Pull out the quartet?"


    Aina repeated exactly what Roland had said.


    I see. If we can pull out the quartet, we will be able to increase our strength and also give a blow to the "Dragon''s Fires". It''s a win-win situation, isn''t it?


    Dylan said.


    Isn''t it a bit premature?"


    Pato said.


    No matter how much we have been able to outperform the quartet in the dungeon, there is still a power gap in terms of financial strength, size of facilities, and number of members," Pato said. If we plan to pull them out, they may try to pull us out too. Rather than trying to get our hands on the "Dragon''s Fires," wouldn''t it be better to continue to support adventurers as before and maintain our advantage in the dungeon?


    Of course, I don''t expect to be able to pull it off right now," he said. In order to make it happen, we have to accumulate funds and increase our external influence, as well as solidify our internal organization here. However, if we continue to maintain our dominance in the dungeon, the "Dragon''s Fires" will cause an internal split and fall apart. At that time, the chance to pull out the quartet will surely present itself."


    The room is silent.


    Someone gulped down a mouthful of spit.


    What? Don''t be so deflated. What we have to do is the same as before. We will develop our individual abilities, deepen our cooperation, and enhance our organizational strength. At the same time, we will gather information and move quickly when we see an opportunity in the market. It''s a repetitive process. Our immediate goal is to ......."


    Roland writes bullet points on the blackboard.


    Immediate goals


    1. To enhance partnerships and ensure dominance in the dungeon.


    2. Increase the number of people joining the partnership to 100.


    3, Gather information and find ways to pull off the quartet on more favorable terms.


    4、Relocate to a more productive workshop (atelier)


    I think it goes something like this. Now, let''s start with 1 and 2, expanding partnerships. ......, Aina."


    Yes.


    What is the current production of this workshop (atelier)?　How many people can you manufacture and maintain a set of "Reflective Armor", "Flexible Sword" and "Flexible Shield"?　Without sacrificing quality, of course."


    Uh, wait a minute.


    Aina rummages through the materials in her hand.


    Roughly fifty is the limit," she said.


    Then how many new Class B alchemists do we need to hire to cover the cost of 100?


    What?　Let''s see. ......"


    Aina hastily tries to calculate.


    (Aina''s not quite there yet in this area. If Ranju were here, he''d be able to play out the numbers in an instant. ......)


    [Aina Burke''s skills


    Workshop management: B to A


    (Is it still not enough to entrust the entire workshop (atelier) to him?)


    I understand. Well then, do the math for now and let me know later when you''re done."


    Yes, sir.


    Next, we need to gather information on the quartet. Wayne, Pato, Leena. What do you think of the quartet from your point of view?　Do you think they''ll take us up on our offer?


    As it stands now, it seems unlikely. Just go to ......."


    Pato said, choosing his words carefully.


    ''But I think there is a good chance. As Roland said, it is not that they are loyal to the "Dragon''s Fires," but that they are attracted by the fact that they are the world''s leading alchemy guild, and that they are treated the best on the island. If we could offer them better treatment than that of "Dragon''s Fiery Fire," it would be possible to make them change their minds. However, I still think it is a dangerous gamble. If we initiate such a thing, there is a possibility that they will try to extract us with their money. ......


    I see. Okay, Dylan.


    Oh.


    You''ll have to find out individually how much money it would take to pull the quartet out, or what level of treatment they would be willing to offer." But be careful in your contacts so that they don''t know your intentions. Don''t be more subtle than you have to be.


    Copy that.


    Now, the last thing I want to talk about is the relocation to a new workshop (atelier).


    What?　In the harbor?"


    Wayne bites back.


    So ......, you don''t mean to move it so close to the Dragon''s Fireside and set up a direct confrontation?"


    Yes," he said. The outside adventurers who come ashore from the harbor are the best customers for the "Dragon''s Fires. If we can steal their customers, we will be able to inflict a major blow on the Dragon''s Fiery Fire.


    We should do it now!"


    Wayne said, leaning forward suddenly.


    （I never thought I would have the opportunity to take revenge on the "dragon''s fiery fire" so soon. If we can move our workshop (atelier) to the harbor and deprive Edgar of his top customers ......)


    Wayne, calm down. This is just one of those ideals that I would like to achieve if I could. At this stage, we don''t have enough money, land, or anything else. We are still in the planning stage. We may have to drop it.


    What?　d*mn."


