The four members of the quartet had difficult looks on their faces as they faced the armor placed on the workbench.


    This armor was ordered from a retailer.


    It bears the emblem of the "Arsenal of the Spirits.


    This is the armor made by Aina Burke, an A-class alchemist from the "Arsenal of the Spirits"?


    At first glance, it looks like a nondescript piece of armor. ...... Hey, appraise it."


    Yes, sir.


    The appraiser "itemizes" the armor.


    Status of the armor


    Strength: 70


    Durability: 70


    Weight: 50


    Special effect: "Flexibility


    Hm. Power 70, durability 70.


    Class B equipment.


    ''Class B with this thickness and weight?　I''d say it''s a C-class at best."


    Charles questioned.


    Charles questioned, "Don''t start messing around. I''ll tell you what I''m talking about.


    Edgar swings his hammer and strikes.


    But not a scratch is left on the armor.


    Rather, Edgar frowned involuntarily at the recoil.


    ......... ouch!"


    The other three look surprised.


    Nonsense. This hammer must have a power of 70. I can''t believe it can''t even put a scratch on this level of armor. ......"


    Lizetta. Try attacking with your ''Javelin of Fire''."


    Yes, sir.


    Risetta holds the "Javelin" in her hand and readies it.


    The surface of the armor begins to melt with a sizzling sound.


    However, a thick, green liquid begins to overflow from the inside.


    What is this?


    Is this ...... paint?"


    Hm. I don''t know how it works, but it seems that this paint is the secret to raising the status. Perhaps a unique skill.


    Raul analyzes this.


    ''Class B status with Class C lightness. I''ve never seen equipment like this. ......"


    I guess that''s the power of an S-class appraiser to find skills like that."


    Raul said.


    ''And this is one that is being distributed commercially. If it''s for adventurers who have a partnership with the Arsenal of Spirits, it might be even more powerful.


    According to the "White Wolf" guys, all the adventurers in the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance were wearing blue armor.


    In short. To destroy Aina Burke''s armor, it would have to be at least the equivalent of Class A strength. "In short, to destroy Aina Burke''s armor, you need at least an A-class power, or a special attack. Lisetta, this time you will take the lead in destroying the Arsenal of Spirits.


    Yes, sir.


    Hey, wait a minute, I can make A-class equipment myself."


    Edgar objected.


    You saw the experiment I just did. You saw the experiment I did earlier," Edgar said. "Risetta''s ''javelin'' is more effective against this armor than a conventional attack. This time, give it up.


    d*mn."


    Edgar looks frustrated but is unable to argue and keeps his mouth shut.


    As he did so, the entrance door opened and Medes entered.


    Medes entered. Are you guys doing all right?"


    The four members of the quartet looked at Medes with cold eyes.


    They regarded Medes as a liability because he had failed to procure the "Fire Rest" in the end.


    The four of them had already agreed that Medes would have no part in this operation.


    How is the "Arsenal of Spirits" going?　Are we making good progress?　Listen up. Let''s show that pompous young man what we''re talking about. Hmm?　What''s with your eyes?　You got a problem with me?　Hey, why don''t you answer me. Hey, where are you guys going?　Don''t wait for me. Why are you ignoring me?　Say something, boys!"


    Seagulls crossing the ocean come down to the dock.


    Roland had come to the harbor to see Monica off.


    Her vacation is almost over.


    Therefore, I must get on a boat and return to the "Adventurer''s Town" by the end of the day.


    So long, Mr. Roland.


    I''m not sure. Take care."


    When will I see you again?"


    Monica said sadly.


    I don''t know. The work here is going to be a bit strenuous. It will be a little while before I can return to the City of Adventurers.


    ...... I know, right?"


    Take care. You too must do well in the City of Adventurers. Don''t let your arm get dull.


    Yes, sir."


    They embraced.


    Meanwhile, the ship slid into the harbor.


    Monica had already completed the boarding formalities, so all she had to do was board the ship.


    Once on board, she looked up from the deck and waved to Roland.


    Roland continued to wave at the ship as it moved away from them.


    Soon the boat disappeared over the horizon.


    ......Now...


    There is not much time for sentimentality.


    Roland returned to the city to prepare for a new battle.


