granting her such rank is unacceptable!"

Feyn turned, towering over Sulia from the dais. Their equally fierce figures crackled with instant hostility. "In the Abyssal Realm, isn’t strength the only law? Your words sound... human."

"Hmph!" Sulia snapped. "The Undercity has order! And if you were truly as strong as legends claim, how were you captured?"

"My capture was Princess Kuroti’s strategy—a testament to her wisdom. I yield to *her* willingly. But *you*?" Feyn’s lip curled. "We’re equals now under the Princess. Will you defy her command?"

"I protect the Princess! Trusting you will doom the Undercity!"

"I am human no longer—I am a Dark Knight! And weren’t *you* human once, you old vampire hag? We merely fell differently. Who are *you* to judge me?"

"*Old hag*?!" A crimson whip materialized in Sulia’s hand; her blood aura erupted.

"Insolence! Drawing steel before the Princess?!" Feyn’s black-hilted crystal sword cleared its scabbard.

"Hey, ladies—" Jester Bull tried to intervene.

"*Silence!*" they barked in unison. The bull shrank back, pressing himself into a corner.

Dark energy surged from Feyn, clashing against Sulia’s crimson aura—blades locked, tension snapping like a bowstring.