    Mr. Roland, I think it is still premature to move the workshop (atelier), even if you are going to pull the quartet out. If we are going to accept orders from outside adventurers, we will have to handle an enormous amount of work. I think it is not too late for us to establish a strong bond with the local guild.


    Pato said.


    ''Yeah. I agree. I think so, too. I think we should put this matter on the back burner.


    Roland erases the item on the blackboard about moving the workshop (atelier).


    Wayne watched impatiently as white powder fell from the blackboard.


    (d*mn. I thought I could get revenge on that bastard Edgar right now. Ain''t there something? (You can find out how to get the money now at ......)


    Now, each of you knows what you have to do, don''t you?　Well, then, get on with it."


    「「「「「「 yes 」」」」」」


    Mr. Roland, I''ve done the math.


    Aina brought a document that calculated the manpower needed to make equipment for 100 partnership members.


    She said, "Yeah. Let''s see.


    Roland looks at the results of the calculations submitted by Aina.


    Yeah, okay. I''ll make a plan based on these numbers.


    Yes, sir.


    Aina is relieved to have accomplished an unfamiliar task.


    Aina, I''ll be asking you to do more and more of this kind of thing from now on, so from now on, try to work with a little more awareness of the issues facing the workshop (atelier) as a whole.


    What?　Ha, yes."


    (Ugh. Mr. Roland, I''m glad you''re letting me do this new job, but I think I may be a little over capacity.)


    Aina shows some fatigue on her face.


    Then Roland made an apologetic face.


    I''m sorry. I''ve been putting a lot of pressure on you.


    What?　Oh, no, that''s okay."


    Aina hurriedly pulled a tired face.


    The only thing is that you are the only one who can be relied upon to take care of the entire studio. But they are still a bit naive compared to you. I know it''s hard, but you''ll have to work a little harder.


    Yes, sir.


    (Roland, you are so kind. (Mr. Roland is so kind.) He was concerned that I was getting tired, so he called out to me. Am I the only one who can rely on you ......? If you say so, I can''t help but do my best. Okay, I''ll do my best. I''ll do my best.)


    Aina got back into the swing of things and went about her business.


    Roland headed toward Leena.


    Leena," Roland said. How''s the inventory management going with the ''recycle''?


    Yes," he said. It''s like this."


    Leena shows Roland the iron B.


    It was smelted from iron ore that had previously deteriorated to Class C due to oxidation (ore deteriorates and loses its class after a certain amount of time after it is extracted. (After ore is extracted, it deteriorates and loses its class after a certain amount of time, so it must be used as soon as possible after extraction.)


    ) "I have found that ores of class B or lower can be reproduced by ''recycling'' even if they have been oxidized over time."


    Good. This looks like I can handle a much larger inventory of ore."


    Yes.


    Continue to improve the recycling process and discuss with Aina how to manage the ore.


    Understood.


    [Leena Hart''s skills


    Recycle": B to A


    (If Leena''s "Recycle" becomes A class, she can probably recycle A class ores as well. If this happens, not only will they be able to consume the ore themselves, but they will also be able to sell the surplus and use it as a source of funds to extract the quartet. (In a sense, she might be the biggest trump card this time.)


    Roland looks again at Leena, who is smelting ore in front of the kiln.


    She was humming a tune as she put the ore into the kiln.


    (Keep up the good work, Leena!)


    Pato was alone in his isolated room, tinkering and playing the lyre (harp) and thinking about how he should proceed with his work.


    (Well, I must find a way to somehow improve sales and quality of service with my skills.)


    Pato is lost in thought while playing the lyre (harp).


    (According to Mr. Roland, my unique skill "tuning (tuning)" has reached A class, so it can''t grow any further, right? If I can''t improve my skills, the only way to increase sales any further is to expand the use and range of my skills. (...... hmm?)


    When Pato was ''tuning'' his lyre (harp), he noticed a tone he had never heard before.


    （What is this?　Don''t tell me that a special sound besides the "dragon sound" is inhabiting ......?)


    Pato hastily repeats the melody he just played.


    Roland observed Pato from the shadows.


    Explanation of "Tuning".


    Alchemy restores a musical instrument''s deranged pitch.


    Doing this to a piece of equipment may give it a special effect.


    The repaired instrument can be given a "dragon sound".


    (NEW) Alchemy can give "~" to a musical instrument that has been ~.