    The next day, it was officially announced at the quest reception desk that Monica had killed a Class A monster.


    As usual, the townspeople sought her out to be saved by an A-class adventurer from off-island, but were disappointed when it became known that she had already left town.


    After parting with Monica, Roland headed to a meeting with Leon.


    When she arrived at the bar, Leon, who was already sipping his cup of sake, waved to her.


    I''m grateful for your help the other day on the quest to acquire the Fire Rest. I am in your debt.


    I''m glad it went well. So, how''s everyone doing since then?


    I''m very grateful for your help. All of the guilds that joined the alliance are now well off and able to continue their work. Some of them have even improved their skills.


    I see. That''s good.


    But, holy cow," he said. I didn''t realize you had experience leading a unit.


    Ha, ha. I''m not done yet.


    Well, whatever it is, I can count on you. Keep up the good work.


    That said, ......


    Roland quickly looked around before cutting him off.


    I heard that the Knight of Hail came to your island.


    Yeah, that''s the first unit, too. They are all very talented men from the north. One of them, Cendric, is a class-A adventurer. On an individual level, I don''t think there is anyone on the island who can compete with him. The islanders are now making overtures to form an alliance with the "knights of the hail.


    And?　What are your plans for the Shield of Dawn?


    Of course, the quest for the "Arsenal of Spirits" is my priority. I''m talking about you. You''re thinking about what''s next, aren''t you?


    Yeah, of course.


    I knew it. So what?　What are your plans for the Arsenal of Spirits in the future?


    We''re going head-to-head with the knights of the hail.


    "Become ......"


    What would you do if I said ''yes''?"


    Roland grinned wryly.


    ''You''re joking, ......? Don''t say that. d*mn ......."


    Leon hurriedly checked to see if there were any adventurers from the Knight of Hail in the area, then sipped his drink in relief.


    Haha. Well, I''m not kidding at all."


    Bust. Gohogoho.


    Leon choked unintentionally.


    Leon, are you okay?"


    I''m fine. ....... That''s what I want to hear. Are you insane?　You can''t go head-to-head with the Knight of the Ravens.


    Of course I am. I think I can compete with the "knight of hail" at all. If I work with you guys.


    (This guy ......, where did he get all this confidence ......)


    And then?　What about you?　I don''t know if I''m willing to go toe-to-toe with the "Knights of the Rapture." ......


    No, I mean, it''s kind of, I don''t know, too early to tell, I guess?"


    Hm. I see. ......"


    Later, Roland asked the same question to "The Arrow of the Heavenly Horse," but the answer that came back was similar.


    And it seemed that most of the guilds that had joined the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance in the first place wanted to join the "Knights of the Hail" alliance, making it impossible to organize a large force like the last time.


    Although they put some trust in the equipment of the "Arsenal of Spirits," they still seemed to think that it would be more advantageous to work with adventurers coming from outside the island.


    Only three guilds, "Guardian of Ore," "Silver Eagle Alliance," and "Wildcat," formed partnerships with the "Arsenal of Spirits.


    Sensing that the island''s adventurers were still very dependent on the outside world, Roland decided to send a letter to Lilianne and Lange, requesting their assistance.


    Meanwhile, Roland himself decided to return to the "Arsenal of Spirits" for a time to sort out the information.


    In Roland''s mind was the image of Medes, who had visited him the other day.


    If his visit was for the purpose of purchasing the "Flame Repelling Ore (Fire Rest)" .......


    The "Dragon''s Fires" may be more troubled by the shortage of "Fire Rest" than he thought.


    He wanted to know how much trouble they were in.


    Roland asked Pato for his opinion at the "Arsenal of Spirits.


    He had already ordered him to investigate the movements of "Dragon''s Fires" and "Knights of the Hail.


    Pato, tell me the results of your investigation.


    Yes, sir. As I thought, the Dragon''s Fires seems to be suffering from a considerable shortage of ore.


    I knew it.


    Yes, sir. It has already been a week since the "Knight of Hail" left his equipment at the "Dragon''s Fireside". But they still have not received the equipment. I spoke to some of the adventurers of the "Knights of the Hail," and they were very upset that their equipment had not been returned to them after being left in their care.


