Chapter 62

Sebastian, Willic, and Gilbert were having a secret meeting in an unoccupied room of a house.

"The negotiations between the 'Golden Eagle' and the 'Dragon's Blaze' seem to be difficult."

"Perhaps it's going well... to some extent."

"But, the negotiations haven't broken down yet."

"Roland sent out some letters. It's likely he's trying to secure funds to counter our offer."

"Alright, then let's go for the final push."

The three of them then disguised themselves again and headed to the 'Dragon's Blaze.'

"Welcome, Lord Sebastian."

Medes greeted Sebastian with a cat-like smile, completely different from his attitude towards Roland.

"Hmm. Thank you for the welcome. So, how is the procurement of the 'Ice-Resistant Equipment' going?"

Sebastian spoke in a particularly condescending manner.

"Of course, everything is going well."

"Hmm. As expected of the largest alchemy guild on the island. Your work is quite efficient."

(Thanks to you, I can proceed with the negotiations with Roland on more favorable terms.)

Medes thought to himself.

(Once I raise the deal with Roland, I'll raise the price with this guy too. There's still a lot of profit to be made.)

"By the way, Guild Master. I've heard a rumor that concerns me..."

"What is it?"

"I heard that a man with the 'Golden Eagle' emblem has been coming and going from this workshop."

"That's right. Our guild has entered into a partnership with the 'Golden Eagle.' We are planning to expand our operations and scale by partnering with a powerful guild in the 'Adventurer's Town.'"

"'Golden Eagle'!? You mean the 'Golden Eagle'? Surely you're not trying to partner with a man named Roland?"

"Indeed, that's exactly what we're planning. Is there a problem with that?"

"I'm afraid we need to pretend this conversation never happened."

Sebastian threw the documents on his desk in a messy manner.

"What? What do you mean? Why the sudden change?"

"There's no sudden change. If we were to do business with a guild that partners with Roland, our reputation would be ruined. That scoundrel."

"Hey, Sebastian!?"

"Don't follow me. You're despicable."

Sebastian stood up and left the room.

Medes watched him go, dumbfounded.

"What's with him? I thought he was interested in a deal, but then he suddenly flew off the handle. He's a strange one. Stopping negotiations because of a connection with Roland? What's so special about Roland? Still, that anger was not normal. Does he have some kind of grudge against Roland? In any case, bringing personal feelings into business is unacceptable."

Despite his words, Medes couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling inside him.

"Hmph. Well, it's fine. That man has served his purpose. Roland is more open to raising the price, and he's no longer useful. He wants to pretend this never happened? No way. I'll decline. I still have the 'Glacier Hunter' and the 'Hail Knight' to fall back on. I don't need to rely on Sebastian!"

Medes regained his composure and decided to proceed with the negotiations with Willic, the envoy from the 'Glacier Hunter.'

However, when Willic arrived, he also showed reluctance to the deal as soon as Roland's name was mentioned.

"Indeed, the rumors seem to be true. Hmm. If you're in business with Roland, that's a problem."

(Another one who gets suspicious as soon as Roland's name is mentioned. Has Roland caused trouble with this guy too?)

"Medes, I'm sorry, but I need to pretend this conversation never happened."

"Wait. Then, I'll suspend the negotiations with Roland."

"No, it's too late. Once you have any connection with Roland, my guild cannot do business with you."

(Another one about Roland. Just how problematic is this guy? Even for a high-ranking official in a major guild, this is too much...)

"You don't seem to know. Roland is a very wicked person."

"Wicked? Are you saying he's a criminal?"

"He's a famous fraudster in the Northern Continent. He poses as a senior member of the 'Golden Eagle,' issues worthless checks, and swindles money and goods before disappearing."

"Are you saying he's using a fake identity? That's ridiculous. It's impossible. He had a letter of authorization from the guild and the guild's emblem..."

"Those are just documents and costumes. With a bit of money, you can get anything."

"But..."

"Then, how did a mere appraiser become a senior member of a major guild like the 'Golden Eagle'?"

"That's..."

"To reach such a high position, he must have done something wicked, don't you think?"

(Indeed. I've never heard of an appraiser rising to a high position in an adventurer guild.)

"Hmm. Still don't believe it? Medes, did you notice anything suspicious about the specifications or designs Roland gave you? Anything that stood out as abnormal?"

"Oh, right. Roland's order included something called a 'Dragon-Breaking Hammer.'"

"Really? What kind of equipment is that?"

"It's something that a normal person can't handle. It's incredibly heavy... Could it be!"

"Most likely, it's a forgery by Roland."

"Such..."

(But... the 'Dragon-Breaking Hammer' is an S-class adventurer's equipment. Even if the specifications are a bit exaggerated, it's not unusual. No, wait. What if this is part of Roland's plan to make me suspicious?)

"Anyway, he is a demon who only sees others as food. No one who has dealt with him has been happy. Be careful, Medes. Don't let your guard down with him. Otherwise, you'll end up losing your fortune. Goodbye."

Medes could only watch as Willic left, dumbfounded.

