Chapter 17

I'm sorry for the late update (´Д｀).

It's been about half a year since the development began.

"Is it about time... Is it the right moment?"

With Raidock's adventurer party leading the way, there are now about 10 to 20 parties that have become permanent residents.

The circulation of magic stones is also going smoothly.

The Adventurer's Guild buys them at a set price and sells them to the Production Guild at the agreed price.

From the village's pooled funds, the cost of magic stones is allocated, and Leafan and I process them into products.

Currently, the amount of potions flowing out of the village is quite limited.

According to rumors, they are already fetching a premium.

Basically, we prioritize distribution or sales to the village residents and adventurers who contribute to the village.

Thanks to the various monster materials that adventurers bring in, the new items we planned have also been completed.

"Leafan, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"You've been saying you want to go on an expedition to investigate and collect minerals, right? I think it's a good time now."

"Ah, yeah. The price of iron ore is also rising..."

"It's because the merchants who bring goods to the village are mostly monopolists."

"That can't be helped. There are so few merchants who come all the way to the development village."

"Well, we can discuss this with the Commercial Guild soon."

"Yeah."

"More importantly, about the minerals. I want to get not only iron and copper, but also mithril and adamantite if possible."

"Of course, everyone wants them."

"Here's the resource distribution map I received from the Production Guild."

"Yeah."

"Among these, this place."

He points to a spot on the map spread out on the table.

It's at the foot of a mountain range beyond the forest.

Leafan frowns upon seeing it.

"This is the place with the highest potential for rare metals."

"I think it's obvious, but can you explain why no one has worked this area yet?"

"First, you have to get through this forest full of monsters. Also, the local geology is very hard, and it's expected to take a lot of time to mine."

"Yeah... Oh, that's why the Adventurer's Guild, right?"

"That's right. For the escort, we can request the Adventurer's Guild. We can pay the fee from the village's pooled funds, right?"

"Yeah, no problem!"

"Since it's about minerals, I want Leafan to come along."

"Of course, but... there's another issue... Ah, I get it! Hard Forging Oil and Sharpness Oil!!"

"That's right. Have the pickaxes made with Hard Forging Iron and apply plenty of Sharpness Oil. What do you think?"

"Yeah! I think it will work!"

"Not only that, but I have something else prepared."

"... Craft? No secrets, okay?"

"Yeah, I know... but I haven't tested it yet. Can I unveil it during the test at the site?"

"I have a bad feeling about this."

"Rude."

It was quite difficult to make even with alchemy.

◆

"Craft, thanks for the special request."

"I just chose the best party among those currently stationed here."

"Even if the fee is low, if they are offered healing potions, curing potions, and Sharpness Oil as rewards, they would abandon any other request to come."

"Hehe. I guess you're mostly making fixed requests and earning from monster hunting and magic stones now."

"You got me."

"Of course."

Raidock and I bump fists.

"So, who are we escorting?"

"Me, Leafan, and Jitaro."

For some reason, he really wanted to come, so I decided to take him along.

"... Bandits?"

"You said it."

"Hey! Adventurer brother, that's not right!"

"Sorry, Jitaro. I thought you were doing it on purpose."

"Whaaat!?"

You didn't realize it, did you!

"Hehe, just kidding. I've seen you use a bow at the village's training facility. You'll be fine."

"Don't scare me like that. This is my only set of clothes."

"Let me introduce myself briefly. I'm Raidock, the party leader. I have a swordsman's emblem. And that grumpy-looking woman is—"

"Do you want to die, Leader?"

"Th-this is a very tough woman. She has a ranger's emblem and is named Solar."

"Nice to meet you."

"It's been a while, Solar. I've seen you around the village, but—"

"I've been busy, so we haven't had much chance to talk. It's nice to meet you."

"You can rely on me. I'll do my best."

"Thanks."

Solar used to be in my party.

Actually, I had a crush on her for a while, but I could see that she liked Raidock, so it ended as a secret love.

"This skinny guy has a priest's emblem and is named Bepp."

"Long time no see, Craft."

"Yeah, it's good to see you're doing well."

Bepp, a slightly thin man in white priest-like armor, bows.

Bepp was also a member of my old party.

He has a valuable priest's emblem but became an adventurer due to family circumstances. He has a kind and compassionate personality.

"And this dark-skinned guy is the mage Bardack. He doesn't have an emblem, but he's a decent user and is the brain of our party."

"Nice to meet you."

"Yeah."

This guy joined the party after I left. It was my first time meeting him. He is dark-skinned and slender but well-built.

I wonder how much effort he put in to be able to use magic without an emblem.

Still, I think it's easier to learn magic than to have an incompatible emblem.

"And the big guy in the back is the warrior Morda. He doesn't have an emblem, but he has exceptional strength, so he's quite capable. His quiet nature and lack of talk is his only flaw."

"..."

"O-oh, nice to meet you."

He silently offered his hand, so I shook his big, rough hand.

I see. Without an emblem, he can't be expected to use many skills, but he must be a power fighter who relies on pure muscle.

This was also my first time meeting him.

"If you have any luggage, feel free to say so. I can store as much as I want in my spatial storage."

"You've really changed, Craft."

"Yeah. Just because you have an emblem doesn't mean you can relax."

"Maybe I should have my compatibility checked next time?"

"Hehe. I think Raidock is perfect."

"Hehe. I think so too. Well, let's get going. Who will guide us?"

"I'll do it!"

"Thanks, Leafan. Alright! Let's go!"

"「「「Yeah!!!」」」

And so, we stepped into the forest.

◆

We proceed through the deep, dark forest.

Along the way, we encounter goblins, orcs, and giant spiders, but Raidock's party deals with them all efficiently.

It was a brilliant display of teamwork.

"The magic stones and materials will be ours, as per the usual custom, right?"

"Yeah, of course."

The rights to the monsters killed by the escorting adventurers belong to the adventurers. Taking them away from the adventurers, who receive little reward, would cause a war.

However, monopolistic merchants often claim these rights, so this is just a precautionary check.

The magic stones and materials are sufficient as the Adventurer's Guild in the village buys them and sells them to us.

"Ugh. With unlimited Stamina Potions, it's so much easier."

"Yeah. Being able to use skills freely is the best."

"If I could cast spells freely, I could provide more support."

Hearing Bardack's comment, I take out a small bottle.

"Then, I'll give this to Bepp and Bardack."

"What is it?"

"Mana Potions. They are magic power potions."

"What!?"

It's natural for Bardack to be surprised.

Mana Potions are quite expensive.

"I can't give you a lot, but only for emergencies."

"Is it okay? To take them?"

"Yeah. Just do your best."

"I promise."

For priests and mages, magic power is their lifeline. It's good to have them for emergencies.

Since they require a large amount of magic stones to make, they are not produced in large quantities and are not available on the market.

Still, the quality is consistently "legendary," so their effectiveness is guaranteed.

"With this, we could probably take down a Cyclops-level monster."

Can you stop setting up strange flags?