Aina was anxiously waiting for Roland and the others to return.


    Would Roland and the others be safe?


    Would the equipment I had made work against the quartet''s equipment?


    That is why, when I heard voices coming from the entrance of the workshop (atelier), I rushed to Roland''s side.


    Mr. Roland!


    Aina?


    Thank God you are safe. How was your search?　Was my equipment functioning properly?"


    Roland doesn''t answer it, but looks toward Leon, who is behind him.


    Leon. Show him what you''ve got.


    Leon then held up the "Javelin" that he had captured and showed it to me.


    The "Javelin" has a "flexible shield" attached to it.


    Aina''s face lit up when she saw it.


    Let''s talk about the things that are piling up inside. Everyone is tired. Take care of the adventurers'' equipment.


    Yes."


    Please come in. Dragon tea.


    Saki serves Roland and Aina "dragon tea" in the studio.


    We have just taken a break from taking care of the adventurers'' equipment.


    Thank you very much," he said. Thank you, Saki.


    Good job on your dungeon search. Please make yourself at home.


    Saki winked at him and said that much, then left.


    She was a good-natured girl.


    So, how did it go?


    Of the quartet''s equipment, the black bow and javelin were able to defeat them with your equipment.


    I understand that the physical attack and the special melee attack were defeated. So that leaves us with ......."


    Ah, the special remote attack, the ''Dragoon''s Cage. If we can surpass this, we can conquer the quartet!"


    Lizetta was waiting for Ike and his team to return with the ore from the "Spirit Arsenal" for a day and a half.


    That is why she was so upset when she saw them return not only with the ore, but also with the equipment they were wearing.


    Ike ....... Why are you looking like that? ......


    ''No face, Miss Lisetta. Not only was I defeated by the enemy, but they also took away the Javelin that I had taken the trouble to get for you.


    Tell me about it. How the hell did that happen?"


    The ...... forest made it difficult to use the javelin, but the shields used by the enemy, the shields of the Arsenal of Spirits, were a little strange ......, and the javelin was blocked. I''m sorry. ......"


    You don''t mean to say that ...... "Javelin" lost?　The equipment in the Arsenal of Spirits?"


    U......, that ......, that''s not funny."


    (Not good. It''s not good.)


    Lizetta pales as she remembers her promise to Roland.


    If you guys can make better equipment than I can make, I''m willing to transfer to your guild.


    (Even if it was a verbal promise, a promise like that. ......)


    He said, "Hahaha. I knew it. That''s why I said it. Lizetta is still too much for me."


    Edgar said with a blank look.


    That''s why I was against it," he said. "That''s why I was against it," he said, "because I wasn''t sure about Lizetta''s javelin.


    Edgar. Edgar, what are you talking about like it''s somebody else''s business?　You were also making equipment for "Pterodactyl Lights", weren''t you? Don''t be irresponsible!


    You''re blaming me for this. You were the one leading the charge, weren''t you?　Don''t put the blame on someone else."


    With a clang, there was the sound of iron being struck at the back of the room.


    Lizetta''s body shook with fear.


    They''re all useless, aren''t they?


    Raul looked around at everyone in the room as he said this.


    They all turned their heads away awkwardly.


    Raoul said, "That''s enough. I''ll take care of the "Spirit Arsenal.


    （The "Arsenal of Spirits" and S-class appraiser Roland. It seems he''s not the only one. I guess I underestimated him a little. I''ll be your opponent from here on out, you S-class alchemist!)


    The "Knight of Hail" who dived into the dungeon without "Fire Rest" was exposed to the "Fire Breath" of the "Fire Dragon (Fafnir)" and the "White Wolf" attack, and came back in a crawl.


    The equipment he was wearing was in tatters everywhere, and Cendric''s magnificent white mustache was burnt and half grown.


    The members of the "Knights of the Hare" were disheartened by the lack of success, and to add insult to injury, the guilds of the Alliance were demanding their share, as had been the custom on the island since the "Guardians of the Academy of Magic".


