Chapter 52

After rudely brushing off Zensu, Dianna set off on her way back and was called out again.

"Hey, isn't that Dianna?"

Dianna looked at the man who had stopped her, carrying an axe and a spear, and her eyes widened.

"You are... Gilbert."

Gilbert, he is a B-class adventurer belonging to the Second Squad.

Despite being a veteran with over ten years of maintaining his B-class status, he is an oddball who does not become a squad leader or a senior member.

According to him, responsible positions are troublesome.

Dianna and Gilbert are old acquaintances.

"What's wrong, Dianna? You look so sulky. It's written all over your face that 'I'm not doing well right now.'"

"Shut up. The Guild Master just gave me a cold shoulder, and I'm not in the mood for this."

"Ah, you mean the new Guild Master. Our squad leader was also complaining. He said the Guild Master was treating him lightly and flirting with subordinates."

"Really? I've been tossed around like crazy."

"You've got it tough, Dianna."

Gilbert chuckled mischievously.

"Don't talk as if it's none of your business! Are you okay? Roland is poking around the Second Squad's skill embellishment. You might be in trouble too, depending on the situation."

"Hmph. I won't make such a mistake as to be caught by a guy like him. I have no intention of keeping quiet either."

"Hmm. So..."

Dianna narrowed her eyes, sensing the smell of a plot.

In reality, Gilbert, despite his carefree appearance and carefree attitude, was a man who could skillfully navigate situations.

To Dianna and Lucius, Gilbert was also a co-conspirator who had repeatedly provided convenience to control and manipulate adventurers, and had carried out numerous dirty jobs.

When she bought weapons from the Alchemy Guild, expelled adventurers she disliked, or helped Lucius with his tyranny, Gilbert always worked behind the scenes.

"How about it, Dianna. How about we go for a drink after all this time? I'll listen to your complaints about the new boss."

"Sure. It might be nice to have a drink with you once in a while."

The two set out to find a suitable bar in the night district where the lamp lights were blinking.

"This place looks good."

Gilbert chose a bar with few people, perfect for plotting, and entered.

Once seated, Dianna vented her dissatisfaction with the current system, then began to tearfully and earnestly recount how devoted she had been to Roland and how unfairly she had been treated despite it all.

Roland's current position was solely due to her efforts, yet he had begun to treat her coldly and discard her as soon as he saw her as expendable.

This was too much, she said.

After listening to this charade for a while, Gilbert sympathized with Dianna and proposed that if she promised not to tell anyone, he would share a secret plan to regain power.

Dianna accepted it.

"Roland must need the cooperation of the Second Squad."

"Why do you know that?"

"The idea of developing the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld' existed even during Lucius's time. However, it was discovered that the cooperation of the First Squad, where many mages belong, and the Second Squad, where warriors belong, was necessary. In the end, the project was abandoned because the two squads were in competition. Lucius judged that focusing on the development of the 'Dungeon of the Mines' was more efficient."

"Oh, I remember. There was such a talk."

Dianna recalled.

"Since Roland is developing the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld,' the cooperation of the Second Squad is essential. However, resentment against Roland is growing within the Second Squad. This is a good opportunity to take advantage of."

Gilbert said, picking at his food.

"If I incite them, the members of the Second Squad will unite and deepen their conflict with Roland. This will cause Roland trouble."

"But won't that just result in the dismissal of the Second Squad's officers?"

"That's where you come in. You, who can freely enter and exit the Guild Master's office."

"What do you mean?"

"You will investigate the internal situation of Roland. How long and to what extent can the Second Squad tolerate violations of orders? I will manipulate the Second Squad based on this information. When the conflict between the Second Squad and Roland reaches a critical point, we will offer to mediate. If we can skillfully navigate the mediation between the two parties..."

"Both Roland and the Second Squad will increase their influence over me, right?"

"Exactly."

"Okay, I understand. Then I'll start investigating Roland's inner circle."

"I'll incite the members of the Second and Third Squads."

"If we succeed..."

"You will speak to Roland to improve my treatment when my contract is renewed."

"You will continue to act as a bridge between the Second Squad and me, right?"

"Okay, we have a deal."

The two immediately took action.

