Chapter 34

"Please"

Lange offered Jil a cup of tea.

"Oh, thank you. There's no need to trouble yourself."

"..."

Jil was shown to the reception room of the workshop.

Roland was at a loss for words, unsure of how to greet Jil, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

What could be her purpose for coming to the 'Spirit Workshop,' given that she was supposed to be a member of the 'Golden Eagle'?

(Could she be a spy? No, there's no need for them to go to such lengths to probe us now. If so, did she really come here by coincidence?)

"I'll make sure no one disturbs you for a while, so please take your time to talk."

Lange left the reception room, considerately closing the door behind her.

The room was now left with Roland and Jil alone.

Roland decided to probe the situation.

(If things go well, I might be able to learn more about the 'Golden Eagle's' internal affairs.)

"It's been a while. Jil."

Jil flinched as if she was afraid of something.

"How's the 'Golden Eagle' doing lately?"

"It's... in a terrible state."

Jil began to speak candidly about the current state of the 'Golden Eagle.'

Despite the pressing issues at hand, everyone was only concerned with their own safety and advancement, and suspicion and distrust were spreading.

(So, the 'Golden Eagle' is indeed in a state of considerable confusion.)

Roland confirmed that his suspicions were correct and reaffirmed that now was the time to act.

"Um, Roland."

Jil suddenly spoke in a desperate voice.

She knelt on the floor, looking up at Roland.

"I haven't visited you before because I was not ungrateful for your kindness, but... I was busy. I just wanted you to understand that... I'm really sorry!"

Jil was about to prostrate herself, her hands on the floor, begging for forgiveness.

Roland was taken aback.

"Hey, Jil. It's okay. There's no need to go that far."

"But..."

"Knowing that you haven't forgotten about me is enough to make me feel relieved."

"Roland..."

"Come, please sit down. I'm the one who should apologize. I left the guild without a word, being too preoccupied with my own affairs."

"Roland..."

Jil looked at Roland with tears in her eyes.

"Come on, can you tell me more? What's happening with the 'Golden Eagle' now?"

"Yes."

Jil sat back down at Roland's urging and began to talk about the internal affairs of the 'Golden Eagle.'

Most of Jil's talk was complaints about Lucius.

First, she criticized the unfairness of Lucius expelling Roland, and then she explained how the guild had suffered since Roland's departure, and how Lucius himself had become a harmful presence.

"It's terrible. Even when we delved into the 'Dungeon of the Mines' before..."

Jil continued to criticize Lucius relentlessly.

(Indeed, Lucius seems to be quite out of control. Of course, the once-dominant 'Golden Eagle' wouldn't have collapsed so suddenly if that weren't the case.)

"There's still more to say about Lucius. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just complaining despite our reunion."

"No, it's fine. I was actually curious about what's happening with the 'Golden Eagle.'"

Jil was relieved by Roland's attitude.

He was as kind and considerate as ever, always willing to listen to her.

His eyes were full of warmth, and it made her want to lean on him.

Jil was frustrated.

She had finally met Roland, but all she could do was complain about the guild.

What she really wanted was to embrace him and show her affection.

If that wasn't possible, she at least wanted to receive his guidance again.

Unable to hold back any longer, she blurted out:

"Um, Roland. If it's not too much trouble, could you train me?"

"Wh-What? Train you, me?"

"Yes. Lately, I've been doing mostly PR work, and to be honest, my body has become rusty..."

"Hmm, indeed..."

Jil Arwin

Strength: 60-100

Endurance: 70-120

Agility: 70-100

Health: 150-200

(While her base stats are all at a high level, reaching the maximum of 100, there's a 30-50 point variance in each stat. Even though she's on a break from adventuring, this is quite bad.)

For reference, the standard for stats is: 50 is average, 70-80 is excellent, 90-100 is extremely excellent, 30-40 is low, and 10-20 is extremely low.

"I know I'm asking for a lot, but I can't be satisfied with anyone else's guidance anymore..."

"Jil..."

Roland had always felt a sense of regret about Jil.

Even though she was now a member of a guild that was essentially an adversary, she was once his student, and she had the potential to become his greatest masterpiece.

He wanted to train her and help her become an S-class adventurer.

"I'll do anything if it's within my power. Please, is there any way you can help me?"

Jil bowed her head while sitting.

"I also want to help you, Jil, but..."

"Then..."

Jil's eyes sparkled with hope.

"I'm currently a member of the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.' Training a member of the 'Golden Eagle' would put my guild at a disadvantage, and I can't do that."