    Cendric was forced to try the dungeon again to meet the demands of the allied guilds.


    The Knight of Hail pawned his northern furs and ivory to finance the project, and asked the Dragon''s Fires to maintain and manufacture the equipment.


    Captain Cendric. Are you really going to dive in the dungeon again?"


    Of course. We can''t just back out of this!"


    But the adventurers on the island are apparently useless. All they do is make demands, but when it comes time to fight, they are all cowards and baggage. We had to clean up their messes too many times during our previous exploration. I''m also concerned about the activities of the "Dragon''s Fires. I don''t trust them."


    What?　This time, they have prepared a "shield of fire bullets" for us. As long as they have "Fire Rest," they have nothing to fear from "Fafnir," the fire dragon, or bandits!


    But don''t you think it''s strange?　Where in the world did they get the ore this time?　We can only assume that the thieves are using the ore they stole from us. ......"


    I''m not going to stop prying into that sort of thing," he said. Anyway, we are fully equipped. Now all we have to do is defeat the enemy, conquer the dungeon, and bring back honor!　Here we go. Shoot down Fafnir the Fire Dragon and humiliate those vile bandits!　We will make our power known throughout this island!"


    Jamil and his team from "White Wolf" watched as the "Knights of the Hail" and their allied guilds prepared in front of the dungeon.


    Then they looked bitterly at the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance preparing behind them.


    They were by all accounts alive and well, having supposedly fought the quartet, and if anything, their armaments seemed to be better equipped than before.


    Tsk. They are exactly matching the movements of the "knights of the hail" again.


    Rodo said.


    You''re very thorough.


    Zain said.


    Hey, Jamil. Are you sure you want to do this?　Let them run wild. They''re getting better and better. If we don''t do something about it, we''re in trouble.


    The quartet is not that great either. For all their big talk.


    They don''t know anything about dungeon combat. All they do is make equipment.


    I guess so. I think it would be wise to give him a good smack around here.


    Yes," he said. The Arsenal of Spirits can only be beaten by us.


    Again, the target will be the Knights of the Hail.


    Jamil!　Ugh. ......"


    Rod and Zain were involuntarily silenced by Jamil''s awesomeness.


    First of all," he said, "we will crush the ''hail knight'' thoroughly. "First, we will crush the ''hail knight'' so thoroughly that he will never be able to stand up again.


    (Even a quartet can''t stop the "Arsenal of Spirits. (Even a quartet can''t stop the "Arsenal of Spirits".) So, simple quality of equipment is not enough to finish them off. This Roland guy seems to be quite skilled. That''s why we need to be very careful and meticulous when we destroy him. Hmm?)


    As Jamil looked toward the "Arsenal of Spirits," he saw another group of people appear behind him.


    (Is that ...... Raul Bartley?)


    Raul had come to the front of the dungeon with an unfamiliar group in addition to a hodgepodge of C-class adventurers.


    Among them was an old mage.


    Ho-ho. I never thought I would be entering a dungeon again at my age.


    Sorry to trouble you, Maester."


    Raul addresses the old man with an unprecedented degree of condescension.


    I have heard. A new alchemy guild on the island is threatening the stronghold of the Dragon''s Fires.


    Yes," he said. Yes, I would like to ask for your help once again. I am Alzea the Mage.


    Mage Alzea was an adventurer who had made a name for himself as an exceptional mage on this island.


    He was also the adventurer who gave Raul the opportunity to take a leap forward.


    As a result of his continuous response to Alzea''s orders, Raul''s unique skill, "Magic Crafting," became an S-class skill.


    Raul is now half-retired on a remote island, teaching magic to his students.


    This time, he came all the way from a remote island to the mainland of "Fire Dragon Island.


    I never thought that you and I would have to work together to defeat a new alchemy guild.


    Yes, I''m embarrassed.


