Chapter 38

One hour after Naga's first report, the content I reported was that a party, apparently guarding researchers, was collecting in the Eastern Forest.

However, it was reported that they could not make contact with the adventurers.

Then, two hours later, my brother also reported. It turned out that the adventurers he knew were also guarding the collection in the Western Hill for a week, and the client was the Alchemist Guild.

I went to my master and explained the situation, but it seemed that Naga had already informed him, and my master was exasperated with the Alchemist Guild. He told me to leave it be, and for the time being, we would use the materials he had stored.

And that night.

"Hey, can I come in?"

"Sorry for the late visit, miss."

"…Yeah, sure. Please come in."

After getting out of the bath and settling down to read a book, Lord Raz and the Guild Master came together. Even though I hadn't done anything wrong, I started to sweat.

Still, the response was quick.

Even when it happened in the Eastern Forest, they responded on the same night… Hmm? But, now that they're here, what's going on? Do they want to hear from the first discoverer?

More than that, there seem to be other arrangements and various things to consider. But, since they both came, there must be something.

"Which bad news do you want to hear first?"

"…Is there no good news?"

"Ah, then as good news, you'll get a reward for your report. That's great, isn't it? Now, which one do you want to hear first?"

"…Then, I'd like to hear the one related to today's report first."

No, no. I don't want to hear about the reward.

It's good, but it's trivial information, and it's a bit annoying to hear it… Well, I've come to understand that this is the kind of person he is.

If the results of our report today are out, I want to hear them.

"Then, I'll report. Your report has been confirmed. I thought it would be fine with a high reward and the Alchemist Guild…"

"Couldn't you leave the scene?"

"The adventurers reported that they were blocking the area on their own, and I went to investigate and secured the scene. We were already on alert due to the Sage Leaf issue. The staff confirmed the amount of material collected on the spot.

The Adventurer Guild decided that it would have to ban collection for a while and informed the Alchemist Guild."

"Is that so…"

It seems to be a complete deadlock.

Monopoly of materials… The relationship between the Adventurer Guild and the Alchemist Guild could deteriorate.

Indeed, the relationship with the Alchemist Guild is likely to be severed… It seems to be a desperate strategy by the Alchemist Guild, but I don't think it will be very effective.

"So, what do you think about the Alchemist Guild's scheme, miss?"

"The Adventurer Guild said they would cut ties with the Alchemist Guild, so other alchemists… well, my master, can't get the materials. Without materials, they can't make the medicine. It becomes a matter of trust, doesn't it?"

As harassment, it's not wrong.

If they don't entrust the delivery to the Alchemist Guild, they will ask other alchemists, so they will try to monopolize the materials before that… Well, it's a bit childish.

It would be effective if it's just this town, as transporting from other towns would be difficult.

In other words… This seems to be a big deal. It becomes a management issue for the town.

"Indeed, it will become a management issue… That's why I've already reported to the lord. The Adventurer Guild has an obligation to manage the medicine that adventurers need… Well, considering the current stock, it seems we can manage for about a month."

"That's a problem… So, Guild Master, if there are no materials, you can't make the medicine, right? I was supposed to deliver, but considering the possibility of failure, I can't raise my alchemy level without a lot of materials."

"Regarding that, we have a proposal."

"Sure, sure. That's why I'm here, you know."

For that, Lord Raz is here… I have a bad feeling about this.

Let's organize the situation.

The Adventurer Guild and the Alchemist Guild have started hostile actions against each other.

The Adventurer Guild has set me up to be able to collect materials myself by raising my rank.

They have taken the initiative, making it impossible to collect materials nearby.

Without materials, I can't make anything.

"To you, miss, we want you to power level in the dungeon. In the dungeon, you can collect materials freely, and by raising your level, you can also get higher DEX than a normal alchemist, so it's a win-win situation."

"…You can't enter the dungeon unless you're D-rank or higher, right?"

"That's right. It's not impossible to make the party rank D, but for that, the leader's permission is required."

"Me, right? Do you have the necessary materials to convince me?"

The dungeon.

Mysterious ruins said to exist all over the world.

It's dangerous because there are many monsters, but if you clear the dungeon, you get an artifact for the first time, and you can also gain fame. Many adventurers challenge it for these reasons.

This town is prosperous because there is a dungeon nearby… I think it's a dungeon where minerals are easy to obtain.

Well… My brother is refusing. It's dangerous, after all.

It's natural for my brother to object… After all, taking F-rank adventurers to the dungeon is risky for both sides. You can't raise the average rank without at least three people. With three people, there's a risk of our identity being exposed.

