Damien had finally achieved what he set out to do. After countless battles, he stood alone in the aftermath of the carnage he’d created in the forest area, his heart steady, and his breathing calm.
His new summon, a Shadowfang Wyvern of fearsome strength, had been added to his arsenal, but not one would knew about it. Only Cerbe and Fenrir knew of its existence. Even Aquila and Luton has no idea what Damien had just achieved because he’d left them to protect Arielle and the others.
The Shadowfang Wyvern had submitted to Damien only after seeing the dominance of his other summons and recognizing Damien’s strength as a master.
It was now bound to him by the (Pact of Summons), its power ready to be unleashed whenever Damien saw fit.
However, Damien wasn’t ready to reveal this new ally—not to Arielle, not to anyone. Secrets had their own power, and this was one he intended to keep.
With his mission complete, Damien regrouped with the others. They had spent hours battling alongside Arielle, Axiom, Jallen, and the rest of their temporary group. When Damien approached, his sudden announcement caught everyone by surprise.
“I’m done here,” Damien said, his voice firm yet calm. “It’s time to head back to Westmont.”
The group stared at him in silence, the weight of his words sinking in. For hours, they had been fighting demons and mana beasts, pushing themselves to their limits in his absence.
They had all expected the hunt to last longer, but hearing Damien declare his departure made them realize how exhausted they truly were.
Arielle, standing beside Damien, understood his reasoning almost immediately. “You’ve completed your goal, haven’t you?” she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and admiration.
Damien gave a small nod. “Yes. There’s no reason to stay any longer so let’s head back.”
Arielle smiled knowingly. “Then it’s settled. We’re heading back.”
Her voice carried a sense of finality, and the others quickly agreed. Even Jallen, who was usually the first to challenge Damien’s decisions, remained silent.
The group was tired, their bodies battered from endless battles. The idea of returning to Westmont, to safety, was a welcome relief.
Damien turned to Luton, his ever-loyal Stellar Slime. The red blob wobbled happily on his head before leaping off and expanding in size.
Damien paused for a moment, contemplating how to travel back to the town with seven other people but then the idea resurfaced and he grinned.
“Luton, open up. You’ve got visitors to keep safe.” Damien commanded his stellar slime.
Without needing further instructions, Luton opened its mouth wide, a gaping void ready to carry the group back to town.
“Everyone inside,” Damien said, gesturing toward Luton.
The group hesitated for a moment, still unnerved by the experience of being swallowed whole, but one by one, they stepped into the slime’s mouth.
Each of them disappeared into the void, their trust in Damien outweighing their discomfort.
Arielle stayed behind, watching the others vanish into Luton. She glanced at Damien, a playful smirk on her lips. “You’re lucky I’ve experienced this before,” she said before stepping into Luton as well.
Damien chuckled softly, watching her disappear but at the last minute, he stopped her. “You ride with me.”
Once everyone was safely inside, he turned to Aquila, his majestic griffin. “Let’s go,” he commanded, mounting the beast along with Arielle.
Aquila spread its wings wide, the wind whipping around them as it took to the skies. The journey back to Westmont was quiet, the cool night air a stark contrast to the heat of the battles they had endured.
Below them, the landscape blurred into darkness, the faint glow of Westmont’s lanterns in the distance serving as a beacon.
As they approached the town gates, Aquila landed gracefully, its powerful wings stirring up a cloud of dust. Damien dismounted, calling for Luton to release the others.
The Stellar Slime complied, shrinking down and spitting out the group one by one. Each person emerged looking slightly disoriented but relieved to be back on solid ground.
The gates creaked open, and the group entered the town together, their footsteps echoing in the quiet night.
Westmont was alive with activity, even at this hour. Workers moved about, repairing damage from the recent demon attack, while guards patrolled the streets to ensure the town’s safety.
Arielle took the lead, guiding the group through the familiar streets. “The Mercenary Guild won’t have enough room for all of us,” she explained. “There’s a nearby motel that can accommodate everyone. Follow me.”
The group followed her without complaint, their exhaustion evident in their sluggish movements. The sight of the motel brought a collective sigh of relief.
Inside, the receptionist greeted Arielle warmly. She was well-known in Westmont, her reputation as a capable mercenary earning her respect from the locals. The receptionist quickly arranged rooms for the group, ensuring they had a place to rest.
Arielle handed out room keys, her efficiency unmatched even in her own fatigue. “Get some sleep,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “We’ll regroup tomorrow.”
The group dispersed to their rooms, their exhaustion finally catching up to them.
Damien lingered for a moment, his gaze fixed on Arielle. “You didn’t have to arrange all this,” he said, his voice softer than usual.
Arielle smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s the least I could do for them. Besides, you’re the one who got us back safely.”
Damien didn’t respond, but the slight nod he gave her was enough. Without another word, he turned and headed to out, his thoughts already drifting to the next challenge that awaited him. He would rest here for now. Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire
As he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Damien felt a sense of victory. His journey was far from over, but he knew that the peace they had found in Westmont was worth it. He’d grown so much in two years and he would continue to grow.
For now, though, he allowed himself to rest, his body and mind preparing for the battles yet to come. “Sleep’s important!”
He turned on the bed and closed his eyes.