Chapter 74

When the Great Alliance reached the 'Metal Line,' the 'Spirit Factory' was steadily making progress on developing weapons for Hans and his team.

Aina, recalling what Roland had said, was working hard on the 'Exterior Reinforcement' of the bow and arrow.

"Light and powerful bow and arrow... right?"

"Yes. Hans and his team are archers with B-class or higher potential. However, they are still in the developmental stage. They don't have the power to take down enemies in one hit, and they can't receive support from shield bearers. Therefore, they are using a hit-and-away tactic, which requires minimizing the consumption of agility."

Roland wrote down the status of Hans and his team on the blackboard.

"Their arm strength is roughly 40-60, which is C-class. Currently, they are using bows that weigh 40, but we will make bows that weigh 30."

"Weight 30..."

"That will significantly reduce the power and durability."

"That's where Aina's 'Exterior Reinforcement' comes in."

Roland wrote down the specifications of the bow and arrow they aimed to achieve.

【Bow and Arrow】

Power: 60 (↑20)

Durability: 60 (↑20)

Weight: 30

* The increased stats are due to 'Exterior Reinforcement'

"Weight 30... that would be D-class, right?"

"Indeed. A bow and arrow with power 60 and durability 60 would be B-class. It's quite an ambitious specification."

Rody said, amazed.

"But, on the other hand, this means that D-class adventurers can potentially use B-class equipment. And with Aina's unique skill 'Exterior Reinforcement,' it should be possible."

"But my 'Exterior Reinforcement' can only enhance one type of stat. Blue for durability, red for power."

"Indeed, normally only one type of stat can be enhanced. But for the bow and arrow, it's different. If we paint the bow blue and the arrow red?"

"Oh!"

"Exactly. That way, both power and durability can be enhanced."

"Right. So, Aina will focus on upgrading the 'Exterior Reinforcement' skill, and Rody will work on the 'Product Design' to meet these requirements."

"Understood!"

Aina pointed her support magic staff at the red-painted arrow in front of her.

(I'm going to do it. 'Exterior Reinforcement'!)

As Aina cast the spell, the red paint began to swell.

She held it back.

Thus, a red arrow with enhanced power was created.

(Now, the power should be increased...)

The red arrow gleamed sharply, showing its sharpness.

Aina cautiously touched the arrow with a hard glove.

"!"

The glove tore with just a slight touch.

"No good. I can't touch it."

(After three days of training, I finally managed to enhance the power with 'Exterior Reinforcement,' but this will hurt the user.)

"Aina, how's it going?"

"Ah, Roland. Well... the 'Exterior Reinforcement' worked, but..."

"Hmm. I see."

【Arrow's Status】

Power: 20 (↑20)

"Yes. The power has definitely increased. Well done."

"But... it might hurt the archer if used as is."

"I see. Indeed."

Roland thought for a moment.

"Can you only apply 'Exterior Reinforcement' to the fletching part of the arrow? That way, at least the hand that draws the string can be protected."

"Oh, right. ...But, that won't cover the hand that holds the bow, right?"

"We can protect it with a glove. Just apply blue 'Exterior Reinforcement' to a regular glove to increase its durability."

"Got it."

"Can you start right away?"

"Sure!"

【Aina's Unique Skill】

'Exterior Reinforcement': B (↑1 rank)

(With the experience, 'Exterior Reinforcement' has reached B-class. This should work.)

After confirming that Aina's work was on track, Roland moved to Rody.

Rody was testing the feel of a bow model he had made based on his design.

"Rody, how does it feel?"

"Ah, Roland. The air-specialized design you requested is almost ready. Want to try it out?"

"Sure. Let me see... Indeed, it's easier to aim upwards."

"Right? I'm confident this time."

"Rody, can I ask you something?"

"Hmm, Aina? What is it?"

"Based on Roland's suggestion, I need to change the way I apply 'Exterior Reinforcement' to the arrow. I need you to modify this part of the design..."

"Okay. No problem. I'll do it."

【Rody's Skill】

Product Design: B (↑1 rank)

(Rody's skill has also improved to B-class. This should be enough to complete the weapons before Hans and his team return.)

"Roland!"

"Hmm? Saki, what is it?"

"Hans and his team are back."

"Oh, they're back. I'll go now."

After a three-day exploration, Hans and his team returned, completely worn out.

Roland immediately appraised their status.

【Hans Bergamot's Status】

Agility: 70-80

【Clair Bergamot's Status】

Agility: 60-70

【Alice Bergamot's Status】

Agility: 80-90

(Their agility is all within 10 points of error and B-class or higher. This is sufficient.)

"How about it, Roland? Our agility? Are we worthy of the new equipment?"

