A tavern near the port.


    It also serves as the island''s quest office, making it a hangout for adventurers.


    On the other hand, it is also a hangout for thieves, swindlers, and other shady characters.


    Today, as usual, they were actively exchanging information to see if they could find any tricks of the trade, or any suckers.


    While the customers were having a lively time, the door to the entrance was opened and a stranger arrived.


    On his shoulder he wears a golden crest with a hawk and an old-fashioned crest with a magic tree.


    The bar patrons are quiet for a moment at the unexpected intruder, but soon they are chatting again as if nothing had happened.


    But on the other hand, they are shrewdly trying to find out who this well-dressed man is who has suddenly appeared.


    The same was true for the members of the "White Wolf" thieves'' guild.


    They put their foreheads together and began whispering to each other.


    I''ve never seen that guy before. Is he from off the island?


    Jamil, give me your appraisal.


    Yeah."


    [Roland Gil''s status.


    Arm strength (power): 40-50


    Endurance (toughness): 40-50


    Agility: 40-60


    Stamina: 60-70


    （A small fry, maybe a D, maybe a C at best.)


    He''s not much of a guy. You can always scrape his wallet."


    "Oh, well, let''s give it a shot to cheer us up, shall we?"


    Wait. Someone''s coming.


    The three men saw a man approaching Roland and lurked in hostility.


    Roland felt uncomfortable as he walked through the bar.


    (What is it? (What is it? The atmosphere is quite different from that of the "adventurer''s town.)


    Roland carefully observes the adventurers hanging out in the bar.


    （There seem to be an unusually large number of thieves.


    As Roland was looking around like that


    A merchant-like man ran up from the counter and spoke to me.


    Hey, Roland, glad you could make it.


    Dylan, it''s been a long time.


    Roland shook hands with Dylan to celebrate their reunion.


    Dylan was a familiar merchant from his time in the adventurer''s town.


    He often came to the Adventurers'' Town to wholesale rare ores from the "Fire Dragon Island.


    In addition to wholesaling ores, Dylan is also involved in the guild mediation and brokerage business.


    This time, Roland asked Dylan to introduce him to an alchemy guild that has a business alliance with "Golden Hawk.


    In the "City of Adventurers," it was possible to support adventurers through the "Arsenal of Spirits," but this was not possible on the "Fire Dragon Island," which was far from the city.


    Therefore, we decided that it would be wiser to find a local alchemy guild that would support us and cooperate with us in our business.


    Was the boat trip comfortable?


    Thanks to you. Well then, Dylan, I''d like to discuss business with you at .......


    Wait. This is not a good place.


    Dylan looked around.


    What do you mean?"


    There are sleazy people everywhere. We''ve come at a bad time. We should have met somewhere else. Let''s talk in the carriage for now.


    Roland followed Dylan''s recommendation and got into the carriage.


    The three men from "The White Wolf" watched them leave the restaurant.


    That''s Dylan. He''s a well-known merchant around here.


    It''s hard to do your job when you''re on the radar.


    Tsk. You got a local partner?


    I thought we could have a drink in the middle of the day.


    What? No need to be in a hurry. When he dives into the dungeon with his friends, that''s when his luck will end.


    Until then, let him go sightseeing in a good mood.


    The alchemy guild I''m about to introduce you to, ''The Dragon''s Fires'', is one of the best alchemy guilds in the city.


    In the carriage to the alchemy guild, Dylan said.


    ''You want ...... uh, what was it?　Oh yes, the "Breaking Dragon Hammer"!　This alchemy guild is the only one on the island that can meet the requirements in terms of equipment and personnel to maintain the ''dragon hammer'' you desire.


    I see.


    There are a lot of talented young alchemists here, and we are gaining momentum right now. I think you''ll like it."


    They stopped the carriage in front of a larger building and went inside.


    When Roland announced his visit, the head of the "Dragon''s Fires" guild welcomed him.


    He was a middle-aged man with a well-dressed body, a bald head, and an affable smile on his face.


    Oh, are you Roland-sama, the executive director of the famous adventurers'' guild "Golden Eagle"?


    Yes, sir. My name is Roland Gil. I am here today to tour the facilities of the "Dragon''s Fireside.


    My name is Dan Medes, the head of the Okibi guild. I have heard about you. Please come this way. Let me show you around our guild''s workshop. Please take your time and look around.


    Medes led them to the back of the workshop (atelier).


    Our guild is based on the philosophy of competition.


    The guild president said as he led the alchemists through the molding room where they were pounding the ore.


    Competition is the only way to develop the qualities and talents of each individual, to put the right people in the right places, to improve efficiency, and ultimately to benefit the guild as a whole.


    (Indeed, they are all highly skilled, and it''s not unusual for them to possess B-class skills or above. Just go to ......)


    Roland did a skills assessment on one of the boys who was molding metal with a hammer.


    [The young alchemist''s skills


    Ore Mining": E to D


    Ore refining: C to A


    Metal Forming": B to B


    Silversmithing: D to A


    (Not quite the optimal placement ......?)


