Medes had finished guiding Roland and was taking a break.
(Whew. Oh, dear. I''m tired. I''m really tired of having to show him around the studio. This is why I don''t like strangers. We''re the only one who can handle orders from the big guilds on this island. Well, we can''t help it. Work from the outside is delicious. We can''t just ignore them.)
Medes sits deep in his chair, lights his pipe, and takes a puff.
（I''m sure Roland was satisfied when he actually saw the workshop (atelier). This means that the deal is as good as done. ......)
"Guildmaster."
With a knock at the door, a clerk enters.
What in the world? At this hour?
Medes said, looking like a billion bucks.
There is a person claiming to be an envoy from the guild ''The Sword of the midnight sun.
How? From the Sword of the Midnight Sun?
The Sword of the Midnight Sun is a large guild that has made a name for itself on the northern continent, and its fame reverberates across the sea.
This is the first time they have come to the Island of the Fire Dragon.
They are eager to make a big deal with us, and they want to meet the head of the guild.
What? Send him in now."
(When it comes from a large guild like the Sword of the midnight sun, the rewards are sure to be extraordinary. This could be a chance to make a fortune.)
Then came a red-faced, bearded, muscular, middle-aged man.
He was clearly a warrior.
I apologize for the suddenness of my visit. We are not used to working on this island. Please forgive our rudeness.
No, no, nothing like that. So, what is it you want us to do for you?
Here it is.
He took out a sheet of papers.
(Mm, what''s this? ! )
What was written there was an unbeatable offer: half the workload of Roland''s request, but twice the compensation.
How do you like it? I''m sorry to pay you this much, but ......"
No way. No way. For this much reward, I''d be happy to do it by all means.
Oh, I''m glad to hear you say that. I''m glad to hear you say that, because it''s an urgent matter. We were having trouble finding a guild that would accept the order.
That''s it. You are lucky to have found our guild. We can deliver on time with high quality.
"Oh, that would be a great help."
The conversation between the guild leader and the bearded warrior proceeded amicably, and the messenger from "The Sword of the White Night" left in a good mood.
（The messenger from "The Sword of the midnight sun" left in a good mood. This is my lucky day. This must be done before Roland''s request.)
While the guild president was thinking about this, there was another knock at the door.
Guild President, excuse me.
What is it? Again. What is it this time? I''m tired. ......"
We have another client who would like to make a request. This time he is from a major guild on the northern continent, the Glacier Hunters.
What? Really? Send him through now."
A nervous-looking young man wearing glasses appeared.
He seemed to be an appraiser.
I apologize for the sudden visit. Actually, I am looking for an alchemy guild that can handle this much work.
Mm, what''s this?
This was also half the workload of Roland''s request, but with the promise of triple the reward.
How about a little tighter deadline?"
I''d be happy to do it.
I see. No, thank God. I was wondering what I would do if it didn''t work out here. Suddenly, the demand for equipment using "ice rest" on the northern continent has skyrocketed.
Don''t worry," he said. We are a workshop (atelier) that is more experienced in processing rare metals than anywhere else in the world. We will finish the work perfectly and on time.
The messenger from "Glacier Hunter" left in a good mood.
（I never thought I''d get such a good deal," he said. I must get this job done before "The Sword of the White Night" and "The Golden Eagle".)
As the guild president was thinking about this, there was another knock at the door.
''Guild leader, may I?
What is it this time? I''m tired. I''m not going to work a penny more today.
But a major guild on the northern continent, the Knights of the Raisin, came to see me and asked for a large order.
What the hell? Let me through now."
A young man with a carefree smile and an axe and spear (halberd) appeared.
He said, "Well, I''m sorry to bother you at this hour with no appointment. Suddenly, a job fell upon me.
No, no, no, don''t worry about it. So what is it? What is it that you want us to do for you?
Actually, it''s something like this.
Mwah! What''s this?
The man with the axe and spear (halberd) pulled out a document that promised four times the amount of work as the "Golden Eagle," even though it was half the amount of work.
I''m a little pressed for time on the deadline. ......
No, no, no. I don''t care. I don''t mind. I would be happy to do this kind of work for you.
Medes agreed with such vigor that he almost fell to his knees in worship.
I am so glad to hear that. Thank you very much. We were in desperate need of equipment made of ice-repellent ore.
Hearing this, Medes also recalled a previous client.
Come to think of it, the messenger from the "glacier hunter" also said that there was a shortage of "ice repellent ore (ice rest).
The shortage of "ice rest" in the northern continent may be the reason for such unusual requests.
This is what was imprinted in Medes'' mind.
The meeting between Medes and the halberdier proceeded amicably from start to finish.
The Halbert man left in a good mood.
Medes was in a trance for a while after that.
With this amount of money, he would have enough money to buy new clothes, pay the mortgage on the carriage, and buy a fancy villa.
(I have to get this job done, no matter what it takes. Anyway, let''s make the best of it. The "Glacier Hunter," "The Sword of the Midnight Sun," and "The Golden Eagle" jobs can wait. ......)
Medes thought that much and finally realized that he was short on deadlines to get all the work done.
He would have to give up any of the other requests in order to complete the "Knight of Hail.
The next day, Roland and Dylan visited "Dragon''s Fires" again.
The next day, Roland and Dylan visited "Dragon''s Fires" again to work out the details of the contract.
(Well, here we go. (Well, here we go.) From the feeling I had yesterday, there should be no problems, but you never know what might happen in a negotiation, ....... We have to be on our toes and get on with it.)
Roland announced his visit to the "Dragon''s Fires" receptionist.
