Chapter 29

The day after Lillianne cleared the "Mine Dungeon," Roland was once again summoned to the Earl Elsen's mansion.

Roland headed to the Earl Elsen's mansion, tilting his head in confusion, but he was taken aback when he saw Lucius at the dining table.

"Oh, you've come, Roland."

"Earl Elsen, what's going on here?"

"Rejoice, Roland. Lucius says he will supply silver to your guild."

"Wh-What!? The Golden Eagle?"

"Yes. Well, take a seat."

Roland sat down at the table as the Earl Elsen suggested, and shared the table with Lucius.

The dishes were brought in.

Having a meal with a sworn enemy was a strange experience, and Roland couldn't help but feel uncomfortable throughout.

"I've heard that there's been a dispute between you two."

When the Earl Elsen said this, Roland and Lucius were taken aback.

"It seems that the alchemy guilds in the city have been split in two, and are in fierce opposition. They are even causing trouble for the suppliers in the city."

"..."

"Both of you must have your reasons. However, I suggest you both cool your heads, sheathe your swords, and work together for the development of the city and alchemy."

"Well, if it's a request from the Earl, I can't refuse. My guild, the Golden Eagle, will put the past behind us and work together with the Spirit Factory for the development of the city."

Lucius said this to show a humble attitude to the Earl Elsen, taking the initiative.

The Earl Elsen looked at Roland.

"I... if you supply the silver ore... I have no particular objections..."

"Good. Then we have an agreement. From now on, we will cooperate in the distribution of resources."

Roland and Lucius signed the document in front of the Earl Elsen.

The document clearly stated that when either party was short of ore, the other would supply it at an appropriate price based on the market rate.

The two of them hid their inner animosity and pasted fake smiles on their faces, shaking hands firmly to form a temporary agreement.

"Well, I'm glad. I'm glad that you two have reconciled. This will surely lead to further development of alchemy in this city."

The Earl Elsen nodded in satisfaction, unaware of the two men's true feelings.

"This will allow the Spirit Factory to participate in the silverwork exhibition. Normally, the exhibition is held to select one silversmith from within the territory, but this time, it has been specially allowed to submit a joint work. Chial and Dowin, who belong to the Spirit Factory and the Golden Eagle respectively, will collaborate on the submission. I expect both guilds and the two of them to do their best to make the exhibition a success."

From the next day, silver ore began to be supplied to the Spirit Factory, and the workshop's operations returned to normal.

As the snow-capped mountains, which had been closed off by heavy snow, gradually melted and wildflowers began to bloom, the truth that had been hidden until then gradually came to light, and the tangled information began to converge.

The quest reception office announced that the Guardian of the Magic Tree had cleared the "Forest Dungeon" and the "Mine Dungeon."

At the same time, it was announced that a new A-class adventurer had been born.

(What nonsense...)

Willic was standing in front of the quest reception board, stunned.

The board had a notice posted on it, announcing that the archer Monica Vermare had been promoted to A-class adventurer.

(Impossible. This can't be. She was a low-agility, failing archer. This must be a mistake. This... can't be happening.)

At the Guardian of the Magic Tree, it was officially decided that Roland would become the head of the training department.

At the same time, he would also become a senior member of the Guardian of the Magic Tree.

Willic would have to work under Roland.

Of course, the special consultant position at the Golden Eagle, which had been promised to Willic by Lucius, was now off the table.

Lucius no longer sent any messages to Willic.

(I won't accept this!)

After boasting to Roland and suffering a complete defeat, and being abandoned by Lucius, Willic left the city, refusing to admit his loss.

After that, no one knew where Willic had gone.

The adventurer's city was abuzz with the news of the Guardian of the Magic Tree.

The driving force behind the Guardian of the Magic Tree's rise this month was quickly identified by the keen-eyed people of the city as Monica, Shakma, and Yufine, who had grown rapidly.

