What do you mean, Mr. Hyde?"
Medes had gone to protest to Councilman Hyde, whom he had gotten to know well.
He was talking about the fact that the "Arsenal of Spirits" had opened a workshop right next to the "Dragon''s Fires".
I thought you said that no one but us would be allowed to open a workshop on that avenue that connects to the harbor.
No," he said. But things have changed.
Hyde said matter-of-factly.
Many outside adventurers'' guilds have come to the island, and the growth of local adventurers has been remarkable, so there have been calls for another workshop near the harbor. We decided to have the ''Arsenal of Spirits,'' which has been making a name for itself recently, play a major role in the project.
We don''t need two workshops in that place! We alone are sufficient to meet the demand for alchemy from the outside."
But that is not the case. We have received a request from the local adventurers'' guild to build a new workshop (atelier) in the ''Arsenal of the Spirits.
What?
You, the document.
Yes, sir.
Hyde had his secretary produce the document and read it over.
Alchemists Aina Burke, Wayne Melza, Patrick Garcia, and Leena Hart belong to the "Arsenal of Spirits. All of them are expected to be certified as Class A alchemists by the end of this quarter."
What?
The island''s reputation will be ruined if we have such promising alchemists and yet we are not given even a single workshop (atelier), right? Well, in that case, why don''t you back off here, Mr. Medeiros?"
"Nuh-uh."
（Roland, you''re blabbing again. How many A-class alchemists can you produce out of the blue like that? Hyde is Hyde. Normally you wouldn''t fall for such a blatant scam. He must have been paid by Roland, right?)
But Hyde was not paid.
He had recently lost support among residents and wanted a new voting bloc for the next election.
The "Arsenal of Spirits" and the local adventurers'' alliance led by them appeared to be the perfect match.
(The "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance''s popularity has been on the rise recently," he said. ) If we were to contribute to their activities, their image would be enhanced and the number of votes they would receive would increase. On the other hand, rumors have begun to circulate about the "Dragon''s Fires," and it is clear that they are on the wane. We have to think carefully about our future. No hard feelings, Medes.)
Shortly before the "Arsenal of Spirits" was fully revealed, Lisetta had visited Lange.
She had been gathering information on her own since she retired from "Dragon''s Fires" and was looking for a new place to work, when she heard a rumor that the "Arsenal of Spirits" was opening a new workshop (atelier).
Do you want to join us?"
Lange was responding to Lizetta''s sudden visit with a stinky look.
Yes," she said. I was wondering if the "Arsenal of Spirits" would like to hire a new alchemist.
I don''t recall putting out such a notice, but ......
I heard that the "Arsenal of Spirits" is going to set up a new workshop (atelier). If that is the case, won''t the staff you have now be enough?
(This guy ......, where did you get your information from ......)
That said, ......, is Roland not here?"
Lizetta asked in a slightly modified manner.
''Mr. Roland is currently leading the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance on a dungeon quest.
Oh, I didn''t know that. That''s too bad. I was hoping to talk to you for a while.
Do you know Mr. Roland?"
Yes. Please tell Mr. Roland when he returns. That Lisetta visited him to fulfill an earlier promise."
Promise? What the ......"
I''m a little afraid to say it here.
(What kind of relationship does this guy ...... have with Mr. Roland?)
As Lange was growing wary, Aina entered the room.
She said, "Mr. Lange, I''d like to talk to you about your new workshop (atelier). ...... Oh? You''re Lizetta, aren''t you?"
I''m not sure what to say. Aina-san.
Hmm?" Do you two know each other?"
Yeah. Well."
Aina chuckled.
Lizetta looks disappointed.
Aina turned to Lizetta and gave her a victorious look.
Aina turned to Lizetta and gave her a triumphant look. You told me that time, didn''t you? He said that if the alchemists in our workshop (atelier) can beat the equipment you made even once, you can transfer to our workshop (atelier). My "Flexible Shield" seems to have captured your "Javelin of Fire". Are you ready to admit to me and Mr. Roland a little?"
"Nuh-uh."
Lizetta looked chagrined for a few moments, but soon regained her relaxed demeanor.
''Well, it certainly seems to be true that the adventurer wearing my equipment lost. That''s fine. Let''s just say for once that I lost here. However, the game is not over yet. Under Roland''s guidance at the Arsenal of Spirits, I will surely make better equipment than you.
Aina frowns.
(...... I wonder why Wayne and the others from "Dragon''s Fires" are so proud. They can''t honestly admit defeat.)
