Chapter 38 - New Allegiances

Due to the commotion at the Dragon Lord's mansion, citizens of the kingdom started to gather around the area. Lady Kurea, acting swiftly, conjured a gate of ice in place of the destroyed gate to prevent anyone from entering. A cover was also created for the entire mansion mimicking a dome-like structure, adding an additional layer of protection and secrecy.

The translucent ice dome shimmered under the sunlight, its intricate designs reminiscent of frost patterns on a winter morning. This barrier not only secured the area but also silenced the murmurs and prying eyes of the curious onlookers.

The king, watching the scene unfold from a discreet distance, assessed the growing crowd with a calm yet calculating gaze. With a subtle motion, he instructed Lady Kurea to investigate the mansion's interior and ensure the safety of those inside. Without hesitation, she bowed and stepped through the newly formed ice gate. Her presence exuding an air of authority that discouraged any further attempts from the crowd to breach the perimeter.

He then addressed the gathering crowd, speaking in a calm and authoritative voice. "This area is currently unsafe. Please allow us to do our work and ensure everyone's safety."

White-robed individuals with red bands around their right arms began to appear, standing firmly outside the mansion to form a perimeter. Two of these individuals, each carrying a spear, positioned themselves at the entrance, crossing their spears to block entry.

As the king continued to reassure the citizens, the crowd slowly began to disperse, satisfied with his assurances.

Once the area was clear, he turned and entered the gates of ice.

Inside, the atmosphere was tense.

The king's eyes narrowed as he observed the slain Dragon Lord's immense body. His curiosity about the extraordinary feat consumed him, not with wonder at the wooden sword's simplicity, but with intrigue regarding the technique Leo must have used to imbue it with his overwhelming power without breaking it.

His breath steady but his heart racing with unspoken questions.

He leaned closer to the Dragon Lord's body, tracing the cleanly sliced edges.

Despite its unassuming appearance, it resonated with a lingering energy that defied the limitations of its material.

The king's lips curled into a knowing smirk.

If an ordinary adventurer had attempted such a feat, the weapon would have shattered instantly, leaving them defenseless.

Yet, here's a dead system user.

He thought to himself calm yet carrying an edge of admiration. What technique could he have employed to harness such devastating power in this simple wooden sword? It defies logic, even for system users of the highest caliber.

But he knew not to press even further.

For now, the real problem lay in the aftermath. The Chronos Guild, known for their stringent rules and powerful members, would not remain silent about this incident. The Dragon Lord's death would send ripples through the kingdom, and the guild would undoubtedly seek answers and possibly retribution.

Leo and Ai continued their walk through the busy streets, heading towards the Silver Mane Guild. The air was thick with tension, whispers of the recent events circulating among the citizens. Around them, ordinary citizens ran past, their faces pale with a mixture of fear and curiosity. One woman clutched her child tightly as they hurried along, her eyes darting anxiously toward the commotion.

"That must be a god punishing that dreadful Dragon Lord!" a fleeting whisper reached Leo's ears, carried on the anxious murmurs of the crowd. The words lingered in the air like a faint echo, adding a strange, divine weight to the atmosphere.

As they reached the guild's building entrance, Elois stood rooted to the spot, her eyes widening at the sight of Amanda in Leo's arms. Behind her, the open doorway seemed like a threshold between two worlds—the chaotic streets and the guild's controlled chaos.

The tension in the streets gave way to a different energy within. Adventurers bustled about, their conversations a mix of strategy and rumor. Maps and supplies cluttered tables, while the faint scent of leather and steel lingered in the air. The murmur of activity was a stark contrast to the chaos outside, yet it carried its own weight of urgency.

"Is she alright?" Elois asked, her voice filled with concern.

"She just passed out," Leo reassured her, adjusting his grip on Amanda.

"Bring her up to the sleeping quarters so we can check on her," Elois instructed, guiding them inside. The guild was a flurry of activity, with adventurers huddled in groups, discussing the recent events in hushed tones.

