Chapter 16

In the kiln room of the "Spirit Workshop," the alchemists were busily at work as usual.

Arielle gave instructions to the workers under her command while keeping a sharp eye on the ore being refined in the cauldron.

When she first came to the "Spirit Workshop," she was just an ordinary girl, but now she was a top-notch alchemist managing five kilns and five alchemists.

"Please stop the furnaces number one and two."

When Arielle gave the order, the workers by the furnaces quickly extinguished the fires, took out the ore, and brought it to her.

(This one can only become Silver B. This one looks like it will become Silver A.)

"This one can only become Silver B, so please refine it to the end. This one will become Silver A, so I will forge it."

Arielle used tools to shave and hammer the ore that looked like it would become Silver A, removing any impurities, and then instructed to put it back into the kiln.

When the refining was finally complete, a magnificent "Silver A" was taken out.

The workers marveled at the high quality of the silver produced.

"Wow, it's Silver A again."

"Isn't it more than ten today alone?"

"Indeed, we can't match Arielle-san."

"Yes, it's a shame that she has to return to the guild. I wanted to learn more from Arielle-san."

Arielle watched this scene with a slightly puzzled expression.

Despite being a renowned alchemist in the city and sent from a major guild, none of them could do what she could.

(No one could refine better than me. Even a major alchemy guild is just this level.)

Although Arielle had never quite felt a sense of belonging, working with them made her realize that she had truly become the best alchemist in the city.

"How's the refining going?"

"It's going smoothly. As always, Arielle-san is very stable."

Roland was talking with Rang in the lounge.

After reviewing the production results submitted by Rang, it seemed that the production of "Silver A" and "Earthcraft" was indeed proceeding smoothly, as Roland had said.

"Hmm, as expected of Arielle."

"However, with the people dispatched from Zens' guild returning, we expect a delay in production next week. Can we secure more staff?"

"Yes, I've approached several workshops, and they've agreed to send alchemists and miners. I think we can gather enough people."

"Really? That's great."

Rang sighed in relief.

Lucius had banned collaboration with the "Spirit Workshop" among the major alchemy guilds under his control, but this ban did not reach the small, struggling guilds.

If a guild was directly under the "Golden Eagle," they had no choice but to obey Lucius' orders, but for a guild on the verge of collapse, it was a different story.

In fact, many of these small guilds were on the verge of collapse due to Lucius' excessive price suppression.

"Of course, the quality will be lower than those dispatched from Zens' guild, but can you manage?"

"I can handle it. As long as we have enough people, I'll do my best."

"Thank you. I'm really glad to have you."

With this, Roland decided to focus on his role as a special advisor, free from any worries.

Lilianne was submitting the next month's budget request to the guild leader of the "Guardians of the Magic Tree."

"Guild Leader, here is the budget for the next month's team. Please approve it."

"Lilianne, about the special advisor issue..."

The guild leader began speaking in his usual timid tone.

"Perhaps it's better to comply with Lucius' demands. According to Willik's report, there are many doubts about Roland's ability to train. Moreover, directly opposing the 'Golden Eagle' doesn't seem to be a good strategy..."

"Guild Leader!"

Lilianne slammed her hand on the table and leaned forward.

The guild leader flinched.

"We have no choice but to focus on training. If we let go of Roland now, we will never be able to gain an advantage over the 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Ugh, but..."

"If you really must let go of Roland, fire me first. Then I will start a new adventurer guild with Roland."

"Ugh, alright. Let's see how things go for a while."

Lilianne left the guild leader's room and sighed.

(Phew. Just appointing Roland as a special advisor has caused this much trouble. The future looks worrying.)

Lilianne leaned against the wall, feeling a bit exhausted.

She had been running around and doing groundwork, which left her slightly sleep-deprived.

(But if I don't push through now, all my efforts will be in vain. I have to support Roland.)

Lilianne closed her eyes for a moment to rest, then gathered her resolve and stood up.

A new month had begun.

On the outskirts of the city, three new dungeons had appeared.

One was the "Forest Dungeon" inhabited by beasts, one was the "Mine Dungeon" inhabited by the dead, and one was the "Demon World Dungeon" inhabited by demons.

Adventurers rushed to the quest reception area to find lucrative quests suitable for their ranks, and those who needed items requested quests to obtain them.

While some quests were publicly available, others were exclusive to guilds.

Most of the lucrative quests were first made available to the two major guilds that divided the city's power: the "Golden Eagle" and the "Guardians of the Magic Tree."

Both guilds carefully evaluated the newly appeared dungeons and quests and began forming their teams.

At the "Guardians of the Magic Tree," the main team led by Lilianne discussed which of the three dungeons to tackle.

In addition to the guild's executives, special advisor Roland also attended the dungeon strategy meeting.