    I see."


    Roland grew more confident in his hypothesis after hearing the report from Pato, and decided to try to put the kama on the "dragon''s fiery fire.


    He asked Dylan to retrieve the information using the "Fire Rest" as bait.


    Dylan found the ore procurement manager of the "Dragon''s Fireside" in a bar at night with heavy burdens, and spoke to him, offering the following


    There is a vendor who has a large inventory of fire-retardant ore. They are having trouble finding sellers. I''m looking for a guild that will buy it from me. ......"


    The person in charge easily bit the bullet.


    What?　Really?　That''s a godsend. We are just in need of "fire-repellent ore (fire rest). We''ll buy it from you.


    As we bargained and probed about price and quantity, we were able to get a fairly accurate idea of the quantities they needed and even the quantities they had in their possession.


    The next day, Dylan came to the person in charge, full of expectation that he could buy the ore, and with an apologetic look on his face, he said the following.


    I''m sorry, ......, about the ''fire-repelling ore'' you were talking about. I''m sorry, but it seems that the vendor found a buyer for it before I did. There is no more left. I''m sorry, but you can forget we ever talked about it."


    The person in charge left with a slumped shoulder.


    After receiving these investigations and reports, Roland decided on the measures he should take in the future, considering the situation and the difference in strength between himself and the others.


    I have decided not to have a direct confrontation with the ''hail knights'' this time," he said.


    Roland said this at a meeting with the members of the "Arsenal of Spirits.


    Oh, oh."


    Wayne replies delicately.


    (Was this guy seriously going to go toe-to-toe with "The Knight of the Raisin" ......? The other party is a major outside guild, and there''s no way a collection of weak guilds on the island can win.)


    Now, just because we avoided a direct confrontation with the Knights of the Hail, it doesn''t mean we can escape a confrontation with the Dragon''s Fiery Fire.


    After a brief moment of relief, the atmosphere at the meeting became tense again.


    The atmosphere at the meeting was once again tense. The other side will probably try to crush us in earnest. But they also have their weaknesses. Pato, Dylan. Report that.


    Yes, sir. We have investigated the movements of the ''hail knights'' who are currently requesting ''Dragon''s Fires'' to maintain and manufacture their equipment. ......


    Pato rambled on with a report similar to the one he had given Roland.


    We have learned that ......, and from the above facts, it seems that the "Dragon''s Fires" is currently suffering from a considerable shortage of "Fire Rest" ore.


    We also found this out by probing the ore procurement manager at Dragon''s Fires: ......."


    Dylan reported his findings as well.


    Dylan reported his findings as well. Thank you both. You did your research well. As you can see from the above investigation, it is an undeniable fact that "Dragon''s Fires" is suffering from a shortage of "Fire Rest". Therefore, the "Arsenal of Spirits" would like to take advantage of this advantage and support the "Shield of Dawn" and other guilds with which we have partnerships in order to make the next move.


    What do the adventurers with whom you have partnerships say?"


    Aina asked.


    They, too, think it is premature to confront the "knight of hail" directly. This time, they asked me to send out a quest that would not compete with the Knights of the Hail.


    Ha, ha."


    (Still talking about direct confrontation. ....... Mr. Roland is pretty belligerent.)


    The quartet of the "Dragon''s Fires" and the adventurers'' guilds that are their offspring will be the ones to watch out for this time around. The "Dragon''s Fires" are no fools. They will seriously try to crush us from now on. We need everyone to make better equipment than ever before. Especially Aina. The fact that you have been awarded the title of "A" class is known to "Dragon''s Fiery Fire. By now, they must have been studying your armor in order to attack you. It is possible that the whole quartet will come to crush you.


    The quartet went all in: ......"


    Aina gulped and spat.


    Unprecedented pressure.


    Even though she had made equipment that was superior to Edgar Logue''s equipment in terms of status, it was still just catalog specs.


    This was the first time she had ever had a serious match with an opponent who was not letting his guard down.


    Aina, you are going to make the most powerful equipment ever. Edgar Logue''s "Black Bow," Lizetta Rhone''s "Javelin," and Raoul Bartley''s "Dragoon. I need equipment that can withstand these attacks!"


    <>