The Uninvited Guests 3

“It’s the Vagabond Hero!”

That outcry caused an uproar among the crowd.

“The Vagabond Hero? The legendary wandering master, the Vagabond Hero? For real?”

Being the World Tree Guild, the guild members did occasionally get chances to witness Heroes, though it was still uncommon.

Even so, everyone seemed greatly surprised by the Vagabond Hero’s appearance – a very different reaction compared to when Ley had arrived.

Seeing this, Doyun thought, ‘Taking on two Heroes as his disciples… The Vagrant Master’s influence seems far greater than I imagined.’

As Doyun had surmised, in terms of sheer influence, the Vagabond Hero ranked just below the Lion King and the Martial Saint.

Regardless of his strength, the legendary reputation he had earned by nurturing countless top-tier disciples in key positions across the continent was truly immense.

“But… who’s that next to him?”

People tilted their heads, looking at the tall middle-aged woman walking alongside the Vagabond Hero.

With a regal and dignified bearing reminiscent of a queen and an overpowering presence, she was clearly no ordinary person at first glance.

The Vagabond Hero greeted Doyun first.

“So we meet again, Disciple Han Doyun.”

“Just like last time, you seem to enjoy making surprise entrances and startling people.”

“As one gets older, one grows more mischievous.”

The Vagabond Hero then turned and walked towards Ley while hunched over.

The two rows of royal guards lined up behind Ley spontaneously snapped to attention and saluted, clearing a path without needing orders.

Unlike when Ley had arrived, their faces were filled with respect and reverence this time.

Eventually, when he stood before Ley:

“Ah, no, Master… Gah!”

Thwack!

The Vagabond Hero’s long staff traced an intricate arc, simultaneously striking Ley’s crown and chin.

“Ah, aack! Master…! My, my teeth…! Teeth…!”

“Want me to knock all your teeth out, brat? Honestly, such a senseless disciple. How many times have I told you not to cause trouble wherever you go, huh? Why are you stirring up more nonsense again?”

“Ah, no, that’s not it, he started it first… Ack!”

Thwack!

“Argh!”

“I said manners are the basics! Disrespecting an esteemed guest like that, this brat!”

“I’m… not human, but a dragon… Gah!”

Thwack!

“You’re half-human too!”

With those words, the Vagabond Hero mercilessly jabbed at Ley with the end of his staff.

Despite being hunched over and lazily attacking with just one hand, and despite Ley’s abilities far exceeding the Vagabond Hero’s, Ley couldn’t even block a single thrust and could only flail his arms wildly.

The gap in their skills was overwhelmingly vast.

“Ah, ah, Master…! I’m sorry! Ah! I’m sorry… Ah!”

“This foolish brat… Your brother specifically gifted me that treasured javelin he cherishes, intentionally sending it along for me. Yet his own sworn brother comes barging in and makes a mess? Are you even my disciple anymore? Huh?”

“Ah! Ah! Huh…? That was really my brother’s javelin? But why did he… Ah!”

“Shut that insolent mouth! How many times must I say he’s an esteemed guest!”

After that, Ley continued to get berated and beaten by the Vagabond Hero, his carefully styled hair getting messed up in the process.

A while later, thoroughly dejected with his tail drooping, Ley bowed to Doyun in apology.

“I’m, I’m sorry…”

“No need to apologize. My senseless disciple…”

“Don’t worry about it. I won’t take it to heart.”

“Haha, thank you for saying that. I’m truly grateful.”

The situation seemed to have resolved amicably for the moment. However, this progression was completely unexpected by everyone present.

“He… really knew the Vagabond Hero…?”

“Didn’t the Hero just call him an ‘esteemed guest’?”

The people around them rubbed their eyes in disbelief, witnessing the Vagabond Hero decisively beat down his own disciple, a Hero no less, for Doyun’s sake.

Especially the anti-Guild minister’s face had drained of all color.

‘Just, just what is this…?!’

