Additional budget?" I thought we had already arranged enough money for new projects?"
Medes said quizzically.
Yes. So, as I explained earlier, we needed additional budget. We didn''t anticipate the need for EarthCraft.
''Earthcraft'' ...... Hey."
Medes sits deep in his chair, a short distance away from Lizetta, who is leaning forward on her desk, and looks at her with a hasty eye.
With that alone, Lizetta sensed that Medes was losing his mind about this new business.
''Lizetta, I don''t know what you''re talking about. What goes on in the dungeon is the domain of adventurers. Let the adventurers take care of the adventurers, after all, we as the Alchemy Guild ......"
Guild leader!
Lizetta slammed the desk and smiled with a smile of pressure.
''You said it yourself, Guild President, didn''t you? He said, "Whatever it takes, you have to present a way to defeat the ''Arsenal of Spirits. And he agreed to the new project I proposed. Isn''t that right?"
It''s ...... yes, but ......
I admit that my estimates were not accurate. However, this business is still new to me. Until it sprouts, unforeseen circumstances are bound to occur. Roland is a monster who has conquered three dungeons, led an adventurers'' guild in one city, and trained numerous A- and S-class adventurers. Naturally, fighting against him will not be a simple task. It is a long, long road. There will be times when you will run into a deadlock. But it is in times like these that you, as head of the guild, must provide solid support on the ground."
......"
Let me check again, the guild president wants to win the ''Arsenal of Spirits,'' right?"
That''s ...... of course it is, but ......
Then will you please pass this budget I''ve applied for?"
But," he said. To pass a new budget, we have to cut other departments'' budgets. We can''t do that right now. ......
Then when can you make the money?"
Medes was still reluctant, but unable to dissuade Lizetta any further, he had no choice but to approve the new budget.
However, he gave her three days to approve it.
After Lizetta left the room, Medes called Edgar.
You wanted to see me, sir?"
Look at this.
''Is this a new budget? Why on earth?"
''Lizetta applied for it just now. She''s finally starting to act suspiciously.
(Seems the seeds of suspicion are growing nicely.)
Edgar chuckled inside.
''At last, what you feared is coming true. Lizetta is prepping Roland to take over this guild."
(I see. (I see. That''s what you want to think.)
Edgar realized that his statement was being distorted by Medes.
However, since it would be rather convenient for Edgar to increase Lizetta''s suspicions, he decided to go along with Medes'' delusion here.
''The takeover of the guild. I had no idea that Lizetta would be doing something so grandiose. But if that''s the case, we''ll finally have to tighten our surveillance on Lizetta.
Mm-hmm. But what should we do? There is no clear evidence that Lizetta is betraying us even if we try to stop her. And we have no excuse to push back on this new budget application either. ......"
I have an idea. Can you let me handle it here?"
Three days later, the new budget was granted as requested by Lizetta.
However, there was a condition attached to the use of the budget.
Lizetta immediately went to Medes to complain.
What is this all about, Guild President?
Lizetta slammed the budget application down on Medes'' desk.
''Why do you need Edgar''s permission to use the budget!
I''m not sure what to think. I''ll let Edgar join your project. That''s all there is to it.
I remember I only applied for a budget, and I don''t recall you saying you were short-staffed?"
There was some concern within the guild about entrusting this new project to you alone. Even just starting up a project is a lot of work, and now we''re going to have to come up with an additional budget. You can''t manage it on your own, can you? That''s why we added an additional member."
(So why are you giving the budget to Edgar? He''s the one you shouldn''t give it to. Read the air!)
Everyone in the guild knew that Lizetta and Edgar did not get along.
Except for Medes.
The guild leader said, "Guild leader, we can do it right with the current members. Let us do it."
This is a decision that has already been made. I will not allow any objections. You will work with Edgar on this project.
Thus, Lisetta and Edgar began to cooperate in the new business, but the new structure was fraught with trouble from the start.
Edgar insisted that he be made the representative of the new business.
Edgar insisted that he be made the head of the new business. This is a project I started. Why should you, who came later, be the leader?
If Lizetta insisted on the right of precedence, Edgar insisted on holding the rights to the new budget, and to their surprise, the two argued all day long.
In the end, the situation was somehow settled by making Lizetta the leader and Edgar the deputy leader.
However, it was rather convenient for Edgar.
(Good. I''m in the project. Being the deputy leader is a good position. If the project was going well, he could take over and take the credit. If it didn''t seem to be going well, he would take over and take the credit. Either way, I would get the benefit of the doubt. I''m going to destroy this new business from the inside with this two-step approach.)
Lizetta glanced at the membership list with a gut-wrenching feeling.
(Edgar, you''re being so transparent ....... I know what you''re trying to do. I''m not going to let you get in my way.)
At the same time that Edgar was making his move, the "Arsenal of Spirits" was facing a similar problem.
"Not enough ''earthcraft''?"
Roland looked amused when Lange told him.
''Yes. With our current inventory, I''m not sure we''ll be able to take on the Class A quest.
I see. It''s been a long time since we last procured anything, hasn''t it?
Roland unfolded a map of the dungeon in his mind and checked the information related to the mining site.
I have a general idea of where "Earthcraft" is distributed, but I don''t think there were many left this month.
Roland considers the report from Dylan as well.
