Chapter 12

On the morning of the exhibition day, it was truly a perfect day for viewing.

The sky, partially covered with clouds, allowed the sunlight to spill through.

In the courtyard of the Elsen Manor, where the event was held, the various silverworks already lined up on the tables sparkled in the sunlight.

Holding the exhibition outdoors was a sophisticated arrangement by Lord Elsen to allow commoners to see the items on display as well.

As intended by the lord, the commoners were excited by the unusual spectacle.

However, Lord Elsen himself was looking around the venue with a troubled expression.

(There are only the major guilds.)

Looking from one end to the other of the tables assigned to each guild, all the alchemy guilds were well-known ones that everyone had heard of at least once.

Moreover, next to their guild emblems, they had placed the crest of the 'Golden Eagle.'

(This isn't what I wanted. This isn't it at all.)

Lord Elsen, who had been hoping for entries from smaller guilds, was disappointed and bowed his head.

On the other hand, Lucius, seeing how very disappointed Lord Elsen looked, mistakenly thought it was due to the quality of the items.

In fact, there were only B-grade silverworks on display at the exhibition.

"Hey, couldn't you prepare better silverware?"

Lucius whispered irritably to Dowin, the 'Golden Eagle' exhibition organizer.

"There's nothing I can do. We've kept the excellent refiners away from the kilns. Without A-grade silver, even I have my limits."

Dowin shrugged, looking exasperated.

He wasn't particularly enthusiastic about this additional, unexpected task.

"Is this the time to say such things? This is our chance to sell the 'Golden Eagle' to Lord Elsen. You must be interested in noble patronage, aren't you? Don't you want Lord Elsen's endorsement?"

"If you say so, then supply us with A-grade silver. When will this state of martial law be lifted?"

"Until the traitor who supplies 'Earthcraft' to the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree' is identified. If we keep the refiners away this month, their 'Earthcraft' will run out next month."

"Then we can't produce A-grade silverworks until next month."

"Damn."

Lucius glared at Dowin while clicking his tongue.

Dowin, on the other hand, whistled as if the wind was blowing from somewhere else.

Lucius became even more irritated.

He didn't get along with Dowin.

This young dwarf seemed to be nonchalant and hard to read.

Lucius glared at the silverworks in the venue for a while, but eventually regained his usual composure.

(Well, it's fine. Only our affiliated guilds are participating. In the end, the best item will have to be chosen from among us. If we keep being chosen like this, Lord Elsen will eventually realize that he has no choice but to work with us.)

Lucius smirked.

The exhibitors were almost exclusively from the 'Golden Eagle' affiliated guilds.

Both Lord Elsen and Lucius believed that only 'Golden Eagle' affiliated guilds were participating in the exhibition, so they didn't notice the booth of a small guild quietly placed in a corner.

The booth's table was already covered with a cloth, hiding the silverworks and the guild name.

Roland was walking around a section of the Elsen Manor with the members of the 'Spirit Factory.'

Lord Elsen had made special arrangements for the exhibitors.

The exhibitors and their affiliated guilds were provided with carriages for transportation, a room for rest, and storage space for the silverware, and were allowed to walk freely in a designated area of the manor.

As they walked through the colonnaded corridor, each member reacted differently.

Chiar, who was seeing a huge building for the first time, looked around with sparkling eyes, while Arie was anxious about whether she deserved such treatment and was wary of the people around her.

Ranj walked calmly, occasionally looking at the decorations and paintings with interest.

"Mr. Roland, what's that building? What is that building?"

Chiar asked excitedly, pointing to the spire visible on the opposite side of the courtyard.

"That's the bell tower."

"Bell tower? What's a bell tower?"

"A tower with a bell installed. Can you see the bell at the top? When the bell is rung from a high place, it can be heard throughout the town, informing everyone of the time."

"Wow. What is that? I want to go. Let's climb it. Let's go see the bell."

Chiar grabbed Roland's arm and pleaded like a child.

She wanted to examine and study anything made of metal.

"Trouble. The exhibition is about to start."

"Mr. Roland, I'll take care of the booth, so it's okay for you two to go up with me."

Ranj said casually.

Despite his combative appearance, he was a considerate person.

"Is that so? Then I'll have to ask you, I guess."

"Sorry, Mr. Ranj."

Arie said apologetically.

"It's fine. One person is enough for the booth. Just bring the lunch, okay?"

With that, Ranj headed towards the exhibition area.

The three of them started walking towards the bell tower.

