I''m sorry, Roland. I didn''t mean for this to happen."


    Dylan said apologetically.


    The two had been banned from the "Dragon''s Fires" and were returning to Roland''s inn in a horse-drawn carriage.


    No, it wasn''t your fault.


    But what do we do? As it is, we cannot support the adventurers of the "Golden Eagle" when they come to this island. Shall we try another alchemy guild?"


    No, let''s not do that. I''ve spent the last few days researching the alchemy guilds on this island ......."


    Roland takes out his notes and reviews them.


    He said, "You''re right, I certainly don''t think any alchemy guild other than ''Dragon''s Fires'' can maintain the ''Breaking Dragon Hammer.''"


    ''Then what do we do? Don''t tell me you''re giving up?"


    No way.


    (I told the guild that I would find a partner for sure. We can''t just leave for free like this.)


    Dylan. I''d like you to give up on the business partnership and look for a guild that might be able to buy us out."


    Takeover?


    I have no choice but to raise a guild of my own since I could not find a satisfactory one. I will acquire a local alchemy guild and raise it. Dylan, can you please make a list of alchemy guilds that I could acquire?


    I''d be happy to help you with that, but are you sure you''re up to it? Growing your own means going up against "Dragon''s Fires. They already have a dominant presence on this island. Do we have a chance?


    I''m not sure I want to go back there. I have been appraising the equipment of adventurers in town and the alchemists of "Dragon''s Fires" for the past few days, and I have found that the alchemists of that guild are wasteful in their work methods, and there is an opening in the market for them to take advantage of. I think there is an opening to take advantage of."


    Is that so?" Didn''t look that way to me. ......"


    If you look at it in a normal way.


    (But my appraisal skills certainly caught it. The market on this island has a lot to gain from the "Dragon''s Fires".)


    Roland had been observing the equipment of adventurers walking around town for the past few days, and he noticed something strange.


    Everyone had an unusually high rate of wear and tear on their equipment.


    It was strange to see such a high rate of equipment wear and tear, even though the alchemists were highly skilled.


    ''Of course, it''s not easy,'' he said. On this island, far from the adventurers'' town, it is difficult to receive support from the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" or the "Golden Eagle. We need to manage our business locally.


    I understand. If you insist so much, I''ll give it a try. I''ll check out the alchemy guilds on the island right away.


    Oh, please. I will try to find a talented alchemist.


    Roland went to the post office and sent a letter to Lilianne, Lange, and Arik, informing them that his stay on the island would be longer than planned because the business partnership had been broken off and that he needed additional funds.


    We will then recruit alchemists at the quest office on the island.


    As for the acquisition of the guild, fortunately, we were able to seize a workshop (atelier) on the outskirts of town that was immediately looking for a buyer.


    There was a cafeteria attached to the back of the studio, which offered cheap meals to adventurers from a small guild.


    The only alchemist who ran the workshop (atelier) was getting old, and there was no heir, and they were wondering whether to close it down or not.


    Oh, it''s you. The person who will take over this workshop (atelier)?


    An elderly alchemist said, his wrinkled face breaking into a smile.


    I really appreciate your help. We don''t have anyone who can use alchemy except my grandfather.


    Said the alchemist''s granddaughter (she runs the diner in the back with her parents).


    ) "It''s a lot of work to start from scratch, so I''m grateful to be able to take over such a well-loved local guild."


    It''s not that big of a deal. I''m just doing what I have to do at the request of my old business associates. But thanks to you, I can finally take a break.


    Roland added the sign "Arsenal of Spirits" to the sign hanging at the entrance of his workshop (atelier).


    The "Arsenal of Spirits" branch was born.


    While Roland was establishing the Arsenal of Spirits branch, Medes welcomed Gilbert back to his workshop (atelier).


    I am sorry," Gilbert said. Thank you for coming to see me again and again.


    No, no, it''s no big deal. So?　What happened with Roland after that?"


    Don''t worry. I have clearly refused to work with him, and I have nailed him to stay away from this workshop (atelier).


    Oh, really?


    Yes. After all, you can''t trust anything he says.


    You have made a good decision. It is a wise decision.


    "So ...... that ......, about your request ......


    Yes, of course, I will place the order. If Mr. Fierce Dragon has cut ties with Roland, there is no reason why we should not proceed. I will advise him to do business with Mr. Fiery Dragon immediately.


    Thank you very much. No, I am relieved to hear that."


    I''m sorry to bother you with this, but I was wondering if you had any news of Roland? No, I don''t mean that I doubt you guys by any means, I just mean that we should be on the lookout for his movements.


    Oh, Roland. From what I hear, he has taken over the alchemy guild here on the island.


    What?　Take over a guild?


    Yes, I don''t know what they''re up to, but, well, they can''t do much anyway."


    ...... I see."


    Gilbert made a little thoughtful gesture.


    ''What can I do for you, sir?


    No, Mr. Medes, if you don''t mind me asking, if you have caught any more information about Roland, would you be willing to share it with us in the future?"


    Yes, that''s fine with me. ......


    I am a cautious person," he said. I want to eliminate as many uncertainties as possible. You never know what the scum will do if you take your eyes off them. I have to keep an eye on him and watch him."


