With the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance gone, the "Grand Alliance" is now free to collect ore at will, but their joy is short-lived as the "White Wolves" launch a vicious attack on their way home.


    The "White Wolf" bandits, worn out by their forced march, took aim at the local adventurers, whose morale had not improved.


    Neil, Glen, Ian, and the other mages of the "Wise Man''s Crown" followed them, but they were cut off by the "White Wolf''s" skillful diversions, ambushes, and ambushes.


    After several offensives, the "Grand Alliance" fell apart.


    In the end, the "Grand Alliance" lost more than half of its ore without its A-class mages being able to demonstrate their abilities, and about 10 of the regular members of the "Wise Man''s Crown" were taken captive.


    Neil and his friends hesitated to return to the town for fear of criticism from the islanders, but surprisingly, the residents showed no interest in the "Grand Alliance.


    Neal and his friends wondered why, but as they walked around the town, they noticed that the residents were busy praising the valor of the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance.


    Bards were humming songs praising the valor of the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance, and people were telling each other tales of heroism.


    The people considered the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance to be victorious over the "Grand Alliance.


    Seeing this, Neil finally realized that the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance had beaten him.


    (The "Arsenal of Spirits" Alliance, ......, you lickspittle bastards!)


    Next time we''re exploring a dungeon, we''ll be faster than those guys, and we''ll be back home fast!"


    Neil was so puffed up, but Ian had a complicated look on his face.


    （Ian had a complicated look on his face. They''re a lot nastier than I thought they''d be.)


    Roland and his team won the race against the "Wise Man''s Crown," successfully dodged the "White Wolf," and returned to town with a large amount of ore, but the internal situation was not good.


    What is it with those people?"


    When the local adventurers were gone, Rick protested to Roland with a snort.


    I understand that you want to avoid as much wear and tear as possible in the first half of the trip," he said. But that attitude of the local guild in the second half!　We are charging at them and they don''t even cover us. I can''t fight with them. If you want to form an alliance with them again, I will decline this mission.


    Rick. I understand what you''re saying, but ......"


    Roland would spend the rest of the day appeasing the members of the "Guardians of the Magic Tree.


    He was the only one who could say, "Huh. d*mn that Rick guy, he''s always complaining ......."


    Euphine, who had been appeasing Rick and the others with Roland, let out a weary sigh.


    ''I''m sorry, Roland. I''m so busy, and you''re taking up so much of my time."


    ''No, thanks. It''s good to hear grumbling from the lower levels of the organization to the upper levels. It''s definitely better than having poor ventilation. What is really bad is to hear no complaints from the lower levels and to have the illusion that things are going well. With that in mind, ......"


    Roland, you got a minute?"


    Leon called out.


    ''Mr. Roland, it''s about your new workshop (atelier) ......


    Aina also came in with some kind of project.


    Aina came in with something as well. I''ll be right there.


    Euphine looked at Roland with concern.


    (Mr. Roland. You seem busier than when you were in the "Adventurer''s Town. I guess it''s tough to lead a guild alliance after all.)


    Euphine remained pensive in the tavern after parting with Roland.


    (Roland-san is busy organizing the alliance, and I''d like to ease his burden somehow. Huh. But what should I do? A battle with the "White Wolf". I''ll have to think of some countermeasures.)


    How should we fight against an enemy that attacks and then runs away, and does not play the game of formation?


    While Yuffine was pondering this, someone sat down next to her.


    Hey there."


    You are ...... Ian."


    Yuffine''s eyes fluttered at the tall man who appeared before her again.


    Ian smiles graciously at her.


    ''I see your dungeon search went well. The city is all about the ''Arsenal of Spirits'' alliance. Your commander did a good job.


    You guys were a mess," he said. I heard the ''White Wolves'' took most of the ore."


    I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do it. We''re having a hard time making up for it."


    That''s what happens when you underestimate your opponent. Be careful at best."


    Ha, ha. That''s harsh.


    So what the hell do you want?　I thought I told you we don''t work together?"


    I''m here on another matter.


    "Another matter?"


    It''s about Earthcraft.


    Yuffine grew alarmed.


    The "Earth Craft" was a key item in the fight against the "Philosopher''s Crown.


    I heard a rumor that you guys collected a lot of "earthcraft" during your dungeon search earlier," she said. More than you can use by yourselves."


    "......"


    We''re actually having trouble right now because we''re running low on Earthcraft," he said. What do you think?　I''m willing to double the market price now. ......"


    I''m sorry for your inconvenience. We are not in need of money. If you want to procure Earthcraft, you''ll have to look elsewhere.


    Heh. So the purpose of your last search was to find Earthcraft.


    Yuffine huffed.


    (This guy ......)


    ''In other words, you guys can''t go on the next exploration until the refining of ''Earthcraft'' is finished. Is that what you mean?"


    Euphine put the glass on the desk with a don and left the copper coins on the desk and left the restaurant.


    Wait a minute. Where are you going?"


