Chapter 82

Roland immediately gave advice to the Shield of Dawn.

"Got it? The mission this time is to collect as many Earthcrafts as possible. Earthcrafts can instantly restore the durability of equipment, which means they enhance the adventurer's endurance and increase the time they can spend in the dungeon. They are essential for rapid growth. Collect as many Earthcrafts as you can. Ignore everything else. Monica."

"Understood."

"Here."

Roland handed her a list of the monsters that appear in the Volcano Dungeon.

"These are the monsters that appear in the Volcano Dungeon. Using the Hawk's Eye, you should be able to avoid most battles. However, if you have no choice but to fight, you should handle B-class or higher monsters. Leave the rest to Leon and the others."

"Understood."

"Just a moment! You've been giving advice to the Shield of Dawn this whole time. What about us?"

Alice of the Pegasus Arrow, hands on her hips, said angrily.

"We also have a partnership with the Spirit Factory, so we need proper guidance too."

Roland smiled wryly.

"Compared to before, you've become quite reliable."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't forget about you."

"Roland, what about us?"

Hans asked.

"The Pegasus Arrow will be the same as before. Focus on hit-and-away tactics and improve your agility.

By doing so, you can further refine your hit-and-away skills.

With your agility, you should be able to escape from a fire dragon for three days.

Surviving and training yourself in the current dungeon is entirely possible.

Collect as many Earthcrafts as you can."

"Okay. So, we'll be running around the volcano again."

"I'll push my agility to the limit and polish my skill, Rapid Fire."

Alice said, as if psyching herself up.

"Avoid close combat. I'll support you with my Farsight."

Claire said.

"That's about it. Do you have any questions? No? Alright, everyone, go ahead. I wish you all the best."

Thus, the Shield of Dawn and the Pegasus Arrow left the Spirit Factory and headed for the Volcano Dungeon. A person was watching them from the shadows.

Willic, an appraiser belonging to the Roland Victims Association, returned to their hideout with the information about the members of the Shield of Dawn and the Pegasus Arrow.

Sebastian, who had been on watch, stood up when he saw Willic.

"Willic. How did it go? What's the situation at the Spirit Factory? Did you get any leads?"

"The Spirit Factory sent two groups of adventurer guilds to the dungeon. They are likely under Roland's command. Sebastian, please deliver this information to Gilbert."

"Damn. Another errand. Every day, it's just these small, tedious tasks. When will we be able to bring down Roland!"

"Sebastian, control yourself. This is the time to work hard. This kind of steady intelligence gathering will eventually bear fruit and bring us victory."

"Still, it's been months since we started our activities. While Roland has been excluded from the Dragon's Blaze, the Spirit Factory has steadily gained influence. While he's building his influence, I've been enduring poor meals and a peeling wall. When will I be able to return to the Golden Eagle's second division?"

"Now is the time to wait for the opportunity. Don't worry. The chance to bring down Roland will surely come. Until then, be patient. Here, take this information to Gilbert."

Sebastian took Willic's note with a sour expression and disguised himself to go to Gilbert.

At the Dragon's Blaze, a meeting was being held.

"Alright, let's start the meeting."

Medes, seeing that the Quartet had taken their seats, began.

"As you all know, our Dragon's Blaze has officially received a request from the Crescent Knights to manufacture and maintain weapons. The Crescent Knights plan to explore the dungeon three times. They have requested the maintenance of the S-class weapon and magic sword Granir and the manufacture of a fire spear. As usual, Granir will be maintained by Raul, and their standard equipment will be evenly distributed among the Quartet. As for who will manufacture the fire spear... I think Edgar, you should take on this task."

"Sure, got it. Leave it to me."

Edgar accepted the task enthusiastically.

"Wait a moment!"

Lisetta stood up and objected.

"The manufacture of a fire spear requires silverwork skills. I should be the one to do it, not Edgar..."

"Lisetta. I understand what you're trying to say. However, there are concerns within the guild about the reliability of your fire spear. In fact, during the last exploration of the Guardian of the Magic Academy's dungeon, the fire spear was useless. If this information reaches the Crescent Knights, it could be problematic."

"But, that's..."

"Lisetta. I understand you may have something to say, but the results are the results. This time, please let Edgar handle it."

"Damn."

"Alright, that's settled for the Crescent Knights. Next, we have a request from Lord Gilbert. It's about that fraudster... Roland. He wants us to take action against Roland's guild, the Spirit Factory."

