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. The king discreetly instructed her to go inside and check on the people within the mansion. She bowed and entered through the gates.

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, making his way to the fallen Dragon Lord.

Inside, the atmosphere was tense. The king approached the Dragon Lord's slain body, his mind racing with thoughts. As the holder of the Sword Master system, he was ultimately intrigued by Leo and how he had defeated a dragon using just a wooden sword. His lips curled into a smile, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he imagined what could have happened if Leo had been wielding a proper sword.

But 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. Approaching the guild, Leo noticed Elois standing at the entrance, her eyes wide with shock when she saw Amanda in his arms.

As they walked through the building, Leo noticed the well-organized chaos of adventurers preparing for quests. Maps, weapons, and supplies were scattered across tables. A few familiar faces from his earlier visit were deep in discussion, exchanging information on the latest dungeon expeditions.

"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, Elois turned to Leo. "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.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

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 'Blight of the Vanquished'," she whispered, the words hanging in the air like a dark omen. 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."

Her mind raced, trying to process the implications. "You're only a level 10 swordsman," she continued, almost to herself. "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 guild," 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.