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+++

After his brief journey, Doyun did not return to the World Tree house, but instead visited Winny’s Alchemist Tower.

Knock knock.

“Master! Apostle Han Doyun has come seeking you, Master! He has revealed himself here first!”

Normally, when Winny is working, she must never be disturbed – a rule of this tower.

Even if the king of this nation visited, it would be no great matter for the Master Alchemist Winny.

However, if a situation surpassing a royal visit were to occur, the circumstances change.

Knock knock.

“Master, Master!”

Her assistant, considerably excited yet exercising utmost caution, repeatedly knocked on the door.

After a moment,

Clatter!

[Wh, Who is it?]

Sounds of startled commotion came from within.

“It’s Apostle Han Doyun who has been absent these past few days! Hurry!”

After some clamor within the workshop, Winny flung open the door, panting.

“Where is he right now?”

“I’ve escorted him to the reception room.”

“Take me there immediately!”

In the mere few days of Doyun’s absence, countless individuals across the continent had sought him out.

Already a hot topic as the Boss Monster Killer and Warlord Slayer, this time the nature was somewhat different.

It was not simply an accomplishment to be admired as ‘amazing’, but an issue that could directly impact them.

The area-wide 10% potential expansion and 10% growth rate buffs – unprecedented growth modifiers.

As news involving the already sizzling Doyun, it had spread continent-wide within two days, soon making the hearts of many guild leaders and apostles flutter.

However, he had cleverly departed on an impromptu journey, leaving those seeking him increasingly flustered.

‘And for such a person to reveal himself here first…’

Winny too coveted his buffs.

Now, she had been presented an opportunity to claim the most advantageous negotiating position on the continent.

After swiftly preparing, Winny headed straight to the reception room.

Initially concealing her intent by engaging in casual conversation, she soon discerned the reason for Doyun’s visit.

“Record transplant…?”

“Yes. Can you handle it?”

‘Record’ is the alchemical term encompassing all data inputted into a thaumaturgy golem – memories, behavioral rules, calculation functions, etc.

Doyun had brought the rusted tiny golem, requesting Winny to construct it a new body.

“Of course, thaumaturgy is my specialty. But… that’s quite an uncommon request?”

“A precious child. I entrust it to you.”

Doyun bowed his head.

This was Doyun – the very one who had nonchalantly tossed around core ‘Sun’ materials and dragon-forged mana cores. Yet his earnest manner startled Winny.

“…Huh? Ah… Okay.”

A record transplant was actually a simple task. Rather, Winny taking on such a trifling job could be seen as comedic.

Yet she could not bring herself to refuse, simply nodding in agreement.

“It’s a straightforward job, so I’ll put aside my current work to handle this first. But rest assured, I’ll give it my full effort.”

“Thank you.”

She glanced down at the golem.

‘Just what is this thing for him to act like that…?’

It seemed like an unremarkable golem, from the outside at least.

“…Anyway. More importantly…”

She hesitated briefly. But with Doyun requesting her assistance first, now was the most opportune time.

Winny spoke up.

“…Do you have those growth rate buffs?”

“…So that rumor has spread?”

“Yeah. All across the continent. No one is unaware.”

“…”

“You do have a mage in your team, right? Isn’t your party size too small for your caliber? One of my assistants has true talent in elemental magic…”

Winny broached the main topic.

Although Doyun politely declined, he realized anew just how significant the 10% potential and growth rate modifiers were – for even the renowned Master Alchemist to act so humbly.

To be fair, nurturing talents was no simple matter. Even geniuses of the era like Winny, Dokkogamuyong, and Viewsker would require over a decade’s time.

Particularly regarding their own disciples, mentors inevitably grew ardent.

“Don’t dismiss it so readily… Oh? If you won’t accept, I’ll just give you a wish token. At least consider it. Got it?”

“…Understood.”

Not wishing to divert his focus from the Fiend matter, Doyun reached a temporary compromise to extricate himself.

“Give it some serious thought, alright?!”

Winny escorted the departing Doyun all the way outside the tower.

+++

Upon returning to the guild, Doyun endured an onslaught of endless solicitations.

Various dignitaries ardently requested to meet with him – mostly renowned guild leaders and unaffiliated masters. Word had even spread about his team’s small size with ample room for expansion.

Even Heineken, Dokkogamuyong, and Rei visited to voice their desires.

“Doyun. How about it? Grant my request, won’t you?”

The elderly Dokkogamuyong sat him down and made his plea, unable to use honorifics with Rei present.

Their request was for Doyun to mentor Rei, who still had much room for growth, and the dragon king candidates Heineken was raising.

“…The buffs have conditions, making it difficult.”

“We can find a way around that. You needn’t concern yourself with such trivial matters…”

Outwardly conversing, they secretly communicated through telepathy behind Rei’s back.