According to Dylan, a project to train A-class adventurers was being launched in "Dragon''s Fires" as well.
（I don''t know how serious they are about this, but if they are serious about training A-class adventurers, they will want Earthcraft. If we don''t hurry, they''ll be fighting over it.)
I''ll be right with you. All right. Ranju, change of plans. First priority is to procure "Earthcraft."
I understand. Maintenance of existing equipment.
I''ll call on the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance, so please take care of the workshop (atelier). Just in case, Pato and Wayne are ......."
Those two are concentrating on their unique skills, right?
I''m not sure I''ll be able to do it. Yes.
Pato was not good at being resourceful, and Wayne became messy when his concentration was dispersed, so I was still uneasy about entrusting him with urgent matters.
Roland and Lange, who are bound by strong trust, quickly read each other''s intentions without exchanging many words.
They are deeply versed in both alchemy and adventure business, so even without exchanging many words, they were able to proceed smoothly without any conflict, confrontation, or suspicion, and without violating each other''s territory.
The corporate culture of prioritizing the support of the Adventurers'' Guild was also prevalent in every corner of the "Arsenal of Spirits," and the staff was able to respond flexibly and without hesitation to sudden changes in schedule.
The project was well managed, so there were no budget fights or unnecessary confrontations, and everything proceeded smoothly.
The Adventurers'' Guild, too, had great confidence in Roland, so they quickly responded to his call.
The "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance was quickly formed.
The "White Wolf" immediately reacted to the alliance.
However, its movement was a little slow.
（Is the "Earthcraft" the target?)
Jamil clicked his tongue.
He had underestimated the value of earthcraft because he had long despised the support of adventurers in dungeon exploration.
Even if they took it from the alliance, it was not certain that they would buy it back.
The "White Wolf" had been worn out from the battle with the alliance, and the previous search had been costly because they had struck out.
In addition, a fast ship that had recently arrived at the harbor had reported that a ship flying the banner of the "Philosopher''s Crown," one of the most prominent guilds on the western continent, was heading for the "Fire Dragon Island.
We don''t want to be drained any further in terms of expenses before the "Wise Man''s Crown" arrives.
For the time being, Jamil decided to request "Dragon''s Fires" to purchase "Earthcraft" and provide financial support.
The request from the White Wolf was delivered to Edgar, who was in charge of procuring the earthcraft.
An? The "White Wolf" wants to buy "Earthcraft" from you? The one you plan to take from the Arsenal of Spirits?"
Edgar ponders for a moment.
(I''d like to interrupt Lizetta''s work, so let''s send salt to the enemy here.)
Edgar replied to the "White Wolf" side.
We cannot buy "Earthcraft" in our guild. Therefore, we cannot provide financial support. We apologize for that.
Jamil heard the reply and shook his fist.
（Edgar, I''m going to kill that son of a b*tc* later.)
What the hell? Didn''t they say something about those guys collecting ''Earthcraft'' a while back?"
Seems like different people are saying different things.
They''re having another internal conflict.
I can''t seem to get my head in the game at the critical moment.
Later, Lisetta learned of this and tried to take a shot at Edgar, but he dodged her with a flippant excuse.
Upon entering the dungeon, Jeff immediately noticed something unusual.
He said, "You know what? Roland. Something''s wrong, isn''t it?"
What is it?
I don''t feel like we''re being chased at all.
What? Really?
I thought the White Wolf wasn''t moving this time.
No way. ......
(But sure. It''s funny that I didn''t even feel any sign of you earlier.)
Roland mobilized all his archers (archers) and thieves (thieves) to conduct a massive search behind him, but still found no sign of the enemy.
In the end, the alliance finished collecting "Earthcraft" without delay and descended the mountain without incident.
When the Alliance finished searching the dungeon, a ship carrying the guild "The Wise Man''s Crown" arrived at the port.
(An outside guild came? Then there is no need to train the local guild.)
Medes decided so.
Lizetta''s new business is suspended and all allocated budget is taken away.
The budget was allocated directly to the production of equipment for "The Wise Man''s Crown.
Edgar was chosen to be in charge.
Lizetta is summoned to the guild leader''s office and informed of this.
Not only did your new project fail to produce any results, but even the procurement of "earthcraft" lagged behind the "Arsenal of the Spirits. This is a heavy responsibility. You must be penalized in some way or you will not be able to show your performance. Do you understand? So this time, Edgar will be in charge of manufacturing the equipment for the "Philosopher''s Crown. You are to procure the ore for Edgar. You have no objection to that, do you?"
Lizetta felt something snap in her head.
Oh, I see. Then, no, thank you. I will resign from this guild as of today!"
What? Hey, wait. Where are you going?"
Lizetta did not answer and quickly left the guild leader''s office.
No one called out to her as she left.
They were all afraid of Edgar''s stare.
What is the number one alchemy guild on the island? It''s lousy. We have worked so hard and devoted ourselves to it, and now we are treated like this. It''s ridiculous!
As Lizetta was leaving, she heard the residents cheering from behind the hallway window.
They were welcoming the guild "The Wise Man''s Crown.
On this day, the residents'' cheers were louder than usual.
This is because "Treasure Crown of the Wise" was not the only guild that landed at the port.
The second group of "Guardians of the Magic Tree," led by Yuffine, was also there.
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