He had intended to exploit this timely opportunity of the hot-headed Hero acting up to bolster the anti-Guild faction’s standing, with seemingly minimal risk involved – an irresistibly sweet deal.

But what on earth was this situation unfolding before his eyes? Why was that legendary wandering master defending some measly new guild member instead and beating up the Hero?

Soon, a chilling judgment was passed from behind him.

“…His Majesty awaits.”

It was the pro-Guild minister’s soft utterance.

Thud.

The anti-Guild minister felt like he had misheard. That was the sound of his own political life coming to an end.

“Master. But what brings you all the way here?”

“I did a bit of research on you. Turns out, you’re just a fresh graduate from the Cradle! Honestly, I thought my old heart would give out from the shock!”

“I’m relieved you’re alright.”

“Hmph…! You truly live up to what Haineken said about your personality. Anyway, I came to convey that ‘request’ I mentioned last time, as well as check on your situation. But then…”

The Vagabond Hero glanced behind him.

“Just who might that be?”

He was pointing at Tiamat.

“I happened to encounter her on the way, and our destinations aligned. But she’s clearly no ordinary person at a glance…”

“She is the Dragon Lord.”

“Hm? What was that?”

The Vagabond Hero casually asked again.

Naturally, he didn’t believe what his ears had just heard. He figured his hearing must be failing in his old age.

Doyun repeated himself.

“She is the Dragon Lord.”

“Aish… perhaps it’s time for me to retire, my ears seem to be going…”

He paused awkwardly. “Sorry for the trouble, but could you say that one more time? Who is she?”

“She is the Dragon Lord.”

The Vagabond Hero narrowed his eyes.

This time, he had heard correctly. He had even enhanced his hearing with mana.

“The Dragon… Lord?”

The people around them also tilted their heads, having heard it three times now in disbelief.

They all looked at the tall woman.

“…Huh?”

Only then did realization dawn upon them.

+++

Verifying her identity wasn’t difficult. After all, they had someone of draconic descent right here.

“A, a real… real dragon… a pureblood dragon…”

Ley mumbled in a daze, his eyes wide open like they would pop out. Just that reaction alone was undeniable proof that the woman was indeed a dragon.

“The, the, the Dragon Lord…”

“Insane…”

“Wow… woah… am I really dreaming…?”

A dragon – an existence from mythology. And their leader, referred to as an emissary of the divine, the Dragon Lord.

That supreme being was truly standing right before them.

Tiamat walked past the utterly bewildered Vagabond Hero and Ley, coming to a stop before Doyun.

“Did I ruin the party?”

“Not at all. You’re very welcome here.”

“Hmm…”

Tiamat immediately sensed Doyun’s unfamiliar way of speaking.

‘He was hiding his identity.’

Doyun addressed Millaine.

“Millaine. Could you please guide the Dragon Lord to her guest room?”

“…”

“Millaine?”

“Huh? Oh? Yes!”

Millaine, who had been staring blankly at Tiamat, snapped out of her daze with a start. But she asked in return,

“A… guest room, you say…?”

“The Dragon Lord will be staying at the World Tree Guild House from today onwards.”

“…Pardon?”

The voice that had just regained her senses let out another dumbfounded gasp.

The people around them reacted similarly.

“…What did he just say?”

“The Dragon Lord is staying at our guild? Fo, for real?”

“…Does that mean our Guild House is the Dragon Lord’s lair now?”

Although their heads were spinning just trying to keep up with the situation, most of them soon had the same question.

‘But why?’

They turned their gazes towards Doyun, the protagonist behind this novel-like scenario.

‘Was this… also a situation orchestrated by that man?’

From the very first expedition where he unearthed the Razvolnic ruins and earned a 40,000 gold profit, to having Haineken’s handwritten letter and gift delivered at the promotion ceremony, and now even the Vagabond Hero himself visiting to reveal his peculiar relationship with Doyun.

And to top it off, he had now invited the Dragon Lord to stay at their home, of all things.

They stared blankly at that unbelievable man.