I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do it," he said. Anyway, you will be transferred to us as promised. I don''t know what will happen until Mr. Roland comes back, but I welcome it. Even if we become colleagues, I have no intention of losing to you. So please plan on it."
Yes. Yes, that''s exactly what we want.
Ranju has a difficult time following their conversation and makes a difficult face.
(I can''t see what they''re talking about at all. What the hell are you doing, Mr. Roland?)
In the "volcano dungeon," Roland and his team had finished procuring ore and were about to dismount.
This time, too, they tried to pull the "Grand Alliance" to the very last minute before passing, and then tried to impose the burden on the "White Wolves".
However, for once, the "White Wolves" did not go along with Roland''s plan.
They put their main force against the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance.
The "Grand Alliance," which had lost one-third of its strength, was no longer viable.
Looking ahead, the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance is the one to beat.
Jamil decided so.
The "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance was attacked by "bow fire" from ambush and "Fafnir" from the shadows of the mountains.
It''s Fafnir!"
They''re coming from the shadow of the mountain.
Bow fire'' from the other side. "White Wolf."
The adventurers of the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance began to respond to the ambush and ambush by the "White Wolf" in a jostling manner.
It was extremely difficult to defend the alliance, which had swelled to include the "Guardians of the Magic Tree.
Nicola''s "Dragon Sound" could not cover the entire range of the troops, and the "Fire Breath" of "Fafnir" often caused chaos at the edges of the alliance.
The alliance was led by Roland in the center, Leon in the rear guard, and Euphine in the vanguard, but "White Wolf" skillfully took advantage of weak points in each unit''s linkage and terrain to gradually drain the strength of the alliance.
(This tangled feeling. There''s Jamil. (I guess the strategy to make the "White Wolf" turn its contrarianism toward the "Grand Alliance" failed.)
Jamil was observing and commanding the formation of the "Arsenal of Spirits.
(I still can''t seem to cover all of this large contingent, after all.)
Jamil saw that the vanguard led by Yuffine had many members of the "Guardians of the Magic Tree" and that they were not well coordinated.
He said, "We''ll go for the vanguard. Stall the enemy as long as possible."
(If the march is delayed, the "Grand Alliance," which will eventually come from behind, can be allowed to attack. If that happens, it will be a three-way melee. (If we delay the march, the "Grand Alliance" will eventually come up behind us and attack.)
Thus, the vanguard of the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance, a mix of "Guardians of the Magic Tree" and local adventurers, was exposed to the most intense attacks.
Rick felt itchy as he stood on the front line and caught the frequent rain of arrows.
（d*mn. This pattern again. (d*mn it, this pattern again.) We''re being attacked so blatantly by the enemy, and yet we can''t go in to attack them.
Rick was strictly warned by Roland not to charge in alone.
When assaulting, there should be at least two people, and only when there is support from the rear guard.
(though ......)
Rick glances at the local adventurers beside him.
(I don''t think these guys have the courage to charge in. (I don''t think these guys have the courage to charge. What''s wrong? Is there any way to break the deadlock and deal a blow to the White Wolf?)
As Rick was thinking about this, someone jumped out from next to him.
(! Who''s there?)
It was Elio.
He ran up the hill and jumped into the "White Wolf" camp, hiding the upper part of his body with his shield.
（He was still thinking somewhere in his mind. It''s okay as it is. (I still thought somewhere, "It''s fine as it is. (But ......)
In Elio''s mind is the scene where Roland is appeasing Rick.
（He said, "If we''re not worthy, it''s Roland who has to clean up the mess in the end. Roland has been patient with us for our growth. Now it''s our turn to support Roland!)
Elio runs into one of the enemy''s defensive lines and breaks up the battle line.
Seeing this, Rick smiled.
''Phew. There''s a guy with a bone to pick. Even on this island!"
Rick followed Erio and cut into the "White Wolf" camp.
Encouraged by the two adventurers'' charge, the other adventurers in the rear were advancing one after another.
The local adventurers were among them.
The "White Wolf" quickly withdrew from the scene.
Roland, who arrived late, was pleased with Erio''s courageous fight.
（He was satisfied with Erio''s courageous fight. I''ve been waiting for it, Erio.)
[Erio''s skills
Shield Defense: A (up1)
''Shield Assault'': A (↑1)
The "White Wolves" then quickly dispersed and did not suffer any decisive damage.
However, the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance, whose vanguard had no more gaps due to the two A-class shield users, continued to bounce back every time an attack came from the "White Wolf" and reached the town safely.
The people of the city congratulated the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance.
Roland and his team parade through the city and return triumphantly to their newly built workshop (atelier).
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