As they carefully placed Amanda on one of the beds, the faint creak of the wooden frame broke the silence, its sound almost swallowed by the muted hum of activity elsewhere in the guild. The mattress shifted under her weight, a soft rustle of fabric accompanying the movement. Amanda's breathing was slow and steady, each exhale a faint whisper that seemed to echo in the quiet room.

Leo adjusted the blanket around her shoulders, the coarse texture brushing against his fingers as he tucked it in. The faint scent of herbal ointments lingered in the air, mixing with the faint musk of aged wood and leather.

Elois observed for a moment before turning to Leo, her voice low and firm. "Come to my office. We need to talk."

Leo nodded, following Elois through the winding corridors of the guild. The air was filled with the scent of wood and leather, and the sound of adventurers' chatter echoed through the halls.

As they walked, one of the guild members burst through the doors from the outside, shouting, "Amanda was taken by the Dragon Lord!"

Another guild member, panting heavily, arrived shortly after. "The aura we felt earlier was from the Dragon Lord's mansion," she said, her eyes wide with bewilderment. "I don't know exactly what happened, but both Lady Kurea and the king are there."

Elois nodded, her expression grave. "Thank you both. Amanda is here, resting in the sleeping quarters. Please spread the word that she is safe." She then turned to Talia, who had just arrived. "Talia, guard Amanda and make sure no one disturbs her."

She nodded, her face set with determination. "Understood."

Elois continued towards her office, with Leo and Ai following closely behind. The atmosphere was tense, the weight of the recent events pressing down on everyone. The corridors seemed to stretch endlessly, every step echoing their apprehension.

He sat on the sofa in front of the guild master's table, his hands resting on his knees. The weight of the recent events hung heavily in the air. Elois, her face pale, almost missed the chair as she sat down, her eyes wide with shock.

The curse's name glowed ominously in blood red beneath Leo's name. She had only heard of the curse in legends, tales passed down through generations.

Many believed it was merely a scheme from system users to protect themselves from being hunted. But now, seeing it in person, there was no mistaking its reality.

The curse had a name now—Blight of the Vanquished.

The weight of it settled over him like a shroud.

He could feel it, even now, the subtle, insidious drain of his strength. His hands trembled ever so slightly as if they were no longer his own. How long would it take before he felt its full effect? Before he could no longer fight? The thought gnawed at him, but he forced it down, hardening his resolve. He had promised Amanda he would protect her, and that promise had not been broken yet.

She studied Leo closely, noting the aura of power that surrounded him, even as the curse drained his strength. "You must have slain a system user," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And there's a high chance it was the Dragon Lord."

Leo nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, it was him."

Elois scratched her head frantically as the events flooded her mind. What would that sly old man do for something like this? she wondered, trying to grasp the unexpected turn of events.

Her thoughts raced, weaving through the complexities of the situation. "You're only a level 10 swordsman," she murmured to herself, almost incredulously. "You must be a system user, and a strong one at that, to have faced the Dragon Lord and survived."

The room fell into a dead silence, the weight of her realization settling like a heavy cloak. She thought about what would happen to him now. With the curse active, restraining him should be easy. Yet, he had walked out of the Dragon Lord's mansion unscathed, with both the king and Lady Kurea present.

A sudden thought struck her, and she stood up abruptly. "Have you joined a guild yet?" she asked, her voice urgent. "It's safe to assume you don't have any affiliation, since you came to us. But I need to confirm."

He, who had been lost in thought, blinked and looked at Elois, confused. "No, I haven't joined any," he said. "Why do you ask?"

Before he could say another word, she cut him off. "From now on, you and Amanda are members of the Silver Mane Guild," she declared, her voice firm and resolute.

She stood up and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Suga!"

Moments later, footsteps thundered down the hall, and the door to the office burst open. Suga, panting slightly, looked around in alarm. "What happened?" he asked urgently.

Elois turned to him, her eyes blazing with determination. "Prepare the documents for our new members," she commanded.

Without a moment's hesitation, Suga nodded and sprinted back down the hall.

Leo watched the scene unfold, bewildered by the sudden rush of activity. He turned back to Elois, his confusion evident. "What's with the rush?" he asked. "And aren't you afraid of what might happen if you side with me?"

She took a deep breath, composed herself, and then sat down.