The discussion between Damien and Queen Lareen continued, the atmosphere calm but layered with meaning.

The queen leaned slightly forward, her eyes sharp but warm with trust. Damien had earned it after all.

“As I said before,” she began, “this town must remain a hidden secret.”

Damien nodded. He had expected as much.

Even without her saying it, he understood why.

A place like this—a sanctuary for Beast Tamers—was far too valuable. If word got out, it would be hunted relentlessly.

By nobles. By warring kingdoms. By those who sought power through control.

The mere existence of this town was a danger to itself.

“Would you prefer that I swear an Essence Oath?” Damien offered.

Queen Lareen tilted her head slightly. “You would do that?”

“Yes,” Damien replied simply. “If it gives you peace of mind.”

The Essence Oath was an unbreakable vow.

Once sworn, it bound the soul—meaning he could never reveal the secret of this place without suffering a fate worse than death.

Queen Lareen, however, merely shook her head.

“That won’t be necessary,” she said.

Damien raised a brow. “You’re sure?”

She smiled softly.

“You don’t seem like the type to betray someone’s trust,” she explained. “And even if you were… something tells me that you wouldn’t reveal this place unless you had no other choice.”

Damien exhaled lightly, leaning back in his seat.

“Fair enough,” he muttered.

The queen’s trust was unexpected, but not unwelcome.

After a brief pause, Damien shifted the topic.

“So,” he said, “what happens to Lizella now that she’s back?”

Queen Lareen’s expression turned thoughtful.

“She will have to follow our tradition,” she stated. “She must awaken as a Beast Tamer.”

Damien’s brows lifted slightly. “And if she doesn’t?”

Queen Lareen gave a small chuckle.

“Then she doesn’t,” she admitted. “But I highly doubt that will be the case.”

Damien leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping against the table.

“Isn’t it too late for her?” he asked.

At this, Queen Lareen shook her head.

“Not at all,” she replied. “While fifteen is the ideal age for awakening one’s talent, it can still be done later in life. Sometimes, a late awakening can lead to a stronger foundation.”

She paused briefly, then chuckled to herself.

“Or so the old stories claim. It’s just a saying.”

Damien, however, wasn’t sure if she was actually joking.

Queen Lareen smiled at his thoughtful expression. “Besides,” she added, “I awakened at seventeen.”

Damien’s eyes narrowed slightly at that.

Lizella, sitting beside her, perked up slightly.

“You did?” Lizella asked. “You never told me that.”

Queen Lareen chuckled. “It wasn’t necessary before now.” She turned back to Damien. “Lizella is sixteen. She still has time.”

Damien nodded slowly, taking in the information.

If Queen Lareen awakened at seventeen and still reached her current strength…

Then there was a high possibility that Lizella could do the same.

As their conversation continued, Damien felt something strange.

He could sense essence flowing toward Queen Lareen, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t grasp the depth of her core.

It was like staring into an endless abyss.

No matter how much he focused—her true strength remained hidden.

She noticed his subtle attempt and let out a soft laugh.

“It’s rude to probe someone’s core without permission,” she mused.

Damien blinked, then sighed.

“Apologies,” he said. “I was just curious about how powerful you are.”

Queen Lareen smiled.

“You’re not the first to wonder.”

She leaned back slightly, her silver eyes gleaming.

“I’ll say this much,” she continued. “I’m strong enough to be in the top two percent of talent owners around the world.”

Damien’s expression shifted slightly.

Top two percent.

That meant she was at least on par with his father… or even stronger.

His jaw clenched slightly.

He still wasn’t there yet.

Queen Lareen noticed his change in expression and observed him quietly before speaking again.

“If you wanted,” she said, “you could easily pass as a special guard for this town.”

Damien looked up at her, raising a brow.

“Why do you say that?”

She smiled knowingly.

“From what Lizella has told me,” she said, “your summons are exceptionally powerful.”

Lizella nodded quickly.

“They’re terrifyingly strong,” she confirmed.

Queen Lareen chuckled.

“I’d like to see them myself, if I have the chance,” she admitted.

Damien exhaled lightly.

“If I’m free, I don’t mind showing you,” he said.

To honor her request, Damien decided to summon two of his beasts.

He sighed softly, giving out a mental command to his system. “Summon Luton and Aquila.”

He felt essence leave his core and immediately, the command was triggered.

A small blue portal flickered to life—and from it, two figures emerged.

Luton and Aquila.

Luton, his Stellar Slime, landed on his shoulder with a soft, gelatinous bounce.

The red, jiggly creature gave a soft chirp, its surface glistening under the room’s candlelight.

Despite being his most dangerous and powerful summon, its gentle and harmless appearance often misled people.

Aquila, his majestic Griffin, flared its golden wings as it appeared beside him, letting out a soft yet powerful screech.

The moment it materialized, it immediately rushed toward Lizella—rubbing its beak against her affectionately.

Lizella laughed, gently stroking its feathers.

“I missed you too,” she murmured.

Queen Lareen watched the interaction with mild amusement before shifting her gaze back to Luton.

She studied the red slime carefully, her eyes flickering with intrigue. “That one,” she said, “is far more dangerous than it appears.”

Damien smirked. “Most people don’t realize that,” he admitted.

She chuckled. “You’re full of surprises, Damien.”

He shrugged.

“I try.”

After a few moments, Damien sighed.

“I didn’t summon the others,” he said, “because they’re… wilder.”

Queen Lareen raised an eyebrow. “Wilder?”

Damien nodded.

“They’re rough,” he explained. “Not exactly suited for polite company.”

Queen Lareen chuckled.

“Perhaps I’ll meet them another time, then.”

