Chapter 139: Uninvited Guests

Shortly after rumors spread that Shams and Golden Goats had been put up for auction in the capital, a carriage from the Arklight Count’s household arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild.

The butler, Eugene, got out, accompanied by a man.

Once inside the guild, they requested to see the submaster at the reception desk.

“Lord Eugene, what brings you here today?”

“It concerns items auctioned through your guild. Could you discreetly handle their processing?”

“Are these items from him?”

I whispered to Eugene, who quietly nodded.

“My master does not wish to be publicly known.” 

He said.

“I understand. How many did he bring?”

“One each, sir.”

“Is the man behind him skilled in storage magic?”

“Yes. It seems Lord Leon has connections with the Count’s household as well…”

I had to obscure the fact that he carried the royal seal and had the same status as a count, since revealing that could not be allowed.

Lord Leon… his attitude was completely different from the last time he came here.

Carrying the Count’s seal, Eugene wouldn’t dare behave as he had before. If it’s just processing, I could include a quiet fee along with extra handling charges.

“We’ll prepare it, please wait a moment.”

I excused myself to the disassembly area and summoned the chief.

“Submaster, I’m busy. What is it?”

“They want a secret disassembly again.”

“Again? How many…?”

“This time, it’s a Count. Follow the same procedure as before.”

“The lord himself? If it leaks, it could be serious.”

“Yes. He’ll bring his butler and an attendant, so be careful.”

The chief called someone free to help and hurriedly prepared. I returned to Eugene and led him to the disassembly area.

“Sir, we’re back.”

“How did it go?”

“Lord Leon also requested the disassembly. Everything went smoothly.”

“I see. Good choice following your advice. I never expected the Count, and even the royal family, would receive the items. If delivered later, it wouldn’t have seemed as valuable.”

“How many does he have, I wonder?”

“When I saw him flying freely in the sky, I was amazed. From the dragon-slaying stories, he may be the greatest adventurer of this generation.”

After Eugen stepped back, he began preparing a guest list for a dinner when they next go to the capital, inviting favored nobles and wealthy merchants.

“Lord Leon, a visitor has arrived. This time, it’s the Nailman Trading Company from Folka. They’re waiting in the reception room.”

Sigh. They really do come every day.

I knocked and entered the room next to the entrance hall chosen as the reception. A man sitting on the sofa sent by the Count stood up.

Two men stood behind him, but their posture seemed somewhat off.

“I am Leon. How can I help you?”

“I represent the Nailman Trading Company in the city of Folka. We seek the renowned Dragon Slayer—”

“Ah, but let me clarify: the dragons were defeated by a different party, so please don’t mistake that for me.”

I interrupted, and though his expression soured, he continued speaking.

“Our master wishes to commission you for a Shams hunt, but we’ve received no reply…”

“I’m sorry, but I’m fully occupied with guild requests and do not accept private commissions.”

“You refuse a request from the Nailman Trading Company? You may not understand as a young adventurer, but along the Blange Road—”

“That’s enough. If you want to boast, first look at this.”

I presented the Berlant Duke’s seal. His open mouth froze.

“Do you understand why you were brought to this bare room? It’s for those who barged in, flaunting their store names and influence—like you.”

The room had only a sofa set gifted by the Arklight Count; decorating it was unnecessary.

“What do you mean?”

“Meaning? Go ask your master. The lord of Folka… was it Count Radcliffe?”

I tapped the seal on my temple, smiling. Realizing his disadvantage, he bowed. “Understood. I’ll report back to my master.”

The two bodyguards looked shocked, but I told Evan to see them out. He efficiently opened the door to the entrance hall. He’s completely accustomed to this now.

“Lord Leon, if that seal is useful, is there no way to prevent unwanted guests from entering the house?”

“Evan, at least stop using honorifics inside the house.”

“That’s impossible. Your father and family demand respect, and we cannot let them be underestimated.”

Because Evan calls me “Lord,” Land and Roger also received honorifics. Only Ted calls me without one, but my parents insist on it. Perhaps buying a house combined with a shop for my sister’s independence wasn’t the best idea.

Early in the morning, my sister woke me to help prepare for business.

She had me thoroughly wash the beakers, flasks, and glass tubes we bought. Since I can fill a wooden tub about 80% with water, I was assigned as fetcher and washer.

“Sis, you’ve been practicing mana control, right?”

“Of course. I release mana every night and practice wrapping it around myself.”

“Well, show me the results of that practice.”

“Eh, you mean… I can finally use water magic?”

“Probably. It’s basically the same as Water magic.”

“Water is only a cup, but I want it overflowing from a wooden tub like you.”

“You’re a water magician, yet your wish is modest. At least say a barrel of ale.”

“You can’t fill a whole wooden crate with it.”

That’s a bath tub, but whatever.

“You always say it’s easy. Can you release small amounts of mana, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then, let’s go outside the city.”

“Why? It’s dangerous outside.”

“I’m an adventurer. I’ll ensure your safety. Water magic is harder than you think.”

“Really?”

“Controlling it. You wouldn’t believe me anyway, and I don’t want to flood the house.”

I could probably do it in one shot, but we’ll see. Also, if my sister can’t use water magic, she’ll keep relying on my Water magic for chores.

We took a cab to the West Gate. She was nervous. I held her hand and joined the queue. Others stared—she was in work clothes with an apron, and I was in casual city wear.

“Are we really going outside the city?”

“Not far, just off the main road.”

A guard gave us a suspicious look. Showing the Duke’s seal immediately let us pass, but my sister panicked and accidentally showed the Barland Duke’s seal. The guard looked confused.

About 100 meters outside the city, we moved into tall grass for cover. Some unwanted people followed, so discipline would come first.

“Magic practice here?”

“Yes, but first, we’ll deal with these pests.”

“Pests?”

From the grass appeared rugged strangers, unfamiliar faces—probably wanderers.

“Hah, the rear view isn’t bad either.”
“Their clothes look fine too.”
“The kid has a cute face.”
“Let’s take them down quickly.”
“They seem to carry plenty.”

“Hmm, two more should be coming.”

“Don’t worry, they’ll arrive soon.”

They approached from the other side—clever.

“Leon!”

“It’s fine, they’re weaker than goblins.”

“Us, weaker than goblins?”

“Say what you want. I’ll strip them and enjoy it.”

“They talk big, but soon they’ll beg for their lives.”

“They really do look like they carry a lot.”

“That’s impossible,” 

I said.

They didn’t notice the magic ring surrounding us and reached out greedily.

“Hnn…”
“Oh? What’s this?”
“Something’s off…”
“Back off!”
“There’s more behind!”

They noticed the ring behind them too—but too late.

I spun all seven lightly with a whirlwind, erased the ring, and pulled my sister away.

They staggered into a dusty dome I created, and I added one unit of mana.

“Fools. I lured you here knowing you’d follow. I’ll pick you up before dusk, so behave.”

I pulled my sister to a safe distance and encased us in a 10-meter diameter dirty ring.

“Was that spinning earlier your magic? And this wall thing too?”

“Yes. It’s open at the top, but it could withstand a Hornboar charge. Earlier, it could even handle an Armor Buffalo’s charge. Now you know it’s safe.”

From afar, I could hear them shouting, but we’ll hand them over to the guards for a thorough interrogation.

“Don’t worry, sis. They’ll be dealt with by the city guards later.”