I Can Summon Legendary Figuress

"And Davos is leading it?"

Inside the main residence of the Sword Training Grounds, Servos sat opposite Gainet with a steaming cup of tea resting untouched between them. The playful atmosphere from earlier had long since disappeared, replaced by an unusual seriousness.

Several scrolls lay spread across the wooden table—maps, reports, casualty lists, and intelligence gathered from neighboring clans.

For the first time since returning home, Servos was finally receiving a complete picture of everything that had happened during the two years he had been presumed dead. Much had changed, far more than he expected.

Gainet nodded slowly. "Yes. He’s leading the expedition personally."

Servos leaned back, his fingers gently tapping against the arm of his chair. Outside, the sounds of young disciples training still echoed faintly through the dojo, but neither of them paid the noise any attention.

His thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. The Maqaue Clan had always stood beneath the protection of the Blood Serpent God Clan.

Not as equals—never as equals. Rather, as one of the many subordinate clans operating beneath a divine bloodline.

For generations, that relationship had granted them both protection and resources. Whenever conflicts arose, the Blood Serpent God Clan acted as their shield, and in return, the Maqaue Clan participated in campaigns and wars whenever ordered.

It had been that way for centuries, but then everything changed.

After repeatedly encouraging the Maqaue Clan to participate in attacks against the Human Kingdom of Bark, the Blood Serpent God Clan had suddenly withdrawn almost all visible support.

On the surface, no explanation had been given, but those standing high enough understood the truth—the Dragon God Clan.

Ever since Bark had somehow captured the young Celestial Dragon before it could mature, several influential members of the Dragon God Clan had erupted in fury.

Unable to vent their anger directly toward Bark without risking a larger conflict, they instead turned their attention toward Bark’s enemies, including the Maqaue Clan.

Ridiculous accusations, political pressure, trade restrictions, and dungeon seizures—one punishment after another steadily descended upon them.

Everyone understood the charges were fabricated, but that hardly mattered. Power had never required fairness. With the Blood Serpent God Clan unwilling to openly intervene, the Maqaue Clan found itself standing alone.

Servos slowly exhaled. "So we’ve become convenient scapegoats."

Gainet gave a bitter smile. "That sums it up rather well."

Silence lingered between them for several moments before Gainet unrolled another ancient parchment across the table.

Upon it rested the faded drawing of a terrifying beast. Its body resembled a massive ape with twelve enormous ears extending from both sides of its head like layered fans, while countless strange markings covered its limbs.

Even the artist who painted it seemed unable to fully capture its overwhelming presence.

Servos immediately recognized it. "The Twelve-Eared Maqaue Devil..."

His expression grew noticeably heavier.

Gainet nodded. "Our only hope now. If we can successfully awaken our ancient ancestor, we’ll finally possess enough influence to negotiate directly with the Dragon God Clan without depending on anyone else."

Servos quietly stared at the drawing. The Twelve-Eared Maqaue Devil wasn’t merely some legendary creature—it had once been the greatest warrior ever produced by their bloodline, an Angel, one of the founders upon whom the entire Maqaue Clan had been built.

According to ancient records, its inheritance still slumbered somewhere within the Bamboo Mirage Dungeon.

Unfortunately, obtaining that inheritance bordered on impossible. The dungeon consumed lives with frightening regularity; every expedition sent inside returned with fewer survivors than before. Many entered, very few emerged, yet each generation still tried because the reward was simply too great.

"To awaken an Angel..." Servos muttered quietly. "They’re gambling everything."

Gainet slowly lowered her eyes. "Yes. Which means sending our finest juniors inside."

Her voice carried obvious guilt. Neither of them needed to discuss the risks because every experienced warrior already knew.

The Bamboo Mirage Dungeon wasn’t dangerous because of monsters—it was dangerous because it preyed upon the minds of those entering it. Fear, greed, regret, and weak resolve were magnified until the dungeon swallowed its victims whole.

Only those possessing extraordinary determination ever reached its deepest regions, and even then, success remained uncertain.

"To improve the chances of survival..." Gainet continued. "The elders unanimously selected our strongest younger generation. Every promising disciple, every future elder—they’ll all participate."

Servos remained silent as his expression gradually darkened.

"That..." He finally murmured. "...is unfortunate."

