[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical-":3,"chapter-sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-278":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","SSS-Ranked Awakening: I Can Only Summon Mythical Beasts",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1326729,1762,"Chapter 278: Lord Raegon's Attack I","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-278",278,"\u003Cp>The town of Velthorne stood as a powerful presence just beyond the reach of Westmont.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was three times the size of Westmont, though smaller than Ryedale, and governed by a ruthless yet respected leader—Lord Raegon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before settling into his role as a town ruler, Raegon had been a conqueror, a warrior whose name had once spread across battlefields and kingdoms alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strength and tactical mind had won him victories in many wars, and now, even in retirement, his ambition remained—to conquer and rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When news of Westmont's recent attack by demon hordes spread, Raegon saw an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A town that had barely survived such devastation would be weak, vulnerable, and in need of leadership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Westmont may not have officially belonged to the kingdom where his own town resided, as it lay at its outskirts, but Raegon didn't care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no desire to follow rules—he wanted control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, he had decided to take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The morning air was cool but there was tension in the air, thick enough to suffocate a person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive army of warriors, mercenaries, and trained soldiers stood gathered a few dozen miles from Westmont's gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were armed, ready, their weapons gleaming under the early morning sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the forefront of this army, atop a massive black stallion, sat Lord Raegon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His armor was worn yet polished, a reminder of the battles he had fought. His scarred face held a look of calculated confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his sword high, addressing his men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Westmont,\" he declared, his voice booming across the open field, \"is a town without direction! A place that has been left to fend for itself, with no kingdom to guide it, no king to protect it and a ceremonial leader who leads it nowhere!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His soldiers roared in agreement. \"Yeahhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It has suffered, weakened by the demon hordes, and now it struggles to rebuild!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raegon's cold eyes scanned his army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are not here to destroy them,\" he continued. \"We are here to claim them—to bring them under our rule, to give them protection, to make them stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tightened his grip on his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If they surrender, they will be welcomed as brothers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if they resist—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air went still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"—then we will show them why I was once known as the Butcher of the Northern Front!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We will show them!\" A thunderous cheer erupted from his army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, let us march forward and claim the opportunity provided before us!\" Lord Raegon commanded his troops, his voice drowning every other one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The march toward Westmont was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Raegon's army prepared for battle, a mercenary was making his way back to Westmont.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just completed a mission escorting a high-profile merchant from Westmont to Ryedale and was returning home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a long journey, and he was looking forward to resting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, he saw them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sea of warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An army gathered in the fields, readying for an assault against his hometown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart slammed against his chest. \"No! This can't be! Not while I live!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't stop to think—he ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With every ounce of strength in his body, he sprinted toward Westmont, his legs burning as he pushed himself faster, harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'If I don't make it in time, the town is doomed.' Dirt and dust kicked up behind him as he ran through the open plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lungs burned, his body begged for rest, but he refused to stop. \"Westmont must be informed and ready to face them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Westmont must be ready!\" Those were the motivational words that kept him pushing as he sprinted without a second of break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his feet hit the cobbled streets of Westmont, he didn't slow down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barreled through the town, startling civilians as he rushed toward the Town Lord's manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move!\" he gasped. \"Get out of the way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People turned, watching in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he reached the manor gates, his legs nearly gave out beneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards stationed at the entrance raised their weapons, alarmed by his sudden approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them stepped forward. \"State your busi—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An army—!\" the mercenary choked out, panting heavily. \"An army is coming!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenary forced himself to straighten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Raegon is marching an army toward Westmont! They're preparing to lay siege to the town!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards' faces paled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get the Town Lord,\" one of them ordered. \"Immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within seconds, one of the guards rushed inside the manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenary's chest heaved as he leaned against the gate, trying to catch his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had done his part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was up to Westmont's leaders to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Town Lord's manor, chaos erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the message was relayed, the Town Lord of Westmont, the man named Lord Ellian, gathered his advisors, captains, and the strongest mercenaries in town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long do we have?\" Lord Ellian demanded, pacing back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A few hours at most,\" one of his advisors responded, the same mercenary who'd seen the army coming to attack. \"The army is moving swiftly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Ellian cursed under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Westmont had just begun recovering from the demon attack—they weren't ready for another battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They outnumber us,\" another advisor added grimly. \"By the time they reach our gates, it'll be too late to mount a proper defense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we must prepare,\" Lord Ellian said. \"Gather every able fighter, fortify the town's entrances, and send word to the guild.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To the mercenaries?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Lord Ellian nodded. \"They might be our only hope.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the Mercenary Guild, Damien was just beginning to relax after his long hunt with Arielle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just woken up from the night's rest and his body was sore, his muscles ached, and he was finally enjoying some peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doors of the guild slammed open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breathless messenger rushed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone!\" he yelled. \"All available mercenaries are to report to the Town Lord's manor immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien and Arielle exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What now?\" Arielle muttered, standing up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. \"I have a feeling this isn't going to be good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Westmont was on the brink of war.\u003C\u002Fp>",1038,"2026-06-05T19:28:51.148Z",1,"novelbin.me","5effda7bd3158745b7df6e6c51b7f9f4fbf6056e6f6bb4985839404f2c649742","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-279","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-277",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--cover.jpg"]