Jil's shoulders slumped.

"Yes... I see. Of course, that makes sense."

(Should I transfer her to the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree'? No, that's impossible. The 'Guardians of the Magic Tree' are already in a difficult financial situation, and there's no way they can afford the transfer fee. What should I do... Ah, I know.)

"Jil, can you participate in a seminar?"

"A seminar...?"

Jil looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Yes. The 'Spirit Workshop' has been entrusted with the management of the 'Dungeon of the Mines' by the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.' Managing a dungeon alone is a bit challenging for the 'Spirit Workshop,' so we're planning to hold a seminar for the city's alchemy guilds to recruit their cooperation. You see, both the 'Spirit Workshop' and I are still relatively new, and it's hard to get people to follow us. If someone like you, a celebrity, could lend us your support, it would be a great help."

"I'll do it!"

Jil answered immediately.

She knew nothing about the conflict between the 'Golden Eagle' and the 'Spirit Workshop' over the city's alchemy guilds.

"Are you sure?"

"Just standing on the stage and speaking is all it takes, right? I can definitely do that. If it means I can receive Roland's guidance, it's a small price to pay."

"Alright. If you're willing to do it, that makes things easier. I'll talk to the guild and get their approval."

"Yes, please do."

Jil left the 'Spirit Workshop' with a bright and cheerful mood, as if all her recent worries had vanished.

The prospect of receiving Roland's guidance again made her feel like her life was rosy.

(Something feels wrong. It feels like I'm deceiving her.)

Roland watched Jil leave, feeling a bit guilty.

"I see. You asked Jil for her cooperation."

"Yes, our conversation with her confirmed it. The 'Golden Eagle' is indeed in a state of disarray."

Roland and Lilianne were discussing in a private room again.

"If she participates in the 'Spirit Workshop's' seminar, it will demonstrate a resolution to the conflict with the 'Golden Eagle,' and the alchemy guilds that are hesitant to join the 'Spirit Workshop's' dungeon management due to fear of the 'Golden Eagle' will likely participate."

"So, in exchange for her participation, you'll train her?"

"Yes. Training her will strengthen the 'Golden Eagle,' but the potential to bring the city's alchemy guilds to our side is high. It's a gamble, but I think it's worth trying."

"Are you sure about this?"

"It seems from her words that she is quite dissatisfied with Lucius. I don't think she will betray us."

"No, I'm not asking if Jil will betray you. I'm asking if you're okay with it, Roland."

"..."

"Your former student? Even if it's temporary, asking her for such cooperation will put her in a difficult position within the 'Golden Eagle.' Are you okay with that?"

Roland closed his eyes tightly, as if in conflict.

"Indeed, it is painful to use her in this way. But I am now a member of the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.' If it means bringing down the 'Golden Eagle,' it is necessary."

Lilianne smiled, as if satisfied.

"I'm relieved to hear that. If you're willing to do this for us, I have nothing more to say. Please act according to your judgment. We will support you."

They discussed the details of the seminar and parted ways.

"Roland, wait."

After his meeting with Lilianne, Roland was walking down the corridor when he was called from behind.

It was the guild master, Ramon's, voice.

"Hey, Roland, I'm calling you. Why aren't you stopping? Hey, Roland."

Despite being called, Roland continued to walk quickly.

Since the incident with Monica and the others being poached, the relationship between Roland and the guild master had become quite cold.

Roland was angry about the guild master's attempt to sell Monica and the others, and Ramon was bitter about Roland's interference in the transfer negotiations.

They had become a pair who worked independently without cooperating with each other.

Even when there were overlapping issues in their jurisdictions, they ignored each other as a matter of course.

"Hey, stop."

Ramon grabbed Roland's shoulder.

Reluctantly, Roland slowed down to match Ramon's pace.

"Roland, about the transfer of Monica and the others. Can you talk to them and encourage them to reconsider?"

"I already declined that request. Besides, if you want to talk to them, you can approach them directly as you used to."

Roland spoke with a sharp edge.

"Of course, I tried to talk to them, but they wouldn't listen to me."

Ramon had tried to persuade Monica and the others to transfer to the 'Golden Eagle' again, but Monica had quickly fled, saying, "I'm sorry, but Roland told me not to consider such offers. Please talk to Roland about it."

Shakuma and Yufine had responded similarly.

"They seem to be hesitant because of your consideration. So, can you talk to them?"

"I decline. They are in an important phase now. It's not the time to trouble them with such matters."