    What are the other members of the quartet doing?


    They are doing their best, but they are still young and naive.


    Hm. Well, that''s all right. Let me, the old man, break the nose of this presumptuous young fellow.


    Thank you. I am indebted to you.


    And then?　I trust you have all the equipment you need?


    Yes, sir. You guys get the stuff.


    Raul ordered the junior staff to open the package he had brought.


    Inside the box appeared intricately designed armor and swords.


    They were equipment with Raul''s "magic work" skill.


    The "magic work" has the effect of increasing the effectiveness of magic skills.


    The "Dragoon" has the effect of converging fire magic to increase its power and penetrating power, and the sword and armor with "magic work" designs have the effect of increasing the effectiveness of "attack grant" and "defense grant".


    The sword and armor designed with "magic work" have the effect of increasing the effectiveness of "attack grant" and "defense grant. It seems that your skill has not diminished.


    This armor and sword are made to be C-class weight for adventurers, but with your support magic, they will have A-class attack and defense strength, combined with the effects of your ''magic work. It should be able to stand up to the blue armor.


    Blue armor?


    I see. I haven''t told you yet. Aina Burke, an A-class alchemist in the "Arsenal of Spirits," is making a piece of equipment called blue armor. The similar commercially available green armor had B-class or higher status on C-class weight equipment. It is probably safe to assume that the custom-made blue armor is even more potent.


    "Oh," he said. Who else but you could pull off such a trick?


    Edgar''s black bow was also hit by this blue armor. It seems that his physical attacks were bounced back.


    "Bouncing back physical attacks: ......"


    There are other reports of telescoping swords and shields that break and attach to spears. Anyway, they use all kinds of weird equipment.


    I see. I see. That''s a nuisance. I see. That''s a nuisance. ......


    Althea smiled wryly.


    He is no match for your ''dragon-headed cage. Isn''t it?


    Oh," he said. That''s right. I have already tried it with green armor, and the firepower of the "Dragoon" was able to peel off the paint, and it also directly damaged the wearer. The same effect should be possible against blue armor.


    I''m not sure I''d like that. Good. Well, I''d better get going. Aram, Liam.


    When Alzea calls out, two mages, identical in shape, step forward.


    They appeared to be twin brothers.


    Who are they?


    These are Aram and Liam. These are Aram and Liam. They are already class B attack mages. If they can learn your ''dragon-headed cage hand,'' they will be class A offensive mages.


    That''s encouraging."


    Alzea''s Skills


    Offensive Grant: B


    Defend": B


    Aram''s Skills


    Explosive Flame Magic": B


    Liam''s skill


    Explosive Flame Magic": B


    (One B class support mage and two B class attack mages. Combined with the effectiveness of my "Magic Crafting" skill, this is a force equivalent to three A-class mages. No matter how much Roland may have his hands full with this much firepower!)


    In addition to the three mages from the outlying islands, Raul called for the participation of two C-class attack mages (who were in effect B-class attack mages due to Raul''s equipment).


    Both of them gladly responded to the call because they could use the "dragon-headed basket hand (dragoon).


    With this, they have two A-class attack magic cards, two B-class attack magic cards, and an A-class support magic card, which gives them virtually A-class attack and support magic cards. The unit consisted of 10 warriors with defensive capabilities, and was heavily armed and heavily armed.


    Even though the unit was protected by Aina''s "coating," they would not be able to stand a chance if they collided with each other.


    Thus began the battle.


    Roland and his team entered the dungeon and immediately made a dash for it.


    Althea and the others chased after them.


    d*mn. It''s hard to see the enemy''s back. What pace they are marching at!


    Aram said.


    ''If we keep going like this, we''re going to run out of strength (stamina). Master.


    Liam said.


    Don''t panic. We are almost at the end of the forest. There will be several monsters in the "Great Orc" class. They will have no choice but to slow down.


    As we were marching, a warrior in front of us shouted loudly.


    Ittaa!"


