Chapter 93

Before the "Crescent Moon Knight" entered the dungeon, Yugan delivered a speech to the audience, which included Pat in the crowd.

He had been asked by Roland to gather information about external matters whenever he had the chance.

(There was no declaration in Yugan's speech about slaying the "Huge Fire Dragon." Wasn't it supposed to be the second exploration to slay the "Huge Fire Dragon"? Was there some unavoidable reason to change the plan? Could there have been some trouble with the "Dragon's Blaze"?)

While Pat was deep in thought, the "Crescent Moon Knight" finished all preparations and was about to enter the dungeon. The members of the local guilds that had formed an alliance with the "Crescent Moon Knight" followed one after another.

As Pat tried to gather more information, he noticed a familiar girl among the faces of the "Crescent Moon Knight" and the allied guilds.

It was Carla.

Surprised, Pat couldn't help but approach and speak to her.

"Carla!? You're Carla from the Gracia family, right?"

"Huh? You're Patrick from the Garcia family..."

"Are you going to join the alliance with the 'Crescent Moon Knight'?"

"Yeah, that's right. Last time, the selection was too strict, and I couldn't join, but this time, I managed to slip in through the additional recruitment. I might be able to join the expedition to slay the 'Huge Fire Dragon.'"

"…That's surprising. I didn't think you would help an external guild."

"I'm not helping the 'Crescent Moon Knight.'"

"Huh?"

"I'm going to kill Yugan."

"Yugan? But he's S-class. With your strength…?"

"So what?"

Carla glared at him.

"Slaying the 'Huge Fire Dragon' is traditionally the duty of our 'Dragon Burial Clan.' If Yugan is going to interfere, it doesn't matter if he's Double S-class or not; I'll kill him with this sword."

Carla gripped the sheath of her sword, which bore the emblem of a dragon.

(The 'Dragon Burial Clan.' They have performed the ritual to subdue the 'Huge Fire Dragon' for generations on this island. But now they are a forgotten and extinct clan. Yet, Carla, you still…)

"What are you doing here? I heard that the Garcia family, known for alchemy, went bankrupt, and you, as the heir, are working at the 'Dragon's Blaze'?"

Carla looked at Pat's new attire with a puzzled expression.

It wasn't the uniform of the 'Dragon's Blaze.'

The emblem of a hammer-wielding sprite was engraved on the clothing.

"I left the 'Dragon's Blaze.' I couldn't stand the way they treated their workers. Now I'm working at the 'Sprite's Factory' guild."

"The 'Sprite's Factory'… Roland's alchemy guild?"

"You know it?"

"Yeah, I visited once. …But I wasn't taken seriously. After all, they're a guild from outside the island. They don't understand how we islanders feel."

The "Crescent Moon Knight" and the allied guilds began to enter the dungeon.

"The 'Crescent Moon Knight' is moving. I'm off then. See you."

"Wait. Carla."

Pat grabbed Carla's arm to stop her.

"Right now, the place I'm working at, the 'Sprite's Factory'… it's a good workplace. The guild leader, Roland, really cares about his staff. He's also involved in the development of local adventurer guilds. If you'd like, you could…?"

"Can I become strong enough to slay the 'Huge Fire Dragon' if I join the 'Sprite's Factory'?"

Carla said with a sneer.

"Well…"

"Those from outside the island always promise sweet words and take resources, then leave. You've seen it happen, haven't you?"

"…"

"Do you have no pride as the heir of a prominent family on this island?"

"I… I…"

"Tell Roland to stay out of the 'Huge Fire Dragon.' If he interferes, I'll kill him."

Carla shook off Pat's hand and followed the alliance.

Pat could only watch her go.

When Pat returned to the workshop, he resumed shaping iron with a troubled expression.

(Carla's words are unreasonable. The island can't suppress the 'Huge Fire Dragon' without the help of external adventurer guilds. She must know that. However, the resentment the islanders have towards outsiders is real. Even if they understand logically, emotionally, many would agree with Carla. Even if Roland's local guild development succeeds, what will happen to Carla then?)

—Do you have no pride as the heir of a prominent family on this island?—

(I couldn't say anything in response. I… I…)

"Everyone, stop what you're doing and gather here."

Roland's voice called out.

Everyone in the workshop gathered in front of Roland.

"A few days ago, the bard Nicola formally commissioned us to create the 'Dragon Sound' A harp."

