Chapter 1

On the day Corbin ascended as the High Lord of the Zenith Court, an immortal brought a newly ascended fairy to challenge me.

"Lady Daphne wishes to serve under the High Lord's banner. I brought her here specifically to spar with Talia."

Corbin smiled, agreeing without a second thought.

"Talia has been in the Celestial Realm far longer than this fairy. To keep things fair, let her fight with only ten percent of her power."

With a flick of his hand, he bound my divine energy.

Everyone in the hall understood instantly.

Daphne looked almost identical to Delilah, the maid Corbin had once cherished so deeply.

Smirks spread through the crowd as they waited to watch me make a fool of myself.

Corbin watched me too, waiting for me to tear into Daphne like I always did with intruders.

Only this time, I had no intention of giving him what he wanted.

1.

Everyone in the Celestial Realm knew I was Corbin's most loyal hound.

I was also his nameless, untitled bed-warmer.

Anyone wanting to step foot into the Zenith Court had to get past me first.

Before, Corbin would merely stand aside with cold amusement, watching me fight until I was covered in blood.

This was the first time he had ever stepped in.

The surrounding immortals exchanged knowing glances, their spiteful gazes lingering on me.

None of the high and mighty gods had an ounce of pity for me.

To them, I was an outsider―a filthy, insignificant beast.

They had constantly tried to infiltrate his court with their own pawns, and I had repelled every single one.

Now that Corbin was officially the High Lord, they had no choice but to flatter him.

So they found Daphne, a girl who looked eight parts like Delilah.

Corbin took the bait completely.

To ensure I would not harm Daphne, he sealed my power so he could welcome her into his palace without issue.

That was the source of their arrogance.

I looked at Corbin. His gaze lingered on Daphne, filled with a fleeting sense of nostalgia.

A hollow ache settled deep in my chest.

I was never truly invincible. Over the past few centuries of brutal fights, I had barely scraped by through sheer willpower.

Now, with half my cultivation forcibly bound, I was no match for Daphne.

Perhaps Corbin even wanted me dead.

After all, he no longer had any use for me.

But I did not want to die.

"There is no need for a duel. The High Lord owns the Zenith Court and may take in whoever he pleases. I have no right to stop him."

I forced my inner demonic energy to tear through his seal.

The backlash tore through my chest, and blood sprayed from my lips.

Several fairy maidens gasped in horror.