Chapter 11

Roland was visiting a silverware shop with Chial.

To conduct market research and to improve her skills in 'Silverworking', 'Product Development', and 'Product Design'.

The shop was filled with silverware, perfect for Chial to study, neatly arranged on the shelves.

However, she seemed to have forgotten it was work, her eyes sparkling as she was captivated by the beautiful silverware.

Roland smiled wryly.

"Hey, Chial. This is market research, so you need to do your job properly."

"Hau, I'm sorry."

When Roland scolded her, Chial apologized, looking apologetic.

She tried to focus and put on a serious expression, but soon her eyes sparkled again, and she became absorbed once more.

Having been forbidden from anything related to alchemy until now, she must have been incredibly happy to be able to freely admire the silverware.

(Tsk, she's still a child in this regard.)

Roland gave up on making her study and decided to let her do as she pleased.

(But, I have to show her this.)

"Chial, take a look at this."

Roland led Chial to a certain shelf and pointed to a piece of silverware.

"This is..."

Chial froze as she looked at the silver plate Roland pointed to.

It was a piece of silverware intricately designed with large floral patterns.

This piece was clearly treated differently from the other products in the shop.

"This is the largest plate made by Dowin, the best silverworker in this town. He will be your greatest rival."

Chial was overwhelmed, her eyes wide as she stared at the silverware for a while.

"I'm sorry, I'll step outside for a bit."

Chial left the shop, looking dejected.

(It's no wonder. She's still at this level. It's far beyond her reach right now.)

Roland sighed.

In fact, Chial's silverworking skills were impressive, but her product design was still lacking, remaining at a child's level of creativity.

Her work was far from meeting the standards required to be displayed in the shop, and she lacked the experience.

Even a C-level silverworker would be better in this regard.

(But, we need to bring her up to this level somehow, or we won't be able to compete with the guild led by Lucius.)

As Roland was lost in thought, he stepped outside the shop and saw Chial working on something on a bench under the eaves.

When he looked closer, she was drawing on a canvas she had brought.

She was muttering to herself while diligently drawing with her pen.

Roland was shocked when he saw the drawing.

It was a perfect copy of the silverware he had shown her earlier.

The dimensions, such as the length and thickness of the silverware, and detailed notes on how to make it, the production process, and the material mix were all meticulously annotated.

"Mr. Roland, that silverware was amazing. I've never seen such beautiful design. Despite its bold design, it's meticulously calculated with no room for error. Even the slightest mistake could ruin the high-quality silver, yet there's no hesitation at all. It's something only someone with great confidence could do."

Chial continued speaking with a feverish enthusiasm while still drawing on the diagram.

(To see through so much with just a moment's observation. Truly, she has S-class potential. She's a genius...)

When Roland appraised her skills, her silverworking, which was B, had improved to A.

Her 'Product Design', which was E, had improved to B.

Roland silently watched her work until she finished.

When Chial finished her work, the two of them headed back.

She had returned to being a naive girl.

She walked down the street, holding Roland's hand and licking a candy she had bought from a street vendor, like any other girl her age.

"Mr. Roland, when will my silverware be displayed in the shop?"

"That... it's not possible."

Roland shook his head weakly at Chial's innocent question.

"The things we make in our workshop can't be bought by the shops in this town."

Alchemy products could only be sold in shops that had special permission from the town.

However, these shops had contracts to only display products made by the alchemy guild led by Lucius.

In fact, the alchemy guild led by Lucius was the best in the town, but due to these contracts, other guilds were completely shut out of the market, leaving them with no business.

"So, for the time being, we can't display your work in the shops."

"That's right. There are many things in the human world, just like with elves. It seems quite complicated."

She showed a level of understanding beyond her years.

Having spent her childhood under a dwarf, she had developed a philosophical attitude through the various conflicts.

"Mr. Roland, thank you for hiring me."

"Huh?"

"Thanks to you, I can work on silverware without any worries. I couldn't even imagine doing this before."

Chial began to talk about her past before Roland hired her.

She used to practice silverworking secretly so her parents wouldn't find out.

She used poor-quality silver from the garbage to make small pieces of silverware.

Whenever her parents found the silverware she made, they would throw it away.

"But now, I can work on silverware freely all day without any worries. And with high-quality silver processed by excellent refiners. It's all thanks to you, Mr. Roland."

"That's not true. I just helped your talent bloom. I didn't do much."

"That's not true. You've done a lot for me. I can see that much."