It soon became common knowledge that Monica was already an A-class archer, and that Shakma and Yufine would soon be promoted to A-class as well.

The three of them, who had been unknown newcomers, suddenly became some of the most prominent adventurers in the city.

They were immediately in high demand everywhere they went.

Wherever they went in the city, people asked for handshakes and begged them to talk.

Bards sang songs praising their bravery throughout the city, painters depicted their heroic figures from their imagination, and storytellers told tales of their exploits to the people.

Alchemy guilds vied to make weapons for them, and adventurers were eager to establish connections with them.

However, the existence of the appraiser behind their rapid growth, and the recent addition of a skilled trainer to the Guardian of the Magic Tree, remained only a rumor among a few people.

"Then, let's raise a toast to the successful dungeon clearance. Cheers!"

Shakma raised his cup and led the toast cheerfully.

"Cheers!"

This was a tavern in the city.

The Guardian of the Magic Tree had rented a private room in the tavern to celebrate the successful dungeon clearance.

The room was filled with regular members of the Guardian of the Magic Tree, as well as external adventurers who had been temporarily integrated into the team for the dungeon clearance, and members of the Spirit Factory, including Roland.

Roland was sitting and drinking with the members of the Spirit Factory.

"Then, let's raise a toast, Roland."

Chial held out a goblet to Roland.

"Hey, you're supposed to be over here."

Ranje took the drink from Chial and pushed a juice box at her.

"Aw, I can drink too. Give it back, Ranje."

"If I let you drink, the guild will be punished. Besides, elves are strictly prohibited from drinking."

"Ugh, I want to drink too."

"Chial, the food is here."

Roland pointed to the meat dishes being brought in.

"Really? Yay, it's meat."

Chial quickly shifted her attention to the food, forgetting all about the drink.

"But, is it okay for us to be here at the Guardian of the Magic Tree's celebration?"

Arie asked Roland hesitantly.

"It's fine. The successful dungeon clearance was thanks to everyone's hard work. Besides, the Spirit Factory will have even stronger ties with the Guardian of the Magic Tree in the future. It's beneficial for everyone to hear the adventurers' stories, and many adventurers also hope for more interaction with alchemy guilds. Look, they're already here."

"Roland, thank you for your help during the dungeon clearance."

Members of Roland's team came over with cups in hand to greet him.

"Chial, you're here too."

"Monica!"

Chial and Monica quickly began chatting familiarly.

"Roland, who is she?"

A member of Lillianne's team asked Roland curiously.

"She's the one who made the silver weapons for Monica, Shakma, and Yufine."

"Really? She's the maker of the 'Silver Iron-Breaking Bow'?"

Chial was quickly surrounded by people interested in the silver weapons.

Roland made sure that the other members of the Spirit Factory could also interact with the adventurers.

"This is Arie, who refined the 'Luminous Stone' for this operation."

"Hmm, you refined the 'Luminous Stone'?"

"Your skills are well-known. I hear you prepared the 'Luminous Stone' faster than the Golden Eagle."

"Arie is the best refiner in the city. She's the heart of the Spirit Factory."

"Oh, that's not true."

Arie blushed but didn't seem to mind.

Ranje, on the other hand, was already mingling with the tough warriors and seasoned adventurers, cup in hand, without Roland's introduction.

"Hey, your guild made the 'Silver Iron-Breaking Bow,' didn't they?"

"Make me a silver weapon too."

"Our weapons are expensive. A single one costs 500,000 gold."

"Whoa, that's out of my reach."

"That's enough to buy a small carriage."

"How about a drinking contest? If we win, you make us a free weapon."

"Sure, but if I win, you buy a 1,000,000 gold weapon."

"No way. Let's just drink normally."

"Hey, what's wrong with you, showing no backbone?"

Laughter erupted from the crowd.

Roland confirmed that all the members of the Spirit Factory were properly integrated into the celebration and then headed to Lillianne's table.

"Lillianne, thank you for inviting us."