"Ho ho… First, we will form a temporary clan. The members will be Raz and the guild staff Leonis, and we are adjusting the third member, but we will not choose anyone who will be a disadvantage to you."

"No, I don't trust them."

"I promise that we will not choose anyone who can threaten you if your identity is exposed. You don't have to trust them, but I want you to trust us. Furthermore, by raising your level, your future activities will be easier. It will also be a good learning experience to see the skills of S and A rank adventurers."

"Well, it is a benefit… But, I don't think going to the dungeon now is a reason to take such a risk."

Actually, I don't need to be so particular about collecting materials myself, and it should be possible to have someone collect them in the dungeon through a personal request… There's not much reason to send me to the dungeon.

However, it seems this is the decision. The preparation to select collaborators and Lord Raz's smiling face indicate that it's a done deal.

"Brother, calm down… Please tell us the details, Lord Raz."

"Hehe, well, you have no choice but to accept it. The reason you should go to the dungeon… Power leveling is just a bonus. The real purpose is for evacuation."

"…Is that the other bad news?"

"Yes. Crane, as a collaborator, I'm telling you this. Today, the formal council decided on the treatment of foreigners. All foreigners known in each city and town will be gathered in the capital and managed by the country. The knights have already been dispatched. To escape, you can't stay in the town."

"…In other words, by hiding in the dungeon, you can avoid the knights."

"Is there any other way? Do you understand?"

If you stay in the town, you will be collected and managed by the country, so you have to leave. The dungeon might be the best place to hide. I didn't expect to be protected to this extent… But, this will make the country an enemy.

Indeed… It's a win-win strategy, no doubt. By raising my level, I can make things that I couldn't before… It's set up so I can't refuse.

The problem is… the permission for this.

The purpose of finishing me to this extent. Even if it's to corner the Alchemist Guild, it seems excessive.

The current Alchemist Guild Master of this town is almost cornered. Now, he has the advantage of being able to make potions, but by raising my level and forcing me to make them… The path is already set. When I can make potions, it's over.

The Alchemist Guild probably has a stock of materials but no place to deliver them. Even if they deliver to other towns, there are no adventurers to transport them. They could pay, but it wouldn't be profitable. In the end, there are Alchemist and Adventurer Guilds in other towns as well. To prevent the situation from spreading to other towns, the Alchemist Guild Master will be replaced and the matter will be closed.

"Hmm… I understand that we have to go to the dungeon. Is it okay with the two of you?"

"Yeah…"

"That's fine, but I want information."

"What information do you want, miss?"

"The name of the dungeon we're going to, the monsters, the materials we can collect, the departure date, the return date… and the person who approved this plan."

"Umm… The dungeon is the Mushroom Forest Labyrinth. The monsters are diverse, so it's difficult… I'll lend you some materials about the Mushroom Forest Labyrinth later. As for the materials, I'm sorry, but you'll have to confirm with Pamela. She knows what's needed."

"The departure date is planned for the 18th, four days from now. The knights from the capital will arrive in five days at the earliest, so we need to leave before then. The return date is about a week after the departure date."

"…I understand."

Four days from now…

I thought I was doing well with learning abilities, but I only have one more day… It might be better to let my brother and the others do it for three days.

Their status increases are ideal for front-line fighters, so even just reinforcing that would be good.

"Can I say something?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"I want to renew our three people's armor if possible. I don't want to use armor that will break when we fight strong monsters in the dungeon. We don't have money, but is there anything we can do?"

"…Yes, but…"

"Guild Master, I'll take care of it. However, I'll pay in installments, so be prepared for that."

"Ah, I understand."

Armor… They don't even have any to begin with.

It was indeed necessary. Well, we'll all be in debt… It's suspicious. I was planning to live a peaceful life, but somehow… we're heading towards a debt crisis.

"I'll deliver it tomorrow morning. You only have three days to get used to it, so you'll have to manage on your own."

"Thank you."

After confirming that the two had left, I sighed.

I was exhausted.

The issue of foreigners… the issue of the Alchemist Guild… There are many things to consider, but my head isn't working well.

Raising my level won't be enough. In three days, can I increase my abilities as much as possible? I should focus on production and raise my DEX. My brother and the others should focus on offensive and defensive abilities.

"Hey… Why are they so hostile?"

"Umm… There was definitely something between my master and the Alchemist Guild… Also, it seems that many adventurers are grateful to my master… And Leonis is also popular among adventurers… So, there are more people on my master's side. The Alchemist Guild sees him as a thorn in their side."

"Have you heard what happened?"

"I haven't… I'll ask tomorrow."

"Right, that's good. You must be tired today. You should go to bed."

Naga doesn't look convinced, but I don't know the details either, so I can't