Chapter 83

After repelling the assassin from "The Dragon's Blaze," "The Shield of Dawn" raced through the dungeon and reached the quarry of "Metal Line."

"Alright. Let's gather the Earthcraft as planned. The other ores don't matter. We need the Earthcraft above all."

They carefully selected and gathered the Earthcraft, which had a dull color, from among the colorful minerals that shone like jewels.

"Hurry up. We don't have much time."

Leon said this with growing anxiety.

(The Dragon's Blaze attacked us. I don't know what this means, but we need to hurry and discuss the situation with Roland. We must complete the quest and get down the mountain as soon as possible.)

While Jeff was cutting out the Earthcraft, he was distracted by the "Flame-Resistant Ore" nearby.

(The Flame-Resistant Ore sells for more than the Earthcraft. It wouldn't hurt to take a little bit, right?)

As Jeff was thinking this, Monica raised her voice.

"Everyone, enemies are coming!"

In the distance, the figure of a "Fire Dragon" with hard scales and flapping wings was visible in the sky.

"That's a Fire Dragon!"

"Damn, at a time like this."

"This is bad. With our current equipment..."

"Everyone, continue working. I'll handle it."

Monica readied her "Silver Steel-Breaking Bow" and fired a "Red Arrow."

The red arrow split the sky and narrowly missed the Fire Dragon's body.

(Missed!? This is the penetration effect of the Red Arrow that Roland mentioned. If so...)

Monica then calculated the trajectory correction based on the penetration effect and fired another arrow.

The arrow struck the Fire Dragon directly, causing its body to burst.

The Fire Dragon split in two, its spine shattered, and it fell, scattering its beautiful scales.

"Good job."

Jeff was stunned by Monica's shot.

(To take down a Fire Dragon from such a distance with one shot...)

"Jeff, is something wrong?"

Elio asked, looking worried.

"No, nothing."

Jeff released the Flame-Resistant Ore he was secretly trying to take and resumed gathering the Earthcraft.

(I have to get stronger. No matter what the cost!)

The "Hut of Dragon Knights," defeated by "The Shield of Dawn," returned to the city in a sorry state.

Edgar and Charles, who heard about their defeat, were puzzled.

"That's strange. C-class adventurers shouldn't be able to match my B-class equipment."

"Was Gilbert's information wrong? Or did the Hut of Dragon Knights make a mistake?"

"I don't think there are B-class adventurers in a small guild. So Gilbert's information seems reliable. It must be that the Hut of Dragon Knights made a mistake."

"Damn. They're useless."

"Isn't this bad? For The Dragon's Blaze to lose to an unknown guild like The Spirit Factory... If the guild leader finds out..."

"Right. We need to keep it secret for now. We need to buy some time."

Gilbert was listening to their conversation from a hidden spot.

(Damn, they're useless. I told them to be careful of the "Hawk-Eyed Archer." If I leave it to them, they won't defeat Roland in a hundred years. I have to act directly.)

Edgar was walking down the corridor, thinking about how to cover up the blunder.

(We need to quickly reevaluate our strategy against The Spirit Factory. We need to put out the fire for now. If we don't, the guild leader will definitely have a bad impression of us. We need to find a way to mislead him.)

"Edgar."

Edgar turned around to see Wayne, one of the staff members who handled the equipment for the Hut of Dragon Knights, running up to him.

"How was the armor I made? It turned out great, right?"

Wayne said proudly, unaware of the defeat of the Hut of Dragon Knights.

Edgar looked at Wayne's face for a moment and came up with an idea.

(I'll use him.)

"Yeah, the armor you made was great. It was almost entirely your work... no, it was all your doing. I'm really grateful for your help."

"Oh, no, no. You're exaggerating."

"How about this? If you're okay with it, I can report to the guild leader that this job was your achievement and recommend you for a higher position."

"Really? That's okay?"

"Of course."

"Wow, I feel bad. To go to such lengths for me..."

"Don't worry. I'm just reporting the facts and giving you the recognition you deserve. That's all."

"Thank you. I didn't know I was evaluated so highly. I'll follow you, Edgar."

"Thanks. I'll count on you to do a good job."

Edgar watched Wayne leave, smiling to himself.

(Simple-minded. Sorry, but you'll have to be the scapegoat.)