"Yes, you've changed completely. You look like different people from a few days ago. What kind of magic did you use?"

"Heh. It's nothing special. We just followed the training you assigned. The one who cast the magic was you, right?"

"Even with minor damage, we managed to hunt. Here we go."

Alice took out the scales and bones of a 'Winged Dragon' from her item bag.

"You hunted a 'Winged Dragon'?"

Roland was slightly surprised.

(With their attack power, defeating a dragon should be extremely difficult. If they managed to do it on their own, it's a greater achievement than expected.)

Roland looked at their boots.

Their boots were completely worn out.

(They must have done the training I assigned with all their might.)

"Alright, we've shown our results. Did you prepare the weapons properly?"

"Of course. I've prepared special weapons for you, the 'Pegasus Arrows.' They should be almost complete by now..."

"Roland, the new equipment is ready."

Aina appeared from the workshop.

"Great. Let's equip them right away."

Roland led Hans and his team into the workshop.

"These are your special weapons, the 'Red Arrow' and 'Dragon Piercer.' They are designed to protect you from the dragon's flames and pierce its thick skin."

"These are..."

Hans and his team picked up the bow and arrow.

The bow and arrow had large 'Flame Absorbing Ore' embedded in them.

【Red Arrow Dragon Piercer's Status】

Power: 60 (↑20)

Durability: 60 (↑20)

Weight: 30

Special Effects: Piercing, Flame Absorption, Air Correction

* The increased stats are due to 'Exterior Reinforcement'

While Hans and his team were receiving the 'Dragon Piercer,' the Great Alliance was advancing through the 'Metal Line.'

Two fire dragons, a Rock Ogre, and ten Lizardmen attacked.

None of these monsters were easy for ordinary adventurers, but they were no match for the seasoned magic-armed infantry of the 'Guardians of the Magic Academy.'

Without even using the 'Dragon Head Gauntlet,' they defeated the enemies with fire spears.

However, the members of the small guilds were forced into a tough battle.

Since Sain had not distributed the rare metals, they tried to form their own groups and deal with the situation without relying on the 'Guardians of the Magic Academy,' but their attack and defense power were not enough to handle the monsters of the 'Metal Line.'

"Here they come!"

"Whoa!"

"Someone, give us support!"

Unable to bear it, Alu decided to lend a hand.

"Those who are free from the 5th and 6th squads, go help those people over there."

When the 5th and 6th squads joined in, the struggling small guilds quickly recovered.

(The monsters are getting stronger, and the small guilds are struggling to keep up.)

Alu glanced at Sain.

Sain had been ignoring the dire situation of the small guilds, not giving any orders.

(I was going to suggest distributing the ore to the allied guilds, but he won't listen. If this continues, the alliance will be divided. What is Sain planning?)

Alu sent a questioning glance at Sain, but Sain did not respond.

Despite the uncertainty, the Great Alliance managed to advance two-thirds of the way through the 'Metal Line.'

"Alright. That's enough for today's exploration. Build a barrier to protect us from the monsters and prepare for the night camp."

"Commander."

Several representatives of the small guilds approached Sain and knelt down.

"What is it?"

"Representing the small guilds, we have a request."

"Go on."

"We, the small guilds, have done everything we can for the Great Alliance, with all our sincerity. But this is our limit."

"I see. Then, you should go down the mountain. When the sun rises, gather the defectors and leave."

"About that, we have a request. Could you please pay us our reward in advance?"

Sain's eyebrows twitched in displeasure.

"Didn't I say before? The reward for each guild will be distributed after we defeat the 'Huge Fire Dragon' and return to the city. The guilds that leave should wait in the city until we finish our job."

"But, sir. For us, the small guilds, this expedition has left us impoverished. Our armor has been stripped by the dragon's flames, and our swords have dulled from the rock creatures. If we don't receive our reward now, we won't have the funds to repair our weapons or explore the dungeon, and we will go bankrupt. Please, Commander, show some leniency..."

"Enough! I won't change my decision!"

"But..."

"Shut up!"

The roar of the 'Dragon Head Gauntlet' echoed.

A bullet grazed the side of the person who had spoken and hit the mountain slope, creating a crater.

"!"

"If you become a burden, get lost! If you keep whining, I'll expel you from the alliance! Now, get out of here!"

The representatives of the small guilds stopped preparing the camp and hurriedly descended the mountain.

After watching them leave, Sain surveyed the entire army and gave a speech.

"Listen up, everyone. We will face even stronger enemies in the future. We don't have the luxury to protect those who are a burden. If you are deemed useless, you will be discarded on the spot. Be prepared to fight to the death!"

The army's morale tightened again at the commander's ruthlessness.

They began to work diligently to show