Lillianne stops her pen when there is a knock on the Oval Office door.
Come in."
Lillianne called out to them, and Monica, Shakuma, and Yuffine entered.
They were all looking at her. "You wanted to see me, guild leader?"
Lillianne looked around at each of the three faces in turn in a calm and collected manner, as if she were the guild leader herself.
Their faces tightened nervously.
''Take this to .......''
Lilianne hands the letter to Euphine.
''Is this a letter from ...... Roland?
Yes."
What does it say, Euphine?
Monica asked hastily.
The planned collaboration with the alchemy guild has broken off. Therefore, we have decided to establish a new alchemy guild on the ''Fire Dragon Island. Give me money."
Euphine summarized the contents of the letter.
''The business partnership has broken up?''
Establishing an alchemy guild on the ''Fire Dragon Island''...... So Mr. Roland won''t be able to come back for a while?"
Shakuma said in a panic.
''It appears so.''
Lillianne sighs.
''We have to take on the dungeon and protect this guild without Mr. Loran''s help for a while. Therefore, I am temporarily appointing a deputy as captain of Loran''s squad. The acting captain is Yuffine. You shall serve. The deputy captain is you, Shakuma."
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir."
The "Guardians of the Magic Tree" and the "Golden Eagle" are becoming more harmonious, but there is already a movement among some of the "Golden Eagles" to oppose our moves. Each of you may be anxious without Mr. Roland, but it is in times like these that we must show our solidarity. Each of you, refrain from any rash actions and work to maintain the strength of the unit."
Yes."
After leaving Lillianne''s office, Monica continued to think about Roland.
(Mr. Roland, are you okay?)
Monica looks in the direction of the sea with a worried hand on her chest.
She had just been told to refrain from rash behavior, but when she thought of Roland struggling alone on "Fire Dragon Island" with no relatives, she felt the urge to run to him right now.
At the "Arsenal of Spirits" branch, Roland and his team were repeating trial and error in order to make armor for Elio.
No luck. Failure.
Roland said after tinkering a bit with the finished armor.
''What? Why?"
The joints don''t bend properly. It''s a design error.
Oh, really.
"Roddy, we''re going to have to start all over again from the design."
Uh, yes.
Aina will practice "exterior reinforcement (coating)" until Roddy''s design is ready.
Yes, sir.
Each member set to work on his or her own task.
Roddy. This part of the blueprint.
Roland pointed out, pointing to the diagram.
This part can only be done with ''metal molding'' A."
Oh, I see.
Product design" can increase the adaptability of the equipment and its owner. In some cases, it can have a positive effect on the skill and status of the equipped person. However, if you don''t consider the skill level of the person who is molding the equipment, it will fail as equipment in the first place.
I''m not sure I want to do that. I see. I never thought about it before.
You''ve worked on ''product design'' at your previous place of employment, haven''t you? Didn''t they say anything about it there?"
No. I drew the drawings just as I was taught at the training school, and that alone branded me as unfit."
...... I see."
This point made by Roland seemed to solve a long-standing problem for Rodi.
(I''ve never been good at this, but this is what it''s all about? Then do this here ...... and)
With Roland''s proper guidance, Lodi''s skills in "product design" were improving rapidly.
(I guess Roddy''s going to have to make do. Aina is at ......)
Aina felt numbness in her hands as she tried to apply the skill "Exterior Reinforcement (Coating)".
(Tsk. Out of magic power?)
Roddy is still in the process of re-drawing the blueprints.
（It can''t be helped. I''ll just make a sword C.)
Aina hammered iron at a tremendous speed and made sword C by herself.
Roland was watching her closely.
(Aina, is the making of sword C now a kind of preparatory exercise?)
[Aina''s status.
Arm strength (power): 40-50
Endurance (toughness): 40-50
Agility: 70 (up 10) - 80 (up 10)
Physical strength (stamina): 40 (↘?)-70
Magic: 1 (↘?19) - 30 (↑20)
(The "exterior reinforcement (coating)" has led to a remarkable increase in magical power. Agility has also increased. Aina is the type of person who gets better when she is busy.)
How''s it going? Any problems?"
Roland spoke to Roddy.
Loran spoke to Roddy. Aina''s working hard. I can''t stop working hard.
Roddy then draws a line on the drawing.
(This one looks okay, too. (Roddy is the type of person who exerts himself for someone other than himself.)
Roland appraised their skills as he put away the used armor Aina had used to practice "Exterior Reinforcement (Coating)" on a cart.
[Aina''s skills.
Metal molding": B to A
Coating": C (up 1) to A
[Lodi''s skills
Product Design: C (up 1) to A
(Both of them are steadily improving their skills. We have one day left before the delivery date, but this looks like we''ll manage to make it.)