    Gilbert said with a dark look in his eyes.


    Roland was gathering information in preparation for the start of the "Arsenal of Spirits" branch.


    （In the adventurers'' town, Lily had given him a job, so he had only to make equipment for the "Guardians of the Magic Tree," but in this town, where he had no contacts, that would not be the case. He would have to market himself to find buyers for the equipment. (To do that, I need to gather information.)


    Roland''s research into the history of the island''s dungeons and adventurers'' guilds revealed the following


    The dungeons in the "Adventurers'' Town" were in a different space, but the dungeons in this town were an extension of normal space on the same time axis as the real world.


    Nearly 70% of the alchemical demand in "Fire Dragon Island" is for adventurers from outside the island.


    Also, unlike the "Adventurer''s Town," PK (player-kill) acts are allowed in the dungeon on this island.


    The island is home to many rare ores such as "Fire Rest," "Ice Rest," and "Wind Rest," and the frequent appearance of the "Giant Fire Dragon (Gran Fafnir)" attracts many adventurers from the four continents to collect ores. We have already mentioned that


    However, it is not widely known that, unlike the "City of Adventurers," PK is permitted in the dungeon.


    Originally, PK was prohibited, but no matter how much the government regulated it, the local adventurers'' guilds did not stop stripping adventurers who came from outside the island, and they also had to strip the island of its resources because outside guilds would take them away. The local guilds strongly protested that they could not make a living, and because of this, the government decided to allow PK in the dungeon (but not to allow PK in the dungeon by harming the person who surrendered by offering items or equipment, or by any other mischievous act). (Acts that threaten the life or rights of an opponent are prohibited.)


    PK has thus grown into a major industry on the island, allowing local guilds to compete with off-island guilds, but the downside is that the island''s originally weak adventurers'' guilds are now fighting each other, and larger guilds are growing up. It has become difficult.


    (I see. This is the reason why most of the adventurers'' guilds on the island were small and their equipment was heavily worn out because they destroyed each other''s equipment through PK. This is also why I saw so many bandits (thieves) in the taverns (......).


    Roland stood up after researching all this in the library.


    (PKing between adventurers, rare ores, powerful adventurers guilds coming from outside the island, dungeons of different nature. Nothing like "Adventurer''s Town." (This is not going to be a simple matter.)


    After gathering information, Roland returned to his workshop (atelier).


    By now, the alchemists he had recruited as guild members should have arrived for interviews.


    （In order to outwit the "Dragon''s Fires" and establish a base on this island, it is not enough to be just a little bit good. We need to find someone with a unique skill set.)


    Roland appraises the skills of the man who applied.


    My name is Rajiv Glen. My desired occupation is metal forming.


    Ore refining: C to A


    Metal Forming": D → B


    Silversmithing: D to C


    Product Design: C to B


    (Although "Ore Refining" could be an A. ....... Nope. This can''t compete with "Dragon''s Fires")


    Roland cuts off the man''s interview about halfway through and switches to the next interviewee.


    The next person to enter the room was a lively, cheerful-looking girl with her hair tied back.


    My name is Aina Burke. My dream is to have my own studio in the future.


    Aina Burke''s Unique Skills


    Exterior Reinforcement (Coating)": E → A


    (The owner of the unique skills found. And ......)


    [Aina Burke''s skills


    Metal Forming": C → A


    Workshop management": C to A


    ("Metal Forming" and "Workshop Management" are potential A''s in the future. He has the qualities to be the core of the workshop (atelier).


    We have more in mind the support of adventurers than profit. We hope to eventually produce A-class adventurers with our equipment.


    Class A adventurers!　That''s great."


    If you come to us, you will learn how to make A-class equipment. What do you think?　Would you like to work in the "Spirit Arsenal"?


    Hi. I look forward to working with you!


    Other than her, no other notable interviewees showed up that day.


    The next day, Roland immediately showed Aina around his studio.


    Aina was shown into the workshop and looked around.


    There was no sign of anyone in the room except Aina and Roland.


    Aina and Roland were the only other people in the room.


    I see. And now what?　What about my job?"


    Yes," he said. Come here.


    Roland led Aina to a workbench.


    Here is your worktable.


    Wow. This is my workbench.


    The workbench was a well-worn but solid piece of furniture.


    There were numerous scratches and impact marks on the table as evidence of the rough work it had endured over the years.


    Aina tapped and shook the workbench to check the base of the desk.


    Yes," she said. It''s a little old, but it''s a solid table. It looks like something good could be made here.


    I''ll have you do the ''metal molding'' for now," he said. Good boy."


    Roland opened a box stacked beside the workbench and removed a block of steel.


    He places it on the workbench and appraises the item.


    He placed it on the workbench and appraised the item. It''s a C-class iron, just as ordered. Now, I want you to forge this iron and make 10 swords with power 50 and durability (toughness) 50 or more.


    The Quest Common Standard defines these swords as Class C.


    Yes. These C10 swords are the ones that I deliver to the weapons shop that this workshop (studio) contracts with every day. So we need to make them every day. Can you do it?