(Roland?)

Lisetta, who had been looking down, suddenly perked up.

"That man, I thought he would just fail after setting up an alchemy guild to spite us, but surprisingly, he seems to be running it quite well. It appears that two adventurer guilds have already signed contracts with the Spirit Factory."

"Wow, that's impressive."

"To think he could run an alchemy guild with just his smooth talk and bluff."

"When it comes to this, it's a kind of talent."

"The one who gets fooled is also to blame. I wonder what he's up to."

"Well, there will always be people who fall for cheap scams."

"What a headache."

The members of the Quartet exchanged their thoughts.

"Still, it remains a small-scale alchemy guild, and it's no real threat to us. We could ignore it, but Lord Gilbert of the Hail Knights is very concerned. He says it affects our reputation."

"That guy."

Raul looked a bit exasperated.

He was a bit uncomfortable with Gilbert.

"Lord Gilbert wants us to take down the Spirit Factory."

"Take it down?"

"Yes. He wants us to attack the adventurer guilds that have contracted with the Spirit Factory to undermine the credibility of their products and indirectly deal a blow to the Spirit Factory."

"I see."

"Indeed, that would hasten the end of Roland's guild."

"So, I want one of the Quartet to take on this mission. How about it? Is there anyone who wants to take on this task?"

(The Spirit Factory, I can definitely beat them!)

Lisetta thought.

(My reputation has started to decline because of the Guardian of the Magic Academy. I must clear my name at all costs.)

"I want to take on this mission!"

Lisetta raised her hand.

"Wait a moment. Guild Master, let me handle it."

Edgar also raised his hand.

"Edgar, you have the fire spear to manufacture. Can you handle two tasks at once?"

"It's fine. Just giving Roland a blow is a piece of cake."

"Guild Master, Edgar is already handling the fire spear. Let me do it."

Lisetta countered.

"This mission will require coordination with an adventurer guild. Lisetta, you lack the experience."

"Guild Master!"

"Alright, I'll leave it to Edgar."

"Alright."

"Damn..."

Lisetta turned pale.

Edgar smirked.

(Yes, I've taken another job from Lisetta. If I keep taking her jobs, her reputation will naturally decline. I'll be able to kick her out of the guild soon.)

Edgar, entrusted with two special tasks by the Guild Master, immediately got to work.

However, he soon realized that the workload far exceeded his capacity.

(If I have to handle both the fire spear and the Spirit Factory at the same time, I won't have enough time. I also have work for my clients. What should I do...)

After some thought, Edgar decided to use Lisetta.

"Lisetta, you wanted to handle the Spirit Factory, right? I can let you help me."

Lisetta looked at Edgar coldly.

"What do you think? Will you help me?"

"No way! I definitely won't help you. Why should I do your work?"

"Please, don't say that. Lisetta, your reputation with the Guild Master has been bad lately. This is a chance to redeem yourself."

"That's just an excuse. You just want to take all the credit. I know your plan."

"..."

"Resign from this task and have me appointed as the official handler. That's the right thing to do."

"If I do that, my reputation will suffer. Please, Lisetta, I'm in a bind."

"I don't care. I'm busy with my own work. I don't have time to work for your credit. That's it."

Lisetta said and left the scene.

"Damn, what a non-cooperative person."

Reluctantly, Edgar decided to consult with Charles.

"Of course, I'll help you."

"Really?"

"It's a quid pro quo. We're friends, after all."

"Thanks. Lisetta is so uncooperative."

"Heh. She's very determined to rise on her own merits."

"Still, it's tough to deal with. Anyway, it's good to have a good friend. Thanks."

"Leave it to me. My Product Design and Ore Refining are A-class. I should be able to handle the Spirit Factory. However, I have my own work, so I'll need to delegate Metal Forming to another staff member."

"I'll arrange that."

Edgar called three junior staff members.

One was Wayne, a young man with a strong and assertive impression.

Another was Pat, a young man with a shy and difficult impression.

The last was Lina, a girl who seemed weak but kind.

"These three are all B-class in Metal Forming."

"I see. That should be enough for the Spirit Factory. The next step is to arrange the adventurer guilds."

"This is the status information of the Shield of Dawn and the Pegasus Arrow provided by Gilbert."

"You've even done reconnaissance. He's quite prepared. Hmm, they're all C-class adventurers. They look like a small, weak guild. Oh? This Monica has a note. She's an A-class archer with the Hawk's Eye. Take note of that. Hawk's Eye? What's that?"

