While performing his daily duties at the "Dragon''s Fireside" branch, Edgar realized something.
He realized that his daily commute to the branch was taking him away from the "Dragon''s Fiery Fire" headquarters.
If this situation continued, he would have very few opportunities to make suggestions to the guild leader, Medes, or attend important meetings at the headquarters.
(Oh, no. This is as good as being exiled to an island.)
Conversely, if someone slanders Medes about himself, his current position will be in jeopardy.
There were many enemies of Edgar in the guild, including Lizetta.
(Are you kidding me? Even if he took credit for destroying the "Arsenal of Spirits," he would be ousted from his current position.)
Edgar hastily calls the staff together.
Listen up, everybody," he says. I''m leaving the branch and going back to headquarters today. I''m leaving the branch and going back to headquarters today because I have an assignment at headquarters that I really need to take care of. So, Leena. I''ll leave the rest to you. I want you to find out what''s going on in the "Arsenal of Spirits," steal their customers, achieve the sales quota, and supervise and train the staff. And to manage the workshop (atelier). You have to do it all. And report back to headquarters by the end of the week. I''ll leave it to you.
With that, Edgar pulled up to the headquarters of "Dragon''s Fireside".
At this time, "The Dragon Knight''s Hermitage" had already been devastated by Monica, but he was still unaware of this.
Leena, who had been entrusted by Edgar with the branch''s affairs, was troubled.
(What shall I do? I don''t know how to run a branch.)
She was still too busy doing her own work to take charge of her subordinates.
The "Dragon''s Fires" branch was not fully stocked with merchandise when it opened, and adventurers who came to the store often left without buying anything.
（Even if adventurers came to the store, they would leave without buying anything. What should I do? Oh, that''s right!)
Leena remembered a man named Dylan who came into the store the other day.
He told her that he was in charge of wholesale for the "Arsenal of Spirits" and that if she had any problems, she could always consult him.
Leena had no idea that she was about to run into the "Arsenal of Spirits" and ask for help from Roland.
Roland was entertaining a girl from an enemy guild who had come to his rescue in the cafeteria.
When Dylan said, "I''ll take this place," Leena asked for a meal for two and began eating at a tremendous rate.
Roland and Dylan watched with straight faces.
I''m sorry, munchies. I''ve been busy. I haven''t eaten since this morning.
It''s okay. Don''t worry about it, eat slowly. If you want, I can get you a refill.
Then I''ll take your word for it. Sorry. I''d like another one of these, please.
（You''re still going to eat that?)
Dylan was a little put off by her appetite.
She gobbled and gulped. Phew. Thank you for the food. So, what was it?
Leena finally finished eating.
''They were asking me to help them because they were having trouble running their branch. ......
''Oh, yes, it was. Mr. Edgar, who was running the branch, went back to the "Dragon''s Fires" headquarters, and I was entrusted to take his place, but I had no idea what was going on.
I see.
I''ve been told to secure sales while stealing customers from the "Arsenal of Spirits. What should we do?"
(You''re asking us that? ......)
Dylan plunged into his mind.
''All right. The point is, I want you to channel the customers over here to you. Is that clear?"
Yes, sir." Yes."
Hey, hey, Roland?
I understand. Then may I ask you to refine ''Earthcraft'' for me? It was requested by an adventurers'' guild with which we have a partnership. We have a large amount of it, and we were just looking for a guild to help us refine it. Would you be willing to take it on?"
I am very happy to hear that," he said. I will definitely accept your offer.
(Whoa, whoa, whoa.)
I understand. Let''s have a meeting this afternoon.
Yes, sir. Yes, please.
(Are you sure? Here you go: ......)
Dylan was on edge as he watched the proceedings.
Thank God," he said. Now I don''t have to get angry with Mr. Edgar. Thank you very much.
No, no, no, no. Is there anything else you need help with?
