Phoenix Knight Captain
Lights flickered on inside the warehouse of the second summoner's heirlooms. At the same time, countless items filled my view. It rivaled the academy's secret warehouse—no, it surpassed it in sheer number of heirlooms.
"The Iritz family guards the southern region."
True to a house defending a quarter of the continent, their collection of heirlooms matched a quarter of the continent's total. Every byproduct from the south belonged to the Iritz family. Of course, they granted heirlooms to vassals based on merit, so other nobles didn't complain much. Even if they did, they wouldn't dare raise their heads against a 4-star summoner and the emperor backing her.
"Choose any heirloom you want from these."
But only one. I scanned the warehouse at her words. Sure enough, plenty looked useful at a glance. But I didn't pick right away.
I quietly opened the system and pulled out the Legendary Random Summon Ticket from my 30-day attendance reward.
The last attendance reward.
After falling into this world, the attendance system stopped working once I claimed it. Makes sense. Anyone logging in daily for a month is already hooked. No need for extra incentives—they'd whale on their own. The Legendary Summon Ticket just gave justification for more spending.
Come forth.
Tearing the ticket from my inventory, it began to sparkle. A flashy effect only I could see filled my vision.
Whoosh! Flames surged.
An armor emerged from the blaze. A Zhuque swooped in from nowhere, merging into the armor.
Kiruuuuk—!
The Zhuque fused, completing a single piece of legendary armor. The Phoenix Knight Order's plate mail.
Confirming the armor, I scanned around for its owner. Fitting for the Iritz secret vault collecting the south's heirlooms—even 4-star summon ones were here. Sorry, yours comes next.
I stopped before one heirloom.
"That one?"
"Yes."
No one knows what summon an heirloom calls. High-rank summons don't die easily, and battlefields killing them mix byproducts from countless summons and monsters. But the system showed me its owner.
[Phoenix Knight Captain]
The armor's owner and a 3-star summon's heirloom. I reached for it.
* * *
[Earn Stella Iritz's Recognition!]
🎁 Reward:Heirloom (Phoenix Knight Captain) acquired!
"......Useless as always."
Stepping out, I muttered at the quest window popping up. The quest completed ages ago, but now it brags like it did something. At system level, couldn't it sneak me an heirloom? With some smooth talk, I could've tricked Stella into two...
Getting pissed thinking about it.
The system offered jack shit: pointless quests, a shop pushing spending with no currency, basic growth mechanics. Fine, the other two are whatever. But the shop? I dumped my life savings in the real world. Sell the leftover currency, it's over a million won. Where'd it go?
"You can use this room."
"Ah, sure."
Lost in thoughts, the maid at the door bowed and opened it. Passing her, I entered—and gaped in awe.
"Whoa...... What the hell..."
The room was absurdly huge. One room dwarfed my dorm by three times, just shy of a celeb luxury apartment from TV. Furniture screamed master craftsmanship, pure luxury. The frilly lace bed was a tad girly, but not complain-worthy. With dozens like this in the mansion, the Iritz power was clear.
Gawking around, the maid spoke.
"Ring this bell if you need anything."
She pointed to a golden bell by the door. Magical—ring it, signals nearest maid who rushes over. She left after explaining.
Call-maid service?
Turning back, I'd craved diving into that bed since entering but held back as a noble. No eyes now—I sprinted and flung myself onto it.
Sploosh—!
Over 70kg slammed full force, yet it absorbed me silently. That bounce? Magic.
Whoa, beds need magic...
Indescribable softness enveloped me. Sinking in, I blacked out briefly, then cautiously lifted my hand.
"......Anna."
Whoosh—!
Angelic wings unfurled from my hand's crest, folding protectively. From them descended an armored knight.
"Master, you called?"
Full plate armor covering all. Bizarre helm exposing lower face, cascading blonde hair. Stunning beauty from chin alone. The golden-haired beauty whose face behind the helm begged curiosity. Savior Saint Knight.
Sitting up, I eyed her.
"Anna, has anyone summoned you before me?"
"Apologies, but this is my first summoning. I'm sorry for being unhelpful, Master."
"What about world backups on respawn granting knowledge?"
"What do you......?"
"Never mind."
Chatting revealed summons' common sense limits. She wouldn't freak at anything I did.
Smiling at the inventory heirloom.
Summon here?
Why does this isekai need Soul Power for heirlooms? Game didn't. This game-world clone differs for a reason. My guess: middleman cut.
Billions spent here. Millions cried. I can use game systems, including this Summoning Temple. No need for academy trips.
First summon needed discretion.
Now? Alone. Summon secretly, claim family or local temple. None'll know my power.
"Anna, you've worked hard alone."
"......Master? What do you—."
Ignoring her confusion, I fed the heirloom to the temple. It reacted.
Whiiiing—.
A massive Great Peng soared in. Clarifying closer—not Peng. Zhuque. South guardian, king of birds, immortal phoenix.
It crashed to earth, becoming a woman.
Click—!
Ash-gray haired woman appeared. Scantily clad with one sword, impoverished look—but eyes blazed.
—From ashes, the phoenix rises.
She knelt before me.
"Phoenix Knight Order Captain, Theresia Erhart. I answer my master's call."
"Mm."
True to captain title? Ragged clothes and lone sword. Pitiful next to Anna's full gear—but equal 3-star.
Fwoosh!
Phoenix joined the angelic wing crest on my hand. Hard to distinguish at a glance.
"Master? What's this?"
"You had company."
As Anna gawked at the new summon, I waved casually.
"Introduce yourselves. Anna's the saint knight, our tank. Theresia's the knight, DPS."
"......Phoenix Knight Order?"
"That crest—Azeria Holy Kingdom's saint knight."
Shockingly, they recognized each other. Game Easter egg. Summons are legendary heroes with memories—and bonds.
"You two know each other? Perfect. Get along."
Both glared. Beauties, but fierce stares cowed me.
"Master, apologies."
"Lord, sorry."
They spoke together, eyed each other.
"Can't get friendly with her."
"Can't befriend zealots."
"......Zealot?!"
"Test your faith?"
Sighing at their spat. Did they bicker in-game? Briefly, maybe. Not in story or Infinite Dungeon.
As long as they don't in combat...
I called the forehead-butting duo.
"Stop fighting. Theresia."
"Yes, Lord?"
"Got something for you."
Curious, unprepared for gifts post-summon.
"Right, can't fight like this. Leather armor would suf—."
"Here."
I dropped the Phoenix Knight Order plate from inventory.
Theresia froze.
"Lord, where did you......?"
"Master!"
Anna rushed, yelling at the armor then me.
"Too much! You haven't gifted me yet!"