In this way, Doyun’s name and face were being etched into everyone’s minds.

+++

The party was over.

Amidst this chain of momentous events unfolding one after another, no one seemed to lament the mere evaluation ceremony anymore.

That night, the Skeletonian king and his vassals came rushing over in a huge fuss. But Tiamat drew a line, telling them not to come.

This was partly out of consideration for the World Tree guild members, but she also found the humans’ fuss incredibly annoying.

Although the king pouted, he couldn’t dare voice any objections to the Dragon Lord.

But soon, an order came that made the king beam with delight.

[King of Skeletonia. Ensure that no other nations or organizations bother me or the World Tree. And in the future, come visit so we may dine together.]

It was a clear errand, but the king was simply overjoyed.

To invite the Dragon Lord to the royal palace and share a banquet while facing her?

That alone would be an immense historical achievement.

His legitimacy and status as king would be greatly bolstered, and his citizens would look up to him in awe – the one who dined with the king of dragons.

The kings of other nations would also never dare treat him disrespectfully after meeting the Dragon Lord in person.

The king carried out Tiamat’s order diligently. And at the same time, he silently expressed immense gratitude towards Han Doyun.

It is said he inwardly marveled, ‘So the ‘Boss Monster Killer’ really is a monster in more ways than one…’

After dealing with the bothersome matter, Tiamat first let her guest, the Vagabond Hero, take precedence and retreated to her room to rest.

The Vagabond Hero then spoke with Doyun and Eloah in the parlor room.

He first informed the World Tree Guild Leader of the Heroes’ Council’s findings.

“The Alliance has determined that the purpose of the last invasion was an ‘experiment.'”

“An experiment?”

“They were testing the might of their enhanced imp forces. That’s why they only sent a small number to a less threatening location.”

Doyun nodded. It was a plausible deduction.

“In that case…”

“We may frequently encounter them in the upcoming war.”

The Vagabond Hero’s expression turned grim as he said those words.

The enemy forces had rapidly grown stronger. This was truly ill news.

“That’s why I rushed to find you. Thanks to that, I was also able to quickly review the technique theories I intended to pass on to you.”

Doyun tilted his head quizzically. What was this request, and how was it related to the Demon Lord’s forces growing stronger?

“My request is…”

The Vagabond Hero paused momentarily before continuing.

“To persuade Winny-Kaisk. Her.”

“Winny? Master Alchemist Winny-Kaisk?”

Eloah echoed in response.

Winny-Kaisk. She was the current greatest alchemist on the continent, having been awarded the title of Master Alchemist.

“There’s a material she absolutely must handle, and soon. But the eccentric woman simply refuses to work on anything she’s not interested in.”

Speaking with his hands clasped together, his face lacked any trace of his usual playful demeanor.

“As I mentioned, it’s a matter of utmost importance in order to respond to the Demon Lord’s movements.”

Eloah swallowed hard upon hearing that.

But Doyun just tilted his head again.

“But why me…”

He didn’t understand.

Surely it would make more sense for the Vagabond Hero, a Hero himself, to go instead of a mere Disciple.

Seeing Doyun’s questioning look, the Vagabond Hero grinned wryly and explained.

“That woman is an absolute dragon maniac, you see.”

“Ah…”

Only then did Doyun nod in realization.

He was the only person to have encountered the Dragon Lord and the sole human carrying the Dragon Heart. That’s why the request was being made to him.

And separate from those two factors, seeking out Doyun had also been an exceptional choice.

‘Now then, what could entice an alchemist at the moment…’

Doyun quickly recalled a few resources he had at his disposal.

Enoch Razvolnic had commanded legions of geniuses as his followers. He was the most proficient human when it came to handling geniuses.

‘The Guardian Cores from Tiamat. They were at a level impossible for humans to create. I also have the Essence of Life Formation technique and the journals left behind by our guild’s alchemists…’

The way to handle eccentric geniuses was to pique their obsession to the point of being infatuated with Enoch himself.