I''ve also been told to explore the inner workings of the "Arsenal of Spirits. If there is anything you would be willing to share with us, we would appreciate it. I would also appreciate it if you could tell me how to direct and supervise the staff at the branch.
Okay."
(This guy doesn''t hold back at all.)
Dylan was becoming impressed beyond dismay.
Roland handed Leena a bunch of nonsense about the number of employees and their skills in the "Arsenal of Spirits" on the spot.
Is that all right?"
Yes, sir. Thank you."
Leena accepted the list of skills Roland had written for her.
She said, "Thank you very much. If I copy it in its entirety, I can make a report to Mr. Edgar.
What, I''ll give you this much for nothing."
(How much work is too much work? (How much work is too much work?)
And then there''s staff supervision, right? I''ll help you with that later, too. I''m an appraiser. I''m an appraiser. I can appraise the skills and status of a staff member and then assign the work to them. In some cases, I may be able to assign other jobs.
I was like, "Wow. Thank you for everything."
''Well, can you get ready for this afternoon''s deal and come back over here?''
Yes, sir. I''ll get you a quote, a contract, and a purchase order."
Leena was completely satisfied and went back to the branch office at once.
She was completely satisfied and went back to the branch office. She was a very honest girl, wasn''t she?
Yeah.
It was a little unsettlingly lax, though.
The fact of the matter is that "Dragon''s Fires" is not attacking us with a clear hostile intent, but is doing so because someone told them not to. Whatever the case may be, we can now explore their hostile feelings with impunity. I can concentrate on running my own workshop (atelier).
Mr. Roland, may I have a word?"
Saki spoke to Roland while carrying the pot.
Saki, what''s wrong?"
There is an adventurer who would like to have an appraisal by you, Mr. Roland.
I understand. I''ll be right there. Okay, Dylan, I''ll go.
Oh. Oh, dear. The "Arsenal of Spirits" is getting a lot better. While the enemy is doing all the wrong things.
It was a pair of mages, a man and a woman, who came for Roland''s appraisal.
[Will Wombat''s skills.
Blast Magic": C to A
[Lana Wombat''s skills
Crustal Magic": C to A
(Class A qualities of offensive and support mages or ......)
I was actually supposed to join the Knights of the Crescent Moon in defeating the Giant Fire Dragon (Gran Fafnir).
Will, a mage with a calm demeanor, said.
But I couldn''t fulfill the conditions of participation they indicated. But I couldn''t meet their requirements," said Will, a calm and composed mage. I heard rumors about you guys," he said, "that there are appraisers who can help you make the right equipment and give you advice on how to improve your skills. We were just thinking that we needed to reevaluate our abilities and improve our skills.
I am not sure if you really want to ask for advice here, brother. Wouldn''t it be better to consult with a major company like Dragon''s Fires?
No," he said. Lana. Don''t say that. Lana, you can''t say that. Mr. Roland took time out of his day to give us advice. It''s rude.
Yes, sir. Brother ......"
Lana''s cheeks flushed red and she looked up.
It was a little too passionate a look for a real sister to give to her brother.
I understand what''s going on," she said. I will prepare equipment that will enhance your skills. And, if you like, I can introduce you to a guild to partner with.
I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do that. They do all that for you?
Yes, we have a guild of powerful shieldmen and archers among our clients. They will need your skills as well.
I appreciate that. Our mage skills won''t work without a shield-bearer in the vanguard.
After officially accepting the job from the two mages, Roland immediately approached Aina.
''Is this equipment for a C-rank mage?''
Oh," he said. Monica''s vacation is about to expire and she is going back to the adventurer''s town. In order for the "Shield of Dawn" and the "Arrow of the Heavenly Horse" to survive the attack from the "Dragon''s Fiery Fire," they need firepower and defensive strength to fill Monica''s hole. Will and Lana are perfect for that role."
I see. Well, let''s see, equipment that can release C-class "blast magic" and "crust magic" ....... Is this all you need?
Aina said as she looked at the specification sheet given to her by Roland.