[I truly hate to make this request… but if you reveal Enoch’s identity to Rei and the dragon king candidates, they would wholeheartedly follow Enoch. The conditions would be met.]

[I know it is not a matter to broach lightly. I sincerely apologize. But… they are trustworthy individuals. I will enforce magical gags on them as well. So please, I implore you…]

[…Very well, I understand.]

Unable to treat these two harshly, Doyun agreed to make time for them eventually. Aside from the time requirement, it was not an unreasonable request.

Massaging his throbbing temples, Doyun sighed.

He had embarked on that journey to calm himself before the monumental Fiend endeavor, only to return to this commotion.

‘If only a major issue could arise to overshadow this one…’

Burying an incident with a greater incident has been one of the most effective methods since antiquity.

Yet Doyun knew it was impossible. With even Winny, Dokkogamuyong, and Heineken pestering him over this, what larger incident could possibly occur to eclipse it? It was mere wishful thinking.

As he concluded the discussion and prepared to dismiss the three Heroes,

Knock knock.

A knock came from outside – it was Millaine.

“Doyun? Lady Winny-Kaiserc is about to arrive.”

“Hm?”

Winny-Kaiserc, now? Why?

‘I just saw her yesterday.’

Moreover, unannounced like this?

After opening the door, Doyun asked Millaine,

“Do you know her purpose for visiting?”

“Not exactly, but her voice through the communication stone sounded quite urgent…”

Then,

Wudang-!

“Lady Winny! You’ll fall at this rate!”

Considerable commotion arose from the first floor, the sound of someone frantically running up the stairs.

“Doyun–!!”

Winny came charging up to the second floor, bellowing.

“Doyun! Doyun!!”

“…What is it?”

The abrupt, noisy disturbance drew the attention of nearby guild members and staff.

While frequent visits from dignitaries and Heroes were common due to Doyun, witnessing the Master Alchemist causing such a ruckus was a rare sight.

“This! This!”

Winny thrust forward the tiny golem Doyun had entrusted to her.

“You, you, you…! Just what did you bring me!? Where have you been!?”

“…Is there an issue?”

Doyun asked, concerned for his little golem.

His words only further agitated the already riled-up Winny, causing her to scream.

“An issue!? An issue!! Of course there’s an issue! What greater issue is there on the continent right now!!”

“Calm down… and explain what it is first.”

“Huff…! Huff…!”

After a few meaningless deep breaths, Winny opened her mouth.

“Look, look… at this, this thing’s item description.”

Winny unrolled the appraisal scroll for Doyun to see.

The nearby Millaine and the three Heroes also read it, curious about the commotion.

“Calm down… and calm down first, then look here.”

The one who should have calmed down, Winny jabbed at the end of the scroll with a trembling finger.

“Enoch Ruozvolnick accomplished the greatest feat since the dawn of souls, attaining a spiritual standing second only to deities. Recognized for its bond with such an Enoch, this golem was deified by the World Will into a Spirit Beast. Becoming a Spirit Beast, the tiny golem awaited the return of its lost master, finally having its wish granted…”

Following the scroll, the aghast Heroes and Millaine spoke up.

“No, no way…! This is one of Enoch’s relics!”

“Wow! Wow, woww…! According to the description, this is the finest among all discovered so far!”

“Quiet, all of you!!”

Winny suddenly screamed, causing everyone to flinch back in shock.

“Dammit, don’t interrupt me! Is that what’s important right now!? Can’t you see what the real significance is!!”

“Wh, What’s got you so riled up…?”

Displeased at the interruption while appreciating Enoch’s relic, the self-professed Ruozvolnick enthusiast Rei questioned in bewilderment.

“You’re not making this fuss over discovering one of Enoch’s relics, are you? Then just what is it about…?”

“…Huck, Heckk!”

Mid-conversation, Millaine’s eyes bulged as she gasped sharply.

“The, The last part…! Reread the last part…!”

“So you caught on quickly?”

“Go on…!”

Now that someone had realized it, the increasingly excited Winny reread the scroll.

“Deified by the World Will into a Spirit Beast. Becoming a Spirit Beast, the tiny golem awaited the return of its lost master, finally having its wish granted…! Its wish was granted!! It’s saying its wish was granted!!”

…Hold on.

Only now realizing it, Doyun’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“…Huh? No, no way… Wh, What…?”

“…Good heavens.”

One by one, the Heroes too voiced their shock.

“Enoch achieved the feat of vanquishing the Dark Lord first, and this thing was deified afterwards! It awaited Enoch after becoming a Spirit Beast, and has finally had its wish granted!”

Gasps of astonishment arose from those who had gathered to hear the commotion.

“Enoch! He visited that relic site!”

Sensing the situation had become outrageously complicated, Doyun grasped the back of his neck.

Unable to contain her excitement, Winny’s face flushed as she stomped her feet, roaring at the top of her lungs.

“The great Hero is! Enoch Ruozvolnick is alive!!”