Chapter 87

Edgar successfully obtained additional funding from Medes and was once again pushing to bring down the "Spirit Workshop."

"Charles, Pat, Leina. Is everyone here? Yes, they are. Alright. Let's start the meeting."

Pat tilted his head as he looked at the attendees.

(Where's Wayne? Why isn't he here?)

Ignoring Pat's confusion, Edgar proceeded with the meeting.

"The other day, we entrusted the extermination of the 'Dawn Shield' and the 'Pegasus Arrow' to the 'Dragon Knight's Hut,' but they were utterly defeated. It's pathetic."

"The 'Dragon Knight's Hut' was defeated? Why? The 'Dawn Shield' and the 'Pegasus Arrow' are small guilds with only C-class adventurers, right?"

Leina said.

"It seems there was a problem on our side as well."

"What do you mean?"

"It turns out the equipment we provided had defects. It was made by Wayne. Look at this."

Edgar placed the armor on the stand.

"This is...?"

Pat was speechless at the thinness of the armor.

"Wayne made this? It's terrible..."

Leina covered her mouth with both hands.

"Even a B-class warrior like Breda would be helpless if stabbed from behind by an ally. Damn, Wayne, you really did it."

"Anyway, because of this, we've been given additional funding this time. However, you're not allowed to make the same mistake again, got it?"

"Where is Wayne now? I haven't seen him around the guild recently..."

Pat asked.

"Wayne has been fired. It's only natural, considering he betrayed us and acted in the enemy's favor."

"Why did Wayne do such a thing?"

"Who knows? You'd have to ask Wayne himself!"

"According to what I've heard, he was bought off by the 'Spirit Workshop.'"

Charles interjected, trying to help.

"Oh, right. He was bought off by the enemy 'Spirit Workshop.'"

Edgar recalled.

(Pat thought) (Wayne betrayed us? No way. But... if my superior says so, I shouldn't argue... right? If subordinates always doubted their superiors, the organization wouldn't function. But... )

Pat reconsidered.

(I can't imagine Wayne making such armor. Wayne is indeed overly competitive and often causes trouble, but he wouldn't intentionally cause a defeat.)

"The 'Spirit Workshop' is more troublesome than we thought. They even managed to buy off Wayne and make him betray us. You all need to be careful. You never know who might be a traitor."

(What should I do? If I don't do anything, Wayne will be branded a traitor. Watching a close friend be falsely accused and dismissed would be a betrayal of friendship, wouldn't it?)

As Pat was pondering this, Leina tugged at his sleeve.

(Leina?)

(Pat, don't argue with Edgar. It will only make things worse for you. I understand how you feel, but you need to hold back.)

Pat understood Leina's message with just a glance.

In the end, he decided to remain silent.

"What's wrong, Pat? What's that look for? Do you have a complaint?"

"No, I don't."

After that, Pat remained silent, not uttering a word no matter what Edgar said or how much the other members debated.

"Alright, I'll give you specific instructions later. Until then, make sure you're well-prepared."

Edgar concluded the meeting.

Edgar and Charles walked down the corridor together.

"Are you okay?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Pat, who was silent the whole time."

"Pat?"

Edgar looked displeased.

"He said he had no objections, but his face was full of dissatisfaction."

"That's just how he is. He always overthinks and can't focus on the task at hand."

"He's a difficult one to handle."

"Exactly. I have no idea what he's thinking. He's hard to manage."

Meanwhile, at the 'Spirit Workshop,' the 'Dawn Shield' had returned after collecting 'Earthcraft.'

Coincidentally, Hans and the 'Pegasus Arrow' also returned around the same time.

"Good. It looks like you've collected the 'Earthcraft' as required."

Roland said, looking at the 'Earthcraft' in their backpacks.

"Yeah, we collected the number you asked for."

"Alright, next is the training to boost our stats. What do we need to do?"

Jeff asked, eager to get stronger.

Roland chuckled.

"Of course, I have a plan for your enhancement. For now, take a break and focus on recovering your stats. I'll give you further instructions later. Aina."

"Yes."

"Take the 'Earthcraft' and their equipment to the workshop."

"Yes, I'll do that."

"I need to have a meeting with them. Can you handle the rest?"

"Yes, I can!"

Roland said, and Aina began to take charge.