    (A new item is about to be added to the description of "Tuning" of the patois. (The unique skill is about to evolve and broaden its scope.)


    When Roland looked at Pato again, he seemed absorbed in his work.


    (At this rate, it seems I don''t need to call out to him.)


    Roland did not call out to them, but quietly left the scene.


    (Well, now all that remains is Wayne.)


    Roland goes to check on Wayne.


    Wayne''s Unique Skills]


    Cutting": C to A


    (Unique skills have not grown since then. It hasn''t even reached B class, let alone expanded in variation like Aina and Pato. Am I still missing some key to growth?)


    Roland sighed.


    (In any case, we can''t postpone the conclusion any longer. Whether we give up or nurture, we have to make the next move. ......)


    Roland. Got a minute?"


    As Roland ponders, Dylan speaks to him.


    ''Yeah, I''m coming.''


    Roland heard the report from Dylan.


    As for the treatment of the quartet, each of them probably earns no less than 10 million gold per year.


    To pull the quartet out of the quartet would require about 50 million gold in penalties in addition to their salaries.


    Fifty million?"


    That''s not all. If we pay the quartet that much, we have to raise the salaries of the other workers, too. It will definitely cause friction.


    I''m sure you''re right. Then, in addition to the 50 million in reserves, there would be the annual sales of the workshop. I don''t think we can afford it right now.


    Then again, ......


    Yeah, we need to grow to 100 partnerships. But it is difficult with the existing facilities and staff, so we need to move to a new workshop (atelier), but we also need money to move the workshop (atelier)."


    It''s a dilemma.


    Yes," he said. For now, the quartet pullout will be shelved for a while. For the time being, we have to look for an affordable place to relocate and wait for the power of "Dragon''s Fires" to wane as we maintain and expand our advantage in the dungeon.


    Wayne was secretly listening to their conversation from the shadows.


    (d*mn, they even shelved the idea of pulling out the quartet?　You''ve got to be kidding me. We don''t have time for this kind of nonsense anymore. We have to change Roland''s mind somehow.)


    Wayne recalled the content of their conversation.


    (Anyway, it''s a partnership. If the partnership grows to 100, that means we''ll have enough money to pull the quartet out. OK. Then we can go to ......)


    Wayne secretly set out to realize his ambition.


    The "Knight of Hail" returned from the dungeon.


    They once again challenged themselves to an ore mining quest with the guild''s prestige on the line, but the results were disastrous.


    The attack of the "White Wolf" not only destroyed the ore they had collected, but also the equipment they were wearing, and some of them even returned to town naked.


    Cendric, too, had barely half of his beard left before he went searching, but it was all shaved off in this search.


    Cendric and the other "knights of the hail" had to retreat from the island with a broken heart.


    They trudged along the road to the harbor looking shabby, but even the islanders did not yell at them.


    The islanders, however, did not criticize them because they had been modest and unassuming during their stay on the island, and they could not help feeling sorry for them as they returned home literally disrobed and naked.


    The "White Wolf" bandits watched from the harbor as the ship with Cendric and the others left the island.


    We defeated the Knight of Hail as planned.


    The local guilds that accompanied the hail knights were hurt more than they should have been.


    Now if the ''Arsenal of Spirits'' alliance comes into the dungeon, we can take it one on one."


    Now let''s see how the "Arsenal of Spirits" comes in. Let''s see.


    The local adventurers, hurt by the White Wolf, need to secure this month''s payment, and naturally they sniff out word that the Arsenal of Spirits is looking for quests that pay well.


    While Wayne was drinking alone at the bar, a group of weary adventurers came through the door.


    The bandits had gotten to us again," Wayne said.


    Business is booming.


    I can''t get enough of it."


    It''s all because of the hail mongers.


    The adventurers grumble and order drinks.


    Then they noticed Wayne.


    Oh?　It''s Wayne.


    Long time no see.


    "Oh."


    Wayne responded appropriately and continued to stir his drink.


    I heard. I heard you were transferred to the "Arsenal of Spirits.


    I''m not sure. Your guild is doing well these days, isn''t it?　I''ve been leading alliances and so on. You should introduce me to some quests."


    Heh, you idiot. Who''s going to introduce me to you guys? Our guild doesn''t have time for you.


    I''m not. d*mn.


    You''re a slippery bastard.


    The adventurers move away, looking uninterested.