Edgar made a few adjustments to the broken armor and went to see Medes.

"Guild Leader, may I come in?"

"Ah, Edgar. How's the plan against The Spirit Factory going? Is everything going well?"

"It's a bit strange, actually."

"Strange?"

"Yes. The Hut of Dragon Knights, who were assigned to handle The Spirit Factory, have filed a complaint about the equipment. Look at this armor."

"What is this? It's in tatters. Did you make this?"

"No, Wayne made it."

"Wayne?"

"Yes. When I talked to him about the plan against The Spirit Factory, he was unusually eager to take on the job. Since he usually works hard and has the skills, I decided to give him a chance."

"I see. So this is the result?"

"Look here. The armor is unusually thin, can you see that?"

"Hmm. Indeed. The armor is unreasonably thin. What was he thinking? Who was responsible for the design?"

"The design was done by Charles. I told Wayne to follow Charles's design, but this thin part doesn't match the design."

Edgar showed Charles's design.

"Indeed. There's nothing suspicious about the design. Why did Wayne do this?"

"Well, I heard a bit of a rumor about Wayne."

"A rumor?"

"Yes. Apparently, he met with Roland and talked about something."

"What? With Roland?"

"Yes. I didn't say anything because it's his business, but it might be related to this."

"Bring Wayne here."

"Wait. If we question him directly, he might deny it."

"True. No one admits to betrayal."

"I have a plan. I haven't told Wayne that the armor came back in this condition."

"Really?"

"Yes. Let's keep the damage a secret and first get his statement that he was responsible for making the armor. Then we'll tell him that the armor came back undamaged and that the Hut of Dragon Knights praised it. After that, we'll question him about the betrayal."

"Alright. Do it that way."

Edgar quickly brought Wayne to the guild leader's office.

Before entering, he briefed Wayne.

"Alright, as we discussed, you were responsible for Breda's armor. I'll recommend you for a higher position. Is that okay?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Good. Guild Leader, I'll be right in."

Edgar knocked on the door and entered the guild leader's office.

"Ah, you both came. Sorry to call you during work."

"No problem."

"Wayne, Edgar tells me you did a great job on the plan against The Spirit Factory."

"Oh, no, no. I just did what I was told."

"Still, it's impressive that you can handle such a job at your age. Breda, the B-class adventurer from the Hut of Dragon Knights, was very satisfied with the armor. I saw it myself, and it was well-made. I heard you made it. Is that true?"

"Yes, I took full responsibility for its manufacture!"

"I see. So you did. It was indeed a fine piece of work."

"Yes, it was a great piece, wasn't it?"

"Idiot! Look at this!"

The guild leader pulled back a cloth to reveal the broken armor and threw it at Wayne's feet.

"What? What is this? How did it come to this..."

"I want to know that too. What were you thinking? Making such thin armor. You've disgraced the guild!"

Wayne turned pale as he looked at the thin part of the armor.

"No, that's impossible. I didn't make the armor that thin... It must be a mistake!"

(He's clearly lying.)

Medes narrowed his suspicious eyes and glared at Wayne.

(He must have been bought by Roland. We can't have someone like this wandering around the guild.)

"I see. You say you were responsible for making the armor, but you know nothing about the damage. Alright, I understand. You can leave now."

Wayne left the guild leader's office in a daze.

"Hey, Wayne. Are you okay?"

"Edgar, it's a mistake. I didn't make the armor that thin..."

"I know. You wouldn't do something like that. There must be a misunderstanding."

"But the guild leader..."

"Don't worry. I'll clear up the misunderstanding for you."

"Really?"

"Yes, go back to your post. You still have work to do, right?"

"Yes. Please, help me!"

"I will."

However, contrary to Edgar's words, Wayne was given a dismissal notice.

Wayne was kicked out of the workshop that day.

Edgar didn't say a word as Wayne left.

"Damn it. Edgar, that bastard must have set me up. It didn't feel right. A glory-hound like him wouldn't just give me an important job and take the credit. He flatters me when things go well and takes the credit. As soon as things go wrong, he pushes the blame on me and pretends he knows nothing."

Wayne glared at the workshop of The Dragon's Blaze with hatred.

"This isn't over. I'll get my revenge."