Chapter 63

"Sorry, Roland. I never thought it would come to this."

Dylan said apologetically.

The two, who had been banned from 'Dragon's Blaze,' were on their way back to Roland's inn in a carriage.

"No, it's not your fault."

"But what do we do? If things stay like this, we won't be able to support the adventurers from 'Golden Eagle' when they come to this island. Should we try to contact other alchemy guilds?"

"No, let's not. I've been investigating the alchemy guilds on this island for the past few days..."

Roland took out a memo and reviewed it.

"As you said, I don't think any other alchemy guilds besides 'Dragon's Blaze' can maintain the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer.'"

"Then what do we do? Are you going to give up?"

"Of course not."

(I told the guild I would definitely find a partner. I can't just go back empty-handed.)

"Dylan, I want you to give up on a business partnership and instead look for a guild we can acquire."

"Acquire?"

"Yes, since we couldn't find a satisfactory guild, we'll have to cultivate one ourselves. We'll acquire a local alchemy guild and cultivate it. Dylan, can you compile a list of alchemy guilds we can acquire?"

"Sure, I'd be happy to help, but are you sure? Cultivating one means competing with 'Dragon's Blaze.' They already have a dominant presence on this island. Do you think you can win?"

"Yes. I've been appraising the adventurers' equipment and the alchemists of 'Dragon's Blaze' in the city for the past few days. There are inefficiencies in their work, and there are gaps in the market that we can exploit. I think there are opportunities to take advantage of."

"Is that so? I didn't see it that way..."

"Of course not, if you just look at it normally."

(But my appraisal skill did catch it. There are gaps in 'Dragon's Blaze' and the market on this island.)

Roland had been observing the adventurers' equipment in the city for the past few days and eventually noticed something odd.

Everyone's equipment was wearing out at an unusually high rate.

It was strange that the equipment was wearing out so much despite the high skill of the alchemists.

"Of course, it won't be easy. This island is far from the adventurer's city, making it difficult to receive support from 'Guardians of the Magic Tree' or 'Golden Eagle.' We need to run a business that is closely tied to the local community."

"Understood. If you say so, I'll give it a try. I'll start looking for alchemy guilds on this island right away."

"Thanks. I'll look for talented alchemists."

Roland went to the post office and wrote a letter to Lilianne, Rance, and Alik, informing them that the business partnership had fallen through, that his stay on the island would be longer than planned, and that additional funds were needed.

After that, he posted a recruitment notice for alchemists at the island's quest office.

Fortunately, he was able to secure a workshop on the outskirts of the city that was looking for a buyer.

The workshop had a restaurant attached to it, providing cheap meals to adventurers for small guilds.

It was an old and prestigious alchemy guild that had been around for a long time on 'Island of the Fire Dragon,' but the only alchemist running the workshop was retiring due to old age and had no successor, so he was considering closing it down.

"Oh, you're the one. The person who will take over this workshop."

The elderly alchemist said with a wrinkled face breaking into a smile.

"Really, I'm so relieved. No one in my family except my grandfather can use alchemy."

Said the alchemist's granddaughter (who runs the restaurant with her parents).

"It's a great help for us to take over a guild that is so well-respected in the community. Starting from scratch would be difficult."

"It's not that big of a deal. I've been doing it reluctantly for an old acquaintance. But thanks to you, I can finally rest."

Rolan added a sign for 'Spirit Workshop' to the sign hanging at the entrance of the workshop.

The establishment of a branch of 'Spirit Workshop.'

While Roland was setting up the branch of 'Spirit Workshop,' Medes was welcoming Gilbert back to the workshop.

"I'm sorry to trouble you again."

"Not at all, it's no trouble. So, how did things go with Roland?"

"Please rest assured. I clearly rejected the partnership with him and made it clear that he should not come near this workshop."

"Really? That's great!"

"Yes, I can't trust what he says."

"You made a wise decision. It's a prudent judgment."

"So... about the order..."

"Of course, I'll place the order. Since 'Dragon's Blaze' has cut ties with Roland, there's no reason not to proceed. I'll recommend that 'Dragon's Blaze' do business with you immediately."

"Thank you. I'm relieved to hear that."

"By the way, may I ask, what has happened to Roland since then? I'm not doubting you, but I want to be cautious about his movements."

"Oh, Roland? I heard he bought an alchemy guild on this island."

"What!? Bought a guild?"

"Yes, I don't know what he's planning, but he probably can't do much."

"..."

