SSS-Ranked Awakening: I Can Only Summon Mythical Beasts-Chapter 260: Departure III

Damien sat across from Queen Lareen, his posture relaxed but his mind sharp as he asked, "You mentioned a place that could help me get back faster. What city are you referring to?"

Just as the queen opened her mouth to respond, the doors to the chamber swung open.

Lizella stepped inside, her breath slightly uneven as if she had rushed to get there.

She immediately greeted her mother and Damien, before moving to take a seat nearby.

Queen Lareen raised a brow. "And what brings you here this early?"

Lizella folded her arms, smiling slightly.

"I couldn't miss out on Damien's departure," she said, her voice light but firm. "If I did, I'd probably curse myself until my dying breath. Or at least until fate decided to bring us together again."

Both Queen Lareen and Damien chuckled at her dramatic words.

"How poetic," Damien mused, smirking. "But you do know we'll probably meet again, right?"

Lizella shrugged, pretending to be unconvinced. "Maybe."

Queen Lareen shook her head in amusement before turning her attention back to Damien.

"Now, about the city I mentioned earlier…"

Queen Lareen leaned back slightly, her expression thoughtful.

"This city is known as Velhast, and it is one of the most well-connected places in this region," she explained. "It has multiple Teleportation Arrays, some of which are registered with the largest kingdoms and territories."

She folded her hands together before adding, "Even though I do not know the exact location of Westmont, I am certain Velhast has knowledge of it. If you ask the right people, you will find a way back."

Damien nodded. It was a solid lead—one that could save him weeks of travel.

Queen Lareen then described the route to the city.

"If you go on foot, it will take you three full days to get there. The terrain isn't too difficult, but it is not without dangers. However, if you ride a flying mana beast like your Griffin, you can cut that time down to just a few hours."

Damien smirked slightly. "Then I guess I won't be walking."

Queen Lareen smiled knowingly. "I assumed as much."

She gestured toward one of the nearby attendants, who nodded before leaving the chamber.

"I have also asked my people to prepare some souvenirs for you," she continued. "Consider them gifts for the road."

Damien raised a brow. "I don't need—"

"I insist," she interrupted smoothly.

Damien sighed but didn't argue.

As the conversation concluded, Damien stood and bowed slightly toward Queen Lareen.

"Thank you," he said sincerely. "For everything."

Queen Lareen returned the bow slightly. "And thank you, Damien."

Her eyes softened. "For saving my daughter."

Damien nodded, then turned toward Lizella, gesturing for her to follow him a short distance away.

Once they were a bit more secluded, he spoke in a quiet but firm tone.

"Get stronger," he told her. "It'll increase our chances of meeting again."

Lizella blinked at him before chuckling. "So I have to train just to see you again? Sounds exhausting."

Damien smirked. "Then you better not slack off."

Lizella sighed dramatically but then grinned. "Fine, fine. I'll train."

His expression turned more serious. "Watch out for yourself, Lizella. Be diligent in your training. You have potential, but you need to push yourself."

Lizella studied him quietly before nodding.

"I will," she promised.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Damien turned away.

"It's time for me to go."

Damien was escorted to the edge of the town, where the protective dome shimmered softly around them.

As he reached the boundary, the dome began to part, creating an opening just wide enough for him to leave.

He turned back one last time.

Queen Lareen stood tall, her expression unreadable but her gaze filled with something that felt like pride.

Beside her, Lizella watched him intently, her hands clasped behind her back.

Damien met her gaze briefly, smirking slightly before raising a hand in a casual wave. "See you soon."

Lizella rolled her eyes but smiled in return.

Then—

He turned toward Aquila, who had been summoned earlier to say goodbye to Lizella one last time.

The Griffin lowered its head slightly, allowing Damien to easily climb onto its back.

Lizella reached forward, brushing her fingers gently over Aquila's golden feathers.

"You better take care of him," she whispered to the beast.

Aquila let out a low chirp, as if in acknowledgment.

Then—

It spread its wings wide, the air shifting around them as it prepared for flight.

Damien glanced at Lizella one last time.

"See you around," he said.

Then, with a powerful beat of its wings, Aquila took off into the sky.

The wind rushed past Damien's face, the town below growing smaller and smaller with each passing second.

Lizella watched until he disappeared from view.

Only then did she whisper, "See you soon, Damien."

The vast sky stretched endlessly above Damien, painted in hues of soft red and blues as Aquila's powerful wings carried them forward.

The wind howled past him, brushing against his skin with a mix of warmth and coolness, depending on the altitude.

Seven continuous hours of flight, even at Aquila's top speed, had been an endurance test of its own.

The Griffin had only taken two short glides to rest its wings momentarily, but it never faltered—never slowed.

Damien sat comfortably against Aquila's back, one hand resting on the beast's smooth feathers while his sharp eyes scanned the horizon.

His thoughts drifted. 'Queen Lareen was right to recommend Velhast.'