The next visitor, Gilbert, asked the same question.

"I heard that Roland has been coming and going from this workshop. Is it true that you have a business relationship with him?"

"Medes, do you know? The story of Roland, the fraudster who has taken advantage of all the major guilds in the Northern Continent?"

"Ah? Yes, I've heard the rumors."

"No, our guild had a conflict with Roland before. We're currently very sensitive about this. If you have a deep connection with Roland, well, I'm sorry, but I can't recommend a partnership with your guild to my superiors."

"Out of the question. We have no connection with Roland. It's true that we've heard such rumors. A man claiming to be a senior member of the 'Golden Eagle' wants to partner with our guild. But I recalled hearing that someone posing as a senior member of the 'Golden Eagle' was committing fraud in the Northern Continent. We were already on guard. Of course, if the Roland who came to us is the same Roland, we have no intention of doing business with him. No, we don't."

"Ah, that's a relief."

Gilbert's face brightened.

"Hearing that, I feel reassured. With this, I can confidently report to my superiors that the 'Dragon's Blaze' is a conscientious and trustworthy guild. There will be no problems doing business with them."

Medes felt relieved.

(Dangerous. Very dangerous. I almost lost another major deal. The deal with the 'Hail Knight' is a particularly good one compared to the other two. I must keep this deal at all costs!)

"I'm glad to hear that you don't have a deep connection with Roland. However, as I mentioned, my guild is currently very sensitive about Roland. Rumors are already circulating that the 'Dragon's Blaze' has partnered with Roland. As the person in charge, I want to dispel these concerns as soon as possible."

"That's understandable."

"Thank you for understanding. Then, let's get to the point. I would like you to ensure that Roland cannot enter this workshop. Is that acceptable?"

Medes immediately called a meeting to discuss this issue.

He sought the opinions of the guild's senior members.

At the meeting, Raul spoke as follows:

"This is what I heard from Jamil of the 'White Wolf.' Roland's status is at most C or D class, far from what one would expect of a senior member of a major adventurer guild."

Medes looked around the table to see if anyone else had an opinion.

After confirming that no one was defending Roland, Medes sent a notice to terminate negotiations to Roland's lodging.

"What's the meaning of this, Medes?"

Roland thrust the notice of terminated negotiations at Medes.

"That's not fair! That's not fair at all!"

Dylan also expressed his anger.

"Roland has worked hard to secure four times the initial funding for the guild. To terminate negotiations like this is unacceptable."

"What do you mean? That's not fair?"

Medes, also visibly angry, glared at the two of them.

"I'm the one who should be saying that. Because of you, I've lost two major clients!"

"Lost clients because of us?"

"…? What do you mean?"

"Two guilds immediately stopped negotiations with us as soon as they found out we were negotiating with you!"

"What!?"

"Why is that?"

"I don't know! Two major deals. Two. You've cost us two major deals. This is all your fault, Roland. How do you plan to take responsibility for this?"

Medes dropped his facade and glared at them with a voice that could rival a gangster's.

"Responsibility...? What do you mean by that?"

"That's right, Medes. Blaming us for your failed deals is misplaced. Roland being the cause? That's impossible. It must be a misunderstanding!"

"So, you're saying you have no fault in this?"

"Of course. The idea that our deals were stopped because of Roland... it's absurd. Everyone in the 'Adventurer's Town' knows that Roland is an S-class appraiser who has produced many A-class adventurers. If there are rumors about him, they are just slander from people trying to bring him down. There's no doubt about it!"

"S-class appraiser, huh?"

Medes looked at Roland suspiciously.

"That's the issue, Roland. The problem is that you are an appraiser. That's the core of the suspicion."

"…What do you mean?"

"How did a mere appraiser like you rise to your current position? Everyone is curious about that. How do you, an appraiser, train adventurers?"

"I can't say for sure, but with my appraisal skills, I can identify potential and hidden talents, known as unique skills. Status appraisal can determine growth potential and create appropriate training plans. Item appraisal can help choose the right equipment for them."

"I see. So, you can identify the potential of adventurers. But, would they follow your guidance just because of that? Adventurers are already strong-willed. I find it hard to believe they would follow someone with no skills or status."

"That's a valid point. These appraisal skills are just prerequisites. What I consider most important is the formation of relationships through training."

"Relationships?"

"Of course. I've made many mistakes in my youth, but I've always been helped by the relationships formed through training."

Medes looked at Roland even more suspiciously.

(I see. So, you use these smooth words to commit fraud in the Northern Continent and the 'Adventurer's Town.' But your days of deceit are over. I won't be fooled.)

"Listen, Roland. I've been in this industry for a long time. In the end, the only thing you can rely on is your own strength."

Medes raised his elbow, flexed his bicep, and tapped it with his other hand.

"Let me give you a piece of advice. You seem to mistake what you've built so far as your own strength. But, in my opinion, it's just good luck. Your fraudulent methods won't last. You'll eventually face the consequences."

"..."

"Anyway, our guild cannot do business with you. Let's pretend this conversation never happened. Will you leave now?"