Gilbert seemed to be thinking about something.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, Medes, if you don't mind, could you let me know if you catch any information about Roland in the future?"

"Sure, no problem..."

"I may seem cautious, but I want to eliminate any sources of uncertainty. You never know what a scoundrel will do if you take your eyes off him. I need to keep a close watch."

Gilbert said this with a dark, murky look in his eyes.

Roland was gathering information to start the branch of 'Spirit Workshop.'

(In the 'Adventurer's City,' Lily gave me work, so I just had to make equipment for 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.' But in this city, where I have no connections, I can't do that. I need to do my own sales and find buyers for the equipment. For that, I need to gather information.)

After researching the history of the dungeon and adventurer guilds on the island, Roland found the following:

The dungeon in the 'Adventurer's City' was a different dimension, but the dungeon in this city was a normal space that extended from the real world and shared the same time axis.

About 70% of the alchemy demand on 'Island of the Fire Dragon' was for adventurers from outside the island.

Unlike the 'Adventurer's City,' player killing (PK) was allowed in the dungeon on this island.

The island is known for its rare minerals like 'Fire-Resistant Ore,' 'Ice-Resistant Ore,' and 'Wind-Resistant Ore,' and the frequent appearance of 'Giant Fire Dragons,' which attract powerful adventurers from the four continents for mineral extraction.

However, the fact that PK is allowed in the dungeon is not well-known.

Originally, PK was prohibited, but the local adventurer guilds continued to rob adventurers from outside the island, and the local guilds strongly protested that they could not make a living without robbing outsiders because they were losing resources to external guilds. As a result, the administration tacitly allowed PK in the dungeon (although harming a surrendered opponent who has handed over items and equipment is still prohibited).

In this way, PK became a field where local guilds could compete with external guilds and grew into one of the island's main industries. However, this led to the local adventurer guilds fighting each other, making it even harder for large guilds to develop.

(I see. Most of the adventurer guilds on this island are small, and the equipment wears out quickly. This is because of the PK behavior. I also saw a lot of thieves in the tavern...)

After researching this much at the library, Roland stood up.

(With PK, rare minerals, powerful adventurer guilds from outside, and a different dungeon, everything is different from the 'Adventurer's City.' This won't be easy.)

After finishing his information gathering, Roland returned to the workshop.

It was about time for the alchemists he had recruited to come for interviews.

(To outdo 'Dragon's Blaze' and establish a base on this island, being just a little better isn't enough. I need to find someone with a unique skill.)

Roland appraised the skills of the man who had applied.

"My name is Rargef Glen. I'm applying for metal forming."

'Ore Refining': C → A

'Metal Forming': D → B

'Silverwork': D → C

'Product Design': C → B

(Ore Refining has the potential to reach A, but... No, this won't be enough to compete with 'Dragon's Blaze.')

Roland ended the interview with the man and moved on to the next applicant.

The next person to enter was a lively and bright girl with her hair tied back.

"My name is Aina Burke. My dream is to have my own workshop one day."

[Aina Burke's Unique Skill]

'Exterior Reinforcement': E → A

(I found someone with a unique skill. And...)

[Aina Burke's Skills]

'Metal Forming': C → A

'Workshop Management': C → A

(Metal Forming and Workshop Management have the potential to reach A. She has the qualities to become a core member of the workshop.)

"I prioritize supporting adventurers over profit. I want to produce A-class adventurers with our equipment one day."

"A-class adventurers! That's amazing."

"If you come to me, you can learn the skills to make A-class equipment. How about it? Would you like to work at 'Spirit Workshop'?"

"Yes, I would love to! Please let me join!"

That day, no other particularly promising applicants appeared besides her.

The next day, Roland immediately guided Aina, who had come to visit, into the workshop.

Aina, who was led to the work area, looked around the workshop.

There was no one else in the room besides Aina and Roland.

"It's just the beginning, so you're the only worker for now, but I plan to add more people as good candidates come along."

"I see. So, what will my job be?"

"Sure. Come with me."

Roland led Aina to the workbench.

"This is your workbench."

"Wow, this is my workbench."

The workbench was well-used but sturdy, with many scars and impact marks from years of rough work.

Aina tapped the workbench and checked the legs to make sure it was solid.

"Yes, it's a bit old, but it's a solid bench. I think I can make good things here."

"Today's job is to do metal forming. Let's see..."

Roland opened a box next to the workbench and took out a lump of iron.

He placed it on the workbench and appraised it.

