Medes officially appointed Lizetta as the leader of the "Arsenal of Spirits" countermeasures.


    Upon receiving authorization and a budget for the formation of a team of appraisers, Lizetta gathered the appraisers in the guild and held a meeting.


    (It''s finally here. We have a chance to redeem ourselves. If we succeed in this project, we can dream of reigning at the top of the quartet.)


    In fact, if they succeeded in training adventurers, they would have more say in the guild and would be able to take a leadership position over the other alchemists, and even over the quartet.


    (I have Roland to thank for that. (I must thank Roland for giving me the opportunity to surpass even Raoul in this way.)


    Lizetta recalls.


    The exchange with Roland in the "Arsenal of Spirits.


    And her own words.


    If you guys can make equipment that surpasses what I make, I''ll be happy to transfer to your guild.


    (I already lost once, ......, but that was a no-no, no-no. Because it''s not fair for a connoisseur to train adventurers. This time we will play fair and square, on equal terms.)


    Fortunately, there are three A-class appraisers in the guild, and they were also dissatisfied with their poor treatment within the guild, so they were more than willing to cooperate with Lisetta''s project.


    At the meeting, Lizetta confirmed that she would focus on training adventurers, and immediately approached her client, "Winged Dragon Lights," about the project.


    Ike Belford, the leader of Pterodactyl Lights, responded to her proposal with a resounding "yes.


    I never thought I would have the opportunity to take revenge on the ''Spirit Arsenal'' so soon," she said. It is something I could never have hoped for. I will gladly cooperate with your plan."


    The appraisers appraised Ike and immediately found room for growth.


    [Ike Belford''s skills.


    Spear Art: B to A


    Hm. I found it, Lizetta. His skill ''spearmanship'' has A-class potential."


    Thus, for the time being, it was agreed that Ike would become an A-class spearman (lancer), and the goal was to make all members of "Winged Dragon Lights" B-class adventurers.


    That night, Lilianne was in Roland''s room.


    It had been a long time since she had been able to lay skin to skin and frolick in Roland''s arms, and now she was being hugged from behind by him.


    She was so happy to have Roland stroking her hair and saying words of love to her.


    ''Lily. You did a great job."


    Lillianne was woozy and surrendered herself to him for a while.


    Suddenly, however, she raised her eyebrows in a wistful manner and began to cry softly.


    What''s wrong, Lily?"


    It''s nothing."


    However, Lillianne did not stop crying.


    I can''t believe you look so sad when we are together like this. You have to tell me. I don''t understand."


    Because soon I will have to return to the ''adventurer''s town. Then we won''t see each other again for a while, will we?"


    ......"


    I am happy like this now. But the happier I am, the lonelier I will be when we part.


    Lillianne wiped away tears.


    I''m sorry," she said. I got sentimental. I don''t blame you for being on the "Fire Dragon Island. I wish you good luck with your work.


    Lily. I have something for you."


    Roland took a small box from a side shelf and handed it to Lillianne.


    What is this?"


    Open it."


    Lillianne opened the box to reveal a beautiful blue gemstone pendant.


    Lillianne opened the box to reveal a beautiful blue gemstone pendant. Beautiful. What is this?


    The gemstone in the pendant appeared to be a sapphire, but its brilliance was deep and dazzling.


    It''s a special sapphire created by the breath of fire from the ''Giant Fire Dragon (Gran Fafnir). It is also known as the ''Tears of the Dragon. Even on this island, where a wide variety of ores can be found in abundance, it is said to be something that can rarely be found. I asked our alchemist to make it into a pendant. Think of it as a substitute for me while I''m gone."


    Yes. ....... Thank you."


    Lillianne lovingly stroked the pendant with her finger.


    The pendant reflected the moonlight, giving off a subdued, pale glow.


    The next morning, before leaving the island, Lilianne went around to greet the alchemists of the "Arsenal of Spirits" branch who had helped her so much.


    She also went to greet Aina.


    Aina, thank you for your help in defeating the Flood Dragon. Despite the suddenness of the quest, you were kind enough to help me prepare my equipment. ......"


    No, no, no. It''s our job to prepare the equipment."


    I left a small supply of ''dragon tea'' and snacks in the break room. Please enjoy them with everyone.