"I intend to tackle the 'Mine Dungeon.'"

Lilianne said.

"Our current goal is to expand the scale of the 'Spirit Workshop.' To achieve this, we need to obtain ore. Therefore, we should focus on the 'Mine Dungeon,' where we can find a large amount of ore."

(Indeed, if the 'Golden Eagle' takes the 'Mine Dungeon,' which is our only source of ore, we're finished. Tackling the 'Mine Dungeon' should be our top priority. But of course, Lucius must be thinking the same thing.)

"What do you think, Roland?"

While Roland was lost in thought, Lilianne turned to him.

"Yes, I also think taking the mine is the best option. However, the 'Golden Eagle' will be aware of this, so it will likely be a fierce battle."

"I'm prepared for that."

Lilianne smiled with a hint of menace.

"I see."

(If Lilianne says so, I have to believe her.)

"Then I will focus on training. I'll take the underperforming group to the 'Forest Dungeon'..."

"Excuse me, can I say something?"

Just as Roland was about to explain his plan, Willik raised his hand to interrupt.

"What is it?"

"I'm still thinking... Is it really okay to entrust all the training to Roland, who just arrived? I don't mean to put too much pressure on Roland, but..."

"Willik, we've already discussed this. Roland is..."

"So, I'm thinking... How about we share the responsibility? Half to me and half to Roland."

Ignoring Lilianne's attempt to interject, Willik continued and made his proposal.

"What do you mean?"

"Basically, I suggest that Roland and I each take half of the underperforming group and see whose training is more effective. The winner will have the final say in the guild's training policy."

"That sounds good. What do you think, Roland?"

The guild leader, who had been wiping sweat from his forehead, suddenly agreed.

Lilianne glared at the guild leader, who quickly averted his gaze.

However, he did not retract his decision.

In fact, this proposal was a prearranged plan between Willik and the guild leader.

Their reasoning was as follows:

If Roland wins and strengthens the guild, that's fine. If Willik wins, it will create a fact that Roland was sidelined, allowing the guild to maintain its relationship with the 'Golden Eagle.'

Either way, the guild would be secure.

Additionally, it was a way to check Lilianne.

(Lilianne has been getting too arrogant lately. We need to humble her a bit and make her more manageable.)

"Alright."

Roland said casually.

"Oh, you agree, Roland?"

"However, I request that this competition not be disclosed to the members. I don't want to add unnecessary pressure to those who are already struggling."

Thus, Roland and Willik agreed to divide the underperforming group equally and compete to see how much each could improve their assigned members by the end of the month, with the loser following the winner's policy.

While the "Guardians of the Magic Tree" were solidifying their dungeon strategy and training policies, the "Golden Eagle" was also holding a dungeon strategy meeting.

The "Golden Eagle's" dungeon strategy meeting was attended only by A-rank adventurers and team leaders, making it the de facto highest decision-making body.

Determined to conquer all three dungeons this month after being outdone by the "Guardians of the Magic Tree" last month, the meeting quickly turned contentious.

"Lucius, what is this?"

Alik, an A-rank adventurer and leader of the "Golden Eagle's" first team, questioned Lucius' team formation plan.

"Do you have a problem with it?"

"It's not a problem, but removing all B-rank archers, support mages, and healers from the main team and replacing them with C-rank members for dungeon exploration is absurd. How are we supposed to handle ranged attacks, support, and healing with C-rank members?"

"The B-rank archers, support mages, and healers have other important missions."

"Important missions? More important than dungeon exploration?"

"Alik, when did you become someone who can question the team's personnel decisions?"

"..."

"Your team has been relying too much on the 'Golden Eagle's' organizational strength, haven't you? Without B-rank members, can you even explore a dungeon? As a team leader of the 'Golden Eagle,' you should be able to explore dungeons and train your subordinates at the same time. Show me that you can do it."

"Right, Alik. What are you afraid of?"

Sebastian, another A-rank adventurer and team leader, leaned back in his chair and said.

"I'm not afraid... I just think we should be more cautious..."

"The 'Guardians of the Magic Tree's' main team is a mix of B and C-rank members, excluding Lilianne. They're not much of a threat."

"..."

"Or what? Should my second team take over the 'Mine Dungeon' for you?"

"..."

Sebastian, while an A-rank adventurer, was somewhat overconfident and had a rivalry with Alik, so he quickly tried to assert his superiority.

Alik, not wanting to back down from such an obvious challenge, had no choice but to accept.

"Is there anyone else who objects? No? Then the dungeon strategy meeting is over. Everyone, do your best to uphold the 'Golden Eagle's' name."

Taking advantage of Alik's silence, Lucius ended the meeting.

Alik still had things to say but could only grit his teeth.