With that, Chial knelt down on the street, clasped her hands together, and offered an Elven prayer to Roland.

"May the happiness befitting your noble character come to you."

"…Chial"

The two of them stood still for a moment.

A single tear rolled down Chial's cheek.

Elves had a habit of crying when they were filled with gratitude.

Roland wiped away her tear with his finger and helped her stand up.

"By the way, Mr. Roland, are you okay? My silverware not selling... I'm sorry. You even built a workshop for me. You must have gone to a lot of trouble..."

"Chial, you don't need to worry about that."

"But..."

"Just don't."

In fact, Roland had spent a considerable amount of money on her, but he never showed any signs of hardship.

"Focus on improving your skills. Don't be satisfied just because you can make silverware. I want you to make a lot more and become a top-notch silverworker."

"…Yes"

She showed a teary smile.

Roland felt happy.

It was different from when he was at the 'Golden Eagle'.

Now, he was in a workplace with human connections and warmth.

(I have to protect this. For Chial, no, not just for Chial, but for all the members, I will protect this guild.)

At the 'Golden Eagle' headquarters, in the guild leader's room, Lucius and Jill were having a private meeting.

Jill looked dissatisfied.

She had just been given a new mission by Lucius.

"To hand over the silverware to the bride... is that it?"

"Yes, you've heard about it, right? The silverware exhibition that Baron Elsen is holding for his daughter's wedding."

"Yes, I've heard about it."

"At the exhibition, the finale will be the awarding of the best silverware and the best silverworker. The awarded silverworker will have the honor of presenting the silverware to the bride."

"So, you want me to do that?"

"The exhibition will attract not only people from the town but also from the region and nearby nobles. There's no better place to promote the guild. I want you to do it."

"But, isn't the exhibition for silverworkers? Shouldn't the actual silverworker who made the silverware be the one to present it?"

"I've already said this is a great opportunity to promote the guild."

"..."

"A dirty alchemist covered in soot and smoke from the workshop won't improve our image. A handsome knight in a beautiful outfit presenting the silverware to a noble lady will make a much better impression. Don't you think? Especially someone as beautiful as you."

Lucius flattered Jill.

Jill stared at Lucius without moving a muscle.

"If it goes well, excellent adventurers from other towns might want to join our guild. It's for the guild's development. Will you do it?"

"Understood. For the guild's development, I will accept. However, if you're thinking about the guild's development, there's one more thing I want you to consider."

"Really? What is it?"

"Roland's return to the guild."

At the mention of Roland, Lucius's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Roland? Oh, I remember that appraiser. I haven't seen him around lately. What about him?"

"He is indispensable to the guild. Please let him return."

"If we need an appraiser, there are plenty in the 'Golden Eagle'. Why not use them?"

"No one else will do. I can't fully utilize my abilities without Roland. Please, overlook his minor mistakes and let him return. The incident with the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' must have had some reason behind it..."

"?"

"I don't understand why you're so attached to that man, but I have a position to maintain. I can't give special treatment to a liability over other appraisers who are performing well."

"Performance! He's the one who's performing the best. I became a B-rank adventurer... I've come this far all thanks to Roland."

"Jill, that's an overestimation. You became a B-rank adventurer because of your own abilities."

"That's not true. Without Roland's guidance, I would still be an ordinary archer..."

"Enough. Roland's expulsion is a done deal. It can't be reversed."

"Guild Leader..."

"Stop it. If we were to let an expelled member return so easily, it would affect the guild's reputation. Focus on your mission. I'm sure you're not satisfied with being a B-rank adventurer. You're the one who will carry the future of this guild. There are many things you need to do to become an S-class adventurer. Is it worth arguing over one appraiser?"

"...I understand. I won't ask you about this again."

She closed her eyes in disappointment and turned to leave the room.

"Wait."

Lucius called out to Jill's back.

Jill stopped but didn't turn around.

Lucius had one more thing to ask her, which was why he had called her at this time when Diana was not around.

"This isn't directly related to your mission... but, are you free tonight? If you are, would you like to have dinner...?"

"Excuse me."

Jill dismissed him sharply and left the room.

Lucius sighed, looking slightly displeased.

(She's still not trustworthy. I'll have to entrust the command of the main unit to someone else.)

Jill walked down the corridor with a determined look on her face.

(Roland is not a liability. I'll prove it!)

Thus, the day of the exhibition arrived, with each person's intentions intersecting.