    However, Wayne finally realized that the demand for Roland and the "Arsenal of Spirits" was growing.


    （The islanders are beginning to realize the value of Roland," Wayne said. (The islanders are beginning to realize Roland''s value.) "We can''t afford not to take advantage of him.


    Wayne looked back at the adventurers who had just spoken to him.


    They were still in the corner of the store, sipping on cheap drinks.


    As Wayne approached them, he could hear them talking.


    What are you going to do about it?　I can''t even pay for the maintenance on the equipment this time.


    Maybe it''s time to move on. Maybe it''s time to get out of the adventure business and get back to the real thing."


    Hey, man. What the hell are you guys looking at?


    "Yeah?　Wayne?


    What is it? You were so casual about it earlier. I thought you didn''t have time for us.


    Well, listen. There might be a way for you guys to join the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance, you know?"


    What?　Really?"


    How?


    I don''t think this is a good place for me to be. Let''s move.


    Wayne took the adventurers to a more intimate setting.


    The local adventurers who had accompanied the "Knight of Hail" on his unsuccessful dungeon expedition were once again being chomped at the bit.


    They also urged Leon and his team to form an alliance with the "Arsenal of Spirits" through the "Shield of Dawn.


    Leon and his team immediately consulted with Roland.


    The bandits seemed strangely aggressive this time," said Roland. There are more people than last time who want to join the "Arsenal of the Spirits" alliance. Some are even willing to join the partnership.


    Can''t I help you somehow, Roland?"


    "......"


    (The "White Wolf" attack was also strangely caustic. ......? Perhaps they were aware of the movements of the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance. If they enter the dungeon, they will set it up.)


    Roland?"


    I''m sorry. I''m not too far off from starting an alliance on the "Arsenal of Spirits" side.


    Really?　Well then, ......"


    However!　Up to 50 people. Any more than that and we will not be able to provide the equipment, and it could seriously degrade the strength of the force."


    Hmmm...50 people.


    That would mean turning down more than half of them.


    Well, I''m afraid we have no choice.


    The Shield of Dawn" had no choice but to accept Roland''s conditions, despite his disappointment.


    I''m sure that''s enough about the ''Arsenal of Spirits'' alliance," Roland said.　Then next, I''d like to talk about improving everyone''s skills. ......"


    As Roland was about to change the subject, he heard a murmur from outside the window.


    What is it?"


    When Roland went outside, he found that the adventurers had come in droves.


    They were crowding Aina, who had come out to respond.


    Aina was standing in front of the doorway, "Hey, what''s going on here?


    Shut up. Get Roland out of here!


    You''re not much to talk to, you know."


    One of the adventurers pushes Aina''s shoulder with a thump.


    Roland rushed to Aina''s defense.


    Hey, what are you doing? What''s going on?


    There he is. It''s Roland.


    Surround them!


    The adventurers surround Roland.


    Aina, who are these people?


    I came here suddenly. They wanted me to join the ''Arsenal of Spirits'' alliance."


    In an alliance?"


    (This time, I''m sure they haven''t released any information about the launch of the alliance yet. Did someone leak it?)


    Hey, let us join the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance.


    You''re going to launch it again, aren''t you?　Don''t favor only your own people."


    We want our share of your quests.


    That''s what they told me. ......


    As Roland was closing in, someone broke through the crowd and interrupted him.


    Hey, what the hell are you doing? You guys."


    Wayne?"


    When Roland sounded confused, Wayne stood in front of the adventurers and defended Roland.


    What kind of wisdom do you have to have to surround yourselves with the head of our guild, you people?


    Oh, Wayne. You tell him, too.


    We''ve got a lot of work to do.


    "Assigning work?　Hey, you guys. We''re not the kind of guild that makes contracts easily.


    What?


    "If you want to sign a contract with us, you''ll have to join a partnership first!　Then we''ll talk.


    Partnership?


    What''s that?


    It''s a system whereby you get priority access to the advice of an S-class appraiser in exchange for signing a lease contract with us. Now, if you want to join, get in line and write your name and guild on the application form.


    (Wayne?　(What ......)


    Roland could only watch, bewildered by the sudden series of events and Wayne''s attitude.


    Wayne gloated that his plan had worked.


    （We''re all set," he said. The time for revenge has finally come. Wait for me, Edgar. I''m going to use all of them and destroy you and the "Dragon''s Fires".)


    <>