Hate me, Miss Witch!

"Speaking of which, I ought to thank you.

"Had you not interrupted this man's scheme, my half-body might truly have been replaced during its Eternal Slumber, serving as someone else's bridal gown.

"It was also thanks to you for bringing out the artifact that harbors the Black King's power. This awoke my slumbering consciousness a step earlier because I sensed the aura of an archenemy."

The Twilight Incarnation locked its dark, profound gaze on Shiayar.

"You are very strong. Whether in terms of cunning, talent, or planning, you are far superior to the madman known as Norton.

"To beings like us, 6-Ring underlings are not rare. They can be manufactured at will, provided they are imbued with enough Power of Faith.

"But you are different."

The Twilight Incarnation's words carried not a wisp of emotion, yet they did not disguise its admiration for Shiayar.

"The path to Legendary requires no external aid—

"The birth of every Legendary is a unique, unreplicable miracle in this world.

"And you have already embarked on a Legendary path of your own."

The ancient voice, reminiscent of a bronze bell's toll, paused slightly.

"Become one of my adherents.

"I can help you reach Legendary status, and even touch the higher Divine Realms beyond, at the fastest possible speed.

"Rest assured, for a rare Legendary seed like you, I won't resort to the crude mind-controlling methods used on ordinary believers. I will allow you to maintain your full self-consciousness.

"Trust me, this will only bring you benefits. It's a mutually beneficial transaction."

Listening to the Twilight Incarnation's invitation, Shiayar shook his head. "Not interested."

It seemed he really was a hot commodity. Any random Evil God wanted to recruit him as an adherent; the Lord of Ashes had even previously wished to make him Their divine child.

Even though it's often said, "A man's knees are like gold; now is the time to capitalize."

However, Shiayar valued himself highly. A half-bodied Evil God that could be sealed for over a decade didn't catch his eye.

"That is truly a pity."

The Twilight Incarnation shook its head slightly, no longer pressing the matter.

Unlike Norton himself, as a resurrected ancient god, it knew well that every being who had forged their own path to Legendary was a person of unwavering resolve, never faltering once a decision was made.

Or rather, those who are indecisive, whose will is not firm enough, cannot forge their own path to Legendary.

Thus, it spared no further effort in persuasion.

"You have many tricks up your sleeve, more than I anticipated.

"Holy Water blessed by the Blazing Sun, high-concentration explosive material, and an alchemical material I have never encountered, even with my vast knowledge—one that can directly tamper with the soul's primordial circuit.

"You even got your hands on the Decree Scroll that seals the Black King's power.

"But all of this is actually meaningless.

"Even the Black King in his prime couldn't kill me, let alone a scroll that merely harbors a fraction of its power!"

The twilight glow that lingered above the sky suddenly plummeted.

Then, it surged into the body that once belonged to Norton.

The Twilight Incarnation was bound by chains of the rules of Sovereignty. Yet, unlike the evil follower previously crushed to dust by Shiayar's Sovereignty Domain, it did not kneel but stood upright despite the chains.

It had made a decision. Since Shiayar was unwilling to become an adherent, it would wait until after defeating Shiayar to convert him.

Though such forced conversion would undoubtedly diminish some of Shiayar's potential to ascend to Legendary status, it was not necessarily irreparable.

Besides, once Shiayar was converted, it could rely on his guidance to locate the key known as Silvia.

Then, it could fill in that last missing fragment of its Divinity.

The Twilight Incarnation was well aware that its revival would attract covetous eyes. Not just from the orthodox gods on the side of Order, but other Evil Gods also wouldn't pass up on such a helpless prize—a fatted calf ripe for the slaughter.

Thus, to cope with all this, it had to restore itself to peak condition before the Godly Descent occurred.

But most of its power still lay sealed, and currently, only the body Norton provided was freely movable. But it was precisely as the Twilight Incarnation poured all its remaining Divinity and Authority unreservedly into this vessel—

It saw Shiayar before it, the light in his golden eyes brightening bit by bit.

"Since you've poured all your remaining Divinity and Authority into this body," Shiayar observed.

"Then I suppose hiding yourself again won't be so easy, will it...?"

In that instant, the Twilight Incarnation understood the look in Shiayar's eyes.

It was the look of a hunter who sees their prey caught in the trap.

All the preceding events—from the interruption of Norton's Godhood Ascension Ceremony by a bullet of Sage's Blood, to the explosion in the underground plaza, and Norton's desperate self-sacrifice to become a vessel for Twilight in his doom; then the activation of the 'Judgment Warrant,' Norton's suppression by the rules of Sovereignty while the consciousness of Twilight, provoked by the Black King's aura, awakened prematurely and seized Norton's body; and even to this very moment, when the Twilight Incarnation, in a bid to break free, had infused all its Divinity and Authority into this vessel—all these developments had been part of Shiayar's design.

He had orchestrated everything, patiently waiting for the Twilight Incarnation's full Divinity and Authority to converge within this body—the precise moment the prey would step into the trap.

But how could Shiayar have dared?

The Twilight Incarnation was bewildered.