The Dark Knight’s Appointment

The deep, dark dungeon featured towering rock walls that plummeted into the earth, resembling a colossal crater carved by a comet countless millennia ago. Along the fault lines, one could occasionally spot never-before-seen monsters shrieking, or perceive eerie eyes watching from the shadowy crevices of the walls.

The chasm below pulsed with an endless aura of darkness. Even with mounts as swift as flying eagles, humans would find it utterly impossible to descend directly into the dungeon’s depths from this point. The only creatures capable of soaring through this vast expanse were the colossal Lion-faced Demon Bats. These monstrous, jet-black, and savage beings were ridden by vampire warriors, who navigated the enormous pit, patrolling for any suspicious outlaws attempting to infiltrate from the surface.

No one would ever imagine that such a terrifying chasm, teeming with such ferocious beasts, ultimately served a single, delicate young girl.

In the deepest reaches of the dungeon, I leaned helplessly against Faein’s chest. Humiliation, self-reproach, and the bitter regret of defeat mingled within me, yet despite being treated in such a manner, I found myself unable to hate the mature woman who held me.

Faein’s experienced fingers gently caressed my lips. “Obey your older sister. Do you hear me?”

I stifled the urge to **** her fingers, leaning weakly against her resilient chest. “Even if I submit to you, my subordinates—Suriya, Seth, Leo X—are powerful beings whose strength rivals your own. They would absolutely never obey you!”

Faein’s fingers lightly brushed the strands of hair clinging to my face. “Of course, they won’t obey me, but they will obey *you*! In public, you only need to declare that I have submitted to you and grant me a position, won’t that suffice?”

“So you’ve thought it all through…”

“Hold out your hand.”

“Huh?”

Faein retrieved the teleportation ring from her chest and took it into her mouth, the circular band stretching her lips into an ‘O’ shape. Then, guiding my finger, she used her mouth to slip the ring back onto me.

“Faein, you didn’t have to return the ring like that… Besides, aren’t you afraid I’ll go back on my word once I have it?”

“You won’t.” Faein lifted my chin, her thumb parting my lips. “Because you are already my captive.”

“N-no… that’s not it…” I denied, my face flushing.

****

The following day, the Hall of Political Affairs within the Dark Princess’s Palace blazed with demonic flames. Guardians from various levels, along with the numerous demon lords and minor fiends from each department, had all gathered, save for the Crypt Lord who stood watch outside.

I, draped in a black, high-collared cloak, walked past the throng of demons toward my throne. Behind me followed a stunning black-haired female knight in alluring black armor. Her armor, imbued with a shadowy aura and transformed from the Fallen Angel Princess’s Armor, suited Faein perfectly, making her appear every inch a captivating dark knight.

Who would have imagined that just a day prior, she was revered as a daughter of the gods, an ascetic Templar representing the purest light? Only I had truly experienced the duality of Faein, this woman.

As per her request, I wore a full-body, incredibly thin black silk bodysuit beneath my cloak, with only a small, narrow black armor worn over it. This was an ensemble I would never choose myself, but it was Faein’s demand, and I had no recourse.

Seated on the throne, my face was flushed, fearing others would notice something amiss. Yet, everyone seemed to regard it as perfectly normal. Perhaps the former Dark Princess often dressed this way, so it was not unusual. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Regaining some confidence, I sat on the throne, crossing my legs, and feigned a triumphant air as I announced, “In this battle, our dungeon achieved a resounding victory! Not only did we repel the assault of the human elite Templar expeditionary force, killing and wounding several powerful Templars, but we also subjugated their leader, the Imperial Templar ranking twenty-third in strength—Miss Heavenly Glow Kiori!”

“Awoo—awoo—awoo!”

“Long live the Princess!!”

“Princess, we love you!”

The mindless demons cheered excitedly.

However, Suriya, Seth, and Beth Daisy wore grave expressions, their gazes fixed warily on Faein.

Faein, for her part, ignored their stares.

“Heavenly Glow Kiori, step forward,” I commanded.

“Yes, Princess!” Faein advanced onto the elevated throne platform, her long legs striding with precise steps.

“Heavenly Glow Kiori, I hereby appoint you as a Dark Knight, personal guard to the Princess’s殿, on equal footing with the other Guardians, Seth, and Beth Daisy. You shall report directly to me, and your duty shall be to remain by my side and protect me!”

The entire hall erupted in a clamor. Several Guardians exchanged uneasy glances, their faces etched with solemnity.

“Princess!” Suriya, the alluring female swordswoman in a red leather outfit, stepped forward. “This woman is a human Templar; she cannot be easily trusted! Furthermore, granting her such a high position is something I cannot agree with!”

“Oh?” Faein turned, looking down at Suriya from the high platform. The two women, both of similar height and fiery figures, seemed to harbor an instant animosity toward each other. “In the Abyssal Demonic Realm, in the underworld, isn’t strength the only thing that matters? This lady’s argument sounds more human, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Hmph!” Suriya retorted. “The underworld is not a barbaric place; it has its own order! Moreover, if you truly possess the legendary strength you claim, how could you have been captured by us?”

“My capture was a result of Princess Coolie’s strategy and wisdom. I wholeheartedly submit to Her Royal Highness, which is why I surrendered. As for you, hmph, now that we are both knights under the Princess, are you openly defying the Princess’s command?”

“I am acting for the Princess’s good! Placing such trust in a human woman will surely bring disaster to the dungeon!”

“Though I am human, I have now fallen and become a Dark Knight! Weren’t you, an old vampire woman, also human once? We simply fell in different ways; what right do you have to question me?” Faein pressed on relentlessly.

“What? You dare call me an old woman!” A slender red whip appeared in Suriya’s hand, and her blood essence erupted throughout her body!

“Insolent! How dare you draw a weapon before the Princess!” Faein’s black-hilted crystal longsword also sprang from its sheath.

“Hey, you two ladies…” Uguru attempted to mediate.

“You shut up!” the two women snapped in unison, scaring Uguru into silence. He retreated to a corner and faced the wall.

Faein’s black primal energy surged, clashing fiercely with Suriya’s red primal energy, their tension palpable and weapons drawn!