"Alright, everyone, take the equipment and items from the adventurers. We'll start the maintenance while Roland is in the meeting."

The workers of the 'Spirit Workshop' took the adventurers' equipment and items and immediately started working.

Aina inspected the condition of the equipment and gave instructions to Rody.

"Rody, take the equipment to the workshop. All the armor needs 'Exterior Reinforcement,' so line them up near my workbench. The 'Dragon Piercing Bow' also needs maintenance, so bring it to my workbench."

"Got it. What about the items in this bag?"

"That's 'Earthcraft.' Roland will request external refining later. Place it near Roland's desk."

"Got it."

Rody loaded the heavy equipment and the bag full of 'Earthcraft' onto a cart and took it to the workshop.

"The 'Dragon Piercing Bow' needs more arrows. Aiz, can you try making 'Red Arrows'?"

"Huh? 'Red Arrows'? Can I make them?"

"Yes. We need a lot of arrows, and since you have high agility and can produce a lot, it would be faster for you to make them. I'll do the 'Exterior Reinforcement,' so just make the frame."

"Um, can I do it?"

"Of course. You have 'Metal Shaping' B, right? I made them when I was at C, so you can do it."

"Alright, I'll try."

"Wayne, you're in charge of the store equipment. You need to make the armor frames that are due today, right? Get to it."

"Tch. Alright."

"Make sure to include the green 'Exterior Reinforcement' in between the armor. Got it?"

"Got it. Don't give me such detailed instructions."

Wayne grumbled as he started his work.

Aina returned to her workbench, where armor, paint, brushes, and a support magic wand were laid out.

(Good. Rody has lined them up properly.)

As Aina was maintaining the armor by scraping and repainting the 'Exterior Reinforcement' parts, Aiz came over.

"Aina, sorry to bother you."

"Hmm?"

"I couldn't do it."

Aiz showed her a deformed arrow.

"Alright. Rody!"

"Huh? What?"

"Write a design for the 'Red Arrows' for Aiz."

"Got it."

"Aiz, try using Rody's design for now. If you can't do it, let me know. I'll give you detailed instructions."

"Understood."

On the other side of the partition, Rody, who had been helping Wayne, was about to leave.

"Anyway, Wayne, I'm going to support Aiz for a bit."

(Damn. They all listen to Aina. I'm a main staff member too. Can't they consider me a little? Damn.)

Wayne grumbled as he hammered the iron.

Roland watched Aina's work while writing the order for 'Earthcraft' refining.

(Aina is getting better at managing people. Maybe I can entrust her with more responsible tasks.)

Seeing that Aina and the others were doing well, Roland returned to the meeting with Leon and the others.

"So, how has it been? Have you been attacked by other guilds since then?"

"No, not really. How about you? Has the 'Spirit Workshop' made any moves?"

"Have you seen the building across the street? It's the branch of the 'Dragon Blaze.' I think it's preparation for the next attack."

"Of course. What do we do? Should we change our plans?"

"No, it's fine. We'll continue with the plan."

"But, isn't it reckless to train while being attacked by the 'Dragon Blaze'? They're not stupid. They might come with more forces next time."

"Don't worry. I have a secret plan."

"Huh?"

"Anyway, Leon, take a break. Rest is part of the job."

"Phew. Well, if you say so, I have no choice but to believe you."

After Roland finished the information exchange with Leon and the others, Monica approached.

"Good work, Roland."

"Ah, Monica. You too. Are you okay with not taking a break?"

"Yes. I was exempt from mining, and since we weren't attacked by the enemy, I mostly just kept watch with 'Eagle Eye.'"

"That's not good. You worked so hard during your vacation."

"No, it's fine. If it makes you happy, I'm happy... But, it would be nice to get a reward for my hard work."

"Of course. I have a special reward for you."

"Really?"

"Yes, I've been secretly preparing it to surprise you."

"Wow, really? What is it? I'm excited."

"I'll show you now. The new equipment I developed for you!"

"Yay, new equipment!"

Monica pretended to be happy while feeling disappointed inside.

(Come on, Roland. You're just dodging the issue. You know what I really want.)

However, when the bow and arrows were brought in, Monica's eyes widened.

"This is..."

Meanwhile, the alchemists of the 'Dragon Blaze' were also moving.

"The 'Dawn Shield' and the 'Pegasus Arrow' have returned from the dungeon."

"Hmm. What are they doing?"

"They seem to be repairing their equipment. They will likely return to the dungeon once the repairs are done."

"Alright. We'll attack them when they return to the dungeon."

Edgar gathered Pat and Leina to explain the plan.

"This time, we'll change our equipment based on the enemy's movements. According to the 'Dragon Knight's Hut,' they were in a disadvantageous position last time. So, this time, we'll have more thieves and archers to secure a better position, and add attack mages and support mages to strengthen the melee combat."

Pat listened to Edgar's explanation, deep in thought.

(Should I say something? If I do, Edgar might get upset. But if I don't, this mission might fail again.)

"The enemy is agile, so we'll use thieves and archers. If they come with heavy armor, we'll use mages. Ha. It's a perfect plan, don't you think?"

(I can't take it anymore. I have to say something.)

"Edgar, may I say something?"

"Huh? What is it?"

"From the equipment returned by the 'Dragon Knight's Hut,' it seems that some of the armor was heavily damaged by arrows. I think the enemy has a very powerful archer. Shouldn't we prepare for that?"

"What, you? Are you dissatisfied with my plan?"

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"Pat, isn't it too late for that? Charles, didn't we already reach a conclusion in the last meeting? The failure was Wayne's fault, and you agreed, right?"

"That's..."

"Besides, the guild leader has already been informed, and the new budget has been allocated. It's too late to say the enemy has a powerful archer. Pat, do you understand? The equipment we gave to the 'Dragon Knight's Hut' included some of your work. We're protecting you from taking the blame. Are you trying to defend a fired person and take the blame for the last failure?"

"But, I made the equipment as Charles said..."

Pat realized his mistake.

Charles, unusually, had a nervous look on his face.

"The last failure was Wayne's fault. There is no powerful archer on the enemy side. Got it?"

"...Yes."

"Alright, no more complaints. Leina and I will keep watch at the 'Dragon Blaze' branch. Charles and Pat will deliver the equipment to the 'Dragon Blaze.' Everyone, get to your positions and don't fail."

"Roland, shouldn't we stop the training and prepare for the attack by the 'Dragon Blaze'?"

Leon said.

"Right. The 'Dragon Knight's Hut' is the second-largest guild on this island. They have a large number of members and a deep bench. I don't think we can repel them with our strength alone."

Jeff added.

"It's fine. Monica, do you understand the plan?"

"Yes."

(Damn. Attacking the 'Dragon Knight's Hut' during training? Just because we have an A-class archer, you're underestimating them. Is Roland okay?)

"It's fine, Jeff."

"Hans?"

"I think Roland has a plan we can't even imagine."

(Well, I'm not responsible for what happens.)

The 'Dawn Shield' and the 'Pegasus Arrow' entered the dungeon together.

"Ah, the adventurers from the 'Spirit Workshop' are leaving. They're heading to the dungeon."

Leina, who was keeping watch, reported to Edgar.

"Really?"

Edgar confirmed the 'Dawn Shield' and the 'Pegasus Arrow' through the surveillance window.

(5 archers, 1 shield bearer, 1 swordsman, 1 thief. A very unbalanced formation. It's as if they haven't considered any combat at all. Well, it's to our advantage.)

"The enemy is a heavily archer-focused unit. If we secure the high ground, we can easily win. Send archers and thieves to secure the high ground and block their path, then force them into melee combat!"

The rear guard of the 'Dragon Knight's Hut,' consisting of agile members, equipped with archer and thief gear, quickly pursued the 'Dawn Shield' and the 'Pegasus Arrow.'

Monica spotted the 'Dragon Knight's Hut' unit with 'Eagle Eye.'

(?! Archers and thieves in front, securing the high ground. They anticipated us? ...No, that's not all.)

Monica noticed the movement behind them with 'Eagle Eye.'

(Heavy-armored warrior units from behind. They're planning to attack from both sides.)

"Everyone, there are enemies in front and behind. Let's change our course quickly."

Monica and the others retreated to a side path.

However, they were intercepted by the 'Dragon Knight's Hut' warrior units.

"There they are! Don't let them escape. Force them into melee combat!"