Roland once again watched them as they worked.
(I am sure these two will make a great piece of equipment.)
Finally, on the appointed day, the armor mold was completed.
It was designed with the exterior swelling up with "exterior reinforcement (coating)" in mind, and the size adjustment was perfect.
Aina pointed her wand at the armor, which was already coated with blue paint.
(Let''s go. Skill "Exterior Reinforcement (Coating)")
As Aina casts a support magic spell, the paint seems to swell in an uncontrolled manner, but is held back by invisible magical forces and solidifies, forming the outer contour of the armor as it is.
The bright blue armor was complete.
And it''s done.
Not yet. No equipment is considered complete until it has been tested to see if it actually works."
Roland tries the armor through his body.
The lightness test is okay," Roland says. The joints are fine.
Roland checks the movement as he twists and raises his arms.
Now it''s time for the all-important endurance test.
Are you sure about this?"
Roddy asked, frowning with concern as he held the hammer in his hand.
''Yeah, give it your best shot.
Well then, excuse me, ......!"
Roddy hits the hammer as hard as he can at Roland.
The sound of the hammer''s impact echoes through the workshop, but Roland and his armor do not seem to be affected by the impact.
Rather, it was the hammer that was damaged.
The head of the hammer detached from the handle and flew toward Dylan, who was watching the experiment from afar.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Dylan jumped in a panic and dodged the head of the hammer as it flew at his feet.
Roddy is astonished.
(Nah. Not only does the armor get damaged ......, but on the contrary, the hammer breaks.)
''Yeah,'' he said. And my defenses are perfect."
[Status of blue armor
Power: 70
Durability: 70 (↑20 due to "coating")
Weight: 50
Special effect: Reflective
（Aina''s "coating" has not only increased durability, but also has a special reflective effect. It''s no longer possible for a C-class weapon to put a scratch on it.)
Aina was amazed herself, even though she had made it herself.
(Great. This is the power of my unique skill. (And Mr. Roland''s ......)
Aina looks at Loran in awe.
(I''ve been working at the workshop for less than a month, and I''ve made such custom-made equipment. And it''s all thanks to Mr. Roland''s intensive skill training for our aptitude.)
(I can''t believe it worked out so well. What the hell is this guy ......)
Come on, let''s go deliver this equipment to our guest."
Roland carries the blue armor out to Elio, who is waiting outside.
When he went outside the workshop (atelier), he found an unexpected person there.
Oh?" Saki, even your grandfather. It''s rare. What''s the matter?"
Roland rolled his eyes at the unexpected visitor.
Hello," he said. Hello, Mr. Roland. Your grandfather wanted to take a tour of .......
I heard that a custom-made product had been completed at the workshop (atelier). I couldn''t stay away, so I came to take a look.
I am so glad you took the trouble to show up. Thank you very much. Please take a look. You should take a look at the custom-made items we have made.
Elio puts his arm through the blue armor.
How do you like it?"
I''m not sure. It''s not heavy. Rather, it is light. It''s rather light, even though it''s so thickly armored.
Elio moves his body freely.
Grandfather looked at him.
(Hohoho. It''s been a long time since I''ve seen equipment so well adapted to its wearer. I never thought I''d be able to make something like this. This young man is not a simpleton.)
Grandfather steals a glance at Roland.
It may be an unexpected monster who has succeeded him.
(For the past few years, the island has been under the spell of "Dragon''s Fires," ......, but this could be something interesting to see.)
What can I do for you? Grandfather?"
Saki wonders at her grandfather, who looks happier than ever.
No," he said, "I thought I would live longer."
Grandfather smiles meaningfully.
Saki simply nodded her head.
The next day, the guild "Shield of the Dawn" was once again on a quest to collect ore from the "Metal Line.
Hey, Erio. Are you sure you want to go with that equipment?"
Leon, the leader of the group, looked at Elio''s new equipment with a questioning look.
Are you sure you can handle such armor made by an alchemist you don''t even know? Wouldn''t it be better to use the "Dragon''s Fires" equipment?"
I''ll be fine. The defense and durability are second to none. You heard what the guild''s appraiser said, right?
But that armor, I''ve never seen armor like that. Is there really such a thing as lightweight and durable armor?
That''s right, Elio. You''re not running some kind of a scam on me, are you?"
Even Jeff, the archer, looks at the blue armor as if he were looking at something dubious.
It''s all right. I trust that man, Mr. Roland.
But so far, you''re totally mobile. I''m running at a faster pace than usual and I haven''t broken a sweat.
Cecil the Thief (Thief) said.
Oh, I have no problem with the lightness and comfort of this armor," said Cecil. It seems that they have gone to great lengths in designing it.