Recently, Alik had been frequently outmaneuvered by these two.

Previously, Marco would voice caution, allowing Alik to form a two-on-two standoff.

Thus, both guilds, harboring mutual distrust and unease, began their dungeon explorations.

Roland was leading the "Guardians of the Magic Tree's" first team to the "Forest Dungeon."

Monica, Shakma, and Yufine, the three top candidates, were also present.

These three had been gathered before the team assembly.

Seeing the three gathered, Roland began his explanation.

"Alright, let me explain. The goal of this dungeon exploration is not to conquer it but to train the team, specifically you three."

The three looked tense.

"I believe you three have the potential to become A-rank adventurers. Of course, at this stage, it's just potential."

The three still looked uncertain.

(No wonder. They've been D-rank for so long. We need to build their confidence gradually.)

Roland decided to start by easing their tension.

"First, let's review your respective roles. Monica, what is the role of an archer?"

"Yes, the role of an archer is mainly threefold: reducing enemy strength in ranged combat before melee, intercepting enemies attacking from above, and providing support fire during melee."

Despite the sudden change, Monica gave a model answer, having clearly prepared well for this day.

She seemed to be a serious person.

(But... I can't provide support fire. I lack agility and can't always get into a favorable position...)

Monica felt disheartened by this thought.

"Yes, that's correct. However, you lack agility. So, I want you to focus on ranged combat before melee and intercepting enemies from above, and abandon support fire."

"Wh-What!?"

"I've prepared the equipment for this. Here."

Roland handed Monica a bow and arrows.

It was a massive iron bow, almost as tall as she was.

"This is an 'Iron Breaker Bow'!? And it's the limited model made by Dowin..."

"It was difficult to obtain."

Roland had to run around the city to get the 'Iron Breaker Bow.'

(Heavy)

When Monica held the 'Iron Breaker Bow,' she felt its substantial weight, even with her strength.

"Agility is not a significant factor in frontal ranged combat and anti-air attacks. Instead, firepower, range, and rate of fire are crucial. The 'Iron Breaker Bow' is perfect for this."

Monica looked at Roland curiously.

(Not providing support fire? I've never had a trainer suggest this before.)

As she thought this, the rest of the team members arrived.

In addition to the "Guardians of the Magic Tree" members, there were also temporary hires for the day.

"The other members have arrived. Let's not waste time. Let's head to the dungeon."

Inside the dungeon, Monica was protected by shield-bearing warriors on either side as they advanced.

If monsters appeared from the sides and tried to ambush them, the warriors on either side would handle it.

This allowed Monica to focus on the enemies in front without worrying about her lack of agility.

Monica recalled what Roland had told her as they advanced through the forest.

"First, focus on your bow shooting. Just hit the enemies in front with your arrows. That's all you need to do."

Roland wanted to improve Monica's bow shooting skills first.

He didn't want her to use any of her stamina for anything else.

(For real? Not letting an archer provide support fire...)

Monica was still skeptical as they advanced through the dungeon.

Suddenly, monsters appeared in front of them.

Three goblins, about fifty meters away.

They seemed to have noticed Monica and her group and were charging towards them with their weapons drawn.

The warriors on either side readied their weapons.

Monica nocked an arrow and aimed at the goblins.

(The string is so stiff...)

Monica felt the stiffness and strong recoil of the string as she drew the arrow.

She aimed and released the arrow.

It missed.

The arrow passed by one of the goblins.

Second arrow.

This time, it hit.

The goblin hit in the shoulder fell back, writhing in pain.

The combination of Monica's strength and the 'Iron Breaker Bow's' power was enough to stop the goblin's advance.

Monica continued to shoot arrows.

The second goblin was hit in the knee and crouched down, holding its knee.

The third goblin was already close.

There was no time to nock another arrow.

Monica lowered her bow and moved back.

The rest was up to the melee team.

A warrior who had been waiting in the back took her position and dealt with the goblin.

The warriors easily subdued and defeated the goblins.

They also finished off the two goblins that had been hit by arrows.

Monica sighed in relief after completing her task.

"Good job, Monica."

"Roland."

"Two hits out of four in your first real combat. Not bad at all."

"Thank you."

Monica was relieved by Roland's words.

(I thought becoming an A-rank archer would come with some impossible quota, but it's surprisingly normal. I can manage this. Roland is a reasonable person.)

Feeling relieved that she could follow Roland's training for now, Monica was reassured.

"However, eventually, you'll need to improve your accuracy, firing speed, and range."

"Yes."

"For now, we'll stick with this formation. Focus on regaining your combat sense as an archer and getting used to the 'Iron Breaker Bow.'"

"Yes."

As they continued, ten goblins appeared.

"Melee team, spread out! Don't let them flank