As they walked down the corridor, a voice called out to Roland.

"Mr. Roland!"

Roland flinched at the familiar voice.

When he hesitantly turned around, he saw the person he had expected.

Jill.

"Ugh, Jill. Why are you here?"

Roland was still traumatized from his time with the 'Golden Eagle' and was shaken by seeing her.

"I'm glad, Mr. Roland. I've been wanting to see you."

Jill hugged Roland.

"Wh-What!? Jill? Ugh..."

Jill was wearing light, festive armor for the festival, but even so, the hard parts of her armor hurt Roland's ribs when she hugged him.

The force of the hug was so strong that Roland felt like he had been tackled.

However, what confused Roland more was her display of affection.

He had thought she despised him.

Since she started receiving attention, Jill had refused Roland's guidance and canceled training sessions he had scheduled.

In the end, she had handed him a notice of a change in instructors.

She had clearly told him, "I don't want you to come near me anymore because I will be working as a close aide to Mr. Lucius."

Through her secretary, appointed by Lucius.

This attitude of hers was incomprehensible to Roland.

"To think I would meet you here. Mr. Roland, you're such a fool. Didn't you promise to train me thoroughly until I became an S-class adventurer? Why did you leave the guild without telling me anything?"

Jill, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged Roland tightly in her full armor, squeezing him with her steel gauntlets and breastplate.

"Hey, Jill. It hurts. It really hurts. I'm going to die. Please let go for a moment..."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I got carried away with the excitement of seeing you again..."

Jill came to her senses and let go of Roland.

"Ugh, cough. Still, Jill. Why? I thought you were avoiding me..."

"What are you talking about? I've been busy recently, but I've never avoided you..."

Jill looked at Roland with a puzzled expression.

Seeing this, Roland was startled.

(Could it be. Is this also due to Lucius's behind-the-scenes manipulation...)

"Right. But, Mr. Roland, please come back to the 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Huh?"

"Please. Only you can bring out my full potential. No, it's not just me. There must be many others waiting for your guidance. I'll take care of the opposition within the guild. Please come back."

Jill pleaded.

Arie and Chiar turned pale.

They were worried about what would happen to them if Roland returned to the 'Golden Eagle.'

"I'm sorry, Jill. I can't go back to the 'Golden Eagle.'"

Roland said firmly, though with a pained expression.

"How can you... Why..."

Before Jill could say more, a cold, intimidating voice echoed through the corridor.

"Roland, I hope you won't bother my guild members."

"...Lucius."

Roland looked in the direction of the voice and saw Lucius.

As usual, he was accompanied by Dianna.

Roland, though hesitant, looked at him.

Jill tried to defend Roland.

"Guild Master, it's not like that. I was the one who approached him, and he..."

"Jill, I'm sorry, but could you step back? I need to talk to him."

"Guild Master, but..."

Jill fell silent, intimidated by Lucius's intense expression.

Once Jill was silent, Lucius turned back to Roland.

"So you're still in this town. After causing so much trouble for the guild. And you're even participating in an alchemy guild exhibition."

Lucius said as he approached Roland.

Lucius, being tall, exuded an intimidating presence that made his opponents shrink back.

The short Arie and Chiar instinctively hid behind Roland.

"Surely you don't intend to participate in the exhibition, do you?"

"Actually, I do. I'm participating in the exhibition and aiming to win. I'm here to challenge you and the 'Golden Eagle.'"

Roland replied without looking away.

"What? Do you know what you're saying?"

"I heard from the quest office that you were working behind the scenes to prevent me from getting adventurer jobs."

"..."

"Why would I do that for someone like you? But more importantly, you should withdraw from the exhibition. This isn't a place for people like you. I'm only saying this out of kindness to save you from embarrassment. Will you withdraw?"

"No. We have no reason to withdraw. From now on, no matter how embarrassing it may be, I will fight you until the end. I will crush you and the 'Golden Eagle'!"

Lucius shrugged.

"Hmph. I was only trying to be kind. You'll regret this."

Lucius turned and walked away.

Roland also turned and walked in the opposite direction.

"Jill, let's go. You heard him. He said he's going to crush the 'Golden Eagle.' In other words, he's our enemy."

"..."

Jill looked at Roland with a pleading gaze, but he didn't turn back.

From that day on, Roland and Lucius walked in different directions and never met again in the same place.

In the courtyard, cheers were rising.

People from all over the town, and even from outside the territory, had gathered to celebrate this memorable day.

The exhibition was about to begin.