    I''ll take care of it. I am good at ''metal molding.


    Aina immediately takes out her favorite hammer and stands in front of the workbench.


    (Okay. Here we go. (Skill: "Metal Forming"!)


    When Aina activates the skill, several light spots light up on the lump of iron.


    When Aina swings her hammer down toward the light spots, the lump of iron changes its shape with a clanging sound.


    Huh!"


    Aina kept hitting the lump of iron over and over again.


    Eventually, the iron took the shape of a sword.


    It is done.


    Oh, it''s done. Let''s see it."


    Roland appraises the finished sword.


    Status of the sword


    Power: 55


    Durability: 52


    Weight: 50


    Yes," he said. Both power and durability (toughness) are over 50.


    Good. Got it."


    It seems to be all right for the time being. Well then, I have a meeting with a contractor, so can I leave this part to you?]


    Yes, I''ll take care of it.


    When Roland returned to the workshop (atelier) after his meeting with the contractor, he found that the completed sword C was now in three pieces.


    (You''ve already completed three swords? That was fast.)


    Aina''s status.


    Agility: 60-70


    （I''m working fast because of my high agility. But that''s not all...you''re doing two at once?)


    Roland noticed that her work process had changed.


    Aina had laid out the steel for two swords on a workbench and was pounding away.


    The sword-making process is divided into the following three stages


    1. Hardening the disparate pieces of steel into one piece.


    2. Rough shaping.


    3, Shaping it finely.


    However, she seemed to be working on 1 and 2 at the same time, for two swords at a time.


    Oh, Mr. Roland.


    Aina notices Roland''s presence, interrupts her work, and rushes over.


    She said, "I found Iron D and Iron E in the Iron C basket, so I sorted them out."


    When I looked, I saw a crude box with obviously poor quality iron in it.


    I looked at it and saw a crude box with obviously poor-quality iron in it. That''s a big help."


    No, no.


    Aina again begins to work on sword C.


    Having roughly shaped the sword, she takes one sword down from the workbench and begins the stage of shaping it finely.


    (You even sorted out the crude iron? She works fast, thinks of ways to do things efficiently on her own, and goes above and beyond what I tell her to do. (So far, nothing to say about that.)


    Roland begins to organize the paperwork while listening to the metallic sounds that Aina causes.


    As he did so, he continued to observe her as she worked.


    (So far, I don''t see any problems. At this rate, her skills should naturally improve as she completes tasks. ......)


    Suddenly, I felt the presence of someone nearby, and when I looked, I saw a girl standing there.


    It was Saki, the signboard girl of the diner out front.


    She said, "Please come in if you like. I''d like to bring some for the people working over there.


    She offers me a pot of tea and a teacup.


    She said, "Thank you very much for this. I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to make you feel uncomfortable."


    No, no, no. I would be very grateful if you could use my studio in this way. We were having a hard time finding a use for it since my grandfather couldn''t work in it anymore.


    Saki offered Roland a cup of tea and stood aside to watch Aina work with him.


    It seems that she is free at this time of the day and not busy.


    It''s amazing, isn''t it? She. She can handle a hammer that looks so heavy.


    I''m not sure. So far, so good. ......


    In the meantime, Aina''s movements slow down.


    She was in the middle of crafting her sixth sword.


    Kuku."


    Finally, Aina had difficulty even raising her hammer.


    Roland appraised her status.


    [Aina''s status


    Arm strength (power): 20 (↓20) - 50


    (Arm strength (power) is dropping rapidly. Unnatural. Perhaps this is ......)


    Aina''s status


    Arm strength (power): 20-50


    Endurance (toughness): 1 (↓19) - 30


    Agility: 60-70


    Physical strength (stamina): 40-70


    (As expected. Her weakness is endurance (toughness)?


    Soon, Aina''s strength (stamina) runs out and she almost falls to her knees on the spot.


    (Oh no. I feel dizzy. ......)


    When Aina almost staggered, she felt someone supporting her shoulder.


    Are you all right?"


    Oh, Mr. Roland."


    ''You need to rest. I''ll take care of the cleanup."


    I''m sorry. I''m just tired all of a sudden."


    What? It''s just one of those days.


    Aina sits in a chair beside him and catches her breath.


    Roland further appraises her status as he clears the workbench.


    Aina''s status.


    Endurance (toughness): 1-30 to 60-70


    （The final goal of endurance (toughness) is 60-70. This is a sufficient number for an alchemist who is in charge of "metal molding". However, even if you train in the dark, it will not improve. What are the conditions for improving endurance (toughness)?


    Aina''s endurance (toughness) improvement conditions


    Make 10 swords C within a day.


    Continue this for 5 days.


    (10 swords C for 5 days. Her work has stopped at the 6th sword. It is one way to force her to complete the work at this point. ......)


    Roland looks at Aina.


    She is limp and tired, despite having taken the potion, and is unlikely to be able to raise the hammer any further.


    (Today, she has reached her limit. (Today, she has reached her limit.) If she overworked herself any more, it would affect the next day. But her endurance (toughness) will not increase unless she makes 10 swords c a day. (To solve this dilemma, go to ......)


    <>