    Don''t follow me, stalker. I''ll never talk to you again.


    Euphine went around the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance and said, "Watch out for Ian Jugberg. If you talk to him, he''ll pull all the information out of your head.


    Neil and Glenn were sitting around the desk in the "Wise Man''s Crown" dormitory with depressed expressions on their faces.


    They were getting ready for another dungeon search, but there were only problems ahead.


    The local adventurers were demanding higher rewards with a flirtation of switching to the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance, and even the "Dragon''s Fires" were taking this opportunity to find their feet.


    Neil recalls his exchange with Medes.


    We''ve heard about the results of your dungeon search," he said. We heard that you were beaten by the ''Arsenal of Spirits. I''m sorry to hear that.


    I just let my guard down a little bit, that''s all. I won''t be dealt the same hand twice.


    But you are not very good with your current equipment, are you?　What do you think?　Why don''t you buy not only a ''magic-work'' sword and armor, but also a ''black bow'' and a ''javelin''?"


    Hey, don''t meddle. We choose our own equipment. You alchemy guilds should just make and deliver what we tell you.


    Mr. Neal, we would like you to put yourself in our shoes for a moment. If we were to lose to a new guild like the "Arsenal of Spirits" with the equipment we made, it would be a blow to the reputation of the number one alchemy guild on the island. Our brand will be damaged.


    Neil stood up indignantly.


    Brand?　That''s enough! How useful is your equipment? Adventurers who wear "Dragon''s Fires" gear have been taken advantage of by the Thieves'' Guild for a long time. You think I don''t know that?　Enough of this or I''m going to terminate our partnership.


    I see. Then, I regret to inform you that the negotiation is now terminated. Please leave through the exit.


    Medes lights his pipe and begins to smoke.


    Ggh, ggh."


    Neil''s shoulders shook for a while, but he exhaled heavily to calm himself and sat back in his chair.


    I''m sorry," he said. I was out of line. I didn''t mean what I said.


    No, thank you. Then let''s continue negotiations.


    Medes grinned wryly.


    （You''re giving me a hard time, you know. That''s why they come from the outside. No matter how chic they are, they can''t do anything without our help.)


    What are you going to do about it, Mr. Neal?　Do you want to buy additional equipment or not?"


    Neal managed to get out of the situation, but was unable to get Medes to agree to the terms they wanted.


    (Tsk tsk. They''re all the same. When things get a little out of hand, they put on their shades and look down on our feet. That''s why they''re on this island. ......)


    Neil. The problem isn''t all about the ''Grand Alliance'' and ''Dragon''s Fires''."


    Glenn said.


    We must negotiate the release of our comrades and local adventurers who are being held captive by the White Wolf. In particular, the loyalty of the local adventurers to the Grand Alliance is declining. This must be dealt with immediately. ......


    I know. I know, but ......"


    I''m sorry. I''m late."


    Ian opened the door and walked in.


    Ian opened the door and walked in. I told you we had a meeting at 5:00.


    I''ve been having a little trouble gathering information. "I''ve had a little trouble gathering information, but the results have been worth it.


    Did you get any good news?"


    Oh," he said. The Guardian of the Magical Tree seems to be using Earthcraft.


    Earthcraft?


    The Arsenal of Spirits alliance was able to march at such a fast pace in large part because they had Earthcraft.


    I see. I see. So that''s how it was. Then, I''ll procure some "Earthcraft" and send it to .......


    It''s no use. Apparently, the purpose of the previous search was to monopolize "Earthcraft. All the major "Earthcraft" mining sites have already been seized. There are only a few on the market.


    What the hell?　d*mn. Did they really think that far ahead in their search?"


    Neil bites his teeth in frustration.


    ''You''ve completely backed yourself into a corner,'' he said. The "Guardian of the Magic Tree" or ....... They''re tough guys.


    Glenn crossed his arms and growled.


    ''But this could be an opportunity, if you think about it.


    What?"　What do you mean?"


    The fact that they have placed ''earthcraft'' at the heart of their search means that they cannot start exploring the dungeon until they have refined their ''earthcraft.


    I see. That is, if they enter the dungeon before they finish refining ......


    We can get ahead of them in the dungeon search and take the initiative. And in turn, we can impose the burden on the White Wolf, as they did to us last time.


    That''s what I''m saying.


    Good. Once that''s decided, let''s get ready to go. We''ll have the guys from "Dragon''s Fires" get their equipment ready as soon as possible, and then we''ll call in the Alliance to form a unit in the shortest possible time. You guys haven''t forgotten, have you?


    Neil''s eyes regained their sharpness and he glared at them.


    I''m going to be the strongest mage in the City of Mages. In order to do that, I need to defeat the ''Giant Fire Dragon (Grand Fafnir)'' and become an S-class mage. I don''t know about the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" or the "Arsenal of Spirits," but I can''t afford to be a pest to some upstart guild that I don''t even know where they come from.


    Ian and Glenn nodded silently.