I see. Well, anyway, if you feel any danger, tell me right away. If you die because of faulty equipment, it won''t be funny.
Hey, no time for chitchat. The monsters are coming. There are armored orcs.
Jeff the archer said.
Good. I''ll take care of it.
With agile movements, Erio stood in front of the two armored orcs.
What an idiot! Who could take on two of them by himself?
Leon shouted, but it was already too late.
Two clubs are swung at Elio.
However, Erio is not damaged, but rather the clubs are shattered.
(Okay, I can do it. (This will work. ......)
Erio tackles the "armored orc," which is a size larger than he is, and thrusts a dagger from his waist into the enemy''s side.
The "armored orc" kneels down.
When he tried to tackle the other one, flames flew at him.
It was the breath of fire from the pterodactyl.
However, Erio caught even the flames with his armor.
The left arm of the armor was made of "fire-repelling ore.
Leon''s eyes widened.
（I can''t believe it. I can''t believe that such a lightweight armor has such a strong defense. How many skilled men could have forged that armor?)
(Okay. I can do it. This will protect everyone!)
Elio then continued to withstand the onslaught of the enemy, pushing back rather than fighting off the monsters in the blink of an eye.
The group proceeded deeper into the dungeon.
Elio. Are you all right? That battle earlier, it looked like you were going at it pretty hard, you must be worn out."
I''m fine. In fact, I''m in better spirits than usual.
Eventually, they reached a mining site, collected a large amount of rare metals, and headed home.
Erio, who normally does not bring back many items, was able to bring back more rare metals than usual thanks to the abundance of rare metals he was able to possess.
Hehehe. Did I take too much?"
What is it? We''ve been in a recession lately. Sometimes this much ......"
Hey, the excursion isn''t over yet. The guild of thieves is likely to target you on your way home. Oh, well, speak of the devil. It''s the White Wolves.
Jeff caught the approaching "white wolf" with his skill "far-sightedness.
They immediately set up their attack position and came at him.
Look," he said. It''s the Shield of Dawn.
They''re still collecting rare metals. They''re idiots.
Jamil said they were after shield-bearers, right?
Wait, something''s wrong. I''ve never seen that guy in blue armor before.
It doesn''t matter. Here we go.
The "Shield of Dawn" also enters the interception system.
"d*mn, they found us. Not my lucky day.
It''s okay. I''ll protect you and your items with this armor.
Erio, ever agile, closes in on the spearhead of the "White Wolf".
Fool! A summer bug that flies into the fire.
One of the "White Wolves" thrust his sword at Elio.
It was a large sword with B-class power.
However, the sword is broken.
What?"
Elio hits an enemy bandit (Thief) with his shield.
"Ggghhh!"
What the hell is this guy''s armor?
The attack doesn''t go through at all.
Eventually the rear guard was ready, Jeff firing arrows from a perfect position and Leon getting in close.
Cecil, the thief (Thief), took up position behind Elio so that he could cast a recovery spell.
He was in a good position to fire an arrow, but Leon was too far behind him. I can''t hold on.
We need to retreat. Pull back. It''s not worth it to wear them out any further."
The "White Wolf" team pulls away.
Erio and his team returned to the city through the dungeon without missing a single item.
The next day, Erio visited "Dragon''s Fires.
On the same day, Edgar was being nailed by Raul in the hallway regarding the renewal of his contract.
Edgar. You''re the only one who hasn''t met this month''s quota. Are you sure you''re on track with your sales projections?"
I''ll be fine. I''ll take care of it.
What''s your guess?"
You know that shield-bearer from The Shield of Dawn? If he renews his contract, we will have reached our quota.
Those guys?
Raul looked a little difficult.
I hear that "Shield of Dawn" is not doing so well these days.
''That shield-bearer is going to renew his contract properly, isn''t he?
I''ll leave it to you. The Shield of Dawn is a guild that explores to the Metal Line. They will have to rely on our equipment.
I see. Good. Don''t make the mistake of missing it.
Edgar. Erio from The Shield of Dawn is here.
The receptionist said.
''Whoa, what a rumor to spread.
Edgar went to the counter to deal with Elio.
''Mr. Elio. You''re late.
I''m sorry," he said. I didn''t get back to you until the last minute.
I''m sorry to hear that," he said. I can''t believe he made us worry until the very last minute before the contract was up for renewal. So, have you decided what to do about the contract renewal?
Edgar was grinning, as if the answer had already been decided without even needing to ask.
The armor entrusted to him was already perfectly in place for his contract renewal.
''Yeah, I''ve decided.''
Elio smiled radiantly.
''I''m not going to renew my contract,'' he said. Thank you for everything. Bye.
<>