Oh, it''s you.
Medes said as soon as he saw Roland.
Roland had a bad feeling about this.
（Was it his imagination? (Somehow, Mr. Medes'' attitude seems to have become more careless compared to yesterday. ......)
Mr. Medes. I''d like to discuss the contract. ......"
Yes, yes, about that."
Medes scratches his head in annoyance and looks for the papers.
''Uh, oh, shoot.''
Medes suddenly frowned.
It was a very acting-like attitude.
I''m sorry, Mr. Roland, but I''m going to have to ask you to extend the delivery date of this contract.
What? Is this an extension ......?"
Yes, that''s right. I had completely forgotten that several of our staff members had been ill. The deadline you gave us was too late.
Haa......"
So, would you be willing to give us an extension somehow?"
...... understand. I will ask permission from the guild.
Mr. Medes, if you extend the delivery date, you will receive a substantial discount on the price.
When Dylan said this, Medes frowned uncomfortably.
Medes''s demeanor somehow changed from yesterday, didn''t it?"
On the carriage ride home, Roland confided in Dylan about the discomfort he felt.
Roland, do you feel the same way? Actually, I was suspicious too. How could they have meant to extend the delivery date so abruptly? Yesterday he seemed eager to close the deal as soon as possible."
It looked to me as if he was taking a wicked shine to us ......."
No way. That''s a bit too much to worry about. You''re being too concerned about an important business partner. ......"
You''re not going to break up this thing by any chance, are you?
No way. No way. During the busy season, the "Dragon''s Fires" is not busy at this time of year. I''m sure of it, because I''ve done a lot of careful research.
I see. If you insist that much ......"
You worry too much," he said. Even Medes has his moments when he doesn''t feel like working. It''s not good to be too pessimistic. Let''s look on the bright side.
Yes, I suppose so."
After returning to his lodgings, Roland began working on his report.
He was told that the delivery date was likely to be longer than planned due to the client''s circumstances, that his stay would be prolonged because of this, and that he would need the guild''s approval for these matters.
He sent a letter to the "Golden Eagle" with these details.
Until the letter came back, Roland spent time researching the local dungeons and monsters.
In the meantime, the cost of his stay was mounting.
A week later, after receiving permission from the guild, Roland went to visit Medes again.
However, Medes'' answer was blunt.
Do you want to raise your prices?
No. I''m sorry. The price of ore has suddenly gone up. The budget you gave us is no longer sufficient. For that reason, I am sorry, but I would like to raise the price."
How much is that ...... for example?"
Yes, sir, about four times as much.
Four times?
Roland said in a tone of exultation.
''Mr. Medes, how much more is that not possible?''
Dylan said.
You said, "We took you up on your offer and drank the extended delivery time, remember? They should be willing to give us a discount. And then raise the price? What the hell are you doing?"
When Dylan said this, Medes frowned uncomfortably.
What is it? If you are so dissatisfied with the price we offer, why don''t you ask another alchemy guild to do it for you? We don''t mind if we don''t do business with you. We''re not in this for charity either."
Roland and Dylan looked at each other.
Jamil and Rod of the thieves'' guild "Hakuro" were visiting the "Dragon''s Fireside.
Hey, guys. Raul.
Oh. Jamil?"
I got cut down by a monster in the dungeon. I need you to fix it."
Jamil shows him his damaged equipment.
Jamil shows him the damaged equipment. Hey, you, take these two guys'' equipment to my workshop.
Raul gave instructions to the junior staff.
Then he heard voices coming from the hallway.
Raul said, "Wait a minute. Mr. Medes. What in the world do you mean, you''re suddenly going to quadruple your rates? Please explain it to me properly.
I told you earlier," he said. If you are dissatisfied with our price, you don''t have to deal with us. Good bye."
Hey, ......."
Jamil looked toward the voice and saw Loran and Dylan chasing after the medes.
Jamil caught sight of Loran''s "golden eagle" crest.
(That''s ......, I saw it at the tavern ......)
Hey Raul, are you guys going to sign up with that guy?"
Ah, an envoy from the Golden Eagle, a guild that has recently flourished in the City of Adventurers.
"The Golden Eagle, ......"
I don''t like it. You''re an adventurer, but you don''t have a single piece of equipment on you. I don''t know how much you know about alchemy.
He''s a f*cking bum.
What?
I did a status report on him. It was an unfamiliar guild crest. I''d say he''s a C or a D."
Hmm?
You say he is an envoy of the Golden Eagle, but is he really such a big guy from such a big guild? Aren''t you geeks being deceived?"
No way. ...... that''s not true. ......
(But it sure seems odd if you ask me. He is too low for an executive of a big guild, and his status is only that of an intermediary. If our guild leader is going ahead with the matter without doing a thorough investigation, he should have been told to go to ....... (No, I don''t think so.)
Roland and Dylan chased after him, but without any luck, the medes got on the wagon and went away.
Roland and Dylan were left there.
What the hell was that all about, all of a sudden?
I can''t believe they''re going to charge me four times what they did. What do we do now, Roland?"
I knew Mr. Medes wasn''t willing to do business with the Golden Eagle. Doesn''t that mean he''s found someone else to do business with?
No way ...... that''s possible. ......
Anyway, since Mr. Medes says so, I''ll just have to apply to the guild for a budget and see what I can do to quadruple the funds."
I understand. I''ll make sure Mr. Medes doesn''t change his mind any more.
Yes, please.
The old man''s a lickspittle. He''s been jerking me around like this. Don''t tell me you can''t sign a contract.
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