    After that, Neil concluded the conversation with "Dragon''s Fires" on the condition that he would pay an additional fee if he could get his equipment ready in the shortest amount of time.


    He appealed to the local adventurers to join the "Grand Alliance" again, appealing to them for the shortest possible preparation.


    Three days later, after all the preparations were completed, the "Grand Alliance" entered the dungeon.


    It was the next day that Roland and his team were able to gather in front of the dungeon after finishing the refining of "Earthcraft".


    From the dungeon, the "breath of fire" of "Fafnir" could be seen.


    The "Grand Alliance" had already reached the "Metal Line.


    The members of the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance looked worried.


    I wonder..." said the group of "Spirit Arsenal" members. Roland. What is this ......?


    Leon asks anxiously, looking toward the dungeon.


    Leon looks at the dungeon and asks anxiously, "Yeah. The Grand Alliance anticipated that it would take us a long time to refine the Earthcraft, so they went into the dungeon first.


    d*mn. I knew it. We''ve been had.


    The only weakness of "Earth Craft," which can restore any equipment in no time, is the time it takes to refine it. Many guilds do not use "earthcraft" in their exploration because they do not like the low turnover rate.


    (Ian Jugberg? I knew you were an expert at gathering information, but you do more than I thought you would.)


    Yuffine was biting her nails next to Roland.


    (d*mn. That little shit. Rick''s insubordination is hurting Roland''s credibility. And he''s trying to get information out of me, of all people. Remember that. If I see you in the dungeon, I''m not going to leave you there for free.)


    Mr. Roland. I''m sorry. I seem to have leaked some information from me. ......"


    I''m fine. After that, you made sure to alert the whole group and put countermeasures in place, right?　I''m rather glad it was only this bad."


    Mr. Roland ......"


    Euphine''s eyes welled up as she was thrilled by Roland''s generous treatment.


    (But it''s not good, is it?)


    Leon thought.


    (A day''s loss against "The Wise Man''s Crown of Wisdom. On the way back, we will most likely fight the main force of "White Wolf". Besides, ......, we have our own problems over here.)


    Leon recalls the other day when Rick went to Roland''s room to protest with an uncharacteristic swagger.


    Although he did not know what kind of complaint Rick had made to Roland, Leon and his team had a vague feeling that there was some kind of trouble at the "Guardian of the Magic Tree".


    They were also aware that they were the cause of the trouble.


    (Are they going to be all right? (Are you okay, Roland?)


    As Leon is thinking about this, he hears a commotion from across the square.


    It was Rick, who had arrived, albeit belatedly.


    (d*mn. I guess I''m going to have to search with these guys after all. I can''t agree with that.)


    Rick was persuaded by Roland in the end, but he still had a hard time breaking the ice.


    With a grim look on his face, he pushed his way through the adventurers around him, making no attempt to hide his displeasure.


    Hey, Rick," he said. I''m glad you''re here.


    Roland spoke to him smilingly.


    I''m glad to hear that. Without you, the strength of the vanguard would be severely diminished.


    Rick glared sharply at Loran.


    ''Mr. Roland, I ask you again. The battle with the ''White Wolf'' that you played in the last dungeon exploration. Do you intend to repeat such a poor performance again?　As the commander of the most powerful unit of the Guardians of the Magical Tree, please answer the question.


    Rick''s question made those around him tense.


    One group of local adventurers, in particular, looked tense.


    Roland responded with a serious look on his face.


    I understand. Of course, I have no intention of letting the White Wolves do what they want forever. But ...... now is not the right time.


    Roland dropped his eyes.


    The local adventurers are showing remarkable growth as a result of their exceptional efforts. We''ve finally come this far, resisting the interference of the White Wolves and the twisted alchemical control of the Dragon''s Fires. We are almost there. We just need a little more time."


    Rick exhaled heavily and calmed himself.


    I understand," he said. That''ll do for now."


    Thank you. However, I have something to say about how to fight the ''White Wolf'' as well. Rick. Your last fight. What was that fight?


    Mmm.


    I don''t recall teaching you how to fight recklessly like that, charging in alone and getting tossed around at the enemy''s beck and call."


    "......"


    You are a class-A mage knight and the keystone of the vanguard. If you are beaten, the morale of the entire unit will be affected. You must always be aware of that.


    I know, I know. I was just a little confused by the "White Wolf''s" fighting style and lost my cool. I won''t make the same mistake.


    I''m glad to hear that. I''m counting on you. ...... everyone, gather around."


    Roland gave the order, and the alliance participants gathered.


    As you can see, we are at a slight disadvantage because the Grand Alliance is ahead of us. However, it is only by overcoming such a disadvantage that you can really show your ability. What we have to do is the same as last time. We will proceed with the dungeon exploration as efficiently as possible, with minimal consumption. The strategy remains the same. Through the monopoly of "Earthcraft," we will keep the "Philosopher''s Crown" out of the competition. We have no intention of backing down. First, we must catch up with the Grand Alliance."


    <>