Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 221: The Elite Families Attention

A horn sounded in the distance.

"That would be the royal guard," Lucas said grimly. "So... about now."

Arthur’s mind raced, but he took a deep breath to calm his nerves down.

’I didn’t expect the token to create a whole announcement for me.’ He thought, as he tried to think about his next steps.

Lucas gripped Arthur’s shoulder. "Whatever you do, don’t show weakness. Not with these people."

A shadow passed overhead.

Arthur looked up to see a massive beast slicing through the air.

It was a tiger-like creature with powerful wings extending from its shoulders. Its fur gleamed silver-white, crackling with ethereal energy. Each powerful beat of its wings sent ripples of force through the air.

"The famous steed of the royal family," Lucas whispered, awe evident in his voice. "The legendary Byakko. Famous for its speed and power..."

The creature pulled an ornate carriage that seemed to float rather than hang from its harness.

Gold and crystal adorned every surface, catching sunlight and scattering it like diamonds. Royal blue banners embroidered with the Ashborne crest fluttered from each corner.

Before the Byakko had even touched down, Arthur realized they had company.

Four figures stood before him, having appeared without warning. One moment they weren’t there, the next, they simply were.

"The four patriarchs," Lucas murmured. "All of them. This hasn’t happened in decades."

Arch-Healer Eldon Thornwyck stood to the left, his green robes fluttering softly. His aged face bore the calm of someone who had seen centuries of drama and remained unimpressed.

Beside him, Lady Seraphina Gilderhaven’s serpentine eyes studied Arthur with predatory interest. Her midnight black dress seemed to absorb light, adorned with rubies that matched her blood-red lips.

General Raemund Draketower’s posture was rigid, but flexible at the same time. His uniform bore more medals than fabric, and a scar ran from temple to jaw, a badge of honor he wore proudly.

His face revealed nothing.

And finally, Sauron Ashencroft. Lucas’s father.

The resemblance was clear, though Sauron’s features were sharper, colder. His long red hair flowed to his shoulders.

None of the four spoke. All eyes focused on the carriage as the Byakko settled on the ground with surprising gentleness.

The door swung open.

Princess Elara Ashborne stepped out, and Arthur understood instantly why poets compared her to the sun.

Golden hair cascaded down her shoulders in waves that seemed to capture and amplify light.

Her eyes, emerald green with flecks of gold sparkled with intelligence and curiosity. Her features were delicate yet strong, a perfect balance that photographers would kill to capture. A small gold circlet rested on her brow, the only crown she needed.

But it wasn’t just her appearance that gathered attention. She carried herself with the perfect blend of royal authority and genuine warmth, a rare combination in nobility.

"Well," she said, her voice flowing like melodies to the ear, "this is unexpected."

The four patriarchs bowed in perfect unison. Lucas followed immediately.

Arthur, after a heartbeat’s hesitation, did the same albeit very softly.

"Rise," Elara said.

She stepped forward, her royal blue gown whispering across cobblestones. Her gaze fixed on the pillar of light still shooting skyward from the guild hall.

"A manifestation," she said softly. "In my lifetime."

Sauron Ashencroft cleared his throat. "Your Highness, perhaps we should discuss this somewhere more private."

"In a moment, Lord Ashencroft." She turned to Arthur. "You are the guildmaster?"

Arthur straightened. "I am."

"May I know your name?"

"Azarel, Your Highness."

Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Just Azarel? No family name or title?"

"Just Azarel is sufficient."

A ripple of disapproval passed through the patriarchs. Commoners didn’t speak so directly to royalty.

But Elara smiled. "Refreshing. And this guild is your creation?"

"Along with Advisor Lucas, I’m a student of the Academy of Mera," Arthur confirmed, nodding toward the professor.

Sauron’s gaze snapped to his son, but he didn’t speak. His eyes said enough.

Elara’s expression shifted instantly. Curiosity blossomed into something brighter—excitement.

"A student at the Academy of Mera?" She leaned forward, royal decorum momentarily forgotten.

"Are you a first year?"

Arthur nodded. "Yes, I’ve just entered the academy."

"Really?" A genuine smile lit up her face. The princess suddenly looked like any other enthusiastic teenager. "I’m starting there too!"

The four patriarchs exchanged surprised glances. The princess had completely forgotten the fact that a guild manifestation had appeared and its importance, and focused on useless matters.

But still, the patriarchs did not speak waiting for her to finish.

"Which class are you in? We might be classmates"

She smiled brightly.

"I am part of the S-Class."

Elara’s eyes widened, as she clasped her hands together. "I’m in S-Class too!

"This is fantastic!" Elara continued, enthusiasm undimmed. "We’ll be in the same core classes."

Arthur nodded, increasingly aware of the four powerful figures growing more impatient by the second.

’Is she dense? Nonetheless, she is kind of helping me out. Them ignoring the manifestation would be a dream come true.’ He thought.

But before his fantasy could materialize, the princess pivoted back to the matter at hand.

"Oh! But the manifestation!" Elara exclaimed, as if suddenly remembering why she’d come in the first place.

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She stepped forward and, to everyone’s shock, grabbed Arthur’s hands in her own. Her touch was warm, her skin impossibly soft.

The patriarchs’ expressions ranged from surprise to outright horror at this breach of protocol. Guards tensed, hands moving to weapons before freezing in uncertainty.

Touch the princess? Or allow this unprecedented contact?

"The manifestation should be discussed more deeply with the king," Elara said earnestly. "I’m sure he’s interested in talking to you. This is a big matter, after all."

Her green eyes sparkled with excitement. Not a hint of guile or politics, just genuine enthusiasm.

Sauron Ashencroft’s face darkened. A vein pulsed at his temple.

’This is childish!’ he thought before stepping forward.

"Your Highness," he said, his voice tight with restraint, "we haven’t spoken to him yet. As a guild owner, we need to talk to him about a few things first."