    This is very kind of you. ......


    Aina caught sight of the pendant hanging around Lilianne''s neck.


    Oh, that pendant: .......


    Oh. Is this it? Actually, Roland gave it to me last night. ......"


    I didn''t know that. I made that pendant.


    Oh, I didn''t know that. No wonder I thought it was a wonderful pendant. You are indeed an A-class alchemist. If it was made by the best alchemist on the island, you can be proud of it in the "Adventurer''s Town.


    No, no, no. Oh, no. When are you leaving for the City of Adventurers?


    I will be boarding a ship this afternoon.


    I see. But I''ll miss you if that happens. I''m going to miss Roland.


    I see.


    Lillianne is dejected.


    I am not sure that Roland''s work on the island will be finished for the time being, and I, too, will be busy with my duties once I return to the "Adventurer''s Town. It is depressing to think that we won''t see each other for a while. I know that the work on this island is unpredictable. ...... I fear that Mr. Roland''s mind will drift away from me."


    I''ll be fine," he said. It is rare to find a woman as wonderful as Lillianne. I don''t think Mr. Roland would dare to cheat on his wife without you.


    Thank you very much. It is a great relief to hear you say so."


    Lillianne, please wait for me in the "Adventurer''s Town" with a big smile on your face. We''ll keep an eye on you to make sure you don''t get any bad bugs.


    Thank you," he said. Please support Roland-san.


    Yes. I promise.


    Aina watched Lilianne leave the workshop (atelier).


    Carla was idling in her guild''s office.


    Since joining the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance, the guild''s opinion of her has changed 180 degrees.


    Before, she used to cause problems with her friends, but when they saw that she had become a B-class swordsman upon her return, they completely changed their attitude toward her.


    She is now in a position where she is asked to do various things regarding her quests.


    She is now in a position where she is asked to do various things in relation to her quests.


    No, she herself knows exactly what is missing.


    The quests of the guild she belonged to were so lacking.


    She is aware of this when she does her own guild''s quests in detail.


    How advanced Roland''s command was, how demanding his demands were.


    And Carla''s fighting style had generally met Roland''s requirements.


    Just as the way her peers looked at her had completely changed, so had the way she looked at the world.


    In her spare time, she remembered the days when she had fought alongside Roland and his friends.


    Even now, when she closes her eyes, she can picture them vividly.


    The tingling air surrounded by powerful monsters. The deadly troops.


    In such a situation, if you are late in your judgment even for a moment, you will fall behind your companions.


    Carla looks at the composition of the enemy and the deployment of her allies, and instantly decides how to move.


    Leon is flying instructions.


    Jeff is running in quickly.


    Elio is making sharp movements that don''t match his big figure.


    Cecil is dexterously using recovery magic and flying tools in a perfect position.


    And Roland is watching.


    In such an intimidating scene, Carla, while being tormented by extreme pressure, is strangely free of fear.


    She follows behind the shield-bearer, looking for a chance to release a "Kageuchi" (shadow strike) and, as the occasion demands, leaps over her comrades and showers them with "Kaiten Kenbuyo" (Kaiten Sword Dance).


    I never thought I was capable of such an advanced fighting style.


    Moreover, it seemed that she still had room for growth.


    Roland had opened a new door for her.


    Compared to the vast possibilities that lay beyond that door, the familiar routine that lay before her now seemed somewhat smoky.


    It''s hard on everybody.


    A young man from the guild rushed into the rest area.


    What''s wrong?"


    The Arsenal of Spirits Alliance has defeated the Flood Dragon.


    What?　A flood dragon?


    This is a surprise.


    It''s amazing that an outside guild could defeat a ''flood dragon'' that has been neglected for so many years. ......


    The prestige of the Arsenal of Spirits will only increase.


    What do we do?　Shouldn''t we also sign a contract with the ''Arsenal of Spirits''?"


    Hmmm."


    Carla got up and ran out of the rest stop.


    Carla?"


    Hey, where are you going?"


    Carla does not respond to his voice, but goes out into the street.


    （Where do you think you''re going?　(I know what I''m going to do.)


    Carla ran through the streets, aiming for the "Arsenal of Spirits" at a stretch.


    <>