Gainet looked at him, understanding exactly what he meant. Servos had personally entered the Bamboo Mirage Dungeon decades ago, meaning very few living Maqaue possessed more firsthand knowledge than he did.

Because of that, he also understood something the younger generation did not: the expedition itself wasn’t the greatest danger—summoning the Twelve-Eared Maqaue Devil was. That ritual demanded sacrifices, far more than the clan openly admitted.

Davos had been chosen precisely because he stood the greatest chance of succeeding—or perhaps because he represented the greatest acceptable loss. Either possibility left a bitter taste.

"He’s been schemed against," Servos quietly concluded.

Gainet didn’t deny it. Instead, she reached toward another report. "I actually learned about your return from one of Davos’ personal attendants."

She slid the document across the table. "He specifically requested that you accompany the expedition."

Servos immediately understood why. Among everyone still alive, only he had successfully ventured deep enough into the Bamboo Mirage Dungeon to return with meaningful experience. His knowledge alone could save countless lives.

Ordinarily, accepting would have been the obvious decision. Unfortunately, things were no longer that simple.

"I must refuse," Servos answered almost immediately.

Gainet frowned. "You know the dungeon better than anyone."

"I do. Which is exactly why I can’t." He slowly shook his head.

Forget the moral burden of knowingly watching another man march toward what might very well become his death—there existed another problem: Ethan.

Davos knew Ethan. Perhaps not perfectly, but well enough. Sending them into the same expedition created unnecessary risks.

Servos had already pledged himself to helping Ethan complete Bark’s mission, and he refused to endanger him before it even began.

*"No."*

A calm voice suddenly echoed directly inside Servos’ mind, causing him to instinctively freeze. The slave mark branded across his chest faintly warmed—only one person could use it this way: Ethan.

*"It’s fine."*

Servos remained perfectly still to avoid alerting Gainet as Ethan’s voice continued.

*"Bark personally assured me that the disguise cannot be seen through. So don’t worry—accept the mission."*

Servos quietly listened, and only after several moments did he finally relax. That was true. Ever since entering Demi-human territory, Ethan no longer resembled the young summoner who had left the Kingdom of Bark.

The World Tree’s blessing had subtly altered numerous details—his facial structure, his eyes, his aura. Even experienced observers would simply assume they were looking at another human.

The disguise wasn’t ordinary illusion magic; it fundamentally distorted recognition itself.

Then Ethan added one final sentence, one that caused Servos’ eyes to narrow.

*"And besides... the disguise was never meant to fool Davos."*

A brief pause followed.

*"It was created for someone much more dangerous—the Blood Serpent God."*

Silence. Servos slowly lowered his gaze.

If even a God needed to be deceived, then the true purpose behind Ethan’s mission was far greater than he’d originally imagined.

Very slowly, he looked back toward Gainet. "I’ve changed my mind. I’ll go."

...

Elsewhere within the Maqaue Clan, news of the upcoming Bamboo Mirage Expedition spread through every district like wildfire. Tea houses buzzed with conversation, training grounds became unusually crowded, and families gathered inside their homes discussing the announcement in hushed voices.

"So it’s finally happening," a veteran warrior quietly sighed. "I heard they’re opening the Bamboo Mirage Dungeon again."

Several younger disciples immediately brightened. "Really? That means inheritances! Treasure! Ancient techniques!"

Their excitement proved impossible to hide. To the younger generation, the expedition represented opportunity—fame, power, recognition, and the chance to transform their futures overnight.

Older warriors saw something entirely different.

Several who had personally entered the dungeon years earlier quietly called their children aside. "If your instructor chooses someone else... don’t volunteer. No reward inside that place comes without blood."

One scarred veteran simply rolled up his sleeve, revealing an arm covered in strange gray markings. "I escaped. I was one of the lucky ones. You don’t understand what waits inside."

His son silently swallowed.

By sunset, every corner of the Maqaue Clan discussed only one topic: the Bamboo Mirage Dungeon.

Most believed the expedition would reward talent. Only a handful of elders and those unfortunate enough to have survived previous expeditions understood the truth.

Within one week’s time, the clan’s brightest young warriors would be offered what appeared to be the greatest opportunity of their lives.

Disguised as glory waited a trial that had consumed generations before them, and almost none of those eagerly preparing to enter had the slightest idea what truly awaited them.

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