"Hmm, it's C-class iron as ordered. Now, I want you to forge this iron and make 10 swords with a power of 50 and durability of 50 or more."

"These are the C-class swords standardized for quests."

"Yes, these 10 C-class swords are what we deliver to the weapon shop we have a contract with every day. So, you need to make them every day. Can you do it?"

"Leave it to me. I'm good at metal forming."

Aina immediately took out her favorite hammer and stood in front of the workbench.

(Okay, let's go. Skill: Metal Forming!)

When Aina activated her skill, several light points appeared on the lump of iron.

She struck the light points with her hammer, and with a loud clang, the iron lump deformed.

"Haa!"

Aina continued to hammer the iron lump.

Gradually, the iron took the shape of a sword.

"It's done."

"Wow, you did it. Let me see."

Roland appraised the completed sword.

[Sword Status]

Power: 55

Durability: 52

Weight: 50

"Good, both power and durability are over 50."

"Great. I did it."

"For now, it seems to be fine. I have a meeting with a client, so can I leave this to you?"

"Sure, I can handle it."

When Roland returned to the workshop after the meeting, he noticed that 3 C-class swords had been completed.

(Already 3? That's fast.)

[Aina's Status]

Agility: 60-70

(Her high agility makes her work fast. But that's not all. She's working on two at once?)

Roland noticed that her work process had changed.

Aina had placed two pieces of iron on the workbench and was hammering them.

The process of making a sword is divided into three stages:

1. Combine scattered iron into one piece.

2. Roughly shape it.

3. Finely shape it.

However, she seemed to be doing stages 1 and 2 for two swords at the same time.

"A, Roland."

Aina noticed Roland and stopped her work to run over to him.

"There were D and E-class iron in the C-class iron basket, so I sorted them out."

Looking at it, there was a shabby box with clearly inferior iron inside.

"Thanks, that helps a lot."

"You're welcome."

Aina returned to making the C-class swords.

After roughly shaping them, she took one sword off the workbench and moved on to the fine shaping stage.

(She even sorted the inferior iron. She works fast, thinks of efficient methods, and does more than what I asked. This is perfect.)

Roland started organizing documents while listening to the metal sounds Aina was making.

He continued to observe her while working.

(There are no particular problems so far. If she keeps up this pace, her skills should naturally improve, but...)

Suddenly, he felt someone's presence and saw a girl standing there.

It was Saki, the waitress from the restaurant in front.

"Please, have some tea. I made it for the person working there too."

She offered a teapot and teacup.

"Thank you, I'm sorry to trouble you."

"Not at all. It's a help just to have you use the workshop. My grandfather couldn't work anymore, and we were at a loss for what to do with it."

Saki handed the cup of tea to Roland and stood by, watching Aina's work.

It seemed she was free at this time.

"Amazing. She can handle such a heavy hammer."

"Yes, so far, there are no problems, but..."

As they were talking, Aina's movements started to slow down.

She was in the middle of making the sixth sword.

"Ugh."

Finally, Aina had trouble lifting her hammer.

Roland appraised her status.

[Aina's Status]

Strength: 20 (↓20) - 50

(Her strength is dropping sharply. It's unnatural. This is probably...)

[Aina's Status]

Strength: 20 - 50

Endurance: 1 (↓19) - 30

Agility: 60 - 70

Health: 40 - 70

(As I thought. Her weakness is endurance.)

Eventually, Aina's health ran out, and she almost fell to her knees.

(I'm in trouble. I'm dizzy...)

When Aina stumbled, she felt someone supporting her shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

"A, Roland."

"Take a break. I'll clean up for you."

"Sorry, I suddenly got tired."

"It happens. Take a seat and rest."

Aina sat in a chair and caught her breath.

While Roland cleaned up the workbench, he appraised her status again.

[Aina's Status]

Endurance: 1 - 30 → 60 - 70

(Her final endurance range is 60 - 70. It's a good number for an alchemist who will handle metal forming. But blindly training won't improve it. What are the conditions for improving endurance?)

[Aina's Endurance Improvement Conditions]

Make 10 C-class swords in one day.

Do this for 5 days.

(10 C-class swords for 5 days. She stopped at the sixth sword. Forcing her to complete the work might be one way, but...)

Roland looked at Aina.

She was exhausted despite drinking a potion and couldn't lift her hammer anymore.

(She's at her limit today. Pushing her further will affect her tomorrow. But I need to make 10 C-class swords a day to improve her endurance. To resolve this dilemma...)