''Yes,'' Aina said. Will and Lana both have Class A qualities. Just give them the right equipment and let them shoot magic and their skills will naturally improve.
I see."
I''ll tell you what, Aina. Can I trust you to make all the equipment this time?"
Me?
Oh. The other day''s equipment for A-class archers was excellent. Recently, he has been taking care of the other workers as well. I''m sure no one would object if you were in charge. So this time, if it''s all right with you, I''m going to let you have full control of the project. What do you think?"
No, not at all. I would rather be honored if you entrust me like that. I would be happy to do it."
I''m glad to hear you say that. I''ll try to follow up with you as soon as I can.
Yes, sir.
(Mr. Roland praised me. Good. I''ll do my best.)
Aina walked through the conference room door with more energy than usual.
I think we can speed up production even more if we combine Ize''s agility with Roddy''s ''product design.
Aina said this at a meeting where everyone was gathered.
The last time I made an A-class bow and arrow, I realized that it is impossible to make a product exactly the way you want it from the beginning. So I think it''s impossible to make a product exactly the way you want it from the beginning. Then Roddy draws a blueprint based on the prototype. That way, I think we can reduce the number of failures.
I see.
Yes," he said. I think it''s a good idea."
Ize and Roddy agreed.
Wait a minute.
Wayne said, interrupting the flow.
''It''s going to take three people to tackle a C-class rig like this. Aren''t you spending too much on labor?"
It''s okay. We''ll work together to speed up production for that."
I don''t see the need to go that far for C-class equipment. I can make it by myself. I used to do that when I was in Fires of Dragons.
Our guild makes things with the expectation that people will use them for a long time, even if it takes a little more time and effort.
I could have made it cheaper," he said. Aren''t you cost-conscious enough?
No, it''s not like that. I''ve done the math.
No, you didn''t.
Aina frowned.
(What the hell is this guy? He bites me every time. He''s not a dog.)
(I never thought Aina would make a more powerful weapon than Edgar. I''ve been losing to Aina ever since I came here. If things continue like this, we''re in trouble. If we can''t beat him on the quality of his work, we should at least beat him with our mouths. I''m seriously going to get fired.)
The guild is too lenient with adventurers," he said. In Fires of the Dragon, we are much stricter with adventurers.
Yes, yes, yes. I know you were active in a big guild. But we have our own way of doing things.
Do you really think you can keep doing things our way?
Wayne stood up and slammed the desk with a bang.
The meeting place was filled with an acrimonious atmosphere.
Wayne, Aina is in charge this time. You should moderate your interjections.
When Roland said this, Wayne clicked his tongue and sat back down unfaithfully.
What the hell is this? What is it with this Wayne guy?
Aina complained when she and Roland were alone in the hallway.
He said, "In the ''dragon''s fire,'' in the ''dragon''s fire,'' he always disagrees with what I say."
I guess they are still influenced by the way things work at the Dragon''s Cutlass," he said. Well, that''s understandable. It''s hard to change values once they are ingrained in you.
That said,......, this is the ''Arsenal of Spirits,'' so for goodness sake, I hope you''ll follow our way of doing things."
(Even Aina is still too much for Wayne to handle?)
I understand. Aina. You can leave Wayne alone for now.
What?
I''ll take direct command of him.
Leena had put together a report and submitted it to Edgar.
''These will be the skills of the workers in the "Arsenal of the Spirits."''
I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do it. You''ve done a lot of research.
Yes, sir." I made inquiries of each and every employee who came out of the workshop (atelier) of the "Arsenal of Spirits," and I did a diligent search.
I''m not surprised that your sales are so good. You did a good job. "Good job, Pato. How about you? I hope you''re done working on it?"
Just a little longer.
d*mn it. Stop messing around. Leena has already finished her work, but you''re so dull. If you''re a craftsman, move your hands and feet and get it done.
"...... sorry."