"The 'Dragon Sound' A harp?"

Aina repeated.

"Yes. As you know, Pat's unique skill 'Tuning' is showing signs of awakening. If we can create a 'Dragon Sound' A instrument and calm the 'Fire Dragon's' anger, we can strongly support the exploration of the 'Dawn Shield' and 'Pegasus Arrow' dungeons. Therefore, we want to focus on improving Pat's unique skill from now on. Pat, you will concentrate solely on 'Tuning' from now on. You don't need to do any other work. Aina."

"Yes."

"Can you take over Pat's 'Metal Shaping' tasks?"

Aina, who was already responsible for adjusting the workload of other members, responded.

"Yes. I think it can be managed if Wayne and Reina reduce the time they spend using their unique skills."

"Hey, hold on. What are you deciding without asking us?"

Wayne protested.

"Alright. Then, please make the necessary adjustments in that direction."

Roland said.

(Damn, these guys…)

"Guild leader, I'll support Pat. Let me know if you need anything."

Reina said.

"Thank you, Reina."

"That's great, Pat. The guild leader is taking an interest in you."

Reina expressed her genuine happiness.

"Umm, yeah."

Pat looked down, looking conflicted.

"Pat, is something wrong?"

"Um, well…"

(Couldn't believe I'd be given such an important task at this time. It's an honor, but… but… I'm not ready…)

Pat couldn't stop thinking about Carla.

"Pat, is there something troubling you again?"

"Um, well…"

"You don't have to hide it. I won't get angry."

"…Okay."

"Is it related to your work?"

"Well, it's not directly related to me, but it's been bothering me…"

(If it's a personal matter, I can't just interfere…)

"Does it conflict with this quest?"

"It might… I'm not sure."

Pat bowed his head.

Roland chuckled.

"You tend to overthink things, don't you?"

"Ugh."

Pat was speechless, caught off guard.

This was something he had been repeatedly warned about during his time at the 'Dragon's Blaze.'

"Pat, it's not bad to focus on negative things, but to master a unique skill, you need an extraordinary level of concentration. Especially when it comes to slaying the 'Dragon's Blaze.'"

(Slay the 'Dragon's Blaze'? Is he serious? It's like an ant trying to take down an elephant…)

Wayne also reacted to the words "slay the 'Dragon's Blaze.'"

"You need to find a way to clear your mind and focus on alchemy. So, can you concentrate on helping the adventurers and completing this quest?"

"…Understood."

Pat said, still troubled.

"Alright. Let's work on improving your unique skill together."

Roland and Pat immediately began working on improving the unique skill.

"Alright, unique skills are different from regular skills. There's no established method to improve them. We can only find hints by using the skill. How about it, Pat? Do you remember what triggered the improvement last time?"

"No, I didn't even notice it had improved."

"I see. Hmm. In that case, we might just have to practice a lot."

"Mr. Roland."

Aina approached with a harp.

"Aina, what's with that harp?"

"I thought it might help improve Pat's unique skill. I heard that softer strings produce better sound, so I've made some adjustments."

Roland plucked the strings of the harp and found them to be softer than usual.

"I see. Pat, try tuning this harp."

"Okay."

Pat tried tuning the harp.

(Indeed, this has a wider range of tones. Probably the same for 'Dragon Sound'…)

After tuning, Pat played the harp briefly.

While he couldn't perform complex pieces, he had already mastered the basics.

The mysterious sound of the 'Dragon Sound' echoed through the workshop.

As Pat played, he noticed something was off.

(Huh? The pitch is off? Indeed, with a better quality harp, it's more noticeable.)

(Pat, it seems you've found a clue to improve your skill.)

Roland observed Pat and saw signs of improvement.

He stepped back to observe from a distance.

Pat resumed tuning.

However, the harp soon reached its shaping limit.

(Darn, the shaping limit.)

"Pat, is it the shaping limit?"

Roland asked after a moment.

"Uh? Yes."

(He could tell it was the shaping limit without even touching it. This is the power of an S-class appraiser…)

"Alright. Aina, have Rody design a harp that allows more string adjustments."

"Understood."

Soon, the design was ready.

"Pat, how about this?"

"Yes, this is perfect. I'll start making it right away."

"No, Aina, have Aiz make it as quickly as possible."

"Understood."

When Pat tried to join in the making, Roland stopped him.

"Pat, take a break. Rest up for the 'Tuning' in the afternoon."