    !　What''s wrong?"


    When Alzea looked, she saw that the Warrior who had raised his voice had lifted one leg and was frowning.


    Something ...... on the sole of his foot ......."


    ''This!　It''s a water chestnut."


    What?　A water chestnut?


    Cecil''s Skills


    Trap Installation": B (up1)


    (Cecil''s skill "trap setting" is now class B. He is now able to set traps more quickly and in the right places, and can set traps while marching. (This can slow down the speed of the enemy who is chasing you.)


    Hey, Roland!"


    As Roland was marching along, watching Cecil "set the trap," Jeff spoke to him.


    What is it, Jeff?"


    I think that where Cecil laid his traps earlier, he found just the right position to ''bow-fire'' the enemy."


    Hmm.


    Can I go with Hans and the others to set up a hit-and-away?"


    ...... I agree. It would be interesting to try it. Elio, Leon.


    What is it?"


    Elio and Leon turn around.


    ''Jeff and the "Heavenly Horse Arrow" are going to be away for a while. Can you go a while without the archer''s backup?"


    Oh. Oh, no problem. We''ll try the front alone.


    Good. Jeff. You can go. But be back in an hour.


    All right. Hans, you got a minute?"


    As he watched Jeff confer with Hans, Roland felt a definite response.


    (Jeff. (Jeff, you''ve gained confidence, you''ve started to make suggestions on your own.)


    [Jeff''s skills


    Bow Shooting: B to B


    Farsightedness": B to B


    Silent Run": B to A


    Rapid Fire: C to B


    Continuous Fire: C to B


    One-hit-kill": C to B


    （Except for "Silent Run," all archer skills remain at the B class. At best, he is an all-rounder; at worst, he is poor in dexterity. (But ......)


    [Jeff''s status


    Tactical Eyes: 60-80 → 110 → 12 0


    (Tactical eye status is equivalent to S class. The range of tactics has expanded, and independence has also emerged. The foundation for becoming stronger is steadily being laid. This will allow me to accelerate my growth even faster than before!)


    Oh, ittaa."


    Alzea and his team were trapped again.


    ''Ee-aye. Another Makibishi.


    Stop for a moment. There must be more. Let''s look for them.


    Those walking in front of the unit bend down to look for traps hidden in bushes and grass.


    It was then that the arrow flew.


    Gaaaah!"


    What the hell?


    Enemy attack!"


    ''Yeah, yeah, yeah. Fight back with the ''Dragoon''s Baskets''."


    !　Here comes the Dragon''s Head Basket.


    Claire said as a warning.


    ''All right. Run!"


    Jeff said.


    Jeff, Hans, Claire, and Alice ran into the woods.


    The "Dragoon Hand" blew down a couple of trees, but by that time the archers had already left.


    "d*mn, they got away!"


    They''re quick.


    Hurry up and help the wounded recover!"


    Aram and the Liam brothers had to wait in frustration until the Warrior, who had been wounded by a bow shot, recovered.


    In the meantime, of course, the troop''s march had to be halted.


    It''s not good, Master.


    We will lose sight of the ''Arsenal of Spirits'' alliance if we don''t.


    Disciples. Do not panic. We have a long way to go.


    But if we don''t, they''ll be out of the woods.


    Let them go. The game will be decided when they reach the Metal Line.


    Alzhea and the others were not only wearing "magic-work" equipment, but also "fire-balloon shields" made of abundant "fire-rest" (the "fire-rest" was brought back by the "White Wolf").


    （With the "Fire Rest," he could explore the "Metal Line," where "Fafnir" was flying around, without being worn out. Once out of the forest, it becomes difficult to set traps and shoot bows in the shadows. Once you enter the "Metal Line," it''s all or nothing. If we can get them into a battle, we''ll be all right. We have the Dragoon''s Basho (Dragon''s Head) on our side.)


    Alzhea''s downcast eyes held a cunning glint in them.


    <>