"Oh, Roland, no need to be so formal. You're already a member of the Guardian of the Magic Tree."

Lillianne said this with a clear voice, her cheeks slightly flushed, but she didn't seem to be drunk.

She had hardly drunk any alcohol and only took a sip when offered.

Perhaps in her role as a superior, she, like Roland, was making sure others were enjoying themselves.

"Thank you. But I still have my identity as a member of the Spirit Factory."

"Hehe, you have a lot on your plate, don't you?"

Lillianne chuckled.

The two of them sat next to each other and chatted for a while.

They talked about the day they had sworn to defeat the Golden Eagle, from the establishment of the Spirit Factory to the exhibition and Roland's appointment as a special consultant.

"Looking back, it's been a long journey."

Lillianne sighed, as if reminiscing about the distant past.

"Yes, but there's still a long way to go. I don't think the Golden Eagle will just let this slide."

"You're right. We need to stay focused."

After a while, Monica, Shakma, and Yufine came over.

"Roland, congratulations on officially becoming the training officer of the Guardian of the Magic Tree."

Each of the three brought a bottle of wine and poured it into Roland's cup, expressing their gratitude, before sitting down next to him.

Roland found himself surrounded by four young women.

"Roland, are you having fun? What? You haven't drunk anything at all. You need to drink more."

Shakma, who was already quite drunk, slurred her words and clung to Roland, pressing the cup to his mouth and nuzzling his cheek like a puppy.

"Shakma, you're quite drunk, aren't you?"

"That's not true. I'm not drunk at all."

Shakma suddenly started to tear up.

"Ugh, Roland..."

"What's wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?"

"I'm grateful to you. I wasn't confident about being an adventurer, but thanks to you, I was promoted to B-class. You're truly a goddess of victory!"

"To me, you three are the goddesses of victory."

"Kiss the goddess and bless her."

Shakma kissed Roland's cheek.

However, to Roland, Shakma's kiss felt like being licked by a puppy, partly due to her small stature.

Roland patted her head, and the other three watched the scene with warm eyes.

"Ugh, Roland..."

Shakma continued to repeat the same thing and cling to Roland.

Meanwhile, Yufine drank her wine expressionlessly, and Monica smiled awkwardly from the back.

After a while, Shakma passed out and fell asleep on Roland's lap.

"Oh, this guy. Even as a superior, she's being rude. Sorry, can I have a blanket?"

Yufine pulled Shakma away from Roland and tended to her.

"Hey? The ceiling is down and the floor is up? That's strange. The world is upside down."

Shakma lay on the couch, mumbling like she was talking in her sleep.

"Monica, come over here."

When Roland called her, Monica hesitantly sat next to him.

"You three are amazing. Clearing a dungeon is no small feat."

"No, no, it's all thanks to you, Roland."

"Didn't you deliver the final blow to the Turtle Dragon?"

"Yes, but I feel like I shouldn't have. I'm being lifted up so much, but it's mostly thanks to you."

"That's not true. Clearing the dungeon is a result of your effort and skill. You deserve the recognition. You should be proud."

"I see... But if you say so, I'll try to be."

"Ah, you might be feeling overwhelmed by the changes around you, but you'll get used to it eventually. Just give it time."

"Roland, congratulations again on your appointment as a senior member."

Yufine, who had moved Shakma, sat next to Roland.

Yufine moved so close that her shoulder and knee were almost touching Roland's.

"I always thought you were better than Willic. Willic is so ordinary, and he ran away without admitting defeat. It's so embarrassing. Compared to that, Roland, you have such a strong spirit."

"Hehe, thank you."

"Hey, Roland, have you already decided on the training plan for next month?"

Yufine looked at Roland with probing eyes.

"Well, why do you think that?"

"Given the expected intensification of the conflict with the Golden Eagle, I can't imagine you haven't thought about it. You must be considering everything from strengthening existing teams to creating new ones."

"You can't hide anything from me. You're right