"Okay."

Pat took a break, feeling a bit uneasy.

When Pat returned from his break, Aina called out to him as they passed each other.

"Hey, Pat. The harp is ready. It's on your workbench."

"Ah, okay."

"Good luck."

Aina winked and headed towards the break room.

When Pat returned to his workbench, the harp was indeed there.

(The harp is really made. What a quick response.)

At the 'Dragon's Blaze,' he would have been robbed of the credit.

All that was left was to tune it, and the quest would be complete.

(They really don't want me to do anything but 'Tuning.' This level of focus on skill improvement is different from the 'Dragon's Blaze.')

Pat tried the harp briefly.

The quality seemed fine.

(To make this in such a short time… What a development speed. Aina is also helping. In this guild, even the ace supports the new members. Everything is different from the 'Dragon's Blaze.' Roland's passion for development is real. The thorough support system, the cooperative atmosphere, and the S-class appraiser's evaluation. No wonder even Edgar couldn't compete.)

Pat continued tuning.

(The second string's pitch is a bit high. This would cause problems in the crucial parts of the performance.)

Roland observed Pat, who was becoming more focused.

(He's really concentrating. Lost in thought, fully immersed in his work. This is his true self…)

The quietness felt like a prelude to awakening.

As Pat was deeply engrossed in his work, he was suddenly tapped on the shoulder and addressed.

"Hey, Pat. You're really getting into it."

"Uh? Wayne?"

"I heard your harp is for slaying the 'Dragon's Blaze.'"

"Uh? Yeah."

"Can't just sit by and do nothing. I'll help. From stealing materials to covering up the finished product, I'll do anything."

"Uh? No, that…"

"Wayne, don't cause trouble! Pat, you don't have to respond to everything."

Roland scolded Wayne.

"Tch. Fine, fine."

Wayne reluctantly stopped trying to influence Pat.

"Anyway, don't hold back. Give it your all. We'll show those who kicked us out of the 'Dragon's Blaze' what we're made of. Don't worry, I'll take full responsibility."

"Umm, thanks?"

(Wayne, what kind of responsibility are you talking about…)

Pat sighed and looked at the harp again.

(Just when I thought I was out of the 'Dragon's Blaze,' now I have to slay the 'Dragon's Blaze'… Life is tough. No matter where I go, there's always competition. I just want to serve someone…)

Pat gripped the hammer again.

The harp was almost complete.

(Will completing this harp lead me down the right path? I don't know. I don't know what will happen to the island or if we can slay the 'Dragon's Blaze.' But… Carla, I will follow Roland. This is my path.)

Pat lightly tapped the harp's strings with the hammer, adjusting their thickness. The tuning was complete.

The harp's strings began to glow.

"Mr. Roland, it's done. Can you appraise it?"

【Harp Status】

Special Effect: 'Dragon Sound' A

【Patrick Garcia's Unique Skill】

'Tuning': A (↑1)

"Yep, it's 'Dragon Sound' A."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you're now an A-class alchemist, Pat."

"…Okay."

"Yay, great job, Pat."

Reina hugged Pat.

"Reina?"

"Haha, what do you think, Aina? Now it's 2-1 in our favor. We're winning."

"Why are you so smug!"

Pat looked out the window towards the volcano.

(Carla, no matter what you say, I will continue working at the 'Sprite's Factory.' I will help local adventurers, even if it's just a little. When we meet again, I will face you head-on.)

The "Crescent Moon Knight" and his party had returned to the dungeon and reached the "Metal Line."

The "Crescent Moon Knight" and the local guild members immediately began mining the shiny minerals exposed on the ground.

(We've made it this far without any trouble. The thief guild hasn't attacked. But…)

Yugan looked behind him.

(But they must be following us. They'll attack on the way back!)

Yugan scanned the mountains for any hidden enemies.

The mountains were quiet, with no sign of anyone hiding.

(The local guild members won't be useful in a fight against the thief guild. And the 'Dragon's Blaze' can't be trusted. If we go down the mountain now, we'll lose the minerals again. So…)

Yugan called his deputy over and whispered his plan, making sure no one else could hear.

"Wait, you're going to slay the 'Huge Fire Dragon' alone?"

"Yeah, while the local guild members are busy mining, I'll slip away and do it quickly. I'll be back within three days. Keep the others calm and in line while I'm gone."

"But, going alone is too dangerous…"

"But going in a group is even