Roland was quick to give advice to "Shield of Dawn".


    ''Ready?　This time, the mission is to collect "Earthcraft" anyway. Earth Craft" is a special item that can instantly restore the wear and tear on equipment, in other words, it can increase the adventurer''s ability to fight in a dungeon and increase the amount of time spent in the dungeon. It''s essential for short-term, concentrated growth. Collect as many "Earth Crafts" as possible. Ignore everything else. Monica."


    Yes, sir.


    Here.


    Roland handed her a list of monsters that appear in the "volcano dungeon.


    This is the list of monsters that appear in the Volcano Dungeon. You should be able to avoid most of them if you use Hawk-Eye, but if you have to fight, you will have to deal with the B-class monsters and above. Other than that, you can leave the rest to Leon and the others.


    I understand.


    Hey! You''ve been teaching me all about "Shield of Dawn" since a while ago. We don''t have anything?"


    Alice of "Arrow of Heavenly Horse" put her hands on her hips and said angrily.


    We have a partnership with the ''Arsenal of Spirits,'' so we need you to give us proper guidance, don''t we?"


    Roland chuckled.


    Compared to before, I''ve become much more dependable.


    I''m sorry, I''m sorry. I didn''t forget about you guys.


    Roland, do we have anything for you?"


    Hans asked.


    I wonder if ''The Arrow of Heavenly Horses'' is the same as before. "Hit and away again and again to develop agility.


    Then further refine your hit-and-away.


    With your agility, you should be able to run away from the fire dragon (Fafnir) for three days even if you encounter it.


    It is possible to survive in the current dungeon while training yourself.


    Please do so and collect as much Earth Craft as you can."


    I''m sure you''ll be fine. So we''re back to running around in the volcano.


    Good. I''ll work on my agility and hone my ''rapid fire'' skills.


    Alice said to get into the spirit.


    It''s also important to avoid white combat," she said. I''ll support you with my ''far-sightedness''."


    Claire said.


    ''I guess that''s about it for now. Any questions?　No?　All right, then, everyone, go on. I wish you all the best.


    Thus, the "Shield of Dawn" and the "Arrow of Heavenly Horse" left the "Spirit Arsenal" and headed for the "Volcano Dungeon. One person was watching them from the shadows.


    He was Wirik, a connoisseur belonging to the "Roland Victims'' Association.


    After appraising the status of the members of "Shield of Dawn" and "Arrow of Heavenly Horse," Wirik brought the information back to the hideout.


    Sebasta, who was away from home, stood up when he saw Wirik.


    ''Wirik, huh? How did it go?　How is the "Arsenal of Spirits" going?　Did you catch any movement?"


    Two guilds of adventurers from the "Arsenal of Spirits" headed for the dungeon. We believe they are guilds under Roland. Sebasta, please deliver this information to Gilbert."


    I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do it. Another errand. Day in and day out, you keep on doing this kind of chore. When in the world will Roland be put to death!


    Sebasta, hold it down. This is where you have to work hard. This kind of steady intelligence work will eventually bear fruit and bring us victory.


    How many months have we been active, then?　It was good until Roland was locked out of the "Dragon''s Fires," but since then, the "Arsenal of Spirits" has been steadily growing in power, hasn''t it? While he has been steadily increasing his power, I have been putting up with poor food and a room with peeling walls.　When in the world am I going to be able to rejoin the second unit of the Gilded Eagle?"


    Now is the time to wait for an opportunity. Don''t worry. The chance to put Roland to death will surely come. Until then, be patient. Now, give this information to Gilbert.


    Sebasta received Willik''s note with a bitter look on his face and went to Gilbert in disguise.


    A meeting was being held at the "Dragon''s Fireside."


    ''Well then, let the meeting begin.


    Medes opened his mouth when he saw the quartet seated at the conference table.


    As you are already aware, our company, Dragon''s Fires, has been officially commissioned by the Knights of the Crescent Moon to manufacture and maintain weapons. This time, the "Knight of the Crescent Moon" is planning to explore the dungeon three times. The "Knight of the Crescent Moon" has asked us to manufacture and maintain the S-class weapon, the magical sword Granir, and the fire spear (Javelin). As usual, Raul will maintain the sword Granille, and their standard equipment will be divided equally among the quartet. ......, who will be in charge of the manufacture of the Javelin? I think."


    I understand. I''ll take care of it.


    Edgar accepted with authority.


    Wait!


    Lizetta stood up and objected.


    The manufacture of javelins requires silversmithing skills. I am more ...... than Edgar here."


    Lizetta. I know what you mean. There are people in the guild who feel uneasy with your javelin. In fact, the javelin was useless in the last dungeon search for the "Guardian of the House of Magic. If this information gets into the hands of the "Knights of the Crescent Moon," it would be a little bad.


    But it''s ......"


    Lizetta. You may have something to say, but the result is the result. Give it to Edgar this time."


    d*mn it.


    Now, I think we''re done with the "Knight of the Crescent Moon" thing. Next, we have a request from Mr. Gilbert. The con man ......, what did he say?　Yes, that''s right, Roland. He wants us to take action against Roland''s guild, the Arsenal of Spirits."


    (Roland? )


    Lizetta, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly listened.


    I thought he was just trying to get us to do something by starting up an alchemy guild, but to my annoyance, he seems to be doing surprisingly well. It seems that there are already two adventurers'' guilds that have signed contracts with the Arsenal of Spirits.


    I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do that. That''s a big deal.


    How could he run an alchemy guild with just his glibness and false bravado?


    It''s a talent of a sort, isn''t it?


    The deceiver is also the deceived. I don''t know what the hell I''m doing.


    Well, well, well. There are always people who are fooled by petty scams.


    I''m in trouble, man.


    The members of the quartet exchanged their thoughts.


    Well, they are still a small alchemy guild and not much of a threat to us. Ignoring them would be fine, but I can''t help but be concerned about Gilbert, the "Knight of Hail. He said it would affect the impression he would make on his superiors."


    That guy?"


    Raul looked a bit gawked.


    He was a little uncomfortable with Gilbert.


    Gilbert wants us to destroy the Arsenal of the Spirits.


    Crush?"


    Yes," he said. By striking the Adventurer''s Guild, which has a contract with the Arsenal of Spirits, we hope to discredit his products and indirectly deal a blow to the Arsenal of Spirits.


    I see.


    Certainly that would hasten the death of Roland''s guild.


    I would like someone from the quartet to take on this assignment. What do you think?　Anyone who thinks they can do it?


    (The "Arsenal of Spirits" would surely win!)


    Lisetta thought so.


    (My reputation is beginning to suffer because of "The Guardian of the Magical Academy. I must do whatever I can to clear my name here.)


    Please put me in charge of that mission!"


    Lizetta raised her hand.


    ''Wait a minute. Guild leader. Let me handle this place, please."


    Edgar also raises his hand.


    Edgar. Edgar, you are in charge of making Javelins, aren''t you?　Can you handle two projects?"


    I''ll be fine. It''s enough for me to deal a blow to Roland.


    Guild President. Edgar is in charge of the Javelin, so that''s enough, isn''t it?　Let me do it here.


    Lizetta responded in defeat.


    This assignment will involve working with the Adventurers'' Guild," she said. Lizetta doesn''t have enough experience.


    Guild leader!


    Good. Let''s leave this to Edgar."


    All right.


    Oh, no. ......"


    Lizetta paled.


    Edgar chuckled.


    (Good. I''ve taken Lizetta''s job again. If we continue to take Lizetta''s job, her reputation will naturally decline. Sooner or later, we''ll be able to kick her out of the guild.)


    After being entrusted with two special projects by the head of the guild, Edgar immediately set to work.


    However, he soon realized that the workload was far beyond his capacity.


    （There''s not enough time to work on the Javelin and the "Arsenal of Spirits" at the same time. I also have my own client work to do. (What should I do? ......)


    After much thought, Edgar decided to use Lizetta.


    Lizetta, you wanted to do something about the "Arsenal of Spirits,"" he said. Can I help you with that?"


    Lizetta looked at Edgar with cold eyes.


    ''How''s it going?　You''ll help us, won''t you?"


    I don''t want to!　Of course you don''t want to do that.　Why should I help you with your work?"


    I''m not asking you to do that," he said. Lisetta-chan. You''re not getting the guild leader''s attention these days, are you?　I thought this would be my chance to redeem myself."


    I''m sorry. You just want me to cooperate with you and take the credit. That''s what he''s going to do. That''s what you''re trying to do.


    "......"


    If it''s out of your control, first withdraw from this job and then appoint me as your official contact person. That''s the way it''s supposed to be, isn''t it?"


    If I did that, it would make me look bad, wouldn''t it? Please do me a favor. Lizetta. She''s in trouble.


    I don''t know anything about that. I''m too busy doing my own work right now. I can''t afford to work for your credit. Well then."


    Lisetta said that much and walked away.


    She walked away. Uncooperative bastard.


    Having no choice, Edgar decided to consult Charles.


    Of course. I''ll help you.


    Really?


    It''s a "give and take" kind of thing. You and me.


    Thank God. Lisetta''s not being very cooperative.


    Ha-ha. She''s all about being on her own.


    I''m not good company. I''m sorry to be a bad influence on you, but you''re my best friend. Please."


    I''ll take care of it. My ''product design'' and ''ore refining'' are A class. Well, you can''t lose to the guys in Roland''s guild. But I have my own work to do. I''ll have to leave the metal molding to another employee.


    I''ll see what I can do about that.


    Edgar called three junior staff members under his command.


    One was Wayne, a young man with a strong and confident impression.


    The other was Pato, a shy and difficult-looking young man.


    The last one was a timid but kind-looking girl, Leena.


    These three are all "metal molding B''s."


    I see. Well, isn''t that enough as a countermeasure against the "Arsenal of Spirits"?　Now all that''s left is to arrange for the Adventurers'' Guild."


    Here''s the status information Gilbert gave me on the Shield of Dawn and the Arrow of the Heavenly Horse.


    I was surprised to hear that you are even visiting the enemy. You''re a very prepared person, aren''t you? Hmmm. All of them are C-class adventurers, I guess. It''s just like a small guild. Hmm?　This Monica girl is annotated with something. She is an A-class archer with "Hawk-Eye," so keep that in mind. Hawkeye?　What''s that?


    I''m sure there must be some kind of mistake. Agility is too low for an archer. This one is also a C-class archer.


    ''Well, then don''t worry about these annotations. If this is the case, why don''t you just hit the "dragon knight''s hermitage"?　There is Breda, a B-class warrior there, and above all, they are a guild of "Dragon''s Fiery Fire" child-owners. They may be willing to do some of the dirty work.


    I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do it. It''s settled. All the arrangements are now in place. Then you three, Wayne, Pato, and Lena, will be in charge of manufacturing the equipment for the Arsenal of the Spirits.


    Yes."


    (Let them do the work and I''ll take the credit. Kuk. (I''ll let them do the work and I''ll take the credit for it.)


    Thus, they proceeded to manufacture equipment for the "Arsenal of Spirits" at a rapid pace, and the next day, the equipment was handed over to the adventurers of the "Dragon Knight''s Hermitage".


    They entered the dungeon and marched forcibly along the paths that the "Shield of Dawn" and the "Arrow of the Heavenly Horse" were thought to have taken, in hot pursuit of the two guilds.


    Monica was leading the "Shield of Dawn".


    By using "Hawk Eye," they were careful to avoid encounters with monsters as much as possible, and if they could not avoid them, they chose to fight the weakest monsters possible.


    Jeff was following Monica, feeling a sense of security that he could not believe he was in a dungeon.


    (Are you seriously controlling monster encounters (encounters)?　I can''t believe it. Even with my "far-sightedness" I can detect the approach of monsters to some extent, but this man''s "Hawk-Eye" is on a different level.


    Monica uses "Hawk-Eye" at the crossroads.


    (At the end of the road on the right, many "armored orcs" are waiting for you. On the left, there are only "Goblins". (The left one is better.)


    Gentlemen, we are going left here. There are ''goblins'' waiting for you at the end of the road, but don''t be afraid. With your fighting skills, you should have no trouble ...... what?"


    What''s wrong?


    No, what is it? Is this ...... a bunch of adventurers coming up behind us?"


    What are you, a competitor?


    I''m sure you''ll be fine.


    Yes, sir. Normally I would, ......, but this is..."


    (This movement, they are not simply exploring the dungeon. Is it tracking us?　(This makes it sound like ......)


    We''ve seen it over here, too.


    Jeff catches the enemy in "far-sightedness".


    It looks like they know we''re here. They''re following us. It''s like ...... is trying to PK us!


    What?


    Why on earth?


    We''re almost there. Weapons at the ready!"


    d*mn. What do we do?"


    Do you want to run, ......, or do you want to fight?"


    Everyone, please remain calm. The speed at which the enemy is moving is considerable. Our agility will not allow us to escape. There is no place to hide. Let''s fight them!


    Monica said so and immediately used her "Hawk Eye" to find a position that would work to their advantage, taking into account the difference in elevation, wind direction, shielding, and other factors.


    The "Shield of the Dawn" set up a position in a high, easily defended area, with the shield-bearer Erio in front, Monica and Jeff in shooting positions, and Leon and Cecil in the rear, ready to intercept.


    The members of the guild "Dragon Knight Iori" were running up the hill to raid the "Shield of Dawn.


    It''s an unpleasant business, isn''t it? "I don''t like this kind of work at all.


    But it cannot be stopped. The Dragon''s Fiery Fire has asked us to do this.


    They give us priority in supplying good weapons. If you say so, I have no choice but to accept your request.


    If you want to survive as an adventurer on this island, your connection to the Dragon''s Fiery Fire is more important than anything else.


    I don''t know. The "Shield of Dawn" and the "Arrow of Heavenly Horses" are just small and weak guilds. Let''s just get this over with and get back to what we''re supposed to be doing.


    It must be.


    Oh?"　It seems that the enemy intends to intercept us. They are setting up a formation.


    That''s a bold move.


    Whatever you want.


    We are far better equipped and better equipped!　We''ll kick their asses with one touch of our armor!"


    Using the shadows of rocks and thickets as shields, the men of Iori advance the archer as close as they can get to him.


    However, they were quickly rendered ineffective by the fire of Monica and Jeff.


    They were in cover, but Monica, who had "Hawk-Eye," could see their movements.


    d*mn, their fire is accurate.


    I can''t go any further forward!"


    Having no other choice, they let the bowman (archer) fall back and let the shield-bearer move forward.


    They bring in the white combat!"


    The shield-bearer was also cut down by Monica''s shooting.


    Still, by dividing into three groups, they finally managed to reach the enemy position and engage in a hand-to-hand combat.


    The "Dragon Knight''s Iori" team now deploys Breda, an ace in B-class equipment.


    Erio is in the way.


    The outcome of the battle was left to a one-on-one battle between Erio and Breda.


    Status of Erio''s "Blue Armor


    Power: 70


    Durability: 70 (↑20 with "Exterior Reinforcement (Coating)")


    Weight: 50


    Special effect: Reflective


    Suitability rate: 90


    Status of Breda''s equipment


    Power: 70


    Durability: 70


    Weight: 70


    Fitness rate: 50


    Two heavyweight warriors (Warrior) clash.


    Their offensive and defensive strengths were almost equal, but Erio was at a higher altitude, his "coating" had a reflective effect, and Erio had a greater range of motion and a lower agility reduction rate than Breda, due to a higher compatibility rate. The armor was broken and shattered, and Breda was blown away as she fell flat on her back.


    The "dragon knight''s hermitage" was suddenly on tenterhooks.


    Leon and Cecil, seeing this, quickly followed up.


    The "Dragon Knight''s Hermitage" was immediately disabled and surrendered to the "Shield of Dawn.


    When Leon interrogated them, he found out that their attack on the "Shield of Dawn" was at the request of the "Dragon''s Fiery Fire".


    <>