Dianna found from the schedule in the Guild Master's office that three B-class or higher item appraisers and over twenty B-class or higher strength warriors needed to be sent to the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld' by the 19th and 23rd of this month, respectively.

Gilbert incited the adventurers, calling Roland a 'backer's dog.'

In other words, Roland was forcing the adventurers to learn skills that suited the backers, using them up to make a profit, and planning to sell 'Golden Eagle' after making it a mess.

Jill was lifting the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer' in a room at the 'Spirit Factory.'

"Ugh, gah."

Jill struggled to lift the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer' but, gritting her teeth, she managed to hoist it onto her shoulder, causing her arm muscles to spasm.

Roland appraised her status.

【Jill Arwin's Status】

Strength: 80-110

Endurance: 80-120

Agility: 80-105

Health: 140-200

(Recovery rate of 70-80%. This is still a sufficient A-class status. She should be able to wear most equipment without difficulty...)

【Dragon Slayer Hammer's Status】

Weight: 96

Capacity: 96

Power: 200

Durability: 200

Compatibility: 40%

(Jill's strength is 80, while the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer' weighs 96! She can't handle it satisfactorily.)

Sure enough, Jill soon looked pained.

"Gah, ugh."

【Jill Arwin's Status】

Strength: 79 (↓1) - 110

Endurance: 79 (↓1) - 120

Agility: 79 (↓1) - 105

Health: 139 (↓1) - 200

【Dragon Slayer Hammer's Status】

Weight: 96

Capacity: 96

Power: 200

Durability: 200

Compatibility: 39 (↓1)%

(This won't do. Her status is being drained just by equipping the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer.')

"Jill, that's enough."

"Ugh, yes."

Jill placed the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer' on a stand and took a breath.

The stand creaked under the weight of the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer.'

Jill cracked her arm and shoulder joints to recover from the damage.

"How is it, Roland?"

Chial asked, looking tense.

"No good. The 'Dragon Slayer Hammer' has a 40% compatibility rate with Jill, and it continues to decrease as her status drops."

"Ugh, I see."

Chial folded her arms, looking troubled.

"As it is, her status will continue to be drained. If Jill's status is at its best, she might be able to equip the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer' alone, but she needs to equip armor and a shield as well. The best we can hope for is a 70% compatibility rate. We need to reduce the weight or improve the design."

"But we can't reduce the weight any further."

Dowin said.

"The weight of one 'Neocraft' is 16, but it is a very difficult material to process, so at least six are needed to make a sword. If we try to make a sword with fewer than five 'Neocrafts,' it will exceed the design limits, and even with Jill's A-class 'Sword Skill,' the hit rate and power will drastically decrease."

Dowin pointed to the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer' design diagram and the numbers written on it, explaining.

"Hmm. In that case, we need to compromise on the weight of the armor and shield and somehow improve the material itself."

"Then it's the turn of Silver B+."

Ranj brought in a wooden box filled with silver on a cart.

"Ranj! Is this...?"

"Yes, all Silver B+. We've mined a lot. This will allow us to produce a lighter version of 'Neocraft.'"

"Good. Let's start making a lighter version of 'Neocraft' and use it to create a new 'Dragon Slayer Hammer.'"

At Roland's command, the members of the 'Spirit Factory' began to discuss enthusiastically.

(For now, we'll just monitor the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer.' Next...)

"Roland."

As Roland was deep in thought, Jill came over and peered at him.

"Ah, Jill. Are you okay? I'm sorry, you must have been exhausted by the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer.'"

"I'm fine. How about you, Roland? You must be busy as the Guild Master of 'Golden Eagle.' Thank you for coming all the way to the 'Spirit Factory' just to adjust the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer.'"

"It's okay. You're one of the top earners for 'Golden Eagle.' Besides, we need to hurry with the establishment of the S-class monster hunting team."

(To hunt S-class monsters, we need to venture outside the city. Our immediate goal should be to establish a base outside the city and set up an information network...)

When Roland glanced at Jill, she was blushing slightly and looking at him with a longing gaze.

Roland smiled a bit awkwardly.

"Ah, right, Jill. We're short on strong workers for the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld.' Would you like to help out if you're available?"

"Yes! I'd be happy to."

