Knights of the Black Cliff" is an adventurer''s guild based in the "City of Black Clay". Its characteristic feature is a strong, heavily armed knight squadron. Most orders to the alchemy guild are also for the power and durability of swords and armor. The Red Sand Players is a guild of adventurers based in a desert town. It is a troop composed mainly of bardic units. Some of them handle "Dragon Sound", so they can deal with dragon users of "White Wolf". The "Archers of the Fortress" is a guild based in the "City of the Mountain Castle. They have a full complement of archer units and are accustomed to fighting in mountainous areas, so they showed outstanding mobility in the ''volcano dungeon,'' and last year they were evenly matched against the White Wolf''s archer units.


    Lizetta reported that.


    She said, "Hmmm. That''s just like a former quartet, isn''t it? A concise and easy-to-understand explanation. Let''s start to identify the problems. If you have any questions, please ask Lizetta.


    As Ranju said this, he asked questions one by one.


    ''What is each guild''s budget?　I wonder if any guild can afford my equipment with my ''exterior enhancement (coating)'' on it?"


    Can my harp with ''dragon sound'' compete with the equipment of the ''Red Sands Player''?"


    Is there any situation in which my ''cutting'' stone would be useful?"


    How much iron and silver should I stock?　I would appreciate it if you could give me an idea of your refining plan in advance."


    I want to make a Javelin!


    Let''s see. ......"


    Lizetta was surprised at the openness of the "Arsenal of Spirits" as she answered questions.


    In the "Dragon''s Fires," the upper echelons were absolute, and those at the bottom of the organization had no say in the matter.


    In the "Arsenal of Spirits," however, everyone is able to express their opinions and questions without distinction.


    Despite this, the discussions never go in the wrong direction, and the main topic of discussion is always decided.


    When Lisetta said, "It is difficult to sell equipment to outside adventurers because ''Dragon''s Fires'' has a greater influence on the outside world," the discussion naturally shifted to "How do we get the outside guilds that have signed contracts with ''Dragon''s Fires'' to change their minds?


    Thus, the following was decided at the meeting


    In sales promotions to the guilds, even if they cannot win new contracts, they should at least remember the names and faces of the guilds.


    The guilds should be aware that the "Arsenal of Spirits" has unique skills such as "coating", "cutting", and "tuning" that can compete with the "Dragon''s Fires" equipment.


    In addition, in order to let outside guilds know that the equipment of the "Spirit Arsenal" is superior to that of the "Dragon''s Fires", we will continue to actively support and strengthen the guilds under the "Spirit Alliance".


    In addition, the guilds should be prepared with budgets and ores so that they can immediately respond to the demand of the three outside guilds to switch to the new guilds.


    Through the meeting, Lizetta became familiar with this workshop (atelier).


    This guild may indeed be able to defeat "Dragon''s Fires.


    Lizetta thought so.


    Lange and his team put together a promotional pamphlet and a budget proposal based on the contents of the meeting, and now all they had to do was wait for Roland''s approval.


    While Ranju and his team were working on the sales strategy for the next fiscal year, Roland and his team were killing A-class monsters one after another in the "wasteland.


    The "Mountain Ogre," the "Barrier Dragon," the "Division Bee," the "Shield Dragon," and so on.


    Elio, Hans, Will, and Carla are almost certain to defeat these monsters and earn the A-class title in the next term.


    Yuffine, Shakuma, Rick, Lelio, and Marina were also almost certain to defeat their respective Class A monsters and receive double-A titles.


    After defeating the A-class monsters and collecting the ore, Roland and his team began their descent down the mountain.


    They thought they might be attacked by "white wolves," but there was no battle of any kind along the way.


    They didn''t try to attack us.


    Leon gave Roland an earful.


    Jamil is a thief who can also ''appraise'' status," Leon said. He must know he''s no match for us.


    But they''re coming after you.


    Leon glanced behind him.


    There was no doubt that the White Wolf was watching the movements of Roland and his friends.


    But, eerily enough, they didn''t make any moves.


    (Avoid combat, but keep the pressure on and don''t make it easy for them. Something like that.)


    Leon. "Leon, continue to maintain vigilance on the perimeter. Stay alert.


    Okay."


    After that, Roland and his team proceeded through the dungeon without incident.


    Eventually, they returned to the city.


    After returning to the "Arsenal of Spirits," Roland looked over the sales strategy compiled by Lange and his team.


    I see. Well done.


    We''re all very proud of the work we''ve put together."


    Aina said.


    ''One thing that concerns me is this strategy of trying to get people to switch sides. Is it still difficult to get people to buy equipment out of the blue?


    Yes," he said. I still think that outside guilds intend to purchase equipment at "Dragon''s Fireside" first. I think it would be easy to change their minds between the time they just arrived at the port and the time they arrive at the workshop (atelier).


    I see. I understand. Then, let''s follow this plan. I''ve asked you to make flyers to distribute at ports and stores, create a quest for the "Spirit Alliance," and procure materials for equipment.


    Yes, sir. I''m on it!


    Archie Shetty, second-in-command of the Knights of the Black Wall, was resting in his cabin on a ship bound for Fafnir''s Island.


    There was already a tense atmosphere on the ship carrying the three guilds.


