[ Power Rank: Champion-3 (!!) ]
[ Abilities: God-slayer Sword Style, Undead Recovery ]
Malthius' loyalty was relatively low. As such, he didn't kneel. He only bowed his head in submission.
Something deep within him, perhaps a remnant of pride or lingering will, seemed to hold him back from offering full allegiance.
However, Igaris was already satisfied.
He now had two powerful forces to rely on in times of need.
"Well, well, I kinda expected this outcome. If I failed to resist that force, how could he who is already dead hope to do any better?"
Evernight said with a chuckle, arms crossed with amused ease.
Igaris gave no reply.
Instead, he turned his attention to the undead army that still crowded the ruins.
Raising a single hand, he began to dismiss them on a mass scale, their forms dissolving into pale light that flowed toward him like threads of mist.
In mere moments, every last one had vanished; absorbed into the unknown space within his body.
Only Evernight, Malthius, Dred, and Alpha—the Named ones remained by his side for assistance.
The sight piqued Evernight's curiosity deeply.
"My Liege, can you send me inside your body too? I want to see how so many things can fit in there."
Igaris glanced at her, trying to understand what she was thinking.
He remained cautious. But he was confident that she wouldn't be able to do any harm to whatever place she would be sent to.
"Very well. Get ready!"
Igaris raised his hand and murmured, "Dismiss!"
Instantly, Evernight vanished without a trace.
Malthius's eyes flickered with confusion, so did Dred, and Alpha's.
Igaris also had no idea where she had gone, not even the faintest clue.
However, just a few seconds later, when he called her back, she reappeared before him with ease.
However an awestruck expression adorned her face.
"Send me back," she said in a single breath, the moment she returned.
"What?" Igaris echoed, confused by her sudden change in attitude.
Her astonishment shifted into something softer.
Then she reached out and touched his hand with gentle pleading.
"My Liege, please send me back!" she repeated, her tone earnest, her expression enchanting.
Her violet eyes shimmered with excitement, and her lips were slightly parted in a heartfelt plea.
She looked incredibly cute and charming, a stark contrast to her usual mature demeanor.
It was clear that she had become deeply fascinated by the place she'd just visited.
"Calm down, Evernight. First, tell me about where were you sent? What does that place look like?"
Igaris asked calmly, doing his best to ignore her pleading eyes.
Evernight, coming to her senses, retracted her hand from his and said:
"There's only one word to describe that place: Paradise!"
"That's right. It's a paradise practically overflowing with pure energy. A high-level energy, far more potent than the mana in this world.
It's perfectly suited for your slaves. They would grow stronger automatically, even if they just stood still."
"They're not my slaves!" Igaris said sternly.
"Oh?" Evernight looked surprised for a moment. A strange glint passed her eyes, as if she found something interesting.
Igaris obviously understood her intention.
"So, you want to go in there to recover your energy and then return to me stronger, so you can try to break free from the Soul Binding, am I right?" Igaris muttered with a cunning glint in his eyes.
Evernight was speechless, realizing in that moment of excitement, she had made a big blunder.
"My Liege, I'm saying this for your own good. If I become stronger faster, I can help you more," she replied, looking sincere.
But Igaris wasn't so easy to be fooled.
"We'll see about that. But for now, you're going to follow me to my place," he replied strictly, leaving no room for negotiation.
Evernight sighed, internally cursing her own loose tongue.
"Now, follow me. We're heading home," Igaris said, taking the lead.
Dred, Alpha, and Malthius carried three carcasses for his needs. The rest were wasted away.
Evernight was about to take to the air with her wings when Igaris said,
"Hey, stay on the ground. I don't want to attract unnecessary attention on me. And can you retract your horns and wings? Humans would get scared of you."
"Hmph... Humans are the most annoying," Evernight grumbled, pursing her lips.
Nevertheless, she shrank her white wings and black horns back inside her, making herself less noticeable.
Even without them, she was as eye-catching as ever. She looked like a goddess among mortals.
Igaris sighed at the sight.
He knew he couldn't show himself with her in public just yet.
He would have to hide her when they got close to home.
With that thought in mind, he continued his march toward home with the four in tow.
As they exited the Ruins, Igaris noticed it was already evening.
He hadn't realized earlier because of the dark clouds hanging above the ruins.
But now, everything was dimly lit by the half-moon and the bright stars scattered across the sky.
As they walked steadily, Evernight suddenly let out a sigh, her gaze turning toward a specific direction in the west.
Her expression grew melancholic, reflecting something unknown in those deep eyes.
It was almost as if her eyes could see far into the distance, far more than he could.
"Can you see the ocean from here?" Igaris asked, making a random guess.
Evernight looked surprised by his sharp observation.
Nonetheless, she replied with a soft sigh, "Yes... The world has really changed, hasn't it? Are there still Summoners living in this era?"
Igaris nodded. "Yes, there are some. But now, they're nothing more than outcasts," he replied calmly, without a trace of sympathy.
"I see... My Liege, you're one of those outcasts, I assume."
"Then why don't we work together to overthrow this world's rule?" she suggested with a grin on her beautiful face.
Igaris raised an eyebrow, casting a sidelong glance at her with suspicion.
"You have the capability to do that? Then why did the Summoners got defeated in your era?"
Hearing the doubt in his tone, Evernight let out an amused chuckle.
"Fufufu... You have absolutely no idea who you're dealing with, My Liege. But hehe, this makes things really interesting."