It was one of the most well-connected cities in the region, rumored to have multiple Teleportation Arrays, each linked to different territories and kingdoms.

This would save him weeks of exhausting travel, allowing him to return to Westmont far sooner than expected.

Below, the landscape changed as the hours passed.

Lush green fields turned into barren hills.

Barren hills turned into dense woodlands.

The woodlands eventually opened into a sprawling valley, dotted with small villages and winding rivers.

And finally—

In the distance, a massive city emerged, its towering walls and sprawling building structures clearly visible even from high above.

Damien narrowed his eyes. 'Velhast.'

The golden glow of the evening sun bathed the city in a warm radiance, its stone buildings and bustling streets creating a striking contrast against the approaching twilight.

As they neared, the city's watchtowers came into view, their guards stationed attentively atop the walls.

Damien could already sense their wary eyes following him as he and Aquila approached.

But then—

Murmurs began to spread among them.

The sight of a Griffin was not something common—not even in a city like Velhast.

"Is that…?"

"That mythical hybrid?"

"A Griffin?"

"Impossible!"

The gates, normally guarded with suspicion, were now filled with whispers of awe and excitement.

By the time Aquila landed just outside the city's towering gates, a small crowd had already gathered.

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Their gazes flickered between Damien and the majestic creature beside him.

He could hear their hushed voices.

"A tamer? No… that beast isn't bound by any obvious contract."

"Could it be a summoned creature?"

"Regardless, it's a beauty… Look at those golden feathers!"

Damien ignored the crowd, focusing instead on the guards blocking the entrance. However, his mind raced. 'How did they know it's a Griffin?'

One of them, a tall man clad in dark steel armor, stepped forward. His eyes were filled with hesitation, as if unsure whether to stop Damien or simply let him through.

"You…" the guard began, glancing at Aquila before returning his gaze to Damien. "State your purpose in Velhast."

Damien remained calm. "I need to use a Teleportation Array. I won't be staying long."

The guards exchanged looks, their wariness still present.

But before any further questioning could occur, Aquila let out a sharp cry, causing many of them to flinch.

The armored guard took a deep breath and nodded.

"Very well," he said, stepping aside. "You may enter."

Damien gave him a small nod of acknowledgment before walking through the massive city gates.

Aquila, ever obedient, followed closely behind him.

Stepping into Velhast was like stepping into an entirely different world for Damien.

The streets were alive, even as the sun began its descent.

Merchants shouted their wares from decorated stalls, their voices merging into a chaotic yet familiar rhythm.

Street performers juggled flaming torches, and skilled musicians played enchanting melodies near large fountains.

The scent of roasted meats, fresh bread, and spiced drinks lingered in the air, tempting even the most disciplined of travelers.

Despite the grandeur, Damien had no time to admire the city's beauty.

His objective was clear—find the nearest Teleportation Array.

But before that, he needed a moment to rest and regroup.

It didn't take long before Damien spotted a tavern, nestled between a weapons shop and a potion merchant.

The sign above the entrance read as, "The Broken Fang Tavern."

Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, Damien was met with the scent of ale and grilled meat.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm and lively, with groups of mercenaries, travelers, and traders occupying the many wooden tables.

The sound of clinking mugs and boisterous laughter filled the air.

Damien walked straight to the counter, ignoring the curious glances sent his way.

The bartender, a middle-aged man with a thick beard and a moustache and sharp brown eyes, looked him over.

"A traveler?" he asked.

"Something like that," Damien replied. "A meal. And a drink."

The bartender smirked. "Easy enough."

Within moments, a plate of seasoned meat and bread was placed before him, along with a tankard of dark ale.

Damien took a bite, barely paying attention to the conversations around him.

It wasn't until he was halfway through his meal that he finally spoke up again.

"Where's the nearest Teleportation Array?"

The bartender, who had been wiping down the counter, paused for a moment before letting out a small chuckle.

"Straight to the point, huh?"

Damien simply waited for his answer.

The bartender shrugged, setting the mug aside.

"Head straight down this road," he gestured. "When you reach the merchant district, take a left at the second alley. You'll find the array there. Just look for the 'Silver-robed Talent Users' as they're called.."

Damien nodded. "Appreciated."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a small pouch of gold coins, tossing a few onto the counter.

The bartender's eyes gleamed as he caught them.

"Pleasure doing business," he said with a grin.

Without another word, Damien stood and left the bar.

As night began to set in, the streets took on a different kind of energy.

Lanterns flickered to life, casting warm, golden glows across the cobblestone pathways.

Shadows stretched along the buildings, and the hum of night markets and taverns became the dominant sound.

Damien moved with purpose, following the bartender's directions.

Aquila walked beside him, its sharp eyes scanning their surroundings.

As they approached the merchant district, Damien could already see the alleyway leading toward the Teleportation Arrays. "Soon. We'll see Arielle soon."