    Each guild was checking the other, and each had created its own compartment and was fighting for turf.


    This made it hard for the boys working on the ship.


    Just passing from corridor to corridor, they were exposed to a tense atmosphere, and if they did not work while looking out for each other, they would be yelled at for no reason.


    The door to the break room opened and a female knight, Liz Lewill, entered the room.


    She said, "Oh, what a surprise! Oh, my God. They''re all a handful.


    What''s wrong?"


    Fight, fight, fight. My hot-blooded guys and the guys from the "Fortress Archers" met in the hallway. They were on the verge of a confrontation, and I intervened in a hurry.


    Archie chuckled.


    It was his first time to participate in the "Fafnir Island" expedition, so he was enjoying himself amused and bewildered by the awkward atmosphere among the guilds.


    What are you laughing at?"


    No," he said. I just thought you must be going through a rough time too."


    Liz frowned.


    What are you talking about? You''re the second-in-command of this unit. You know that, don''t you?


    I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do it. Yes, I know. It''s just funny to see everyone else''s elbows on the ground. Is it really such a tough place?　The Isle of Fafnir.


    Yes, it is. The Fafnir is a nuisance, and the outside guilds have to play games with each other, and the local guilds are not so easy to deal with either.


    The guild of thieves, you mean? The White Wolf?


    Yes. They are used to fighting in the rugged terrain of volcanoes. They attack and run, then attack and run again and again.


    Archie, Liz, you two. Are you there?"


    A white-bearded man in armor entered the room.


    He is Simon Pricot, the captain of this unit.


    He is a mature, experienced adventurer, and both Archie and Liz have great trust in him.


    He is a mature and experienced adventurer, and both Archie and Liz have an unusual amount of trust in him. There you are, both of you. The ship will be in port soon. As soon as we disembark, we''ll race. We will make a contract with the Dragon''s Fires before the Red Sands Players and the Fortress Archers. Be prepared for that, and be ready for anything."


    Captain. Are you still relying on ''Dragon''s Fires''?"


    Liz said, a little frustrated.


    What the hell, Liz. Don''t you want to leave your equipment in the hands of the "Dragon''s Fires"?


    Simon said surprisingly.


    They are not only the best on the island, but one of the best alchemy guilds in the world. They''re very good at what they do, so what''s the reason for you to hesitate?


    I''m not sure what to expect. Well, yes, but ......"


    Do you have any alternatives?"


    No, I don''t. ......


    Liz bristled.


    Simon is taken aback.


    ''You''ve got no alternative, and you''re complaining about it?　You know what I mean.　Our relationship with them is our lifeline on this island. We will secure the warehouse of "Dragon''s Fires" and the alchemists before the other two guilds take them. That is the first step to winning the competition in the dungeon with the "Players of the Red Sands" and the "Archers of the Fortress. Am I wrong?"


    Yes," he said. Well, yes, but ......"


    Then get ready to go. I have to make a speech as soon as I get to the island. You each have to secure a lodging and an alchemist. Make sure everything is in order.


    Yes."


    Simon leaves the room.


    Liz sighs and shrugs.


    ''What''s up?　You''ve been more persistent than ever.


    Archie asked curiously.


    No, I just thought it might be a good idea to rely on ''dragon''s fiery fire.


    What do you mean?"


    To put it bluntly. I don''t like them very much. The staff is arrogant and the old guild leader is kind of untrustworthy.


    Hmm?"


    And they''re the reason why the outside guilds fight each other every year. A lot. They don''t help us when we need it most, and they try to get us into trouble.


    ''Although, that''s where you''ve got to turn, right?


    In the meantime, the hallway began to clatter.


    The port seemed to be approaching.


    The "Red Sands Player" and the "Fortress Archer" seemed to be hurriedly getting ready to disembark.


    Hush. It''s started.


    I guess competition is inevitable.


    ''I always think, "What a great idea!"'' I always think that if the three guilds work together, the dungeon exploration would be more successful.


    The "Knights of the Black Wall," who had been preparing to disembark without missing a beat, fell behind the "Players of the Red Sands" and the "Archers of the Fortress.


    They were wearing heavy armor, and it inevitably took them longer than the other two guilds to unload, so they fell behind.


    They were late. They''re so shrewd!"


    I''m totally late to the party.


    It can''t be helped. Here''s what we can do with the speeches and the negotiations: ......"


    Simon said, completely flustered.


    Archie noticed that Liz was scurrying around.


    ''Liz, what''s up?''


    Something. The atmosphere on the island seems different from last year?"


    Atmosphere?"


    Yeah. Last year, the residents were more welcoming to the adventurers and their party, and welcomed them with great enthusiasm. This year, however, they seem strangely quiet.


    Excuse me. You are a Knight of the Black Cliff, aren''t you?


    Archie and Liz were thrilled when the young girl suddenly spoke to them.


    Uh, yes."


    Who are you?"


    Archie ran his eyes over her physical appearance, trying to figure out who she was when she spoke to him out of the blue.


    From the looks of it, she is apparently an alchemist. ......


    My name is Aina Burke, an alchemist from the "Arsenal of Spirits. Please take this pamphlet if you like."


    <>