Pat. You should get ready to accept the ''hermitage of the dragon knight''. They should be back by now. Have people and a place ready to collect and maintain the equipment immediately. Now, get the hell out of here!
Pato walks out of the room.
Edgar turned to Leena.
''d*mn, that''s why you''re such a trooper,'' he said. By the way, Leena. By the way, Leena, you haven''t shown this report to the head of the guild, have you?
...... Yes. Of course."
I see. Good. I''ll make sure to give this report to the guild leader. I will also report your contribution to the guild to him, and you can rest assured that you will continue to monitor the branch office and the "Spirit Arsenal.
...... yes."
Leena intuited.
Edgar never reports exactly how he is doing his job.
He intends to take credit for his work.
He would report to the head of the guild what Leena had found out and the sales he had made as if it were his own.
But she decided to turn a blind eye.
It is not a good idea to make enemies with Edgar in this workshop (atelier).
If she made an enemy of him, it would make it difficult for her to do her work.
(Let''s let Edgar have the flowers here. (Let''s let Edgar have some flowers here.) For now, pretend to be a harmless, ordinary, and attentive subordinate as much as possible, so as not to provoke him, and get out of trouble. There is nothing to worry about. He won''t be around much longer anyway. He''s got a lot of work to do and a lot of resentment around here and there. Soon, he''ll either get sick from overwork, or someone will catch him off guard and he''ll lose his footing. Me and Pato will hold our breath and wait for his downfall. Don''t worry. With Pato, I don''t mind a little hardship and disappointment. I can endure it.)
In the meantime, I hear the sound of human voices and footsteps coming from the entrance for adventurers.
"Oh, it looks like the ''dragon knight hermitage'' has returned. Let''s go check on him right away. I hope you''ve properly dealt a blow to the ''Arsenal of Spirits'' with the ''Shield of Dawn'' and the ''Arrow of Heavenly Horses''?"
Edgar, however, is astonished to see the returning adventurers.
(What the heck...their B-class equipment is in shambles!)
Hey, hey," he said. You must have struggled a lot. You look like a wreck."
Edgar spoke as calmly as possible to conceal his anxiety.
So what? I hope you''ve properly defeated the Shield of Dawn and the Arrow of the Heavenly Horse?"
No, that''s ......."
The adventurers at the "Dragon Knight''s Hermitage" began to talk about what had happened, though they did so in a halting, halting manner.
Edgar was absolutely lost in the story.
What? What is it then? You guys lost after exhausting your equipment so much? We had all the equipment and we even came up with the strategy.
No, it''s the ......
It''s not funny.
(What''s that? What the hell is going on?)
Pato shuddered when he saw the equipment with holes in it.
(There was no doubt about it. The enemy has an A-class archer. Not only that, but they also have an "A" class archer. This archer''s bow shooting has evolved!
Edgar regained his composure.
（This is no time to be picky. I can''t afford any more blunders. We must succeed at all costs. Fortunately, I have the next plan.)
Leena. How''s the Arsenal of Spirits coming along?"
Yes. As far as I could see today, the adventurers have not returned yet.
Good. Well then, let''s attack again before they come back. This time, I''ll use support magic, attaching a support mage who can use "defense grant" to B-class armor. This way, no matter how hard they hit, they won''t be able to penetrate our armor!
Edgar hastily rebuilt his equipment for "Dragon''s Fires".
This also exhausted the additional budget he had received.
''Now go again, accompanied by a support mage! Make sure you succeed this time. If you fail next time, I won''t be happy!"
The "dragon knight''s hermitage" was once again equipped with new gear, and this time, accompanied by a support mage, they headed for the ore mines where the "Shield of Dawn" and the "Heavenly Horse Arrow" were thought to be headed.
Fortunately, we succeeded in capturing them and setting up a fight.
They applied "defense-granting" support magic to their B-class equipped warriors and took on the battle in full readiness.
However, their armor, which was supposed to be highly defensive, was easily pierced by Monica''s bow fire, and they were forced to run away in defeat.
<>