"It must be a mistake. Her agility is too low for an archer. She's C-class too."

"Well, then we don't need to worry about that note. The Dragon Knight's Hut should be enough. They have a B-class warrior, Breda, and they are a guild under the Dragon's Blaze. They won't mind a bit of dirty work."

"Alright, that's settled. The manufacturing of the equipment to counter the Spirit Factory will be handled by Wayne, Pat, and Lina."

"Understood."

(I'll let them do the work and take all the credit. Hehe, this is easy.)

Thus, the manufacturing of the equipment to counter the Spirit Factory was rushed, and the next day, it was handed over to the adventurers of the Dragon Knight's Hut.

They entered the dungeon and advanced quickly along the path that the Shield of Dawn and the Pegasus Arrow had taken, pursuing them.

Monica was leading the Shield of Dawn.

Using the Hawk's Eye, she was careful to avoid encounters with monsters and chose paths where they could fight weaker monsters if necessary.

Jeff followed Monica, feeling a sense of security that was unusual in a dungeon.

(Does she really control the encounters with monsters? It's hard to believe. My Farsight can detect the approach of monsters to some extent, but her Hawk's Eye is on a different level.)

At a fork in the road, Monica used the Hawk's Eye.

(The right path is guarded by many Armored Ogres. The left path has only Imps. The left path is better.)

"Everyone, we'll take the left path. There are Imps ahead, but there's no need to fear. With your combat skills, it should be easy... What?"

"What's wrong?"

"Something's not right. This... a group of adventurers is coming from behind?"

"Other adventurers?"

"Then we're fine."

"Yes, normally, but... this is..."

(This movement isn't just exploring the dungeon. They're following us? This is like...)

"I've confirmed it."

Jeff used his Farsight to spot the enemy.

"They seem to have recognized us. They're chasing us. This is like... they're trying to PK us!"

"What?!"

"Why would they do that?"

"They're almost here. Get your weapons ready!"

"Damn. What should we do?"

"Run... or fight?"

"Everyone, please stay calm. The enemy's movement speed is considerable. We can't outrun them with our agility. There's no place to hide. We must fight!"

Monica said and immediately used the Hawk's Eye to find a position that would work to their advantage, considering the elevation, wind direction, and cover.

The Shield of Dawn set up a defensive position on high ground, with Elio at the front, Monica and Jeff in shooting positions, and Leon and Cecil in the rear, ready to repel the attack.

The members of the Dragon Knight's Hut were rushing up the hill to ambush the Shield of Dawn.

"Frankly, this is a job I don't want to do. Attacking other adventurers is like being a thief."

"But, we have no choice. It's a request from the Dragon's Blaze."

"They supply us with good weapons. Given that, we can't refuse the request."

"To survive as an adventurer on this island, connections with the Dragon's Blaze are the most important."

"Well, the Shield of Dawn and the Pegasus Arrow are just small, weak guilds. We'll finish them quickly and get back to our regular work."

"Indeed."

"Ah? The enemy seems to be ready to intercept us. They're forming up."

"They're quite determined."

"Still, it's what we want."

"Our equipment and status are far superior! We'll crush them with a single blow!"

The members of the Dragon Knight's Hut used rocks and shrubs for cover, advancing their archers as close as possible.

However, they were quickly rendered combat ineffective by Monica and Jeff's shooting.

They were hiding, but Monica, with her Hawk's Eye, could clearly see their movements.

"Damn, the enemy's shooting is accurate."

"We can't advance any further!"

Reluctantly, they pulled back their archers and advanced their shield bearers.

"We'll bring it to close combat!"

The shield bearers were also whittled down by Monica's shooting.

Still, by advancing in three groups, they finally managed to reach the enemy's position and bring it to close combat.

The Dragon Knight's Hut then deployed their ace, Breda, equipped with B-class equipment, to engage in the battle.

Elio met him head-on.

The outcome of the battle depended on the one-on-one duel between Elio and Breda.

【Elio's Blue Armor Status】

Power: 70

Durability: 70 (↑20 with External Reinforcement)

Weight: 50

Special Effect: Reflection

Suitability: 90%

【Breda's Equipment Status】

Power: 70

Durability: 70

Weight: 70

Suitability: 50%

The two heavy warriors clashed.

Their attack and defense were almost equal, but Elio had the advantage of being on higher ground, the effect of the Reflection