Chapter 1

Translator: Nox

In the greatest nation on the continent, the Alliope Empire, there existed 'Divine Beasts.'

Divine Beasts were sacred animals bestowed by the gods, and the empire's citizens revered and always respected the four ducal families who possessed them.

However.

About 500 years after the empire's founding, an anomaly occurred.

The Munrepe Duke family, one of the four ducal houses, incurred the wrath of their Divine Beast for some reason.

The Divine Beast left the Munrepe Duke family and disappeared forever.

In response, the Munrepe Duke took all responsibility and was confined to a tower, and his young son became the new Munrepe Duke.

The prestige of the Munrepe Duke family, having lost their Divine Beast, declined day by day.

They were not only unable to stand on equal footing with the other three ducal families, but there were also frequent calls for their title to be demoted.

Was it out of pity for the duke family's circumstances?

The imperial family made a proposal to the young duke.

It was the summoning of an ancient creature to replace the Divine Beast.

* * *

A secret room inside the ducal castle.

The vassals were anxiously whispering as they watched the young duke, Edenber, in front of the Magic Circle.

"The imperial family may have permitted it, but... is this really alright?"

"Even if it's not, what can we do? We've already started."

"But, what if something really strange pops out—"

Bang!

The imperial mage who drew the Magic Circle struck the floor with his staff. It was a signal that the magic was ready.

As the murmuring in the room quieted down, the imperial mage opened his mouth dryly.

"We will now begin the summoning, Duke."

"Yes."

Soon, the Magic Circle in front began to sparkle in accordance with the incantation.

Edenber gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist with a tense expression.

The hardships he had endured due to the absence of the Divine Beast flashed through his mind.

"The family is truly doomed. Is a ducal family without a Divine Beast even a ducal family?"

"No, it's not. We should now call them the three great ducal families!"

The Divine Beast was a pillar supporting the empire, a guardian, and proof that the ducal families were loved by the gods.

But such a Divine Beast had disappeared overnight.

As if they had never revered and respected them, people turned their backs in an instant.

The imperial family called the previous Munrepe Duke the worst traitor in history, and the temple branded him as someone who had received divine punishment.

As a result, the current Munrepe Duke family's status was worse than that of ordinary nobles.

Edenber tried to change this public perception.

However, there was a clear limit to it. It was because the fundamental cause, the Divine Beast, did not exist.

Vassals who ignored the head of the family, a family that was rapidly collapsing, and even an uncle who coveted the title.

Edenber was slowly growing tired.

It was a pressure that even an adult would find hard to bear, but trying to resolve the situation with a body that was not even ten years old had reached its limit.

Then one day, the imperial family suggested summoning an ancient creature to replace the Divine Beast.

If they summoned a terrible monster and couldn't handle it, they would only become a laughingstock...

Edenber had no choice.

He accepted the suggestion.

Edenber, who had strengthened his grip on the sword, glared at the Magic Circle in front of him.

'No matter what monster comes out of this Magic Circle, I will surely subdue it and establish it as the Divine Beast.'

And through that Divine Beast, I will elevate the family's honor!

Bang!

The mage, who had recited all the long incantations in an instant, struck the floor with his staff.

The Magic Circle seemed to glow ominously, and then black smoke burst out, obscuring the view.

"Prepare yourselves!"

Edenber gave the order to the knights who were waiting to prepare for battle, and then gritted his teeth.

Come forth, ancient creature.

Whatever you are, I am confident that I can subjugate you.

Whether it's a Death Knight who destroyed an ancient nation in a week, a Grim Reaper who cuts off people's heads with a giant scythe.

Or even a Basilisk who destroys everything around it with a single flick of its tail!

The black smoke that had filled the room quickly subsided.

By the time the smoke had completely disappeared, the monster summoned through magic fell from the air with a thud.

"Pee-yah!"

It was a pathetic baby dragon with eggshells on its head.