"Roland, I understand your point, but the guild has financial issues. Without money, the organization can't function."

"Financial matters are not my responsibility. Besides, we've cleared a dungeon and produced A-class adventurers. There should be ways to secure funds."

"Even so. The income from Monica and the others' image rights won't come in until next month, and managing the dungeon will require the 'Golden Eagle's' support."

"That's not my concern."

With that, Roland walked away, leaving Ramon behind.

(Grr. You insolent brat. Just because you've achieved a little, you think you can get away with it. Grr, my stomach...)

Ramon clutched his stomach.

Recently, he had been suffering from stomachaches due to stress.

The day of the alchemy guild seminar hosted by the 'Spirit Workshop' arrived.

It was called the "Seminar on the Future of Dungeon Management."

Roland had added a note to the distributed pamphlet: "There will be a major announcement regarding this season's dungeon management."

The alchemy guilds interpreted the "major announcement" as a sign that some agreement had been reached between the 'Golden Eagle' and the 'Spirit Workshop,' and they were eager to hear about it.

As a result, almost all the prominent alchemy guilds in the city attended.

The seminar was held in the lecture hall of a facility owned by the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.'

Roland took the stage and began his speech.

(Sigh. I'm nervous.)

Roland started speaking, a bit nervous about standing in front of an audience.

"Thank you all for gathering here today despite your busy schedules. It's a beautiful day..."

The alchemy guild members listened carefully to Roland's speech, but it was rather vague.

Roland's speech was about how the 'Spirit Workshop' wanted to become a leading guild for the city's alchemy guilds, not just a guild under the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree,' and how alchemy guilds should be free to create weapons without being beholden to adventurer guilds. The content was rather vague and unspecific.

As a result, the atmosphere in the hall became rather uncomfortable.

Everyone was on edge, waiting for the major announcement to be made.

After keeping them waiting as long as possible, Roland finally brought Jil to the stage.

"Everyone, now I'd like to invite my friend and former colleague, Jil Arwin, to speak about the future of dungeon management."

Roland stepped aside, and Jil took the stage.

The hall buzzed with excitement at the appearance of a senior member of the 'Golden Eagle.'

Many people assumed she was the 'Golden Eagle's' representative for the seminar.

"Hello, everyone. I am Jil Arwin, a senior member of the 'Golden Eagle.' I am deeply grateful to the esteemed Roland for giving me the opportunity to speak at this event. It is a great honor for a young person like me to address all of you."

Many people were surprised.

It was unusual for the 'Golden Eagle' to be so humble in a public setting, especially when addressing an alchemy guild.

Jil first spoke about the deepening cooperation between the 'Golden Eagle' and the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.'

She also congratulated the 'Spirit Workshop' on its development and the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree' on clearing the dungeon.

Furthermore, she clearly stated that it would be greatly appreciated if the city's alchemy guilds participated in the 'Spirit Workshop's' dungeon management.

The alchemy guild members interpreted Jil's words as the 'Golden Eagle' recognizing the 'Spirit Workshop's' leadership in dungeon management.

Some even saw it as the end of the 'Golden Eagle's' long-standing dominance and the beginning of the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree's' era.

"Thank you for your attention. That concludes my remarks."

Jil bowed and left the stage.

"Thank you. Next, we have Lilianne from the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.'"

Lilianne took the stage as Roland announced.

"Thank you all for your continued support. I am Lilianne, a senior member of the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.' Today, I am here to share the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree's' thoughts on dungeon management, which is a topic of constant concern for all of you."

Lilianne smiled warmly.

"As you all know, the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree' and the 'Spirit Workshop' are capital partners. We have always supported each other. In this dungeon management project, the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree' will delegate full authority to the 'Spirit Workshop' and the participating alchemy guilds, and we will provide our full support. Today, we would like to offer a discounted entry fee to the dungeon for any guild that signs a contract with the 'Spirit Workshop' here. Please consider signing up."

The hall erupted in cheers.

The idea of a discounted entry fee to the dungeon, which had been steadily increasing in price under the 'Golden Eagle's' rule, was unprecedented.

People rushed to form a line to sign contracts with the 'Spirit Workshop.'

Only the Zens alchemy guild left the hall quietly without signing a contract.

In any case, the management of the 'Dungeon of the Mines' was now under the leadership of the 'Spirit Workshop,' bypassing the 'Golden Eagle.'

Happy New Year.

I hope you have a wonderful year ahead.