Jill beamed, genuinely pleased to receive a task from Roland.

She couldn't help but be delighted with anything she received from Roland.

"Roland! Is Roland here? Ah, there you are, Roland."

Claria rushed in.

"I finally found you. This workshop is so huge..."

Her cheeks were flushed, and her hair was a bit disheveled from running around and asking for Roland's location.

"Claria, what's wrong? You seem in a hurry."

"It's a message from Alik. He says there aren't enough strong adventurers to transport the ore and asks for more to be dispatched quickly."

"Ah, right, Roland."

Dowin joined in after hearing Claria.

"What about the strong adventurers needed to procure the 'Chimera Feather' and the appraisers who can use 'Item Appraisal'? We need to hurry, or we won't be able to complete the dungeon in time."

"...I understand."

(We have no choice but to seek cooperation from the Second Squad... There's no other way.)

He was supposed to meet them later, but the conflict had not been resolved.

Thinking about it made Roland feel gloomy.

"Hey, Dowin."

"Yes?"

"Do we really need to dispatch adventurers? Isn't there any other way?"

"What are you talking about? Of course not."

"Ugh. You're right."

Dowin watched Roland, who was leaving with a slumped shoulder, with a puzzled look.

When Ist and the others entered the Guild Master's office, Roland had a bad feeling even before they started talking.

Their faces already showed signs of dissatisfaction.

"Welcome, Ist. By the way..."

Roland glanced at the people following Ist.

"You only called for him, didn't you?"

"I thought it would be better for them to hear the Guild Master's words directly. We would have to pass the message on to them later anyway, so it's more efficient to hear it all at once."

"I see. Well, that's fine. Now, about the changes to the squad members' equipment and training that we discussed last time..."

(Last time, it was rejected due to insufficient facilities and equipment. This time, Claria should have prepared everything properly.)

"This time, everything is prepared. Will you accept the changes to Miguel's equipment and training?"

"We have confirmed that the new facilities and equipment are ready. However, the timing of the changes will be decided and directed by me."

Tension filled the room.

Roland and Ist glared at each other for a few seconds.

"...Alright. By the way, I have a new mission for you."

"A new mission?"

"Yes, we need more strong adventurers for the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld.' I want you to go there."

"You suddenly ordered a change in training, and now you want us to help manage the dungeon?"

"You're asking too much, Guild Master."

Ist and the others laughed mockingly.

"So? Are you going or not?"

"No problem. But there are conditions."

"Conditions?"

"Yes. We want you to withdraw Alik's squad from the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld.'"

"Alik's squad? No, that's impossible. We've entrusted the management of the mine in the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld' to Alik's squad. We can't cancel a mission once it's been assigned."

"Then we cannot cooperate."

"What!?"

"Only one squad can be assigned to one dungeon. That's the unwritten rule of 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Yes, but..."

Roland was getting irritated again.

(No way. It's too late to transfer the work of the First Squad to the Second Squad. That would completely ruin Alik's reputation.)

"Unwritten rules... Now is not the time to talk about such things. 'Golden Eagle' itself needs to be reorganized. We need to put aside the friction between the squads and work together."

"That's not possible. If two squads enter the same dungeon, conflicts will inevitably arise. From the entry and exit of the dungeon to the allocation of items, one side must take the lead, or conflicts will occur."

"That... That might be true, but..."

"If you really want us to work together with the First Squad, you need to put Alik's squad under our command."

"No, that's..."

"If you can't do that, we will have to decline this mission. Goodbye."

"Wait, hey!"

Rolan called out to Ist and the others, but the members of the Second Squad left the room without stopping.

(Damn it, I didn't expect them to openly defy my orders to this extent...)

Roland cursed inwardly.

"What should we do? I didn't think they would defy the Guild Master's direct orders."

Claria, who had been listening, looked at Roland in confusion.

"In this situation, we may need to take strict measures, Guild Master."

Until then, Dianna, who had been crouched in the corner of the room, suddenly leaned forward and said.

"Dianna..."

"If they refuse to follow the Guild Master's instructions, there's no other choice. We need to take appropriate measures. We should dismiss Ist as the leader of the Second Squad. We should also impose penalties such as pay cuts, demotions, and suspensions on