The close encounter with the reptilian creatures had underscored the immediate dangers of this world. Lysander realized that exploration without some form of protection was foolhardy. His Lord skills were potent, but direct confrontation, especially against unknown threats, carried unnecessary risk.
His hand instinctively went to his coat pocket, his fingers finding the smooth, heavy cardstock of the Hero Summoning Card. He had been saving it for a more opportune moment, for when he had established a territory and had a better understanding of his needs. But the urgency of his current situation prompted a change of plans.
He focused his intent on the Hero Summoning Card, the description he had briefly scanned at the Awakening Center now coming into sharper focus. It promised the summoning of a powerful individual, a hero bound to his service.
Then, an idea sparked within him, a reckless gamble fueled by the potential of his Whispers of the Infinite Horde skill. The description had clearly stated it worked on any non-living item he possessed. Was a summoning card considered non-living before its activation? It was a gamble, but the potential reward – multiple hero summons instead of just one – was too tempting to ignore.
With a surge of mental energy, he activated Whispers of the Infinite Horde, focusing it entirely on the Hero Summoning Card in his hand. He felt a strange warping sensation, a momentary distortion of reality around the card. When the feeling subsided, he held not one, but what felt like a small stack of identical Hero Summoning Cards.
A grimly satisfied smile touched his lips. The gamble had paid off. Now, he could afford to be more liberal with his summons.
Without hesitation, he selected one of the duplicated Hero Summoning Cards and focused his intent upon it, picturing a powerful ally, someone who could provide immediate protection and perhaps possess knowledge of this strange world. The card in his hand began to glow with a soft, ethereal light, the intricate designs upon its surface shimmering.
The light intensified, coalescing into a swirling vortex of iridescent energy before him. The air crackled with magical power, and a scent of blooming flowers and wild magic filled the humid air. As the vortex subsided, a figure materialized.
She stood no taller than five feet, with delicate features and skin that seemed to shimmer with an inner luminescence. Her hair flowed like a cascade of woven moonlight, adorned with blossoms of every imaginable color. Large, iridescent wings, like those of a butterfly but far more intricate, fluttered gently behind her. Her eyes, the color of emeralds, held an ancient wisdom and a regal air. She wore a gown woven from what looked like living vines and petals, and a circlet of glowing flowers rested upon her brow.
Lysander's internal interface flickered, displaying information about the newly summoned hero:
[Hero Summoned!]
Name: Titania
Title: The Fairy Queen
Rank: S
Loyalty: 100% (Bound by Summoning)
A wave of surprise washed over Lysander. A Fairy Queen? It was an unexpected result, far removed from the warriors or mages he had subconsciously envisioned.
Titania's emerald eyes settled upon him, her expression serene yet regal. "You have summoned me, Lord?" Her voice was like the chime of tiny bells, carrying a gentle authority.
Lysander, momentarily taken aback, quickly regained his composure. "Indeed, Fairy Queen Titania. I am Lord Lysander Adrian Veilstone, the Twilight Ascendant. I find myself in an… unfamiliar realm."
Titania's gaze swept over the strange landscape, her delicate brow furrowing slightly. "This place… it feels… tainted. Not of the Feywild."
Lysander felt a surge of relief. Not only had he gained a powerful ally, but one who might possess knowledge of other realms. This unexpected detour might just have taken a turn for the better. Now, with the Fairy Queen at his side, the search for the perfect foundation for his territory could continue with a much greater sense of security