SSS-Ranked Awakening: I Can Only Summon Mythical Beasts

Queen Lareen's grand throne chamber loomed before Damien, adorned with intricate carvings of beasts and strange patterns. The polished stone floor gleamed under the warm glow of hanging lanterns, casting soft reflections of the room's regal beauty.

He strode forward with calm confidence, Luton perched comfortably atop his head, its gelatinous form wobbling slightly with each step.

At the far end of the hall, Queen Lareen sat upon her throne, exuding her usual air of quiet authority.

As Damien approached, she greeted him with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Damien," she said smoothly. "I trust you slept well?"

Damien smirked. "Considering how much food your people stuffed me with, I don't think I had a choice."

Queen Lareen chuckled, shaking her head in amusement.

"Hospitality is important to us," she replied. "Especially when it comes to honored guests."

Damien gave a slight nod before offering a more formal greeting. "I appreciate the kindness you've shown me, Lady Lareen."

At this, she raised a delicate brow.

"You're the first person who's ever taken my daughter's safety into their own hands, and you speak as though I've done you a great favor instead," she mused. "But I won't argue with your manners."

She gestured toward a seat positioned near the throne.

"Sit," she instructed. "We have much to discuss before you leave."

Once seated, Damien adjusted his posture, relaxed but attentive.

Queen Lareen studied him for a moment before speaking.

"Tell me," she began, "what do you truly think of this place?"

Damien exhaled lightly, tapping a finger on the armrest.

"It's well-hidden, which is impressive," he admitted. "And considering how many mana beasts roam freely here, it's easy to tell that your people have a bond with them far beyond normal contracts."

Queen Lareen nodded approvingly.

"And do you believe this secrecy will last forever?" she pressed.

Damien's gaze darkened slightly.

"No," he answered bluntly. "Secrets never stay hidden forever. No matter how well you protect them."

Queen Lareen's lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

"A wise answer," she murmured. "And one I agree with."

Her expression turned serious.

"You may not be part of this town, Damien, but whether you realize it or not, your presence here has already tied you to its fate."

Damien arched a brow. "Meaning?"

Queen Lareen leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the armrests.

"One day, whether by fate or by war, you may find yourself returning here," she said. "And when that time comes, I hope you remember that this place is not just a town—it's a sanctuary for those who share our bond with beasts."

Damien didn't reply immediately.

Instead, he let her words settle, considering their weight.

Would he return here one day?

Perhaps.

For now, though, he had other priorities.

"I'll keep that in mind," he finally said.

Queen Lareen gave a satisfied nod before shifting to a different topic.

"I assume you've already made plans for how you'll return to Westmont?"

Damien nodded. "Yes. You mentioned a place that could help me get back faster. I'm interested in knowing more about it."

Queen Lareen's silver eyes gleamed with amusement. "I was hoping you'd say that," she said.

~~~~~

Somewhere else in the palace, Lizella stirred awake.

The soft morning light streamed through her bedroom windows, casting golden streaks across the elegant chamber she now called home.

For a moment, she simply sat there, still caught in the haze of sleep, her mind drifting to the previous day.

She remembered walking through the courtyard with Damien, watching as he made his way from person to person, ensuring that every rescued captive received his attention.

Even after everything he had done for them, he still took the time to check in on them individually.

She had stood beside him, following his lead.

"You don't have to do this," she had said at one point, watching him kneel beside an elderly woman who was still weak from the trauma of captivity.

Damien had merely glanced at her, his expression unreadable.

"I know," he had said. "But I want to."

Lizella had smiled softly, realizing that, despite his cold exterior, there was kindness in him.

Even when one of the children had hesitated to approach him—too shy, too unsure—Damien had gone to them instead, sitting cross-legged on the ground and listening patiently as the child mumbled their thanks.

And later that evening, when they had sat together under the open sky, she had asked him about his goals.

"To be strong enough to protect the people I care about," he had answered.

She had been about to respond when his tone had shifted.

"And to kill a certain someone," he had added, his voice colder than before.

That change in him, that momentary flicker of pure hatred, had startled her.

But she had chosen not to pry.

Instead, she had shared her own goal—to make her mother proud and to make herself happy.

Damien had simply nodded, accepting her answer without judgment.

And just like that, their conversation had drifted into silence, the twin moons casting their glow above them.

Lizella's eyes widened.

She suddenly remembered something important.

"Damien is leaving today." Her heart skipped a beat.

Without wasting another second, she jumped out of bed, rushing to grab a fresh set of clothes.

She barely took the time to brush her hair, opting instead to tie it into a quick ponytail before throwing on her boots.

Just as she was about to leave her quarters, two maids approached, carrying a tray of breakfast for her.

"Lady Lizella," one of them greeted. "We've brought your—"

"Where's Damien?" Lizella cut in abruptly, not even sparing a glance at the food.

The maids exchanged a look before responding.

"He is currently meeting with the Queen regarding his departure."

Lizella didn't wait for further explanation.

She immediately turned and bolted down the hall..

Lizella's footsteps echoed loudly as she sprinted through the corridors, passing startled guards and confused attendants.

Her mind was racing, a whirlwind of emotions and urgency.

Why did she feel so strongly about this?

She had known Damien for only a short time, and yet—

The thought of him leaving without at least seeing him one last time unsettled her.

Maybe it was because he was the first person outside of her town who had truly looked out for her.

Or maybe it was because she still had things she wanted to say.

Whatever the reason—

She wasn't going to let him leave without seeing him first.

As she neared the entrance to the throne chamber, she slowed her pace, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

Her heartbeat was fast, but she ignored it.

With one last inhale, she pushed open the doors and stepped inside.