Damien nodded.

“Perhaps.”

Aquila continued nuzzling Lizella, seemingly uninterested in anyone else, while Luton wobbled slightly on his shoulder.

Before Queen Lareen dismissed him, her gaze lingered on the two creatures Damien had summoned.

Her eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity before she finally spoke.

“Your summons…” she said slowly. “Where did they come from? What are they?”

Damien turned his head slightly toward Luton and Aquila.

The red Stellar Slime wobbled gently on his head, its soft gelatinous body shifting with each small movement.

Meanwhile, Aquila, his majestic Griffin, was preoccupied, rubbing its beak against Lizella as if they were lifelong companions.

Lizella chuckled as she ran her fingers through Aquila’s silky golden feathers, enjoying the moment.

Damien turned back to the queen.

“Luton is a Stellar Slime,” he explained. “They are extremely rare, and not many exist in this world.”

Queen Lareen studied the slime carefully, her fingers tapping lightly against her chair.

“A Stellar Slime…” she mused. “I’ve never read nor heard about them.” Queen Lareen nodded. “And the other one?”

Damien gestured toward Aquila, who was now playfully tugging at Lizella’s sleeve with its beak.

“Aquila is a Griffin,” he said simply.

The moment he uttered those words, Queen Lareen’s entire demeanor shifted.

Her eyes widened in pure astonishment, and for a brief moment, she looked as though she had been struck by lightning.

“A… Griffin?” she echoed, staring at the creature with undisguised awe.

She had heard whispers of their existence—stories passed down through ancient texts and old myths.

But in all her years, she had never seen one.

Not even a drawing.

And now, one was right before her, acting like a playful pet in her daughter’s lap.

A slow smile spread across Queen Lareen’s lips as she watched Aquila interact with Lizella.

“I knew your summons were powerful,” she admitted, turning back to Damien. “But Lizella left out one crucial detail.”

Damien raised a brow. “And that is?”

Queen Lareen chuckled.

“She didn’t mention what they were.”

Damien smirked. “Ah. Well, now you know.”

Queen Lareen exhaled softly, shaking her head in amusement. “I suppose I do.”

She observed Aquila for a while longer before finally turning serious again.

“You really are full of surprises, Damien.”

Damien shrugged, giving her a carefree smile.

“It’s nothing.”

After the conversation about his summons ended, Queen Lareen leaned forward slightly.

“Damien,” she said, “have you reconsidered my offer?”

Damien blinked. “What offer?”

She smiled. “Stay here. Work with us.”

Lizella, who had been scratching Aquila’s feathery crest, immediately looked up.

“Wait, what?” she asked, looking between her mother and Damien.

Queen Lareen nodded. “You would be invaluable here. Your summons alone could reinforce our defenses, and your strength could serve this town well.”

Lizella blinked. “I mean… that’s true, but Damien isn’t the type to settle down.”

Damien chuckled. “She’s got that right.”

Queen Lareen sighed but nodded in understanding.

“You’re in a hurry,” she said. “I won’t ask why, but I will offer you something else instead.”

Damien tilted his head slightly.

“I know of a place nearby that can help you return to your base faster.”

Lizella raised a brow. “What place?”

Queen Lareen simply smiled.

“I’ll tell you after Damien has rested.”

Damien exhaled but didn’t argue. Fair enough.

As their conversation came to a close, Queen Lareen’s expression turned slightly apologetic.

“I should apologize for waking you in the middle of your sleep,” she said.

Damien waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

But Queen Lareen simply smiled knowingly.

She gestured for the guard to escort him back.

Damien sighed but didn’t resist.

As he left the room, he could feel Lizella’s gaze following him.

The moment he stepped back into his lavish guest chamber, Damien immediately headed for the bed.

Just as he was about to lie down—

The door creaked open again.

The same guard entered, carrying yet another tray of food.

Damien stared.

“Again?” he muttered.

The guard wordlessly placed the tray on the table.

This time, the meal consisted of freshly cut fruits—mangoes, grapes, apples, and exotic berries.

Damien sighed.

He could refuse, but… why bother?

He grabbed a slice of mango and took a bite.

By the time he finished clearing the tray, the guard finally left, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Damien shook his head in amusement. ‘They sure know how to take care of their guests.’

This time, sleep came easily.

Hours passed.

The first light of dawn filtered through the open window, casting a golden glow across the room.

The warmth of the sun slowly pulled Damien from his sleep.

For a brief moment, he simply lay there, his mind still caught between rest and wakefulness.

Then, as reality settled in—

His eyes snapped open. ‘Right. Time to check on the others.’

Damien sat up, stretching his limbs before swinging his legs off the bed.

Today, he would learn about the city that could help him return faster.

But before anything else—

He needed to check on the captives he had rescued.

With that in mind, Damien stood up and walked toward the bathroom.

The bathroom was as extravagant as ever, with polished stone walls and a large basin of warm water prepared for him.

Steam rose gently from the surface, carrying the faint scent of herbs and essential oils.

Damien stripped off his shirt, exhaling as he stepped into the heated water.

The warmth soothed his muscles instantly, melting away the last traces of exhaustion.

For the first time in a long while, he actually felt well-rested.

After scrubbing away the dust and tension from his body, he finally stepped out of the bath, drying himself with a soft linen cloth.

As he re-entered his room—

He immediately noticed something.

A fresh set of clothes had been placed neatly on the chair beside his bed.

The fabric was fine, simple yet elegant, clearly tailored for comfort and movement.

Damien smirked slightly. “More gifts, huh?”

Shaking his head, he grabbed the set and began dressing.

Today, he would check on the people he had saved.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep