After successfully obtaining an additional budget from Medes, Edgar was once again working to destroy the "Arsenal of the Spirits.


    Charles, Pato, Leena. Are they all here?　Yes, I''m here. Good. Then let''s get this meeting started."


    Pato tilted his head when he saw the faces attending the meeting.


    (Wayne''s not here?　(Why?)


    Despite Pato''s doubts, Edgar proceeded with the meeting.


    The other day, I asked the ''dragon knight''s hermitage'' to take down the ''Shield of Dawn'' and the ''Arrow of the Heavenly Horse,'' but to my surprise, they were beaten back. What a pity.


    The "hermitage of the dragon knight" was beaten up?　How in the world?　Both The Shield of Dawn and The Arrow of Heavenly Horses are small guilds with only C-class adventurers, right?


    Leena said.


    ''Well, it looks like we''re having some problems of our own, too.


    What do you mean?"


    The equipment we gave him was defective. Wayne''s guy made it. Look at this.


    Edgar puts the armor on the table.


    This is ......."


    Pato is immensely impressed by the thinness of the armor.


    ''Wayne did this?　Terrible ......"


    Leena also covered her lips with her hands.


    Breda, a B-class Warrior, is a little out of shape after being stabbed in the back by one of his allies. Wayne, you''re a real piece of work.


    Well, that''s why we got a special extra budget this time," he said. But you can''t make the same mistake again. Understood?


    Um, so where is Wayne now?　I haven''t seen him around the guild lately. ......"


    Pato asked.


    ''Wayne was fired. Of course he was, right?　He betrayed us and committed hostile acts.


    Why would Wayne do that?"


    Oh?"　I don''t know. I don''t know anything about that. You''d have to ask Wayne himself!


    From what I hear, you''ve been bought out by the ''Arsenal of Spirits''."


    Charles said to help.


    Oh, yes. He''s been bought by the enemy''s ''arsenal of spirits.


    Edgar said as if he remembered.


    (Wayne betrayed you?　No way. But ....... You shouldn''t argue with your boss because he says so ......, right?　If subordinates had to question every single thing their superiors said, there would be no organization. (No, but ......)


    Pato reconsiders.


    (I can''t imagine Wayne making armor like that. Wayne is certainly too competitive and prone to getting into trouble, but still, he''s not the kind of guy who would lose on purpose.)


    The "Arsenal of Spirits" is a nastier bunch than I thought. They want to bribe Wayne to betray them. You guys be careful. You never know where the traitors are lurking.


    （What are you going to do?　If this continues, Wayne will be stigmatized as a traitor. (Isn''t it a breach of friendship to turn a blind eye to the fact that your best friend is about to be ostracized on suspicion of something he didn''t do?)


    As Pato was pondering this, Leena tugged at his sleeve.


    (Leena?)


    (Pato, no. Don''t talk back to Edgar. You''ll only make things worse for yourself. I know how you feel, but you have to restrain yourself here.)


    Pato got what Leena was trying to say just by looking at her.


    In the end, he decided to shut his mouth and keep quiet.


    What is it, Pato? What''s with your eyes?　You got something to complain about?"


    No, sir.


    After that, Pato remained silent without uttering a word, no matter what Edgar said or how much the others argued.


    ''Well then, specific instructions will follow. Until then, you guys should prepare yourselves well.


    Edgar concluded the meeting with these final words.


    Edgar and Charles walked down the hallway together.


    Are you okay?"


    An?"　What?


    He''s the one who''s been quiet this whole time.


    Pat?"


    Edgar looks bitter.


    He said it like he didn''t have any objections, but I could see it on his face that he really wasn''t happy about it."


    He''s that kind of guy. He''s always thinking about something else and can''t concentrate on what''s in front of him.


    You''re a difficult man, aren''t you?


    I''m not sure. I don''t know what I''m thinking. He''s a hard guy to deal with.


    Meanwhile, the "Shield of Dawn" was returning to the "Arsenal of Spirits" after collecting "Earthcraft.


    Hans and his "Heavenly Horse Arrows" also returned at about the same time.


    Good. It looks like you have collected all the earthcraft.


    Roland looked at their backpacks full of "Earthcraft," and said.


    Yeah, we got as many as you asked for."


    Now that we''re finally getting into some status-enhancing training, what the hell are we supposed to be doing?"


    Jeff asked with enthusiasm.


    He seemed eager to get stronger as soon as possible.


    Roland chuckled.


    Of course, we have a plan to strengthen you," Jeff said. But for now, I want you to take a rest first and work on recovering your status. I''ll let you know what happens later. Aina."


    Yes, sir.


    Take Earthcraft and their equipment to the workshop.


    Yes, sir. I''ll do it.


    I have a few more meetings with them. Can I take care of the rest?"


    Yes, I am. Leave it to me!"


    As Roland says this, Aina begins to take command.


    She then began to lead the group, "Okay, everyone, please pick up your equipment and items from the adventurers. While Mr. Roland is having a meeting, we''ll take care of the maintenance as much as we can.


    The workers at the "Arsenal of the Spirits" received the adventurers'' equipment and bags of items and immediately went to work.


    Aina gives instructions to Roddy and the others, taking note of the wear and tear on the equipment.


    Roddy, take the equipment into the workshop. All the armor needs to be coated, so put them near my workbench. I will also maintain the bow, so put it on my workbench.


    I understand. What about the ones in this bag of items?"


    That''s "earthcraft," which Roland-san will ask an outside party to refine later. Leave it by Mr. Roland''s desk.


    Okay.


    Roddy puts the heavy equipment and a bag full of "earthcraft" on the cart and carries it to the workshop (atelier).


    We need to replenish the arrows for the dragon-bow. Ize, let''s try making ''red arrows.


    What?　Red arrows?　Can I make it?


    Yes. Yes, we need a lot of arrows, so it would be faster for you to make them, since you are more agile and have more arrows.　I''ll do the coating, you just make the framework.


    I''m not sure I want to do that. I wonder if I can do it?"


    I''ll be fine. You are a "metal molding" B, aren''t you?　I made them when I was in "Metal Forming" C. I can do it."


    I understand. I''ll give it a try."


    Wayne. You work on the equipment for the store. You have some armor framework that needs to be done today, right?　Get that done.


    Tsk. Yes, yes.


    It''s the armor with the green ''exterior reinforcement (coating)'' in between. Do you understand?"


    I know what I''m doing. Don''t give me detailed instructions every time.


    Wayne starts to work, mumbling.


    Aina returns to her workshop, where she finds armor, paint, brushes, and a wand for support magic.


    (Good. Roddy got it all lined up.)


    While Aina is maintaining the armor by scraping and repainting the "exterior reinforcement (coating)" part of the armor, Ize comes to her.


    Aina-san, excuse me."


    Hmm?"


    I couldn''t do it.


    Ize holds out a misshapen arrow.


    I see. Well then, Roddy.


    Hmm?　What?"


    Aina calls out, and Roddy comes from behind a screen.


    He is writing the blueprints for the "Red Arrow" for Ize.


    Okay."


    Ize. Let''s try Roddy''s blueprints down the road for now. If it doesn''t work, let me know. I''ll give you detailed technical guidance.


    Yes, sir.


    Behind the partition, Roddy, who had been helping Wayne with his work, was about to leave.


    Wayne was about to leave. I''m leaving to support Ize.


    (d*mn. They all listen to Aina. I''m a member of the main staff, too. They should listen to me a little bit, too. (d*mn!)


    Wayne struck the iron uninterestedly.


    Roland watched Aina''s work as she wrote the order form for "Earthcraft" refining.


    (Aina is getting better at using people. ) "I might be able to entrust her with a little more responsibility now.


    When Roland saw that Aina and the others seemed fine, he returned to his meeting with Leon and the others.


    ''So how did it go?　Have you been attacked by any other guilds since then?"


    No, not really. What about you?　Did you catch any of their movements at the Arsenal of Spirits?


    Have you seen the building across the street?　You see the branch office of "Dragon''s Fires" standing there?　I think that was probably in preparation for the next attack."


    I knew it. What do we do now?　Change of plans?"


    No problem. Let''s continue with the plan.


    But, it seems reckless to train while under attack from the "Dragon''s Fires", doesn''t it?　They are not stupid. Next time, they may come at us with a much larger force.


    Don''t worry," he said. I have a secret plan.


    What?


    Well, anyway, Leon. You should rest too. Rest is part of the job.


    Woohoo. Well, if you say so, I guess I''ll just have to take your word for it.


    As Roland finished exchanging information with Leon and the others, Monica approached.


    ''Thanks for your help. Mr. Roland."


    Oh, Monica. You''re the one who''s tired. Are you sure you don''t need to rest?"


    Yes, sir. I was exempted from mining work, so this time there were no attacks from the enemy, so I mostly just kept a hawk''s eye on things.


    I see. I''m sorry about that. I''m on vacation, and you''re working so hard for me.


    No, not at all. If it makes you happy, I''m happy to ....... But yes. I would be happy if I could get some kind of reward for my hard work.


    Of course. I have a special treat in store for you.


    Really?"


    Yeah, I''ve been secretly working on a surprise for you.


    Oh, really?　I wonder. I''m looking forward to it."


    I''ll show you now. I''ll show you the new equipment I''ve developed for you!"


    I''m so excited. New equipment!


    Monica pretended to be pleased, but inwardly, she was disappointed.


    （Oh my God, Roland. You''re so good at playing dumb. You know that''s not what I want.)


    But when Monica saw the bow and arrow actually brought to her, her eyes widened.


    This is ......."


    With the return of the "Shield of Dawn" and the "Arrow of the Heavenly Horse," the alchemists of "Dragon''s Fires" also began to move.


    It seems that the Shield of Dawn and the Arrow of Heavenly Horse have returned from the dungeon.


    The "Hou. So how are they doing?"


    They are repairing the equipment. As soon as they are repaired, they are expected to sneak back into the dungeon.


    Good. Then we''ll hit them when they go back into the dungeon.


    Edgar also gathers Pato and Leena and informs them of the plan.


    This time, we will change our armament depending on how the enemy comes out. According to what I heard from the "dragon knight''s hermitage," the last time the enemy took an advantageous position. So, this time, we will have more troops than last time, and we will include thieves (shifu) and archers (archer) with high agility to secure a superior position, and attack mages and support mages to give depth to the white armies."


    Pato was listening to Edgar''s explanation, pondering.


    (Should I say it? (Should I tell him?) Edgar might be in a bad mood if I told him. But if I don''t tell him, this mission might end in failure.)


    If the enemy is agility oriented, we will use a thief (shifu) and an archer (archer). If the enemy is heavily armed, we''ll use mages. Phew. My plan is perfect.


    （No. I can''t hold back anymore. Let''s say it.)


    Mr. Edgar, may I ask you something?


    "An?　What is it?


    I have seen the equipment returned from the "Dragon Knight''s Hermitage," and some of the armor has sustained extensive damage from bows and arrows. Perhaps the enemy has a very powerful archer. Shouldn''t we take some countermeasures?"


    What the hell, man?　Are you dissatisfied with the strategy I''ve laid out for you?"


    No, that''s not why I ......


    Hey, come on, Pato. That''s not going to happen now, is it?"


    Charles interrupted.


    ''Didn''t we come to a conclusion at our meeting the other day?　It was Wayne''s fault that he failed last time. You agreed with me, didn''t you?"


    It''s ......"


    I''ve already explained this to the head of the guild, and based on that explanation, a new budget has been approved. I don''t want to be told now that the enemy has a powerful archer. Besides, Pato, do you understand?　The equipment we gave out to the "Dragon Knight''s Hermitage" last time included equipment you made.　In other words, we are covering for you when you might be responsible. Or what?　Are you taking responsibility for your last failure to defend someone who has already been fired?"


    But the last time I made the equipment, I just did what Charles told me to ......."


    Having said that much, Pato realized his gaffe.


    Charles''s unusually well-defined eyebrows were twisted nervously.


    ''It''s Wayne''s fault we failed last time. There are no powerful archers among the enemy. Okay?"


    ...... yes."


    Who else has something to say? All right. Then, me and Leena will be in charge of keeping an eye on the "Arsenal of Spirits" at the "Dragon''s Fires" branch. Charles and Pato will be in charge of handing over the equipment to the "Dragon''s Fiery Fire". Each of you take your post, and don''t lose track of time.


    Roland, I still think we should stop training for now to prepare for the attack of the "Dragon''s Fires"?


    Leon said.


    ''That''s right, man. The Hermitage of the Dragon Knight is the second largest adventurer''s guild on the island. They have a lot of people, and they have a lot of depth. I don''t think we can beat them on our own.


    Jeff said.


    No problem. Monica, you know how to fight."


    Yes."


    (d*mn, seriously? I''ve heard that they are going to intercept the "hermitage of the dragon knight" in the midst of their training. (Seriously? You''re going to attack "Iori, the Dragon Knight" with just one hand of training? Is he going to be okay?)


    I''ll be fine. Jeff."


    Hans?


    I mean Roland. He must have an idea we can''t imagine."


    (d*mn it, I don''t care what happens.)


    The "Shield of Dawn" and the "Arrow of the Heavenly Horse" went down into the dungeon together.


    Ah, adventurers have left from the "Spirit Arsenal. They are heading for the dungeon.


    Leena, who was watching the "Arsenal of Spirits," said to Edgar.


    Are you sure?"


    Edgar checks the "Shield of Dawn" and the "Arrow of the Heavenly Horse" through the surveillance window.


    Although they were wrapped in cloth to hide their weapons, the shape of the cloth gave away their respective jobs.


    （There were five bowmen, a shield-bearer, a swordsman, and a thief. That''s a very skewed composition. It''s as if they don''t think about the battle against others. Well, that''s OK. It''s good for us.)


    The enemy is an archer-heavy force. If we can hold the high ground, we can win without difficulty. Archers and Thiefs will go ahead of them to secure the high ground, prevent them from going anywhere, and bring them into a hand-to-hand combat at the earliest possible stage!


    The rear guard of the "Hermitage of the Dragon Knight", mainly those with high agility, put on their archer and thief equipment and hurried after the "Shield of Dawn" and the "Arrow of the Heavenly Horse".


    Monica caught sight of the "Dragon Knight''s Hermitage" troop encamped on the high ground ahead with her "Hawk Eye".


    (!?!!).　A squad of archers (archer) and bandits (thief) in front. They are holding the high ground. Did they get there before us?　(...... No, that''s not all)


    Monica cruises the "Hawk-Eye" viewpoint and notices movement in the rear as well.


    (A heavily-armed warrior unit from the rear as well. They''re trying to pincer us.)


    Gentlemen, there are enemies in front and behind you. Let''s change course quickly.


    Monica and the others retreat to a place where they can turn off to a side street.


    However, the Warrior unit from "The Hermitage of the Dragon Knight" preceded them.


    There they are. It''s them!


    Don''t let them get away. Take the fight to the white!"


    （I guess I fell right into the enemy''s order.)


    Oh, shit. There''s nowhere to run.


    Even Hans, the quintessential Hans, looks grim.


    (A narrow path on a level plain with a good view. There is nowhere to hide, nowhere to run. We can''t even take advantage of our agility. What do we do?)


    Gentlemen, please hold my flanks."


    Monica said.


    ''I don''t mind if our equipment is a little less defensively oriented. We have ''Earthcraft. I''ll take care of the enemies coming from the slopes on the left and right. I will sweep up all the enemies in front of us.


    (Overwhelmed by firepower!)


    Breda and his men formed up and came charging forward.


    Monica shot arrows.


    Ten minutes later, there were cowering "dragon knight hermitage" faces all around.


    Every one of them had holes in their armor and were wounded in their shoulders, flanks, and legs.


    Monica and the others were unharmed.


    Monica saw that the enemy had completely stopped moving and unsheathed her bow and arrow.


    (The suppression is complete. Phew. Somehow we managed to get through this unharmed.)


    (Seriously? I couldn''t get close at all...how can a combination of Class A adventurers and the right weaponry produce so much power?)


    Jeff was simply pale in the face of the power of the A-class bowman (archer) and his new equipment.


    <>