    How do you like it, Mr. Roland? What about his "metal forming" skills? Isn''t that impressive for such a young man? He''ll get his ''A'' in metal forming in time."


    Yes. ......, I suppose so.


    Roland thought that "ore refining" or "spirit addition" would be better than "metal forming" in regard to the boy, but decided not to mention it here.


    In the past, he would have advised anything and everything for the best, but now he knew that some people would find it annoying.


    ''Guild leader, may I have a word?


    As Roland and the guild leader were walking together, a girl with twin-tailed red hair ran up to them.


    She said, "Oh, Lisetta. Just in time. Say hello to him.


    The guild leader introduces her to Roland.


    She is Lizetta. She is the guild''s promising young alchemist.


    My name is Lizetta Rhone. Pleased to make your acquaintance.


    She bowed reverently.


    She was dressed in a sober alchemist''s work uniform, but she was a dainty and flamboyant girl who did not seem to be dressed in that way.


    This is Miss Roland, the enforcer of the Golden Eagle.


    Well, are you from the prestigious Adventurers'' Guild?"


    She gazes at Roland with water in her watery eyes.


    I hear there are many A-class adventurers in the Golden Eagle. If you need any equipment, please feel free to appoint me as your contact person.


    She said as she squeezed Roland''s hand.


    Oh, by all means, ......."


    Roland was faintly wary of her even as he said this.


    She was too seductive.


    She was of medium height and average build, and despite her modest workshop attire, her clothes gave the impression of being very fleshy.


    Her flirtatious expression gave off a devilish charm.


    She must have had a natural ability to deceive people.


    In a sense, she must have been quite a skilled operator to be able to charm people so much despite having just met them for the first time.


    If she was not so good, he would be drawn into her pace before he knew it, and he would be forced to make a ridiculous promise.


    It could end up like that.


    Lisetta carefully observed Roland''s body from top to bottom.


    I''ve heard that the Golden Eagle has an all-powerful mage well-versed in all kinds of magic and a heavily armed knight who can traverse a dungeon by himself. What kind of equipment can you wear, Roland-san?"


    Well, I''m ......"


    Lizetta. Roland-san is currently inspecting our workshop (atelier). You can leave such negotiations for later. I will ask about your business later.


    When the guild leader said this, Lisetta reluctantly withdrew, her face clouded with frustration.


    However, she did not forget to say a few words to Roland as she left.


    Roland-san, please feel free to call on me again anytime. I would like to hear more about your adventures as an adventurer.


    Lizetta said this with an upward glance.


    Roland only gave her a vague smile and left her.


    Medes then led Roland and Dylan to the most well-equipped area in the workshop (atelier).


    There were three young men there.


    ''Let me introduce you to them. They are our aces. They and Lisetta, whom I just introduced to you, are called the Quartet. They are the four people who support this workshop (atelier). Hey, you guys. It''s the customer I told you about. Say hello.


    When Medes says this, two of the three pause their work and look up.


    One is a sweetly masked, kindly man, and the other is a little bit more rugged-looking, with short-cropped hair.


    The one controlling the furnace over here is Charles.


    The guild leader said as he pointed toward the man.


    ''Hi.''


    The one over here drawing the blueprints is Edgar.


    The guild leader said, pointing toward the reapers.


    Weiss."


    And ......, hey Raul. I told you we have a customer. Let''s stop working."


    When his name was called, the last of the three, a young man called Raul, finally turned around.


    Raul stared at Roland.


    Raoul glanced at Roland. You''re the one from the Golden Eagle.


    (I see. This is something else.)


    Raul''s Skills


    Ore Refining: A


    Product Design: A


    Metal Forming": A


    Silversmithing: A


    Magical Craftsmanship": S


    (All basic skills as an alchemist are class A. In addition, his unique skill "Magical Craftsmanship" is S. This skill at such a young age. He is a genius. ......)


    Roland was under pressure as he faced Raul.


    The arrogance and confidence that only a genius is allowed to possess.


    They were enough to overwhelm Roland.


    Raul leaned forward and approached Roland.


    You said Roland," Raul said. You know, you should remember that. I don''t know if you''re a member of the Golden Eagle or not. I''m not going to get too friendly with a small fry.


    Here you go, you... ...... to a customer."


    Don''t think that just because it worked in the City of Adventurers that it will work here, too. Adventurers from all over the world come to this island every year. From our point of view, there is no need to make a contract with you. If you are a bunch of fish with no skills and no stats, I''ll put you out of business.


    Here, Raul. ......


    I''ll do my best to live up to your expectations."


    Roland turns a conciliatory smile and offers his hand for a handshake.


    ''...... Hun.''


    Raul also responds with a handshake.


    Medes patted his chest in relief.


    ''No, Lord Roland is a young man, but he is a grown man.


    After meeting with Roland at the "Dragon''s Fireside" and signing a provisional contract, Roland left the studio for the day.


    <>